A Volcano Monitoring Seismo-Acoustic Network in the CNMI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howard, J. E.; Crippen, S. E.; Hayward, C.; Quick, J. E.

2011-12-01

In late spring and early summer of 2011, a seismo-acoustic network was installed in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for volcano monitoring. The network consists of a seismo-acoustic array on Saipan, an acoustic array on Sarigan with one seismometer, and a seismic network on Anatahan. On Saipan the array consists of a central site and 3 embedded triangular arrays with apertures of 100 m, 300 m and 1000 m. Four 50-foot porous hoses in a clover-leaf arrangement are used for spatial filtering at each acoustic site. Broadband seismometers were installed at the central site and the 1000 m sites. The Sarigan Array consists of a central acoustic site with 5 surrounding sites evenly spaced at 50 m radius, and one broadband seismic station. Two hoses were used for each site on Sarigan. Four broadband seismic stations were also installed on Anatahan which last erupted in 2005. Data from each array is sent by radio telemetry to the Emergency Management Office on Saipan, where it is routed to the USGS and SMU. Data will be used for volcano monitoring which will allow the CNMI to resume economic activity in the uninhabited northern islands. Initial data streams show high seismic noise levels as expected for an island installation. The Sarigan acoustic sites are also noisy as a result of being more exposed to wind than the Saipan sites. Many small events have already been observed in the infrasound data. This network was installed through the collaborative efforts of CNMI, USGS and SMU.

Extraordinary optical transmission through wedge-shape metallic slits array embedded with rectangular cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Yunping; Zhang, Xuewei; Hu, Yue; Nan, Xianghong; Wang, Xiangxian

2017-10-01

The non-resonantly enhanced optical transmission phenomenon of sub-wavelength metallic slits on a thin film is significant for broadband light integrated devices. In order to improve the EOT characteristics of sub-wavelength metallic slits further more, in this paper, wedge-shape metallic slits array embedded with rectangular cavities structure is proposed and its transmission properties are investigated using the finite element method. The results show that wedgeshape metallic slits array can achieve higher transmission compared with straight slits array embedded with rectangular cavities and the light is strongly localized and enhanced at the slit exits. We describe the phenomenon with a transmission line model. The width of entrance of the slit influences the transmission property: the transmittance can be 94%, after optimizing the structure parameters, with the widths 150nm and 30nm at the entrance and exit of the slit, respectively. The thickness of metal film influences the transmission peak position and transmission rate: when the increase of the thickness of the metal film, the transmittance increases and the transmission peak is red-shift, however, the law of long wavelength range is opposite. In addition, the effects of structural period of wedge-shaped slits embedded with rectangular cavities structure on the transmission property are also studied. These results would be helpful for optical signal transmission and the design of near field optical conductor devices with higher transmission capability.

Ultra-wideband microwave absorber by connecting multiple absorption bands of two different-sized hyperbolic metamaterial waveguide arrays.

PubMed

Yin, Xiang; Long, Chang; Li, Junhao; Zhu, Hua; Chen, Lin; Guan, Jianguo; Li, Xun

2015-10-19

Microwave absorbers have important applications in various areas including stealth, camouflage, and antenna. Here, we have designed an ultra-broadband light absorber by integrating two different-sized tapered hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM) waveguides, each of which has wide but different absorption bands due to broadband slow-light response, into a unit cell. Both the numerical and experimental results demonstrate that in such a design strategy, the low absorption bands between high absorption bands with a single-sized tapered HMM waveguide array can be effectively eliminated, resulting in a largely expanded absorption bandwidth ranging from 2.3 to 40 GHz. The presented ultra-broadband light absorber is also insensitive to polarization and robust against incident angle. Our results offer a further step in developing practical artificial electromagnetic absorbers, which will impact a broad range of applications at microwave frequencies.

Regional waveform calibration in the Pamir-Hindu Kush region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Lupei; Helmberger, Donald V.; Saikia, Chandan K.; Woods, Bradley B.

1997-10-01

Twelve moderate-magnitude earthquakes (mb 4-5.5) in the Pamir-Hindu Kush region are investigated to determine their focal mechanisms and to relocate them using their regional waveform records at two broadband arrays, the Kyrgyzstan Regional Network (KNET), and the 1992 Pakistan Himalayas seismic experiment array (PAKH) in northern Pakistan. We use the "cut-and-paste" source estimation technique to invert the whole broadband waveforms for mechanisms and depths, assuming a one-dimensional velocity model developed for the adjacent Tibetan plateau. For several large events the source mechanisms obtained agree with those available from the Harvard centroid moment tensor (CMT) solutions. An advantage of using regional broadband waveforms is that focal depths can be better constrained either from amplitude ratios of Pnl to surface waves for crustal events or from time separation between the direct P and the shear-coupled P wave (sPn + sPmP) for mantle events. All the crustal events are relocated at shallower depths compared with their International Seismological Centre bulletin or Harvard CMT depths. After the focal depths are established, the events are then relocated horizontally using their first-arrival times. Only minor offsets in epicentral location are found for all mantle events and the bigger crustal events, while rather large offsets (up to 30 km) occur for the smaller crustal events. We also tested the performance of waveform inversion using only two broadband stations, one from the KNET array in the north of the region and one from the PAKH array in the south. We found that this geometry is adequate for determining focal depths and mechanisms of moderate size earthquakes in the Pamir-Hindu Kush region.

Microseismic Monitoring Using Sparse Surface Network of Broadband Instruments: Western Canada Shale Play Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yenier, E.; Baturan, D.; Karimi, S.

2016-12-01

Monitoring of seismicity related to oil and gas operations is routinely performed nowadays using a number of different surface and downhole seismic array configurations and technologies. Here, we provide a hydraulic fracture (HF) monitoring case study that compares the data set generated by a sparse local surface network of broadband seismometers to a data set generated by a single downhole geophone string. Our data was collected during a 5-day single-well HF operation, by a temporary surface network consisting of 10 stations deployed within 5 km of the production well. The downhole data was recorded by a 20 geophone string deployed in an observation well located 15 m from the production well. Surface network data processing included standard STA/LTA event triggering enhanced by template-matching subspace detection, grid search locations which was improved using the double-differencing re-location technique, as well as Richter (ML) and moment (Mw) magnitude computations for all detected events. In addition, moment tensors were computed from first motion polarities and amplitudes for the subset of highest SNR events. The resulting surface event catalog shows a very weak spatio-temporal correlation to HF operations with only 43% of recorded seismicity occurring during HF stages times. This along with source mechanisms shows that the surface-recorded seismicity delineates the activation of several pre-existing structures striking NNE-SSW and consistent with regional stress conditions as indicated by the orientation of SHmax. Comparison of the sparse-surface and single downhole string datasets allows us to perform a cost-benefit analysis of the two monitoring methods. Our findings show that although the downhole array recorded ten times as many events, the surface network provides a more coherent delineation of the underlying structure and more accurate magnitudes for larger magnitude events. We attribute this to the enhanced focal coverage provided by the surface network and the use of broadband instrumentation. The results indicate that sparse surface networks of high quality instruments can provide rich and reliable datasets for evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of hydraulic fracture operations in regions with favorable surface noise, local stress and attenuation characteristics.

High-temperature operation of broadband bidirectional terahertz quantum-cascade lasers.

PubMed

Khanal, Sudeep; Gao, Liang; Zhao, Le; Reno, John L; Kumar, Sushil

2016-09-12

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with a broadband gain medium could play an important role for sensing and spectroscopy since then distributed-feedback schemes could be utilized to produce laser arrays on a single semiconductor chip with wide spectral coverage. QCLs can be designed to emit at two different frequencies when biased with opposing electrical polarities. Here, terahertz QCLs with bidirectional operation are developed to achieve broadband lasing from the same semiconductor chip. A three-well design scheme with shallow-well GaAs/Al0.10Ga0.90As superlattices is developed to achieve high-temperature operation for bidirectional QCLs. It is shown that shallow-well heterostructures lead to optimal quantum-transport in the superlattice for bidirectional operation compared to the prevalent GaAs/Al0.15Ga0.85As material system. Broadband lasing in the frequency range of 3.1-3.7 THz is demonstrated for one QCL design, which achieves maximum operating temperatures of 147 K and 128 K respectively in opposing polarities. Dual-color lasing with large frequency separation is demonstrated for a second QCL, that emits at ~3.7 THz and operates up to 121 K in one polarity, and at ~2.7 THz up to 105 K in the opposing polarity. These are the highest operating temperatures achieved for broadband terahertz QCLs at the respective emission frequencies, and could lead to commercial development of broadband terahertz laser arrays.

High-temperature operation of broadband bidirectional terahertz quantum-cascade lasers

DOE PAGES

Khanal, Sudeep; Gao, Liang; Zhao, Le; ...

2016-09-12

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with a broadband gain medium could play an important role for sensing and spectroscopy since then distributed-feedback schemes could be utilized to produce laser arrays on a single semiconductor chip with wide spectral coverage. QCLs can be designed to emit at two different frequencies when biased with opposing electrical polarities. Here, we develop terahertz QCLs with bidirectional operation to achieve broadband lasing from the same semiconductor chip. A three-well design scheme with shallow-well GaAs/Al 0.10Ga 0.90As superlattices is developed to achieve high-temperature operation for bidirectional QCLs. It is shown that shallow-well heterostructures lead to optimalmore » quantum-transport in the superlattice for bidirectional operation compared to the prevalent GaAs/Al 0.15Ga 0.85As material system. Furthermore, broadband lasing in the frequency range of 3.1–3.7 THz is demonstrated for one QCL design, which achieves maximum operating temperatures of 147 K and 128 K respectively in opposing polarities. Dual-color lasing with large frequency separation is demonstrated for a second QCL, that emits at ~3.7 THz and operates up to 121 K in one polarity, and at ~2.7 THz up to 105 K in the opposing polarity. Finally, these are the highest operating temperatures achieved for broadband terahertz QCLs at the respective emission frequencies, and could lead to commercial development of broadband terahertz laser arrays.« less

High-temperature operation of broadband bidirectional terahertz quantum-cascade lasers

PubMed Central

Khanal, Sudeep; Gao, Liang; Zhao, Le; Reno, John L.; Kumar, Sushil

2016-01-01

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with a broadband gain medium could play an important role for sensing and spectroscopy since then distributed-feedback schemes could be utilized to produce laser arrays on a single semiconductor chip with wide spectral coverage. QCLs can be designed to emit at two different frequencies when biased with opposing electrical polarities. Here, terahertz QCLs with bidirectional operation are developed to achieve broadband lasing from the same semiconductor chip. A three-well design scheme with shallow-well GaAs/Al0.10Ga0.90As superlattices is developed to achieve high-temperature operation for bidirectional QCLs. It is shown that shallow-well heterostructures lead to optimal quantum-transport in the superlattice for bidirectional operation compared to the prevalent GaAs/Al0.15Ga0.85As material system. Broadband lasing in the frequency range of 3.1–3.7 THz is demonstrated for one QCL design, which achieves maximum operating temperatures of 147 K and 128 K respectively in opposing polarities. Dual-color lasing with large frequency separation is demonstrated for a second QCL, that emits at ~3.7 THz and operates up to 121 K in one polarity, and at ~2.7 THz up to 105 K in the opposing polarity. These are the highest operating temperatures achieved for broadband terahertz QCLs at the respective emission frequencies, and could lead to commercial development of broadband terahertz laser arrays. PMID:27615416

High-temperature operation of broadband bidirectional terahertz quantum-cascade lasers

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

Khanal, Sudeep; Gao, Liang; Zhao, Le

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with a broadband gain medium could play an important role for sensing and spectroscopy since then distributed-feedback schemes could be utilized to produce laser arrays on a single semiconductor chip with wide spectral coverage. QCLs can be designed to emit at two different frequencies when biased with opposing electrical polarities. Here, we develop terahertz QCLs with bidirectional operation to achieve broadband lasing from the same semiconductor chip. A three-well design scheme with shallow-well GaAs/Al 0.10Ga 0.90As superlattices is developed to achieve high-temperature operation for bidirectional QCLs. It is shown that shallow-well heterostructures lead to optimalmore » quantum-transport in the superlattice for bidirectional operation compared to the prevalent GaAs/Al 0.15Ga 0.85As material system. Furthermore, broadband lasing in the frequency range of 3.1–3.7 THz is demonstrated for one QCL design, which achieves maximum operating temperatures of 147 K and 128 K respectively in opposing polarities. Dual-color lasing with large frequency separation is demonstrated for a second QCL, that emits at ~3.7 THz and operates up to 121 K in one polarity, and at ~2.7 THz up to 105 K in the opposing polarity. Finally, these are the highest operating temperatures achieved for broadband terahertz QCLs at the respective emission frequencies, and could lead to commercial development of broadband terahertz laser arrays.« less

Localization of incipient tip vortex cavitation using ray based matched field inversion method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Dongho; Seong, Woojae; Choo, Youngmin; Lee, Jeunghoon

2015-10-01

Cavitation of marine propeller is one of the main contributing factors of broadband radiated ship noise. In this research, an algorithm for the source localization of incipient vortex cavitation is suggested. Incipient cavitation is modeled as monopole type source and matched-field inversion method is applied to find the source position by comparing the spatial correlation between measured and replicated pressure fields at the receiver array. The accuracy of source localization is improved by broadband matched-field inversion technique that enhances correlation by incoherently averaging correlations of individual frequencies. Suggested localization algorithm is verified through known virtual source and model test conducted in Samsung ship model basin cavitation tunnel. It is found that suggested localization algorithm enables efficient localization of incipient tip vortex cavitation using a few pressure data measured on the outer hull above the propeller and practically applicable to the typically performed model scale experiment in a cavitation tunnel at the early design stage.

Graphene based tunable fractal Hilbert curve array broadband radar absorbing screen for radar cross section reduction

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

Huang, Xianjun, E-mail: xianjun.huang@manchester.ac.uk; College of Electronic Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073; Hu, Zhirun

2014-11-15

This paper proposes a new type of graphene based tunable radar absorbing screen. The absorbing screen consists of Hilbert curve metal strip array and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) graphene sheet. The graphene based screen is not only tunable when the chemical potential of the graphene changes, but also has broadband effective absorption. The absorption bandwidth is from 8.9GHz to 18.1GHz, ie., relative bandwidth of more than 68%, at chemical potential of 0eV, which is significantly wider than that if the graphene sheet had not been employed. As the chemical potential varies from 0 to 0.4eV, the central frequency of themore » screen can be tuned from 13.5GHz to 19.0GHz. In the proposed structure, Hilbert curve metal strip array was designed to provide multiple narrow band resonances, whereas the graphene sheet directly underneath the metal strip array provides tunability and averagely required surface resistance so to significantly extend the screen operation bandwidth by providing broadband impedance matching and absorption. In addition, the thickness of the screen has been optimized to achieve nearly the minimum thickness limitation for a nonmagnetic absorber. The working principle of this absorbing screen is studied in details, and performance under various incident angles is presented. This work extends applications of graphene into tunable microwave radar cross section (RCS) reduction applications.« less

Bioinspired broadband antireflection coatings on GaSb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Min, Wei-Lun; Betancourt, Amaury P.; Jiang, Peng; Jiang, Bin

2008-04-01

We report an inexpensive yet scalable templating technique for fabricating moth-eye antireflection gratings on gallium antimonide substrates. Non-close-packed colloidal monolayers are utilized as etching masks to pattern subwavelength-structured nipple arrays on GaSb. The resulting gratings exhibit superior broadband antireflection properties and thermal stability than conventional multilayer dielectric coatings. The specular reflection of the templated nipple arrays match with the theoretical predictions using a rigorous coupled-wave analysis model. The effect of the nipple shape and size on the antireflection properties has also been investigated by the same model. These biomimetic coatings are of great technological importance in developing efficient thermophotovoltaic cells.

Opto-VLSI-based photonic true-time delay architecture for broadband adaptive nulling in phased array antennas.

PubMed

Juswardy, Budi; Xiao, Feng; Alameh, Kamal

2009-03-16

This paper proposes a novel Opto-VLSI-based tunable true-time delay generation unit for adaptively steering the nulls of microwave phased array antennas. Arbitrary single or multiple true-time delays can simultaneously be synthesized for each antenna element by slicing an RF-modulated broadband optical source and routing specific sliced wavebands through an Opto-VLSI processor to a high-dispersion fiber. Experimental results are presented, which demonstrate the principle of the true-time delay unit through the generation of 5 arbitrary true-time delays of up to 2.5 ns each. (c) 2009 Optical Society of America

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

Jia, X. L.; Meng, Q. X.; Yuan, C. X.

The visible light broadband perfect absorbers based on the silver (Ag) nano elliptical disks and holes array are studied using finite difference time domain simulations. The semiconducting indium silicon dioxide thin film is introduced as the space layer in this sandwiched structure. Utilizing the asymmetrical geometry of the structures, polarization sensitivity for transverse electric wave (TE)/transverse magnetic wave (TM) and left circular polarization wave (LCP)/right circular polarization wave (RCP) of the broadband absorption are gained. The absorbers with Ag nano disks and holes array show several peaks absorbance of 100% by numerical simulation. These simple and flexible perfect absorbers aremore » particularly desirable for various potential applications including the solar energy absorber.« less

Superior broadband antireflection from buried Mie resonator arrays for high-efficiency photovoltaics

PubMed Central

Zhong, Sihua; Zeng, Yang; Huang, Zengguang; Shen, Wenzhong

2015-01-01

Establishing reliable and efficient antireflection structures is of crucial importance for realizing high-performance optoelectronic devices such as solar cells. In this study, we provide a design guideline for buried Mie resonator arrays, which is composed of silicon nanostructures atop a silicon substrate and buried by a dielectric film, to attain a superior antireflection effect over a broadband spectral range by gaining entirely new discoveries of their antireflection behaviors. We find that the buried Mie resonator arrays mainly play a role as a transparent antireflection structure and their antireflection effect is insensitive to the nanostructure height when higher than 150 nm, which are of prominent significance for photovoltaic applications in the reduction of photoexcited carrier recombination. We further optimally combine the buried Mie resonator arrays with micron-scale textures to maximize the utilization of photons, and thus have successfully achieved an independently certified efficiency of 18.47% for the nanostructured silicon solar cells on a large-size wafer (156 mm × 156 mm). PMID:25746848

Effects of Adaptive Antenna Arrays on Broadband Signals.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-01

dimensional array geometry. The signal impinging on the antenna array elements is assumed to have originated from a point source in the far field , or...tg9 (4) The assumptions used to identify the far field region of an array also lead to an approximation for ti(6) . It is ti (0 ) x i sin(e) (5) c...implementing the open form transfer function and coefficients of Eqs (16) 53 .. ... ... .. . . .. . . .. ... .. . ..... . .... . . .. through (21). For a

Enhancing the photon-extraction efficiency of site-controlled quantum dots by deterministically fabricated microlenses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaganskiy, Arsenty; Fischbach, Sarah; Strittmatter, André; Rodt, Sven; Heindel, Tobias; Reitzenstein, Stephan

2018-04-01

We report on the realization of scalable single-photon sources (SPSs) based on single site-controlled quantum dots (SCQDs) and deterministically fabricated microlenses. The fabrication process comprises the buried-stressor growth technique complemented with low-temperature in-situ electron-beam lithography for the integration of SCQDs into microlens structures with high yield and high alignment accuracy. The microlens-approach leads to a broadband enhancement of the photon-extraction efficiency of up to (21 ± 2)% and a high suppression of multi-photon events with g (2)(τ = 0) < 0.06 without background subtraction. The demonstrated combination of site-controlled growth of QDs and in-situ electron-beam lithography is relevant for arrays of efficient SPSs which, can be applied in photonic quantum circuits and advanced quantum computation schemes.

Coherent-subspace array processing based on wavelet covariance: an application to broad-band, seismo-volcanic signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saccorotti, G.; Nisii, V.; Del Pezzo, E.

2008-07-01

Long-Period (LP) and Very-Long-Period (VLP) signals are the most characteristic seismic signature of volcano dynamics, and provide important information about the physical processes occurring in magmatic and hydrothermal systems. These events are usually characterized by sharp spectral peaks, which may span several frequency decades, by emergent onsets, and by a lack of clear S-wave arrivals. These two latter features make both signal detection and location a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a processing procedure based on Continuous Wavelet Transform of multichannel, broad-band data to simultaneously solve the signal detection and location problems. Our method consists of two steps. First, we apply a frequency-dependent threshold to the estimates of the array-averaged WCO in order to locate the time-frequency regions spanned by coherent arrivals. For these data, we then use the time-series of the complex wavelet coefficients for deriving the elements of the spatial Cross-Spectral Matrix. From the eigenstructure of this matrix, we eventually estimate the kinematic signals' parameters using the MUltiple SIgnal Characterization (MUSIC) algorithm. The whole procedure greatly facilitates the detection and location of weak, broad-band signals, in turn avoiding the time-frequency resolution trade-off and frequency leakage effects which affect conventional covariance estimates based upon Windowed Fourier Transform. The method is applied to explosion signals recorded at Stromboli volcano by either a short-period, small aperture antenna, or a large-aperture, broad-band network. The LP (0.2 < T < 2s) components of the explosive signals are analysed using data from the small-aperture array and under the plane-wave assumption. In this manner, we obtain a precise time- and frequency-localization of the directional properties for waves impinging at the array. We then extend the wavefield decomposition method using a spherical wave front model, and analyse the VLP components (T > 2s) of the explosion recordings from the broad-band network. Source locations obtained this way are fully compatible with those retrieved from application of more traditional (and computationally expensive) time-domain techniques, such as the Radial Semblance method.

Performance of the Broadband Golay 3x6 Array Associated with the 2016 IRIS Community Wavefields Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolarinwa, O. J.; Langston, C. A.; Sweet, J. R.; Anderson, K. R.; Woodward, R.

2017-12-01

A 6 km aperture regional array in the Golay 3x6 configuration was fielded as part of the IRIS Community Wavefields Experiment near Enid, Oklahoma from June 26 through November 12, 2016. The array consisted of 18 broadband CMG-3T seismometers deployed using a PASSCAL insulated vault design and RT130 data recorders. The Golay geometry is unusual in that it features 6 tripartite arrays in an open arrangement. Spacing and orientation of each tripartite array is such that the array uniformly samples the wavefield in space as determined from the co-array diagram even though the interior of the array configuration contains no seismic stations. The short wavelength performance of this array requires a high degree of phase correlation across its entire aperture, a characteristic that has been difficult to achieve for other regional array designs because of velocity heterogeneity in the earth. Located within an area of high regional seismicity, the IRIS experiment offered an opportunity to examine the slowness-frequency performance of a real-world Golay 3x6 array that was subject to constraints on land usage during deployment. Individual tripartite arrays fit well within a land survey quarter section but it proved difficult to match the ideal spacing between each subarray because of permitting problems. Nevertheless, these unavoidable geometry perturbations caused only minor changes to the theoretical array response. More surprisingly, observations of high frequency regional P and S phases show very high correlation over the array aperture that gives rise to precise array responses that are close to theoretical. Both the array geometry and relatively homogeneous structure under the array produces an exceptional facility that can be used for high-resolution studies of regional seismic waves.

Coherent and Noncoherent Joint Processing of Sonar for Detection of Small Targets in Shallow Water.

PubMed

Pan, Xiang; Jiang, Jingning; Li, Si; Ding, Zhenping; Pan, Chen; Gong, Xianyi

2018-04-10

A coherent-noncoherent joint processing framework is proposed for active sonar to combine diversity gain and beamforming gain for detection of a small target in shallow water environments. Sonar utilizes widely-spaced arrays to sense environments and illuminate a target of interest from multiple angles. Meanwhile, it exploits spatial diversity for time-reversal focusing to suppress reverberation, mainly strong bottom reverberation. For enhancement of robustness of time-reversal focusing, an adaptive iterative strategy is utilized in the processing framework. A probing signal is firstly transmitted and echoes of a likely target are utilized as steering vectors for the second transmission. With spatial diversity, target bearing and range are estimated using a broadband signal model. Numerical simulations show that the novel sonar outperforms the traditional phased-array sonar due to benefits of spatial diversity. The effectiveness of the proposed framework has been validated by localization of a small target in at-lake experiments.

Broad-band and polarization-independent perfect absorption in graphene-gold cylinder arrays at visible and near-infrared wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, P.; Zheng, G. G.; Xu, L. H.; Xian, F. L.; Lai, M.

2018-07-01

A wavelength tunable perfect absorber with graphene-hexagonal gold (Au) cylinder array on a ground plate is investigated theoretically. The interactions between electromagnetic (EM) waves and monolayer graphene are analyzed through the field distributions and spectral responses in detail. The finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) method is used to investigate the tunable properties of the absorber. It is demonstrated that in an optimized configuration, monolayer graphene can interact with light via critical coupling, and the absorptance can be greatly enhanced and reach to 100% for both transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electronic (TE) polarizations. Furthermore, the influence of geometrical parameters of the structure on the response of the hybrid structure is studied. It is expected that the proposed graphene perfect absorbers can be applied for many applications in the visible (VIS) and the near-infrared (NIR) spectral ranges such as wavelength selective infrared photodetectors and plasmonic sensors.

Plasmonic Nanowires for Wide Wavelength Range Molecular Sensing.

PubMed

Marinaro, Giovanni; Das, Gobind; Giugni, Andrea; Allione, Marco; Torre, Bruno; Candeloro, Patrizio; Kosel, Jurgen; Di Fabrizio, Enzo

2018-05-17

In this paper, we propose the use of a standing nanowires array, constituted by plasmonic active gold wires grown on iron disks, and partially immersed in a supporting alumina matrix, for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy applications. The galvanic process was used to fabricate nanowires in pores of anodized alumina template, making this device cost-effective. This fabrication method allows for the selection of size, diameter, and spatial arrangement of nanowires. The proposed device, thanks to a detailed design analysis, demonstrates a broadband plasmonic enhancement effect useful for many standard excitation wavelengths in the visible and NIR. The trigonal pores arrangement gives an efficiency weakly dependent on polarization. The devices, tested with 633 and 830 nm laser lines, show a significant Raman enhancement factor, up to around 6 × 10⁴, with respect to the flat gold surface, used as a reference for the measurements of the investigated molecules.

Thermally Resilient, Broadband Optical Absorber from UV to IR Derived from Carbon Nanostructures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaul, Anupama B.; Coles, James B.

2012-01-01

Optical absorber coatings have been developed from carbon-based paints, metal blacks, or glassy carbon. However, such materials are not truly black and have poor absorption characteristics at longer wavelengths. The blackness of such coatings is important to increase the accuracy of calibration targets used in radiometric imaging spectrometers since blackbody cavities are prohibitively large in size. Such coatings are also useful potentially for thermal detectors, where a broadband absorber is desired. Au-black has been a commonly used broadband optical absorber, but it is very fragile and can easily be damaged by heat and mechanical vibration. An optically efficient, thermally rugged absorber could also be beneficial for thermal solar cell applications for energy harnessing, particularly in the 350-2,500 nm spectral window. It has been demonstrated that arrays of vertically oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs), specifically multi-walled-carbon- nanotubes (MWCNTs), are an exceptional optical absorber over a broad range of wavelengths well into the infrared (IR). The reflectance of such arrays is 100x lower compared to conventional black materials, such as Au black in the spectral window of 350-2,500 nm. Total hemispherical measurements revealed a reflectance of approximately equal to 1.7% at lambda approximately equal to 1 micrometer, and at longer wavelengths into the infrared (IR), the specular reflectance was approximately equal to 2.4% at lambda approximately equal to 7 micrometers. The previously synthesized CNTs for optical absorber applications were formed using water-assisted thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which yields CNT lengths in excess of 100's of microns. Vertical alignment, deemed to be a critical feature in enabling the high optical absorption from CNT arrays, occurs primarily via the crowding effect with thermal CVD synthesized CNTs, which is generally not effective in aligning CNTs with lengths less than 10 m. Here it has been shown that the electric field inherent in a plasma yields vertically aligned CNTs at small length scales (less than 10 m), which still exhibit broadband, and high-efficiency optical absorption characteristics from the ultraviolet (UV) to IR. A thin and yet highly absorbing coating is extremely valuable for detector applications for radiometry in order to enhance sensitivity. A plasma-based process also increases the potential of forming the optical absorbers at lower synthesis temperatures in the future, increasing the prospects of integrating the absorbers with flexible substrates for low-cost solar cell applications, for example.

Controlling material birefringence in sapphire via self-assembled, sub-wavelength defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Astha; Sharma, Geeta; Ranjan, Neeraj; Mittholiya, Kshitij; Bhatnagar, Anuj; Singh, B. P.; Mathur, Deepak; Vasa, Parinda

2018-02-01

Birefringence is the optical property of a material having a refractive index that depends on the polarization and propagation direction of light. Generally, this is an intrinsic optical property of a material and cannot be altered. Here, we report a novel technique—direct laser writing—that enables us to control the natural, material birefringence of sapphire over a broad range of wavelengths. The broadband form birefringence originating from self-assembled, periodic array of sub-wavelength (˜ 50-200 nm) defects created by laser writing, can enhance, suppress or maintain the material birefringence of sapphire without affecting its transparency range in visible or its surface quality.

Large Format Narrow-Band, Multi-Band, and Broad-Band LWIR QWIP Focal Planes for Space and Earth Science Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gunapala, S. D.; Bandara, S. V.

2004-01-01

A 640x512 pixel, long-wavelength cutoff, narrow-band (delta(lambda)/approx. 10%) quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal plane array (FPA), a four-band QWIP FPA in the 4-16 m spectral region, and a broad-band (delta(lambda)/approx. 42%) QWIP FPA having 15.4 m cutoff have been demonstrated.

Broadband Sources in the 1-3 THz Range

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mehdi, Imran; Ward, John; Maestrini, Alain; Chattopadhyay, Goutam; Schlecht, Erich; Thomas, Bertrand; Lin, Robert; Lee, Choonsup; Gill, John

2009-01-01

Broadband electronically tunable sources in the terahertz range are a critical technology for enabling space-borne as well as ground-based applications. By power-combining MMIC amplifier and frequency tripler chips, we have recently demonstrated >1 mW of output power at 900 GHz. This source provides a stepping stone to enable sources in the 2-3 THz range than can sufficiently pump multi-pixel imaging arrays.

Bottom Interaction in Long Range Acoustic Propagation

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-30

Pacific Ocean utilizing controlled sources and vertical and horizontal receiver arrays . Broadband sources are considered with typical center...The LOAPEX (Long-range Ocean Acoustic Propagation Experiment) vertical line arrays (VLA) are described on page 1 of the LOAPEX cruise report: " The...hydrophone arrays on the two combined VLAs covered most of the 5-km water column. We refer to one of the VLAs as the deep VLA (DVLA), located at

Broadband acoustic phased array with subwavelength active tube array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiao-Yan; Yang, Zhang-Zhao; Zhu, Yi-Fan; Zou, Xin-Ye; Cheng, Jian-Chun

2018-02-01

Acoustic metasurfaces provide a way to manipulate wavefronts at anomalous reflection or refraction angles through subwavelength structures. Here, based on the generalized Snell's refraction law for acoustic metasurfaces and the classical acoustic phased array (PA) theory, a broadband acoustic PA with a subwavelength active tube array has been proposed to form a special acoustic beam and to determine the directivity characteristics of the acoustic source. Theoretical analysis shows that the dispersionless wavefront manipulation can be realized by the gradient model of the active tube array, and a wide working frequency band can be obtained in practical applications from the simulated and experimental results. The numerical results of forming a special acoustic beam and establishing an acoustic focus model with an arbitrary focal position are consistent with the theoretical predictions. The experimental results agree well with the simulated results in the model of forming the acoustic beam of 45 ° . By combining acoustic metamaterials and conventional acoustic PA, the model of the active tube array paves a way to design a composite acoustic PA with high radiation efficiency and system robustness without the need for any complex circuit control system. This design concept is expected to be used in the design of ultrasonic therapy devices and high-efficiency transducers.

New insights on the Gibraltar Arc geodynamics from SKS splitting: first contribution from the IberArray broad-band seismic network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diaz Cusí, Jordi; Gallart, Josep; Villaseñor, Antonio

2010-05-01

The Rif-Betic region, comprising the Gibraltar Arc and the extensional Alboran basin and including the diffuse limit between the Eurasia and African plates, is complex and there is still not a commonly accepted hypothesis about the mechanism responsible for its formation, as models including lithospheric delamination, convective removal or subduction have been proposed. In this context, the knowledge about the presence and properties of upper mantle anisotropy from SKS splitting measurements can provide valuable information to constrain the different geodynamical models. The installation of new permanent and semi-permanent broadband stations in the region has allowed obtaining a first insight into the anisotropic properties (Buontempo et al, 2008) and evidenced the presence of geographical variations in the anisotropic parameters, even if the lack of data in the Northern part of Morocco did not allow to obtain a detailed image. We present here the first analysis of the data provided by the IberArray broad-band seismic network that will allow a significant improvement the coverage of this area. The IberArray broad-band seismic network was deployed over this region for about 18 months, beginning in summer/fall 2007 in the framework of the large-scale Topo-Iberia project. This portable array, formed by up to 55 new generation dataloggers equipped with broad-band seismometers, has covered the southern part of Iberia (35 stations) and northern Morocco (20 stations) in an approximately regular grid, with a nominal spacing of 60 km. Data from more than 35 permanent broadband stations maintained by different institutions operating in the region has also been integrated into the IberArray database. Events with epicentral distances between 85 and 120 degrees and magnitude greater than 6.0 are systematically extracted from the continuous dataset and SKS and SKKS phases are inspected for anisotropy using the SplitLab software. Processing of the whole dataset is still ongoing, but the available results, including those for the entire year 2008, significantly improve the spatial resolution of SKS measurements in this region. The inferred fast velocity directions (FVD) clearly show a spectacular rotation along the Gibraltar arc, following the curvature of the Rif-Betic chain, from roughly N65E beneath the Betics to close to N65W beneath the Rif chain. Stations located in the South and South-east edges of the array, show a distinct pattern, with FVD oriented NE-SW to E-W. The results for some sites suggest the presence of complex anisotropy features, probably including two anisotropic layers. The obtained FVD results are compatible with rollback / subduction models, while convective-removal and delamination models seem unlikely to be compatible with our results. The FVD variations along the Gibraltar arc could be explained by fossil anisotropy acquired during the Eocene Western Mediterranean subduction, while the change in FVD observed to the South and South-East of the Rif-Betic chain can be related to the imprint of a flow episode around the Alboran high velocity slab during its Miocene fragmentation from the Algerian slab.

Microstrip technology and its application to phased array compensation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dudgeon, J. E.; Daniels, W. D.

1972-01-01

A systematic analysis of mutual coupling compensation using microstrip techniques is presented. A method for behind-the-array coupling of a phased antenna array is investigated as to its feasibility. The matching scheme is tried on a rectangular array of one half lambda 2 dipoles, but it is not limited to this array element or geometry. In the example cited the values of discrete components necessary were so small an L-C network is needed for realization. Such L-C tanks might limit an otherwise broadband array match, however, this is not significant for this dipole array. Other areas investigated were balun feeding and power limits of spiral antenna elements.

Evanescent wave coupling in terahertz waveguide arrays.

PubMed

Reichel, K S; Sakoda, N; Mendis, R; Mittleman, D M

2013-07-15

We study energy transfer among an array of identical finite-width parallel-plate waveguides in close proximity, via evanescent wave coupling of broadband terahertz waves. We observe stronger coupling with larger plate separations and longer propagation paths. This work establishes a platform to investigate new opportunities for THz components and devices based on evanescent wave coupling.

Passive cavitation imaging with ultrasound arrays

PubMed Central

Salgaonkar, Vasant A.; Datta, Saurabh; Holland, Christy K.; Mast, T. Douglas

2009-01-01

A method is presented for passive imaging of cavitational acoustic emissions using an ultrasound array, with potential application in real-time monitoring of ultrasound ablation. To create such images, microbubble emissions were passively sensed by an imaging array and dynamically focused at multiple depths. In this paper, an analytic expression for a passive image is obtained by solving the Rayleigh–Sommerfield integral, under the Fresnel approximation, and passive images were simulated. A 192-element array was used to create passive images, in real time, from 520-kHz ultrasound scattered by a 1-mm steel wire. Azimuthal positions of this target were accurately estimated from the passive images. Next, stable and inertial cavitation was passively imaged in saline solution sonicated at 520 kHz. Bubble clusters formed in the saline samples were consistently located on both passive images and B-scans. Passive images were also created using broadband emissions from bovine liver sonicated at 2.2 MHz. Agreement was found between the images and source beam shape, indicating an ability to map therapeutic ultrasound beams in situ. The relation between these broadband emissions, sonication amplitude, and exposure conditions are discussed. PMID:20000921

Passive cavitation imaging with ultrasound arrays.

PubMed

Salgaonkar, Vasant A; Datta, Saurabh; Holland, Christy K; Mast, T Douglas

2009-12-01

A method is presented for passive imaging of cavitational acoustic emissions using an ultrasound array, with potential application in real-time monitoring of ultrasound ablation. To create such images, microbubble emissions were passively sensed by an imaging array and dynamically focused at multiple depths. In this paper, an analytic expression for a passive image is obtained by solving the Rayleigh-Sommerfield integral, under the Fresnel approximation, and passive images were simulated. A 192-element array was used to create passive images, in real time, from 520-kHz ultrasound scattered by a 1-mm steel wire. Azimuthal positions of this target were accurately estimated from the passive images. Next, stable and inertial cavitation was passively imaged in saline solution sonicated at 520 kHz. Bubble clusters formed in the saline samples were consistently located on both passive images and B-scans. Passive images were also created using broadband emissions from bovine liver sonicated at 2.2 MHz. Agreement was found between the images and source beam shape, indicating an ability to map therapeutic ultrasound beams in situ. The relation between these broadband emissions, sonication amplitude, and exposure conditions are discussed.

Transition from a spectrum filter to a polarizer in a metallic nano-slit array

PubMed Central

Zhou, Jing; Guo, L. Jay

2014-01-01

The transition from a spectrum filter (resonant transmission) to a polarizer (broadband transmission) for TM polarized light is observed in a metallic nano-slit array as period is decreased. A theoretical model is developed and shows that the spectrum filter behavior is caused by the coupled slit/grating resonance. With decreasing period, the slit resonance is decoupled from the grating resonance, which then dominates the transmission spectrum and broadens the transmission peak. With further reducing period, the slit resonance diminishes and the peak spectrum transforms to a broadband transmission. This effect is the basis for the operation of wire grid polarizers. The transition is explained by the change of the impedance to the incoming wave. PMID:24402443

Transition from a spectrum filter to a polarizer in a metallic nano-slit array.

PubMed

Zhou, Jing; Guo, L Jay

2014-01-09

The transition from a spectrum filter (resonant transmission) to a polarizer (broadband transmission) for TM polarized light is observed in a metallic nano-slit array as period is decreased. A theoretical model is developed and shows that the spectrum filter behavior is caused by the coupled slit/grating resonance. With decreasing period, the slit resonance is decoupled from the grating resonance, which then dominates the transmission spectrum and broadens the transmission peak. With further reducing period, the slit resonance diminishes and the peak spectrum transforms to a broadband transmission. This effect is the basis for the operation of wire grid polarizers. The transition is explained by the change of the impedance to the incoming wave.

Transition from a spectrum filter to a polarizer in a metallic nano-slit array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Jing; Guo, L. Jay

2014-01-01

The transition from a spectrum filter (resonant transmission) to a polarizer (broadband transmission) for TM polarized light is observed in a metallic nano-slit array as period is decreased. A theoretical model is developed and shows that the spectrum filter behavior is caused by the coupled slit/grating resonance. With decreasing period, the slit resonance is decoupled from the grating resonance, which then dominates the transmission spectrum and broadens the transmission peak. With further reducing period, the slit resonance diminishes and the peak spectrum transforms to a broadband transmission. This effect is the basis for the operation of wire grid polarizers. The transition is explained by the change of the impedance to the incoming wave.

Small scatterers in the lower mantle observed at German broadband arrays

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thomas, C.; Weber, M.; Wicks, C.W.; Scherbaum, F.

1999-01-01

Seismograms of earthquakes from the South Pacific recorded at a German broadband array and network show precursors to PKPdf. These precursors mainly originate from off-path scattering of PKPab or a nearby PKPbc to P (for receiver-side scattering) or from scattering of P to PKPab or PKPbc on the PKPdf path (for source-side scattering). Standard array processing techniques based on plane wave approximations (such as vespagram or frequency-wavenumber analysis) are inadequate for investigating these precursors since scattered waves cannot be approximated as plane waves for arrays and networks larger than 300 x 300 km for short-period waves. We therefore develop a migration method to estimate the location of scatterers in the mantle, at the core-mantle boundary and at the top of the outer core. With our method we are able to find isolated scatterers at the source side and the receiver side, although the depth of the scatterer is not well constrained. However, from looking at the first possible arrival time of precursors at different depth and the region where scattering can take place (scattering volume), we believe that the location of the scatterers is in the lowermost mantle. Since we have detected scatterers in regions where ultralow-velocity zones have been discovered recently, we think that the precursor energy possibly originates from scattering at partial melt at the base of the mantle. Comparing results from broadband and band-pass-filtered data the detection of small-scale structure of the ultralow-velocity zones becomes possible. Copyright 1999 by the American Geophysical Union.

Broadband sound blocking in phononic crystals with rotationally symmetric inclusions.

PubMed

Lee, Joong Seok; Yoo, Sungmin; Ahn, Young Kwan; Kim, Yoon Young

2015-09-01

This paper investigates the feasibility of broadband sound blocking with rotationally symmetric extensible inclusions introduced in phononic crystals. By varying the size of four equally shaped inclusions gradually, the phononic crystal experiences remarkable changes in its band-stop properties, such as shifting/widening of multiple Bragg bandgaps and evolution to resonance gaps. Necessary extensions of the inclusions to block sound effectively can be determined for given incident frequencies by evaluating power transmission characteristics. By arraying finite dissimilar unit cells, the resulting phononic crystal exhibits broadband sound blocking from combinational effects of multiple Bragg scattering and local resonances even with small-numbered cells.

Investigation of broadband terahertz generation from metasurface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Ming; Niu, Kaikun; Huang, Zhiaxiang; Sha, Wei E. I.; Wu, Xianliang; Koschny, Thomas; Soukoulis, Costas M.

2018-05-01

The nonlinear metamaterials have been shown to provide nonlinear properties with high nonlinear conversion efficiency and in a myriad of light manipulation. Here we study terahertz generation from nonlinear metasurface consisting of single layer nanoscale split-ring resonator array. The terahertz generation due to optical rectification by the second-order nonlinearity of the split-ring resonator is investigated by a time-domain implementation of the hydrodynamic model for electron dynamics in metal. The results show that the nonlinear metasurface enables us to generate broadband terahertz radiation and free from quasi-phase-matching conditions. The proposed scheme provides a new concept of broadband THz source and designing nonlinear plasmonic metamaterials.

Investigation of broadband terahertz generation from metasurface.

PubMed

Fang, Ming; Niu, Kaikun; Huang, Zhiaxiang; Sha, Wei E I; Wu, Xianliang; Koschny, Thomas; Soukoulis, Costas M

2018-05-28

The nonlinear metamaterials have been shown to provide nonlinear properties with high nonlinear conversion efficiency and in a myriad of light manipulation. Here we study terahertz generation from nonlinear metasurface consisting of single layer nanoscale split-ring resonator array. The terahertz generation due to optical rectification by the second-order nonlinearity of the split-ring resonator is investigated by a time-domain implementation of the hydrodynamic model for electron dynamics in metal. The results show that the nonlinear metasurface enables us to generate broadband terahertz radiation and free from quasi-phase-matching conditions. The proposed scheme provides a new concept of broadband THz source and designing nonlinear plasmonic metamaterials.

Broadband chirality and asymmetric transmission in ultrathin 90°-twisted Babinet-inverted metasurfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, J. H.; Ma, H. F.; Guan, C. Y.; Wang, Z. P.; Cui, T. J.

2014-04-01

A broadband asymmetric transmission of linearly polarized waves with totally suppressed copolarization transmission is experimentally demonstrated in ultrathin 90°-twisted Babinet-inverted metasurfaces constructed by an array of asymmetrically split ring apertures. The only accessible direction-dependent cross-polarization transmission is allowed in this anisotropic chiral metamaterial. Through full-wave simulation and experiment results, the bilayered Babinet-inverted metasurface reveals broadband artificial chirality and asymmetric transmission, with a transmission contrast that is better than 17.7 dB within a 50% relative bandwidth for two opposite directions. In particular, we can modify polarization conversion efficiency and the bandwidth of asymmetric transmission via parametric study.

Unidirectional transmission using array of zero-refractive-index metamaterials

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

Fu, Yangyang; Xu, Lin; Hong Hang, Zhi

2014-05-12

In this Letter, we find that high efficient unidirectional transmission occurs for an array of prisms made of zero-refractive-index metamaterials. As a specific demonstration, we further design the device using Dirac-cone-like photonic crystals. The device can function for a broadband of spectrum. Numerical simulations are performed to verify the one-way wave functionality.

Development of a Flexible Broadband Rayleigh Waves Comb Transducer with Nonequidistant Comb Interval for Defect Detection of Thick-Walled Pipelines

PubMed Central

He, Cunfu; Yan, Lyu; Zhang, Haijun

2018-01-01

It is necessary to develop a transducer that can quickly detect the inner and outer wall defects of thick-walled pipes, in order to ensure the safety of such pipes. In this paper, a flexible broadband Rayleigh-waves comb transducer based on PZT (lead zirconate titanate) for defect detection of thick-walled pipes is studied. The multiple resonant coupling theory is used to expand the transducer broadband and the FEA (Finite Element Analysis) method is used to optimize transducer array element parameters. Optimization results show that the best array element parameters of the transducer are when the transducer array element length is 30 mm, the thickness is 1.2 mm, the width of one end of is 1.5 mm, and the other end is 3 mm. Based on the optimization results, such a transducer was fabricated and its performance was tested. The test results were consistent with the finite-element simulation results, and the −3 dB bandwidth of the transducer reached 417 kHz. Transducer directivity test results show that the Θ−3dB beam width was equal to 10 °, to meet the defect detection requirements. Finally, defects of thick-walled pipes were detected using the transducer. The results showed that the transducer could detect the inner and outer wall defects of thick-walled pipes within the bandwidth. PMID:29498636

Development of a Flexible Broadband Rayleigh Waves Comb Transducer with Nonequidistant Comb Interval for Defect Detection of Thick-Walled Pipelines.

PubMed

Zhao, Huamin; He, Cunfu; Yan, Lyu; Zhang, Haijun

2018-03-02

It is necessary to develop a transducer that can quickly detect the inner and outer wall defects of thick-walled pipes, in order to ensure the safety of such pipes. In this paper, a flexible broadband Rayleigh-waves comb transducer based on PZT (lead zirconate titanate) for defect detection of thick-walled pipes is studied. The multiple resonant coupling theory is used to expand the transducer broadband and the FEA (Finite Element Analysis) method is used to optimize transducer array element parameters. Optimization results show that the best array element parameters of the transducer are when the transducer array element length is 30 mm, the thickness is 1.2 mm, the width of one end of is 1.5 mm, and the other end is 3 mm. Based on the optimization results, such a transducer was fabricated and its performance was tested. The test results were consistent with the finite-element simulation results, and the -3 dB bandwidth of the transducer reached 417 kHz. Transducer directivity test results show that the Θ -3dB beam width was equal to 10 °, to meet the defect detection requirements. Finally, defects of thick-walled pipes were detected using the transducer. The results showed that the transducer could detect the inner and outer wall defects of thick-walled pipes within the bandwidth.

A Novel Design of Reconfigurable Wavelength-Time Optical Codes to Enhance Security in Optical CDMA Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasaruddin; Tsujioka, Tetsuo

An optical CDMA (OCDMA) system is a flexible technology for future broadband multiple access networks. A secure OCDMA network in broadband optical access technologies is also becoming an issue of great importance. In this paper, we propose novel reconfigurable wavelength-time (W-T) optical codes that lead to secure transmission in OCDMA networks. The proposed W-T optical codes are constructed by using quasigroups (QGs) for wavelength hopping and one-dimensional optical orthogonal codes (OOCs) for time spreading; we call them QGs/OOCs. Both QGs and OOCs are randomly generated by a computer search to ensure that an eavesdropper could not improve its interception performance by making use of the coding structure. Then, the proposed reconfigurable QGs/OOCs can provide more codewords, and many different code set patterns, which differ in both wavelength and time positions for given code parameters. Moreover, the bit error probability of the proposed codes is analyzed numerically. To realize the proposed codes, a secure system is proposed by employing reconfigurable encoders/decoders based on array waveguide gratings (AWGs), which allow the users to change their codeword patterns to protect against eavesdropping. Finally, the probability of breaking a certain codeword in the proposed system is evaluated analytically. The results show that the proposed codes and system can provide a large codeword pattern, and decrease the probability of breaking a certain codeword, to enhance OCDMA network security.

A broadband phased-array system for direct phosphorus and sodium metabolic MRI on a clinical scanner.

PubMed

Lee, R F; Giaquinto, R; Constantinides, C; Souza, S; Weiss, R G; Bottomley, P A

2000-02-01

Despite their proven gains in signal-to-noise ratio and field-of-view for routine clinical MRI, phased-array detection systems are currently unavailable for nuclei other than protons (1H). A broadband phased-array system was designed and built to convert the 1H transmitter signal to the non-1H frequency for excitation and to convert non-1H phased-array MRI signals to the 1H frequency for presentation to the narrowband 1H receivers of a clinical whole-body 1.5 T MRI system. With this system, the scanner operates at the 1H frequency, whereas phased-array MRI occurs at the frequency of the other nucleus. Pulse sequences were developed for direct phased-array sodium (23Na) and phosphorus (31P) MRI of high-energy phosphates using chemical selective imaging, thereby avoiding the complex processing and reconstruction required for phased-array magnetic resonance spectroscopy data. Flexible 4-channel 31P and 23Na phased-arrays were built and the entire system tested in phantom and human studies. The array produced a signal-to-noise ratio improvement of 20% relative to the best-positioned single coil, but gains of 300-400% were realized in many voxels located outside the effective field-of-view of the single coil. Cardiac phosphorus and sodium MRI were obtained in 6-13 min with 16 and 0.5 mL resolution, respectively. Lower resolution human cardiac 23Na MRI were obtained in as little as 4 sec. The system provides a practical approach to realizing the advantages of phased-arrays for nuclei other than 1H, and imaging metabolites directly.

Coherent and Noncoherent Joint Processing of Sonar for Detection of Small Targets in Shallow Water

PubMed Central

Jiang, Jingning; Li, Si; Ding, Zhenping; Pan, Chen; Gong, Xianyi

2018-01-01

A coherent-noncoherent joint processing framework is proposed for active sonar to combine diversity gain and beamforming gain for detection of a small target in shallow water environments. Sonar utilizes widely-spaced arrays to sense environments and illuminate a target of interest from multiple angles. Meanwhile, it exploits spatial diversity for time-reversal focusing to suppress reverberation, mainly strong bottom reverberation. For enhancement of robustness of time-reversal focusing, an adaptive iterative strategy is utilized in the processing framework. A probing signal is firstly transmitted and echoes of a likely target are utilized as steering vectors for the second transmission. With spatial diversity, target bearing and range are estimated using a broadband signal model. Numerical simulations show that the novel sonar outperforms the traditional phased-array sonar due to benefits of spatial diversity. The effectiveness of the proposed framework has been validated by localization of a small target in at-lake experiments. PMID:29642637

A digital-receiver for the MurchisonWidefield Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prabu, Thiagaraj; Srivani, K. S.; Roshi, D. Anish; Kamini, P. A.; Madhavi, S.; Emrich, David; Crosse, Brian; Williams, Andrew J.; Waterson, Mark; Deshpande, Avinash A.; Shankar, N. Udaya; Subrahmanyan, Ravi; Briggs, Frank H.; Goeke, Robert F.; Tingay, Steven J.; Johnston-Hollitt, Melanie; R, Gopalakrishna M.; Morgan, Edward H.; Pathikulangara, Joseph; Bunton, John D.; Hampson, Grant; Williams, Christopher; Ord, Stephen M.; Wayth, Randall B.; Kumar, Deepak; Morales, Miguel F.; deSouza, Ludi; Kratzenberg, Eric; Pallot, D.; McWhirter, Russell; Hazelton, Bryna J.; Arcus, Wayne; Barnes, David G.; Bernardi, Gianni; Booler, T.; Bowman, Judd D.; Cappallo, Roger J.; Corey, Brian E.; Greenhill, Lincoln J.; Herne, David; Hewitt, Jacqueline N.; Kaplan, David L.; Kasper, Justin C.; Kincaid, Barton B.; Koenig, Ronald; Lonsdale, Colin J.; Lynch, Mervyn J.; Mitchell, Daniel A.; Oberoi, Divya; Remillard, Ronald A.; Rogers, Alan E.; Salah, Joseph E.; Sault, Robert J.; Stevens, Jamie B.; Tremblay, S.; Webster, Rachel L.; Whitney, Alan R.; Wyithe, Stuart B.

2015-03-01

An FPGA-based digital-receiver has been developed for a low-frequency imaging radio interferometer, the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). The MWA, located at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) in Western Australia, consists of 128 dual-polarized aperture-array elements (tiles) operating between 80 and 300 MHz, with a total processed bandwidth of 30.72 MHz for each polarization. Radio-frequency signals from the tiles are amplified and band limited using analog signal conditioning units; sampled and channelized by digital-receivers. The signals from eight tiles are processed by a single digital-receiver, thus requiring 16 digital-receivers for the MWA. The main function of the digital-receivers is to digitize the broad-band signals from each tile, channelize them to form the sky-band, and transport it through optical fibers to a centrally located correlator for further processing. The digital-receiver firmware also implements functions to measure the signal power, perform power equalization across the band, detect interference-like events, and invoke diagnostic modes. The digital-receiver is controlled by high-level programs running on a single-board-computer. This paper presents the digital-receiver design, implementation, current status, and plans for future enhancements.

Nature-inspired optimization of quasicrystalline arrays and all-dielectric optical filters and metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namin, Frank Farhad A.

Quasicrystalline solids were first observed in nature in 1980s. Their lattice geometry is devoid of translational symmetry; however it possesses long-range order as well as certain orders of rotational symmetry forbidden by translational symmetry. Mathematically, such lattices are related to aperiodic tilings. Since their discovery there has been great interest in utilizing aperiodic geometries for a wide variety of electromagnetic (EM) and optical applications. The first thrust of this dissertation addresses applications of quasicrystalline geometries for wideband antenna arrays and plasmonic nano-spherical arrays. The first application considered is the design of suitable antenna arrays for micro-UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) swarms based on perturbation of certain types of aperiodic tilings. Due to safety reasons and to avoid possible collision between micro-UAVs it is desirable to keep the minimum separation distance between the elements several wavelengths. As a result typical periodic planar arrays are not suitable, since for periodic arrays increasing the minimum element spacing beyond one wavelength will lead to the appearance of grating lobes in the radiation pattern. It will be shown that using this method antenna arrays with very wide bandwidths and low sidelobe levels can be designed. It will also be shown that in conjunction with a phase compensation method these arrays show a large degree of versatility to positional noise. Next aperiodic aggregates of gold nano-spheres are studied. Since traditional unit cell approaches cannot be used for aperiodic geometries, we start be developing new analytical tools for aperiodic arrays. A modified version of generalized Mie theory (GMT) is developed which defines scattering coefficients for aperiodic spherical arrays. Next two specific properties of quasicrystalline gold nano-spherical arrays are considered. The optical response of these arrays can be explained in terms of the grating response of the array (photonic resonance) and the plasmonic response of the spheres (plasmonic resonance). In particular the couplings between the photonic and plasmonic modes are studied. In periodic arrays this coupling leads to the formation of a so called photonic-plasmonic hybrid mode. The formation of hybrid modes is studied in quasicrystalline arrays. Quasicrystalline structures in essence possess several periodicities which in some cases can lead to the formation of multiple hybrid modes with wider bandwidths. It is also demonstrated that the performance of these arrays can be further enhanced by employing a perturbation method. The second property considered is local field enhancements in quasicrystalline arrays of gold nanospheres. It will be shown that despite a considerably smaller filling factor quasicrystalline arrays generate larger local field enhancements which can be even further enhanced by optimally placing perturbing spheres within the prototiles that comprise the aperiodic arrays. The second thrust of research in this dissertation focuses on designing all-dielectric filters and metamaterial coatings for the optical range. In higher frequencies metals tend to have a high loss and thus they are not suitable for many applications. Hence dielectrics are used for applications in optical frequencies. In particular we focus on designing two types of structures. First a near-perfect optical mirror is designed. The design is based on optimizing a subwavelength periodic dielectric grating to obtain appropriate effective parameters that will satisfy the desired perfect mirror condition. Second, a broadband anti-reflective all-dielectric grating with wide field of view is designed. The second design is based on a new computationally efficient genetic algorithm (GA) optimization method which shapes the sidewalls of the grating based on optimizing the roots of polynomial functions.

Broadband Enhancement of Spontaneous Emission in Two-Dimensional Semiconductors Using Photonic Hypercrystals.

PubMed

Galfsky, Tal; Sun, Zheng; Considine, Christopher R; Chou, Cheng-Tse; Ko, Wei-Chun; Lee, Yi-Hsien; Narimanov, Evgenii E; Menon, Vinod M

2016-08-10

The low quantum yield observed in two-dimensional semiconductors of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) has motivated the quest for approaches that can enhance the light emission from these systems. Here, we demonstrate broadband enhancement of spontaneous emission and increase in Raman signature from archetype two-dimensional semiconductors: molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) by placing the monolayers in the near field of a photonic hypercrystal having hyperbolic dispersion. Hypercrystals are characterized by a large broadband photonic density of states due to hyperbolic dispersion while having enhanced light in/out coupling by a subwavelength photonic crystal lattice. This dual advantage is exploited here to enhance the light emission from the 2D TMDs and can be utilized for developing light emitters and solar cells using two-dimensional semiconductors.

Investigation of broadband terahertz generation from metasurface

DOE PAGES

Fang, Ming; Niu, Kaikun; Huang, ZHixiang; ...

2018-01-01

The nonlinear metamaterials have been shown to provide nonlinear properties with high nonlinear conversion efficiency and in a myriad of light manipulation. Here we study terahertz generation from nonlinear metasurface consisting of single layer nanoscale split-ring resonator array. The terahertz generation due to optical rectification by the second-order nonlinearity of the split-ring resonator is investigated by a time-domain implementation of the hydrodynamic model for electron dynamics in metal. The results show that the nonlinear metasurface enables us to generate broadband terahertz radiation and free from quasi-phase-matching conditions. The proposed scheme provides a new concept of broadband THz source and designingmore » nonlinear plasmonic metamaterials.« less

Investigation of broadband terahertz generation from metasurface

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

Fang, Ming; Niu, Kaikun; Huang, ZHixiang

The nonlinear metamaterials have been shown to provide nonlinear properties with high nonlinear conversion efficiency and in a myriad of light manipulation. Here we study terahertz generation from nonlinear metasurface consisting of single layer nanoscale split-ring resonator array. The terahertz generation due to optical rectification by the second-order nonlinearity of the split-ring resonator is investigated by a time-domain implementation of the hydrodynamic model for electron dynamics in metal. The results show that the nonlinear metasurface enables us to generate broadband terahertz radiation and free from quasi-phase-matching conditions. The proposed scheme provides a new concept of broadband THz source and designingmore » nonlinear plasmonic metamaterials.« less

Investigation of broadband terahertz generation from metasurface

DOE PAGES

Fang, Ming; Niu, Kaikun; Huang, ZHixiang; ...

2018-05-21

The nonlinear metamaterials have been shown to provide nonlinear properties with high nonlinear conversion efficiency and in a myriad of light manipulation. Here we study terahertz generation from nonlinear metasurface consisting of single layer nanoscale split-ring resonator array. The terahertz generation due to optical rectification by the second-order nonlinearity of the split-ring resonator is investigated by a time-domain implementation of the hydrodynamic model for electron dynamics in metal. The results show that the nonlinear metasurface enables us to generate broadband terahertz radiation and free from quasi-phase-matching conditions. The proposed scheme provides a new concept of broadband THz source and designingmore » nonlinear plasmonic metamaterials.« less

Real-time spectrum estimation–based dual-channel speech-enhancement algorithm for cochlear implant

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Improvement of the cochlear implant (CI) front-end signal acquisition is needed to increase speech recognition in noisy environments. To suppress the directional noise, we introduce a speech-enhancement algorithm based on microphone array beamforming and spectral estimation. The experimental results indicate that this method is robust to directional mobile noise and strongly enhances the desired speech, thereby improving the performance of CI devices in a noisy environment. Methods The spectrum estimation and the array beamforming methods were combined to suppress the ambient noise. The directivity coefficient was estimated in the noise-only intervals, and was updated to fit for the mobile noise. Results The proposed algorithm was realized in the CI speech strategy. For actual parameters, we use Maxflat filter to obtain fractional sampling points and cepstrum method to differentiate the desired speech frame and the noise frame. The broadband adjustment coefficients were added to compensate the energy loss in the low frequency band. Discussions The approximation of the directivity coefficient is tested and the errors are discussed. We also analyze the algorithm constraint for noise estimation and distortion in CI processing. The performance of the proposed algorithm is analyzed and further be compared with other prevalent methods. Conclusions The hardware platform was constructed for the experiments. The speech-enhancement results showed that our algorithm can suppresses the non-stationary noise with high SNR. Excellent performance of the proposed algorithm was obtained in the speech enhancement experiments and mobile testing. And signal distortion results indicate that this algorithm is robust with high SNR improvement and low speech distortion. PMID:23006896

Calibration of High Frequency MEMS Microphones

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shams, Qamar A.; Humphreys, William M.; Bartram, Scott M.; Zuckewar, Allan J.

2007-01-01

Understanding and controlling aircraft noise is one of the major research topics of the NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program. One of the measurement technologies used to acquire noise data is the microphone directional array (DA). Traditional direction array hardware, consisting of commercially available condenser microphones and preamplifiers can be too expensive and their installation in hard-walled wind tunnel test sections too complicated. An emerging micro-machining technology coupled with the latest cutting edge technologies for smaller and faster systems have opened the way for development of MEMS microphones. The MEMS microphone devices are available in the market but suffer from certain important shortcomings. Based on early experiments with array prototypes, it has been found that both the bandwidth and the sound pressure level dynamic range of the microphones should be increased significantly to improve the performance and flexibility of the overall array. Thus, in collaboration with an outside MEMS design vendor, NASA Langley modified commercially available MEMS microphone as shown in Figure 1 to meet the new requirements. Coupled with the design of the enhanced MEMS microphones was the development of a new calibration method for simultaneously obtaining the sensitivity and phase response of the devices over their entire broadband frequency range. Over the years, several methods have been used for microphone calibration. Some of the common methods of microphone calibration are Coupler (Reciprocity, Substitution, and Simultaneous), Pistonphone, Electrostatic actuator, and Free-field calibration (Reciprocity, Substitution, and Simultaneous). Traditionally, electrostatic actuators (EA) have been used to characterize air-condenser microphones for wideband frequency ranges; however, MEMS microphones are not adaptable to the EA method due to their construction and very small diaphragm size. Hence a substitution-based, free-field method was developed to calibrate these microphones at frequencies up to 80 kHz. The technique relied on the use of a random, ultrasonic broadband centrifugal sound source located in a small anechoic chamber. Phase calibrations of the MEMS microphones were derived from cross spectral phase comparisons between the reference and test substitution microphones and an adjacent and invariant grazing-incidence 1/8-inch standard microphone.

A Broadband Micro-Machined Far-Infrared Absorber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wollack, E. J.; Datesman, A. M.; Jhabvala, C. A.; Miller, K. H.; Quijada, M. A.

2016-01-01

The experimental investigation of a broadband far-infrared meta-material absorber is described. The observed absorptance is greater than 0.95 from 1 to 20 terahertz (300-15 microns) over a temperature range spanning 5-300 degrees Kelvin. The meta-material, realized from an array of tapers approximately 100 microns in length, is largely insensitive to the detailed geometry of these elements and is cryogenically compatible with silicon-based micro-machined technologies. The electromagnetic response is in general agreement with a physically motivated transmission line model.

Funding Public Computing Centers: Balancing Broadband Availability and Expected Demand

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jayakar, Krishna; Park, Eun-A

2012-01-01

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) recently announced by the Federal Communication Commission visualizes a significantly enhanced commitment to public computing centers (PCCs) as an element of the Commission's plans for promoting broadband availability. In parallel, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has…

Broadband high-efficiency half-wave plate: a supercell-based plasmonic metasurface approach.

PubMed

Ding, Fei; Wang, Zhuoxian; He, Sailing; Shalaev, Vladimir M; Kildishev, Alexander V

2015-04-28

We design, fabricate, and experimentally demonstrate an ultrathin, broadband half-wave plate in the near-infrared range using a plasmonic metasurface. The simulated results show that the linear polarization conversion efficiency is over 97% with over 90% reflectance across an 800 nm bandwidth. Moreover, simulated and experimental results indicate that such broadband and high-efficiency performance is also sustained over a wide range of incident angles. To further obtain a background-free half-wave plate, we arrange such a plate as a periodic array of integrated supercells made of several plasmonic antennas with high linear polarization conversion efficiency, consequently achieving a reflection-phase gradient for the cross-polarized beam. In this design, the anomalous (cross-polarized) and the normal (copolarized) reflected beams become spatially separated, hence enabling highly efficient and robust, background-free polarization conversion along with broadband operation. Our results provide strategies for creating compact, integrated, and high-performance plasmonic circuits and devices.

Properties of Repetitive Long-Period Seismicity at Villarrica Volcano, Chile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richardson, J.; Waite, G. P.; Palma, J.; Johnson, J. B.

2011-12-01

Villarrica Volcano, Chile hosts a persistent lava lake and is characterized by degassing and long-period seismicity. In order to better understand the relationship between outgassing and seismicity, we recorded broadband seismic and acoustic data along with high-rate SO2 emission data. We used both a densely-spaced linear array deployed on the northern flank of Villarrica, during the austral summer of 2011, and a wider aperture array of stations distributed around the volcano that was active in the austral summer of 2010. Both deployments consisted of three-component broadband stations and were augmented with broadband infrasound sensors. Of particular interests are repetitive, ~1 Hz seismic and coincident infrasound signals that occurred approximately every 2 minutes. Because these events are typically very low amplitude, we used a matched filter approach to identify them. We windowed several high-amplitude records of these events from broadband seismic stations near the vent. The record section of each event served as a template to compare with the entire dataset by cross-correlation. This approach identified ~20,000 nearly identical events during the ~7 day deployment of the linear array, which were otherwise difficult to identify in the raw records. Assuming that all of the events that we identified have identical source mechanisms and depths, we stack the large suite of events to produce low-noise records and particle motions at receivers farther than 5 km from the vent. We find that the records from stations near the edifice are dominated by tangential particle motion, suggesting the influence of near-field components. Correlation of these data with broadband acoustic data collected at the summit suggest that these repeatable seismic processes are linked to acoustic emissions, probably due to gas bubbles bursting at the magma free surface, as no eruptive products besides gas were being emitted by the volcano during the instrument deployment. The acoustic signals affiliated with the repetitive seismic signals do not seem directly related to the continuous, well-correlated acoustic tremor observed both at the vent and at roughly 6 km away from small-aperture acoustic arrays (also reported by other groups in 2009, 2010). We also correlate the acoustic and repetitive seismic signals with high time resolution (~1 Hz sampling rate), sulfur dioxide emissions measured with an ultraviolet camera. Because a subset of stations operated during both 2010 and 2011, we could tie events from both deployments to generate a single stacked event at all 17 stations. We will present results of finite-difference modeling of this event stack using a simple homogeneous velocity structure.

Broadband image sensor array based on graphene-CMOS integration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goossens, Stijn; Navickaite, Gabriele; Monasterio, Carles; Gupta, Shuchi; Piqueras, Juan José; Pérez, Raúl; Burwell, Gregory; Nikitskiy, Ivan; Lasanta, Tania; Galán, Teresa; Puma, Eric; Centeno, Alba; Pesquera, Amaia; Zurutuza, Amaia; Konstantatos, Gerasimos; Koppens, Frank

2017-06-01

Integrated circuits based on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOS) are at the heart of the technological revolution of the past 40 years, enabling compact and low-cost microelectronic circuits and imaging systems. However, the diversification of this platform into applications other than microcircuits and visible-light cameras has been impeded by the difficulty to combine semiconductors other than silicon with CMOS. Here, we report the monolithic integration of a CMOS integrated circuit with graphene, operating as a high-mobility phototransistor. We demonstrate a high-resolution, broadband image sensor and operate it as a digital camera that is sensitive to ultraviolet, visible and infrared light (300-2,000 nm). The demonstrated graphene-CMOS integration is pivotal for incorporating 2D materials into the next-generation microelectronics, sensor arrays, low-power integrated photonics and CMOS imaging systems covering visible, infrared and terahertz frequencies.

Antenna theory: Analysis and design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balanis, C. A.

The book's main objective is to introduce the fundamental principles of antenna theory and to apply them to the analysis, design, and measurements of antennas. In a description of antennas, the radiation mechanism is discussed along with the current distribution on a thin wire. Fundamental parameters of antennas are examined, taking into account the radiation pattern, radiation power density, radiation intensity, directivity, numerical techniques, gain, antenna efficiency, half-power beamwidth, beam efficiency, bandwidth, polarization, input impedance, and antenna temperature. Attention is given to radiation integrals and auxiliary potential functions, linear wire antennas, loop antennas, linear and circular arrays, self- and mutual impedances of linear elements and arrays, broadband dipoles and matching techniques, traveling wave and broadband antennas, frequency independent antennas and antenna miniaturization, the geometrical theory of diffraction, horns, reflectors and lens antennas, antenna synthesis and continuous sources, and antenna measurements.

Broadband Array Analysis of the 2005 Episodic Tremor and Slip Event in Northern Cascadia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wech, A.; Creager, K.; McCausland, W.; Frassetto, A.; Qamar, A.; Derosier, S.; Carmichael, J.; Malone, S.; Johnson, D.

2005-12-01

The region of Cascadia from the Olympic Mountains through southern Vancouver Island and down-dip of the subduction megathrust has repeatedly experienced episodes of slow slip. This episodic slip, which has been observed to take place over a period of two to several weeks, is accompanied by a seismic tremor signal. Based on the average recurrence interval of 14 months, the next episodic tremor and slip (ETS) event should occur within six weeks of mid-September, 2005. Indeed, it appears to have begun on September 3, as this abstract was being written. In order to record this anticipated event, we deployed an array of 11 three-component seismometers on the northern side of the Olympic Peninsula augmenting Pacific Northwest Seismographic Network stations as well as the first few EarthScope BigFoot stations and Plate Boundary Observatory borehole seismometers. This seismic array was comprised of six short-period and five broadband instruments with spacings of 500 m and 2200 m respectively. In conjunction with this Earthscope seismic deployment, we also installed a dense network of 29 temporary, continuous GPS stations across the entire Olympic Peninsula to integrate seismic and geodetic observations. One of the primary goals of this research is to utilize the broadband instrumentation in the array to investigate the possible correlation of low frequency energy with the rest of the tremor activity. ETS has been carefully investigated at high-frequency (seismic tremor at 2-6 Hz) and very low-frequency (slip occurring over weeks, observed by GPS). An important goal of this experiment is to investigate the possibility that the tremor generates intermediate, low-frequency signals. Preliminary analysis of short-period array recordings of the July, 2004 ETS event suggests that the tremor displays signs of lower-frequency energy (~0.5 Hz) correlated with its higher frequency activity. Our array should enable us to distinguish low- frequency signals originating in the direction of high-frequency tremor from noise in other directions. We will present an analysis of the low-frequency energy associated with this slip event.

Acoustic Network Localization and Interpretation of Infrasonic Pulses from Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arechiga, R. O.; Johnson, J. B.; Badillo, E.; Michnovicz, J. C.; Thomas, R. J.; Edens, H. E.; Rison, W.

2011-12-01

We improve on the localization accuracy of thunder sources and identify infrasonic pulses that are correlated across a network of acoustic arrays. We attribute these pulses to electrostatic charge relaxation (collapse of the electric field) and attempt to model their spatial extent and acoustic source strength. Toward this objective we have developed a single audio range (20-15,000 Hz) acoustic array and a 4-station network of broadband (0.01-500 Hz) microphone arrays with aperture of ~45 m. The network has an aperture of 1700 m and was installed during the summers of 2009-2011 in the Magdalena mountains of New Mexico, an area that is subject to frequent lightning activity. We are exploring a new technique based on inverse theory that integrates information from the audio range and the network of broadband acoustic arrays to locate thunder sources more accurately than can be achieved with a single array. We evaluate the performance of the technique by comparing the location of thunder sources with RF sources located by the lightning mapping array (LMA) of Langmuir Laboratory at New Mexico Tech. We will show results of this technique for lightning flashes that occurred in the vicinity of our network of acoustic arrays and over the LMA. We will use acoustic network detection of infrasonic pulses together with LMA data and electric field measurements to estimate the spatial distribution of the charge (within the cloud) that is used to produce a lightning flash, and will try to quantify volumetric charges (charge magnitude) within clouds.

New seismic instrumentation packaged for all terrestrial environments (including the quietest observatories!).

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parker, Tim; Devanney, Peter; Bainbridge, Geoff; Townsend, Bruce

2017-04-01

The march to make every type of seismometer, weak to strong motion, reliable and economically deployable in any terrestrial environment continues with the availability of three new sensors and seismic systems including ones with over 200dB of dynamic range. Until recently there were probably 100 pier type broadband sensors for every observatory type pier, not the types of deployments geoscientists are needing to advance science and monitoring capability. Deeper boreholes are now the recognized quieter environments for best observatory class instruments and these same instruments can now be deployed in direct burial environments which is unprecedented. The experiences of facilities in large deployments of broadband seismometers in continental scale rolling arrays proves the utility of packaging new sensors in corrosion resistant casings and designing in the robustness needed to work reliably in temporary deployments. Integrating digitizers and other sensors decreases deployment complexity, decreases acquisition and deployment costs, increases reliability and utility. We'll discuss the informed evolution of broadband pier instruments into the modern integrated field tools that enable economic densification of monitoring arrays along with supporting new ways to approach geoscience research in a field environment.

Hybrid metasurface for ultra-broadband terahertz modulation

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

Heyes, Jane E.; Withayachumnankul, Withawat; Grady, Nathaniel K.

2014-11-05

We demonstrate an ultra-broadband free-space terahertz modulator based on a semiconductor-integrated metasurface. The modulator is made of a planar array of metal cut-wires on a silicon-on-sapphire substrate, where the silicon layer functions as photoconductive switches. Without external excitation, the cut-wire array exhibits a Lorentzian resonant response with a transmission passband spanning dc up to the fundamental dipole resonance above 2 THz. Under photoexcitation with 1.55 eV near-infrared light, the silicon regions in the cut-wire gaps become highly conductive, causing a transition of the resonant metasurface to a wire grating with a Drude response. In effect, the low-frequency passband below 2more » THz evolves into a stopband for the incident terahertz waves. Experimental validations confirm a bandwidth of at least 100%, spanning 0.5 to 1.5 THz with -10 dB modulation depth. This modulation depth is far superior to -5 dB achievable from a plain silicon-on-sapphire substrate with effectively 25 times higher pumping energy. The proposed concept of ultra-broadband metasurface modulator can be readily extended to electrically controlled terahertz wave modulation.« less

A Microstrip Patch-Fed Short Backfire Antenna for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System-Continuation (TDRSS-C) Multiple Access (MA) Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nessel, James A.; Kory, Carol L.; Lambert, Kevin M.; Acosta, Roberto J.

2006-01-01

Short Backfire Antennas (SBAs) are widely utilized for mobile satellite communications, tracking, telemetry, and wireless local area network (WLAN) applications due to their compact structure and excellent radiation characteristics [1-3]. Typically, these SBA s consist of an excitation element (i.e., a half-wavelength dipole), a reflective bottom plane, a planar sub-reflector located above the "exciter", and an outer circular rim. This configuration is capable of achieving gains on the order of 13-15 dBi, but with relatively narrow bandwidths (approx.3%-5%), making it incompatible with the requirements of the next generation enhanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System-Continuation (TDRSS-C) Multiple Access (MA) array [1]. Several attempts have been made to enhance the bandwidth performance of the common dipole-fed SBA by employing various other feeding mechanisms (e.g., waveguide, slot) with moderate success [4-5]. In this paper, a novel method of using a microstrip patch is employed for the first time to excite an SBA. The patch element is fed via two H-shaped slots electromagnetically coupled to a broadband hybrid coupler to maintain a wide bandwidth, as well as provide for dual circular polarization capabilities.

Calculation of femtosecond pulse laser induced damage threshold for broadband antireflective microstructure arrays.

PubMed

Jing, Xufeng; Shao, Jianda; Zhang, Junchao; Jin, Yunxia; He, Hongbo; Fan, Zhengxiu

2009-12-21

In order to more exactly predict femtosecond pulse laser induced damage threshold, an accurate theoretical model taking into account photoionization, avalanche ionization and decay of electrons is proposed by comparing respectively several combined ionization models with the published experimental measurements. In addition, the transmittance property and the near-field distribution of the 'moth eye' broadband antireflective microstructure directly patterned into the substrate material as a function of the surface structure period and groove depth are performed by a rigorous Fourier model method. It is found that the near-field distribution is strongly dependent on the periodicity of surface structure for TE polarization, but for TM wave it is insensitive to the period. What's more, the femtosecond pulse laser damage threshold of the surface microstructure on the pulse duration taking into account the local maximum electric field enhancement was calculated using the proposed relatively accurate theoretical ionization model. For the longer incident wavelength of 1064 nm, the weak linear damage threshold on the pulse duration is shown, but there is a surprising oscillation peak of breakdown threshold as a function of the pulse duration for the shorter incident wavelength of 532 nm.

Experimental broadband absorption enhancement in silicon nanohole structures with optimized complex unit cells.

PubMed

Lin, Chenxi; Martínez, Luis Javier; Povinelli, Michelle L

2013-09-09

We design silicon membranes with nanohole structures with optimized complex unit cells that maximize broadband absorption. We fabricate the optimized design and measure the optical absorption. We demonstrate an experimental broadband absorption about 3.5 times higher than an equally-thick thin film.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: MALT-45, a 7mm survey of the southern Galaxy (Jordan+, 2015)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jordan, C. H.; Walsh, A. J.; Lowe, V.; Voronkov, M. A.; Ellingsen, S. P.; Breen, S. L.; Purcell, C. R.; Barnes, P. J.; Burton, M. G.; Cunningham, M. R.; Hill, T.; Jackson, J. M.; Longmore, S. N.; Peretto, N.; Urquhart, J. S.

2018-03-01

MALT-45 is an untargeted Galactic plane survey for spectral lines which are commonly bright in star-forming regions at 45GHz (7mm waveband). We have so far observed 5 square degrees within the region bounded by 330°<=l<=335°, b=+/-0.5°. MALT-45 observations were conducted on the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), which provides 2x2048MHz broad-band continuum windows for observing. Section 1.1 discusses the primary lines surveyed, and their rest frequencies dictate the positions of the broad-band windows for MALT-45. Within the frequency ranges of the broad-band windows, we survey for 12 spectral lines. (2 data files).

On the Viability of Using Autonomous Three-Component Nodal Geophones to Calculate Teleseismic Ps Receiver Functions with an Application to the Old Faithful Hydrothermal System and the Cascadia Subduction Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, K. M.; Lin, F. C.

2017-12-01

Recent advances in seismic data-acquisition technology paired with an increasing interest from the academic passive source seismological community have opened up new scientific targets and imaging possibilities, often referred to as Large-N experiments (large number of instruments). The success of these and other deployments has motivated individual researchers, as well as the larger seismological community, to invest in the next generation of nodal geophones. Although the new instruments have battery life and bandwidth limitations compared to broadband instruments, the relatively low deployment and procurement cost of these new nodal geophones provides an additional novel tool for researchers. Here, we explore the viability of using autonomous three-component nodal geophones to calculate teleseismic Ps receiver functions by comparison of co-located broadband stations and highlight some potential advantages with a dense nodal array deployed around the Upper Geyser basin in Yellowstone National Park. Two key findings from this example include (1) very dense nodal arrays can be used to image small-scale features in the shallow crust that typical broadband station spacing would alias, and (2) nodal arrays with a larger footprint could be used to image deeper features with greater or equal detail as typical broadband deployments but at a reduced deployment cost. The success of the previous example has motivated a larger 2-D line across the Cascadia subduction zone. In the summer of 2017, we deployed 174 nodal geophones with an average site spacing of 750 m. Synthetic tests with dense station spacing ( 1 km) reveal subtler features of the system that is consistent with our preliminary receiver function results from our Cascadia deployment. With the increasing availability of nodal geophones to individual researchers and the successful demonstration that nodal geophones are a viable instrument for receiver function studies, numerous scientific targets can be investigated at reduced costs or in expanded detail.

Local Earthquake P-wave Tomography at Mount St. Helens with the iMUSH Broadband Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulberg, C. W.; Creager, K. C.; Moran, S. C.; Abers, G. A.; Crosbie, K.; Crosson, R. S.; Denlinger, R. P.; Thelen, W. A.; Hansen, S. M.; Schmandt, B.; Kiser, E.; Levander, A.; Bachmann, O.

2016-12-01

We deployed 70 broadband seismometers in the summer of 2014 to image the seismic velocity structure beneath Mount St. Helens (MSH), Washington, as part of the collaborative imaging Magma Under St. Helens (iMUSH) project. Our goal is to illuminate the MSH magmatic system by integrating all portions of the iMUSH experiment, including active- and passive-source tomography, ambient-noise tomography, seismicity, receiver functions, magnetotellurics, and petrology. The broadband array has a diameter of 100 km centered on MSH with an average station spacing of 10 km, and was deployed through summer 2016. It is augmented by dozens of permanent stations in the area. We determine P-wave arrival times and also incorporate picks from the permanent network. There were more than 250 local events during the first year of iMUSH broadband recording, which have provided over 11,000 high-quality arrival times. The iMUSH experiment included 23 active shots in 2014 that were recorded with good signal-to-noise ratios across the entire array. Direct raypaths from local earthquakes and active shots reach 15-20 km depth beneath MSH. We use the program struct3DP to iteratively invert travel times to obtain a 3-D seismic velocity model and relocate hypocenters. Travel times are computed using a 3-D eikonal-equation solver. We are expanding our analysis to include S-wave arrivals from local events. The preliminary 3-D model shows low P-wave speeds along the St. Helens seismic zone, striking NNW-SSE of MSH from near the surface to where we lose resolution at 15-20km depth. This seismic zone coincides with a sharp boundary in Moho reflectivity that has been interpreted as the eastern boundary of a serpentinized mantle wedge (Hansen et al, 2016, submitted). We speculate that the seismic zone and low wave speeds are related to fluids rising from the eastern boundary of the wedge.

Modal processing for acoustic communications in shallow water experiment.

PubMed

Morozov, Andrey K; Preisig, James C; Papp, Joseph

2008-09-01

Acoustical array data from the Shallow Water Acoustics experiment was processed to show the feasibility of broadband mode decomposition as a preprocessing method to reduce the effective channel delay spread and concentrate received signal energy in a small number of independent channels. The data were collected by a vertical array designed at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Phase-shift Keying (PSK) m-sequence modulated signals with different carrier frequencies were transmitted at a distance 19.2 km from the array. Even during a strong internal waves activity a low bit error rate was achieved.

Some design considerations for a synthetic aperture optical telescope array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, P. W.

1984-01-01

Several design considerations inherent in the configuration of phased array transmission of multiwavelength laser beams are discussed. Attention is focused on the U.S.A.F. phased array (PHASAR) demonstration project, where problems have been encountered in dividing the beam(s), controlling the optical path differences between subapertures, and expanding individual beams.A piston-driven path length adjustment mechanism has been selected, along with an active control system and proven components for stability maintenance. The necessity of developing broadband, high reflectivity low phase shift coatings for the system mirrors is stressed.

Strategy for the deployment of a dense broadband temporary array in the Alps: lessons learnt from the CIFALPS experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coralie, Aubert; Anne, Paul; Stefano, Solarino; Sandrine, Roussel; Simone, Salimbeni; Pierre, Zangelmi; Glenn, Cougoulat; Yinshuang, Ai; Weiwei, Xu; Yumei, He; Liang, Zhao

2013-04-01

The CIFALPS (China-Italy-France Alps seismic survey) experiment is a common project of IGGCAS (China), ISTerre (France) and INGV (Italy). It aims at getting new high-resolution passive seismic data on the crustal and upper mantle structure of the southwestern Alps. In this framework, we have installed a temporary broadband seismic array across the southwestern Alps from the Rhône valley (France) to the Po plain (Italy). The main sub-array of CIFALPS is a 350-km long roughly linear profile of 46 stations trending WSW-ENE from Bollène (France) to north of Alessandria (Italy). The average station spacing is 10 km in the outer parts of the belt, and it reduces to 5 km in the internal Alps. Nine additional temporary stations located ~40 km to the north and south of the main profile complement the permanent broadband networks to improve the 3-D constraints on the deep structures. Stations are equipped with Nanometrics Taurus data acquisition systems, and Trillium 120P/A, CMG3-ESP or CMG40T broadband sensors. The array was installed in the summer of 2012 and will be operated at least to April 2013. Because our schedule was tight, we had to achieve site selections in only 3-4 months in spite of strong constraints on site location related to short interstation spacing. Most sites are located in basements of buildings for security reasons and mains power supply. As most sensors are true broadband (90s or 120s), we put much effort on vault design to insure good thermal insulation and low noise at long periods. The vaults also had to be easily and rapidly built and they should be easily and totally removed at the end of the experiment. We used the PQLX software for quality control of our sites and vault design. The performances of our vaults are good for the vertical component with noise levels at 100s period in the range -185 dB (low noise model) to -165 dB. They are less good for horizontal components (noise level close to high noise model at periods > 20s) due to atmospheric pressure and temperature variations. Stations located outside buildings do not have better performances at 100s than stations located in basements. Two of our six stations installed outside buildings are prone to mass centering problems due to tilting of the concrete slab in soft soil. For state-of-health control and data transmission, we are testing 2G and 3G communication modems at 4 remote stations but with limited success. Database preparation and management benefitted from the expertise of engineers of the seismic datacenter of ISTerre. The experience gained on all technical aspects of a temporary experiment will provide valuable input for the preparation of the future AlpArray project.

Terahertz spectroscopic polarimetry of generalized anisotropic media composed of Archimedean spiral arrays: Experiments and simulations.

PubMed

Aschaffenburg, Daniel J; Williams, Michael R C; Schmuttenmaer, Charles A

2016-05-07

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopic polarimetry has been used to measure the polarization state of all spectral components in a broadband THz pulse upon transmission through generalized anisotropic media consisting of two-dimensional arrays of lithographically defined Archimedean spirals. The technique allows a full determination of the frequency-dependent, complex-valued transmission matrix and eigenpolarizations of the spiral arrays. Measurements were made on a series of spiral array orientations. The frequency-dependent transmission matrix elements as well as the eigenpolarizations were determined, and the eigenpolarizations were found be to elliptically corotating, as expected from their symmetry. Numerical simulations are in quantitative agreement with measured spectra.

Conformal drug delivery and instantaneous monitoring based on an inverse synthesis method at a diagnostic ultrasound platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Shanshan; Zong, Yujin; Liu, Xiaodong; Lu, Mingzhu; Wan, Mingxi

2017-03-01

In this paper, based on a programmable diagnostic ultrasound scanner, a combined approach was proposed, in which a variable-sized focal region wherein the acoustic pressure is above the ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) fragmentation threshold is synthesized by reasonably matching the excitation voltage and the transmit aperture of the linear array at 5MHz, the UCAs' temporal and spatial distribution before and after the microbubbles fragmentation is monitored using the plane-wave transmission and reception at 400Hz and, simultaneously, the broadband noise emission during the microbubbles fragmentation is extracted using the backscattering of focused release bursts (destruction pulse) themselves on the linear array. Then, acquired radio frequency (RF) data are processed to draw parameters which can be correlated with the indicator of broadband noise emission level, namely inertial cavitation dose (ICD) and microbubble fragmentation efficiency, namely decay rate of microbubbles.

Active Microelectronic Neurosensor Arrays for Implantable Brain Communication Interfaces

PubMed Central

Song, Y.-K.; Borton, D. A.; Park, S.; Patterson, W. R.; Bull, C. W.; Laiwalla, F.; Mislow, J.; Simeral, J. D.; Donoghue, J. P.; Nurmikko, A. V.

2010-01-01

We have built a wireless implantable microelectronic device for transmitting cortical signals transcutaneously. The device is aimed at interfacing a microelectrode array cortical to an external computer for neural control applications. Our implantable microsystem enables presently 16-channel broadband neural recording in a non-human primate brain by converting these signals to a digital stream of infrared light pulses for transmission through the skin. The implantable unit employs a flexible polymer substrate onto which we have integrated ultra-low power amplification with analog multiplexing, an analog-to-digital converter, a low power digital controller chip, and infrared telemetry. The scalable 16-channel microsystem can employ any of several modalities of power supply, including via radio frequency by induction, or infrared light via a photovoltaic converter. As of today, the implant has been tested as a sub-chronic unit in non-human primates (~ 1 month), yielding robust spike and broadband neural data on all available channels. PMID:19502132

High Sensitivity Terahertz Detection through Large-Area Plasmonic Nano-Antenna Arrays.

PubMed

Yardimci, Nezih Tolga; Jarrahi, Mona

2017-02-16

Plasmonic photoconductive antennas have great promise for increasing responsivity and detection sensitivity of conventional photoconductive detectors in time-domain terahertz imaging and spectroscopy systems. However, operation bandwidth of previously demonstrated plasmonic photoconductive antennas has been limited by bandwidth constraints of their antennas and photoconductor parasitics. Here, we present a powerful technique for realizing broadband terahertz detectors through large-area plasmonic photoconductive nano-antenna arrays. A key novelty that makes the presented terahertz detector superior to the state-of-the art is a specific large-area device geometry that offers a strong interaction between the incident terahertz beam and optical pump at the nanoscale, while maintaining a broad operation bandwidth. The large device active area allows robust operation against optical and terahertz beam misalignments. We demonstrate broadband terahertz detection with signal-to-noise ratio levels as high as 107 dB.

High Sensitivity Terahertz Detection through Large-Area Plasmonic Nano-Antenna Arrays

PubMed Central

Yardimci, Nezih Tolga; Jarrahi, Mona

2017-01-01

Plasmonic photoconductive antennas have great promise for increasing responsivity and detection sensitivity of conventional photoconductive detectors in time-domain terahertz imaging and spectroscopy systems. However, operation bandwidth of previously demonstrated plasmonic photoconductive antennas has been limited by bandwidth constraints of their antennas and photoconductor parasitics. Here, we present a powerful technique for realizing broadband terahertz detectors through large-area plasmonic photoconductive nano-antenna arrays. A key novelty that makes the presented terahertz detector superior to the state-of-the art is a specific large-area device geometry that offers a strong interaction between the incident terahertz beam and optical pump at the nanoscale, while maintaining a broad operation bandwidth. The large device active area allows robust operation against optical and terahertz beam misalignments. We demonstrate broadband terahertz detection with signal-to-noise ratio levels as high as 107 dB. PMID:28205615

Quantifying highly efficient incoherent energy transfer in perylene-based multichromophore arrays.

PubMed

Webb, James E A; Chen, Kai; Prasad, Shyamal K K; Wojciechowski, Jonathan P; Falber, Alexander; Thordarson, Pall; Hodgkiss, Justin M

2016-01-21

Multichromophore perylene arrays were designed and synthesized to have extremely efficient resonance energy transfer. Using broadband ultrafast photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopies, transfer timescales of approximately 1 picosecond were resolved, corresponding to efficiencies of up to 99.98%. The broadband measurements also revealed spectra corresponding to incoherent transfer between localized states. Polarization resolved spectroscopy was used to measure the dipolar angles between donor and acceptor chromophores, thereby enabling geometric factors to be fixed when assessing the validity of Förster theory in this regime. Förster theory was found to predict the correct magnitude of transfer rates, with measured ∼2-fold deviations consistent with the breakdown of the point-dipole approximation at close approach. The materials presented, along with the novel methods for quantifying ultrahigh energy transfer efficiencies, will be valuable for applications demanding extremely efficient energy transfer, including fluorescent solar concentrators, optical gain, and photonic logic devices.

Enhanced Broadband Electromagnetic Absorption in Silicon Film with Photonic Crystal Surface and Random Gold Grooves Reflector

PubMed Central

Chen, Zhi-Hui; Qiao, Na; Yang, Yibiao; Ye, Han; Liu, Shaoding; Wang, Wenjie; Wang, Yuncai

2015-01-01

We show a hybrid structure consisting of Si film with photonic crystal surface and random triangular gold grooves reflector at the bottom, which is capable of realizing efficient, broad-band, wide-angle optical absorption. It is numerically demonstrated that the enhanced absorption in a broad wavelength range (0.3–9.9 μm) due to the scattering effect of both sides of the structure and the created resonance modes. Larger thickness and period are favored to enhance the absorption in broader wavelength range. Substantial electric field concentrates in the grooves of surface photonic crystal and in the Si film. Our structure is versatile for solar cells, broadband photodetection and stealth coating. PMID:26238270

Phase Calibration of Microphones by Measurement in the Free-field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shams, Qamar A.; Bartram, Scott M.; Humphreys, William M.; Zuckewar, Allan J.

2006-01-01

Over the past several years, significant effort has been expended at NASA Langley developing new Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based microphone directional array instrumentation for high-frequency aeroacoustic measurements in wind tunnels. This new type of array construction solves two challenges which have limited the widespread use of large channel-count arrays, namely by providing a lower cost-per-channel and a simpler method for mounting microphones in wind tunnels and in field-deployable arrays. The current generation of array instrumentation is capable of extracting accurate noise source location and directivity on a variety of airframe components using sophisticated data reduction algorithms [1-2]. Commercially-available MEMS microphones are condenser-type devices and have some desirable characteristics when compared with conventional condenser-type microphones. The most important advantages of MEMS microphones are their size, price, and power consumption. However, the commercially-available units suffer from certain important shortcomings. Based on experiments with array prototypes, it was found that both the bandwidth and the sound pressure limit of the microphones should be increased significantly to improve the performance and flexibility of the microphone array [3]. It was also desired to modify the packaging to eliminate unwanted Helmholtz resonance s exhibited by the commercial devices. Thus, new requirements were defined as follows: Frequency response: 100 Hz to 100 KHz (+/-3dB) Upper sound pressure limit: Design 1: 130 dB SPL (THD less than 5%) Design 2: 150-160 dB SPL (THD less than 5%) Packaging: 3.73 x 6.13 x 1.3 mm can with laser-etched lid. In collaboration with Novusonic Acoustic Innovation, NASA modified a Knowles SiSonic MEMS design to meet these new requirements. Coupled with the design of the enhanced MEMS microphones was the development of a new calibration method for simultaneously obtaining the sensitivity and phase response of the devices over their entire broadband frequency range. Traditionally, electrostatic actuators (EA) have been used to characterize air-condenser microphones; however, MEMS microphones are not adaptable to the EA method due to their construction and very small diaphragm size [4]. Hence a substitution based, free-field method was developed to calibrate these microphones at frequencies up to 80 kHz. The technique relied on the use of a random, ultrasonic broadband centrifugal sound source located in a small anechoic chamber. The free-field sensitivity (voltage per unit sound pressure) was obtained using the procedure outlined in reference 4. Phase calibrations of the MEMS microphones were derived from cross spectral phase comparisons between the reference and test substitution microphones and an adjacent and invariant grazing-incidence 1/8-inch standard microphone. The free-field calibration procedure along with representative sensitivity and phase responses for the new high-frequency MEMS microphones are presented here.

Broadening the absorption bandwidth of metamaterial absorbers by transverse magnetic harmonics of 210 mode.

PubMed

Long, Chang; Yin, Sheng; Wang, Wei; Li, Wei; Zhu, Jianfei; Guan, Jianguo

2016-02-18

By investigating a square-shaped metamaterial structure we discover that wave diffraction at diagonal corners of such a structure excites transverse magnetic harmonics of 210 mode (TM210 harmonics). Multi-layer overlapping and deliberately regulating period length between adjacent unit cells can significantly enhance TM210 harmonics, leading to a strong absorption waveband. On such a basis, a design strategy is proposed to achieve broadband, thin-thickness multi-layered metamaterial absorbers (MMAs). In this strategy big pyramidal arrays placed in the "white blanks" of a chessboard exhibit two isolated absorption bands due to their fundamental and TM210 harmonics, which are further connected by another absorption band from small pyramidal arrays in the "black blanks" of the chessboard. The as-designed MMA at a total thickness (h) of 4.36 mm shows an absorption of above 0.9 in the whole frequency range of 7-18 GHz, which is 38% broader with respect to previous design methods at the same h. This strategy provides an effective route to extend the absorption bandwidth of MMAs without increasing h.

Western Cape Subject Advisors' Perception of Their Preparedness for Connected Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chigona, Agnes

2017-01-01

In South Africa, the Western Cape government (WCG)'s current broadband strategy aims to ensure that all schools will be connected to broadband service within a reasonable time-frame. According to the WCG integration of ICTs and the broadband will remove the digital divide and enhance curriculum delivery in schools. To achieve this, sensible…

Chaos-assisted broadband momentum transformation in optical microresonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Xuefeng; Shao, Linbo; Zhang, Shu-Xin; Yi, Xu; Wiersig, Jan; Wang, Li; Gong, Qihuang; Lončar, Marko; Yang, Lan; Xiao, Yun-Feng

2017-10-01

The law of momentum conservation rules out many desired processes in optical microresonators. We report broadband momentum transformations of light in asymmetric whispering gallery microresonators. Assisted by chaotic motions, broadband light can travel between optical modes with different angular momenta within a few picoseconds. Efficient coupling from visible to near-infrared bands is demonstrated between a nanowaveguide and whispering gallery modes with quality factors exceeding 10 million. The broadband momentum transformation enhances the device conversion efficiency of the third-harmonic generation by greater than three orders of magnitude over the conventional evanescent-wave coupling. The observed broadband and fast momentum transformation could promote applications such as multicolor lasers, broadband memories, and multiwavelength optical networks.

Cable-telco architectures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGrath, Carl J.

1994-11-01

Continued evolution of consumer broadband services such as digital video and digital multimedia has placed renewed emphasis on the need for network solutions to the broadband connectivity challenge. Although still important to architectural planners, connection oriented broadband services based on ISDN concepts must now compete with a wider array of broadcast and highly asymmetrical services for bandwidth on the network. For network operators, the business imperative is to identify and execute a network rebuild plan that will meet the capacity and flexibility needs of these services and compete with the inevitable alternate paths into the home. This paper focuses on some of the key issues facing broadband network planners as they search for the best architecture to meet the business and operations goals in their segment of the market. It will be apparent that no single optimum solution exists for all deployment scenarios, emphasizing the need for flexible and modular sources (such as servers) and network interfaces (such as set tops) which preserve the value of content, the ultimate driver in this round of network revolution.

Mid-infrared plasmonic inductors: Enhancing inductance with meandering lines

PubMed Central

Torres, Víctor; Ortuño, Rubén; Rodríguez-Ulibarri, Pablo; Griol, Amadeu; Martínez, Alejandro; Navarro-Cía, Miguel; Beruete, Miguel; Sorolla, Mario

2014-01-01

We present a mid-infrared inductor that when applied to an extraordinary transmission hole array produces a strong redshift of the resonant peak accompanied by an unprecedented enlargement of the operation bandwidth. The importance of the result is twofold: from a fundamental viewpoint, the direct applicability of equivalent circuit concepts borrowed from microwaves is demonstrated, in frequencies as high as 17 THz upholding unification of plasmonics and microwave concepts and allowing for a simplification of structure design and analysis; in practical terms, a broadband funnelling of infrared radiation with fractional bandwidth and efficiency as high as 97% and 48%, respectively, is achieved through an area less than one hundredth the squared wavelength, which leads to an impressive accessible strong field localization that may be of great interest in sensing applications. PMID:24393839

Self-rolling and light-trapping in flexible quantum well–embedded nanomembranes for wide-angle infrared photodetectors

PubMed Central

Wang, Han; Zhen, Honglou; Li, Shilong; Jing, Youliang; Huang, Gaoshan; Mei, Yongfeng; Lu, Wei

2016-01-01

Three-dimensional (3D) design and manufacturing enable flexible nanomembranes to deliver unique properties and applications in flexible electronics, photovoltaics, and photonics. We demonstrate that a quantum well (QW)–embedded nanomembrane in a rolled-up geometry facilitates a 3D QW infrared photodetector (QWIP) device with enhanced responsivity and detectivity. Circular geometry of nanomembrane rolls provides the light coupling route; thus, there are no external light coupling structures, which are normally necessary for QWIPs. This 3D QWIP device under tube-based light-trapping mode presents broadband enhancement of coupling efficiency and omnidirectional detection under a wide incident angle (±70°), offering a unique solution to high-performance focal plane array. The winding number of these rolled-up QWIPs provides well-tunable blackbody photocurrents and responsivity. 3D self-assembly of functional nanomembranes offers a new path for high conversion efficiency between light and electricity in photodetectors, solar cells, and light-emitting diodes. PMID:27536723

Acoustic Source Localization in Aircraft Interiors Using Microphone Array Technologies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sklanka, Bernard J.; Tuss, Joel R.; Buehrle, Ralph D.; Klos, Jacob; Williams, Earl G.; Valdivia, Nicolas

2006-01-01

Using three microphone array configurations at two aircraft body stations on a Boeing 777-300ER flight test, the acoustic radiation characteristics of the sidewall and outboard floor system are investigated by experimental measurement. Analysis of the experimental data is performed using sound intensity calculations for closely spaced microphones, PATCH Inverse Boundary Element Nearfield Acoustic Holography, and Spherical Nearfield Acoustic Holography. Each method is compared assessing strengths and weaknesses, evaluating source identification capability for both broadband and narrowband sources, evaluating sources during transient and steady-state conditions, and quantifying field reconstruction continuity using multiple array positions.

Coherent beam control with an all-dielectric transformation optics based lens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Jianjia; Burokur, Shah Nawaz; Piau, Gérard-Pascal; de Lustrac, André

2016-01-01

Transformation optics (TO) concept well known for its huge possibility in patterning the path of electromagnetic waves is exploited to design a beam steering lens. The broadband directive in-phase emission in a desired off-normal direction from an array of equally fed radiators is numerically and experimentally reported. Such manipulation is achieved without the use of complex and bulky phase shifters as it is the case in classical phased array antennas. The all-dielectric compact low-cost lens prototype presenting a graded permittivity profile is fabricated through three-dimensional (3D) polyjet printing technology. The array of radiators is composed of four planar microstrip antennas realized using standard lithography techniques and is used as excitation source for the lens. To validate the proposed lens, we experimentally demonstrate the broadband focusing properties and in-phase directive emissions deflected from the normal direction. Both the far-field radiation patterns and the near-field distributions are measured and reported. Measurements agree quantitatively and qualitatively with numerical full-wave simulations and confirm the corresponding steering properties. Such experimental validation paves the way to inexpensive easy-made all-dielectric microwave lenses for beam forming and collimation.

Coherent beam control with an all-dielectric transformation optics based lens.

PubMed

Yi, Jianjia; Burokur, Shah Nawaz; Piau, Gérard-Pascal; de Lustrac, André

2016-01-05

Transformation optics (TO) concept well known for its huge possibility in patterning the path of electromagnetic waves is exploited to design a beam steering lens. The broadband directive in-phase emission in a desired off-normal direction from an array of equally fed radiators is numerically and experimentally reported. Such manipulation is achieved without the use of complex and bulky phase shifters as it is the case in classical phased array antennas. The all-dielectric compact low-cost lens prototype presenting a graded permittivity profile is fabricated through three-dimensional (3D) polyjet printing technology. The array of radiators is composed of four planar microstrip antennas realized using standard lithography techniques and is used as excitation source for the lens. To validate the proposed lens, we experimentally demonstrate the broadband focusing properties and in-phase directive emissions deflected from the normal direction. Both the far-field radiation patterns and the near-field distributions are measured and reported. Measurements agree quantitatively and qualitatively with numerical full-wave simulations and confirm the corresponding steering properties. Such experimental validation paves the way to inexpensive easy-made all-dielectric microwave lenses for beam forming and collimation.

Correlator data analysis for the array feed compensation system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iijima, B.; Fort, D.; Vilnrotter, V.

1994-01-01

The real-time array feed compensation system is currently being evaluated at DSS 13. This system recovers signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss due to mechanical antenna deformations by using an array of seven Ka-band (33.7-GHz) horns to collect the defocused signal fields. The received signals are downconverted and digitized, in-phase and quadrature samples are generated, and combining weights are applied before the samples are recombined. It is shown that when optimum combining weights are employed, the SNR of the combined signal approaches the sum of the channel SNR's. The optimum combining weights are estimated directly from the signals in each channel by the Real-Time Block 2 (RTB2) correlator; since it was designed for very-long-baseline interferometer (VLBI) applications, it can process broadband signals as well as tones to extract the required weight estimates. The estimation algorithms for the optimum combining weights are described for tones and broadband sources. Data recorded in correlator output files can also be used off-line to estimate combiner performance by estimating the SNR in each channel, which was done for data taken during a Jupiter track at DSS 13.

Broadband Electromagnetic Technology

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-06-23

The objectives of this project are to continue the enhancements to the combined Broadband Electromagnetic and Full Encirclement Unit (BEM-FEU) technologies and to evaluate the systems capability in the laboratory and the field. The BEM instrument ...

Seismic Migration Imaging of the Crust and Upper Mantle Discontinuity Structure beneath Southern Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Y.-S.; Kuo, B.-Y.

2009-04-01

Taiwan is located in the convergent plate boundary zone where the Philippine Sea plate has obliquely collided on the Asian continental margin, initiating the arc-continent collision and subsequent mountain-building in Taiwan. Receiver function has been a powerful tool to image seismic velocity discontinuity structure in the crust and upper mantle which can help illuminate the deep dynamic process of active Taiwan orogeny. In this study, we adopt backprojection migration processing of teleseismic receiver functions to investigate the crust and upper mantle discontinuities beneath southern Taiwan, using the data from Southern Taiwan Transect Seismic Array (STTA), broadband stations of Central Weather Bureau (CWB), Broadband Array in Taiwan for Seismology (BATS), and Taiwan Integrated Geodynamics Research (TAIGER). This composite east-west trending linear array has the aperture of about 150 km with the station spacing of ~5-10 km. Superior to the common midpoint (CMP) stack approach, the migration can properly image the dipping, curved, or laterally-varying topography of discontinuous interfaces which very likely exist under the complicated tectonic setting of Taiwan. We first conduct synthetic experiments to test the depth and lateral resolution of migration images based on the WKBJ synthetic waveforms calculated from available source and receiver distributions. We will next construct the 2-D migration image under the array to reveal the topographic variation of the Moho and lithosphere discontinuities beneath southern Taiwan.

Standing spin-wave mode structure and linewidth in partially disordered hexagonal arrays of perpendicularly magnetized sub-micron Permalloy discs

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

Ross, N., E-mail: rossn2282@gmail.com; Kostylev, M., E-mail: mikhail.kostylev@uwa.edu.au; Stamps, R. L.

2014-09-21

Standing spin wave mode frequencies and linewidths in partially disordered perpendicular magnetized arrays of sub-micron Permalloy discs are measured using broadband ferromagnetic resonance and compared to analytical results from a single, isolated disc. The measured mode structure qualitatively reproduces the structure expected from the theory. Fitted demagnetizing parameters decrease with increasing array disorder. The frequency difference between the first and second radial modes is found to be higher in the measured array systems than predicted by theory for an isolated disc. The relative frequencies between successive spin wave modes are unaffected by reduction of the long-range ordering of discs inmore » the array. An increase in standing spin wave resonance linewidth at low applied magnetic fields is observed and grows more severe with increased array disorder.« less

Seismic anisotropy beneath Southern Iberia and Northern Morocco: first results from the IberArray broad-band seismic network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diaz, J.; Gallart, J.

2009-12-01

The region formed by the Betic and Rift belts and the extensional Alboran basin, located in Southern Iberia and Northern Morocco, is one of the most complex and controversial geological zones in Western Europe. There is still not a commonly accepted hypothesis about the mechanism responsible for its formation, as models including lithospheric delamination, convective removal or subduction have been proposed by different authors. In this context, the knowledge about the presence and properties of upper mantle anisotropy from SKS splitting measurements can provide valuable information. Until few years ago, very scarce data regarding the presence of anisotropy in the Southern part of the Iberian Peninsula were available. The installation of new permanent and semi-permanent broadband stations in the region has allowed obtaining a first insight into the anisotropic properties (Buontempo et al, 2008). Those data have evidenced the presence of geographical variations in the anisotropic parameters, with fast velocity directions (FVD) parallel to the mountain belt in the Internal Betics and a rotation on fast split directions towards NS around the Gibraltar arc. However additional data, especially in the Northern part of Morocco, seem to be necessary to discern between the different geodynamical models proposed. In the framework of the large-scale TOPOIBERIA project, the IberArray broad-band seismic network was deployed over this region for about 18 months, beginning in summer 2007. This portable array, formed by up to 55 new generation dataloggers equipped with broad-band seismometers, covers the southern part of Iberia (35 stations) and northern Morocco (20 stations) in an approximately regular grid, with a nominal spacing of 60 km. Data from the permanent broadband stations maintained by different institutions operating in the region has been integrated into the IberArray database. Events with epicentral distances between 85 and 120 degrees and magnitude greater than 5.8 are systematically extracted from the continuous dataset and SKS, SKKS and PKS phases are inspected for anisotropy using the SplitLab software. Processing of the whole dataset is still ongoing, but the available results already improve significantly the spatial resolution of SKS measurements in this region. The inferred FVD clearly document a spectacular rotation along the Gibraltar arc, following the curvature of the Rif-Betic chain, from roughly N65E beneath the Betics to close to N65W beneath the Rif chain. Stations located in the south-eastern and southern edges of the array show a distinct pattern, with FVD oriented NE-SW to E-W. The results for some sites, especially those located in the Variscan units of SW Iberia, suggest the presence of complex anisotropy features, probably including two anisotropic layers. The FVD variations along the Gibraltar arc could be explained by fossil anisotropy acquired during the Eocene. However, at the present stage of analysis, we favour an anisotropic origin related to toroidal flow around the Alboran low velocity slab. These FVD results are compatible with rollback / subduction models. On the other hand, convective-removal and delamination models seem unlikely to be compatible with the anisotropic results.

Proceedings of the Antenna Applications Symposium Held in Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts on 23-25 September 1987. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-07-01

iv BROADBAND ANTENNAS Contents 21. "Performance Characteristics of Notch Array Elements Over a 6/1 263 Frequoncy Band," C. J. Monser * 22. " Broadband ...synthesized RF signal is taken from the output port of the Hewlett-Packard 8408B Microvae Network Alnalyzer to a 20-watt TWT anplifier, and then to...j kr -Sinn H 0 = -jk 47rjk ° a 2 H r4 0 r 406 4. Helix antenna The cur-ent distribution of a helix antenna as shown in Fig. 2.11 of [33 may be

Plasmonic near-touching titanium oxide nanoparticles to realize solar energy harvesting and effective local heating.

PubMed

Yan, Jiahao; Liu, Pu; Ma, Churong; Lin, Zhaoyong; Yang, Guowei

2016-04-28

Through the excitation of plasmon resonance, the energy of plasmonic nanoparticles either reradiates through light scattering or decays into energetic electrons (absorption). The plasmon-induced absorption can greatly enhance the efficiency of solar energy harvesting, local heating, photodetection and photocatalysis. Here, we demonstrate that heavily self-doped titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO1.67 analogue arising from oxygen vacancies in rutile TiO2) with the plasmon resonance dominated by an interband transition shows strong absorption to build a broadband perfect absorber in the wavelength range from 300 to 2000 nm covering the solar irradiation spectrum completely. The absorptivity of the fabricated array is greater than 90% in the whole spectral range. And the broadband and strong absorption is due to the plasmon hybridization and hot spot generation from near-touching TiO1.67 nanoparticles with different sizes. What is more, the local heating of a TiO1.67 nanoparticle layer is fast and effective. The temperature increases quickly from 30 °C to 80 °C within 200 seconds. This local heating can realize rapid solar-enabled evaporation which can find applications in large-scale distillation and seawater desalination. These findings actually open a pathway for applications of these newly developed plasmonic materials in the energy and environment fields.

Broadband active electrically small superconductor antennas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kornev, V. K.; Kolotinskiy, N. V.; Sharafiev, A. V.; Soloviev, I. I.; Mukhanov, O. A.

2017-10-01

A new type of broadband active electrically small antenna (ESA) based on superconducting quantum arrays (SQAs) has been proposed and developed. These antennas are capable of providing both sensing and amplification of broadband electromagnetic signals with a very high spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR)—up to 100 dB (and even more)—with high sensitivity. The frequency band can range up to tens of gigahertz, depending on Josephson junction characteristic frequency, set by fabrication. In this paper we review theoretical and experimental studies of SQAs and SQA-based antenna prototypes of both transformer and transformer-less types. The ESA prototypes evaluated were fabricated using a standard Nb process with critical current density 4.5 kA cm-2. Measured device characteristics, design issues and comparative analysis of various ESA types, as well as requirements for interfaces, are reviewed and discussed.

Experimental Assessment and Enhancement of Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Measurements of Nitric Oxide in an Inverse Diffusion Flame

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Partridge, William P.; Laurendeau, Normand M.

1997-01-01

We have experimentally assessed the quantitative nature of planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements of NO concentration in a unique atmospheric pressure, laminar, axial inverse diffusion flame (IDF). The PLIF measurements were assessed relative to a two-dimensional array of separate laser saturated fluorescence (LSF) measurements. We demonstrated and evaluated several experimentally-based procedures for enhancing the quantitative nature of PLIF concentration images. Because these experimentally-based PLIF correction schemes require only the ability to make PLIF and LSF measurements, they produce a more broadly applicable PLIF diagnostic compared to numerically-based correction schemes. We experimentally assessed the influence of interferences on both narrow-band and broad-band fluorescence measurements at atmospheric and high pressures. Optimum excitation and detection schemes were determined for the LSF and PLIF measurements. Single-input and multiple-input, experimentally-based PLIF enhancement procedures were developed for application in test environments with both negligible and significant quench-dependent error gradients. Each experimentally-based procedure provides an enhancement of approximately 50% in the quantitative nature of the PLIF measurements, and results in concentration images nominally as quantitative as LSF point measurements. These correction procedures can be applied to other species, including radicals, for which no experimental data are available from which to implement numerically-based PLIF enhancement procedures.

Unexpected large nanoparticle size of single dimer hotspot systems for broadband SERS enhancement.

PubMed

Huang, Yu; Chen, Yun; Xue, Xiaotian; Zhai, Yanni; Wang, Lingling; Zhang, Zhengjun

2018-05-15

We have numerically demonstrated the feasibility and possibility to achieve broadband surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range using single nanoparticle (NP) dimer hotspot systems. Instead of the conventionally reported sub-100 nm, we find that the optimal NP size is as large as 200 nm in diameter for both Ag and Au. The key lies in the continuous arising of the bonding dipole plasmon mode and higher-order resonances at shorter wavelengths. Further, it is revealed that the near- and far-field optical responses of these hotspot systems correlate well with each other, despite the intrinsic enormous near- to far-field redshift for individual large NPs. The physical principles demonstrated here benefit significantly the fundamental understanding and engineering optimization of broadband SERS substrates.

Broadband giant-refractive-index material based on mesoscopic space-filling curves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Taeyong; Kim, Jong Uk; Kang, Seung Kyu; Kim, Hyowook; Kim, Do Kyung; Lee, Yong-Hee; Shin, Jonghwa

2016-08-01

The refractive index is the fundamental property of all optical materials and dictates Snell's law, propagation speed, wavelength, diffraction, energy density, absorption and emission of light in materials. Experimentally realized broadband refractive indices remain <40, even with intricately designed artificial media. Herein, we demonstrate a measured index >1,800 resulting from a mesoscopic crystal with a dielectric constant greater than three million. This gigantic enhancement effect originates from the space-filling curve concept from mathematics. The principle is inherently very broad band, the enhancement being nearly constant from zero up to the frequency of interest. This broadband giant-refractive-index medium promises not only enhanced resolution in imaging and raised fundamental absorption limits in solar energy devices, but also compact, power-efficient components for optical communication and increased performance in many other applications.

Broadband Processing in a Noisy Shallow Ocean Environment: A Particle Filtering Approach

DOE PAGES

Candy, J. V.

2016-04-14

Here we report that when a broadband source propagates sound in a shallow ocean the received data can become quite complicated due to temperature-related sound-speed variations and therefore a highly dispersive environment. Noise and uncertainties disrupt this already chaotic environment even further because disturbances propagate through the same inherent acoustic channel. The broadband (signal) estimation/detection problem can be decomposed into a set of narrowband solutions that are processed separately and then combined to achieve more enhancement of signal levels than that available from a single frequency, thereby allowing more information to be extracted leading to a more reliable source detection.more » A Bayesian solution to the broadband modal function tracking, pressure-field enhancement, and source detection problem is developed that leads to nonparametric estimates of desired posterior distributions enabling the estimation of useful statistics and an improved processor/detector. In conclusion, to investigate the processor capabilities, we synthesize an ensemble of noisy, broadband, shallow-ocean measurements to evaluate its overall performance using an information theoretical metric for the preprocessor and the receiver operating characteristic curve for the detector.« less

Broadband hybrid electromagnetic and piezoelectric energy harvesting from ambient vibrations and pneumatic vortices induced by running subway trains.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-05-01

The airfoil-based electromagnetic energy harvester containing parallel array motion between moving coil and : trajectory matching multi-pole magnets was investigated. The magnets were aligned in an alternatively : magnetized formation of 6 magnets to...

Ultraviolet and near-infrared femtosecond temporal pulse shaping with a new high-aspect-ratio one-dimensional micromirror array.

PubMed

Weber, Stefan M; Extermann, Jérôme; Bonacina, Luigi; Noell, Wilfried; Kiselev, Denis; Waldis, Severin; de Rooij, Nico F; Wolf, Jean-Pierre

2010-09-15

We demonstrate the capabilities of a new optical microelectromechanical systems device that we specifically developed for broadband femtosecond pulse shaping. It consists of a one-dimensional array of 100 independently addressable, high-aspect-ratio micromirrors with up to 3 μm stroke. We apply linear and quadratic phase modulations demonstrating the temporal compression of 800 and 400 nm pulses. Because of the device's surface flatness, stroke, and stroke resolution, phase shaping over an unprecedented bandwidth is attainable.

Limits on radio emission from meteors using the MWA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiang; Hancock, Paul; Devillepoix, Hadrien A. R.; Wayth, Randall B.; Beardsley, A.; Crosse, B.; Emrich, D.; Franzen, T. M. O.; Gaensler, B. M.; Horsley, L.; Johnston-Hollitt, M.; Kaplan, D. L.; Kenney, D.; Morales, M. F.; Pallot, D.; Steele, K.; Tingay, S. J.; Trott, C. M.; Walker, M.; Williams, A.; Wu, C.; Ji, Jianghui; Ma, Yuehua

2018-04-01

Recently, low frequency, broadband radio emission has been observed accompanying bright meteors by the Long Wavelength Array (LWA). The broadband spectra between 20 and 60 MHz were captured for several events, while the spectral index (dependence of flux density on frequency, with Sν∝να) was estimated to be -4 ± 1 during the peak of meteor afterglows. Here we present a survey of meteor emission and other transient events using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) at 72-103 MHz. In our 322-hour survey, down to a 5σ detection threshold of 3.5 Jy/beam, no transient candidates were identified as intrinsic emission from meteors. We derived an upper limit of -3.7 (95% confidence limit) on the spectral index in our frequency range. We also report detections of other transient events, like reflected FM broadcast signals from small satellites, conclusively demonstrating the ability of the MWA to detect and track space debris on scales as small as 0.1 m in low Earth orbits.

Microstrip Antennas with Broadband Integrated Phase Shifting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernhard, Jennifer T.; Romanofsky, Robert R. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The goal of this research was to investigate the feasibility of using a spiral microstrip antenna that incorporates a thin ferroelectric layer to achieve both radiation and phase shifting. This material is placed between the conductive spiral antenna structure and the grounded substrate. Application of a DC bias between the two arms of the spiral antenna will change the effective permittivity of the radiating structure and the degree of coupling between contiguous spiral arms, therefore changing the phase of the RF signal transmitted or received by the antenna. This could eliminate the need for a separate phase shifter apart from the antenna structure. The potential benefits of such an antenna element compared to traditional phased array elements include: continuous, broadband phase shifting at the antenna, lower overall system losses, lighter, more efficient, and more compact phased arrays, and simpler control algorithms. Professor Jennifer Bernhard, graduate student Gregory Huff, and undergraduate student Brian Huang participated in this effort from March 1, 2000 to February 28, 2001. No inventions resulted from the research undertaken in this cooperative agreement.

A 32-channel fully implantable wireless neurosensor for simultaneous recording from two cortical regions.

PubMed

Aceros, Juan; Yin, Ming; Borton, David A; Patterson, William R; Nurmikko, Arto V

2011-01-01

We present a fully implantable, wireless, neurosensor for multiple-location neural interface applications. The device integrates two independent 16-channel intracortical microelectrode arrays and can simultaneously acquire 32 channels of broadband neural data from two separate cortical areas. The system-on-chip implantable sensor is built on a flexible Kapton polymer substrate and incorporates three very low power subunits: two cortical subunits connected to a common subcutaneous subunit. Each cortical subunit has an ultra-low power 16-channel preamplifier and multiplexer integrated onto a cortical microelectrode array. The subcutaneous epicranial unit has an inductively coupled power supply, two analog-to-digital converters, a low power digital controller chip, and microlaser-based infrared telemetry. The entire system is soft encapsulated with biocompatible flexible materials for in vivo applications. Broadband neural data is conditioned, amplified, and analog multiplexed by each of the cortical subunits and passed to the subcutaneous component, where it is digitized and combined with synchronization data and wirelessly transmitted transcutaneously using high speed infrared telemetry.

Equivalent-circuit model for stacked slot-based 2D periodic arrays of arbitrary geometry for broadband analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Astorino, Maria Denise; Frezza, Fabrizio; Tedeschi, Nicola

2018-03-01

The analysis of the transmission and reflection spectra of stacked slot-based 2D periodic structures of arbitrary geometry and the ability to devise and control their electromagnetic responses have been a matter of extensive research for many decades. The purpose of this paper is to develop an equivalent Π circuit model based on the transmission-line theory and Floquet harmonic interactions, for broadband and short longitudinal period analysis. The proposed circuit model overcomes the limits of identical and symmetrical configurations imposed by the even/odd excitation approach, exploiting both the circuit topology of a single 2D periodic array of apertures and the ABCD matrix formalism. The transmission spectra obtained through the equivalent-circuit model have been validated by comparison with full-wave simulations carried out with a finite-element commercial electromagnetic solver. This allowed for a physical insight into the spectral and angular responses of multilayer devices with arbitrary aperture shapes, guaranteeing a noticeable saving of computational resources.

Open-path spectroscopic methane detection using a broadband monolithic distributed feedback-quantum cascade laser array.

PubMed

Michel, Anna P M; Kapit, Jason; Witinski, Mark F; Blanchard, Romain

2017-04-10

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that has both natural and anthropogenic sources. The ability to measure methane using an integrated path length approach such as an open/long-path length sensor would be beneficial in several environments for examining anthropogenic and natural sources, including tundra landscapes, rivers, lakes, landfills, estuaries, fracking sites, pipelines, and agricultural sites. Here a broadband monolithic distributed feedback-quantum cascade laser array was utilized as the source for an open-path methane sensor. Two telescopes were utilized for the launch (laser source) and receiver (detector) in a bistatic configuration for methane sensing across a 50 m path length. Direct-absorption spectroscopy was utilized with intrapulse tuning. Ambient methane levels were detectable, and an instrument precision of 70 ppb with 100 s averaging and 90 ppb with 10 s averaging was achieved. The sensor system was designed to work "off the grid" and utilizes batteries that are rechargeable with solar panels and wind turbines.

Extent of the low-velocity region in the lowermost mantle beneath the western Pacific detected by the Vietnamese Broadband Seismograph Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeuchi, N.; Morita, Y.; Xuyen, N. D.; Zung, N. Q.

2008-03-01

We present evidence showing the extent of the low-velocity region in the lowermost mantle beneath the western Pacific. We analyzed S, sS, ScS-S, and sScS-sS travel times observed by the Vietnamese broadband seismograph array deployed as part of the Ocean Hemisphere Project. The abrupt changes in ScS-S and sScS-sS travel times suggest that the western geographical boundary of the low-velocity region is located around 140°E and is sharp (more than 4% velocity contrast within 200 km). The dependency of S and sS travel time anomalies of epicentral distances suggests that the strong low-velocity region is confined to within 400 km from the CMB (core-mantle boundary). The existence of lateral heterogeneities with a 100 km scale inside the low-velocity region is also suggested by the abrupt changes in S and ScS waveforms.

Broadband enhanced transmission of acoustic waves through serrated metal gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Dong-Xiang; Fan, Ren-Hao; Deng, Yu-Qiang; Peng, Ru-Wen; Wang, Mu; Jiangnan University Collaboration

In this talk, we present our studies on broadband properties of acoustic waves through metal gratings. We have demonstrated that serrated metal gratings, which introduce gradient coatings, can give rise to broadband transmission enhancement of acoustic waves. Here, we have experimentally and theoretically studied the acoustic transmission properties of metal gratings with or without serrated boundaries. The average transmission is obviously enhanced for serrated metal gratings within a wide frequency range, while the Fabry-Perot resonance is significantly suppressed. An effective medium hypothesis with varying acoustic impedance is proposed to analyze the mechanism, which was verified through comparison with finite-element simulation. The serrated boundary supplies gradient mass distribution and gradient normal acoustic impedance, which could efficiently reduce the boundary reflection. Further, by increasing the region of the serrated boundary, we present a broadband high-transmission grating for wide range of incident angle. Our results may have potential applications to broadband acoustic imaging, acoustic sensing and new acoustic devices. References: [1] Dong-Xiang Qi, Yu-Qiang Deng, Di-Hu Xu, Ren-Hao Fan, Ru-Wen Peng, Ze-Guo Chen, Ming-Hui Lu, X. R. Huang and Mu Wang, Appl. Phys. Lett. 106, 011906 (2015); [2] Dong-Xiang Qi, Ren-Hao Fan, Ru-Wen Peng, Xian-Rong Huang, Ming-Hui Lu, Xu Ni, Qing Hu, and Mu Wang, Applied Physics Letters 101, 061912 (2012).

Enhancing the sensitivity of mid-IR quantum cascade laser-based cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy using RF current perturbation.

PubMed

Manfred, Katherine M; Kirkbride, James M R; Ciaffoni, Luca; Peverall, Robert; Ritchie, Grant A D

2014-12-15

The sensitivity of mid-IR quantum cascade laser (QCL) off-axis cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS), often limited by cavity mode structure and diffraction losses, was enhanced by applying a broadband RF noise to the laser current. A pump-probe measurement demonstrated that the addition of bandwidth-limited white noise effectively increased the laser linewidth, thereby reducing mode structure associated with CEAS. The broadband noise source offers a more sensitive, more robust alternative to applying single-frequency noise to the laser. Analysis of CEAS measurements of a CO(2) absorption feature at 1890  cm(-1) averaged over 100 ms yielded a minimum detectable absorption of 5.5×10(-3)  Hz(-1/2) in the presence of broadband RF perturbation, nearly a tenfold improvement over the unperturbed regime. The short acquisition time makes this technique suitable for breath applications requiring breath-by-breath gas concentration information.

Real-time Full-spectral Imaging and Affinity Measurements from 50 Microfluidic Channels using Nanohole Surface Plasmon Resonance†

PubMed Central

Lee, Si Hoon; Lindquist, Nathan C.; Wittenberg, Nathan J.; Jordan, Luke R.; Oh, Sang-Hyun

2012-01-01

With recent advances in high-throughput proteomics and systems biology, there is a growing demand for new instruments that can precisely quantify a wide range of receptor-ligand binding kinetics in a high-throughput fashion. Here we demonstrate a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging spectroscopy instrument capable of extracting binding kinetics and affinities from 50 parallel microfluidic channels simultaneously. The instrument utilizes large-area (~cm2) metallic nanohole arrays as SPR sensing substrates and combines a broadband light source, a high-resolution imaging spectrometer and a low-noise CCD camera to extract spectral information from every channel in real time with a refractive index resolution of 7.7 × 10−6. To demonstrate the utility of our instrument for quantifying a wide range of biomolecular interactions, each parallel microfluidic channel is coated with a biomimetic supported lipid membrane containing ganglioside (GM1) receptors. The binding kinetics of cholera toxin b (CTX-b) to GM1 are then measured in a single experiment from 50 channels. By combining the highly parallel microfluidic device with large-area periodic nanohole array chips, our SPR imaging spectrometer system enables high-throughput, label-free, real-time SPR biosensing, and its full-spectral imaging capability combined with nanohole arrays could enable integration of SPR imaging with concurrent surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. PMID:22895607

Ultrafast 2-dimensional image monitoring and array-based passive cavitation detection for ultrasound contrast agent destruction in a variably sized region.

PubMed

Xu, Shanshan; Hu, Hong; Jiang, Hujie; Xu, Zhi'an; Wan, Mingxi

2014-11-01

A combined approach was proposed, based on programmable ultrasound equipment, to simultaneously monitor surviving microbubbles and detect cavitation activity during microbubble destruction in a variably sized region for use in ultrasound contrast agent (UCA)-enhanced therapeutic ultrasound applications. A variably sized focal region wherein the acoustic pressure was above the UCA fragmentation threshold was synthesized at frequencies of 3, 4, 5, and 6 MHz with a linear broadband imaging probe. The UCAs' temporal and spatial distribution during the microbubbles' destruction was monitored in a 2-dimensional imaging plane at 5 MHz and a frame rate of 400 Hz, and simultaneously, broadband noise emissions during the microbubbles' fragmentation were extracted by using the backscattered signals produced by the focused release bursts (ie, destruction pulses) themselves. Afterward, the temporal evolution of broadband noise emission, the surviving microbubbles in a region of interest (ROI), and the destruction area in a static UCA suspension were computed. Then the inertial cavitation dose, destruction rate of microbubbles in the ROI, and area of the destruction region were determined. It was found that an increasing pulse length and a decreasing transmit aperture and excitation frequency were correlated with an increased inertial cavitation dose, microbubble destruction rate, and destruction area. Furthermore, it was obvious that the microbubble destruction rate was significantly correlated with the inertial cavitation dose (P < .05). In addition, the intensity decrease in the ROI was significantly correlated with the destruction area (P < .05). By the proposed strategy, microbubbles could be destroyed in a variably sized region, and destruction efficiency as well as the corresponding inertial cavitation dose could be regulated by manipulating the transmission parameters. © 2014 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Demonstration of high-responsivity epitaxial β-Ga2O3/GaN metal–heterojunction-metal broadband UV-A/UV-C detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalra, Anisha; Vura, Sandeep; Rathkanthiwar, Shashwat; Muralidharan, Rangarajan; Raghavan, Srinivasan; Nath, Digbijoy N.

2018-06-01

We demonstrate epitaxial β-Ga2O3/GaN-based vertical metal–heterojunction-metal (MHM) broadband UV-A/UV-C photodetectors with high responsivity (3.7 A/W) at 256 and 365 nm, UV-to-visible rejection >103, and a photo-to-dark current ratio of ∼100. A small (large) conduction (valence) band offset at the heterojunction of pulsed laser deposition (PLD)-grown β-Ga2O3 on metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD)-grown GaN-on-silicon with epitaxial registry, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) azimuthal scanning, is exploited to realize detectors with an asymmetric photoresponse and is explained with one-dimensional (1D) band diagram simulations. The demonstrated novel vertical MHM detectors on silicon are fully scalable and promising for enabling focal plane arrays for broadband ultraviolet sensing.

Monolithically integrated broad-band Mach-Zehnder interferometers for highly sensitive label-free detection of biomolecules through dual polarization optics.

PubMed

Psarouli, A; Salapatas, A; Botsialas, A; Petrou, P S; Raptis, I; Makarona, E; Jobst, G; Tukkiniemi, K; Sopanen, M; Stoffer, R; Kakabakos, S E; Misiakos, K

2015-12-02

Protein detection and characterization based on Broad-band Mach-Zehnder Interferometry is analytically outlined and demonstrated through a monolithic silicon microphotonic transducer. Arrays of silicon light emitting diodes and monomodal silicon nitride waveguides forming Mach-Zehnder interferometers were integrated on a silicon chip. Broad-band light enters the interferometers and exits sinusoidally modulated with two distinct spectral frequencies characteristic of the two polarizations. Deconvolution in the Fourier transform domain makes possible the separation of the two polarizations and the simultaneous monitoring of the TE and the TM signals. The dual polarization analysis over a broad spectral band makes possible the refractive index calculation of the binding adlayers as well as the distinction of effective medium changes into cover medium or adlayer ones. At the same time, multi-analyte detection at concentrations in the pM range is demonstrated.

Exceptionally omnidirectional broadband light harvesting scheme for multi-junction concentrator solar cells achieved via ZnO nanoneedles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeh, Li-Ko; Tian, Wei-Cheng; Lai, Kun-Yu; He-Hau, Jr.

2016-12-01

GaInP/GaAs/Ge triple-junction concentrator solar cells with significant efficiency enhancement were demonstrated with antireflective ZnO nanoneedles. The novel nanostructure was attained with a Zn(NO3)2-based solution containing vitamin C. Under one sun AM 1.5G solar spectrum, conversion efficiency of the triple-junction device was improved by 23.7% via broadband improvement in short-circuit currents of 3 sub-cells after the coverage by the nanoneedles with a graded refractive index profile. The efficiency enhancement further went up to 45.8% at 100 suns. The performance boost through the nanoneedles also became increasingly pronounced in the conditions of high incident angles and the cloudy weather, e.g. 220.0% of efficiency enhancement was observed at the incident angle of 60°. These results were attributed to the exceptional broadband omnidirectionality of the antireflective nanoneedles.

Search for Long Period Solar Normal Modes in Ambient Seismic Noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caton, R.; Pavlis, G. L.

2016-12-01

We search for evidence of solar free oscillations (normal modes) in long period seismic data through multitaper spectral analysis of array stacks. This analysis is similar to that of Thomson & Vernon (2015), who used data from the most quiet single stations of the global seismic network. Our approach is to use stacks of large arrays of noisier stations to reduce noise. Arrays have the added advantage of permitting the use of nonparametic statistics (jackknife errors) to provide objective error estimates. We used data from the Transportable Array, the broadband borehole array at Pinyon Flat, and the 3D broadband array in Homestake Mine in Lead, SD. The Homestake Mine array has 15 STS-2 sensors deployed in the mine that are extremely quiet at long periods due to stable temperatures and stable piers anchored to hard rock. The length of time series used ranged from 50 days to 85 days. We processed the data by low-pass filtering with a corner frequency of 10 mHz, followed by an autoregressive prewhitening filter and median stack. We elected to use the median instead of the mean in order to get a more robust stack. We then used G. Prieto's mtspec library to compute multitaper spectrum estimates on the data. We produce delete-one jackknife error estimates of the uncertainty at each frequency by computing median stacks of all data with one station removed. The results from the TA data show tentative evidence for several lines between 290 μHz and 400 μHz, including a recurring line near 379 μHz. This 379 μHz line is near the Earth mode 0T2 and the solar mode 5g5, suggesting that 5g5 could be coupling into the Earth mode. Current results suggest more statistically significant lines may be present in Pinyon Flat data, but additional processing of the data is underway to confirm this observation.

The MOBB experiment: A prototype permanent off-shore ocean bottom broadband station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanowicz, Barbara; Stakes, Debra; Uhrhammer, Robert; McGill, Paul; Neuhauser, Doug; Ramirez, Tony; Dolenc, David

Technical accomplishments of the past 10 years in the design and deployment of sea floor broadband seismic systems are now making it possible to start addressing the issue of the limited coverage of the Earth that can be achieved through land-based installations, at the regional or global scale. In particular, the September 2002 Ocean Mantle Dynamics (OMD) workshop in Snowbird, Utah [OMD Workshop Committee, 2003] proposed the development of two “leap-frogging arrays” of about 30 broadband sea floor instruments to fill geophysically important target holes in ocean coverage for deployment periods of 1 to 2 years. The rationale for an off-shore (“Webfoot”) component of the SArray/Earth-scope “Bigfoot” array was also highlighted at this meeting, pointing out that the study of the North American continent should not stop at the ocean margin.The ocean floor environment is challenging for broadband seismology for several reasons. Broadband seismometers cannot be simply “dropped off” a ship with the expectation that they will produce useable data, particularly on the horizontal components. Several pilot experiments, [e.g., Montagner et al., 1994; OSN1, 1998; Suyehiro et al., 2002] have addressed the issue of optimal installation of ocean bottom stations, and in particular, have carried out comparisons between borehole, sea floor, and buried sea floor installations.

Chaos-assisted broadband momentum transformation in optical microresonators.

PubMed

Jiang, Xuefeng; Shao, Linbo; Zhang, Shu-Xin; Yi, Xu; Wiersig, Jan; Wang, Li; Gong, Qihuang; Lončar, Marko; Yang, Lan; Xiao, Yun-Feng

2017-10-20

The law of momentum conservation rules out many desired processes in optical microresonators. We report broadband momentum transformations of light in asymmetric whispering gallery microresonators. Assisted by chaotic motions, broadband light can travel between optical modes with different angular momenta within a few picoseconds. Efficient coupling from visible to near-infrared bands is demonstrated between a nanowaveguide and whispering gallery modes with quality factors exceeding 10 million. The broadband momentum transformation enhances the device conversion efficiency of the third-harmonic generation by greater than three orders of magnitude over the conventional evanescent-wave coupling. The observed broadband and fast momentum transformation could promote applications such as multicolor lasers, broadband memories, and multiwavelength optical networks. Copyright © 2017 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Multicore fiber beamforming network for broadband satellite communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zainullin, Airat; Vidal, Borja; Macho, Andres; Llorente, Roberto

2017-02-01

Multi-core fiber (MCF) has been one of the main innovations in fiber optics in the last decade. Reported work on MCF has been focused on increasing the transmission capacity of optical communication links by exploiting space-division multiplexing. Additionally, MCF presents a strong potential in optical beamforming networks. The use of MCF can increase the compactness of the broadband antenna array controller. This is of utmost importance in platforms where size and weight are critical parameters such as communications satellites and airplanes. Here, an optical beamforming architecture that exploits the space-division capacity of MCF to implement compact optical beamforming networks is proposed, being a new application field for MCF. The experimental demonstration of this system using a 4-core MCF that controls a four-element antenna array is reported. An analysis of the impact of MCF on the performance of antenna arrays is presented. The analysis indicates that the main limitation comes from the relatively high insertion loss in the MCF fan-in and fan-out devices, which leads to angle dependent losses which can be mitigated by using fixed optical attenuators or a photonic lantern to reduce MCF insertion loss. The crosstalk requirements are also experimentally evaluated for the proposed MCF-based architecture. The potential signal impairment in the beamforming network is analytically evaluated, being of special importance when MCF with a large number of cores is considered. Finally, the optimization of the proposed MCF-based beamforming network is addressed targeting the scalability to large arrays.

Estimation of Tumor Angiogenesis With Contrast Enhanced Subharmonic Ultrasound Imaging

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-07-01

measure the FBV as a function of time (Fig. 1). The setup consists of a pair of confocally positioned broadband focused transducers (diameter: 2.54 cm...signals only come from the microbubbles in the small confocal region of the two transducers (1-4 mm3 for 2 MHz transmission). The sampling frequency...amplified and then supplied to a single-element broadband focused transducer. Another broadband focused transducer ( confocally positioned to the first

Determination of Mantle Discontinuity Depths beneath the South Pacific Superswell As Inferred Using Data From Broadband OBS Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suetsugu, D.; Shiobara, H.; Sugioka, H.; Kanazawa, T.; Fukao, Y.

2005-12-01

We determined depths of the mantle discontinuities (the 410-km and 660-km discontinuities) beneath the South Pacific Superswell using waveform data from broadband ocean bottom seismograph (BBOBS) array to image presumed mantle plumes and their temperature anomalies. Seismic structure beneath this region had not previously been well explored in spite of its significance for mantle dynamics. The region is characterized by a topographic high of more than 680 m (Adam and Bonneville, 2005), a concentration of hotspot chains (e.g., Society, Cook-Austral, Marquesas, and Pitcairn) whose volcanic rocks have isotopic characteristics suggesting deep mantle origin, and a broad low velocity anomaly in the lower mantle revealed by seismic tomography. These observations suggest the presence of a whole-mantle scale upwelling beneath the region, which is called a 'superplume' (McNutt, 1998). However, the seismic structure has been only poorly resolved so far and the maximum depth of anomalous material beneath the hotspots has not yet been determined, mainly due to the sparseness of seismic stations in the region. To improve the seismic coverage, we deployed an array of 10 BBOBS over the French Polynesia area from 2003 to 2005. The BBOBS has been developed by Earthquake Research Institute of University of Tokyo and are equipped with the broadband CMG-3T/EBB sensor. The observation was conducted as a Japan-France cooperative project (Suetsugu et al., 2005, submitted to EOS). We computed receiver functions from the BBOBS data to detect Ps waves from the mantle discontinuities. The Velocity Spectrum Stacking method (Gurrola et al., 1994) were employed to enhance the Ps waves for determination of the discontinuity depths, in which receiver functions were stacked in a depth-velocity space. The Ps-waves from the mantle discontinuities were successfully detected at the most of the BBOBS stations, from which the discontinuity depths were determined with the Iasp91 velocity model. The 410-km discontinuity depths were estimated to be 403-431 km over the Superswell region, which are not substantially different from the global average considering the estimation error of 10 km. The 660-km discontinuity depths were also determined to be 654-674 km, close to the global average, at most of the stations. Data from a station near the Society hot spot, however, provide an anomalously shallow depth of 623 km, indicating a presence of a local hot anomaly at the bottom of the mantle transition zone beneath near the Society hot spot. Taking into consideration a possible effect of velocity anomalies on the depth estimation, the shallow anomaly is significant. The present result suggests that the thermal anomalies are not obvious in the Superswell-scale, but present locally beneath the Society hot spot.

The VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clarke, Tracy; Peters, Wendy; Brisken, Walter; Giacintucci, Simona; Kassim, Namir; Polisensky, Emil; Helmboldt, Joseph; Richards, Emily E.; Erickson, Alan; Ray, Paul S.; Kerr, Matthew T.; Deneva, Julia; Coburn, William; Huber, Robert; Long, Jeff

2018-01-01

The VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE, http://vlite.nrao.edu/ ) is a commensal low-frequency observing system that has been operational on the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) since late 2014. The separate optical paths of the prime-focus sub-GHz dipole feeds and the Cassegrain-focus 1-50 GHz feeds allow both systems to operate simultaneously with independent correlators. The initial 2.5 years of VLITE operation provided real-time correlation of 10 antennas across the 320-384 MHz band with a total observing time approaching 12,000 hours. During the summer of 2017, VLITE was upgraded to a total of 16 antennas (more than doubling the number of baselines) with enhanced correlator capabilities to enable correlation of the on-the-fly observing mode being used for the new NRAO VLA Sky Survey (VLASS).We present an overview of the VLITE system, including highlights of the complexities of a commensal observing program, sparse-array challenges, and scientific capabilities from our science-ready data pipeline. In the longer term, we seek a path to broadband expansion across all VLA antennas to develop a powerful new LOw Band Observatory (LOBO).

Opto-microwave Butler matrixes based front-end for a multi-beam large direct radiating array antenna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piqueras, M. A.; Mengual, T.; Navasquillo, O.; Sotom, M.; Caille, G.

2017-09-01

The evolution of broadband communication satellites shows a clear trend towards beam forming and beam-switching systems with efficient multiple access schemes with wide bandwidths, for which to be economically viable, the communication price shall be as low as possible.

Delay Times From Clustered Multi-Channel Cross Correlation and Simulated Annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Creager, K. C.; Sambridge, M. S.

2004-12-01

Several techniques exist to estimate relative delay times of seismic phases based on the assumption that the waveforms observed at several stations can be expressed as a common waveform that has been time shifted and distorted by random uncorrelated noise. We explore the more general problem of estimating the relative delay times for regional or even global distributions of seismometers in cases where waveforms vary systematically across the array. The estimation of relative delay times is formulated as a global optimization of the weighted sum of squares of cross correlations of each seismogram pair evaluated at the corresponding difference in their relative delay times. As there are many local minima in this penalty function, a simulated annealing algorithm is used to obtain a solution. The weights depend strongly on the separation distance among seismogram pairs as well as a measure of the similarity of waveforms. Thus, seismograph pairs that are physically close to each other and have similar waveforms are expected to be well aligned while those with dissimilar waveforms or large separation distances are severely down-weighted and thus need not be well aligned. As a result noisy seismograms, which are not similar to other seismograms, are down-weighted so they do not adversely effect the relative delay times of other seismograms. Finally, natural clusters of seismograms are determined from the weight matrix. Examples of aligning a few hundred P and PKP waveforms from a broadband global array and from a mixed broadband and short-period continental-scale array will be shown. While this method has applications in many situations, it may be especially useful for arrays such as the EarthScope Bigfoot Array.

THE BARYON ACOUSTIC OSCILLATION BROADBAND AND BROAD-BEAM ARRAY: DESIGN OVERVIEW AND SENSITIVITY FORECASTS

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

Pober, Jonathan C.; Parsons, Aaron R.; McQuinn, Matthew

2013-03-15

This work describes a new instrument optimized for a detection of the neutral hydrogen 21 cm power spectrum between redshifts of 0.5 and 1.5: the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation Broadband and Broad-beam (BAOBAB) array. BAOBAB will build on the efforts of a first generation of 21 cm experiments that are targeting a detection of the signal from the Epoch of Reionization at z {approx} 10. At z {approx} 1, the emission from neutral hydrogen in self-shielded overdense halos also presents an accessible signal, since the dominant, synchrotron foreground emission is considerably fainter than at redshift 10. The principle science driver formore » these observations are baryon acoustic oscillations in the matter power spectrum which have the potential to act as a standard ruler and constrain the nature of dark energy. BAOBAB will fully correlate dual-polarization antenna tiles over the 600-900 MHz band with a frequency resolution of 300 kHz and a system temperature of 50 K. The number of antennas will grow in staged deployments, and reconfigurations of the array will allow for both traditional imaging and high power spectrum sensitivity operations. We present calculations of the power spectrum sensitivity for various array sizes, with a 35 element array measuring the cosmic neutral hydrogen fraction as a function of redshift, and a 132 element system detecting the BAO features in the power spectrum, yielding a 1.8% error on the z {approx} 1 distance scale, and, in turn, significant improvements to constraints on the dark energy equation of state over an unprecedented range of redshifts from {approx}0.5 to 1.5.« less

Experimental Investigation of the Herschel-Quincke Tube Concept on the Honeywell TFE731-60

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Jerome P.; Burdisso, Ricardo A.; Gerhold, Carl H. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

This report summarizes the key results obtained by the Vibration and Acoustics Laboratories at Virginia Tech over the period from January 1999 to December 2000 on the project 'Investigation of an Adaptive Herschel-Quincke Tube Concept for the Reduction of Tonal and Broadband Noise from Turbofan Engines', funded by NASA Langley Research Center. The Herschel-Quincke (HQ) tube concept is a developing technique that consists of circumferential arrays of tubes around the duct. A fixed array of tubes is installed on the inlet duct of the Honeywell TFE731-60 engine. Two array designs are incorporated into the inlet treatment, each designed for a different circumferential mode order which is expected to be cut on in the duct. Far field and in-duct noise measurement data are presented which demonstrate the effectiveness of the HQ concept for array 1, array 2, and both operating simultaneously.

Broadband bearing-time records of three-component seismic array data and their application to the study of local earthquake coda

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagner, Gregory S.; Owens, Thomas J.

1993-09-01

High-frequency three-component array d, are used to study the P and S coda produced by* cal earthquakes. The data are displayed as broadba bearing-time records which allow us to examine a compl, time history of the propagation directions and arrival tin of direct and scattered phases crossing the array. This ~ sualization technique is used to examine the wavefield ~ two scale lengths using two sub-arrays~of sensors. Resu suggest that P coda is dominated by P energy propag, ing sub-parallel to the direct P arrival. The S coda pro agates in all directions and appears to be composed p~ dominantly of S and/or surface wave energy. Significant more 0e coda appears on the smaller scale length sub-art relative to the larger scale array suggesting that much, the ~, coda remains coherent for only very short distanc

Broadband nanophotonic wireless links and networks using on-chip integrated plasmonic antennas.

PubMed

Yang, Yuanqing; Li, Qiang; Qiu, Min

2016-01-19

Owing to their high capacity and flexibility, broadband wireless communications have been widely employed in radio and microwave regimes, playing indispensable roles in our daily life. Their optical analogs, however, have not been demonstrated at the nanoscale. In this paper, by exploiting plasmonic nanoantennas, we demonstrate the complete design of broadband wireless links and networks in the realm of nanophotonics. With a 100-fold enhancement in power transfer superior to previous designs as well as an ultrawide bandwidth that covers the entire telecommunication wavelength range, such broadband nanolinks and networks are expected to pave the way for future optical integrated nanocircuits.

75 FR 45087 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-02

... provide financial assistance to eligible entities that are proposing to deploy broadband transmission... assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d... Utilities Service Title: Broadband Grant Program. OMB Control Number: 0572-0127. Summary of Collection...

Characteristics of a broadband dye laser using Pyrromethene and Rhodamine dyes.

PubMed

Tedder, Sarah A; Wheeler, Jeffrey L; Danehy, Paul M

2011-02-20

A broadband dye laser pumped by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser with a full width at half-maximum from 592 to 610 nm was created for the use in a dual-pump broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) system called width increased dual-pump enhanced CARS (WIDECARS). The desired broadband dye laser was generated with a mixture of Pyrromethene dyes as an oscillator gain medium and a spectral selective optic in the oscillator cavity. A mixture of Rhodamine dyes was used in the amplifier dye cell. To create this laser, a study was performed to characterize the spectral behavior of broadband dye lasers created with Rhodamine dyes 590, 610, and 640 and Pyrromethene dyes 597 and 650, as well as mixtures of these dyes.

Multi-gigabit WDM optical networking for next generation avionics system communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gardner, Robert D.; Andonovic, I.; Hunter, D. K.; Hamoudi, A.; McLaughlin, A. J.; Aitchison, J. S.; Marsh, J. H.

2000-04-01

It is envisaged that photonic networking will play a significant role in improving performance and reliability in both civil and military avionics systems. Of all the available photonic multiplexing technologies, wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) has been the primary focus of attention within mainstream telecommunications offering increased throughput at a reasonable cost, with scope for enhanced routing flexibility, connectivity and network survivability. A direct mapping of techniques and devices from the maturing telecommunications sector is, however, not possible because of the stringent requirements of systems operating in the hostile aerospace environment. This paper gives an outline of these requirements and discusses, in detail, the design and development of a multi-gigabit, broadband optical WDM network architecture, specifically for use on aerospace platforms. The paper will also discuss a key element in the system, the arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) wavelength multiplexing component, which has been designed to allow operation over the full military temperature specification without environmental conditioning.

The fiber optic gyroscope - a portable rotational ground motion sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wassermann, J. M.; Bernauer, F.; Guattari, F.; Igel, H.

2016-12-01

It was already shown that a portable broadband rotational ground motion sensor will have large impact on several fields of seismological research such as volcanology, marine geophysics, seismic tomography and planetary seismology. Here, we present results of tests and experiments with one of the first broadband rotational motion sensors available. BlueSeis-3A, is a fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) especially designed for the needs of seismology, developed by iXBlue, France, in close collaboration with researchers financed by the European Research council project ROMY (Rotational motions - a new observable for seismology). We first present the instrument characteristics which were estimated by different standard laboratory tests, e.g. self noise using operational range diagrams or Allan deviation. Next we present the results of a field experiment which was designed to demonstrate the value of a 6C measurement (3 components of translation and 3 components of rotation). This field test took place at Mt. Stromboli volcano, Italy, and is accompanied by seismic array installation to proof the FOG output against more commonly known array derived rotation. As already shown with synthetic data an additional direct measurement of three components of rotation can reduce the ambiguity in source mechanism estimation and can be taken to correct for dynamic tilt of the translational sensors (i.e. seismometers). We can therefore demonstrate that the deployment of a weak motion broadband rotational motion sensor is in fact producing superior results by a reduction of the number of deployed instruments.

Energy and Power Spectra of Thunder in the Magdalena Mountains, Central New Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, R. L.; Johnson, J. B.; Arechiga, R. O.; Michnovicz, J. C.; Edens, H. E.; Rison, W.

2011-12-01

Thunder is generated primarily by heating and expansion of the atmosphere around a lightning channel and by charge relaxation within a cloud. Broadband acoustic studies are important for inferring dynamic charge behavior during and after lightning events. During the Summer monsoon seasons of 2009-2011, we deployed networks of 3-5 stations consisting of broadband (0.01 to 500 Hz) acoustic arrays and audio microphones in the Magdalena Mountains in central New Mexico. We utilize Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) data for accurate timing of lightning events within a 10 km radius of our network. Unlike the LMA, which detects VHF signals from breakdown processes, thunder signals may be used to observe charge dynamics and thermal shocking of the atmosphere. Previous investigations show that thunder spectral content may distinguish between electrostatic and thermal heating processes. We collected extensive datasets in terms of number of independent broadband sensors (up to 20), number of observed flashes (hundreds from multiple storms), and available coincident LMA data. We use infrasound and audio data to quantify total acoustic energy produced at lightning sources in various frequency bands. We attribute the spectral content and intensity of thunder signals to source characteristics, sensor locations, propagation effects, and noise. We observe variations in acoustic energy for both entire storm systems and individual lightning flashes. We propose that some variations may be related to the type of lightning flash and that spectral content is important for distinguishing between thunder generation mechanisms.

Analysis of a log periodic nano-antenna for multi-resonant broadband field enhancement and the Purcell factor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jie; Kong, Fanmin; Li, Kang; Sheng, Shiwei

2015-05-01

Broadband nano-antennas play a central role in many areas of science and technology. However, a more intuitive understanding for rational design of nano-antennas with broadband response is desirable. A log periodic nano-antenna was studied in the paper. The finite-difference time-domain method was used to explore the spectral characteristics of the log periodic nano-antenna by the excitation mode of reception and emission. The effects of geometry on field enhancement and the Purcell factor were systematically described and investigated. The field enhancement of the nano-antenna can be tuned by geometric parameters such as the outer radius, the tooth angle, and the ratio of the radial sizes of successive teeth, which provide control over both the spectral resonance position and the field enhancement peak amplitude. The Purcell factor mainly depends on the outer radius, the tooth angle, and the bow angle. In addition, multi-resonant field enhancement was analyzed in detail by conformal transformation. Furthermore, a careful comparison of the characteristics of a bowtie nano-antenna demonstrated that the log periodic nano-antenna has considerable potential for multi-resonant field enhancement and improvement of the Purcell factor. The results provide a promising prospect for designing and optimizing the log periodic nano-antenna in a broad range of wavelengths.

Tunable and reconfigurable microwave filter by use of a Bragg-grating-based acousto-optic superlattice modulator.

PubMed

Delgado-Pinar, M; Mora, J; Díez, A; Andrés, M V; Ortega, B; Capmany, J

2005-01-01

We present an all-optical novel configuration for implementing multitap transversal filters by use of a broadband source sliced by fiber Bragg grating arrays generated by propagating an acoustic wave along a strong uniform fiber Bragg grating. The tunability and reconfigurability of the microwave filter are demonstrated.

Limits on radio emission from meteors using the MWA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, X.; Hancock, P.; Devillepoix, H. A. R.; Wayth, R. B.; Beardsley, A.; Crosse, B.; Emrich, D.; Franzen, T. M. O.; Gaensler, B. M.; Horsley, L.; Johnston-Hollitt, M.; Kaplan, D. L.; Kenney, D.; Morales, M. F.; Pallot, D.; Steele, K.; Tingay, S. J.; Trott, C. M.; Walker, M.; Williams, A.; Wu, C.; Ji, Jianghui; Ma, Yuehua

2018-07-01

Recently, low-frequency, broad-band radio emission has been observed accompanying bright meteors by the Long Wavelength Array (LWA). The broad-band spectra between 20 and 60 MHz were captured for several events, while the spectral index (dependence of flux density on frequency, with Sν ∝ να) was estimated to be -4 ± 1 during the peak of meteor afterglows. Here we present a survey of meteor emission and other transient events using the Murchison Wide Field Array (MWA) at 72-103 MHz. In our 322 h survey, down to a 5σ detection threshold of 3.5 Jy beam-1, no transient candidates were identified as intrinsic emission from meteors. We derived an upper limit of -3.7 (95 per cent confidence limit) on the spectral index in our frequency range. We also report detections of other transient events, such as reflected FM broadcast signals from small satellites, conclusively demonstrating the ability of the MWA to detect and track space debris on scales as small as 0.1 m in low Earth orbits.

Fabrication and Performance of Endoscopic Ultrasound Radial Arrays Based on PMN-PT Single Crystal/Epoxy 1-3 Composite

PubMed Central

Zhou, Dan; Cheung, Kwok Fung; Chen, Yan; Lau, Sien Ting; Zhou, Qifa; Shung, K. Kirk; Luo, Hao Su; Dai, Jiyan; Chan, Helen Lai Wa

2011-01-01

In this paper, 0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) single crystal/epoxy 1–3 composite was used as the active material of the endoscopic ultrasonic radial array transducer, because this composite exhibited ultrahigh electromechanical coupling coefficient (kt = 0.81%), very low mechanical quality factor (Qm = 11) and relatively low acoustic impedance (Zt = 12 MRayls). A 6.91 MHz PMN-PT/epoxy 1–3 composite radial array transducer with 64 elements was tested in a pulse-echo response measurement. The −6-dB bandwidth of the composite array transducer was 102%, which was ~30% larger than that of traditional lead zirconate titanate array transducer. The two-way insertion loss was found to be −32.3 dB. The obtained results show that this broadband array transducer is promising for acquiring high-resolution endoscopic ultrasonic images in many clinical applications. PMID:21342833

Thin-film sparse boundary array design for passive acoustic mapping during ultrasound therapy.

PubMed

Coviello, Christian M; Kozick, Richard J; Hurrell, Andrew; Smith, Penny Probert; Coussios, Constantin-C

2012-10-01

A new 2-D hydrophone array for ultrasound therapy monitoring is presented, along with a novel algorithm for passive acoustic mapping using a sparse weighted aperture. The array is constructed using existing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrasound sensor technology, and is utilized for its broadband characteristics and its high receive sensitivity. For most 2-D arrays, high-resolution imagery is desired, which requires a large aperture at the cost of a large number of elements. The proposed array's geometry is sparse, with elements only on the boundary of the rectangular aperture. The missing information from the interior is filled in using linear imaging techniques. After receiving acoustic emissions during ultrasound therapy, this algorithm applies an apodization to the sparse aperture to limit side lobes and then reconstructs acoustic activity with high spatiotemporal resolution. Experiments show verification of the theoretical point spread function, and cavitation maps in agar phantoms correspond closely to predicted areas, showing the validity of the array and methodology.

Seismic and Infrasound Recordings from Kilauea Volcano: Volcanic Tremor, Lava Outbreaks, and Fissure Eruptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fee, D.; Garces, M.; Orr, T.

2007-12-01

The continuous effusion from the Pu'u 'O'o crater complex, the active vent of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, produced nearly continuous tremor for years. Recently this tremor was recorded by two infrasound arrays, one at 12.5 km and one at 2.5 km, as well as a broadband seismometer at the closer array. These recordings exhibit significant temporal changes. A sharp, complex spectral peak of ~0.6 Hz is present in nearly the entire dataset, and tends to bifurcate and shift frequency over time. Although the seismic wavefield at Kilauea is complex and path effects appear to play a significant role, this spectral peak is also weakly manifested in the seismic recordings. Array processing of the infrasonic data reveals an abundance of broadband signal as well. Most of the signal appears to originate from the main crater region. However, the 2.5 km array detected the presence of a skylight with growing hornitos ~400 m south of Pu'u 'O'o on the active lava tube system. On June 19th, 2007, the magmatic system at Pu'u 'O'o changed. An intrusion of magma reached the surface 6 km west of the crater complex. The timing and location of the lava outbreak were determined acoustically using array processing. Two distinct acoustic pulses were recorded from the correct azimuth, both exhibiting harmonics. The 7/21 fissure eruption also produced clear infrasound signals. The onset of the fissure eruption east of P'u' 'O'o was apparent beginning around midnight on 7/21 and was focused between ~1.5-5 Hz. Although the fissure eruption continued to produce infrasound, the character of the recorded signal changes over time. A third infrasound array was placed closer to P'u' 'O'o and the fissure to help further constrain the eruption. More detailed results on acoustic signals from the Father's Day Intrusion and Fissure eruption will be presented.

A novel approach for characterizing broad-band radio spectral energy distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harvey, V. M.; Franzen, T.; Morgan, J.; Seymour, N.

2018-05-01

We present a new broad-band radio frequency catalogue across 0.12 GHz ≤ ν ≤ 20 GHz created by combining data from the Murchison Widefield Array Commissioning Survey, the Australia Telescope 20 GHz survey, and the literature. Our catalogue consists of 1285 sources limited by S20 GHz > 40 mJy at 5σ, and contains flux density measurements (or estimates) and uncertainties at 0.074, 0.080, 0.119, 0.150, 0.180, 0.408, 0.843, 1.4, 4.8, 8.6, and 20 GHz. We fit a second-order polynomial in log-log space to the spectral energy distributions of all these sources in order to characterize their broad-band emission. For the 994 sources that are well described by a linear or quadratic model we present a new diagnostic plot arranging sources by the linear and curvature terms. We demonstrate the advantages of such a plot over the traditional radio colour-colour diagram. We also present astrophysical descriptions of the sources found in each segment of this new parameter space and discuss the utility of these plots in the upcoming era of large area, deep, broad-band radio surveys.

Broadband continuous wave source localization via pair-wise, cochleagram processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nosal, Eva-Marie; Frazer, L. Neil

2005-04-01

A pair-wise processor has been developed for the passive localization of broadband continuous-wave underwater sources. The algorithm uses sparse hydrophone arrays and does not require previous knowledge of the source signature. It is applicable in multiple source situations. A spectrogram/cochleagram version of the algorithm has been developed in order to utilize higher frequencies at longer ranges where signal incoherence, and limited computational resources, preclude the use of full waveforms. Simulations demonstrating the robustness of the algorithm with respect to noise and environmental mismatch will be presented, together with initial results from the analysis of humpback whale song recorded at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off Kauai. [Work supported by MHPCC and ONR.

Near-Field Noise Source Localization in the Presence of Interference

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Guolong; Han, Bo

In order to suppress the influence of interference sources on the noise source localization in the near field, the near-field broadband source localization in the presence of interference is studied. Oblique projection is constructed with the array measurements and the steering manifold of interference sources, which is used to filter the interference signals out. 2D-MUSIC algorithm is utilized to deal with the data in each frequency, and then the results of each frequency are averaged to achieve the positioning of the broadband noise sources. The simulations show that this method suppresses the interference sources effectively and is capable of locating the source which is in the same direction with the interference source.

Sensor Emplacement Techniques and Seismic Noise Analysis for USArray Transportable Array Seismic Stations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frassetto, A.; Busby, R. W.; Hafner, K.; Woodward, R.; Sauter, A.

2013-12-01

In preparation for the upcoming deployment of EarthScope's USArray Transportable Array (TA) in Alaska, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has supported exploratory work on seismic station design, sensor emplacement, and communication concepts appropriate for this challenging high-latitude environment. IRIS has installed several experimental stations to evaluate different sensor emplacement schemes both in Alaska and in the lower-48 of the U.S. The goal of these tests is to maintain or enhance a station's noise performance while minimizing its footprint and the weight of the equipment, materials, and overall expense required for its construction. Motivating this approach are recent developments in posthole broadband seismometer design and the unique conditions for operating in Alaska, where there are few roads, cellular communications are scarce, most areas are only accessible by small plane or helicopter, and permafrost underlies much of the state. We will review the methods used for directly emplacing broadband seismometers in comparison to the current methods used for the lower-48 TA. These new methods primarily focus on using a portable drill to make a bored hole three to five meters, beneath the active layer of the permafrost, or by coring 1-2 meters deep into surface bedrock. Both methods are logistically effective in preliminary trials. Subsequent station performance has been assessed quantitatively using probability density functions summed from power spectral density estimates. These are calculated for the continuous time series of seismic data recorded for each channel of the seismometer. There are five test stations currently operating in Alaska. One was deployed in August 2011 and the remaining four in October 2012. Our results show that the performance of seismometers in Alaska with auger-hole or core-hole installations can sometimes exceed that of the quietest TA stations in the lower-48, particularly horizontal components at long periods. A comparison of the performance of the various installations is discussed.

Using Cross-Correlation Methods to Characterize Earthquakes Associated with the Socorro Magma Body

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vieceli, R.; Bilek, S. L.; Worthington, L. L.; Schmandt, B.; Aster, R. C.; Dodge, D. A.; Pyle, M. L.; Walter, W. R.

2017-12-01

The Socorro Magma Body (SMB), a thin, sill-like body with a top surface-depth of 19 km situated within the Rio Grande Rift in central New Mexico, is one of the largest recognized continental mid-crustal magma bodies in the world by area. SMB-associated inflation leads to slow regional uplift of a few mm/yr and has been linked to longstanding concentrated shallow seismicity (< 10 km depth) with variable spatial and temporal occurrence, including early 20th century events of magnitude 5.5 - 6. Recent small earthquakes (magnitudes 3 to -1) have been monitored with a variety of broadband and short-term local seismic networks over the past several decades, but these routine catalogs have not been relocated or fully interpreted in terms of newer models of the structure, or its emplacement and history. In February 2015 seismic data were collected above the northern and most rapidly uplifting region of the SMB with a densely spaced temporary array, consisting of seven broadband and 804 short period Fairfield nodal vertical component seismographs. The total array area was 50 x 25 km with typical node spacing of 300 m along a road network. In this study, we exploit all available seismic network data in a cross-correlation framework developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to detect events and characterize earthquake swarms, clusters, and patterns occurring over the last 15 years. We use a power detector to build an initial catalog of small magnitude earthquakes, including 33 events (M <= 2.5) recorded during the February 2015 deployment, as templates to detect additional events. We also develop an updated shallow velocity model for the region and refine event hypocenters using Bayesloc, a bayesian, multiple-event location algorithm. This enhanced seismicity catalog will be utilized in interpreting the recent seismicity of the SMB. LLNL-ABS-735529

Underwater superoleophobicity, anti-oil and ultra-broadband enhanced absorption of metallic surfaces produced by a femtosecond laser inspired by fish and chameleons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, K.; Song, Y. X.; Dong, X. R.; Wang, C.; Duan, J. A.

2016-11-01

Reported here is the bio-inspired and robust function of underwater superoleophobic, anti-oil metallic surfaces with ultra-broadband enhanced optical absorption obtained through femtosecond laser micromachining. Three distinct surface structures are fabricated using a wide variety of processing parameters. Underwater superoleophobic and anti-oil surfaces containing coral-like microstructures with nanoparticles and mount-like microstructures are achieved. These properties of the as-prepared surfaces exhibit good chemical stability when exposed to various types of oils and when immersed in water with a wide range of pH values. Moreover, coral-like microstructures with nanoparticle surfaces show strongly enhanced optical absorption over a broadband wavelength range from 0.2-25 μm. The potential mechanism for the excellent performance of the coral-like microstructures with a nanoparticle surface is also discussed. This multifunctional surface has potential applications in military submarines, amphibious military aircraft and tanks, and underwater anti-oil optical counter-reconnaissance devices.

Broadband plasmonic-enhanced forward and backward multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Baoshan; Jiang, Lan; Hua, Yanhong; Li, Xin; Cui, Tianhong; Lu, Yongfeng

2018-03-01

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy is an attractive technique for label-free biochemical-specific characterization of biological specimens. However, it has very low sensitivity in monitoring and imaging molecules present in extremely low concentrations or at fast speeds. To improve this sensitivity, especially for multiplex CARS, the intensity of the pump beam and broadband Stokes beam should be enhanced simultaneously. Therefore, the gold shell particle and gold surface are demonstrated to enhance the forward and backward CARS, respectively. Results show that a signal enhancement factor of ˜25,000 can be achieved for the gold surface and an even higher enhancement factor can be achieved for the gold shell particles. Thus, we can obtain an enhanced CARS signal in a broad spectral range, which will substantially improve the detection sensitivity of hyperspectral CARS spectroscopy and imaging.

Development and Performance of the Alaska Transportable Array Posthole Broadband Seismic Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aderhold, K.; Enders, M.; Miner, J.; Bierma, R. M.; Bloomquist, D.; Theis, J.; Busby, R. W.

2017-12-01

The final stations of the Alaska Transportable Array (ATA) will be constructed in 2017, completing the full footprint of 280 new and existing broadband seismic stations stretching across 19 degrees of latitude from western Alaska to western Canada. Through significant effort in planning, site reconnaissance, permitting and the considerable and concerted effort of field crews, the IRIS Alaska TA team is on schedule to successfully complete the construction of 194 new stations and upgrades at 28 existing stations over four field seasons. The station design and installation method was developed over the course of several years, leveraging the experience of the L48 TA deployments and existing network operators in Alaska as well as incorporating newly engineered components and procedures. A purpose-built lightweight drill was designed and fabricated to facilitate the construction of shallow boreholes to incorporate newly available posthole seismometers. This allowed for the development of a streamlined system of procedures to manufacture uniform seismic stations with minimal crew and minimal time required at each station location. A new station can typically be constructed in a single day with a four-person field crew. The ATA utilizes a hammer-drilled, cased posthole emplacement method adapted to the remote and harsh working environment of Alaska. The same emplacement design is implemented in all ground conditions to preserve uniformity across the array and eliminate the need for specialized mechanical equipment. All components for station construction are ideally suited for transport via helicopter, and can be adapted to utilize more traditional methods of transportation when available. This emplacement design delivers high quality data when embedded in bedrock or permafrost, reaching the low noise levels of benchmark permanent global broadband stations especially at long periods over 70 seconds. The TA will operate the network of real-time stations through at least 2019, with service trips planned on a "as needed" basis to continue providing greater than 95% data return.

Bioplasmonic Alloyed Nanoislands Using Dewetting of Bilayer Thin Films.

PubMed

Kang, Minhee; Ahn, Myeong-Su; Lee, Youngseop; Jeong, Ki-Hun

2017-10-25

Unlike monometallic materials, bimetallic plasmonic materials offer extensive benefits such as broadband tuning capability or high environmental stability. Here we report a broad range tuning of plasmon resonance of alloyed nanoislands by using solid-state dewetting of gold and silver bilayer thin films. Thermal dewetting after successive thermal evaporation of thin metal double-layer films readily forms AuAg-alloyed nanoislands with a precise composition ratio. The complete miscibility of alloyed nanoislands results in programmable tuning of plasmon resonance wavelength in a broadband visible range. Such extraordinary tuning capability opens up a new direction for plasmonic enhancement in biophotonic applications such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering or plasmon-enhanced fluorescence.

Passive damping enhancement of a two-degree-of-freedom system through a strongly nonlinear two-degree-of-freedom attachment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wierschem, Nicholas E.; Quinn, D. Dane; Hubbard, Sean A.; Al-Shudeifat, Mohammad A.; McFarland, D. Michael; Luo, Jie; Fahnestock, Larry A.; Spencer, Billie F.; Vakakis, Alexander F.; Bergman, Lawrence A.

2012-12-01

This work reports on the first experimental study of the broadband targeted energy transfer properties of a two-degree-of-freedom (two-DOF) essentially nonlinear energy absorber. In particular, proper design of the absorber allows for an extended range of energy over which it serves to significantly enhance the damping observed in the structural system to which it is attached. Comparisons of computational and experimental results validate the proposed design as a means of drastically enhancing the damping properties of a structure by passive broadband targeted energy transfers to a strongly nonlinear, multidegree-of-freedom attachment.

Broadband Achromatic Telecentric Lens

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mouroulis, Pantazis

2007-01-01

A new type of lens design features broadband achromatic performance as well as telecentricity, using a minimum number of spherical elements. With appropriate modifications, the lens design form can be tailored to cover the range of response of the focal-plane array, from Si (400-1,000 nm) to InGaAs (400-1,700 or 2,100 nm) or InSb/HgCdTe reaching to 2,500 nm. For reference, lenses typically are achromatized over the visible wavelength range of 480-650 nm. In remote sensing applications, there is a need for broadband achromatic telescopes, normally satisfied with mirror-based systems. However, mirror systems are not always feasible due to size or geometry restrictions. They also require expensive aspheric surfaces. Non-obscured mirror systems can be difficult to align and have a limited (essentially one-dimensional) field of view. Centrally obscured types have a two-dimensional but very limited field in addition to the obscuration. Telecentricity is a highly desirable property for matching typical spectrometer types, as well as for reducing the variation of the angle of incidence and cross-talk on the detector for simple camera types. This rotationally symmetric telescope with no obscuration and using spherical surfaces and selected glass types fills a need in the range of short focal lengths. It can be used as a compact front unit for a matched spectrometer, as an ultra-broadband camera objective lens, or as the optics of an integrated camera/spectrometer in which the wavelength information is obtained by the use of strip or linear variable filters on the focal plane array. This kind of camera and spectrometer system can find applications in remote sensing, as well as in-situ applications for geological mapping and characterization of minerals, ecological studies, and target detection and identification through spectral signatures. Commercially, the lens can be used in quality-control applications via spectral analysis. The lens design is based on the rear landscape lens with the aperture stop in front of all elements. This allows sufficient room for telecentricity in addition to making the stop easily accessible. The crucial design features are the use of a doublet with an ultra-low dispersion glass (fluorite or S-FPL53), and the use of a strong negative element, which enables flat field and telecentricity in conjunction with the last (field lens) element. The field lens also can be designed to be in contact with the array, a feature that is desirable in some applications. The lens has a 20deg field of view, for a 50-mm focal length, and is corrected over the range of wavelengths of 450-2,300 nm. Transverse color, which is the most pernicious aberration for spectroscopic work, is controlled at the level of 1 m or below at 0.7 m field and 5 m at full field. The maximum chief ray angle is less than 1.7 , providing good telecentricity. An additional feature of this lens is that it is made exclusively with glasses that provide good transmission up to 2,300 nm and even some transmission to 2,500 nm; thus, the lens can be used in applications that cover the entire solar-reflected spectrum. Alternative realizations are possible that provide enhanced resolution and even less transverse color over a narrower wavelength range.

The enhanced and broadband near-infrared emission in Pr3+/Nd3+ co-doped tellurite glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Zizhong; Zhou, Yaxun; Cheng, Pan; Zhou, Minghan; Su, Xiue; Li, Jun

2017-11-01

This paper reports an enhanced and broadband near-infrared fluorescence emission in the Pr3+/Nd3+ co-doped tellurite glass, which was prepared using melt-quenching technique. Under the excitation of 488 nm laser diode (LD), three near-infrared emission bands at around 0.9, 1.04 and 1.30 μm from 3P1,0 → 1G4, 1G4→3H4 and 1G4→3H5 radiative transitions respectively were observed in the Pr3+ single-doped glass, and the fluorescence intensities increased further with the introduction of Nd3+ ions, which is mainly attributed to the energy transfers from Nd3+ to Pr3+ emissions. Meanwhile, the spectral overlapping of Pr3+:1G4→3H4 and Nd3+:4F3/2 → 4I11/2 radiative transitions resulted in a broadband emission ranging from 1000 to 1100 nm, whose full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) reached about 66 nm. Additionally, the spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ and Pr3+ ions were analyzed using Judd-Ofelt theory and the thermal stability property of prepared glass was characterized by the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurement, and larger than 134 °C for the difference ΔT(=Tx -Tg) was observed, which indicates its feasibility for later fiber drawing. The enhanced fluorescence and broadband emission indicate that Pr3+/Nd3+ co-doped tellurite glass can be applied in the near-infrared band tunable lasers and broadband optical amplifiers.

Broadband wavelength conversion in hydrogenated amorphous silicon waveguide with silicon nitride layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jiang; Li, Yongfang; Wang, Zhaolu; Han, Jing; Huang, Nan; Liu, Hongjun

2018-01-01

Broadband wavelength conversion based on degenerate four-wave mixing is theoretically investigated in a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) waveguide with silicon nitride inter-cladding layer (a-Si:HN). We have found that enhancement of the non-linear effect of a-Si:H waveguide nitride intermediate layer facilitates broadband wavelength conversion. Conversion bandwidth of 490 nm and conversion efficiency of 11.4 dB were achieved in a numerical simulation of a 4 mm-long a-Si:HN waveguide under 1.55 μm continuous wave pumping. This broadband continuous-wave wavelength converter has potential applications in photonic networks, a type of readily manufactured low-cost highly integrated optical circuits.

Thermal imaging of plasma with a phased array antenna in QUEST

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

Mishra, Kishore, E-mail: mishra@triam.kyushu-u.ac.jp; Nagata, K.; Akimoto, R.

2014-11-15

A thermal imaging system to measure plasma Electron Bernstein Emission (EBE) emanating from the mode conversion region in overdense plasma is discussed. Unlike conventional ECE/EBE imaging, this diagnostics does not employ any active mechanical scanning mirrors or focusing optics to scan for the emission cones in plasma. Instead, a standard 3 × 3 waveguide array antenna is used as a passive receiver to collect emission from plasma and imaging reconstruction is done by accurate measurements of phase and intensity of these signals by heterodyne detection technique. A broadband noise source simulating the EBE, is installed near the expected mode conversionmore » region and its position is successfully reconstructed using phase array technique which is done in post processing.« less

Noise in any frequency range can enhance information transmission in a sensory neuron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levin, Jacob E.

1997-05-01

The effect of noise on the neural encoding of broadband signals was investigated in the cricket cercal system, a mechanosensory system sensitive to small near-field air particle disturbances. Known air current stimuli were presented to the cricket through audio speakers in a controlled environment in a variety of background noise conditions. Spike trains from the second layer of neuronal processing, the primary sensory interneurons, were recorded with intracellular Electrodes and the performance of these neurons characterized with the tools of information theory. SNR, mutual information rates, and other measures of encoding accuracy were calculated for single frequency, narrowband, and broadband signals over the entire amplitude sensitivity range of the cells, in the presence of uncorrelated noise background also spanning the cells' frequency and amplitude sensitivity range. Significant enhancements of transmitted information through the addition of external noise were observed regardless of the frequency range of either the signal or noise waveforms, provided both were within the operating range of the cell. Considerable improvements in signal encoding were observed for almost an entire order of magnitude of near-threshold signal amplitudes. This included sinusoidal signals embedded in broadband white noise, broadband signals in broadband noise, and even broadband signals presented with narrowband noise in a completely non-overlapping frequency range. The noise related increases in mutual information rate for broadband signals were as high as 150%, and up to 600% increases in SNR were observed for sinusoidal signals. Additionally, it was shown that the amount of information about the signal carried, on average, by each spike was INCREASED for small signals when presented with noise—implying that added input noise can, in certain situations, actually improve the accuracy of the encoding process itself.

Random Combinatorial Gradient Metasurface for Broadband, Wide-Angle and Polarization-Independent Diffusion Scattering.

PubMed

Zhuang, Yaqiang; Wang, Guangming; Liang, Jiangang; Cai, Tong; Tang, Xiao-Lan; Guo, Tongfeng; Zhang, Qingfeng

2017-11-29

This paper proposes an easy, efficient strategy for designing broadband, wide-angle and polarization-independent diffusion metasurface for radar cross section (RCS) reduction. A dual-resonance unit cell, composed of a cross wire and cross loop (CWCL), is employed to enhance the phase bandwidth covering the 2π range. Both oblique-gradient and horizontal-gradient phase supercells are designed for illustration. The numerical results agree well with the theoretical ones. To significantly reduce backward scattering, the random combinatorial gradient metasurface (RCGM) is subsequently constructed by collecting eight supercells with randomly distributed gradient directions. The proposed metasurface features an enhanced specular RCS reduction performance and less design complexity compared to other candidates. Both simulated and measured results show that the proposed RCGM can significantly suppress RCS and exhibits broadband, wide-angle and polarization independence features.

Continuous angle steering of an optically- controlled phased array antenna based on differential true time delay constituted by micro-optical components.

PubMed

Wang, Jian; Hou, Peipei; Cai, Haiwen; Sun, Jianfeng; Wang, Shunan; Wang, Lijuan; Yang, Fei

2015-04-06

We propose an optically controlled phased array antenna (PAA) based on differential true time delay constructed optical beamforming network (OBFN). Differential true time delay is realized by stack integrated micro-optical components. Optically-controlled angle steering of radio frequency (RF) beams are realized and demonstrated by this configuration. Experimental results demonstrate that OBFN based PAA can accomplish RF-independent broadband beam steering without beam squint effect and can achieve continuous angle steering. In addition, multi-beams for different steering angles are acquired synchronously.

Recent developments in electroabsorption modulators at Acreo Swedish ICT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qin; Zhang, Andy Z.; Almqvist, Susanne; Junique, Stephane; Noharet, Bertrand; Platt, Duncan; Salter, Michael; Andersson, Jan Y.

2015-03-01

Three types of electroabsorption modulators (EAMs) based on III-V semiconductor multiple quantum wells (MQW) are presented in this work. One is a novel monolithic integration traveling-wave EAM for an analog optical transmitter/transceiver to achieve integrated photonic mm-wave functions for broadband connectivity. Another one is composed of an integrated EAM 1D array in a photonic beam-former as a Ku-band phased array antenna for seamless aeronautical networking through integration of data links, radios, and antennas. The third one addresses the use of MQW EAMs in free space optical links through biological tissue for transcutaneous communication.

Multiband and Broadband Absorption Enhancement of Monolayer Graphene at Optical Frequencies from Multiple Magnetic Dipole Resonances in Metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Bo; Tang, Chaojun; Chen, Jing; Xie, Ningyan; Tang, Huang; Zhu, Xiaoqin; Park, Gun-sik

2018-05-01

It is well known that a suspended monolayer graphene has a weak light absorption efficiency of about 2.3% at normal incidence, which is disadvantageous to some applications in optoelectronic devices. In this work, we will numerically study multiband and broadband absorption enhancement of monolayer graphene over the whole visible spectrum, due to multiple magnetic dipole resonances in metamaterials. The unit cell of the metamaterials is composed of a graphene monolayer sandwiched between four Ag nanodisks with different diameters and a SiO2 spacer on an Ag substrate. The near-field plasmon hybridizations between individual Ag nanodisks and the Ag substrate form four independent magnetic dipole modes, which result into multiband absorption enhancement of monolayer graphene at optical frequencies. When the resonance wavelengths of the magnetic dipole modes are tuned to approach one another by changing the diameters of the Ag nanodisks, a broadband absorption enhancement can be achieved. The position of the absorption band in monolayer graphene can be also controlled by varying the thickness of the SiO2 spacer or the distance between the Ag nanodisks. Our designed graphene light absorber may find some potential applications in optoelectronic devices, such as photodetectors.

Communication: Probing the interaction of infrared antenna arrays and molecular films with ultrafast quantum dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohn, Bar; Prasad, Amit K.; Chuntonov, Lev

2018-04-01

Narrowband vibrational molecular transitions interacting with the broadband resonance of infrared plasmonic antennas lead to Fano lineshapes observed in linear (FTIR) and third-order (transient absorption and 2DIR) spectroscopic experiments. Both molecular and plasmonic components are inherently dissipative, and the effects associated with their coupling can be observed, in principle, when measuring the corresponding ultrafast quantum dynamics. We used 2DIR spectroscopy to study the waiting time evolution of quantum coherence excited in the carbonyl stretching modes of rhodium (acetylacetonato) dicarbonyl molecules, which were embedded in an 80 nm-thick polymer film spin-coated on an array of infrared half-wavelength gold antennas. Despite the pronounced Fano lineshapes obtained for the molecular transitions, and up to a four order of magnitude enhancement of the third-order signals, which taken together, indicate the coupling between the plasmonic and molecular transitions, the dynamics of the quantum coherence were identical to that obtained with 3 μm-thick film without the interaction with the plamson mode. This suggests that the coupling rate between the molecular and plasmonic excitations is significantly smaller than the relaxation rates of the molecular excitations monitored in the experiment. Here, the Fano lineshape, observed at the frequency of the molecular transition, can result from the mutual radiation damping of the molecular and plasmon modes.

A versatile setup for ultrafast broadband optical spectroscopy of coherent collective modes in strongly correlated quantum systems

PubMed Central

Baldini, Edoardo; Mann, Andreas; Borroni, Simone; Arrell, Christopher; van Mourik, Frank; Carbone, Fabrizio

2016-01-01

A femtosecond pump-probe setup is described that is optimised for broadband transient reflectivity experiments on solid samples over a wide temperature range. By combining high temporal resolution and a broad detection window, this apparatus can investigate the interplay between coherent collective modes and high-energy electronic excitations, which is a distinctive characteristic of correlated electron systems. Using a single-shot readout array detector at frame rates of 10 kHz allows resolving coherent oscillations with amplitudes <10−4. We demonstrate its operation on the charge-transfer insulator La2CuO4, revealing coherent phonons with frequencies up to 13 THz and providing access into their Raman matrix elements. PMID:27990455

Interior and exterior sound field control using general two-dimensional first-order sources.

PubMed

Poletti, M A; Abhayapala, T D

2011-01-01

Reproduction of a given sound field interior to a circular loudspeaker array without producing an undesirable exterior sound field is an unsolved problem over a broadband of frequencies. At low frequencies, by implementing the Kirchhoff-Helmholtz integral using a circular discrete array of line-source loudspeakers, a sound field can be recreated within the array and produce no exterior sound field, provided that the loudspeakers have azimuthal polar responses with variable first-order responses which are a combination of a two-dimensional (2D) monopole and a radially oriented 2D dipole. This paper examines the performance of circular discrete arrays of line-source loudspeakers which also include a tangential dipole, providing general variable-directivity responses in azimuth. It is shown that at low frequencies, the tangential dipoles are not required, but that near and above the Nyquist frequency, the tangential dipoles can both improve the interior accuracy and reduce the exterior sound field. The additional dipoles extend the useful range of the array by around an octave.

Data quality control and tools in passive seismic experiments exemplified on the Czech broadband seismic pool MOBNET in the AlpArray collaborative project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vecsey, Luděk; Plomerová, Jaroslava; Jedlička, Petr; Munzarová, Helena; Babuška, Vladislav; AlpArray Working Group

2017-12-01

This paper focuses on major issues related to the data reliability and network performance of 20 broadband (BB) stations of the Czech (CZ) MOBNET (MOBile NETwork) seismic pool within the AlpArray seismic experiments. Currently used high-resolution seismological applications require high-quality data recorded for a sufficiently long time interval at seismological observatories and during the entire time of operation of the temporary stations. In this paper we present new hardware and software tools we have been developing during the last two decades while analysing data from several international passive experiments. The new tools help to assure the high-quality standard of broadband seismic data and eliminate potential errors before supplying data to seismological centres. Special attention is paid to crucial issues like the detection of sensor misorientation, timing problems, interchange of record components and/or their polarity reversal, sensor mass centring, or anomalous channel amplitudes due to, for example, imperfect gain. Thorough data quality control should represent an integral constituent of seismic data recording, preprocessing, and archiving, especially for data from temporary stations in passive seismic experiments. Large international seismic experiments require enormous efforts from scientists from different countries and institutions to gather hundreds of stations to be deployed in the field during a limited time period. In this paper, we demonstrate the beneficial effects of the procedures we have developed for acquiring a reliable large set of high-quality data from each group participating in field experiments. The presented tools can be applied manually or automatically on data from any seismic network.

Improved light output of plastic scintillator by a modified self-assembled photonic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Liang; Zhu, Zhichao; Liu, Bo; Cheng, Chuanwei; Liu, Jinliang; Ruan, Jinlu; Zhang, Zhongbin; Ouyang, Xiaoping; Gu, Mu; Chen, Hong

2017-11-01

In this investigation, we have demonstrated that a modified self-assembled photonic crystal with conformal high refractive index material TiO2 can achieve a great enhancement of light extraction efficiency. A 2.26 fold wavelength- and angle-integrated enhancement ratio can be achieved. The conformal layer increases the number of leaky modes and thus improve the extraction efficiency. The enhancement is attributed to the leaky modes based on the individual microspheres with conformal layer. Their low quality factors with a broadband characteristic are advantageous to the broadband enhancement for the emission spectra of plastic scintillator. Furthermore, the dense conformal layers have excellent combination with the self-assembled microspheres and the whole preparation process cannot destroy the plastic scintillator, which is beneficial to the practical application.

Gain-assisted broadband ring cavity enhanced spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Selim, Mahmoud A.; Adib, George A.; Sabry, Yasser M.; Khalil, Diaa

2017-02-01

Incoherent broadband cavity enhanced spectroscopy can significantly increase the effective path length of light-matter interaction to detect weak absorption lines over broad spectral range, for instance to detect gases in confined environments. Broadband cavity enhancement can be based on the decay time or the intensity drop technique. Decay time measurement is based on using tunable laser source that is expensive and suffers from long scan time. Intensity dependent measurement is usually reported based on broadband source using Fabry-Perot cavity, enabling short measurement time but suffers from the alignment tolerance of the cavity and the cavity insertion loss. In this work we overcome these challenges by using an alignment-free ring cavity made of an optical fiber loop and a directional coupler, while having a gain medium pumped below the lasing threshold to improve the finesse and reduce the insertion loss. Acetylene (C2H2) gas absorption is measured around 1535 nm wavelength using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) gain medium. The system is analyzed for different ring resonator forward coupling coefficient and loses, including the 3-cm long gas cell insertion loss and fiber connector losses used in the experimental verification. The experimental results are obtained for a coupler ratio of 90/10 and a fiber length of 4 m. The broadband source is the amplified spontaneous emission of another SOA and the output is measured using a 70pm-resolution optical spectrum analyzer. The absorption depth and the effective interaction length are improved about an order of magnitude compared to the direct absorption of the gas cell. The presented technique provides an engineering method to improve the finesse and, consequently the effective length, while relaxing the technological constraints on the high reflectivity mirrors and free-space cavity alignment.

Lithospheric structure of the southern French Alps inferred from broadband analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertrand, E.; Deschamps, A.

2000-11-01

Broadband receiver functions analysis is commonly used to evaluate the fine-scale S-velocity structure of the lithosphere. We analyse teleseismic P-waves and their coda from 30 selected teleseismic events recorded at three seismological stations of to the French TGRS network in the Alpes Maritimes. Receiver functions are computed in the time domain using an SVD matrix inversion method. Dipping Moho and lateral heterogeneities beneath the array are inferred from the amplitude, arrival time and polarity of locally-generated PS phases. We propose that the Moho dips 11° towards 25°±10°N below station CALF, in the outer part of the Alpine belt. At this station, we determine a Moho depth of about 20±2 km; the same depth is suggested below SAOF station also located in the fold-trust belt. Beneath station STET located in the inner part of the Alpine belt, the Moho depth increases to 30 km and dips towards the N-NW. Moreover, 1D-modelling of summed receiver function from STET station constrains a crustal structure significantly different from that observed at stations located in the outer part of the Alps. Indeed, beneath CALF and SAOF stations we need a 2 km thick shallow low velocity layer to fit best the observed receiver functions whereas this layer seems not to be present beneath STET station. Because recent P-coda studies have shown that near-receiver scattering can dominate teleseismic P-wave recordings in tectonically complicated areas, we account for effect of scattering energy in our records from array measurements. As the array aperture is wide relative to the heterogeneity scale length in the area, the array analysis produces only smooth imaging of scatterers beneath the stations.

Sub-50-nm self-assembled nanotextures for enhanced broadband antireflection in silicon solar cells.

PubMed

Rahman, Atikur; Ashraf, Ahsan; Xin, Huolin; Tong, Xiao; Sutter, Peter; Eisaman, Matthew D; Black, Charles T

2015-01-21

Materials providing broadband light antireflection have applications as highly transparent window coatings, military camouflage, and coatings for efficiently coupling light into solar cells and out of light-emitting diodes. In this work, densely packed silicon nanotextures with feature sizes smaller than 50 nm enhance the broadband antireflection compared with that predicted by their geometry alone. A significant fraction of the nanotexture volume comprises a surface layer whose optical properties differ substantially from those of the bulk, providing the key to improved performance. The nanotexture reflectivity is quantitatively well-modelled after accounting for both its profile and changes in refractive index at the surface. We employ block copolymer self-assembly for precise and tunable nanotexture design in the range of ~10-70 nm across macroscopic solar cell areas. Implementing this efficient antireflection approach in crystalline silicon solar cells significantly betters the performance gain compared with an optimized, planar antireflection coating.

Near-perfect broadband absorption from hyperbolic metamaterial nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riley, Conor T.; Smalley, Joseph S. T.; Brodie, Jeffrey R. J.; Fainman, Yeshaiahu; Sirbuly, Donald J.; Liu, Zhaowei

2017-02-01

Broadband absorbers are essential components of many light detection, energy harvesting, and camouflage schemes. Current designs are either bulky or use planar films that cause problems in cracking and delamination during flexing or heating. In addition, transferring planar materials to flexible, thin, or low-cost substrates poses a significant challenge. On the other hand, particle-based materials are highly flexible and can be transferred and assembled onto a more desirable substrate but have not shown high performance as an absorber in a standalone system. Here, we introduce a class of particle absorbers called transferable hyperbolic metamaterial particles (THMMP) that display selective, omnidirectional, tunable, broadband absorption when closely packed. This is demonstrated with vertically aligned hyperbolic nanotube (HNT) arrays composed of alternating layers of aluminum-doped zinc oxide and zinc oxide. The broadband absorption measures >87% from 1,200 nm to over 2,200 nm with a maximum absorption of 98.1% at 1,550 nm and remains large for high angles. Furthermore, we show the advantages of particle-based absorbers by transferring the HNTs to a polymer substrate that shows excellent mechanical flexibility and visible transparency while maintaining near-perfect absorption in the telecommunications region. In addition, other material systems and geometries are proposed for a wider range of applications.

Thermally Tunable Ultra-wideband Metamaterial Absorbers based on Three-dimensional Water-substrate construction.

PubMed

Shen, Yang; Zhang, Jieqiu; Pang, Yongqiang; Zheng, Lin; Wang, Jiafu; Ma, Hua; Qu, Shaobo

2018-03-13

Distilled water has frequency dispersive characteristic and high value of imaginary part in permittivity, which can be seen as a good candidate of broadband metamaterial absorbers(MAs) in microwave. Here, an interesting idea based on the combination of water-substrate and metallic metamaterial in the three-dimensional construction is proposed, which can achieve outstanding broadband absorption. As a proof, the distilled water is filled into the dielectric reservoir as ultra-thin water-substrate, and then the water-substrates are arranged on the metal backplane periodically as three-dimensional water-substrate array(TWA). Simulation shows that the TWA achieves broadband absorption with the efficiency more than 90% from 8.3 to 21.0 GHz. Then, the trigonal metallic fishbone structure is introduced here between the water-substrate and the dielectric reservoir periodically as three-dimensional water-substrate metamaterial absorber(TWMA). The proposed TWMA could achieve ultra-broadband absorption from 2.6 to 16.8 GHz, which has increase by 64.8% in relative absorption bandwidth. Meanwhile, due to the participation of distilled water, the thermally tunable property also deserves to be discussed here. In view of the outstanding performance, it is worth to expect a wide range of applications to emerge inspired from the proposed construction.

Hierarchical sinuous-antenna phased array for millimeter wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cukierman, Ari; Lee, Adrian T.; Raum, Christopher; Suzuki, Aritoki; Westbrook, Benjamin

2018-03-01

We present the design, fabrication, and measured performance of a hierarchical sinuous-antenna phased array coupled to superconducting transition-edge-sensor (TES) bolometers for millimeter wavelengths. The architecture allows for dual-polarization wideband sensitivity with a beam width that is approximately frequency-independent. We report on measurements of a prototype device, which uses three levels of triangular phased arrays to synthesize beams that are approximately constant in width across three frequency bands covering a 3:1 bandwidth. The array element is a lens-coupled sinuous antenna. The device consists of an array of hemispherical lenses coupled to a lithographed wafer, which integrates TESs, planar sinuous antennas, and microwave circuitry including band-defining filters. The approximately frequency-independent beam widths improve coupling to telescope optics and keep the sensitivity of an experiment close to optimal across a broad frequency range. The design can be straightforwardly modified for use with non-TES lithographed cryogenic detectors such as kinetic inductance detectors. Additionally, we report on the design and measurements of a broadband 180° hybrid that can simplify the design of future multichroic focal planes including but not limited to hierarchical phased arrays.

The wave-field from an array of periodic emitters driven simultaneously by a broadband pulse.

PubMed

Dixon, Steve; Hill, Samuel; Fan, Yichao; Rowlands, George

2013-06-01

The use of phased array methods are commonplace in ultrasonic applications, where controlling the variation of the phase between the narrowband emitters in an array facilitates beam steering and focusing of ultrasonic waves. An approach is presented here whereby emitters of alternating polarity arranged in a one-dimensional array are pulsed simultaneously, and have sufficiently wide, controlled bandwidth to emit a two-dimensional wave. This pulsed approach provides a rapid means of simultaneously covering a region of space with a wave-front, whereby any wave that scatters or reflects off a body to a detector will have a distinct arrival time and frequency. This is a general wave phenomenon with a potential application in radar, sonar, and ultrasound. The key result is that one can obtain a smooth, continuous wave-front emitted from the array, over a large solid angle, whose frequency varies as a function of angle to the array. Analytic and finite element models created to describe this phenomenon have been validated with experimental results using ultrasonic waves in metal samples.

Vertically oriented metamaterial broadband linear polariser

DOE PAGES

Campione, Salvatore; Burckel, David Bruce

2018-03-14

Control and manipulation of polarization is an important topic for imaging and light matter interactions. In the infrared regime, the large wavelengths make wire grid polarizers a viable option, as it is possible to create periodic arrays of metallic wires at that scale. The recent advent of metamaterials has spurred an increase in non-traditional polarizer motifs centred around more complicated repeat units, which potentially provide more functionality. In this paper we explore the use of two-dimensional (2D) arrays of single and back-to-back vertically oriented cross dipoles arranged in a cubic in-plane silicon matrix. Here, we show that both single andmore » back-to-back versions have higher rejection ratios and larger bandwidths than either wire grid polarizers or 2D arrays of linear dipoles.« less

Intraoperative Ultrasound to Assess for Pancreatic Duct Injuries

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

cholecystocholangiopancreatography is often nondiagnostic, gastroenterologists may not be available for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP...10MHz.We use the SonoSite MicroMaxx SLT 10-5 MHz 52mm broadband linear array intraoperative US probe ( FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc., Bothell, WA). The duct...Intraoperative US Availability Is gastroenterology available? Is the fluoroscopic and endoscopic equipment available? Is MRCP available? Is a

Two color high operating temperature HgCdTe photodetectors grown by molecular beam epitaxy on silicon substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velicu, S.; Bommena, R.; Morley, M.; Zhao, J.; Fahey, S.; Cowan, V.; Morath, C.

2013-09-01

The development of a broadband IR focal plane array poses several challenges in the area of detector design, material, device physics, fabrication process, hybridization, integration and testing. The purpose of our research is to address these challenges and demonstrate a high-performance IR system that incorporates a HgCdTe-based detector array with high uniformity and operability. Our detector architecture, grown using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), is vertically integrated, leading to a stacked detector structure with the capability to simultaneously detect in two spectral bands. MBE is the method of choice for multiplelayer HgCdTe growth because it produces material of excellent quality and allows composition and doping control at the atomic level. Such quality and control is necessary for the fabrication of multicolor detectors since they require advanced bandgap engineering techniques. The proposed technology, based on the bandgap-tunable HgCdTe alloy, has the potential to extend the broadband detector operation towards room temperature. We present here our modeling, MBE growth and device characterization results, demonstrating Auger suppression in the LWIR band and diffusion limited behavior in the MWIR band.

Multidirectional seismo-acoustic wavefield of strombolian explosions at Yasur, Vanuatu using a broadband seismo-acoustic network, infrasound arrays, and infrasonic sensors on tethered balloons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matoza, R. S.; Jolly, A. D.; Fee, D.; Johnson, R.; Kilgour, G.; Christenson, B. W.; Garaebiti, E.; Iezzi, A. M.; Austin, A.; Kennedy, B.; Fitzgerald, R.; Key, N.

2016-12-01

Seismo-acoustic wavefields at volcanoes contain rich information on shallow magma transport and subaerial eruption processes. Acoustic wavefields from eruptions are predicted to be directional, but sampling this wavefield directivity is challenging because infrasound sensors are usually deployed on the ground surface. We attempt to overcome this observational limitation using a novel deployment of infrasound sensors on tethered balloons in tandem with a suite of dense ground-based seismo-acoustic, geochemical, and eruption imaging instrumentation. We present preliminary results from a field experiment at Yasur Volcano, Vanuatu from July 26th to August 4th 2016. Our observations include data from a temporary network of 11 broadband seismometers, 6 single infrasonic microphones, 7 small-aperture 3-element infrasound arrays, 2 infrasound sensor packages on tethered balloons, an FTIR, a FLIR, 2 scanning Flyspecs, and various visual imaging data. An introduction to the dataset and preliminary analysis of the 3D seismo-acoustic wavefield and source process will be presented. This unprecedented dataset should provide a unique window into processes operating in the shallow magma plumbing system and their relation to subaerial eruption dynamics.

Generating broadband vortex modes in ring-core fiber by using a plasmonic q-plate.

PubMed

Ye, Jingfu; Li, Yan; Han, Yanhua; Deng, Duo; Su, Xiaoya; Song, He; Gao, Jianmin; Qu, Shiliang

2017-08-15

A mode convertor was proposed and investigated for generating vortex modes in a ring-core fiber based on a plasmonic q-plate (PQP), which is composed of specially organized L-shaped resonator (LSR) arrays. A multicore fiber was used to transmit fundamental modes, and the LSR arrays were used to modulate phases of these fundamental modes. Behind the PQP, the transmitted fundamental modes with gradient phase distribution can be considered as the incident lights for generating broadband vortex modes in the ring-core fiber filter. The topological charges of generated vortex modes can be various by using an optical PQP with different q, and the chirality of the generated vortex mode can be controlled by the sign of q and handedness of the incident circularly polarized light. The operation bandwidth is 800 nm in the range of 1200-2000 nm, which covers six communication bands from the O band to the U band. The separation of vortex modes also was addressed by using a dual ring-core fiber. The mode convertor is of potential interest for connecting a traditional network and vortex communication network.

Self-Assembly High-Performance UV-vis-NIR Broadband β-In2Se3/Si Photodetector Array for Weak Signal Detection.

PubMed

Zheng, Zhaoqiang; Yao, Jiandong; Wang, Bing; Yang, Yibin; Yang, Guowei; Li, Jingbo

2017-12-20

The emergence of a rich variety of layered materials has attracted considerable attention in recent years because of their exciting properties. However, the applications of layered materials in optoelectronic devices are hampered by the low light absorption of monolayers/few layers, the lack of p-n junction, and the challenges for large-scale production. Here, we report a scalable production of β-In 2 Se 3 /Si heterojunction arrays using pulsed-laser deposition. Photodetectors based on the as-produced heterojunction array are sensitive to a broadband wavelength from ultraviolet (370 nm) to near-infrared (808 nm), showing a high responsivity (5.9 A/W), a decent current on/off ratio (∼600), and a superior detectivity (4.9 × 10 12 jones), simultaneously. These figures-of-merits are among the best values of the reported heterojunction-based photodetectors. In addition, these devices can further enable the detection of weak signals, as successfully demonstrated with weak light sources including a flashlight, lighter, and fluorescent light. Device physics modeling shows that their high performance is attributed to the strong light absorption of the relatively thick β-In 2 Se 3 film (20.3 nm) and the rational energy band structures of β-In 2 Se 3 and Si, which allows efficient separation of photoexcited electron-hole pairs. These results offer a new insight into the rational design of optoelectronic devices from the synergetic effect of layered materials as well as mature semiconductor technology.

Slotted Antenna with Uniaxial Dielectric Covering

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-08

1 of 12 SLOTTED ANTENNA WITH UNIAXIAL DIELECTRIC COVERING STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST [0001] The invention described herein may be...invention is directed to a slotted antenna having enhanced broadband characteristics. (2) Description of the Prior Art [0004] Slotted cylinder antennas ...slotted cylinder antenna for use in a towed buoy. Though somewhat broadband in performance, it is not suitable for vertical mounting over a

Design of broadband single polarized antenna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Phoo Kho; Aziz, Mohamad Zoinol Abidin Abd.; Ahmad, Badrul Hisham; Ramli, Mohamad Hafize Bin; Fauzi, Noor Azamiah Md; Malek, Mohd Fareq Abd

2015-05-01

In practical wireless communication application, bandwidth enhancement becomes one of the major design considerations. At the same time, circular polarized (CP) antenna received much attention for the applications of modern wireless communication system when compared to linear polarized (LP) antenna. This is because CP antenna can reduce the multipath effect. Hence, broadband antenna with operating frequency at 2.4GHz for WLAN application is proposed. The proposed antenna is done by using L-probe amendment with rectangular patch. The rectangular patch and copper ground plane is separated with 10mm air gap. This approach is used to enhance the bandwidth and the gain of the proposed antenna. The bandwidth of the designed antenna is more than 200MHz which meet broadband application. The return loss for the antenna is below -10dB to achieved 90% matching efficiency. The position of L-probe feed is altered in order to obtained different polarizations. The broadband antenna had been designed and simulated by using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software. In this paper, the comparison for single polarized antenna with the design of non-inverted patch and inverted patch is discussed. The characteristics of the S-parameter, axial ratio, gain, surface current for each designed antenna are analyzed.

The First Multichroic Polarimeter Array on the Atacama Cosmology Telescope: Characterization and Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ho, S. P.; Pappas, C. G.; Austermann, J.; Beall, J. A.; Becker, D.; Choi, S. K.; Datta, R.; Duff, S. M.; Gallardo, P. A.; Grace, E.;

The First Multichroic Polarimeter Array on the Atacama Cosmology Telescope: Characterization and Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, S. P.; Pappas, C. G.; Austermann, J.; Beall, J. A.; Becker, D.; Choi, S. K.; Datta, R.; Duff, S. M.; Gallardo, P. A.; Grace, E.; Hasselfield, M.; Henderson, S. W.; Hilton, G. C.; Hubmayr, J.; Koopman, B. J.; Lanen, J. V.; Li, D.; McMahon, J.; Nati, F.; Niemack, M. D.; Niraula, P.; Salatino, M.; Schillaci, A.; Schmitt, B. L.; Simon, S. M.; Staggs, S. T.; Stevens, J. R.; Ward, J. T.; Wollack, E. J.; Vavagiakis, E. M.

2016-08-01

The Atacama Cosmology Telescope Polarimeter (ACTPol) is a polarization sensitive receiver for the 6-m Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) and measures the small angular scale polarization anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The full focal plane is composed of three detector arrays, containing over 3000 transition edge sensors (TES detectors) in total. The first two detector arrays, observing at 146 GHz, were deployed in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The third and final array is composed of multichroic pixels sensitive to both 90 and 146 GHz and saw first light in February 2015. Fabricated at NIST, this dichroic array consists of 255 pixels, with a total of 1020 polarization sensitive bolometers and is coupled to the telescope with a monolithic array of broad-band silicon feedhorns. The detectors are read out using time-division SQUID multiplexing and cooled by a dilution refrigerator at 110 mK. We present an overview of the assembly and characterization of this multichroic array in the lab, and the initial detector performance in Chile. The detector array has a TES detector electrical yield of 85 %, a total array sensitivity of less than 10 \\upmu K√{ {s}}, and detector time constants and saturation powers suitable for ACT CMB observations.

Ranging bowhead whale calls in a shallow-water dispersive waveguide.

PubMed

Abadi, Shima H; Thode, Aaron M; Blackwell, Susanna B; Dowling, David R

2014-07-01

This paper presents the performance of three methods for estimating the range of broadband (50-500 Hz) bowhead whale calls in a nominally 55-m-deep waveguide: Conventional mode filtering (CMF), synthetic time reversal (STR), and triangulation. The first two methods use a linear vertical array to exploit dispersive propagation effects in the underwater sound channel. The triangulation technique used here, while requiring no knowledge about the propagation environment, relies on a distributed array of directional autonomous seafloor acoustics recorders (DASARs) arranged in triangular grid with 7 km spacing. This study uses simulations and acoustic data collected in 2010 from coastal waters near Kaktovik, Alaska. At that time, a 12-element vertical array, spanning the bottom 63% of the water column, was deployed alongside a distributed array of seven DASARs. The estimated call location-to-array ranges determined from CMF and STR are compared with DASAR triangulation results for 19 whale calls. The vertical-array ranging results are generally within ±10% of the DASAR results with the STR results providing slightly better agreement. The results also indicate that the vertical array can range calls over larger ranges and with greater precision than the particular distributed array discussed here, whenever the call locations are beyond the distributed array boundaries.

Multichroic Bolometric Detector Architecture for Cosmic Microwave Background Polarimetry Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Aritoki

Characterization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) B-mode polarization signal will test models of inflationary cosmology, as well as constrain the sum of the neutrino masses and other cosmological parameters. The low intensity of the B-mode signal combined with the need to remove polarized galactic foregrounds requires a sensitive millimeter receiver and effective methods of foreground removal. Current bolometric detector technology is reaching the sensitivity limit set by the CMB photon noise. Thus, we need to increase the optical throughput to increase an experiment's sensitivity. To increase the throughput without increasing the focal plane size, we can increase the frequency coverage of each pixel. Increased frequency coverage per pixel has additional advantage that we can split the signal into frequency bands to obtain spectral information. The detection of multiple frequency bands allows for removal of the polarized foreground emission from synchrotron radiation and thermal dust emission, by utilizing its spectral dependence. Traditionally, spectral information has been captured with a multi-chroic focal plane consisting of a heterogeneous mix of single-color pixels. To maximize the efficiency of the focal plane area, we developed a multi-chroic pixel. This increases the number of pixels per frequency with same focal plane area. We developed multi-chroic antenna-coupled transition edge sensor (TES) detector array for the CMB polarimetry. In each pixel, a silicon lens-coupled dual polarized sinuous antenna collects light over a two-octave frequency band. The antenna couples the broadband millimeter wave signal into microstrip transmission lines, and on-chip filter banks split the broadband signal into several frequency bands. Separate TES bolometers detect the power in each frequency band and linear polarization. We will describe the design and performance of these devices and present optical data taken with prototype pixels and detector arrays. Our measurements show beams with percent level ellipticity, percent level cross-polarization leakage, and partitioned bands using banks of two and three filters. We will also describe the development of broadband anti-reflection coatings for the high dielectric constant lens. The broadband anti-reflection coating has approximately 100% bandwidth and no detectable loss at cryogenic temperature. We will describe a next generation CMB polarimetry experiment, the POLARBEAR-2, in detail. The POLARBEAR-2 would have focal planes with kilo-pixel of these detectors to achieve high sensitivity. We'll also introduce proposed experiments that would use multi-chroic detector array we developed in this work. We'll conclude by listing out suggestions for future multichroic detector development.

Note: cryogenic microstripline-on-Kapton microwave interconnects.

PubMed

Harris, A I; Sieth, M; Lau, J M; Church, S E; Samoska, L A; Cleary, K

2012-08-01

Simple broadband microwave interconnects are needed for increasing the size of focal plane heterodyne radiometer arrays. We have measured loss and crosstalk for arrays of microstrip transmission lines in flex circuit technology at 297 and 77 K, finding good performance to at least 20 GHz. The dielectric constant of Kapton substrates changes very little from 297 to 77 K, and the electrical loss drops. The small cross-sectional area of metal in a printed circuit structure yields overall thermal conductivities similar to stainless steel coaxial cable. Operationally, the main performance tradeoffs are between crosstalk and thermal conductivity. We tested a patterned ground plane to reduce heat flux.

High channel density wavelength division multiplexer with defined diffracting means positioning

DOEpatents

Jannson, Tomasz P.; Jannson, Joanna L.; Yeung, Peter C.

1990-01-01

A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer having optical path lengths between a fiber array and a Fourier transform lens, and between a dispersion grating and the lens equal to the focal length of the lens. The optical path lengths reduce losses due to angular acceptance mismatch in the multiplexer. Close orientation of the fiber array about the optical axis and the use of a holographic dispersion grating reduces other losses in the system. Multi-exposure holographic dispersion gratings enable the multiplexer/demultiplexer for extremely broad-band simultaneous transmission and reflection operation. Individual Bragg plane sets recorded in the grating are dedicated to and operate efficiently on discrete wavelength ranges.

Full-mesh T- and O-band wavelength router based on arrayed waveguide gratings.

PubMed

Idris, Nazirul A; Yoshizawa, Katsumi; Tomomatsu, Yasunori; Sudo, Makoto; Hajikano, Tadashi; Kubo, Ryogo; Zervas, Georgios; Tsuda, Hiroyuki

2016-01-11

We propose an ultra-broadband full-mesh wavelength router supporting the T- and O-bands using 3 stages of cascaded arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs). The router architecture is based on a combination of waveband and channel routing by coarse and fine AWGs, respectively. We fabricated several T-band-specific silica-based AWGs and quantum dot semiconductor optical ampliers as part of the router, and demonstrated 10 Gbps data transmission for several wavelengths throughout a range of 7.4 THz. The power penalties were below 1 dB. Wavelength routing was also demonstrated, where tuning time within a 9.4-nm-wide waveband was below 400 ms.

Testing of Streckeisen STS-5A and Nanometrics Trillium 120PH Sensors for the Alaska Transportable Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbasi Baghbadorani, A.; Aderhold, K.; Bloomquist, D.; Frassetto, A.; Miller, P. E.; Busby, R. W.

2017-12-01

Starting in 2014, the IRIS Transportable Array facility began to install and operate seismic stations in Alaska and western Canada. By the end of the project, the full deployment of the array will cover a grid of 280 stations spaced about 85 km apart covering all of mainland Alaska and parts of the Yukon, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories. Approximately 200 stations will be operated directly by IRIS through at least 2019. A key aspect of the Alaska TA is the need for stations to operate autonomously, on account of the high cost of installation and potential subsequent visits to remote field-sites to repair equipment. The TA is using newly developed broadband seismometers Streckeisen STS-5A and Nanometrics Trillium-120PH, designed for installation in shallow posthole emplacements. These new instruments were extensively vetted beforehand, but they are still relatively new to the TA inventory. Here we will assess their performance under deployment conditions and after repeated commercial shipping and travel to the field. Our objective is to provide a thorough accounting of the identified failures of the existing inventory of posthole instruments. We will assess the practices and results of instrument testing by the PASSCAL Instrument Center/Array Operations Facility (PIC/AOF), Alaska Operations Center (AOC), and broadband seismic sensor manufacturers (Streckeisen, Nanometrics) in order to document potential factors in and stages during the process for instrument failures. This will help to quantify the overall reliability of the TA seismic sensors and quality of TA practices and data collection, and identify potential considerations in future TA operations. Our results show that the overall rate of failure of all posthole instruments is <4% out of 260. This is lower than the rates seen for vault sensor failures in the operation of the Lower 48 Transportable Array. For telemetered stations such as these installed in the TA Alaska array, we also show that noise analyses can capture a failed emplaced sensor and reveal improved station performance after sensor replacement, and that these are key elements in assessing whether or not a sensor should be replaced in the field.

Compact and broadband antenna based on a step-shaped metasurface.

PubMed

Li, Ximing; Yang, Jingjing; Feng, Yun; Yang, Meixia; Huang, Ming

2017-08-07

A metasurface (MS) is highly useful for improving the performance of patch antennae and reducing their size due to their inherent and unique electromagnetic properties. In this paper, a compact and broadband antenna based on a step-shaped metasurface (SMS) at an operating frequency of 4.3 GHz is presented, which is fed by a planar monopole and enabled by selecting an SMS with high selectivity. The SMS consists of an array of metallic step-shaped unit cells underneath the monopole, which provide footprint miniaturization and bandwidth expansion. Numerical results show that the SMS-based antenna with a maximum size of 0.42λ02 (where λ 0 is the operating wavelength in free space) exhibits a 22.3% impedance bandwidth (S11 < -10 dB) and a high gain of more than 7.15 dBi within the passband. Experimental results at microwave frequencies verify the performance of the proposed antenna, demonstrating substantial consistency with the simulation results. The compact and broadband antenna therefore predicts numerous potential applications within modern wireless communication systems.

Improving Broadband Displacement Detection with Quantum Correlations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kampel, N. S.; Peterson, R. W.; Fischer, R.; Yu, P.-L.; Cicak, K.; Simmonds, R. W.; Lehnert, K. W.; Regal, C. A.

2017-04-01

Interferometers enable ultrasensitive measurement in a wide array of applications from gravitational wave searches to force microscopes. The role of quantum mechanics in the metrological limits of interferometers has a rich history, and a large number of techniques to surpass conventional limits have been proposed. In a typical measurement configuration, the trade-off between the probe's shot noise (imprecision) and its quantum backaction results in what is known as the standard quantum limit (SQL). In this work, we investigate how quantum correlations accessed by modifying the readout of the interferometer can access physics beyond the SQL and improve displacement sensitivity. Specifically, we use an optical cavity to probe the motion of a silicon nitride membrane off mechanical resonance, as one would do in a broadband displacement or force measurement, and observe sensitivity better than the SQL dictates for our quantum efficiency. Our measurement illustrates the core idea behind a technique known as variational readout, in which the optical readout quadrature is changed as a function of frequency to improve broadband displacement detection. And, more generally, our result is a salient example of how correlations can aid sensing in the presence of backaction.

Coordinated Satellite Observations of the Very Low Frequency Transmission Through the Ionospheric D Layer at Low Latitudes, Using Broadband Radio Emissions From Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobson, Abram R.; Holzworth, Robert H.; Pfaff, Robert; Heelis, Roderick

2018-04-01

Both ray theory and full-wave models of very low frequency transmission through the ionospheric D layer predict that the transmission is greatly suppressed near the geomagnetic equator. We use data from the low-inclination Communication/Navigation Outage Forecast System satellite to test this semiquantitatively, for broadband very low frequency emissions from lightning. Approximate ground-truthing of the incident wavefields in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide is provided by the World Wide Lightning Location Network. Observations of the wavefields at the satellite are provided by the Vector Electric Field Instrument aboard the satellite. The data set comprises whistler observations with the satellite at magnetic latitudes <26°. Thus, our conclusions, too, must be limited to the near-equatorial region and are not necessarily predictive of midlatitude whistler properties. We find that in most broadband recordings of radio waves at the satellite, very few of the lightning strokes result in a detectable radio pulse at the satellite. However, in a minority of the recordings, there is enhanced transmission of very low frequency lightning emissions through the D layer, at a level exceeding model predictions by at least an order of magnitude. We show that kilometric-scale D-layer irregularities may be implicated in the enhanced transmission. This observation of sporadic enhancements at low magnetic latitude, made with broadband lightning emissions, is consistent with an earlier review of D-layer transmission for transmission from powerful man-made radio beacons.

Light extinction by Secondary Organic Aerosol: an intercomparison of three broadband cavity spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varma, R. M.; Ball, S. M.; Brauers, T.; Dorn, H.-P.; Heitmann, U.; Jones, R. L.; Platt, U.; Pöhler, D.; Ruth, A. A.; Shillings, A. J. L.; Thieser, J.; Wahner, A.; Venables, D. S.

2013-07-01

Broadband optical cavity spectrometers are maturing as a technology for trace gas detection, but only recently have they been used to retrieve the extinction coefficient of aerosols. Sensitive broadband extinction measurements allow explicit separation of gas and particle phase spectral contributions, as well as continuous spectral measurements of aerosol extinction in favourable cases. In this work, we report an intercomparison study of the aerosol extinction coefficients measured by three such instruments: a broadband cavity ring-down spectrometer (BBCRDS), a cavity-enhanced differential optical absorption spectrometer (CE-DOAS), and an incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometer (IBBCEAS). Experiments were carried out in the SAPHIR atmospheric simulation chamber as part of the NO3Comp campaign to compare the measurement capabilities of NO3 and N2O5 instrumentation. Aerosol extinction coefficients between 655 and 690 nm are reported for secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formed by the NO3 oxidation of β-pinene under dry and humid conditions. Despite different measurement approaches and spectral analysis procedures, the three instruments retrieved aerosol extinction coefficients that were in close agreement. The refractive index of SOA formed from the β-pinene + NO3 reaction was 1.61, and was not measurably affected by the chamber humidity or by aging of the aerosol over several hours. This refractive index is significantly larger than SOA refractive indices observed in other studies of OH and ozone-initiated terpene oxidations, and may be caused by the large proportion of organic nitrates in the particle phase. In an experiment involving ammonium sulphate particles the aerosol extinction coefficients as measured by IBBCEAS were found to be in reasonable agreement with those calculated using Mie theory. The results of the study demonstrate the potential of broadband cavity spectrometers for determining the optical properties of aerosols.

Light extinction by secondary organic aerosol: an intercomparison of three broadband cavity spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varma, R. M.; Ball, S. M.; Brauers, T.; Dorn, H.-P.; Heitmann, U.; Jones, R. L.; Platt, U.; Pöhler, D.; Ruth, A. A.; Shillings, A. J. L.; Thieser, J.; Wahner, A.; Venables, D. S.

2013-11-01

Broadband optical cavity spectrometers are maturing as a technology for trace-gas detection, but only recently have they been used to retrieve the extinction coefficient of aerosols. Sensitive broadband extinction measurements allow explicit separation of gas and particle phase spectral contributions, as well as continuous spectral measurements of aerosol extinction in favourable cases. In this work, we report an intercomparison study of the aerosol extinction coefficients measured by three such instruments: a broadband cavity ring-down spectrometer (BBCRDS), a cavity-enhanced differential optical absorption spectrometer (CE-DOAS), and an incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometer (IBBCEAS). Experiments were carried out in the SAPHIR atmospheric simulation chamber as part of the NO3Comp campaign to compare the measurement capabilities of NO3 and N2O5 instrumentation. Aerosol extinction coefficients between 655 and 690 nm are reported for secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formed by the NO3 oxidation of β-pinene under dry and humid conditions. Despite different measurement approaches and spectral analysis procedures, the three instruments retrieved aerosol extinction coefficients that were in close agreement. The refractive index of SOA formed from the β-pinene + NO3 reaction was 1.61, and was not measurably affected by the chamber humidity or by aging of the aerosol over several hours. This refractive index is significantly larger than SOA refractive indices observed in other studies of OH and ozone-initiated terpene oxidations, and may be caused by the large proportion of organic nitrates in the particle phase. In an experiment involving ammonium sulfate particles, the aerosol extinction coefficients as measured by IBBCEAS were found to be in reasonable agreement with those calculated using the Mie theory. The results of the study demonstrate the potential of broadband cavity spectrometers for determining the optical properties of aerosols.

Broadband true time delay for microwave signal processing, using slow light based on stimulated Brillouin scattering in optical fibers.

PubMed

Chin, Sanghoon; Thévenaz, Luc; Sancho, Juan; Sales, Salvador; Capmany, José; Berger, Perrine; Bourderionnet, Jérôme; Dolfi, Daniel

2010-10-11

We experimentally demonstrate a novel technique to process broadband microwave signals, using all-optically tunable true time delay in optical fibers. The configuration to achieve true time delay basically consists of two main stages: photonic RF phase shifter and slow light, based on stimulated Brillouin scattering in fibers. Dispersion properties of fibers are controlled, separately at optical carrier frequency and in the vicinity of microwave signal bandwidth. This way time delay induced within the signal bandwidth can be manipulated to correctly act as true time delay with a proper phase compensation introduced to the optical carrier. We completely analyzed the generated true time delay as a promising solution to feed phased array antenna for radar systems and to develop dynamically reconfigurable microwave photonic filters.

A novel broadband bi-mode active frequency selective surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Yang; Gao, Jinsong; Xu, Nianxi; Shan, Dongzhi; Song, Naitao

2017-05-01

A novel broadband bi-mode active frequency selective surface (AFSS) is presented in this paper. The proposed structure is composed of a periodic array of convoluted square patches and Jerusalem Crosses. According to simulation results, the frequency response of AFSS definitely exhibits a mode switch feature between band-pass and band-stop modes when the diodes stay in ON and OFF states. In order to apply a uniform bias to each PIN diode, an ingenious biasing network based on the extension of Wheatstone bridge is adopted in prototype AFSS. The test results are in good agreement with the simulation results. A further physical mechanism of the bi-mode AFSS is shown by contrasting the distribution of electric field on the AFSS patterns for the two working states.

Chacterization of Teleseismic Earthquakes Observed on an Ice Shelf

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baker, M. G.; Aster, R. C.; Anthony, R. E.; Wiens, D.; Nyblade, A.; Bromirski, P. D.; Stephen, R. A.; Gerstoft, P.

2016-12-01

Broadband seismographs deployed atop large tabular icebergs and ice shelves record a rich superposition of atmospheric, oceanic, and solid earth signals. We characterize these signals, including body and surface wave arrivals from approximately 200 global earthquakes, using a 34-station broadband array spanning the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Teleseismic earthquake arrivals are essential for constructing models of crustal and upper mantle structure, and observations on the ice shelf are key to resolving the structure of the underlying West Antarctic Rift System. To test the plausibility of passive imaging in this unique environment, we examine seasonal and spatial dependence of signal-to-noise ratios of body wave arrivals and the impact of ice shelf dynamics on surface wave dispersion. We also note unusual phase mechanics arising from the floating platform geometry.

Noise Source Location and Flow Field Measurements on Supersonic Jets and Implications Regarding Broadband Shock Noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Podboy, Gary G.; Wernet, Mark P.; Clem, Michelle M.; Fagan, Amy F.

2017-01-01

An experiment was conducted in an effort to obtain data that would provide a better understanding of the origins of broadband shock noise (BBSN). Phased array noise source location and two types of flow field data (background oriented schlieren and particle image velocimetry) were acquired on unheated, single-stream jets. Results are presented for one subsonic and four supersonic operating conditions. These data show that BBSN is created primarily in the downstream portion of the shock train with peak BBSN production occurring near where the average size of the turbulent structures is equal to the shockcell spacing. These data tend to validate theories that BBSN is created by turbulent structures that are as large or larger than the shock spacing.

Analysis of volcano-related seismicity to constrain the magmatic plumbing system beneath Fogo, Cape Verde, by (multi-)array techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dietrich, Carola; Wölbern, Ingo; Faria, Bruno; Rümpker, Georg

2017-04-01

Fogo is the only island of the Cape Verde archipelago with regular occurring volcanic eruptions since its discovery in the 15th century. The volcanism of the archipelago originates from a mantle plume beneath an almost stationary tectonic plate. With an eruption interval of approximately 20 years, Fogo belongs to the most active oceanic volcanoes. The latest eruption started in November 2014 and ceased in February 2015. This study aims to characterize and investigate the seismic activity and the magmatic plumbing system of Fogo, which is believed to be related to a magmatic source close to the neighboring island of Brava. According to previous studies, using conventional seismic network configurations, most of the seismic activity occurs offshore. Therefore, seismological array techniques represent powerful tools in investigating earthquakes and other volcano-related events located outside of the networks. Another advantage in the use of seismic arrays is their possibility to detect events of relatively small magnitude and to locate seismic signals without a clear onset of phases, such as volcanic tremors. Since October 2015 we have been operating a test array on Fogo as part of a pilot study. This array consists of 10 seismic stations, distributed in a circular shape with an aperture of 700 m. The stations are equipped with Omnirecs CUBE dataloggers, and either 4.5 Hz geophones (7 stations) or Trillium-Compact broad-band seismometers (3 stations). In January 2016 we installed three additional broad-band stations distributed across the island of Fogo to improve the capabilities for event localization. The data of the pilot study is dominated by seismic activity around Brava, but also exhibit tremors and hybrid events of unknown origin within the caldera of Fogo volcano. The preliminary analysis of these events includes the characterization and localization of the different event types using seismic array processing in combination with conventional localization methods. In the beginning of August 2016, a "seismic crisis" occurred on the island of Brava which led to the evacuation of a village. The seismic activity recorded by our instruments on Fogo exhibits more than 40 earthquakes during this time. Locations and magnitudes of these events will be presented. In January 2017 the pilot project discussed here will be complemented by three additional seismic arrays (two on Fogo, one on Brava) to improve seismic event localization and structural imaging based on scattered seismic phases by using multi-array techniques. Initial recordings from the new arrays are expected to be available by April 2017.

Earthquakes: Risk, Monitoring, Notification, and Research

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-02

Global Seismic Network (GSN). The GSN is a system of broadband digital seismographs arrayed around the globe and designed to collect high-quality...39 states face some risk from earthquakes. Seismic hazards are greatest in the western United States, particularly California, Alaska, Washington...Oregon, and Hawaii. The Rocky Mountain region, a portion of the central United States known as the New Madrid Seismic Zone, and portions of the eastern

The EarthScope USArray Observatories: Status and Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woodward, R.; Busby, R.; Alvarez, M.; Schultz, A.; Simpson, D.

2009-05-01

The EarthScope USArray program includes three seismic and two magnetotelluric components. The USArray seismic components consist of the Transportable Array (TA), the Flexible Array (FA), and the Reference Network. The TA component of USArray has now occupied over 700 sites in the western United States, from the Pacific coast through the Rocky Mountains. The three component broadband TA stations are deployed in a grid-like arrangement, with 70 km separation between stations. At any given time there are approximately 400 station sites, occupying a ~2000 km by 800 km "footprint." Each station is operated for two years. The FA component of USArray provides a pool of instruments, ranging from high frequency geophones to three- component broadband sensors, and these instruments are typically deployed for focused geological targets for time periods ranging from days to years. Finally, the Reference Network provides a fixed, permanent reference frame for the TA and FA, with approximately 100 broadband stations deployed across the contiguous US, at roughly 300 km spacing. The magnetotelluric (MT) component of USArray consists of both a fixed reference network as well as a transportable array of instruments that are deployed campaign style, using a 70 km by 70 km grid. The geographical extent of USArray allows unprecedented observation of geophysical targets. Instruments have been deployed across the west and mid-west of the US, with TA stations presently moving into the states spanning a north-south line from North Dakota to Texas. MT observations in Cascadia have been augmented by corresponding observations in Canada. Similarly, as the seismic TA moves east, plans are being developed to collaborate on TA seismic observations on both sides of the US-Canada border in the region of the Great Lakes. We will present the current status of USArray activities and progress to-date, with a special emphasis on standardized data products that are produced from USArray data, including phase picks, wave-field animations, observations of the ambient noise field, and MT transfer functions. We will also provide an overview of USArray deployment plans, to facilitate collaborative experiments and investigations, and discuss opportunities for the seismological education and research communities to participate in and leverage the FA and TA efforts.

Seismic anisotropy in the uppermost mantle beneath oceanic regions from data of broadband OBSs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeo, A.; Nishida, K.; Isse, T.; Kawakatsu, H.; Shiobara, H.; Sugioka, H.; Ito, A.; Kanazawa, T.; Suetsugu, D.

2011-12-01

For improving vertical resolution of seismic-anisotropy structure at depths of 10-100 km beneath oceanic regions, we measured phase velocities of surface waves in a broadband frequency range by two methods: the ambient noise interferometry in frequency higher than 0.035 Hz, and array analysis of event waveforms in lower frequency. We use seismograms recorded by broadband ocean bottom seismometers (BBOBSs) in two regions: (i) the Shikoku Basin in the Philippine Sea by Stagnant Slab Project, and (ii) east of Tahiti Island by a project called the tomographic investigation by seafloor array experiment for Society hotspot (TIARES). The frequency ranges of phase-velocity measurements in each region are summarized in Table. For the case of Shikoku Basin, we invert phase velocities for radially anisotropic structure. The resultant structure shows decrease of shear-wave velocity by 6-8 % at depths of 50-70 km, and intensification of radial anisotropy (VSH>VSV) from 1-2 % at 10-20 km depth to 4-6 % at 40-70 km depth. These results indicate increasing amount of preferred-oriented olivine crystal, and/or horizontal layering of partial melt near the boundary between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere. The azimuthal anisotropy of phase velocity in the Shikoku Basin is also investigated by array analysis of event waveforms for the fundamental mode of Rayleigh wave at 0.03 Hz. The fastest direction is NW, and consistent with direction of present plate motion. The velocity difference between fastest and slowest directions is 1-2 %. These results mainly reflect shear-wave velocity at depth of 30-60 km, and imply that lattice preferred orientation is, at least, partly (though may not be fully) responsible for the anisotropy in the depth range. We will obtain radially anisotropic structure and azimuthal anisotropy in Tahiti region, and will present difference between two regions.
Frequency range of phase-velocity measurements for two regions of analyses.

New Lithospheric Model of Taiwan based on the Receiver Function Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, H.; Zhu, L.; Chen, H.

2008-12-01

Taiwan is situated on the junction area between two subduction systems. The complex orogeny was developed by collision between the Eurasian continental plate and Philippine Sea plate and is still active in the present. Therefore, Taiwan provides unique opportunities for geophysical imaging of the ongoing process underneath. The TAiwan Integrated GEodynamics Research (TAIGER) combined a field program of active and passive seismology, which will undoubtedly be a major step forward in understanding mountain building process. In 2006, we developed a new crustal model of Taiwan from teleseismic waveforms by the receiver function method. We determined lateral variation of Moho discontinuity, crustal thickness (H), and Vp/Vs ratios (Kappa) for each permanent broadband station using all the available teleseismic data collected by BATS (Broadband Array in Taiwan for Seismology) and CWB (Central Weather Bureau). All the broadband stations are distributed uniformly over the whole Taiwan area so that we could delineate the Moho depth contour map. Recently, we concentrated on the three linear temporary arrays of the TAIGER project and obtained three high-resolution images of crustal structure across Taiwan along west-to-east direction from north to south by using the CCP (common-conversion-point) stacking of teleseismic P-to-S converted waves. Sharp impedance contrasts in these images clearly show the relief of each of seismic discontinuities in the crust and upper mantle. The preliminary results show that the Moho depth, 40 to 50 km of central Taiwan is deeper than in other parts of the island, which suggests crustal thickening due to collision. In addition, shallow part of western foothill area show highly acoustic impedance which probably results from thick sediment.

Functional metasurfaces based on metallic and dielectric subwavelength slits and stripes array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Yinghui; Pu, Mingbo; Li, Xiong; Ma, Xiaoliang; Gao, Ping; Wang, Yanqin; Luo, Xiangang

2018-04-01

Starting with the early works of extraordinary optical transmission and extraordinary Young’s interference, researchers have been fascinated by the unusual optical properties displayed by metallic holes/slits and subsequently found similar abnormities in dielectric counterparts. Benefiting from the shrinking wavelength of surface plasmon polaritons excited in metallic slits and high refractive index of dielectric stripes, one can realize local phase modulation and approach desired dispersion by engineering the geometries of a slits and stripes array. In this review, we review recent developments in functional metasurfaces composed of various metallic and dielectric subwavelength slits and stripes arrays, with special emphasis on achromatic, ultra-broadband, quasi-continuous, multifunctional and reconfigurable metasurfaces. Particular attention is paid to provide insight into the design strategies for these devices. Finally, we give an outlook of the development in this fascinating area.

Ambient seismic noise study in Taiwan for two different scale arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Y.; Yao, H.; Liang, W.; Huang, B.; Wen, K.; Huang, W.; van der Hilst, R. D.

2008-12-01

It has been demonstrated that Time Domain Empirical Green's Function (TDEGF) from ambient seismic noise cross-correlation can be used to investigate crustal velocity structure from many studies around the world. For surface wave tomographic studies from ambient noise, the maximum exploring depth depends on the aperture of receiver array and the lateral resolution relies on the density of station-pair paths. To decipher subsurface structures in various scales, researchers can utilize some existing continuous-recording seismic stations and/or deploy a newly dense receiver array in the study region. In this study, we perform tomographic applications of ambient seismic noise analysis in Taiwan region for two arrays with very different scales. Taiwan is located at a complex convergent plate boundary zone where the Philippine Sea plate interacts with the Eurasian plate. As a result, the lateral velocity variations show dramatic patterns among different geologic provinces. In the past decade, many continuous-recording broadband stations have already been set up to monitor earthquake activities in the Taiwan region. The BATS (Broadband Array in Taiwan for Seismology) network is being operated by the Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica (IESAS) since 1994. Currently, there are 20 permanent stations covering approximately 350 km by 400 km area around Taiwan, including some remote islets. In this study we selected 7 years data (2000-2006) from BATS to get the TDEGFs which were then used to measure inter-station phase velocities in the period band 5-30s. Finally we then constructed 2D phase velocity maps. At shorter periods (5-10s), phase velocity distribution can compare well with surface geology. At longer periods (14-22s), there is a saxophone shape low velocity zone beneath the Taiwan Island. Taipei Basin is a high-level artificial noise metropolis with a nearly triangular shape basin located close to northern tip of Taiwan with area just around 20 km by 20 km, much smaller than the area BATS covers. Central Geological Survey (CGS) entrusted IESAS to monitor seismicity in this region from 2004. There were around 20 continuous-recording broadband stations with about 5km average inter-station distance. For this study we selected 3 months data, from mid July to mid October in 2005, to calculate TDEGFs. Finally we obtained 0.5-3s phase velocity maps, which can compare well with surface geologic structure. The days with typhoon warnings were excluded from ambient seismic noise analysis due to the fact that TDEGFs are affected by temporarily close and massive moving sources like typhoons. We also found that the source direction of ambient seismic noise in typhoon days had close relationship with typhoon location.

Preliminary results of receiver function analysis of seismic data recorded from a broadband deployment across the Gulf Coast Plain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gurrola, H.; Pratt, K. W.; Pulliam, J.; Dunbar, J. A.

2011-12-01

In summer of 2010, 21 broadband seismographs were installed at 16-18 km spacing along a transect running from Johnson City, TX, (on the Edwards Plateau), to Matagorda Island to study the current structure of this rifted passive margin. The large magnetic anomaly that parallels the coast throughout the Gulf region moves on-shore beneath our transect such that we will be able to investigate the source of this anomaly. A second important target that will be imaged in this Balcones fault which is associated with the Ouachita front. This project is funded by a grant from the Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program (NHARP), a biannual competition among Texas Universities to support research, and makes use of Texas Tech, Baylor, and UT Austin equipment. As a result, the deployment includes a less uniform array of seismic equipment, (10 Trillium compact seismometers and 10 Guralps; including 40Ts, 3Ts and 3ESPs), than projects supported by the IRIS PASSCAL center. Our vault construction was similar to Flexible array vaults, but Gulf Coast provides a more challenging environment for deployment than most encountered in the western US. The shallow water table and loose sediment can become almost fluid when storms deluge the area with rain. In dry periods, mud cracks near the vaults cause the vaults to tilt. As a result, even high quality, shallow seismic vaults can "float" or shift sufficiently to cause one or two components of the seismic stations to drift against their stops in days or weeks. As a result, the only data consistently available from all our stations, are vertical components. Horizontal component data from the summer of 2010 can be hit and miss due to the tilting of the vaults. These issues have been reduced in the summer of 2011 due to the drought. To address the data's shortcomings, we will average the vertical components from our stations and nearby EarthScope TA stations, (up 300 km away), to isolate the cleanest representation of the incoming P-wave, (with local PPp reverberations averaged out). This is essentially beam forming for the optimal teleseismic ray path. The clean P-wave will then be deconvolved from the vertical components at each station to produce a vertical component receiver function that will enable us to model and stack local P-wave reverberations to produce a 2-D image of lithospheric structure. To produce traditional receiver functions from time periods where one component is lost from several stations, we will treat neighboring stations as arrays and recover an "array averaged three-component seismogram" for each loacation. These "beamed" seismograms will allow imaging of the crust, lithospheric mantle, and transition zone beneath the broadband array using traditional receiver function stacking or migration.

Broadband stimulated Raman spectroscopy in the deep ultraviolet region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuramochi, Hikaru; Fujisawa, Tomotsumi; Takeuchi, Satoshi; Tahara, Tahei

2017-09-01

We report broadband stimulated Raman measurements in the deep ultraviolet (DUV) region, which enables selective probing of the aromatic amino acid residues inside proteins through the resonance enhancement. We combine the narrowband DUV Raman pump pulse (<10 cm-1) at wavelengths as short as 240 nm and the broadband DUV probe pulse (>1000 cm-1) to realize stimulated Raman measurements covering a >1500 cm-1 spectral window. The stimulated Raman measurements for neat solvents, tryptophan, tyrosine, and glucose oxidase are performed using 240- and 290-nm Raman pump, highlighting the high potential of the DUV stimulated Raman probe for femtosecond time-resolved study of proteins.

Route to broadband chaos in a chaotic laser diode subject to optical injection.

PubMed

Wang, An-Bang; Wang, Yun-Cai; Wang, Juan-Fen

2009-04-15

We experimentally and numerically demonstrate a route to bandwidth-enhanced chaos that is induced by an additional optical injection for a chaotic laser diode with optical feedback. The measured and calculated optical spectra consistently reveal that the mechanism of bandwidth enhancement is the interaction between the injection and chaotic laser field via beating. The bandwidth can be maximized only when the injected light is detuned into the edge of the optical spectrum of the chaotic laser field and the beating frequency exceeds the original bandwidth. The simulated dynamics maps indicate that 20 GHz broadband chaos can be obtained by commonly used laser diodes.

Broadband light absorption enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells with Au-Ag alloy popcorn nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Qi; Liu, Fang; Liu, Yuxiang; Cui, Kaiyu; Feng, Xue; Zhang, Wei; Huang, Yidong

2013-07-01

In this paper, we present an investigation on the use of Au-Ag alloy popcorn-shaped nanoparticles (NPs) to realise the broadband optical absorption enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Both simulation and experimental results indicate that compared with regular plasmonic NPs, such as nano-spheres, irregular popcorn-shaped alloy NPs exhibit absorption enhancement over a broad wavelength range due to the excitation of localized surface plasmons (LSPs) at different wavelengths. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSCs is enhanced by 16% from 5.26% to 6.09% by incorporating 2.38 wt% Au-Ag alloy popcorn NPs. Moreover, by adding a scattering layer on the exterior of the counter electrode, the popcorn NPs demonstrate an even stronger ability to increase the PCE by 32% from 5.94% to 7.85%, which results from the more efficient excitation of the LSP mode on the popcorn NPs.

Broadband light absorption enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells with Au-Ag alloy popcorn nanoparticles.

PubMed

Xu, Qi; Liu, Fang; Liu, Yuxiang; Cui, Kaiyu; Feng, Xue; Zhang, Wei; Huang, Yidong

2013-01-01

In this paper, we present an investigation on the use of Au-Ag alloy popcorn-shaped nanoparticles (NPs) to realise the broadband optical absorption enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Both simulation and experimental results indicate that compared with regular plasmonic NPs, such as nano-spheres, irregular popcorn-shaped alloy NPs exhibit absorption enhancement over a broad wavelength range due to the excitation of localized surface plasmons (LSPs) at different wavelengths. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSCs is enhanced by 16% from 5.26% to 6.09% by incorporating 2.38 wt% Au-Ag alloy popcorn NPs. Moreover, by adding a scattering layer on the exterior of the counter electrode, the popcorn NPs demonstrate an even stronger ability to increase the PCE by 32% from 5.94% to 7.85%, which results from the more efficient excitation of the LSP mode on the popcorn NPs.

Broadband light absorption enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells with Au-Ag alloy popcorn nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Xu, Qi; Liu, Fang; Liu, Yuxiang; Cui, Kaiyu; Feng, Xue; Zhang, Wei; Huang, Yidong

2013-01-01

In this paper, we present an investigation on the use of Au-Ag alloy popcorn-shaped nanoparticles (NPs) to realise the broadband optical absorption enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Both simulation and experimental results indicate that compared with regular plasmonic NPs, such as nano-spheres, irregular popcorn-shaped alloy NPs exhibit absorption enhancement over a broad wavelength range due to the excitation of localized surface plasmons (LSPs) at different wavelengths. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSCs is enhanced by 16% from 5.26% to 6.09% by incorporating 2.38 wt% Au-Ag alloy popcorn NPs. Moreover, by adding a scattering layer on the exterior of the counter electrode, the popcorn NPs demonstrate an even stronger ability to increase the PCE by 32% from 5.94% to 7.85%, which results from the more efficient excitation of the LSP mode on the popcorn NPs. PMID:23817586

Enhancement of broadband optical absorption in photovoltaic devices by band-edge effect of photonic crystals.

PubMed

Tanaka, Yoshinori; Kawamoto, Yosuke; Fujita, Masayuki; Noda, Susumu

2013-08-26

We numerically investigate broadband optical absorption enhancement in thin, 400-nm thick microcrystalline silicon (µc-Si) photovoltaic devices by photonic crystals (PCs). We realize absorption enhancement by coupling the light from the free space to the large area resonant modes at the photonic band-edge induced by the photonic crystals. We show that multiple photonic band-edge modes can be produced by higher order modes in the vertical direction of the Si photovoltaic layer, which can enhance the absorption on multiple wavelengths. Moreover, we reveal that the photonic superlattice structure can produce more photonic band-edge modes that lead to further optical absorption. The absorption average in wavelengths of 500-1000 nm weighted to the solar spectrum (AM 1.5) increases almost twice: from 33% without photonic crystal to 58% with a 4 × 4 period superlattice photonic crystal; our result outperforms the Lambertian textured structure.

Observation of optical domino modes in arrays of non-resonant plasmonic nanoantennas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinev, Ivan S.; Samusev, Anton K.; Voroshilov, Pavel M.; Mukhin, Ivan S.; Denisyuk, Andrey I.; Guzhva, Mikhail E.; Belov, Pavel A.; Simovski, Constantin R.

2014-09-01

Domino modes are highly-confined collectivemodes that were first predicted for a periodic arrangement of metallic parallelepipeds in far-infrared region. The main feature of domino modes is the advantageous distribution of the local electric field, which is concentrated between metallic elements (hot spots), while its penetration depth in metal is much smaller than the skin-depth. Therefore, arrays of non-resonant plasmonic nanoantennas exhibiting domino modes can be employed as broadband light trapping coatings for thin-film solar cells. However, until now in the excitation of such modes was demonstrated only in numerical simulations. Here, we for the first time demonstrate experimentally the excitation of optical domino modes in arrays of non-resonant plasmonic nanoantennas. We characterize the nanoantenna arrays produced by means of electron beam lithography both experimentally using an aperture-type near-field scanning optical microscope and numerically. The proof of domino modes concept for plasmonic arrays of nanoantennas in the visible spectral region opens new pathways for development of low-absorptive structures for effective focusing of light at the nanoscale.

Upper Mantle of the Central Part of the Russian Platform by Receiver Function Data.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goev, Andrey; Kosarev, Grigoriy; Sanina, Irina; Riznichenko, Oksana

2017-04-01

The study of the upper mantle of the Russian Platform (RP) with seismic methods remains limited due to the lack of broadband seismic stations. Existing velocity models have been obtained by using the P-wave travel-times from seismic events interpreted as explosions recorded at the NORSAR array in 1974-75 years. Another source of information is deep seismic sounding data from long-range profiles (exceeding 3000 km) such as QUARTZ, RUBIN-1 and GLOBUS and peaceful nuclear explosions (PNE) as sources. However, the data with the maximum distances larger than 1500 km have been acquired on the RP and only in the northern part. Being useful, these velocity models have low spatial resolution. This study analyzes and integrates all the existing RP upper mantle velocity models with the main focus on the central region. We discuss the completeness of the RP area of the LITHO 1.0 model. Based on results of our analysis, we conclude that it is necessary to get up-to-date velocity models of the upper mantle using broadband stations located at the central part of the RP using Vp/Vs ratio data and anisotropy parameters for robust estimation of the mantle boundaries. By applying the joint inversion of receiver-function (RF) data, travel-time residuals and dispersion curves of surface waves we get new models reaching 300 km depth at the locations of broadband seismic stations at the central part of the RP. We used IRIS stations OBN, ARU along with MHV and mobile array NOV. For each station we attempt to determine thickness of the lithosphere and to locate LVL, LAB, Lehman and Hales boundaries as well as the discontinuities in the transition zones at the depth of 410 and 660 km. Also we investigate the necessity of using short-period and broadband RF separately for more robust estimation of the velocity model of the upper mantle. This publication is based on work supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), project 15-05-04938 and by the leading scientific school NS-3345.2014.5

An improved broadband E patch microstrip antenna for wireless communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bzeih, Amer; Chahine, Soubhi Abou; Kabalan, Karim Y.; El-Hajj, Ali; Chehab, Ali

2007-12-01

A broadband probe-fed microstrip antenna with E-shaped patch on a single-layer air substrate is investigated. Bandwidth enhancement of the antenna is achieved by inserting two parallel slots into its radiating patch. The effects of the antenna parameters are analyzed, and their optimal values for broadband operation are obtained. The design parameters are formulated as a function of the center frequency, and the empirical equations are validated by simulation. A 51.5% enhanced E patch antenna for modern wireless communications (Personal Communications Service, Digital Cellular System, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, Wireless Local Area Network 802.11 b/g, and Bluetooth) is designed, simulated, fabricated, and measured. A comparison between simulated and measured results is presented, and it showed satisfactory agreement. Moreover, the effect of incorporating more parallel slots into the radiating patch is investigated. The antenna is designed and simulated for different scenarios (four slots, six slots, and eight slots), where a bandwidth of 57% is achieved in the eight-slot design.

Polarization sensitive Multi-Chroic MKIDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Bradley R.; Flanigan, Daniel; Abitbol, Maximilian H.; Ade, Peter A. R.; Bryan, Sean; Cho, Hsiao-Mei; Datta, Rahul; Day, Peter; Doyle, Simon; Irwin, Kent; Jones, Glenn; Kernasovskiy, Sarah; Li, Dale; Mauskopf, Philip; McCarrick, Heather; McMahon, Jeff; Miller, Amber; Pisano, Giampaolo; Song, Yanru; Surdi, Harshad; Tucker, Carole

2016-07-01

We report on the development of scalable prototype microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) arrays tai- lored for future multi-kilo-pixel experiments that are designed to simultaneously characterize the polarization properties of both the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and Galactic dust emission. These modular arrays are composed of horn-coupled, polarization-sensitive MKIDs, and each pixel has four detectors: two polariza- tions in two spectral bands between 125 and 280 GHz. A horn is used to feed each array element, and a planar orthomode transducer, composed of two waveguide probe pairs, separates the incoming light into two linear po- larizations. Diplexers composed of resonant-stub band-pass filters separate the radiation into 125 to 170 GHz and 190 to 280 GHz pass bands. The millimeter-wave power is ultimately coupled to a hybrid co-planar waveguide microwave kinetic inductance detector using a novel, broadband circuit developed by our collaboration. Elec- tromagnetic simulations show the expected absorption efficiency of the detector is approximately 90%. Array fabrication will begin in the summer of 2016.

On measurement of acoustic pulse arrival angles using a vertical array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makarov, D. V.

2017-11-01

We consider a recently developed method to analyze the angular structure of pulsed acoustic fields in an underwater sound channel. The method is based on the Husimi transform that allows us to approximately link a wave field with the corresponding ray arrivals. The advantage of the method lies in the possibility of its practical realization by a vertical hydrophone array crossing only a small part of the oceanic depth. The main aim of the present work is to find the optimal parameter values of the array that ensure good angular accuracy and sufficient reliability of the algorithm to calculate the arrival angles. Broadband pulses with central frequencies of 80 and 240 Hz are considered. It is shown that an array with a length of several hundred meters allows measuring the angular spectrum with an accuracy of up to 1 degree. The angular resolution is lowered with an increase of the sound wavelength due to the fundamental limitations imposed by the uncertainty relation.

A Robust Sound Source Localization Approach for Microphone Array with Model Errors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Hua; Shao, Huai-Zong; Peng, Qi-Cong

In this paper, a robust sound source localization approach is proposed. The approach retains good performance even when model errors exist. Compared with previous work in this field, the contributions of this paper are as follows. First, an improved broad-band and near-field array model is proposed. It takes array gain, phase perturbations into account and is based on the actual positions of the elements. It can be used in arbitrary planar geometry arrays. Second, a subspace model errors estimation algorithm and a Weighted 2-Dimension Multiple Signal Classification (W2D-MUSIC) algorithm are proposed. The subspace model errors estimation algorithm estimates unknown parameters of the array model, i. e., gain, phase perturbations, and positions of the elements, with high accuracy. The performance of this algorithm is improved with the increasing of SNR or number of snapshots. The W2D-MUSIC algorithm based on the improved array model is implemented to locate sound sources. These two algorithms compose the robust sound source approach. The more accurate steering vectors can be provided for further processing such as adaptive beamforming algorithm. Numerical examples confirm effectiveness of this proposed approach.

Metal-core/semiconductor-shell nanocones for broadband solar absorption enhancement.

PubMed

Zhou, Lin; Yu, Xiaoqiang; Zhu, Jia

2014-02-12

Nanostructure-based photovoltaic devices have exhibited several advantages, such as reduced reflection, extraordinary light trapping, and so forth. In particular, semiconductor nanostructures provide optical modes that have strong dependence on the size and geometry. Metallic nanostructures also attract a lot of attention because of the appealing plasmonic effect on the near-field enhancement. In this study, we propose a novel design, the metal-core/semiconductor-shell nanocones with the core radius varying in a linearly gradient style. With a thin layer of semiconductor absorber coated on a metallic cone, such a design can lead to significant and broadband absorption enhancement across the entire visible and near-infrared solar spectrum. As an example of demonstration, a layer of 16 nm thick crystalline silicon (c-Si) coated on a silver nanocone can absorb 27% of standard solar radiation across a broad spectral range of 300-1100 nm, which is equivalent to a 700 nm thick flat c-Si film. Therefore, the absorption enhancement factor approaching the Yablonovitch limit is achieved with this design. The significant absorption enhancement can be ascribed to three types of optical modes, that is, Fabry-Perot modes, plasmonic modes, and hybrid modes that combine the features of the previous two. In addition, the unique nanocone geometry enables the linearly gradient radius of the semiconductor shell, which can support multiple optical resonances, critical for the broadband absorption. Our design may find general usage as elements for the low cost, high efficiency solar conversion and water-splitting devices.

Broadband absorption enhancement in amorphous Si solar cells using metal gratings and surface texturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magdi, Sara; Swillam, Mohamed A.

2017-02-01

The efficiencies of thin film amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cells are restricted by the small thickness required for efficient carrier collection. This thickness limitations result in poor light absorption. In this work, broadband absorption enhancement is theoretically achieved in a-Si solar cells by using nanostructured back electrode along with surface texturing. The back electrode is formed of Au nanogratings and the surface texturing consists of Si nanocones. The results were then compared to random texturing surfaces. Three dimensional finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations are used to design and optimize the structure. The Au nanogratings achieved absorption enhancement in the long wavelengths due to sunlight coupling to surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) modes. High absorption enhancement was achieved at short wavelengths due to the decreased reflection and enhanced scattering inside the a-Si absorbing layer. Optimizations have been performed to obtain the optimal geometrical parameters for both the nanogratings and the periodic texturing. In addition, an enhancement factor (i.e. absorbed power in nanostructured device/absorbed power in reference device) was calculated to evaluate the enhancement obtained due to the incorporation of each nanostructure.

Multiresonant Composite Optical Nanoantennas by Out-of-plane Plasmonic Engineering.

PubMed

Song, Junyeob; Zhou, Wei

2018-06-27

Optical nanoantennas can concentrate light and enhance light-matter interactions in subwavelength domain, which is useful for photodetection, light emission, optical biosensing, and spectroscopy. However, conventional optical nanoantennas operating at a single wavelength band are not suitable for multiband applications. Here, we propose and exploit an out-of-plane plasmonic engineering strategy to design and create composite optical nanoantennas that can support multiple nanolocalized modes at different resonant wavelengths. These multiresonant composite nanoantennas are composed of vertically stacked building blocks of metal-insulator-metal loop nanoantennas. Studies of multiresonant composite nanoantennas demonstrate that the number of supported modes depends on the number of vertically stacked building blocks and the resonant wavelengths of individual modes are tunable by controlling the out-of-plane geometries of their building blocks. In addition, numerical studies show that the resonant wavelengths of individual modes in composite nanoantennas can deviate from the optical response of building blocks due to hybridization of magnetic modes in neighboring building blocks. Using Au nanohole arrays as deposition masks to fabricate arrays of multilayered composite nanoantennas, we experimentally demonstrate their multiresonant optical properties in good agreement with theory predictions. These studies show that out-of-plane engineered multiresonant composite nanoantennas can provide new opportunities for fundamental nanophotonics research and practical applications involving optical multiband operations, such as multiphoton process, broadband solar energy conversion, and wavelength-multiplexed optical system.

Controlling propagation and coupling of waveguide modes using phase-gradient metasurfaces

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

Li, Zhaoyi; Kim, Myoung -Hwan; Wang, Cheng

Here, research on two-dimensional designer optical structures, or metasurfaces, has mainly focused on controlling the wavefronts of light propagating in free space. Here, we show that gradient metasurface structures consisting of phased arrays of plasmonic or dielectric nanoantennas can be used to control guided waves via strong optical scattering at subwavelength intervals. Based on this design principle, we experimentally demonstrate waveguide mode converters, polarization rotators and waveguide devices supporting asymmetric optical power transmission. We also demonstrate all-dielectric on-chip polarization rotators based on phased arrays of Mie resonators with negligible insertion losses. Our gradient metasurfaces can enable small-footprint, broadband and low-lossmore » photonic integrated devices.« less

Large size MOEMS Fabry-Perot interferometer filter for focal plane array hyperspectral imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chee, J.; Hwu, J.; Kim, T. S.; Kubby, J.; Velicu, S.; Gupta, N.

2015-02-01

Focal plane array (FPA) technology is mature and is widely used for imaging applications. However, FPAs have broadband responses which limit their ability to provide high performance in hyperspectral applications such as detection of buried explosives, and identifying the presence of explosive chemicals and their concentrations. EPIR is currently developing Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical System (MOEMS) Fabry-Perot interferometer filter (FPF) devices for FPAs. In this paper, we present our approach to MOEMS FPF design and fabrication that will meet the size requirements for large format FPA hyperspectral imaging. We also report the performance of our FPF resonance cavity, capable of up to 3 μm change gap in tens of nanometer increments.

High channel density wavelength division multiplexer with defined diffracting means positioning

DOEpatents

Jannson, T.P.; Jannson, J.L.; Yeung, P.C.

1990-05-15

A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer is disclosed having optical path lengths between a fiber array and a Fourier transform lens, and between a dispersion grating and the lens equal to the focal length of the lens. The optical path lengths reduce losses due to angular acceptance mismatch in the multiplexer. Close orientation of the fiber array about the optical axis and the use of a holographic dispersion grating reduces other losses in the system. Multi-exposure holographic dispersion gratings enable the multiplexer/demultiplexer for extremely broad-band simultaneous transmission and reflection operation. Individual Bragg plane sets recorded in the grating are dedicated to and operate efficiently on discrete wavelength ranges. 11 figs.

Controlling propagation and coupling of waveguide modes using phase-gradient metasurfaces

DOE PAGES

Li, Zhaoyi; Kim, Myoung -Hwan; Wang, Cheng; ...

2017-04-17

Here, research on two-dimensional designer optical structures, or metasurfaces, has mainly focused on controlling the wavefronts of light propagating in free space. Here, we show that gradient metasurface structures consisting of phased arrays of plasmonic or dielectric nanoantennas can be used to control guided waves via strong optical scattering at subwavelength intervals. Based on this design principle, we experimentally demonstrate waveguide mode converters, polarization rotators and waveguide devices supporting asymmetric optical power transmission. We also demonstrate all-dielectric on-chip polarization rotators based on phased arrays of Mie resonators with negligible insertion losses. Our gradient metasurfaces can enable small-footprint, broadband and low-lossmore » photonic integrated devices.« less

A broadband 8-18GHz 4-input 4-output Butler matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milner, Leigh; Parker, Michael

2007-01-01

Butler matrices can be used in antenna beam-forming networks to provide a linear phase distribution across the elements of an array. The development of an 8 to 18GHz micro-strip implementation of a 4-input 4-ouput Butler matrix is described. The designed Butler matrix uses March hybrids, Schiffman phase shifters and wire-bond crossovers integrated on a single 60mm x 70mm alumina substrate.

Continuum generation in ultra high numerical aperture fiber with application to multiphoton microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sayler, Nicholas

Nonlinear microscopy benefits from broadband laser sources, enabling efficient excitation of an array of fluorophores, for example. This work demonstrates broadening of a narrow band input pulse (6 nm to 40 nm) centered at 1040 nm with excellent shot-to-shot stability. In a preliminary demonstration, multiphoton imaging with pulses from the fiber is performed. In particular second harmonic imaging of corn starch is performed.

Broadband Electric-Field Sensor Array Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-05

output voltage modulation on the output RF transmission line (impedance Z0 = 50 Ω) via a transimpedance amplifier connected to the photodiode. The...voltage amplitude is where G is the conversion gain of the photodiode and amplifier . The RF power detected by an RF receiver with a matched impedance...wave (CW) tunable near-infrared laser amplified by an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is guided by single-mode optical fiber and coupled into

Transparent metals for ultrabroadband electromagnetic waves.

PubMed

Fan, Ren-Hao; Peng, Ru-Wen; Huang, Xian-Rong; Li, Jia; Liu, Yongmin; Hu, Qing; Wang, Mu; Zhang, Xiang

2012-04-17

Making metals transparent, which could lead to fascinating applications, has long been pursued. Here we demonstrate that with narrow slit arrays metallic plates become transparent for extremely broad bandwidths; the high transmission efficiency is insensitive to the metal thickness. This work provides a guideline to develop novel devices, including transparent conducting panels, broadband metamaterials, and antireflective solar cells. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Broadband Terahertz Computed Tomography Using a 5k-pixel Real-time THz Camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trichopoulos, Georgios C.; Sertel, Kubilay

2015-07-01

We present a novel THz computed tomography system that enables fast 3-dimensional imaging and spectroscopy in the 0.6-1.2 THz band. The system is based on a new real-time broadband THz camera that enables rapid acquisition of multiple cross-sectional images required in computed tomography. Tomographic reconstruction is achieved using digital images from the densely-packed large-format (80×64) focal plane array sensor located behind a hyper-hemispherical silicon lens. Each pixel of the sensor array consists of an 85 μm × 92 μm lithographically fabricated wideband dual-slot antenna, monolithically integrated with an ultra-fast diode tuned to operate in the 0.6-1.2 THz regime. Concurrently, optimum impedance matching was implemented for maximum pixel sensitivity, enabling 5 frames-per-second image acquisition speed. As such, the THz computed tomography system generates diffraction-limited resolution cross-section images as well as the three-dimensional models of various opaque and partially transparent objects. As an example, an over-the-counter vitamin supplement pill is imaged and its material composition is reconstructed. The new THz camera enables, for the first time, a practical application of THz computed tomography for non-destructive evaluation and biomedical imaging.

Borehole Volumetric Strainmeter Calibration From a Nearby Seismic Broadband Array at Etna Volcano

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Currenti, G.; Zuccarello, L.; Bonaccorso, A.; Sicali, A.

2017-10-01

Strainmeter and broadband seismic signals have been analyzed jointly with the aim of calibrating a borehole strainmeter at Etna volcano by using a seismo-geodetic technique. Our results reveal a good coherence between the dynamic strains estimated from seismometer data and strains recorded by a dilatometer in a low-frequency range [0.03-0.06 Hz] at the arrival of teleseismic waves. This significant coherence enabled estimating the calibration coefficient and making a comparison with calibration results derived from other methods. In particular, we verified that the proposed approach provides a calibration coefficient that matches the results obtained from the comparison of the recorded strain both with theoretical strain tides and with normal-mode synthetic straingrams. The approach presented here has the advantage of exploiting recorded seismic data, avoiding the use of computed strain from theoretical models.

All-dielectric resonant cavity-enabled metals with broadband optical transparency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhengqi; Zhang, Houjiao; Liu, Xiaoshan; Pan, Pingping; Liu, Yi; Tang, Li; Liu, Guiqiang

2017-06-01

Metal films with broadband optical transparency are desirable in many optoelectronic devices, such as displays, smart windows, light-emitting diodes and infrared detectors. As bare metal is opaque to light, this issue of transparency attracts great scientific interest. In this work, we proposed and demonstrated a feasible and universal approach for achieving broadband optical transparent (BOT) metals by utilizing all-dielectric resonant cavities. Resonant dielectrics provide optical cavity modes and couple strongly with the surface plasmons of the metal film, and therefore produce a broadband near-unity optical transparent window. The relative enhancement factor (EF) of light transmission exceeds 3400% in comparison with that of pure metal film. Moreover, the transparent metal motif can be realized by other common metals including gold (Au), silver (Ag) and copper (Cu). These optical features together with the fully retained electric and mechanical properties of a natural metal suggest that it will have wide applications in optoelectronic devices.

Experimental Comparison of Piezoelectric and Magnetostrictive Shunt Dampers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asnani, Vivake M.; Deng, Zhangxian; Dapino, Marcelo J.; Scheidler, Justin J.

2016-01-01

A novel mechanism called the vibration ring is being developed to enable energy conversion elements to be incorporated into the driveline of a helicopter or other rotating machines. Unwanted vibration is transduced into electrical energy, which provides a damping effect on the driveline. The generated electrical energy may also be used to power other devices (e.g., health monitoring sensors). PZT (piezoceramic) and PMN-30PT (single crystal) stacks, as well as a Tb_0.3 Dy_0.7 Fe_1.92 (Terfenol-D) rod with a bias magnet array and a pickup coil, were tested as alternative energy conversion elements to use within the vibration ring. They were tuned for broadband damping using shunt resistors, and dynamic compression testing was conducted in a high-speed load frame. Energy conversion was experimentally optimized at 750Hz by tuning the applied bias stress and resistance values. Dynamic testing was conducted up to 1000Hz to determine the effective compressive modulus, shunt loss factor, internal loss factor, and total loss factor. Some of the trends of modulus and internal loss factor versus frequency were unexplained. The single crystal device exhibited the greatest shunt loss factor whereas the Terfenol-D device had the highest internal and total loss factors. Simulations revealed that internal losses in the Terfenol-D device were elevated by eddy current effects, and an improved magnetic circuit could enhance its shunt damping capabilities. Alternatively, the Terfenol-D device may be simplified to utilize only the eddy current dissipation mechanism (no pickup coil or shunt) to create broadband damping.

Measuring noise equivalent irradiance of a digital short-wave infrared imaging system using a broadband source to simulate the night spectrum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Green, John R.; Robinson, Timothy

2015-05-01

There is a growing interest in developing helmet-mounted digital imaging systems (HMDIS) for integration into military aircraft cockpits. This interest stems from the multiple advantages of digital vs. analog imaging such as image fusion from multiple sensors, data processing to enhance the image contrast, superposition of non-imaging data over the image, and sending images to remote location for analysis. There are several properties an HMDIS must have in order to aid the pilot during night operations. In addition to the resolution, image refresh rate, dynamic range, and sensor uniformity over the entire Focal Plane Array (FPA); the imaging system must have the sensitivity to detect the limited night light available filtered through cockpit transparencies. Digital sensor sensitivity is generally measured monochromatically using a laser with a wavelength near the peak detector quantum efficiency, and is generally reported as either the Noise Equivalent Power (NEP) or Noise Equivalent Irradiance (NEI). This paper proposes a test system that measures NEI of Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) digital imaging systems using a broadband source that simulates the night spectrum. This method has a few advantages over a monochromatic method. Namely, the test conditions provide spectrum closer to what is experienced by the end-user, and the resulting NEI may be compared directly to modeled night glow irradiance calculation. This comparison may be used to assess the Technology Readiness Level of the imaging system for the application. The test system is being developed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Experimental Comparison of Piezoelectric and Magnetostrictive Shunt Dampers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asnani, Vivake M.; Deng, Zhangxian; Scheidler, Justin J.; Dapino, Marcelo J.

2016-01-01

A novel mechanism called the vibration ring is being developed to enable energy conversion elements to be incorporated into the driveline of a helicopter or other rotating machines. Unwanted vibration is transduced into electrical energy, which provides a damping effect on the driveline. The generated electrical energy may also be used to power other devices (e.g., health monitoring sensors). PZT (piezoceramic) and PMN-30%PT (single crystal) stacks, as well as a Tb_0.3 Dy_0.7 Fe_1.92 (Terfenol-D) rod with a bias magnet array and a pickup coil, were tested as alternative energy conversion elements to use within the vibration ring. They were tuned for broadband damping using shunt resistors, and dynamic compression testing was conducted in a high-speed load frame. Energy conversion was experimentally optimized at 750Hz by tuning the applied bias stress and resistance values. Dynamic testing was conducted up to 1000Hz to determine the effective compressive modulus, shunt loss factor, internal loss factor, and total loss factor. Some of the trends of modulus and internal loss factor versus frequency were unexplained. The single crystal device exhibited the greatest shunt loss factor whereas the Terfenol-D device had the highest internal and total loss factors. Simulations revealed that internal losses in the Terfenol-D device were elevated by eddy current effects, and an improved magnetic circuit could enhance its shunt damping capabilities. Alternatively, the Terfenol-D device may be simplified to utilize only the eddy current dissipation mechanism (no pickup coil or shunt) to create broadband damping.

Experimental comparison of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive shunt dampers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asnani, Vivake M.; Deng, Zhangxian; Scheidler, Justin J.; Dapino, Marcelo J.

2016-04-01

A novel mechanism called the vibration ring is being developed to enable energy conversion elements to be incorporated into the driveline of a helicopter or other rotating machines. Unwanted vibration is transduced into electrical energy, which provides a damping effect on the driveline. The generated electrical energy may also be used to power other devices (e.g., health monitoring sensors). PZT (`piezoceramic') and PMN-30%PT (`single crystal') stacks, as well as a Tb0.3Dy0.7Fe1.92 (`Terfenol-D') rod with a bias magnet array and a pickup coil, were tested as alternative energy conversion elements to use within the vibration ring. They were tuned for broadband damping using shunt resistors, and dynamic compression testing was conducted in a high-speed load frame. Energy conversion was experimentally optimized at 750Hz by tuning the applied bias stress and resistance values. Dynamic testing was conducted up to 1000Hz to determine the effective compressive modulus, shunt loss factor, internal loss factor, and total loss factor. Some of the trends of modulus and internal loss factor versus frequency were unexplained. The single crystal device exhibited the greatest shunt loss factor whereas the Terfenol-D device had the highest internal and total loss factors. Simulations revealed that internal losses in the Terfenol-D device were elevated by eddy current effects, and an improved magnetic circuit could enhance its shunt damping capabilities. Alternatively, the Terfenol-D device may be simplified to utilize only the eddy current dissipation mechanism (no pickup coil or shunt) to create broadband damping.

Nars: Over 30 Years of Seismology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paulssen, H.

2014-12-01

It is fair to say that modern seismology steadily evolved from a handful key initiatives and innovations dating back to the early 1980s. (1) The transition from non-mobile, narrow band sensors with analogue recording (pre-1980s) to portable, broadband sensors with digital recorders paved the way to flexible deployments, enabling various array and regional studies with the same instrumentation. Here I mention just two initiatives: NARS, which was the first digital, mobile network of broadband stations deployed in western Europe (1983-1987), and USarray (2003- ), which is the biggest program of recent times. Presently, innovative data acquisition systems for the oceans are underway and they will allow future imaging of the "inaccessible" parts of the Earth. (2) In the 1980s seismological data centers were set up to facilitate data archiving and distribution. Since then, open data exchange (not a matter of course) and easy data retrieval have become standard. The impact of this has been phenomenal: most observational studies efficiently retrieve data from these main seismological data centers and the archived seismograms are used for various types of studies, carried out by different persons and groups. (3) Seismic tomography changed the face of seismological research. From travel time to waveform tomography, from ray theory to finite frequency tomography: new and improved tomographic techniques greatly enhanced our images (and understanding) of the Earth's interior. (4) Many of these developments would not have been possible without young, motivated, seismologists that were educated and stimulated by insightful supervisors. One person has had a major impact on all these fields. NARS in the title stands for Nolet greatly Advanced Research in Seismology.

Time functions of deep earthquakes from broadband and short-period stacks

USGS Publications Warehouse

Houston, H.; Benz, H.M.; Vidale, J.E.

1998-01-01

To constrain dynamic source properties of deep earthquakes, we have systematically constructed broadband time functions of deep earthquakes by stacking and scaling teleseismic P waves from U.S. National Seismic Network, TERRAscope, and Berkeley Digital Seismic Network broadband stations. We examined 42 earthquakes with depths from 100 to 660 km that occurred between July 1, 1992 and July 31, 1995. To directly compare time functions, or to group them by size, depth, or region, it is essential to scale them to remove the effect of moment, which varies by more than 3 orders of magnitude for these events. For each event we also computed short-period stacks of P waves recorded by west coast regional arrays. The comparison of broadband with short-period stacks yields a considerable advantage, enabling more reliable measurement of event duration. A more accurate estimate of the duration better constrains the scaling procedure to remove the effect of moment, producing scaled time functions with both correct timing and amplitude. We find only subtle differences in the broadband time-function shape with moment, indicating successful scaling and minimal effects of attenuation at the periods considered here. The average shape of the envelopes of the short-period stacks is very similar to the average broadband time function. The main variations seen with depth are (1) a mild decrease in duration with increasing depth, (2) greater asymmetry in the time functions of intermediate events compared to deep ones, and (3) unexpected complexity and late moment release for events between 350 and 550 km, with seven of the eight events in that depth interval displaying markedly more complicated time functions with more moment release late in the rupture than most events above or below. The first two results are broadly consistent with our previous studies, while the third is reported here for the first time. The greater complexity between 350 and 550 km suggests greater heterogeneity in the failure process in that depth range. Copyright 1998 by the American Geophysical Union.

The NEPTUNE Canada Seismograph Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogers, G. C.; Meldrum, R.; Baldwin, R.; Rosenberger, A.; Mulder, T.

2009-12-01

NEPTUNE Canada is the world’s first large regional cable-linked, multi-disciplinary scientific seafloor observatory. In the fall of 2007 an 800 kilometer ring of powered fibre optic cable was laid on the seafloor over the northern part of the Juan de Fuca plate and connected to a shore facility near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. Five nodes were attached to the cable in the early in the summer of 2009 paving the way for junction boxes and scientific instruments installed in the late summer and fall. The NEPTUNE Canada Seismograph Network will consist initially of four broadband and four short period seismic systems. In the summer of 2009, three broadband OBS packages were deployed forming a large triangle with apexes at ODP 1027 in mid plate and two sites on the continental slope, ODP 889 and Barkley Canyon. In summer 2010 an additional broadband package will be installed on the Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, and four short period instruments will be installed nearby forming a small array, 6 km in maximum dimension, to record earthquake activity in the vicinity of the many multidisciplinary ridge experiments. The broadband systems comprise a broadband seismometer and strong motion accelerometer in a surficially buried spherical titanium case, with a current meter, hydrophone and differential pressure gauge deployed nearby. The short period systems will include 3-component corehole seismometers on long term loan from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). All systems will have backup capacity for modest cable outages. The NEPTUNE Canada Seismograph Network relies heavily on knowledge gained from the previous seismographs temporarily deployed in the region by MBARI and the University of Washington and will re-occupy the broadband site and three short period sites at the ridge. NEPTUNE Canada seismic data will be archived by, and available from, both the Geological Survey of Canada and IRIS.

Hyper-spectral imaging in scanning-confocal-fluorescence microscopy using a novel broadband diffractive optic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Peng; Ebeling, Carl G.; Gerton, Jordan; Menon, Rajesh

In this paper, we demonstrate hyper-spectral imaging of fluorescent microspheres in a scanning-confocal-fluorescence microscope by spatially dispersing the spectra using a novel broadband diffractive optic, and applying a nonlinear optimization technique to extract the full-incident spectra. This broadband diffractive optic has a designed optical efficiency of over 90% across the entire visible spectrum. We used this technique to create two-color images of two fluorophores and also extracted their emission spectra with good fidelity. This method can be extended to image both spatially and spectrally overlapping fluorescent samples. Full control in the number of emission spectra and the feasibility of enhanced imaging speed are demonstrated as well.

Efficiency improvement of silicon solar cells enabled by ZnO nanowhisker array coating

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

An efficient antireflection coating is critical for the improvement of silicon solar cell performance via increased light coupling. Here, we have grown well-aligned ZnO nanowhisker (NW) arrays on Czochralski silicon solar cells by a seeding-growth two-step process. It is found that the ZnO NWs have a great effect on the macroscopic antireflection effect and, therefore, improves the solar cell performance. The ZnO NW array-coated solar cells display a broadband reflection suppression from 500 to 1,100 nm, and the minimum reflectance smaller than 3% can easily be achieved. By optimizing the time of ZnO NW growth, it has been confirmed that an increase of 3% relatively in the solar cell efficiency can be obtained. These results are quite interesting for the application of ZnO nanostructure in the fabrication of high-efficiency silicon solar cells. PMID:22704578

Observations and interpretation of fundamental mode Rayleigh wavefields recorded by the Transportable Array (USArray)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pollitz, F.F.

2008-01-01

Broadband recordings of the dense Transportable Array (TA) in the western United States provide unparalleled detailed images of long-period seismic surface wavefields. With 400 stations spanning most of the western United States, wavefronts of fundamental mode Rayleigh waves may be visualized coherently across the array at periods ???40 s. In order to constrain the Rayleigh wave phase velocity structure in the western United States, I assemble a data set of vertical component seismograms from 53 teleseismic events recorded by the TA from April 2006 to October 2007. Complex amplitude spectra from these recordings at peni ods 27-100 s are interpreted using the multiplane wave tomographic method of Friederich and Wielandt (1995) and Pollitz (1999). This analysis yields detailed surface wave phase velocity and three-dimensional shear wave velocity patterns across the North American plate boundary zone, elucidating the active processes in the highly heterogeneous western U.S. upper mantle.

Optical invisibility through metasurfaces made of plasmonic nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monti, A.; Alù, A.; Toscano, A.; Bilotti, F.

2015-03-01

In this paper, we investigate the application of the mantle cloaking technique to near-infrared and visible frequencies, analyzing and designing thin covers consisting of 2D arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles. First, we validate and generalize an analytical model recently appeared in the literature to describe a 2D array of plasmonic nanoparticles as a metasurface characterized by its homogenized surface reactance. We prove that the proposed model allows to efficiently design 2D mantle cloaks with an assigned surface reactance, enabling, thus, the extension of the mantle cloaking technique to optical frequencies. Then, we design realistic optical mantle cloaks made of 2D arrays of spheroidal plasmonic nanoparticles with a high eccentricity. We show that the proposed cloaks allow significant, moderately broadband cloaking effects at visible frequencies. In our designs, we consider realistic losses and non-critical nanoparticle dimensions to envision a practical realization of the proposed cloaks.

Exhaled breath profiling using broadband quantum cascade laser-based spectroscopy in healthy children and children with asthma and cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

van Mastrigt, E; Reyes-Reyes, A; Brand, K; Bhattacharya, N; Urbach, H P; Stubbs, A P; de Jongste, J C; Pijnenburg, M W

2016-04-08

Exhaled breath analysis is a potential non-invasive tool for diagnosing and monitoring airway diseases. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and electrochemical sensor arrays are the main techniques to detect volatile organic compounds (VOC) in exhaled breath. We developed a broadband quantum cascade laser spectroscopy technique for VOC detection and identification. The objective of this study was to assess the repeatability of exhaled breath profiling with broadband quantum cascade laser-based spectroscopy and to explore the clinical applicability by comparing exhaled breath samples from healthy children with those from children with asthma or cystic fibrosis (CF). Healthy children and children with stable asthma or stable CF, aged 6-18 years, were included. Two to four exhaled breath samples were collected in Tedlar bags and analyzed by quantum cascade laser spectroscopy to detect VOCs with an absorption profile in the wavenumber region between 832 and 1262.55 cm(-1). We included 35 healthy children, 39 children with asthma and 15 with CF. Exhaled breath VOC profiles showed poor repeatability (Spearman's rho  =  0.36 to 0.46) and agreement of the complete profiles. However, we were able to discriminate healthy children from children with stable asthma or stable CF and identified VOCs that were responsible for this discrimination. Broadband quantum cascade laser-based spectroscopy detected differences in VOC profiles in exhaled breath samples between healthy children and children with asthma or CF. The combination of a relatively easy and fast method and the possibility of molecule identification makes broadband quantum cascade laser-based spectroscopy attractive to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of volatiles in exhaled breath.

Coexistence of enhanced mobile broadband communications and ultra-reliable low-latency communications in mobile front-haul

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ying, Kai; Kowalski, John M.; Nogami, Toshizo; Yin, Zhanping; Sheng, Jia

2018-01-01

5G systems are supposed to support coexistence of multiple services such as ultra reliable low latency communications (URLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) communications. The target of eMBB communications is to meet the high-throughput requirement while URLLC are used for some high priority services. Due to the sporadic nature and low latency requirement, URLLC transmission may pre-empt the resource of eMBB transmission. Our work is to analyze the URLLC impact on eMBB transmission in mobile front-haul. Then, some solutions are proposed to guarantee the reliability/latency requirements for URLLC services and minimize the impact to eMBB services at the same time.

Nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced raman scattering and methods related thereto

DOEpatents

Bond, Tiziana C.; Miles, Robin; Davidson, James C.; Liu, Gang Logan

2014-07-22

Methods for fabricating nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering, structures thus obtained, and methods to characterize the nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering. Nanoscale array structures may comprise nanotrees, nanorecesses and tapered nanopillars.

Nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced raman scattering and methods related thereto

DOEpatents

Bond, Tiziana C.; Miles, Robin; Davidson, James C.; Liu, Gang Logan

2015-07-14

Methods for fabricating nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering, structures thus obtained, and methods to characterize the nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering. Nanoscale array structures may comprise nanotrees, nanorecesses and tapered nanopillars.

Nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced raman scattering and methods related thereto

DOEpatents

Bond, Tiziana C; Miles, Robin; Davidson, James; Liu, Gang Logan

2015-11-03

Methods for fabricating nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering, structures thus obtained, and methods to characterize the nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering. Nanoscale array structures may comprise nanotrees, nanorecesses and tapered nanopillars.

Modeling Long-Distance ELF Radio Atmospherics Generated by Rocket-Triggered Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, R. C.; Kunduri, B.; Anand, S.; Dupree, N.; Mitchell, M.; Agrawal, D.

2010-12-01

This paper addresses the generation and propagation of radio atmospherics (sferics) radiated by lightning in order to assess the ability to infer the electrical properties of lightning from great distances. This ability may prove to greatly enhance the understanding of lightning processes that are associated with the production of transient luminous events (TLEs) as well as other ionospheric effects associated with lightning. The modeling of the sferic waveform is carried out using a modified version of the Long Wavelength Propagation Capability (LWPC) code developed by the Naval Ocean Systems Center over a period of many years. LWPC is an inherently narrowband propagation code that has been modified to predict the broadband response of the Earth-ionosphere waveguide to an impulsive lightning flash. Unlike other similar efforts, the modified code presented preserves the ability of LWPC to account for waveguide mode-coupling and to account for changes to the electrical properties of the ground and ionosphere along the propagation path. The effort described is conducted in advance of the deployment of a global extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field array, which is presently under construction. The global ELF array is centered on the International Center for Lightning Research and Testing (ICLRT) located at Camp Blanding, Florida. The ICLRT is well-known for conducting rocket-triggered lightning experiments over the last 15-20 years. This paper uses lightning current waveforms directly measured at the base of the lightning channel (observations performed at the ICLRT) as an input to the model to predict the sferic waveform to be observed by the array under various ionospheric conditions. An analysis of the predicted sferic waveforms is presented, and the components of the lightning current waveform that most effectively excite the Earth-ionosphere waveguide are identified.

Teleseismic Array Studies of Earth's Core-Mantle Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrakis, Catherine

2011-12-01

The core mantle boundary (CMB) is an inaccessible and complex region, knowledge of which is vital to our understanding of many Earth processes. Above it is the heterogeneous lower-mantle. Below the boundary is the outer-core, composed of liquid iron, and/or nickel and some lighter elements. Elucidation of how these two distinct layers interact may enable researchers to better understand the geodynamo, global tectonics, and overall Earth history. One parameter that can be used to study structure and limit potential chemical compositions is seismic-wave velocity. Current global-velocity models have significant uncertainties in the 200 km above and below the CMB. In this thesis, these regions are studied using three methods. The upper outer core is studied using two seismic array methods. First, a modified vespa, or slant-stack method is applied to seismic observations at broadband seismic arrays, and at large, dense groups of broadband seismic stations dubbed 'virtual' arrays. Observations of core-refracted teleseismic waves, such as SmKS, are used to extract relative arrivaltimes. As with previous studies, lower -mantle heterogeneities influence the extracted arrivaltimes, giving significant scatter. To remove raypath effects, a new method was developed, called Empirical Transfer Functions (ETFs). When applied to SmKS waves, this method effectively isolates arrivaltime perturbations caused by outer core velocities. By removing raypath effects, the signals can be stacked further reducing scatter. The results of this work were published as a new 1D outer-core model, called AE09. This model describes a well-mixed outer core. Two array methods are used to detect lower mantle heterogeneities, in particular Ultra-Low Velocity Zones (ULVZs). The ETF method and beam forming are used to isolate a weak P-wave that diffracts along the CMB. While neither the ETF method nor beam forming could adequately image the low-amplitude phase, beam forms of two events indicate precursors to the SKS and SKKS phase, which may be ULVZ indicators. Finally, cross-correlated observed and modelled beams indicate a tendency towards a ULVZ-like lower mantle in the study region.

Development and Validation of an Interactive Liner Design and Impedance Modeling Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howerton, Brian M.; Jones, Michael G.; Buckley, James L.

2012-01-01

The Interactive Liner Impedance Analysis and Design (ILIAD) tool is a LabVIEW-based software package used to design the composite surface impedance of a series of small-diameter quarter-wavelength resonators incorporating variable depth and sharp bends. Such structures are useful for packaging broadband acoustic liners into constrained spaces for turbofan engine noise control applications. ILIAD s graphical user interface allows the acoustic channel geometry to be drawn in the liner volume while the surface impedance and absorption coefficient calculations are updated in real-time. A one-dimensional transmission line model serves as the basis for the impedance calculation and can be applied to many liner configurations. Experimentally, tonal and broadband acoustic data were acquired in the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube over the frequency range of 500 to 3000 Hz at 120 and 140 dB SPL. Normalized impedance spectra were measured using the Two-Microphone Method for the various combinations of channel configurations. Comparisons between the computed and measured impedances show excellent agreement for broadband liners comprised of multiple, variable-depth channels. The software can be used to design arrays of resonators that can be packaged into complex geometries heretofore unsuitable for effective acoustic treatment.

Dendritic-metasurface-based flexible broadband microwave absorbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Mei; Weng, Bin; Zhao, Jing; Zhao, Xiaopeng

2017-06-01

Based on the dendritic metasurface model, a type of flexible and lightweight microwave absorber (MA) comprising resistance film array with dendritic slot (RFADS), dielectric material, and metal plate is proposed. A broadband absorptivity of >80% is obtained both from simulation and experiment at frequency ranges of 3.0-9.2 and 3.2-9.00 GHz, respectively. And the thickness of MA is 5 mm, which is only 0.05λ _{low}, or 0.15λ _ {high}, where the λ _{low} and the λ _{high} are the beginning and the end of the working frequency. By combining this metasurface-based MA with the dendritic-resistance-film-based microwave metasurface absorber (MMA), we designed a broadband MMA. The simulations and experiments showed that this kind of MMA can absorb the radiation effectively at a wide frequency range 4.5-17.5 GHz. And the thickness of this combined MMA is 4 mm. All the structures showed their insensitivity to the incident angle (0°-40°) and the polarization of the incident wave because of their structural symmetry. In addition, the small thickness, low apparent density, and flexibility made those structures possess the advantages of being applied in microwave stealth and radar cross-section (RCS) reduction.

HERA Broadband Feed Design for Low-Frequency Radio Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garza, Sierra; Trung, Vincent; Ewall-Wice, Aaron Michael; Li, Jianshu; Hewitt, Jacqueline; Riley, Daniel; Bradley, Richard F.; Makhija, Krishna

2018-01-01

As part of the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) project, we are designing a broadband low-frequency radio feed to extend the bandwidth from 100-200 MHz to 50-220 MHz. By extending the lower-limit to 50 MHz, we hope to detect the signatures of the first black holes heating the hydrogen gas in the intergalactic medium.The isolation of a very faint signal from vastly brighter foregrounds sets strict requirements on antenna spectral smoothness, polarization purity, forward gain, and internal reflections. We are currently working to meet these requirements with a broad-band sinuous antenna feed suspended over the 14-m parabolic HERA dish, using a combination of measurements and simulations to verify the performance of our design.A sinuous feed has been designed and simulated with Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software. We will present the construction of a prototype sinuous antenna and measurements of its reflection coefficient, S11, including laboratory characterization of baluns. Our measurements agree well with the CST simulations of the antenna’s performance, giving us confidence in our ability to model the feed and ensure that it meets the requirements of a 21cm cosmology measurement.

Broadband attenuation of Lamb waves through a periodic array of thin rectangular junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moiseyenko, Rayisa P.; Pennec, Yan; Marchal, Rémi; Bonello, Bernard; Djafari-Rouhani, Bahram

2014-10-01

We study theoretically subwavelength physical phenomena, such as resonant transmission and broadband sound shielding for Lamb waves propagating in an acoustic metamaterial made of a thin plate drilled with one or two row(s) of rectangular holes. The resonances and antiresonances of periodically arranged rectangular junctions separated by holes are investigated as a function of the geometrical parameters of the junctions. With one and two row(s) of holes, high frequency specific features in the transmission coefficient are explained in terms of a coupling of incident waves with both Fabry-Perot oscillations inside the junctions and induced surface acoustic waves between the homogeneous part of the plate and the row of holes. With two rows of holes, low frequency peaks and dips appear in the transmission spectrum. The choice of the distance between the two rows of holes allows the realization of a broadband low frequency acoustic shielding with attenuation over 99% for symmetric waves in a wide low frequency range and over 90% for antisymmetric ones. The origin of the transmission gap is discussed in terms of localized modes of the "H" element made by the junctions, connecting the two homogeneous parts of the plate.

A tree fell in the forest, and SPREE heard it: seismic recording of the 2011 St. Croix Valley Blowdown

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolin, E.; van der Lee, S.

2016-12-01

As part of the Superior Province Rifting Earthscope Experiment (SPREE), 82 broadband seismic stations from the EarthScope Flexible Array pool were deployed by the SPREE team from April 2011 through October 2013, to explore the deep structure of the Mid-Continent Rift System (Stein et al., 2011). The deployment included two crosslines with approximate station spacing of 10 km centered near the northern Minnesota-Wisconsin border. Analysis of long-period noise reveals strong seasonal and diurnal variations (Wolin et al., 2015). On 1 July 2011, a severe thunderstorm system swept over the St. Croix Valley, passing directly over the dense SPREE array. This storm system was accompanied by a series of downbursts that generated straight-line winds in excess of 100 km/hr, resulting in extensive damage to hundreds of thousands of acres of forest. Seven SPREE stations were located in the path of the storm, with two stations in the center of areas that were heavily damaged by downbursts. The stations remained in operation throughout this extreme weather event, capturing a unique record of ground noise generated by the storm system. We compare available radar reflectivity data with seismic noise power spectra throughout the event and show that storm cells generated significant broadband seismic signals as they passed over the region. Relative to typical background seismic noise levels, power between 0.05-10 Hz increased by 5-20 dB during the storm. Seismic noise levels can be compared to available wind speed data to provide a detailed record of wind speeds during the weather event. We also explore the long-period coherence of energy across the array, which is potentially useful to help constrain near-surface velocity structure at the array sites as well as to better characterize how atmospheric processes couple into the solid earth during severe weather events.

Time-reversal Techniques in Ultrasound-assisted Convection-enhanced Drug Delivery to the Brain: Technology Development and In Vivo Evaluation

PubMed Central

Lewis, George K.; Guarino, Sabrina; Gandhi, Gaurav; Filinger, Laurent; Lewis, George K.; Olbricht, Willam L.; Sarvazyan, Armen

2011-01-01

We describe a drug delivery method that combines Time-Reversal Acoustics (TRA) with Convection-Enhanced Delivery (CED) to improve the delivery of therapeutics to the interstitium of the brain. The Ultrasound-assisted CED approach (UCED) circumvents the blood-brain barrier by infusing compounds through a cannula that is inserted into the brain while simultaneously delivering ultrasound to improve the penetration of pharmaceuticals. CED without ultrasound-assistance has been used to treat a variety of neural disorders, including glioblastoma multiforme, a malignancy that presents a very poor prognosis for patients. We describe a novel system that is used to infuse fluids into the brain parenchyma while simultaneously exposing the tissue to safe levels of 1-MHz, low intensity, ultrasound energy. The system includes a combined infusion needle-hydrophone, a 10-channel ultralow-output impedance amplifier, a broad-band ultrasound resonator, and MatLab®-based TRA control and user-interface. TRA allows easy coupling of ultrasound therapy through the skull without complex phase-correction and array design. The smart targeting UCED system has been tested in vivo and results show it provides 1.5-mm spatial resolution for UCED and improves tracer distribution in the brain over CED alone. PMID:21881622

Broadband Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) Solution (Tech Insertion - C4 Enhancement for the U.S. Army in Transformation)

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

synchronization , timing and frequency to all of the traffic terminals through the reference burst. The MRT also periodically synchronizes all of the traffic...1 2005 Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium The Future of C2 Broadband Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) Solution...UK Army) Dale White Barry Kruse Shawn White LTC Edward Eidson Thomas Mims COL Charles Dunn III Charlie Pangle Battle Command Battle

Laser-induced micro-plasmas in air for incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruth, Albert; Dixneuf, Sophie; Orphal, Johannes

2016-04-01

Incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (IBBCEAS) is an experimentally straightforward absorption method where the intensity of light transmitted by an optically stable (high finesse) cavity is measured. The technique is realized using broadband incoherent sources of radiation and therefore the amount of light transmitted by a cavity consisting of high reflectance mirrors (typically R > 99.9%) can be low. In order to find an alternative to having an incoherent light source outside the cavity, an experiment was devised, where a laser-induced plasma in ambient air was generated inside a quasi-confocal cavity by a high-power femtosecond laser. The emission from the laser-induced plasma was utilized as pulsed broadband light source. The time-dependent spectra of the light leaking from the cavity were compared with those of the laser-induced plasma emission without the cavity. It was found that the light emission was sustained by the cavity despite the initially large optical losses caused by the laser-induced plasma in the cavity. The light sustained by the cavity was used to measure part of the S1 ← S0 absorption spectrum of gaseous azulene at its vapour pressure at room temperature in ambient air, as well as the strongly forbidden γ-band in molecular oxygen (b1Σ(2,0) ← X3Σ(0,0)).

Piezo-Phototronic Effect on Selective Electron or Hole Transport through Depletion Region of Vis-NIR Broadband Photodiode.

PubMed

Zou, Haiyang; Li, Xiaogan; Peng, Wenbo; Wu, Wenzhuo; Yu, Ruomeng; Wu, Changsheng; Ding, Wenbo; Hu, Fei; Liu, Ruiyuan; Zi, Yunlong; Wang, Zhong Lin

2017-08-01

Silicon underpins nearly all microelectronics today and will continue to do so for some decades to come. However, for silicon photonics, the indirect band gap of silicon and lack of adjustability severely limit its use in applications such as broadband photodiodes. Here, a high-performance p-Si/n-ZnO broadband photodiode working in a wide wavelength range from visible to near-infrared light with high sensitivity, fast response, and good stability is reported. The absorption of near-infrared wavelength light is significantly enhanced due to the nanostructured/textured top surface. The general performance of the broadband photodiodes can be further improved by the piezo-phototronic effect. The enhancement of responsivity can reach a maximum of 78% to 442 nm illumination, the linearity and saturation limit to 1060 nm light are also significantly increased by applying external strains. The photodiode is illuminated with different wavelength lights to selectively choose the photogenerated charge carriers (either electrons or holes) passing through the depletion region, to investigate the piezo-phototronic effect on electron or hole transport separately for the first time. This is essential for studying the basic principles in order to develop a full understanding about piezotronics and it also enables the development of the better performance of optoelectronics. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Plasmonic nanorod arrays of a two-segment dimer and a coaxial cable with 1 nm gap for large field confinement and enhancement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Zi-Qiang; Nan, Fan; Yang, Da-Jie; Zhong, Yu-Ting; Ma, Liang; Hao, Zhong-Hua; Zhou, Li; Wang, Qu-Quan

2015-01-01

Seeking plasmonic nanostructures with large field confinement and enhancement is significant for photonic and electronic nanodevices with high sensitivity, reproducibility, and tunability. Here, we report the synthesis of plasmonic arrays composed of two-segment dimer nanorods and coaxial cable nanorods with ~1 nm gap insulated by a self-assembled Raman molecule monolayer. The gap-induced plasmon coupling generates an intense field in the gap region of the dimer junction and the cable interlayer. As a result, the longitudinal plasmon resonance of nanorod arrays with high tunability is obviously enhanced. Most interestingly, the field enhancement of dimer nanorod arrays can be tuned by the length ratio L1/L2 of the two segments, and the maximal enhancement appears at L1/L2 = 1. In that case, the two-photon luminescence (TPL) of dimer nanorod arrays and the Raman intensity in the dimer junction is enhanced by 27 and 30 times, respectively, under resonant excitation. In the same way, the Raman intensity in the gap region is enhanced 16 times for the coaxial cable nanorod arrays. The plasmonic nanorod arrays synthesized by the facile method, having tunable plasmon properties and large field enhancement, indicate an attractive pathway to the photonic nanodevices.Seeking plasmonic nanostructures with large field confinement and enhancement is significant for photonic and electronic nanodevices with high sensitivity, reproducibility, and tunability. Here, we report the synthesis of plasmonic arrays composed of two-segment dimer nanorods and coaxial cable nanorods with ~1 nm gap insulated by a self-assembled Raman molecule monolayer. The gap-induced plasmon coupling generates an intense field in the gap region of the dimer junction and the cable interlayer. As a result, the longitudinal plasmon resonance of nanorod arrays with high tunability is obviously enhanced. Most interestingly, the field enhancement of dimer nanorod arrays can be tuned by the length ratio L1/L2 of the two segments, and the maximal enhancement appears at L1/L2 = 1. In that case, the two-photon luminescence (TPL) of dimer nanorod arrays and the Raman intensity in the dimer junction is enhanced by 27 and 30 times, respectively, under resonant excitation. In the same way, the Raman intensity in the gap region is enhanced 16 times for the coaxial cable nanorod arrays. The plasmonic nanorod arrays synthesized by the facile method, having tunable plasmon properties and large field enhancement, indicate an attractive pathway to the photonic nanodevices. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr05544f

Discriminating different type waves from pressure and ground motion observation in the seafloor by DONET cabled observation network.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araki, E.; Kawaguchi, K.; Kaneda, Y.

2011-12-01

We developed and deployed seafloor cabled observatory called "Dense Ocean-floor Network for Earthquake and Tsunamis (DONET)" in the Nankai Trough, south of Japan. The main purpose of the DONET network is to observe large earthquake such as Tonankai earthquake in the deployed seafloor and associate Tsunamis in real-time to help disaster mitigation, and as well to monitor inter-seismic crustal activities such as micro earthquakes, very low frequency earthquakes, and slower crustal deformation. In each DONET seafloor observatory, high-sensitive broadband set of instruments for seismic and seafloor pressure monitoring, consisted from Guralp CMG3T broadband seismometer, Metrozet TSA100S accelerometer, Paroscientific 8B7000-2 pressure gauge, a deep-sea differential pressure gauge, a hydrophone, and a seawater thermometer, are installed. The density of seafloor observatories are 20 observatories distributed in 15-30 km interval which is optimized for monitoring of events in the plate boundary beneath the network. DONET may be regarded as a large-scale, high sensitive high density seismic array for monitoring teleseismic events in the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The DONET seafloor observatories are situated in wide range of seafloor depth between 1800m and 4500m, from the seafloor basin about 50 km off Japanese Island through the slope of accerecionary prism to the deep trench axis 150 km off the coast, that may also regarded as a vertical array in the 4.5km thick ocean. This variation of depths helps identify T-phases from the array record. In data analysis, it is necessary to identify propagation mode of each observed wave which may often be mixed together. In our design of DONET observation system, we took care to help identification of seismic phase by obtaining both ground motion and seafloor pressure in the same location. This is simply achieved by combining seafloor pressure gauges and seismometer in a single observatory package, but care was taken to observe both in the similar level of sensitivity and dynamic range in wide frequencies from near DC to over 100 Hz. In the case of DONET, the broadband seismometer and the differential pressure gauge have similar level of sensitivity in 0.005 - 10 Hz, and similarly the accelerometer and the hydrophone cover between 1-100Hz, in total covering most frequencies of our interest, 0.005 Hz to 100 Hz. With both ground motion and seafloor pressure measurement, we may distinguish types of waves relatively easily, and it is also possible to filter particular types of waves from the array dataset to help our data analysis. For example, it has been commonly practiced to distinguish up-going and down-going seismic phases from pressure and ground motion, but this is relatively difficult only with sparse seismometer array. This technique may also be applied to correct teleseismic record with sea surface reflection in receiver function analysis for exploring deep crustal structure.

High Sensitivity Long-Wavelength Infrared QWIP Focal Plane Array Based Instrument for Remote Sensing of Icy Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gunapala, S.; Bandara, S.; Ivanov, A.

2003-01-01

GaAs based Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP) technology has shown remarkable success in advancing low cost, highly uniform, high-operability, large format multi-color focal plane arrays. QWIPs afford greater flexibility than the usual extrinsically doped semiconductor IR detectors. The wavelength of the peak response and cutoff can be continuously tailored over a range wide enough to enable light detection at any wavelength range between 6 and 20 micron. The spectral band-width of these detectors can be tuned from narrow (Deltalambda/lambda is approximately 10%) to wide (Deltalambda/lambda is approximately 40%) allowing various applications. Furthermore, QWIPs offer low cost per pixel and highly uniform large format focal plane arrays due to mature GaAs/AlGaAs growth and processing technologies. The other advantages of GaAs/AlGaAs based QWIPS are higher yield, lower l/f noise and radiation hardness (1.5 Mrad). In this presentation, we will discuss our recent demonstrations of 640x512 pixel narrow-band, broad-band, multi-band focal plane arrays, and the current status of the development of 1024x1024 pixel long-wavelength infrared QWIP focal plane arrays.

Superconducting Nb DHEB Mixer Arrays for Far-Infrared Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerecht, E.; Reintsema, C. D.; Grossman, E. N.; Betz, A. L.; Boreiko, R. T.

2001-01-01

We are developing a heterodyne focal plane array with up to eight elements to study lines of the interstellar medium and planetary atmospheres with frequencies of 2 THz and above. Our fabrication process utilizes selective ion milling techniques to produce Nb Diffusion-Cooled Hot Electron Bolometric (DHEB) mixers from a bilayer thin film of Au/Nb deposited on a silicon substrate. A micro-bridge of 10 nm thick Nb forms the HEB device. The first generation of devices with lateral dimensions of 100 nm by 80 nm were fabricated at the feed of a broadband spiral antenna with a frequency response designed for up to 16 THz. Harmonic multiplier sources becoming available within the next few years should have sufficient power to provide a local-oscillator source for small-format, quasi-optically coupled arrays of these mixers. First generation devices measured at our laboratory have demonstrated a critical temperature (Tc) of 4.8 K with a 0.5 K transition width. These DHEB mixers are expected to have an optimum operational temperature of 1.8-2.0 K. The current four element array mixer block will ultimately be replaced by a dual polarization slot-ring array configuration with up to eight elements.

Broadband implementation of coprime linear microphone arrays for direction of arrival estimation.

PubMed

Bush, Dane; Xiang, Ning

2015-07-01

Coprime arrays represent a form of sparse sensing which can achieve narrow beams using relatively few elements, exceeding the spatial Nyquist sampling limit. The purpose of this paper is to expand on and experimentally validate coprime array theory in an acoustic implementation. Two nested sparse uniform linear subarrays with coprime number of elements ( M and N) each produce grating lobes that overlap with one another completely in just one direction. When the subarray outputs are combined it is possible to retain the shared beam while mostly canceling the other superfluous grating lobes. In this way a small number of microphones ( N+M-1) creates a narrow beam at higher frequencies, comparable to a densely populated uniform linear array of MN microphones. In this work beampatterns are simulated for a range of single frequencies, as well as bands of frequencies. Narrowband experimental beampatterns are shown to correspond with simulated results even at frequencies other than the arrays design frequency. Narrowband side lobe locations are shown to correspond to the theoretical values. Side lobes in the directional pattern are mitigated by increasing bandwidth of analyzed signals. Direction of arrival estimation is also implemented for two simultaneous noise sources in a free field condition.

Revealing the Faraday depth structure of radio galaxy NGC 612 with broad-band radio polarimetric observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaczmarek, J. F.; Purcell, C. R.; Gaensler, B. M.; Sun, X.; O'Sullivan, S. P.; McClure-Griffiths, N. M.

2018-05-01

We present full-polarization, broad-band observations of the radio galaxy NGC 612 (PKS B0131-637) from 1.3 to 3.1 GHz using the Australia Telescope Compact Array. The relatively large angular scale of the radio galaxy makes it a good candidate with which to investigate the polarization mechanisms responsible for the observed Faraday depth structure. By fitting complex polarization models to the polarized spectrum of each pixel, we find that a single polarization component can adequately describe the observed signal for the majority of the radio galaxy. While we cannot definitively rule out internal Faraday rotation, we argue that the bulk of the Faraday rotation is taking place in a thin skin that girts the polarized emission. Using minimum energy estimates, we find an implied total magnetic field strength of 4.2 μG.

Microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector

DOEpatents

Haddad, Waleed S.; Trebes, James E.

2002-01-01

The microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector includes a low power pulsed microwave transmitter with a broad-band antenna for producing a directional beam of microwaves, an index of refraction matching cap placed over the patients head, and an array of broad-band microwave receivers with collection antennae. The system of microwave transmitter and receivers are scanned around, and can also be positioned up and down the axis of the patients head. The microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector is a completely non-invasive device designed to detect and localize blood pooling and clots or to measure blood flow within the head or body. The device is based on low power pulsed microwave technology combined with specialized antennas and tomographic methods. The system can be used for rapid, non-invasive detection of blood pooling such as occurs with hemorrhagic stroke in human or animal patients as well as for the detection of hemorrhage within a patient's body.

Microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector

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

Haddad, Waleed S; Trebes, James E

The microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector includes a low power pulsed microwave transmitter with a broad-band antenna for producing a directional beam of microwaves, an index of refraction matching cap placed over the patients head, and an array of broad-band microwave receivers with collection antennae. The system of microwave transmitter and receivers are scanned around, and can also be positioned up and down the axis of the patients head. The microwave hemorrhagic stroke detector is a completely non-invasive device designed to detect and localize blood pooling and clots or to measure blood flow within the head or body. The device ismore » based on low power pulsed microwave technology combined with specialized antennas and tomographic methods. The system can be used for rapid, non-invasive detection of blood pooling such as occurs with hemorrhagic stoke in human or animal patients as well as for the detection of hemorrhage within a patient's body.« less

Joint IRIS/PASSCAL UNAVCO Seismic and GPS Installations, Testing, and Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fowler, J.; Alvarez, M.; Beaudoin, B.; Jackson, M.; Feaux, K.; Ruud, O.; Andreatta, V.; Meertens, C.; Ingate, S.

2002-12-01

Future large-scale deformation initiatives such as EarthScope (http://www.earthscope.org/) will provide an opportunity for collocation and integration of GPS receivers and broadband and short period seismic instruments. Example integration targets include PBO backbone and cluster sites with USArray Transportable (Bigfoot) and Permanent Array. A GPS seismic integration and testing facility at the IRIS/PASSCAL Instrument Center in Socorro, NM is currently performing side-by-side testing of different seismometers, GPS receivers, communications hardware, power systems and data streaming software. One configuration tested uses an integrated VSAT data communications system and a broadband seismometer collocated with a geodetic quality GPS system. Data are routed through a VSAT hub and distributed to the UNAVCO Data Archive in Boulder and the IRIS Data Management Center in Seattle. Preliminary results indicate data availability approaching 100% with a maximum latency of 5 sec.

Widely tunable long-period waveguide grating couplers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Y.; Liu, Q.; Lor, K. P.; Chiang, K. S.

2006-12-01

We demonstrate experimentally two widely tunable optical couplers formed with parallel long-period polymer waveguide gratings. One of the couplers consists of two parallel gratings and shows a peak coupling efficiency of ~34%. The resonance wavelength of the coupler can be tuned thermally with a sensitivity of 4.7 nm/°C. The experimental results agree well with the coupled-mode analysis. The other coupler consists of an array of ten widely separated gratings. A peak coupling efficiency of ~11% is obtained between the two best matched gratings in the array and the resonance wavelength can be tuned thermally with a sensitivity of -3.8 nm/°C. These couplers have the potential to be further developed into practical broadband add/drop multiplexers and signal dividers.

Experimental demonstration of conformal phased array antenna via transformation optics.

PubMed

Lei, Juan; Yang, Juxing; Chen, Xi; Zhang, Zhiya; Fu, Guang; Hao, Yang

2018-02-28

Transformation Optics has been proven a versatile technique for designing novel electromagnetic devices and it has much wider applicability in many subject areas related to general wave equations. Among them, quasi-conformal transformation optics (QCTO) can be applied to minimize anisotropy of transformed media and has opened up the possibility to the design of broadband antennas with arbitrary geometries. In this work, a wide-angle scanning conformal phased array based on all-dielectric QCTO lens is designed and experimentally demonstrated. Excited by the same current distribution as such in a conventional planar array, the conformal system in presence of QCTO lens can preserve the same radiation characteristics of a planar array with wide-angle beam-scanning and low side lobe level (SLL). Laplace's equation subject to Dirichlet-Neumann boundary conditions is adopted to construct the mapping between the virtual and physical spaces. The isotropic lens with graded refractive index is realized by all-dielectric holey structure after an effective parameter approximation. The measurements of the fabricated system agree well with the simulated results, which demonstrate its excellent wide-angle beam scanning performance. Such demonstration paves the way to a robust but efficient array synthesis, as well as multi-beam and beam forming realization of conformal arrays via transformation optics.

Enhanced light absorption of solar cells and photodetectors by diffraction

DOEpatents

Zaidi, Saleem H.; Gee, James M.

2005-02-22

Enhanced light absorption of solar cells and photodetectors by diffraction is described. Triangular, rectangular, and blazed subwavelength periodic structures are shown to improve performance of solar cells. Surface reflection can be tailored for either broadband, or narrow-band spectral absorption. Enhanced absorption is achieved by efficient optical coupling into obliquely propagating transmitted diffraction orders. Subwavelength one-dimensional structures are designed for polarization-dependent, wavelength-selective absorption in solar cells and photodetectors, while two-dimensional structures are designed for polarization-independent, wavelength-selective absorption therein. Suitable one and two-dimensional subwavelength periodic structures can also be designed for broadband spectral absorption in solar cells and photodetectors. If reactive ion etching (RIE) processes are used to form the grating, RIE-induced surface damage in subwavelength structures can be repaired by forming junctions using ion implantation methods. RIE-induced surface damage can also be removed by post RIE wet-chemical etching treatments.

Technology and Engineering Advances Supporting EarthScope's Alaska Transportable Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miner, J.; Enders, M.; Busby, R.

2015-12-01

EarthScope's Transportable Array (TA) in Alaska and Canada is an ongoing deployment of 261 high quality broadband seismographs. The Alaska TA is the continuation of the rolling TA/USArray deployment of 400 broadband seismographs in the lower 48 contiguous states and builds on the success of the TA project there. The TA in Alaska and Canada is operated by the IRIS Consortium on behalf of the National Science Foundation as part of the EarthScope program. By Sept 2015, it is anticipated that the TA network in Alaska and Canada will be operating 105 stations. During the summer of 2015, TA field crews comprised of IRIS and HTSI station specialists, as well as representatives from our partner agencies the Alaska Earthquake Center and the Alaska Volcano Observatory and engineers from the UNAVCO Plate Boundary Observatory will have completed a total of 36 new station installations. Additionally, we will have completed upgrades at 9 existing Alaska Earthquake Center stations with borehole seismometers and the adoption of an additional 35 existing stations. Continued development of battery systems using LiFePO4 chemistries, integration of BGAN, Iridium, Cellular and VSAT technologies for real time data transfer, and modifications to electronic systems are a driving force for year two of the Alaska Transportable Array. Station deployment utilizes custom heliportable drills for sensor emplacement in remote regions. The autonomous station design evolution include hardening the sites for Arctic, sub-Arctic and Alpine conditions as well as the integration of rechargeable Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries with traditional AGM batteries We will present new design aspects, outcomes, and lessons learned from past and ongoing deployments, as well as efforts to integrate TA stations with other existing networks in Alaska including the Plate Boundary Observatory and the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

Blind source separation and localization using microphone arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Longji

The blind source separation and localization problem for audio signals is studied using microphone arrays. Pure delay mixtures of source signals typically encountered in outdoor environments are considered. Our proposed approach utilizes the subspace methods, including multiple signal classification (MUSIC) and estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (ESPRIT) algorithms, to estimate the directions of arrival (DOAs) of the sources from the collected mixtures. Since audio signals are generally considered broadband, the DOA estimates at frequencies with the large sum of squared amplitude values are combined to obtain the final DOA estimates. Using the estimated DOAs, the corresponding mixing and demixing matrices are computed, and the source signals are recovered using the inverse short time Fourier transform. Subspace methods take advantage of the spatial covariance matrix of the collected mixtures to achieve robustness to noise. While the subspace methods have been studied for localizing radio frequency signals, audio signals have their special properties. For instance, they are nonstationary, naturally broadband and analog. All of these make the separation and localization for the audio signals more challenging. Moreover, our algorithm is essentially equivalent to the beamforming technique, which suppresses the signals in unwanted directions and only recovers the signals in the estimated DOAs. Several crucial issues related to our algorithm and their solutions have been discussed, including source number estimation, spatial aliasing, artifact filtering, different ways of mixture generation, and source coordinate estimation using multiple arrays. Additionally, comprehensive simulations and experiments have been conducted to examine various aspects of the algorithm. Unlike the existing blind source separation and localization methods, which are generally time consuming, our algorithm needs signal mixtures of only a short duration and therefore supports real-time implementation.

Incorporation of nanovoids into metallic gratings for broadband plasmonic organic solar cells.

PubMed

Lee, Sangjun; In, Sungjun; Mason, Daniel R; Park, Namkyoo

2013-02-25

We present investigation and optimization of a newly proposed plasmonic organic solar cell geometry based on the incorporation of nanovoids into conventional rectangular backplane gratings. Hybridization of strongly localized plasmonic modes of the nanovoids with Fabry-Perot cavity modes originating from surface plasmon reflection at the grating elements is shown to significantly boost performance in the long wavelength regime. This constitutes improved broadband operation while maintaining absorption enhancements at short wavelengths derived from conventional rectangular grating. Our calculations predict a figure of merit enhancement of up to 41% compared to when the nanovoid indented grating is absent. This is a significant improvement over the previously considered rectangular grating structures, which is further shown to be maintained over the entire angular range.

Enhanced broadband near-infrared luminescence from transparent Yb3+/Ni2+ codoped silicate glass ceramics.

PubMed

Wu, Botao; Zhou, Shifeng; Ruan, Jian; Qiao, Yanbo; Chen, Danping; Zhu, Congshan; Qiu, Jianrong

2008-02-04

The near-infrared emission intensity of Ni(2+) in Yb(3+)/Ni(2+) codoped transparent MgO-Al(2)O(3)-Ga(2)O(3)-SiO(2)-TiO(2) glass ceramics could be enhanced up to 4.4 times via energy transfer from Yb(3+) to Ni(2+) in nanocrystals. The best Yb(2)O(3) concentration was about 1.00 mol%. For the Yb(3+)/Ni(2+) codoped glass ceramic with 1.00 mol% Yb(2)O(3), a broadband near-infrared emission centered at 1265 nm with full width at half maximum of about 300 nm and lifetime of about 220 mus was observed. The energy transfer mechanism was also discussed.

Time-resolved broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy for chemical kinetics.

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

Sheps, Leonid; Chandler, David W.

Experimental measurements of elementary reaction rate coefficients and product branching ratios are essential to our understanding of many fundamentally important processes in Combustion Chemistry. However, such measurements are often impossible because of a lack of adequate detection techniques. Some of the largest gaps in our knowledge concern some of the most important radical species, because their short lifetimes and low steady-state concentrations make them particularly difficult to detect. To address this challenge, we propose a novel general detection method for gas-phase chemical kinetics: time-resolved broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (TR-BB-CEAS). This all-optical, non-intrusive, multiplexed method enables sensitive direct probing of transientmore » reaction intermediates in a simple, inexpensive, and robust experimental package.« less

The AlpArray Seismic Network: current status and next steps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hetényi, György; Molinari, Irene; Clinton, John; Kissling, Edi

2016-04-01

The AlpArray initiative (http://www.alparray.ethz.ch) is a large-scale European collaboration to study the entire Alpine orogen at high resolution and in 3D with a large variety of geoscientific methods. The core element of the initiative is an extensive and dense broadband seismological network, the AlpArray Seismic Network (AASN), which complements the permanent seismological stations to ensure homogeneous coverage of the greater Alpine area. The some 260 temporary stations of the AlpArray Seismic Network are operated as a joint effort by a number of institutions from Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Switzerland. The first stations were installed in Spring 2015 and the full AASN is planned to be operational by early Summer 2016. In this poster we present the actual status of the deployment, the effort undertaken by the contributing groups, station performance, typical noise levels, best practices in installation as well as in data management, often encountered challenges, and planned next steps including the deployment of ocean bottom seismometers in the Ligurian Sea.

Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasound Transducer (PMUT) Arrays for Integrated Sensing, Actuation and Imaging

PubMed Central

Qiu, Yongqiang; Gigliotti, James V.; Wallace, Margeaux; Griggio, Flavio; Demore, Christine E. M.; Cochran, Sandy; Trolier-McKinstry, Susan

2015-01-01

Many applications of ultrasound for sensing, actuation and imaging require miniaturized and low power transducers and transducer arrays integrated with electronic systems. Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUTs), diaphragm-like thin film flexural transducers typically formed on silicon substrates, are a potential solution for integrated transducer arrays. This paper presents an overview of the current development status of PMUTs and a discussion of their suitability for miniaturized and integrated devices. The thin film piezoelectric materials required to functionalize these devices are discussed, followed by the microfabrication techniques used to create PMUT elements and the constraints the fabrication imposes on device design. Approaches for electrical interconnection and integration with on-chip electronics are discussed. Electrical and acoustic measurements from fabricated PMUT arrays with up to 320 diaphragm elements are presented. The PMUTs are shown to be broadband devices with an operating frequency which is tunable by tailoring the lateral dimensions of the flexural membrane or the thicknesses of the constituent layers. Finally, the outlook for future development of PMUT technology and the potential applications made feasible by integrated PMUT devices are discussed. PMID:25855038

Use of ultrasonic array method for positioning multiple partial discharge sources in transformer oil.

PubMed

Xie, Qing; Tao, Junhan; Wang, Yongqiang; Geng, Jianghai; Cheng, Shuyi; Lü, Fangcheng

2014-08-01

Fast and accurate positioning of partial discharge (PD) sources in transformer oil is very important for the safe, stable operation of power systems because it allows timely elimination of insulation faults. There is usually more than one PD source once an insulation fault occurs in the transformer oil. This study, which has both theoretical and practical significance, proposes a method of identifying multiple PD sources in the transformer oil. The method combines the two-sided correlation transformation algorithm in the broadband signal focusing and the modified Gerschgorin disk estimator. The method of classification of multiple signals is used to determine the directions of arrival of signals from multiple PD sources. The ultrasonic array positioning method is based on the multi-platform direction finding and the global optimization searching. Both the 4 × 4 square planar ultrasonic sensor array and the ultrasonic array detection platform are built to test the method of identifying and positioning multiple PD sources. The obtained results verify the validity and the engineering practicability of this method.

Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer (PMUT) arrays for integrated sensing, actuation and imaging.

PubMed

Qiu, Yongqiang; Gigliotti, James V; Wallace, Margeaux; Griggio, Flavio; Demore, Christine E M; Cochran, Sandy; Trolier-McKinstry, Susan

2015-04-03

Many applications of ultrasound for sensing, actuation and imaging require miniaturized and low power transducers and transducer arrays integrated with electronic systems. Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUTs), diaphragm-like thin film flexural transducers typically formed on silicon substrates, are a potential solution for integrated transducer arrays. This paper presents an overview of the current development status of PMUTs and a discussion of their suitability for miniaturized and integrated devices. The thin film piezoelectric materials required to functionalize these devices are discussed, followed by the microfabrication techniques used to create PMUT elements and the constraints the fabrication imposes on device design. Approaches for electrical interconnection and integration with on-chip electronics are discussed. Electrical and acoustic measurements from fabricated PMUT arrays with up to 320 diaphragm elements are presented. The PMUTs are shown to be broadband devices with an operating frequency which is tunable by tailoring the lateral dimensions of the flexural membrane or the thicknesses of the constituent layers. Finally, the outlook for future development of PMUT technology and the potential applications made feasible by integrated PMUT devices are discussed.

Tailoring perovskite compounds for broadband light absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Hengchang; Guo, Xiaowei; Yang, Cheng; Li, Shaorong

2018-01-01

Perovskite solar cells have experienced an outstanding advance in power conversion efficiency (PCE) by optimizing the perovskite layer morphology, composition, interfaces, and charge collection efficiency. To enhance PCE, the mixed perovskites were proposed in recent years. In this study, optoelectronic performance of pure perovskites and mixed ones were investigated. It was demonstrated that the mixed perovskites exhibit superior to the pure ones. The mixed material can absorb broadband light absorption and result in increased short circuit current density and power conversion efficiency.

Mastering the broadband challenge: next-generation SONET in a packet world

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farhi, Eyal

2001-10-01

The continuing liberalization of the world's telecommunications markets and the progressive convergence of voice, data, video and Internet communication are prompting telecommunication service providers to both expand and enhance their service capabilities. As bandwidth-hungry applications proliferate, and the demand for data and data services grows, the requirement for broadband communications appears to be insatiable. To provide the expected level of service in this environment of rapidly increasing demand, telcos and service providers must invest in an expanded network. However, to remain competitive and profitable, they must also continue to leverage their existing infrastructure investment. This paper will examine the current challenges network operators are facing today with the deployment of broadband technologies as they strive to maintain existing infrastructure investments while providing new services to their customers and developing added value network operations. This paper will explore various broadband technologies (optical/wireless) that operate on the primary SDH/SONET standards, their topologies and inherent benefits, which provide operators with solutions to the broadband challenge. New customer demands, such as high-speed Data transmissions (increased Internet use), coupled with operators' continuous need for network optimization, have thrown a wrench into daily operations. Therefore, the need to modernize existing networks has become paramount.

Defect modes in photonic crystal slabs studied using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy.

PubMed

Jian, Zhongping; Pearce, Jeremy; Mittleman, Daniel M

2004-09-01

We describe broadband coherent transmission studies of two-dimensional photonic crystals consisting of a hexagonal array of air holes in a dielectric slab in a planar waveguide. By filling several of the air holes in the photonic crystal slab, we observe the signature of a defect mode within the stop band, in both the amplitude and phase spectra. The experimental results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical calculations using the transfer matrix method.

Frequency-Difference Source Localization and Blind Deconvolution in Shallow Ocean Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

investigations were recorded as part of the KAM11 experiment and were provided for this research effort by Dr. Heechun Song of Scripps Institution of...kHz ≤ f ≤ 20 kHz, could not. Based on this simulation success, suitable broadband experimental measurements were sought, and Dr. Song of SIO...PROJECTS This project currently uses acoustic array recordings of sounds that propagated through the ocean. In FY14, Dr. Heechun Song of SIO

Effect of Broadband Nature of Marine Mammal Echolocation Clicks on Click-Based Population Density Estimates

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

sonar sound and therefore of high relevance to the US Navy, and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) clicks, whose high source level assures long...beaked whale, and Zimmer (2011) for the sperm whale. 5 For background noise we used measurements obtained with the Delphinus towed array at the US...Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), where both Blainville’s beaked whales and sperm whales are commonly present. Analysis of the

Performance of the EBIT calorimeter spectrometer

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

Porter, Frederick Scott; Gygax, John; Kelley, Richard L.

The EBIT calorimeter spectrometer (ECS) is a new high-resolution, broadband x-ray spectrometer that has recently been installed at the Electron Beam Ion Trap Facility (EBIT) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The ECS is an entirely new production class spectrometer that replaces the XRS/EBIT spectrometer that has been operating at EBIT since 2000. The ECS utilizes a 32-pixel x-ray calorimeter array from the XRS instrument on the Suzaku x-ray observatory. Eighteen of the pixels are optimized for the 0.1-10 keV band and yield 4.5 eV full width at half maximum energy resolution and 95% quantum efficiency at 6 keV. Inmore » addition, the ECS includes 14 detector pixels that are optimized for the high-energy band with a bandpass from 0.5 to over 100 keV with 34 eV resolution and 32% quantum efficiency at 60 keV. The ECS detector array is operated at 50 mK using a five stage cryogenic system that is entirely automated. The instrument takes data continuously for over 65 h with a 2.5 h recycle time. The ECS is a nondispersive, broadband, highly efficient spectrometer that is one of the prime instruments at the EBIT facility. The instrument is used for studies of absolute cross sections, charge exchange recombination, and x-ray emission from nonequilibrium plasmas, among other measurements in our laboratory astrophysics program.« less

The Broadband Anti-reflection Coated Extended Hemispherical Silicon Lenses for Polarbear-2 Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siritanasak, P.; Aleman, C.; Arnold, K.; Cukierman, A.; Hazumi, M.; Kazemzadeh, K.; Keating, B.; Matsumura, T.; Lee, A. T.; Lee, C.; Quealy, E.; Rosen, D.; Stebor, N.; Suzuki, A.

2016-08-01

Polarbear-2 (PB-2) is a next-generation receiver that is part of the Simons Array cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization experiment which is located in the Atacama desert in Northern Chile. The primary scientific goals of the Simons Array are a deep search for the CMB B-mode signature of gravitational waves from inflation and the characterization of large-scale structure using its effect on CMB polarization. The PB-2 receiver will deploy with 1897 dual-polarization sinuous antenna-coupled pixels, each with a directly contacting extended hemispherical silicon lens. Every pixel has dual polarization sensitivity in two spectral bands centered at 95 and 150 GHz, for a total of 7588 transition edge sensor bolometers operating at 270 mK. To achieve the PB-2 detector requirements, we developed a broadband anti-reflection (AR) coating for the extended hemispherical lenses that uses two molds to apply two layers of epoxy, Stycast 1090 and Stycast 2850FT. Our measurements of the absorption loss from the AR coating on a flat surface at cryogenic temperatures show less than 1 % absorption, and the coating has survived multiple thermal cycles. We can control the diameter of the coating within 25 {\\upmu }m and translation errors are within 25 {\\upmu }m in all directions, which results in less than 1 % decrease in transmittance. We also find the performance of the AR-coated lens matches very well with simulations.

Faraday rotation at low frequencies: magnetoionic material of the large FRII radio galaxy PKS J0636-2036

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Sullivan, S. P.; Lenc, E.; Anderson, C. S.; Gaensler, B. M.; Murphy, T.

2018-04-01

We present a low-frequency, broad-band polarization study of the FRII radio galaxy PKS J0636-2036 (z = 0.0551), using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) from 70 to 230 MHz. The northern and southern hotspots (separated by ˜14.5 arcmin on the sky) are resolved by the MWA (3.3 arcmin resolution) and both are detected in linear polarization across the full frequency range. A combination of Faraday rotation measure (RM) synthesis and broad-band polarization model fitting is used to constrain the Faraday depolarization properties of the source. For the integrated southern hotspot emission, two-RM-component models are strongly favoured over a single RM component, and the best-fitting model requires Faraday dispersions of approximately 0.7 and 1.2 rad m-2 (with a mean RM of ˜50 rad m-2). High-resolution imaging at 5 arcsec with the Australia Telescope Compact Array shows significant sub-structure in the southern hotspot and highlights some of the limitations in the polarization modelling of the MWA data. Based on the observed depolarization, combined with extrapolations of gas density scaling relations for group environments, we estimate magnetic field strengths in the intergalactic medium between ˜0.04 and 0.5 μG. We also comment on future prospects of detecting more polarized sources at low frequencies.

Progress on the NEPTUNE Canada Seismograph Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogers, G. C.; Meldrum, R. D.; Heesemann, M.; Mulder, T. L.; Brillon, C. D.; Cassidy, J. F.

2012-12-01

NEPTUNE Canada is the world's first deep-sea regional multi-disciplinary scientific cabled ocean observatory. In the fall of 2007 an 800 kilometer ring of powered fiber optic cable was laid on the seafloor over the northern part of the Juan de Fuca plate and connected to a shore facility near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. In September 2009, three broadband OBS packages were deployed in the form of a large triangle with apexes at mid plate near ODP 1027 (water depth of 2654m) and two sites on the continental slope, near ODP 889 (1256m) and Barkley Canyon (396m). The broadband systems comprise a broadband seismometer and strong motion accelerometer in a spherical titanium case surficially buried in a caisson backfilled with glass beads. Noise levels observed are as expected with the spectra being similar to, or quieter than, coastal seismograph stations in approximately the 10 to 20 second period range. The OBS's have higher noise levels at longer periods where ocean swells and the resultant infragravity waves dominate the noise spectra, and in the 1-10 Hz bandwidth typically used for locating local earthquakes. The shallowest site at Barkley Canyon has the highest noise levels. A small array, about 6 km in maximum dimension, is under construction on the Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge to record earthquake activity in the vicinity of the many NEPTUNE Canada multi-disciplinary ridge experiments. Two short period instruments were installed there in 2010. A broadband instrument and two additional short period instruments are planned to complete the initial ridge array. Even though the NEPTUNE Canada seismograph network is not yet complete, measured by the use of its data, it is a success already. The data are routinely used along with data from land seismographs of the Canadian National Seismograph Network for locating earthquakes in the region. However, the smallest seismic arrivals picked on the land stations cannot be routinely picked on the OBS instruments due to the higher noise levels. Real-time data are also ingested by NOAA tsunami warning centers and researchers have accessed archived data to do such diverse things as track baleen whales, carry out receiver function analyses, and study microseismic noise. NEPTUNE Canada seismic data is freely available from IRIS.

Reconstructing a plasmonic metasurface for a broadband high-efficiency optical vortex in the visible frequency.

PubMed

Lu, Bing-Rui; Deng, Jianan; Li, Qi; Zhang, Sichao; Zhou, Jing; Zhou, Lei; Chen, Yifang

2018-06-14

Metasurfaces consisting of a two-dimensional metallic nano-antenna array are capable of transferring a Gaussian beam into an optical vortex with a helical phase front and a phase singularity by manipulating the polarization/phase status of light. This miniaturizes a laboratory scaled optical system into a wafer scale component, opening up a new area for broad applications in optics. However, the low conversion efficiency to generate a vortex beam from circularly polarized light hinders further development. This paper reports our recent success in improving the efficiency over a broad waveband at the visible frequency compared with the existing work. The choice of material, the geometry and the spatial organization of meta-atoms, and the fabrication fidelity are theoretically investigated by the Jones matrix method. The theoretical conversion efficiency over 40% in the visible wavelength range is worked out by systematic calculation using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. The fabricated metasurface based on the parameters by theoretical optimization demonstrates a high quality vortex in optical frequencies with a significantly enhanced efficiency of over 20% in a broad waveband.

Improvement of coda phase detectability and reconstruction of global seismic data using frequency-wavenumber methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Simon; Thomas, Christine; Dokht, Ramin M. H.; Gu, Yu Jeffrey; Chen, Yunfeng

2018-02-01

Due to uneven earthquake source and receiver distributions, our abilities to isolate weak signals from interfering phases and reconstruct missing data are fundamental to improving the resolution of seismic imaging techniques. In this study, we introduce a modified frequency-wavenumber (fk) domain based approach using a `Projection Onto Convex Sets' (POCS) algorithm. POCS takes advantage of the sparsity of the dominating energies of phase arrivals in the fk domain, which enables an effective detection and reconstruction of the weak seismic signals. Moreover, our algorithm utilizes the 2-D Fourier transform to perform noise removal, interpolation and weak-phase extraction. To improve the directional resolution of the reconstructed data, we introduce a band-stop 2-D Fourier filter to remove the energy of unwanted, interfering phases in the fk domain, which significantly increases the robustness of the signal of interest. The effectiveness and benefits of this method are clearly demonstrated using both simulated and actual broadband recordings of PP precursors from an array located in Tanzania. When used properly, this method could significantly enhance the resolution of weak crust and mantle seismic phases.

Graphene Josephson Junction Single Photon Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Evan D.; Lee, Gil-Ho; Efetov, Dmitri K.; Heuck, Mikkel; Crossno, Jesse; Taniguchi, Takashi; Watanabe, Kenji; Ohki, Thomas A.; Kim, Philip; Englund, Dirk; Fong, Kin Chung

Single photon detectors (SPDs) have found use across a wide array of applications depending on the wavelength to which they are sensitive. Graphene, because of its linear, gapless dispersion near the Dirac point, has a flat, wide bandwidth absorption that can be enhanced to near 100 % through the use of resonant structures making it a promising candidate for broadband SPDs. Upon absorbing a photon in the optical to mid-infrared range, a small (~10 μm2) sheet of graphene at cryogenic temperatures can experience a significant increase in electronic temperature due to its extremely low heat capacity. At 1550 nm, for example, calculations show that the temperature could rise by as much as 500 %. This temperature increase could be detected with near perfect quantum efficiency by making the graphene the weak link in a Josephson junction (JJ). We present a theoretical model demonstrating that such a graphene JJ SPD could operate at the readily achievable temperature of 3 K with near zero dark count, sub-50 ps timing jitter, and sub-5 ns dead time and report on the progress toward experimentally realizing the device.

Diffraction-limited Mid-infrared Integral Field Spectroscopy of Io's Volcanic Activity with ALES on the Large Binocular Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skrutskie, Michael F.; de Kleer, Katherine R.; Stone, Jordan; Conrad, Al; Davies, Ashley; de Pater, Imke; Leisenring, Jarron; Hinz, Philip; Skemer, Andrew; Veillet, Christian; Woodward, Charles E.; Ertel, Steve; Spalding, Eckhart

2017-10-01

The Arizona Lenslet for Exoplanet Spectroscopy (ALES) is an enhancement to the Large Binocular Telescope's mid-infrared imager, LMIRcam, that permits low-resolution (R~20) spectroscopy between 2.8 and 4.2 μm of every diffraction-limited resolution element in a 2.5"x2.5" field-of-view on a 2048x2048 HAWAII-2RG 5.2 μm-cutoff array. The 1" disk of Io, dotted with powerful self-luminous volcanic eruptions, provides an ideal target for ALES, where the single 8.4-meter aperture diffraction-limited scale for Io at opposition ranges from 240 kilometers (80 milliarcseconds) at 2.8 μm to 360 kilometers (120 milliarcseconds) at 4.2 μm. ALES provides the capability to assess the color temperature of each volcanic thermal emission site as well as map broadband absorbers such as SO2 frost. A monitoring campaign in the Spring 2017 semester provided two global snapshots of Io's volcanic activity with ALES as well as characterization of a new brightening episode at Loki Patera over four epochs between January and May 2017.

Onboard connectivity network for command-and-control aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Artz, Timothy J.

1993-02-01

Command and control (C2) aircraft are host to an array of communications, information processing, and electronic control systems. The previous method of interconnecting this equipment involves point-to-point wiring harnesses between devices. A fiber optic broadband bus can be used to improve this situation by consolidating equipment connections on a shared medium. This network, known as the Onboard Connectivity Network (OCN), is being prototypes for application on the U.S. Government's Special Air Mission aircraft. Significant weight reduction and simplified future systems integration are the primary benefits of the OCN. The OCN design integrates voice, data, control, and video communications on a 3GHZ single mode fiber backbone. Communications within the aircraft use 500 MHz coaxial cable subnetworks connected to the backbone. The entire network is a dual redundant system for enhanced reliability. Node topologies are based on VMEbus to encourage use of commercial products and facilitate future evolution of the backbone topology. Network encryption technologies are being developed for OCN communications security. Automated workstations will be implemented to control and switch communications assets and to provide a technical control, test, and monitoring function.

The use of broadband microseisms for hydraulic fracture mapping

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

Sleefe, G.E.; Warpinski, N.R.; Engler, B.P.

When a hydrocarbon reservoir is subjected to a hydraulic fracture treatment, the cracking and slipping of the formation results in the emission of seismic energy. The objective of this study was to determine the advantages of using broadband (100 Hz to 1500 M) microseismic emissions to map a hydraulic fracture treatment. A hydraulic fracture experiment was performed in the Piceance Basin of Western Colorado to induce and record broadband microseismic events. The formation was subjected to four processes; break-down/ballout, step-rate test, KCL mini-fracture, and linear-gel mini-fracture. Broadband microseisms were successfully recorded by a novel three-component wall-locked seismic accelerometer package, placedmore » in an observation well 211 ft (64 m) offset from the treatment well. During the two hours of formation treatment, more than 1200 significant microseismic events were observed. The occurrences of the events strongly correlated with the injection bore-bole pressures during the treatments. Using both hodogram analysis and time of arrival information, estimates of the origination point of the seismic events were computed. A map of the event locations yielded a fracture orientation estimate consistent with the known orientation of the field in the formation. This paper describes the technique for acquiring and analyzing broadband microseismic events and illustrate how the new broadband approach can enhance signal detectability and event location resolution.« less

Structure of the Los Angeles Basin from Ambient Noise and Receiver Function Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clayton, R. W.; Ma, Y.; Cochran, E. S.

2015-12-01

We show the results from the LASSIE seismic experiment, which consists of a dense (1-km spacing) linear array of broadband stations deployed across the LA basin for approximately two months. Two common methods - ambient noise and receiver function (RF) - are applied to determine the velocity and structure of the basin. The basin RFs are complicated, however, the dense array enhances the lateral coherence of the signals and allows the structure to be imaged. The basement shape is clearly shown in the migrated image of the PpPs phase. The Ps conversion at the basement is the largest signal (including the direct wave) in the first 3 s. However, the Ps phase does not form as clear an image compared with the PpPs phase, possibly due to a requirement of more accurate velocity model. The surface wave signals from the ambient noise cross-correlations between LASSIE and surrounding SCSN stations are used for velocity inversion. A linear Dix-type inversion (Haney and Tsai, 2015, Geophysics) is applied to the extracted dispersion curves. The 1-10 s period Rayleigh wave and the 1-8 s period Love wave dispersion curves provide excellent constraints on top 5 km SV and top 3 km SH velocity structures respectively. Strong anisotropy (SV > SH) is observed for the top 1 km, and we plan to use this result to infer the fracture orientation and density of the shallow sedimentary rocks.

Tunable Dielectric Materials and Devices for Broadband Wireless Communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mueller, Carl H.; Miranda, Felix A.; Dayton, James A. (Technical Monitor)

1998-01-01

Wireless and satellite communications are a rapidly growing industries which are slated for explosive growth into emerging countries as well as countries with advanced economies. The dominant trend in wireless communication systems is towards broadband applications such as multimedia file transfer, video transmission and Internet access. These applications require much higher data transmission rates than those currently used for voice transmission applications. To achieve these higher data rates, substantially larger bandwidths and higher carrier frequencies are required. A key roadblock to implementing these systems at K-band (18-26.5 GHz) and Ka-band (26.5-40 GHz) is the need to develop hardware which meets the requirements for high data rate transmission in a cost effective manner. In this chapter, we report on the status of tunable dielectric thin films for devices, such as resonators, filters, phased array antennas, and tunable oscillators, which utilize nonlinear tuning in the control elements. Paraelectric materials such as Barium Strontium Titanate ((Ba, Sr)TiO3) have dielectric constants which can be tuned by varying the magnitude of the electric field across the material. Therefore, these materials can be used to control the frequency and/or phase response of various devices such as electronically steerable phased array antennas, oscillators, and filters. Currently, tunable dielectric devices are being developed for applications which require high tunability, low loss, and good RF power-handling capabilities at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. These properties are strongly impacted by film microstructure and device design, and considerable developmental work is still required. However, in the last several years enormous progress has occurred in this field, validating the potential of tunable dielectric technology for broadband wireless communication applications. In this chapter we summarize how film processing techniques, microwave test configurations, and prototype devices have combined to drive the field to its current stage of development.

Strong light absorption capability directed by structured profile of vertical Si nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaliyawala, Harsh A.; Ray, Abhijit; Pati, Ranjan K.; Mukhopadhyay, Indrajit

2017-11-01

Si nanowire arrays (SiNWAs) with random fractal geometry was fabricated using fast, mask-less, non-lithographic and facile approach by incorporating metal assisted electroless etching of n-type Si (111) substrates. The FESEM images demonstrate the formation of nano-porous surfaces that provide effective path for the incoming light to get trapped into the cavity of nanowires. The length of NWs increases from ∼1 to 10 μm with increase in the etching time having a diameter in the range of ∼25-82 nm. A transformation from zero to first order kinetics after a prolonged etching has been determined. The synthesized SiNWAs show high light trapping properties, including a maximum photon absorption across the entire visible and near IR range below the band gap of Si. The SiNWAs etched for 15 min exhibit extremely low specular and total reflectance of ∼0.2% and 4.5%, respectively over a broadband of wavelength. The reduction in the reflection loss is accompanied with the gradient of refractive index from air to Si substrate as well as due to the sub-wavelength structures, which manifests the light scattering effect. The COMSOL multiphysics simulation has been performed to study the high broadband light absorption capability in terms of the strong localized light field confinement by varying the length of the nanowire. Moreover, the SiNWs induces the dewetting ability at the solid/liquid interface and enhances the superhydrophobicity. Furthermore, a maximum length scale of 100-200 nm manifests a strong heterogeneity along the planar section of the surface of SiNWs. The study thus provides an insight on the light propagation into the random fractal geometries of Si nanowires. These outstanding properties should contribute to the structural optimization of various optoelectronic and photonic devices.

Background Oriented Schlieren Implementation in a Jet-Surface Interaction Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clem, Michelle M.; Brown, Clifford A.; Fagan, Amy

2013-01-01

Many current and future aircraft designs rely on the wing or other aircraft surfaces to shield the engine noise from observers on the ground. However the available data regarding how a planar surface interacts with a jet to shield and/or enhance the jet noise are currently limited. Therefore, the Jet-Surface Interaction Tests supported by NASA's Fundamental Aeronautics Program's Fixed Wing Project were undertaken to supply experimental data covering a wide range of surface geometries and positions interacting with high-speed jet flows in order to support the development of noise prediction methods. Phase 1 of the Test was conducted in the Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory at NASA Glenn Research Center and consisted of validating noise prediction schemes for a round nozzle interacting with a planar surface. Phased array data and far-field acoustic data were collected for both the shielded and reflected sides of the surface. Phase 1 results showed that the broadband shock noise was greatly reduced by the surface when the jet was operated at the over-expanded condition, however, it was unclear whether this reduction was due a change in the shock cell structure by the surface. In the present study, Background Oriented Schlieren is implemented in Phase 2 of the Jet-Surface Interaction Tests to investigate whether the planar surface interacts with the high-speed jet ow to change the shock cell structure. Background Oriented Schlieren data are acquired for under-expanded, ideally-expanded, and over-expanded ow regimes for multiple axial and radial positions of the surface at three different plate lengths. These data are analyzed with far-field noise measurements to relate the shock cell structure to the broadband shock noise produced by a jet near a surface.

Broadband light trapping strategies for quantum-dot photovoltaic cells (>10%) and their issues with the measurement of photovoltaic characteristics.

PubMed

Cho, Changsoon; Song, Jung Hoon; Kim, Changjo; Jeong, Sohee; Lee, Jung-Yong

2017-12-12

Bandgap tunability and broadband absorption make quantum-dot (QD) photovoltaic cells (PVs) a promising candidate for future solar energy conversion systems. Approaches to improving the electrical properties of the active layer increase efficiency in part. The present study focuses on optical room for enhancement in QD PVs over wide spectrum in the near-infrared (NIR) region. We find that ray-optical light trapping schemes rather than the nanophotonics approach may be the best solution for enhancing broadband QD PVs by suppressing the escape probability of internal photons without spectral dependency. Based on the theoretical study of diverse schemes for various bandgaps, we apply a V-groove structure and a V-groove textured compound parabolic trapper (VCPT) to PbS-based QD PVs along with the measurement issues for PVs with a light scattering layer. The efficiency of the best device is improved from 10.3% to 11.0% (certified to 10.8%) by a V-groove structure despite the possibility of underestimation caused by light scattering in small-area devices (aperture area: 0.0625 cm 2 ). By minimizing such underestimation, even greater enhancements of 13.6% and 15.6% in short circuit current are demonstrated for finger-type devices (0.167 cm 2 without aperture) and large-area devices (2.10 cm 2 with an aperture of 0.350 cm 2 ), respectively, using VCPT.

Plasmonic nanorod arrays of a two-segment dimer and a coaxial cable with 1 nm gap for large field confinement and enhancement.

PubMed

Cheng, Zi-Qiang; Nan, Fan; Yang, Da-Jie; Zhong, Yu-Ting; Ma, Liang; Hao, Zhong-Hua; Zhou, Li; Wang, Qu-Quan

2015-01-28

Seeking plasmonic nanostructures with large field confinement and enhancement is significant for photonic and electronic nanodevices with high sensitivity, reproducibility, and tunability. Here, we report the synthesis of plasmonic arrays composed of two-segment dimer nanorods and coaxial cable nanorods with ∼1 nm gap insulated by a self-assembled Raman molecule monolayer. The gap-induced plasmon coupling generates an intense field in the gap region of the dimer junction and the cable interlayer. As a result, the longitudinal plasmon resonance of nanorod arrays with high tunability is obviously enhanced. Most interestingly, the field enhancement of dimer nanorod arrays can be tuned by the length ratio L1/L2 of the two segments, and the maximal enhancement appears at L1/L2 = 1. In that case, the two-photon luminescence (TPL) of dimer nanorod arrays and the Raman intensity in the dimer junction is enhanced by 27 and 30 times, respectively, under resonant excitation. In the same way, the Raman intensity in the gap region is enhanced 16 times for the coaxial cable nanorod arrays. The plasmonic nanorod arrays synthesized by the facile method, having tunable plasmon properties and large field enhancement, indicate an attractive pathway to the photonic nanodevices.

Broadband and tunable optical parametric generator for remote detection of gas molecules in the short and mid-infrared.

PubMed

Lambert-Girard, Simon; Allard, Martin; Piché, Michel; Babin, François

2015-04-01

The development of a novel broadband and tunable optical parametric generator (OPG) is presented. The OPG properties are studied numerically and experimentally in order to optimize the generator's use in a broadband spectroscopic LIDAR operating in the short and mid-infrared. This paper discusses trade-offs to be made on the properties of the pump, crystal, and seeding signal in order to optimize the pulse spectral density and divergence while enabling energy scaling. A seed with a large spectral bandwidth is shown to enhance the pulse-to-pulse stability and optimize the pulse spectral density. A numerical model shows excellent agreement with output power measurements; the model predicts that a pump having a large number of longitudinal modes improves conversion efficiency and pulse stability.

Enhanced Circular Dichroism of Gold Bilayered Slit Arrays Embedded with Rectangular Holes.

PubMed

Zhang, Hao; Wang, Yongkai; Luo, Lina; Wang, Haiqing; Zhang, Zhongyue

2017-01-01

Gold bilayered slit arrays with rectangular holes embedded into the metal surface are designed to enhance the circular dichroism (CD) effect of gold bilayered slit arrays. The rectangular holes in these arrays block electric currents and generate localized surface plasmons around these holes, thereby strengthening the CD effect. The CD enhancement factor depends strongly on the rotational angle and the structural parameters of the rectangular holes; this factor can be enhanced further by drilling two additional rectangular holes into the metal surfaces of the arrays. These results help facilitate the design of chiral structures to produce a strong CD effect and large electric fields.

Broadband perfect infrared absorption by tuning epsilon-near-zero and epsilon-near-pole resonances of multilayer ITO nanowires.

PubMed

Zhou, Kun; Cheng, Qiang; Song, Jinlin; Lu, Lu; Jia, Zhihao; Li, Junwei

2018-01-01

We numerically investigate the broadband perfect infrared absorption by tuning epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) and epsilon-near-pole (ENP) resonances of multilayer indium tin oxide nanowires (ITO NWs). The monolayer ITO NWs array shows intensive absorption at ENZ and ENP wavelengths for p polarization, while only at the ENP wavelength for s polarization. Moreover, the ENP resonances are almost omnidirectional and the ENZ resonances are angularly dependent. Therefore, the absorption bandwidth is broader for p polarization than that for s polarization when polarized waves are incident obliquely. The ENZ resonances can be tuned by altering the doping concentration and volume filling factor of ITO NWs. However, the ENP resonances only can be tuned by changing the doping concentration of ITO NWs, and volume filling factor impacts little on the ENP resonances. Based on the strong absorption properties of each layer at their own ENP and ENZ resonances, the tuned absorption of the bilayer ITO NWs with the different doping concentrations can be broader and stronger. Furthermore, multilayer ITO NWs can achieve broadband perfect absorption by controlling the doping concentration, volume filling factor, and length of the NWs in each layer. This study has the potential to apply to applications requiring efficient absorption and energy conversion.

Realizing Broadband and Invertible Linear-to-circular Polarization Converter with Ultrathin Single-layer Metasurface

PubMed Central

Li, Zhancheng; Liu, Wenwei; Cheng, Hua; Chen, Shuqi; Tian, Jianguo

2015-01-01

The arbitrary control of the polarization states of light has attracted the interest of the scientific community because of the wide range of modern optical applications that such control can afford. However, conventional polarization control setups are bulky and very often operate only within a narrow wavelength range, thereby resisting optical system miniaturization and integration. Here, we present the basic theory, simulated demonstration, and in-depth analysis of a high-performance broadband and invertible linear-to-circular (LTC) polarization converter composed of a single-layer gold nanorod array with a total thickness of ~λ/70 for the near-infrared regime. This setup can transform a circularly polarized wave into a linearly polarized one or a linearly polarized wave with a wavelength-dependent electric field polarization angle into a circularly polarized one in the transmission mode. The broadband and invertible LTC polarization conversion can be attributed to the tailoring of the light interference at the subwavelength scale via the induction of the anisotropic optical resonance mode. This ultrathin single-layer metasurface relaxes the high-precision requirements of the structure parameters in general metasurfaces while retaining the polarization conversion performance. Our findings open up intriguing possibilities towards the realization of novel integrated metasurface-based photonics devices for polarization manipulation, modulation, and phase retardation. PMID:26667360

Formation of embedded plasmonic Ga nanoparticle arrays and their influence on GaAs photoluminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, M.; Jeon, S.; Jen, T.; Lee, J.-E.; Sih, V.; Goldman, R. S.

2017-07-01

We introduce a novel approach to the seamless integration of plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) arrays into semiconductor layers and demonstrate their enhanced photoluminescence (PL) efficiency. Our approach utilizes focused ion beam-induced self-assembly of close-packed arrays of Ga NPs with tailorable NP diameters, followed by overgrowth of GaAs layers using molecular beam epitaxy. Using a combination of PL spectroscopy and electromagnetic computations, we identify a regime of Ga NP diameter and overgrown GaAs layer thickness where NP-array-enhanced absorption in GaAs leads to enhanced GaAs near-band-edge (NBE) PL efficiency, surpassing that of high-quality epitaxial GaAs layers. As the NP array depth and size are increased, the reduction in spontaneous emission rate overwhelms the NP-array-enhanced absorption, leading to a reduced NBE PL efficiency. This approach provides an opportunity to enhance the PL efficiency of a wide variety of semiconductor heterostructures.

Diffractive intermediate layer enables broadband light trapping for high efficiency ultrathin c-Si tandem cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Guijun; Ho, Jacob Y. L.; Li, He; Kwok, Hoi-Sing

2014-06-01

Light management through the intermediate reflector in the tandem cell configuration is of great practical importance for achieving high stable efficiency and also low cost production. So far, however, the intermediate reflectors employed currently are mainly focused on the light absorption enhancement of the top cell. Here, we present a diffractive intermediate layer that allows for light trapping over a broadband wavelength for the ultrathin c-Si tandem solar cell. Compared with the standard intermediate reflector, this nanoscale architectural intermediate layer results in a 35% and 21% remarkable enhancement of the light absorption in the top (400-800 nm) and bottom (800-1100 nm) cells simultaneously, and ultrathin c-Si tandem cells with impressive conversion efficiency of 13.3% are made on the glass substrate.

Flight parameter estimation using instantaneous frequency and time delay measurements from a three-element planar acoustic array.

PubMed

Lo, Kam W

2016-05-01

The acoustic signal emitted by a turbo-prop aircraft consists of a strong narrowband tone superimposed on a broadband random component. A ground-based three-element planar acoustic array can be used to estimate the full set of flight parameters of a turbo-prop aircraft in transit by measuring the time delay (TD) between the signal received at the reference sensor and the signal received at each of the other two sensors of the array over a sufficiently long period of time. This paper studies the possibility of using instantaneous frequency (IF) measurements from the reference sensor to improve the precision of the flight parameter estimates. A simplified Cramer-Rao lower bound analysis shows that the standard deviations in the estimates of the aircraft velocity and altitude can be greatly reduced when IF measurements are used together with TD measurements. Two flight parameter estimation algorithms that utilize both IF and TD measurements are formulated and their performances are evaluated using both simulated and real data.

Blind calibration of radio interferometric arrays using sparsity constraints and its implications for self-calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiarucci, Simone; Wijnholds, Stefan J.

2018-02-01

Blind calibration, i.e. calibration without a priori knowledge of the source model, is robust to the presence of unknown sources such as transient phenomena or (low-power) broad-band radio frequency interference that escaped detection. In this paper, we present a novel method for blind calibration of a radio interferometric array assuming that the observed field only contains a small number of discrete point sources. We show the huge computational advantage over previous blind calibration methods and we assess its statistical efficiency and robustness to noise and the quality of the initial estimate. We demonstrate the method on actual data from a Low-Frequency Array low-band antenna station showing that our blind calibration is able to recover the same gain solutions as the regular calibration approach, as expected from theory and simulations. We also discuss the implications of our findings for the robustness of regular self-calibration to poor starting models.

Plasmonic hole arrays for combined photon and electron management

DOE PAGES

Liapis, Andreas C.; Sfeir, Matthew Y.; Black, Charles T.

2016-11-14

Material architectures that balance optical transparency and electrical conductivity are highly sought after for thin-film device applications. However, these are competing properties, since the electronic structure that gives rise to conductivity typically also leads to optical opacity. Nanostructured metal films that exhibit extraordinary optical transmission, while at the same time being electrically continuous, offer considerable flexibility in the design of their transparency and resistivity. In this paper, we present design guidelines for metal films perforated with arrays of nanometer-scale holes, discussing the consequences of the choice of nanostructure dimensions, of the type of metal, and of the underlying substrate onmore » their electrical, optical, and interfacial properties. We experimentally demonstrate that such films can be designed to have broad-band optical transparency while being an order of magnitude more conductive than indium tin oxide. Finally, prototypical photovoltaic devices constructed with perforated metal contacts convert ~18% of the incident photons, compared to <1% for identical devices having contacts without the hole array.« less

Results from CAT/SCAN, the Calabria-Apennine-Tyrrhenian/Subduction-Accretion-Collision Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steckler, M. S.; Amato, A.; Guerra, I.; Armbruster, J.; Baccheschi, P.; Diluccio, F.; Gervasi, A.; Harabaglia, P.; Kim, W.; Lerner-Lam, A.; Margheriti, L.; Seeber, L.; Tolstoy, M.; Wilson, C. K.

2005-12-01

The Calabrian Arc region is the final remnant of a Western Mediterranean microplate driven by rollback. Calabria itself is an exotic block that rifted off Sardinia and opened the Tyrrhenian Sea back-arc basin in its wake. The Calabrian Arc rapidly advanced to the southeast, with subduction ahead and extension behind, following subduction rollback of the Mesozoic seafloor. The subduction zone meanwhile collided progressively with the Apulia to form the Apennines in peninsular Italy and with the Africa to form the Maghrebides in Sicily. The Calabrian Arc is where the transition from subduction to continental collision is occurring. The collisions on either side of Calabria have restricted oceanic subduction to a narrow 200-km salient with well-defined edges and seismicity that extends to over 500 km depth. The collisions have also slowed, or possibly even halted, the rapid advance of the arc. Whether rollback of the oceanic lower plate of the Ionian Sea continues and whether the upper plate of Calabria continues to move as an independent plate are both uncertain. The Calabrian-Apennine-Tyrrhenian/Subduction-Collision-Accretion Network (CAT/SCAN) is a passive experiment to study of the Calabrian Arc and the transition to the southern Apennines. The land deployment consisted of three phases. The initial phase included an array of 39 broadband seismometers onshore, deployed in the winter of 2003/4. In September 2004, the array was reduced to 28 broadband and 8 short-period instruments. In April 2005, the array was reduced once again to 20 broadband and 2 short-period instruments. The field deployment was completed in October 2005. Offshore, 12 broadband Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBSs) were deployed in the beginning of October 2004. Data from 4 OBSs have been recovered so far with deployment durations from a few weeks to almost one year. Fishing activity has been strongly implicated in the early recoveries, (with one instrument returned by fishermen), and is suspected for the instruments that were not recovered. The experiment is determining the structure of the Calabrian subduction and southern Apennine collision systems and the structure of the transition from oceanic subduction in Calabria to continental collision in the southern Apennines. We have delineated a strong anisotropy with a fast direction following the curved arc, but weaker anisotropy beneath the Tyrrhenian Sea. Receiver function images show variations in crustal thickness throughout the region, consistent with previous conceptual models. We also image a negative polarity interface dipping to the southwest that we interpret as the main thrust ramp in the north transitioning to the subduction interface in the south. The transition from one to the other is marked by a loss of amplitude in the Moho conversion. Local seismicity is consistent with surface structure in showing extension normal and parallel to the Calabrian forearc as well as continuing southeastward motion of Calabria relative to the southern Apennines and Maghrebides.

High power telecommunication-compatible photoconductive terahertz emitters based on plasmonic nano-antenna arrays.

PubMed

Yardimci, Nezih Tolga; Lu, Hong; Jarrahi, Mona

2016-11-07

We present a high-power and broadband photoconductive terahertz emitter operating at telecommunication optical wavelengths, at which compact and high-performance fiber lasers are commercially available. The presented terahertz emitter utilizes an ErAs:InGaAs substrate to achieve high resistivity and short carrier lifetime characteristics required for robust operation at telecommunication optical wavelengths. It also uses a two-dimensional array of plasmonic nano-antennas to offer significantly higher optical-to-terahertz conversion efficiencies compared to the conventional photoconductive emitters, while maintaining broad operation bandwidths. We experimentally demonstrate pulsed terahertz radiation over 0.1-5 THz frequency range with the power levels as high as 300  μ W. This is the highest-reported terahertz radiation power from a photoconductive emitter operating at telecommunication optical wavelengths.

High power telecommunication-compatible photoconductive terahertz emitters based on plasmonic nano-antenna arrays

PubMed Central

Yardimci, Nezih Tolga; Lu, Hong; Jarrahi, Mona

2016-01-01

We present a high-power and broadband photoconductive terahertz emitter operating at telecommunication optical wavelengths, at which compact and high-performance fiber lasers are commercially available. The presented terahertz emitter utilizes an ErAs:InGaAs substrate to achieve high resistivity and short carrier lifetime characteristics required for robust operation at telecommunication optical wavelengths. It also uses a two-dimensional array of plasmonic nano-antennas to offer significantly higher optical-to-terahertz conversion efficiencies compared to the conventional photoconductive emitters, while maintaining broad operation bandwidths. We experimentally demonstrate pulsed terahertz radiation over 0.1–5 THz frequency range with the power levels as high as 300 μW. This is the highest-reported terahertz radiation power from a photoconductive emitter operating at telecommunication optical wavelengths. PMID:27916999

Battery-powered thin film deposition process for coating telescope mirrors in space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheikh, David A.

2016-07-01

Aluminum films manufactured in the vacuum of space may increase the broadband reflectance response of a space telescope operating in the EUV (50-nm to 115-nm) by eliminating absorbing metal-fluorides and metal-oxides, which significantly reduce aluminum's reflectance below 115-nm. Recent developments in battery technology allow small lithium batteries to rapidly discharge large amounts of energy. It is therefore conceivable to power an array of resistive evaporation filaments in a space environment, using a reasonable mass of batteries and other hardware. This paper presents modeling results for coating thickness as a function of position, for aluminum films made with a hexagonal array of battery powered evaporation sources. The model is based on measured data from a single battery-powered evaporation source.

Washington State Play Fairway Analysis - Passive Monitoring of St. Helens Shear Zone for Tomography and Precision Microseismic Event Detection

DOE Data Explorer

Swyer, Michael (ORCID:0000000309776975); Cladouhos, Trenton; Crosbie, Kayla; Ulberg, Carl (ORCID:000000016198809X)

2017-10-03

Data resources were derived from a passive seismic survey of the northern St. Helens Shear Zone on geothermal leases 12-24 km north of Mount St. Helens for phase 2 of the Geothermal Play-Fairway Analysis of Washington State Prospects. A 20 seismic station array of broadband seismometers was deployed with irregular spacing (1-4 km) over an area of 12 km to image seismogenic features and their damage zones in the shallow crust.

Regional Studies with Broadband Data Array Analysis of Regional Pn and Pg Wavefields from the Nevada Test Site.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-05-22

Suite 1212 California Institute of Technology Reston, VA 22091 Pasadena, CA 91125 Mr. William J. Best Prof. F. A. Dahlen 907 Westwood Drive Geological...P.O. Box 1620 La Jolla, CA 92038-1620 2 Prof. William Menke Prof. Charles G. Sammis Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Center for Earth Sciences of...Cruz, CA 95064 3 Prof. Terry C. Wallace Department of Geosciences Building #77 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 Dr. William Wortman Mission

Wideband Instrument for Snow Measurements (WISM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miranda, Felix A.

2015-01-01

This presentation provides a brief summary of the utility of a wideband active and passive (radar and radiometer, respectively) instrument (8-40 GHz) to support the snow science community. The effort seeks to improve snow measurements through advanced calibration and expanded frequency of active and passive sensors and to demonstrate their science utility through airborne retrievals of snow water equivalent (SWE). In addition the effort seeks to advance the technology readiness of broadband current sheet array (CSA) antenna technology for spaceflight applications.

Optical and Infrared Spectroscopy of Nova Ophiuchi 2018 No.2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rudy, R. J.; Mauerhan, J. C.; Russell, R. W.; Subasavage, J. P.; Wiktorowicz, S. J.; Kim, D. L.; Sitko, M. L.

2018-05-01

Over a two week period coming approximately two months after outburst, Nova Ophiuchi 2018, No.2 (CBET 4492) was observed spectroscopically using instruments from three different facilities: 2018 May 6, using the Spex instrument at the Infrared Telescope Facility (0.7-2.5 microns); 2018 May 14, using the Broadband Array Spectrograph System on the 3.6 meter Advanced Electro-Optical Systems telescope (3-13 microns); 2018 May 19, with the VNIRIS spectrograph on the Aerospace Corporation's one meter telescope (0.47-2.5 microns).

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Broadband polarisation of radio AGN (O'Sullivan+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Sullivan, S. P.; Purcell, C. R.; Anderson, C. S.; Farnes, J. S.; Sun, X. H.; Gaensler, B. M.

2017-08-01

Linear polarisation data as a function of wavelength-squared for 100 extragalactic radio sources, selected to be highly polarised at 1.4GHz. The data presented here were obtained using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) over 1.1-3.1GHz (16cm) with 1MHz spectral resolution between 2014 April 19-28. The integrated emission from each source, imaged at 10 MHz intervals, is presented below. See Section 2 for details. (2 data files).

Injectant mole-fraction imaging in compressible mixing flows using planar laser-induced iodine fluorescence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartfield, Roy J., Jr.; Abbitt, John D., III; Mcdaniel, James C.

1989-01-01

A technique is described for imaging the injectant mole-fraction distribution in nonreacting compressible mixing flow fields. Planar fluorescence from iodine, seeded into air, is induced by a broadband argon-ion laser and collected using an intensified charge-injection-device array camera. The technique eliminates the thermodynamic dependence of the iodine fluorescence in the compressible flow field by taking the ratio of two images collected with identical thermodynamic flow conditions but different iodine seeding conditions.

Waveguide Photonic Choke Joint with Wide Out-of-Band Rejection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

U-yen, Kongpop; Wollack, Edward J.

2015-01-01

A photonic choke joint structure with a wide-stop-band is proposed for use as a waveguide flange interface. The structure consists of arrays of square metal pillars arranged in a periodic pattern to suppress the dominant-mode wave propagation in parallel-plate waveguide over a wide frequency bandwidth. The measurement results at microwave frequencies confirm that the structure can provide broadband suppression of more than 56dB over 6.25 times its operating frequency. Applications at millimeter wavelength are discussed.

A Broadband High-Gain Bi-Layer Log-Periodic Dipole Array (LPDA) for Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Conformal Load Bearing Antenna Structures (CLAS) Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

AFRL-RQ-WP-TR-2014-0212 University of South Carolina Department of Electrical Engineering Columbia, SC 29208 Structures Technology Branch...S2603-04-C01. Cleared for Public Release - Case Number: . Nicholas Bishop and M. Ali are with the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of...Lower substrate Upper substrate Foam core Coax Feed tube LPDA traces Coax inner conductor Feed tube Copper plate Input 88ABW-2014-3668, 8

Characterizing Broadband Acoustic Propagation Scintillation and Modelling Scattering and Reverberation for Sensing in a Random Ocean Waveguide

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

34Ecosystem scale acoustic sensing reveals humpback whale behavior synchronous with herring spawning processes and re-evaluation finds no effect of sonar...on humpback song occurrence in the Gulf of Maine in Fall 2006." PlosOne (accepted, in print for 2014). 2. D. Tran, W. Huang, A. Bohn, D. Wang, Z...Gong, N. Makris and P. Ratilal, "Using a coherent hydrophone array for observing sperm whale range, classification, and shallow-water dive profiles

Wideband Instrument for Snow Measurements (WISM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miranda, Felix A.; Lambert, Kevin M.; Romanofsky, Robert R.; Durham, Tim; Speed, Kerry; Lange, Robert; Olsen, Art; Smith, Brett; Taylor, Robert; Schmidt, Mark;

Waveguide Photonic Choke Joint with Wide Out-of-Band Rejection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

U-yen, Kongpop; Wollack, Edward J.

2015-01-01

A photonic choke joint structure with a wide- stop-band is proposed for use as a waveguide flange interface. The structure consists of arrays of square metal pillars arranged in a periodic pattern to suppress the dominant-mode wave propagation in parallel-plate waveguide over a wide frequency bandwidth. The measurement results at microwave frequencies confirm the structure can provide broadband suppression, more than 56 dB over 6.25 times its operating frequency. Applications at millimeter wavelength are discussed.

Enhanced detection of a low-frequency signal by using broad squeezed light and a bichromatic local oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wei; Jin, Yuanbin; Yu, Xudong; Zhang, Jing

2017-08-01

We experimentally study a protocol of using the broadband high-frequency squeezed vacuum to detect the low-frequency signal. In this scheme, the lower sideband field of the squeezed light carries the low-frequency modulation signal, and the two strong coherent light fields are applied as the bichromatic local oscillator in the homodyne detection to measure the quantum entanglement of the upper and lower sideband for the broadband squeezed light. The power of one of the local oscillators for detecting the upper sideband can be adjusted to optimize the conditional variance in the low-frequency regime by subtracting the photocurrent of the upper sideband field of the squeezed light from that of the lower sideband field. By means of the quantum correlation of the upper and lower sideband for the broadband squeezed light, the low-frequency signal beyond the standard quantum limit is measured. This scheme is appropriate for enhancing the sensitivity of the low-frequency signal by the aid of the broad squeezed light, such as gravitational waves detection, and does not need to directly produce the low-frequency squeezing in an optical parametric process.

Ultra-thin and -broadband microwave magnetic absorber enhanced by phase gradient metasurface incorporation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Ya; Wang, Jiafu; Li, Yongfeng; Pang, Yongqiang; Zheng, Lin; Xiang, Jiayu; Zhang, Jieqiu; Qu, Shaobo

2018-05-01

Based on the effect of anomalous reflection and refraction caused by the circularly cross-polarized phase gradient metasurface (PGM), an ultra-thin and -broadband composite absorber composed of metasurface and conventional magnetic absorbing film is proposed and demonstrated in this paper. In the case of keeping nearly the same thickness of absorbing layer, the equivalent thickness of magnetic absorbing film is enlarged by the effect of anomalous reflection and refraction, resulting in the expansion and improvement of the absorbing bandwidth and efficiency in low microwave frequency. A biarc metallic sub-cell for circularly crossed polarization is adopted to form a broadband phase gradient, by the means of rotating the Pancharatnam–Berry phases. As indicated in the experimental results, the fabricated 3.6 mm-thick absorber can averagely absorb microwave energy with the specular reflection below  ‑10 dB in the frequency interval of 2–12 GHz, which shows a good match with simulated results. Due to ultra-thin thickness and ultra-wide operating bandwidth, the proposed application of PGM in absorbing can provide an alternative way to enhance the absorbing property of current absorbing materials.

Broadband absorption enhancement in plasmonic nanoshells-based ultrathin microcrystalline-Si solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raja, Waseem; Bozzola, Angelo; Zilio, Pierfrancesco; Miele, Ermanno; Panaro, Simone; Wang, Hai; Toma, Andrea; Alabastri, Alessandro; de Angelis, Francesco; Zaccaria, Remo Proietti

2016-04-01

With the objective to conceive a plasmonic solar cell with enhanced photocurrent, we investigate the role of plasmonic nanoshells, embedded within a ultrathin microcrystalline silicon solar cell, in enhancing broadband light trapping capability of the cell and, at the same time, to reduce the parasitic loss. The thickness of the considered microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si) layer is only ~1/6 of conventional μc-Si based solar cells while the plasmonic nanoshells are formed by a combination of silica and gold, respectively core and shell. We analyze the cell optical response by varying both the geometrical and optical parameters of the overall device. In particular, the nanoshells core radius and metal thickness, the periodicity, the incident angle of the solar radiation and its wavelength are varied in the widest meaningful ranges. We further explain the reason for the absorption enhancement by calculating the electric field distribution associated to resonances of the device. We argue that both Fabry-Pérot-like and localized plasmon modes play an important role in this regard.

An MF/HF radio array for radio and radar imaging of the ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isham, Brett; Gustavsson, Bjorn; Belyey, Vasyl; Bullett, Terrence

2016-07-01

The Aguadilla Radio Array will be installed at the Interamerican University Aguadilla Campus, located in northwestern Puerto Rico. The array is intended for broad-band medium and high-frequency (MF/HF, roughly 2 to 25 MHz) radio and bistatic radar observations of the ionosphere. The main array consists of 20 antenna elements, arranged in a semi-random pattern providing a good distribution of baseline vectors, with 6-meter minimum spacing to eliminate spacial aliasing. A relocatable 6-element array is also being developed, in which each element consists of a crossed pair of active electric dipoles and all associated electronics for phase-coherent radio measurements. A primary scientific goal of the array is to create images of the region of ionospheric radio emissions stimulated by the new Arecibo Observatory high-power high-frequency radio transmitter. A second primary goal is the study of ionospheric structure and dynamics via coherent radar imaging of the ionosphere in collaboration with the University of Colorado / NOAA Versatile Interferometric Pulsed Ionospheric Radar (VIPIR), located at the USGS San Juan Observatory in Cayey, Puerto Rico. In addition to ionospheric research in collaboration with the Cayey and Arecibo Observatories, the goals of the project include the development of radio sounding, polarization, interferometry, and imaging techniques, and training of students at the university and high school levels.

High-performance linear arrays of YBa2Cu3O7 superconducting infrared microbolometers on silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Burgess R.; Foote, Marc C.; Marsh, Holly A.

1995-06-01

Single detectors and linear arrays of microbolometers utilizing the superconducting transition edge of YBa(subscript 2)Cu(subscript 3)O(subscript 7) have been fabricated by micromachining on silicon wafers. A D* of 8 +/- 2 X 10(superscript 9) cm Hz(superscript 1/2)/watt has been measured on a single detector. This is the highest D* reported on any superconducting microbolometer operating at temperatures higher than about 70 K. The NEP of this device was 1.5 X 10(superscript -12) watts/Hz(superscript HLF) at 2 Hz, at a temperature of 80.7 K. The thermal time constant was 105 msec, and the detector area was 140 micrometers X 105 micrometers . The use of batch silicon processing makes fabrication of linear arrays of these detectors relatively straightforward. The measured responsivity of detectors in one such array varied by less than 20% over the 6 mm length of the 64-element linear array. This measurement shows that good uniformity can be achieved at a single operating temperature in a superconductor microbolometer array, even when the superconducting resistive transition is a sharp function of temperature. The thermal detection mechanism of these devices gives them broadband response. This makes them especially useful at long wavelengths (e.g. (lambda) > 20 micrometers ), where they provide very high sensitivity at relatively high operating temperatures.

Influence of the Iceland mantle plume on North Atlantic continental margins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, R. S.; Isimm Team

2003-04-01

Early Tertiary breakup of the North Atlantic was accompanied by widespread magmatism. The histories of the Iceland mantle plume, of rifting and of magmatism are intimately related. The magmatism provides a challenge both to imaging structure, and to modelling the subsidence and development of the continental margins. We report new work which integrates state-of-the-art seismic imaging and new acquisition on the Atlantic volcanic margins with new techniques for modelling their evolution. We discuss the distribution of igneous rocks along the North Atlantic margins and discuss the temporal and spatial variations in the Iceland mantle plume in the early Tertiary, which have largely controlled this pattern of magmatism. Igneous rocks are added to the crust on rifted margins as extrusive lavas, as sills intruded into the sub-surface and as lower crustal intrusions or underplate. Each provide different, but tractable problems to seismic imaging. We show that many of these difficulties can be surmounted by using very long offsets (long streamers or two-ship methods) with a broad-band, low-frequency source, and by using fixed ocean bottom receivers. We report results from surveys on the North Atlantic continental margins using these methods. Imaging results are shown from the recent FLARE project and from the iSIMM project, which recorded new seismic data recorded in summer 2002. The iSIMM project acquired two seismic surveys, using 85 4-component ocean bottom seismometers with long streamers for wide-angle data, and vertical arrays for far-field source signature recording. One survey crosses the Faroes Shelf and adjacent continental margin, and a second the Hatton-Rockall Basin, Hatton Bank and adjacent oceanic crust. The Faroes wide-angle profiles were overshot by WesternGeco's Topaz using three single-sensor, Q-Marine streamers, 12km plus two 4km. We designed deep-towed, broad-band low-frequency sources tuned to enhance the bubble pulses, with peak frequencies at 8-11 Hz. The OBS survey used a 14-gun, 6,300 cu. in. array towed at 20 m depth, and the Q-marine survey used a 48-gun, 10,170 cu. in. array, with shot-by-shot signature recording. They provided excellent arrivals to ranges beyond 120 km, with penetration through the basalts and well into the upper mantle. iSIMM investigators are R.S. White, N.J. Kusznir, P.A.F. Christie, A.M. Roberts, N. Hurst, Z.C. Lunnon, C.J. Parkin, A.W. Roberts, L.K. Smith, R. Spitzer , V. Tymms, A. Davies and A. Surendra, with funding from NERC, DTI, Agip UK, BP, Amerada Hess Ltd., Anadarko, Conoco, Phillips, Shell, Statoil, and WesternGeco

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2011

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2011-01-01

Topics covered include: Miniature, Variable-Speed Control Moment Gyroscope; NBL Pistol Grip Tool for Underwater Training of Astronauts; HEXPANDO Expanding Head for Fastener-Retention Hexagonal Wrench; Diagonal-Axes Stage for Pointing an Optical Communications Transceiver; Improvements in Speed and Functionality of a 670-GHz Imaging Radar; IONAC-Lite; Large Ka-Band Slot Array for Digital Beam-Forming Applications; Development of a 150-GHz MMIC Module Prototype for Large-Scale CMB Radiation; Coupling Between Waveguide-Fed Slot Arrays; PCB-Based Break-Out Box; Multiple-Beam Detection of Fast Transient Radio Sources; Router Agent Technology for Policy-Based Network Management; Remote Asynchronous Message Service Gateway; Automatic Tie Pointer for In-Situ Pointing Correction; Jitter Correction; MSLICE Sequencing; EOS MLS Level 2 Data Processing Software Version 3; DspaceOgre 3D Graphics Visualization Tool; Metallization for Yb14MnSb11-Based Thermoelectric Materials; Solvent/Non-Solvent Sintering To Make Microsphere Scaffolds; Enhanced Fuel-Optimal Trajectory-Generation Algorithm for Planetary Pinpoint Landing; Self-Cleaning Coatings and Materials for Decontaminating Field-Deployable Land and Water-Based Optical Systems; Separation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with DEP-FFF; Li Anode Technology for Improved Performance; Post-Fragmentation Whole Genome Amplification-Based Method; Microwave Tissue Soldering for Immediate Wound Closure; Principles, Techniques, and Applications of Tissue Microfluidics; Robotic Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Organ Growth; Stress-Driven Selection of Novel Phenotypes; Method for Accurately Calibrating a Spectrometer Using Broadband Light; Catalytic Microtube Rocket Igniter; Stage Cylindrical Immersive Display; Vacuum Camera Cooler; Atomic Oxygen Fluence Monitor; Thermal Management Tools for Propulsion System Trade Studies and Analysis; Introduction to Physical Intelligence; Technique for Solving Electrically Small to Large Structures for Broadband Applications; Accelerated Adaptive MGS Phase Retrieval; Large Eddy Simulation Study for Fluid Disintegration and Mixing; Tropospheric Correction for InSAR Using Interpolated ECMWF Data and GPS Zenith Total Delay; Technique for Calculating Solution Derivatives With Respect to Geometry Parameters in a CFD Code; Acute Radiation Risk and BRYNTRN Organ Dose Projection Graphical User Interface; Probabilistic Path Planning of Montgolfier Balloons in Strong, Uncertain Wind Fields; Flight Simulation of ARES in the Mars Environment; Low-Outgassing Photogrammetry Targets for Use in Outer Space; Planning the FUSE Mission Using the SOVA Algorithm; Monitoring Spacecraft Telemetry Via Optical or RF Link; and Robust Thermal Control of Propulsion Lines for Space Missions.

Sensor Emplacement Techniques and Seismic Noise Analysis for USArray Transportable Array Seismic Stations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Busby, Robert; Frassetto, Andy; Hafner, Katrin; Woodward, Robert; Sauter, Allan

2013-04-01

In preparation for deployment of EarthScope's USArray Transportable Array (TA) in Alaska beginning in 2014, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is supporting exploratory work on seismic station design, sensor emplacement and communication concepts appropriate for the challenging high-latitude environment that is proposed for deployment. IRIS has installed several experimental stations to evaluate different sensor emplacement schemes both in Alaska and the lower-48 U.S. The goal of these tests is to maintain or enhance a station's noise performance while minimizing its footprint and the equipment, materials, and overall expense required for its construction. Motivating this approach are recent developments in posthole broadband seismometer design and the unique conditions for operating in Alaska, where there are few roads, cellular communications are scarce, most areas are only accessible by small plane or helicopter, and permafrost underlies much of the northern tundra. In this study we review our methods used for directly emplacing of broadband seismometers in comparison to the current methods used to deploy TA stations. These primarily focus on using an auger to drill three to five meters, beneath the active layer of the permafrost, or coring directly into surface bedrock to one meter depth using a portable drill. Both methods have proven logistically effective in trials. Subsequent station performance can be quantitatively assessed using probability density functions summed from power spectral density estimates. These are calculated for the continuous time series of seismic data recorded for each channel of the seismometer. There are five test stations currently operating in Alaska. One was deployed in August 2011 and the remaining four in October 2012. Our results show that the performance of seismometers in Alaska with auger-hole or core-hole installations equals or exceeds that of the quietest TA stations in the lower-48, particularly at long periods, and in exceptional cases approaches the performance of the GSN low noise model. The station at Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska co-locates a sensor in a 5 meter deep auger hole with a 2 meter deep TA tank installation typical of the lower-48. The augered seismometer is currently over 20 dB quieter at periods over 40 seconds than the TA tank installation. Similar performance has been observed at other TA stations, which also compare favorably to co-located permanent stations.

The Next-Generation Very Large Array: Technical Overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKinnon, Mark; Selina, Rob

2018-01-01

As part of its mandate as a national observatory, the NRAO is looking toward the long range future of radio astronomy and fostering the long term growth of the US astronomical community. NRAO has sponsored a series of science and technical community meetings to consider the science mission and design of a next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), building on the legacies of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Array (VLA).The basic ngVLA design emerging from these discussions is an interferometric array with approximately ten times the sensitivity and ten times higher spatial resolution than the VLA and ALMA radio telescopes, optimized for operation in the wavelength range 0.3cm to 3cm. The ngVLA would open a new window on the Universe through ultra-sensitive imaging of thermal line and continuum emission down to milli-arcsecond resolution, as well as unprecedented broadband continuum polarimetric imaging of non-thermal processes. The specifications and concepts for major ngVLA system elements are rapidly converging.We will provide an overview of the current system design of the ngVLA. The concepts for major system elements such as the antenna, receiving electronics, and central signal processing will be presented. We will also describe the major development activities that are presently underway to advance the design.

One to Large N Gradiometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langston, C. A.

2017-12-01

The seismic wave gradient tensor can be derived from a variety of field observations including measurements of the wavefield by a dense seismic array, strain meters, and rotation meters. Coupled with models of wave propagation, wave gradients along with the original wavefield can give estimates of wave attributes that can be used to infer wave propagation directions, apparent velocities, spatial amplitude behavior, and wave type. Compact geodetic arrays with apertures of 0.1 wavelength or less can be deployed to provide wavefield information at a localized spot similar to larger phased arrays with apertures of many wavelengths. Large N, spatially distributed arrays can provide detailed information over an area to detect structure changes. Key to accurate computation of spatial gradients from arrays of seismic instruments is knowledge of relative instrument responses, particularly component sensitivities and gains, along with relative sensor orientations. Array calibration has been successfully performed for the 14-element Pinyon Flat, California, broadband array using long-period teleseisms to achieve relative precisions as small as 0.2% in amplitude and 0.35o in orientation. Calibration has allowed successful comparison of horizontal seismic strains from local and regional seismic events with the Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) borehole strainmeter located at the facility. Strains from the borehole strainmeter in conjunction with ground velocity from a co-located seismometer are used as a "point" array in estimating wave attributes for the P-SV components of the wavefield. An effort is underway to verify the calibration of PBO strainmeters in southern California and their co-located borehole seismic sensors to create an array of point arrays for use in studies of regional wave propagation and seismic sources.

Modeling and simulation for the field emission of carbon nanotubes array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X. Q.; Wang, M.; Ge, H. L.; Chen, Q.; Xu, Y. B.

2005-12-01

To optimize the field emission of the infinite carbon nanotubes (CNTs) array on a planar cathode surface, the numerical simulation for the behavior of field emission with finite difference method was proposed. By solving the Laplace equation with computer, the influence of the intertube distance, the anode-cathode distance and the opened/capped CNT on the field emission of CNTs array were taken into account, and the results could accord well with the experiments. The simulated results proved that the field enhancement factor of individual CNT is largest, but the emission current density is little. Due to the enhanced screening of the electric field, the enhancement factor of CNTs array decreases with decreasing the intertube distance. From the simulation the field emission can be optimized when the intertube distance is close to the tube height. The anode-cathode distance hardly influences the field enhancement factor of CNTs array, but can low the threshold voltage by decreasing the anode-cathode distance. Finally, the distribution of potential of the capped CNTs array and the opened CNTs array was simulated, which the results showed that the distribution of potential can be influenced to some extent by the anode-cathode distance, especially at the apex of the capped CNTs array and the brim of the opened CNTs array. The opened CNTs array has larger field enhancement factor and can emit more current than the capped one.

New Developments of Broadband Cavity Enhanced Spectroscopic Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, A.; Zhao, D.; Linnartz, H.; Ubachs, W.

2013-06-01

In recent years, cavity enhanced spectroscopic techniques, such as cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS), cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS), and broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (BBCEAS), have been widely employed as ultra-sensitive methods for the measurement of weak absorptions and in the real-time detection of trace species. In this contribution, we introduce two new cavity enhanced spectroscopic concepts: a) Optomechanical shutter modulated BBCEAS, a variant of BBCEAS capable of measuring optical absorption in pulsed systems with typically low duty cycles. In conventional BBCEAS applications, the latter substantially reduces the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), consequently also reducing the detection sensitivity. To overcome this, we incorporate a fast optomechanical shutter as a time gate, modulating the detection scheme of BBCEAS and increasing the effective duty cycle reaches a value close to unity. This extends the applications of BBCEAS into pulsed samples and also in time-resolved studies. b) Cavity enhanced self-absorption spectroscopy (CESAS), a new spectroscopic concept capable of studying light emitting matter (plasma, flames, combustion samples) simultaneously in absorption and emission. In CESAS, a sample (plasma, flame or combustion source) is located in an optically stable cavity consisting of two high reflectivity mirrors, and here it acts both as light source and absorbing medium. A high detection sensitivity of weak absorption is reached without the need of an external light source, such as a laser or broadband lamp. The performance is illustrated by the first CESAS result on a supersonically expanding hydrocarbon plasma. We expect CESAS to become a generally applicable analytical tool for real time and in situ diagnostics. A. Walsh, D. Zhao, W. Ubachs, H. Linnartz, J. Phys. Chem. A, {dx.doi.org/10.1021/jp310392n}, in press, 2013. A. Walsh, D. Zhao, H. Linnartz Rev. Sci. Instrum. {84}(2), 021608 2013. A. Walsh, D. Zhao, H. Linnartz Appl. Phys. Lett. {101}(9), 091111 2012.

Broadband Solar Energy Harvesting in Single Nanowire Resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yiming; Peng, Xingyue; Hyatt, Steven; Yu, Dong

2015-03-01

Sub-wavelength semiconductor nanowires (NWs) can have optical absorption cross sections far beyond their physical sizes at resonance frequencies, offering a powerful method to simultaneously lower the material consumption and enhance photovoltaic performance. The degree of absorption enhancement is expected to substantially increase in materials with high refractive indices, but this has not yet been experimentally demonstrated. Here, we show that the absorption efficiency can be significantly improved in high-index NWs, by a direct observation of 350% external quantum efficiency (EQE) in lead sulfide (PbS) NWs. Broadband absorption enhancement is also realized in tapered NWs, where light of different wavelength is absorbed at segments with different diameters analogous to a tandem solar cell. Our results quantitatively agree with the finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) simulations. Overall, our single PbS NW Schottky solar cells taking advantage of optical resonance, near bandgap open circuit voltage, and long minority carrier diffusion length exhibit power conversion efficiency comparable to single Si NW coaxial p-n junction cells, while the fabrication complexity is greatly reduced.

Enhancing Photovoltaic Performance Using Broadband Luminescent Down-Shifting by Combining Multiple Species of Eu-Doped Silicate Phosphors.

PubMed

Ho, Wen-Jeng; Shen, Yu-Tang; Liu, Jheng-Jie; You, Bang-Jin; Ho, Chun-Hung

2017-10-21

This paper demonstrates the application of a broadband luminescent downshifting (LDS) layer with multiple species of europium (Eu)-doped silicate phosphors using spin-on film technique to enhance the photovoltaic efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells. The surface morphology of the deposited layer was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The chemical composition of the Eu-doped silicate phosphors was analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The fluorescence emission of the Eu-doped silicate phosphors was characterized using photoluminescence (PL) measurements at room temperature. We also compared the optical reflectance and external quantum efficiency (EQE) response of cells with combinations of various Eu-doped phosphors species. The cell coated with two species of Eu-doped phosphors achieved a conversion efficiency enhancement (∆ η ) of 19.39%, far exceeding the ∆ η = 15.08% of the cell with one species of Eu-doped phosphors and the ∆ η = 8.51% of the reference cell with the same silicate layer without Eu-doped phosphors.

Design of Hybrid Nanostructural Arrays to Manipulate SERS-Active Substrates by Nanosphere Lithography.

PubMed

Zhao, Xiaoyu; Wen, Jiahong; Zhang, Mengning; Wang, Dunhui; Wang, Yaxin; Chen, Lei; Zhang, Yongjun; Yang, Jinghai; Du, Youwei

2017-03-01

An easy-handling and low-cost method is utilized to controllably fabricate nanopattern arrays as the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrates with high density of SERS-active areas (hot spots). A hybrid silver array of nanocaps and nanotriangles are prepared by combining magnetron sputtering and plasma etching. By adjusting the etching time of polystyrene (PS) colloid spheres array in silver nanobowls, the morphology of the arrays can be easily manipulated to control the formation and distribution of hot spots. The experimental results show that the hybrid nanostructural arrays have large enhancement factor, which is estimated to be seven times larger than that in the array of nanocaps and three times larger than that in the array of nanorings and nanoparticles. According to the results of finite-difference time-domain simulation, the excellent SERS performance of this array is ascribed to the high density of hot spots and enhanced electromagnetic field.

High-Resolution Broadband Spectral Interferometry

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

Erskine, D J; Edelstein, J

2002-08-09

We demonstrate solar spectra from a novel interferometric method for compact broadband high-resolution spectroscopy. The spectral interferometer (SI) is a hybrid instrument that uses a spectrometer to externally disperse the output of a fixed-delay interferometer. It also has been called an externally dispersed interferometer (EDI). The interferometer can be used with linear spectrometers for imaging spectroscopy or with echelle spectrometers for very broad-band coverage. EDI's heterodyning technique enhances the spectrometer's response to high spectral-density features, increasing the effective resolution by factors of several while retaining its bandwidth. The method is extremely robust to instrumental insults such as focal spot sizemore » or displacement. The EDI uses no moving parts, such as purely interferometric FTS spectrometers, and can cover a much wider simultaneous bandpass than other internally dispersed interferometers (e.g. HHS or SHS).« less

Bilayer Metasurfaces for Dual- and Broadband Optical Antireflection

DOE PAGES

Huang, Li; Chang, Chun-Chieh; Zeng, Beibei; ...

2017-08-09

Optical antireflection has long been pursued for a wide range of applications, but existing approaches encounter issues in the performance, bandwidth, and structure complexity, particularly in the long-wavelength infrared regime. Here we present the demonstration of bilayer metasurfaces that accomplish dual- and broadband optical antireflection in the terahertz and mid-infrared spectral ranges. Furthermore, by simply tailoring the structural geometry and dimensions, here we show that subwavelength metal/dielectric structures enable dramatic reduction of Fresnel reflection and significant enhancement of transmission at a substrate surface, operating either at two discrete narrow bands or over a broad bandwidth up to 28%. We alsomore » use a semianalytical interference model to interpret the obtained results, in which we find that the dispersion of the constituent structures plays a critical role in achieving the observed broadband optical antireflection.« less

Novel use of UV broad-band excitation and stretched exponential function in the analysis of fluorescent dissolved organic matter: study of interaction between protein and humic-like components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panigrahi, Suraj Kumar; Mishra, Ashok Kumar

2017-09-01

A combination of broad-band UV radiation (UV A and UV B; 250-400 nm) and a stretched exponential function (StrEF) has been utilised in efforts towards convenient and sensitive detection of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM). This approach enables accessing the gross fluorescence spectral signature of both protein-like and humic-like components in a single measurement. Commercial FDOM components are excited with the broad-band UV excitation; the variation of spectral profile as a function of varying component ratio is analysed. The underlying fluorescence dynamics and non-linear quenching of amino acid moieties are studied with the StrEF (exp(-V[Q] β )). The complex quenching pattern reflects the inner filter effect (IFE) as well as inter-component interactions. The inter-component interactions are essentially captured through the ‘sphere of action’ and ‘dark complex’ models. The broad-band UV excitation ascertains increased excitation energy, resulting in increased population density in the excited state and thereby resulting in enhanced sensitivity.

Using TV white space spectrum to practise telemedicine: A promising technology to enhance broadband internet connectivity within healthcare facilities in rural regions of developing countries.

PubMed

Chavez, Afton; Littman-Quinn, Ryan; Ndlovu, Kagiso; Kovarik, Carrie L

2016-06-01

The following correspondence provides an overview of TV White Space (TVWS) technology, regulations, and potential applications to the health care sector. This report also introduces "Project Kgolagano," a Botswana-based initiative representing the first endeavour to utilize TVWS internet connection for practising telemedicine. TV "white space" refers to the previously unused, wasted spectrum within TV radiofrequency channels that can now be leveraged to obtain broadband internet access. TVWS represents a less costly, faster, and farther-reaching internet connection that is a promising option for connecting the previously unconnected populations of remote and underserved areas. The Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, Microsoft, Botswana Innovation Hub, Vista Life Sciences, and Global Broadband Solutions have partnered together to bring TVWS wireless broadband access to healthcare facilities in poorly connected regions of Botswana (Lobatse, Francistown, Maun, Gaborone) in order to improve healthcare delivery and facilitate telemedicine in dermatology, cervical cancer screening, and family medicine (HIV/AIDS, TB, general adult and pediatric medicine). © The Author(s) 2015.

ANZA Seismic Network- From Monitoring to Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vernon, F.; Eakin, J.; Martynov, V.; Newman, R.; Offield, G.; Hindley, A.; Astiz, L.

2007-05-01

The ANZA Seismic Network (http:eqinfo.ucsd.edu) utilizes broadband and strong motion sensors with 24-bit dataloggers combined with real-time telemetry to monitor local and regional seismicity in southernmost California. The ANZA network provides real-time data to the IRIS DMC, California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN), other regional networks, and the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS), in addition to providing near real-time information and monitoring to the greater San Diego community. Twelve high dynamic range broadband and strong motion sensors adjacent to the San Jacinto Fault zone contribute data for earthquake source studies and continue the monitoring of the seismic activity of the San Jacinto fault initiated 24 years ago. Five additional stations are located in the San Diego region with one more station on San Clemente Island. The ANZA network uses the advance wireless networking capabilities of the NSF High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network (http:hpwren.ucsd.edu) to provide the communication infrastructure for the real-time telemetry of Anza seismic stations. The ANZA network uses the Antelope data acquisition software. The combination of high quality hardware, communications, and software allow for an annual network uptime in excess of 99.5% with a median annual station real-time data return rate of 99.3%. Approximately 90,000 events, dominantly local sources but including regional and teleseismic events, comprise the ANZA network waveform database. All waveform data and event data are managed using the Datascope relational database. The ANZA network data has been used in a variety of scientific research including detailed structure of the San Jacinto Fault Zone, earthquake source physics, spatial and temporal studies of aftershocks, array studies of teleseismic body waves, and array studies on the source of microseisms. To augment the location, detection, and high frequency observations of the seismic source spectrum from local earthquakes, the ANZA network is receiving real-time data from borehole arrays located at the UCSD Thornton Hospital, and from UCSB's Borrego Valley and Garner Valley Downhole Arrays. Finally the ANZA network is acquiring data from seven PBO sites each with 300 meter deep MEMs accelerometers, passive seismometers, and a borehole strainmeter.

Broadband Seismic Array Observation along a ~2000-km-long Linear Profile in South China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ai, Y.; Zhao, L.; Chen, L.; Zheng, T.; He, Y.; Jiang, M.

2010-12-01

In order to study the interior structure and geodynamic evolution of South China, we have started implementation of a linear seismic array observation in this region since December 2009. The linear array extends for ~2000 km from the northwestern continental interior all the way to the southeastern coastal area, across major tectonic units of South China including the Songpan-Ganze Orogenic Belt (SGOB) in the northwest, the Yangtze Craton (YzC) in the middle, and the Huanan Orogenic Belt (HOB) in the southeast. We plan to deploy a total of 200 broadband stations in the time period from December 2009 to June 2012. All the stations will be equipped with Guralp CMG-3ESP sensors and Ref-tek 130-1 or Ref-tek 72-A digitizers. The entire array observation includes three stages. In the time period from December 2009 to March 2011, 64 stations were deployed with a spatial interval of ~25 km from Chengdu city in Sichuan province in the west to Quanzhou city in Fujian province in the southeast of China. In the second stage, about 70 stations with a spatial interval of ~10 km will be deployed from Gonghe city in Qinghai province in the northwest to Chengdu city in the southeast in the time period from October 2010 to November 2011. In the last stage from April 2011 to June 2012, 66 stations with a spatial interval of ~25 km will be deployed to densify the station coverage along the Chengdu - Quanzhou segment of the profile. We have already analyzed the seismic data collected at the 64 stations using receiver function methods. Our preliminary results show an obvious W-E variation in the crustal thickness of the region. In particular, from inland to offshore of the Fujian Province the crustal thickness decreases, whereas the Poisson's ratio increases. These may indicate decreasing SiO2 and increasing calc-alkaline contents in the crust. The receiver function data also reveal a coherent structure of the 410-km and 660-km discontinuities along the observation profile. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We acknowledge the financial support of SinoProbe under Grant SinoProbe-02-03

CAFE: a seismic investigation of water percolation in the Cascadia subduction zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rondenay, S.; Abers, G. A.; Creager, K. C.; Malone, S. D.; MacKenzie, L.; Zhang, Z.; van Keken, P. E.; Wech, A. G.; Sweet, J. R.; Melbourne, T. I.; Hacker, B. R.

2008-12-01

Subduction zones transport water into the Earth's interior. The subsequent release of this water through dehydration reactions may trigger intraslab earthquakes and arc volcanism, regulate slip on the plate interface, control plate buoyancy, and regulate the long-term budget of water on the planet's surface. As part of Earthscope, we have undertaken an experiment named CAFE (Cascadia Arrays for Earthscope) seeking to better constrain these effects in the Cascadia subduction zone. The basic experiment has four components: (1) a 47-element broadband imaging array of Flexible Array instruments integrated with Bigfoot; (2) three small-aperture seismic arrays with 15 additional short-period instruments near known sources of Episodic Tremor and Slip (ETS) events; (3) analysis of the PBO and PANGA GPS data sets to define the details of episodic slip events; and (4) integrative modeling with complementary constraints from petrology and geodynamics. Here, we present a summary of the results that have been obtained to date by CAFE, with a focus on high-resolution seismic imaging. A 250 km-long by 120 km-deep seismic profile extending eastward from the Washington coast was generated by 2-D Generalized Radon Transform Inversion of the broadband data. It images the subducted crust as a shallow-dipping, low-velocity layer from 20km depth beneath the coast to 40km depth beneath the forearc. The termination of the low-velocity layer is consistent with the depth at which hydrated metabasalts of the subducted crust are expected to undergo eclogitization, a reaction that is accompanied by the release of water and an increase in seismic velocities. Slab earthquakes are located in both the oceanic crust and mantle at depths <40 km, and exclusively in the oceanic mantle at greater depth, as would be expected if they are related to slab dehydration. Two ETS events have occurred during the course of the deployment. They were precisely located and are confined to the region above which the crust exhibits low-velocities and is believed to undergo progressive dehydration, further supporting the proposition that water plays a role in ETS.

Characterizing Micro- and Macro-Scale Seismicity from Bayou Corne, Louisiana

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baig, A. M.; Urbancic, T.; Karimi, S.

2013-12-01

The initiation of felt seismicity in Bayou Corne, Louisiana, coupled with other phenomena detected by residents on the nearby housing development, prompted a call to install a broadband seismic network to monitor subsurface deformation. The initial deployment was in place to characterize the deformation contemporaneous with the formation of a sinkhole located in close proximity to a salt dome. Seismic events generated during this period followed a swarm-like behaviour with moment magnitudes culminating around Mw2.5. However, the seismic data recorded during this sequence suffer from poor signal to noise, onsets that are very difficult to pick, and the presence of a significant amount of energy arriving later in the waveforms. Efforts to understand the complexity in these waveforms are ongoing, and involve invoking the complexities inherent in recording in a highly attenuating swamp overlying a complex three-dimensional structure with the strong material property contrast of the salt dome. In order to understand the event character, as well as to locally lower the completeness threshold of the sequence, a downhole array of 15 Hz sensors was deployed in a newly drilled well around the salt dome. Although the deployment lasted a little over a month in duration, over 1000 events were detected down to moment magnitude -Mw3. Waveform quality tended to be excellent, with very distinct P and S wave arrivals observable across the array for most events. The highest magnitude events were seen as well on the surface network and allowed for the opportunity to observe the complexities introduced by the site effects, while overcoming the saturation effects on the higher-frequency downhole geophones. This hybrid downhole and surface array illustrates how a full picture of subsurface deformation is only made possible by combining the high-frequency downhole instrumentation to see the microseismicity complemented with a broadband array to accurately characterize the source parameters for the larger magnitude events. Our presentation is focused on investigating this deformation, characterizing the scaling behaviour and the other source processes by taking advantage of the wide-band afforded to us through the deployment.

Hemispheric variation of the depth dependent attenuation and velocity structures of the top half of the inner core determined from global seismic array data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iritani, R.; Takeuchi, N.; Kawakatsu, H.

2012-12-01

Previous studies suggested the existence of the hemispheric heterogeneities in the top 100 km of the inner core [eg. Wen and Niu, 2002]. Although depth profiles of the attenuation and velocity of the inner core provide important clues to constrain the physical mechanism and the growing process of the inner core, they have not yet been well constrained primarily due to difficulties in analyzing core phases with phase overlapping. We have previously developed a waveform inversion method to be applicable to such complex waveforms [Iritani et al., 2010, GRL] and revealed the depth profile of the attenuation beneath North America [Iritani et al., 2011, AGU]. In this study, we applied our method to a large number of broadband seismic arrays to compare depth profiles of the top half of the inner core in various regions. The data set consists of about 8,500 traces from Japanese F-net, NECESSArray (a large temporary broadband seismic array installed in northeastern China), permanent European stations, USArray and PASSCAL arrays deployed in a number of places in the world. Regions of the inner core sampled by core phases are beneath eastern Pacific, North America and Africa in the western hemisphere (WH), and beneath eastern and central Asia in the eastern hemisphere (EH). The obtained attenuation models for the WH show the gradually increase from ICB and have a peak around a 200 km depth. In contrast, the models for the EH have a high attenuation zone at the top 150 km layer. However, almost all models show common features below a depth of 250 km where the attenuation starts to gradually decrease with depth. It appears that hemispheric heterogeneities of the inner core are confined to the top 150 - 250 km of the inner core. Velocity models obtained by using various core phase data (PKP(DF), PKP(BC), PKP(CD) and PKP(Cdiff)) will be also presented to infer the origin of hemispherical heterogeneities and their relationship to the growing process of the inner core.

Seismicity and Crustal Anisotropy Beneath the Western Segment of the North Anatolian Fault: Results from a Dense Seismic Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turkelli, N.; Teoman, U.; Altuncu Poyraz, S.; Cambaz, D.; Mutlu, A. K.; Kahraman, M.; Houseman, G. A.; Rost, S.; Thompson, D. A.; Cornwell, D. G.; Utkucu, M.; Gülen, L.

2013-12-01

The North Anatolian Fault (NAF) is one of the major strike slip fault systems on Earth comparable to San Andreas Fault in some ways. Devastating earthquakes have occurred along this system causing major damage and casualties. In order to comprehensively investigate the shallow and deep crustal structure beneath the western segment of NAF, a temporary dense seismic network for North Anatolia (DANA) consisting of 73 broadband sensors was deployed in early May 2012 surrounding a rectangular grid of by 70 km and a nominal station spacing of 7 km with the aim of further enhancing the detection capability of this dense seismic array. This joint project involves researchers from University of Leeds, UK, Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI), and University of Sakarya and primarily focuses on upper crustal studies such as earthquake locations (especially micro-seismic activity), receiver functions, moment tensor inversions, shear wave splitting, and ambient noise correlations. To begin with, we obtained the hypocenter locations of local earthquakes that occured within the DANA network. The dense 2-D grid geometry considerably enhanced the earthquake detection capability which allowed us to precisely locate events with local magnitudes (Ml) less than 1.0. Accurate earthquake locations will eventually lead to high resolution images of the upper crustal structure beneath the northern and southern branches of NAF in Sakarya region. In order to put additional constraints on the active tectonics of the western part of NAF, we also determined fault plane solutions using Regional Moment Tensor Inversion (RMT) and P wave first motion methods. For the analysis of high quality fault plane solutions, data from KOERI and the DANA project were merged. Furthermore, with the aim of providing insights on crustal anisotropy, shear wave splitting parameters such as lag time and fast polarization direction were obtained for local events recorded within the seismic network with magnitudes larger than 2.5.

CryoPAF4: a cryogenic phased array feed design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Locke, Lisa; Garcia, Dominic; Halman, Mark; Henke, Doug; Hovey, Gary; Jiang, Nianhua; Knee, Lewis; Lacy, Gordon; Loop, David; Rupen, Michael; Veidt, Bruce; Wierzbicki, Ramunas

2016-07-01

Phased array feed (PAF) receivers used on radio astronomy telescopes offer the promise of increased fields of view while maintaining the superlative performance attained with traditional single pixel feeds (SPFs). However, the much higher noise temperatures of room temperature PAFs compared to cryogenically-cooled SPFs have prevented their general adoption. Here we describe a conceptual design for a cryogenically cooled 2.8 - 5.18 GHz dual linear polarization PAF with estimated receiver temperature of 11 K. The cryogenic PAF receiver will comprise a 140 element Vivaldi antenna array and low-noise amplifiers housed in a 480 mm diameter cylindrical dewar covered with a RF transparent radome. A broadband two-section coaxial feed is integrated within each metal antenna element to withstand the cryogenic environment and to provide a 50 ohm impedance for connection to the rest of the receiver. The planned digital beamformer performs digitization, frequency band selection, beam forming and array covariance matrix calibration. Coupling to a 15 m offset Gregorian dual-reflector telescope, cryoPAF4 can expect to form 18 overlapping beams increasing the field of view by a factor of 8x compared to a single pixel receiver of equal system temperature.

Self-organized nitrogen and fluorine co-doped titanium oxide nanotube arrays with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance.

PubMed

Li, Qi; Shang, Jian Ku

2009-12-01

Self-organized nitrogen and fluorine co-doped titanium oxide (TiONF) nanotube arrays were created by anodizing titanium foil in a fluoride and ammoniate-based electrolyte, followed by calcination of the amorphous nanotube arrays under a nitrogen protective atmosphere for crystallization. TiONF nanotube arrays were found to have enhanced visible light absorption capability and photodegradation efficiency on methylene blue under visible light illumination over the TiO(2) nanotube arrays. The enhancement was dependent on both the nanotube structural architecture and the nitrogen and fluorine co-doping effect. TiONF nanotube arrays promise a wide range of technical applications, especially for environmental applications and solar cell devices.

Broadband Epsilon-near-Zero Reflectors Enhance the Quantum Efficiency of Thin Solar Cells at Visible and Infrared Wavelengths.

PubMed

Labelle, A J; Bonifazi, M; Tian, Y; Wong, C; Hoogland, S; Favraud, G; Walters, G; Sutherland, B; Liu, M; Li, Jun; Zhang, Xixiang; Kelley, S O; Sargent, E H; Fratalocchi, A

2017-02-15

The engineering of broadband absorbers to harvest white light in thin-film semiconductors is a major challenge in developing renewable materials for energy harvesting. Many solution-processed materials with high manufacturability and low cost, such as semiconductor quantum dots, require the use of film structures with thicknesses on the order of 1 μm to absorb incoming photons completely. The electron transport lengths in these media, however, are 1 order of magnitude smaller than this length, hampering further progress with this platform. Herein, we show that, by engineering suitably disordered nanoplasmonic structures, we have created a new class of dispersionless epsilon-near-zero composite materials that efficiently harness white light. Our nanostructures localize light in the dielectric region outside the epsilon-near-zero material with characteristic lengths of 10-100 nm, resulting in an efficient system for harvesting broadband light when a thin absorptive film is deposited on top of the structure. By using a combination of theory and experiments, we demonstrate that ultrathin layers down to 50 nm of colloidal quantum dots deposited atop the epsilon-near-zero material show an increase in broadband absorption ranging from 200% to 500% compared to a planar structure of the same colloidal quantum-dot-absorber average thickness. When the epsilon-near-zero nanostructures were used in an energy-harvesting module, we observed a spectrally averaged 170% broadband increase in the external quantum efficiency of the device, measured at wavelengths between 400 and 1200 nm. Atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence excitation measurements demonstrate that the properties of these epsilon-near-zero structures apply to general metals and could be used to enhance the near-field absorption of semiconductor structures more widely. We have developed an inexpensive electrochemical deposition process that enables scaled-up production of this nanomaterial for large-scale energy-harvesting applications.

Lidar Observations of Tropospheric Aerosols Over Northeastern South Africa During the ARREX and SAFARI-2000 Dry Season Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, James R.; Welton, Ellsworth J.; Spinhirne, James D.; Ji, Qiang; Tsay, Si-Chee; Piketh, Stuart J.; Barenbrug, Marguerite; Holben, Brent; Starr, David OC. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

During the ARREX-1999 and SAFARI-2000 Dry Season experiments a micropulse lidar (523 nm) instrument was operated at the Skukuza Airport in northeastern South Africa. The Mar was collocated with a diverse array of passive radiometric equipment. For SAFARI-2000 the processed Mar data yields a daytime time-series of layer mean/derived aerosol optical properties, including extinction-to-backscatter ratios and vertical extinction cross-section profile. Combined with 523 run aerosol optical depth and spectral Angstrom exponent calculations from available CIMEL sun-photometer data and normalized broadband flux measurements the temporal evolution of the near surface aerosol layer optical properties is analyzed for climatological trends. For the densest smoke/haze events the extinction-to-backscatter ratio is found to be between 60-80/sr, and corresponding Angstrom exponent calculations near and above 1.75. The optical characteristics of an evolving smoke event from SAFARI-2000 are extensively detailed. The advecting smoke was embedded within two distinct stratified thermodynamic layers, causing the particulate mass to advect over the instrument array in an incoherent manner on the afternoon of its occurrence. Surface broadband flux forcing due to the smoke is calculated, as is the evolution in the vertical aerosol extinction profile as measured by the Han Finally, observations of persistent elevated aerosol during ARREX-1999 are presented and discussed. The lack of corroborating observations the following year makes these observation; both unique and noteworthy in the scope of regional aerosol transport over southern Africa.

Broadband Direct Detection Submillimeter Spectrometer with Multiplexed Superconducting Transition Edge Thermometer Bolometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benford, D. J.; Ames, T. A.; Chervenak, J. A.; Moseley, S. H.; Shafer, R. A.; Staguhn, J. G.; Voellmer, G. M.; Pajot, F.; Rioux, C.; Phillips, T. G.;

Deconvolution of azimuthal mode detection measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sijtsma, Pieter; Brouwer, Harry

2018-05-01

Unequally spaced transducer rings make it possible to extend the range of detectable azimuthal modes. The disadvantage is that the response of the mode detection algorithm to a single mode is distributed over all detectable modes, similarly to the Point Spread Function of Conventional Beamforming with microphone arrays. With multiple modes the response patterns interfere, leading to a relatively high "noise floor" of spurious modes in the detected mode spectrum, in other words, to a low dynamic range. In this paper a deconvolution strategy is proposed for increasing this dynamic range. It starts with separating the measured sound into shaft tones and broadband noise. For broadband noise modes, a standard Non-Negative Least Squares solver appeared to be a perfect deconvolution tool. For shaft tones a Matching Pursuit approach is proposed, taking advantage of the sparsity of dominant modes. The deconvolution methods were applied to mode detection measurements in a fan rig. An increase in dynamic range of typically 10-15 dB was found.

Embedded dielectric water "atom" array for broadband microwave absorber based on Mie resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gogoi, Dhruba Jyoti; Bhattacharyya, Nidhi Saxena

2017-11-01

A wide band microwave absorber at X-band frequency range is demonstrated numerically and experimentally by embedding a simple rectangular structured dielectric water "atom" in flexible silicone substrate. The absorption peak of the absorber is tuned by manipulating the size of the dielectric water "atom." The frequency dispersive permittivity property of the water "atom" shows broadband absorption covering the entire X-band above 90% efficiency with varying the size of the water "atom." Mie resonance of the proposed absorber provides the desired impedance matching condition at the air-absorber interface across a wide frequency range in terms of electric and magnetic resonances. Multipole decomposition of induced current densities is used to identify the nature of observed resonances. Numerical absorptivity verifies that the designed absorber is polarization insensitive for normal incidence and can maintain an absorption bandwidth of more than 2 GHz in a wide-angle incidence. Additionally, the tunability of absorption property with temperature is shown experimentally.

H-fractal seismic metamaterial with broadband low-frequency bandgaps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Qiujiao; Zeng, Yi; Xu, Yang; Yang, Hongwu; Zeng, Zuoxun

2018-03-01

The application of metamaterial in civil engineering to achieve isolation of a building by controlling the propagation of seismic waves is a substantial challenge because seismic waves, a superposition of longitudinal and shear waves, are more complex than electromagnetic and acoustic waves. In this paper, we design a broadband seismic metamaterial based on H-shaped fractal pillars and report numerical simulation of band structures for seismic surface waves propagating. Comparative study on the band structures of H-fractal seismic metamaterials with different levels shows that a new level of fractal structure creates new band gap, widens the total band gaps and shifts the same band gap towards lower frequencies. Moreover, the vibration modes for H-fractal seismic metamaterials are computed and analyzed to clarify the mechanism of widening band gaps. A numerical investigation of seismic surface waves propagation on a 2D array of fractal unit cells on the surface of semi-infinite substrate is proposed to show the efficiency of earthquake shielding in multiple complete band gaps.

Ultrasensitive Characterization of Mechanical Oscillations and Plasmon Energy Shift in Gold Nanorods.

PubMed

Soavi, Giancarlo; Tempra, Iacopo; Pantano, Maria F; Cattoni, Andrea; Collin, Stéphane; Biagioni, Paolo; Pugno, Nicola M; Cerullo, Giulio

2016-02-23

Mechanical vibrational resonances in metal nanoparticles are intensively studied because they provide insight into nanoscale elasticity and for their potential application to ultrasensitive mass detection. In this paper, we use broadband femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy to study the longitudinal acoustic phonons of arrays of gold nanorods with different aspect ratios, fabricated by electron beam lithography with very high size uniformity. We follow in real time the impulsively excited extensional oscillations of the nanorods by measuring the transient shift of the localized surface plasmon band. Broadband and high-sensitivity detection of the time-dependent extinction spectra enables one to develop a model that quantitatively describes the periodic variation of the plasmon extinction coefficient starting from the steady-state spectrum with only one additional free parameter. This model allows us to retrieve the time-dependent elongation of the nanorods with an ultrahigh sensitivity and to measure oscillation amplitudes of just a few picometers and plasmon energy shifts on the order of 10(-2) meV.

Ultra-broadband and high-efficiency polarization conversion metasurface with multiple plasmon resonance modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Guo-Xiang; Shi, Hong-Yu; Xia, Song; Li, Wei; Zhang, An-Xue; Xu, Zhuo; Wei, Xiao-Yong

2016-08-01

In this paper, we present a novel metasurface design that achieves a high-efficiency ultra-broadband cross polarization conversion. The metasurface is composed of an array of unit resonators, each of which combines an H-shaped structure and two rectangular metallic patches. Different plasmon resonance modes are excited in unit resonators and allow the polarization states to be manipulated. The bandwidth of the cross polarization converter is 82% of the central frequency, covering the range from 15.7 GHz to 37.5 GHz. The conversion efficiency of the innovative new design is higher than 90%. At 14.43 GHz and 40.95 GHz, the linearly polarized incident wave is converted into a circularly polarized wave. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61471292, 61331005, 61471388, 51277012, 41404095, and 61501365), the 111 Project, China (Grant No. B14040), the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2015CB654602), and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation ( Grant No. 2015M580849).

Earthquake Monitoring with the MyShake Global Smartphone Seismic Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inbal, A.; Kong, Q.; Allen, R. M.; Savran, W. H.

2017-12-01

Smartphone arrays have the potential for significantly improving seismic monitoring in sparsely instrumented urban areas. This approach benefits from the dense spatial coverage of users, as well as from communication and computational capabilities built into smartphones, which facilitate big seismic data transfer and analysis. Advantages in data acquisition with smartphones trade-off with factors such as the low-quality sensors installed in phones, high noise levels, and strong network heterogeneity, all of which limit effective seismic monitoring. Here we utilize network and array-processing schemes to asses event detectability with the MyShake global smartphone network. We examine the benefits of using this network in either triggered or continuous modes of operation. A global database of ground motions measured on stationary phones triggered by M2-6 events is used to establish detection probabilities. We find that the probability of detecting an M=3 event with a single phone located <10 km from the epicenter exceeds 70%. Due to the sensor's self-noise, smaller magnitude events at short epicentral distances are very difficult to detect. To increase the signal-to-noise ratio, we employ array back-projection techniques on continuous data recorded by thousands of phones. In this class of methods, the array is used as a spatial filter that suppresses signals emitted from shallow noise sources. Filtered traces are stacked to further enhance seismic signals from deep sources. We benchmark our technique against traditional location algorithms using recordings from California, a region with large MyShake user database. We find that locations derived from back-projection images of M 3 events recorded by >20 nearby phones closely match the regional catalog locations. We use simulated broadband seismic data to examine how location uncertainties vary with user distribution and noise levels. To this end, we have developed an empirical noise model for the metropolitan Los-Angeles (LA) area. We find that densities larger than 100 stationary phones/km2 are required to accurately locate M 2 events in the LA basin. Given the projected MyShake user distribution, that condition may be met within the next few years.

Fabrication of Detector Arrays for the SPT-3G Receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Posada, C. M.; Ade, P. A. R.; Ahmed, Z.; Anderson, A. J.; Austermann, J. E.; Avva, J. S.; Thakur, R. Basu; Bender, A. N.; Benson, B. A.; Carlstrom, J. E.; Carter, F. W.; Cecil, T.; Chang, C. L.; Cliche, J. F.; Cukierman, A.; Denison, E. V.; de Haan, T.; Ding, J.; Divan, R.; Dobbs, M. A.; Dutcher, D.; Everett, W.; Foster, A.; Gannon, R. N.; Gilbert, A.; Groh, J. C.; Halverson, N. W.; Harke-Hosemann, A. H.; Harrington, N. L.; Henning, J. W.; Hilton, G. C.; Holzapfel, W. L.; Huang, N.; Irwin, K. D.; Jeong, O. B.; Jonas, M.; Khaire, T.; Kofman, A. M.; Korman, M.; Kubik, D.; Kuhlmann, S.; Kuo, C. L.; Lee, A. T.; Lowitz, A. E.; Meyer, S. S.; Michalik, D.; Miller, C. S.; Montgomery, J.; Nadolski, A.; Natoli, T.; Nguyen, H.; Noble, G. I.; Novosad, V.; Padin, S.; Pan, Z.; Pearson, J.; Rahlin, A.; Ruhl, J. E.; Saunders, L. J.; Sayre, J. T.; Shirley, I.; Shirokoff, E.; Smecher, G.; Sobrin, J. A.; Stan, L.; Stark, A. A.; Story, K. T.; Suzuki, A.; Tang, Q. Y.; Thompson, K. L.; Tucker, C.; Vale, L. R.; Vanderlinde, K.; Vieira, J. D.; Wang, G.; Whitehorn, N.; Yefremenko, V.; Yoon, K. W.; Young, M. R.

2018-05-01

The South Pole Telescope third-generation (SPT-3G) receiver was installed during the austral summer of 2016-2017. It is designed to measure the cosmic microwave background across three frequency bands centered at 95, 150, and 220 GHz. The SPT-3G receiver has ten focal plane modules, each with 269 pixels. Each pixel features a broadband sinuous antenna coupled to a niobium microstrip transmission line. In-line filters define the desired band-passes before the signal is coupled to six bolometers with Ti/Au/Ti/Au transition edge sensors (three bands × two polarizations). In total, the SPT-3G receiver is composed of 16,000 detectors, which are read out using a 68× frequency-domain multiplexing scheme. In this paper, we present the process employed in fabricating the detector arrays.

Visible light focusing flat lenses based on hybrid dielectric-metal metasurface reflector-arrays

PubMed Central

Fan, Qingbin; Huo, Pengcheng; Wang, Daopeng; Liang, Yuzhang; Yan, Feng; Xu, Ting

2017-01-01

Conventional metasurface reflector-arrays based on metallic resonant nanoantenna to control the wavefront of light for focusing always suffer from strong ohmic loss at optical frequencies. Here, we overcome this challenge by constructing a non-resonant, hybrid dielectric-metal configuration consisting of TiO2 nanofins associated with an Ag reflector substrate that provides a broadband response and high polarization conversion efficiency in the visible range. A reflective flat lens based on this configuration shows an excellent focusing performance with the spot size close to the diffraction limit. Furthermore, by employing the superimposed phase distribution design to manipulate the wavefront of the reflected light, various functionalities, such as multifocal and achromatic focusing, are demonstrated for the flat lenses. Such a reflective flat lens will find various applications in visible light imaging and sensing systems. PMID:28332611

Hexagonal arrays of round-head silicon nanopillars for surface anti-reflection applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Wensheng; Dottermusch, Stephan; Reitz, Christian; Richards, Bryce S.

2016-10-01

We designed and fabricated an anti-reflection surface of hexagonal arrays of round-head silicon nanopillars. The measurements show a significant reduction in reflectivity across a broad spectral range. However, we then grew a conformal titanium dioxide coating via atomic layer deposition to achieve an extremely low weighted average reflection of 2.1% over the 460-1040 nm wavelength range. To understand the underlying reasons for the reduced reflectance, the simulations were conducted and showed that it is due to strong forward scattering of incident light into the silicon substrate. The calculated normalized scattering cross section demonstrates a broadband distribution feature, and the peak has a red-shift to longer wavelengths. Finally, we report two-dimensional weighted average reflectance as a function of both wavelength and angle of incidence and present the resulting analysis contour map.

Single Station System and Method of Locating Lightning Strikes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Medelius, Pedro J. (Inventor); Starr, Stanley O. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

An embodiment of the present invention uses a single detection system to approximate a location of lightning strikes. This system is triggered by a broadband RF detector and measures a time until the arrival of a leading edge of the thunder acoustic pulse. This time difference is used to determine a slant range R from the detector to the closest approach of the lightning. The azimuth and elevation are determined by an array of acoustic sensors. The leading edge of the thunder waveform is cross-correlated between the various acoustic sensors in the array to determine the difference in time of arrival, AT. A set of AT S is used to determine the direction of arrival, AZ and EL. The three estimated variables (R, AZ, EL) are used to locate a probable point of the lightning strike.

Acoustic Environment of Admiralty Inlet: Broadband Noise Measurements

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

Xu, Jinshan; Deng, Zhiqun; Martinez, Jayson J.

2011-09-30

Admiralty Inlet has been selected as a potential tidal energy site. It is located near shipping lanes, is a highly variable acoustic environment, and is frequented by the highly endangered southern resident killer whale (SRKW). Resolving environmental impacts is the first step to receiving approval to deploy tidal turbines at Admiralty Inlet. Of particular concern is the potential for blade strike or other negative interactions between the SRKW and the tidal turbine. A variety of technologies including passive and active monitoring systems are being considered as potential tools to determine the presence of SRKW in the vicinity of the turbines.more » Broadband noise level measurements are critical for the determination of design and operation specifications of all marine and hydrokinetic energy capture technologies. Acoustic environment data at the proposed site was acquired at different depths using a cabled vertical line array (VLA) with four calibrated hydrophones. The sound pressure level (SPL) power spectrum density was estimated based on the fast Fourier transform. This study describes the first broadband SPL measurements for this site at different depths with frequency ranging from 10 kHz to 480 kHz in combination with other information. To understand the SPL caused by this bedload transport, three different pressure sensors with temperature and conductivity were also assembled on the VLA to measure the conditions at the hydrophone deployment depth. The broadband SPL levels at frequency ranges of 3 kHz to 7 kHz as a function of depth were estimated. Only the hydrophone at an average depth of 40 m showed the strong dependence of SPL with distance from the bottom, which was possibly caused by the cobbles shifting on the seabed. Automatic Identification System data were also studied to understand the SPL measurements.« less

Customized broadband sloan-filters for the JST/T250 and JAST/T80 telescopes: summary of results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brauneck, U.; Sprengard, R.; Bourquin, S.; Marín-Franch, A.

2017-09-01

The Centro de Estudios de Fisica del Cosmos de Aragon (CEFCA) will conduct a photometric sky survey with 2 new telescopes recently setup on the Javalambre mountain in Spain: the JST/T250 is a 2.55m telescope with a plate scale of 22.67"/mm and a 3° diameter field of view (FoV) and the auxiliary telescope JAST/T80 with a 82cm primary mirror and a FoV of 2 deg diameter. A multiple CCD (9k-by-9k array size, 10μm pixel size) mosaic camera is used in combination with filter trays or filter wheels, each containing a multitude of filters in dimensions of 101.7x96.5mm or 106.8x106.8mm. For this project, SCHOTT manufactured 56 specially designed narrow band steep edged bandpass interference filters and 5 broadband sloan-filters which were completed only recently. We report here on the results of the broadband sloanfilters with transmission bands of 324-400nm (sloan-u), 400-550nm (sloan-g), 550-700nm (sloan-r), 695-850nm (sloan-i) and 830-1200nm (sloan-z). The filters are composed of SCHOTT filterglasses and clearglass substrates coated with interference filters and represent an improvement of broadband sloan filters commonly used in astronomy. Inspite of the absorptive elements, the filters show maximum possible transmissions achieved by magnetron sputtered filter coatings. In addition the blocking of the filters is better than OD5 in the range 250-1050nm. A high image quality required a low transmitted wavefront error (<λ/8 locally, respectively <λ/2 globally) which was achieved by combining up to 2 substrates. We report on the spectral and interferometric results measured on the filters.

Delineating Concealed Faults within Cogdell Oil Field via Earthquake Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aiken, C.; Walter, J. I.; Brudzinski, M.; Skoumal, R.; Savvaidis, A.; Frohlich, C.; Borgfeldt, T.; Dotray, P.

2016-12-01

Cogdell oil field, located within the Permian Basin of western Texas, has experienced several earthquakes ranging from magnitude 1.7 to 4.6, most of which were recorded since 2006. Using the Earthscope USArray, Gan and Frohlich [2013] relocated some of these events and found a positive correlation in the timing of increased earthquake activity and increased CO2 injection volume. However, focal depths of these earthquakes are unknown due to 70 km station spacing of the USArray. Accurate focal depths as well as new detections can delineate subsurface faults and establish whether earthquakes are occurring in the shallow sediments or in the deeper basement. To delineate subsurface fault(s) in this region, we first detect earthquakes not currently listed in the USGS catalog by applying continuous waveform-template matching algorithms to multiple seismic data sets. We utilize seismic data spanning the time frame of 2006 to 2016 - which includes data from the U.S. Geological Survey Global Seismographic Network, the USArray, and the Sweetwater, TX broadband and nodal array located 20-40 km away. The catalog of earthquakes enhanced by template matching reveals events that were well recorded by the large-N Sweetwater array, so we are experimenting with strategies for optimizing template matching using different configurations of many stations. Since earthquake activity in the Cogdell oil field is on-going (a magnitude 2.6 occurred on May 29, 2016), a temporary deployment of TexNet seismometers has been planned for the immediate vicinity of Cogdell oil field in August 2016. Results on focal depths and detection of small magnitude events are pending this small local network deployment.

Ion profiling in an ambient drift tube-ion mobility spectrometer using a high pixel density linear array detector IonCCD.

PubMed

Davila, Stephen J; Hadjar, Omar; Eiceman, Gary A

2013-07-16

A linear pixel-based detector array, the IonCCD, is characterized for use under ambient conditions with thermal (<1 eV) positive ions derived from purified air and a 10 mCi (63)Ni foil. The IonCCD combined with a drift tube-ion mobility spectrometer permitted the direct detection of gas phase ions at atmospheric pressure and confirmed a limit of detection of 3000 ions/pixel/frame established previously in both the keV (1-2 keV) and the hyper-thermal (10-40 eV) regimes. Results demonstrate the "broad-band" application of the IonCCD over 10(5) orders in ion energy and over 10(10) in operating pressure. The Faraday detector of a drift tube for an ion mobility spectrometer was replaced with the IonCCD providing images of ion profiles over the cross-section of the drift tube. Patterns in the ion profiles were developed in the drift tube cross-section by control of electric fields between wires of Bradbury Nielson and Tyndall Powell shutter designs at distances of 1-8 cm from the detector. Results showed that ion beams formed in wire sets, retained their shape with limited mixing by diffusion and Coulombic repulsion. Beam broadening determined as 95 μm/cm for hydrated protons in air with moisture of ~10 ppmv. These findings suggest a value of the IonCCD in further studies of ion motion and diffusion of thermalized ions, enhancing computational results from simulation programs, and in the design or operation of ion mobility spectrometers.

On-board B-ISDN fast packet switching architectures. Phase 1: Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Faris, Faris; Inukai, Thomas; Lee, Fred; Paul, Dilip; Shyy, Dong-Jye

1993-01-01

The broadband integrate services digital network (B-ISDN) is an emerging telecommunications technology that will meet most of the telecommunications networking needs in the mid-1990's to early next century. The satellite-based system is well positioned for providing B-ISDN service with its inherent capabilities of point-to-multipoint and broadcast transmission, virtually unlimited connectivity between any two points within a beam coverage, short deployment time of communications facility, flexible and dynamic reallocation of space segment capacity, and distance insensitive cost. On-board processing satellites, particularly in a multiple spot beam environment, will provide enhanced connectivity, better performance, optimized access and transmission link design, and lower user service cost. The following are described: the user and network aspects of broadband services; the current development status in broadband services; various satellite network architectures including system design issues; and various fast packet switch architectures and their detail designs.

A highly distributed Bragg stack with unique geometry provides effective camouflage for Loliginid squid eyes

PubMed Central

Holt, Amanda L.; Sweeney, Alison M.; Johnsen, Sönke; Morse, Daniel E.

2011-01-01

Cephalopods possess a sophisticated array of mechanisms to achieve camouflage in dynamic underwater environments. While active mechanisms such as chromatophore patterning and body posturing are well known, passive mechanisms such as manipulating light with highly evolved reflectors may also play an important role. To explore the contribution of passive mechanisms to cephalopod camouflage, we investigated the optical and biochemical properties of the silver layer covering the eye of the California fishery squid, Loligo opalescens. We discovered a novel nested-spindle geometry whose correlated structure effectively emulates a randomly distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), with a range of spatial frequencies resulting in broadband visible reflectance, making it a nearly ideal passive camouflage material for the depth at which these animals live. We used the transfer-matrix method of optical modelling to investigate specular reflection from the spindle structures, demonstrating that a DBR with widely distributed thickness variations of high refractive index elements is sufficient to yield broadband reflectance over visible wavelengths, and that unlike DBRs with one or a few spatial frequencies, this broadband reflectance occurs from a wide range of viewing angles. The spindle shape of the cells may facilitate self-assembly of a random DBR to achieve smooth spatial distributions in refractive indices. This design lends itself to technological imitation to achieve a DBR with wide range of smoothly varying layer thicknesses in a facile, inexpensive manner. PMID:21325315

Uplink transmission of a 60-km-reach WDM/OCDM-PON using a spectrum-sliced pulse source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Yong-Kyu; Hanawa, Masanori; Park, Chang-Soo

2014-02-01

We propose and experimentally demonstrate the uplink transmission of a 60-km-reach wavelength division multiplexing/optical code division multiplexing (WDM/OCDM) passive optical network (PON) using a spectrum-sliced pulse source. As a single light source, a broadband pulse source with a bandwidth of 6.5 nm and a repetition rate of 1.25 GHz is generated at a central office and supplied to a remote node (RN) through a 50-km fiber link. At the RN, narrow-band pulses (as a source for uplink transmission) are obtained by spectrum slicing the broadband pulse source with a cyclic arrayed waveguide grating and are then supplied to all optical network units (ONUs) via 1×4 power splitters and 10-km drop fibers. Eight wavelengths are obtained with a 6.5-nm bandwidth of the broadband pulse source, and the qualities of the pulses with a repetition rate of 1.25 GHz and a pulse width of 45 ps for the eight wavelengths are sufficient for four-chip OCDM encoding at the ONUs. In our experiments, four signals are multiplexed by OCDM at one wavelength, and another encoded signal is also multiplexed by WDM. The bit error rates (BERs) of the signals exhibit error-free transmission (BER<10-9) over a 60-km single-mode fiber at 1.25 Gb/s.

Spontaneous Decoding of the Timing and Content of Human Object Perception from Cortical Surface Recordings Reveals Complementary Information in the Event-Related Potential and Broadband Spectral Change

PubMed Central

Miller, Kai J.; Schalk, Gerwin; Hermes, Dora; Ojemann, Jeffrey G.; Rao, Rajesh P. N.

2016-01-01

The link between object perception and neural activity in visual cortical areas is a problem of fundamental importance in neuroscience. Here we show that electrical potentials from the ventral temporal cortical surface in humans contain sufficient information for spontaneous and near-instantaneous identification of a subject’s perceptual state. Electrocorticographic (ECoG) arrays were placed on the subtemporal cortical surface of seven epilepsy patients. Grayscale images of faces and houses were displayed rapidly in random sequence. We developed a template projection approach to decode the continuous ECoG data stream spontaneously, predicting the occurrence, timing and type of visual stimulus. In this setting, we evaluated the independent and joint use of two well-studied features of brain signals, broadband changes in the frequency power spectrum of the potential and deflections in the raw potential trace (event-related potential; ERP). Our ability to predict both the timing of stimulus onset and the type of image was best when we used a combination of both the broadband response and ERP, suggesting that they capture different and complementary aspects of the subject’s perceptual state. Specifically, we were able to predict the timing and type of 96% of all stimuli, with less than 5% false positive rate and a ~20ms error in timing. PMID:26820899

Turbulence Associated With Broadband Shock Noise in Hot Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bridges, James E.; Wernet, Mark P.

2008-01-01

Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TRPIV) has been applied to a series of jet flows to measure turbulence statistics associated with broadband shock associated noise (BBSN). Data were acquired in jets of Mach numbers 1.05, 1.185, and 1.4 at different temperatures. Both convergent and ideally expanded nozzles were tested, along with a convergent nozzle modified to minimize screech. Key findings include the effect of heat on shock structure and jet decay, the increase in turbulent velocity when screech is present, and the relative lack of spectral detail associated with the enhanced turbulence.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering active gold nanoparticle/nanohole arrays fabricated through electron beam lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Tsunghsueh; Lin, Yang-Wei

2018-03-01

Effective surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active substrates from gold nanoparticle and gold nanohole arrays were successfully fabricated through electron beam lithography with precise computer-aided control of the unit size and intergap distance. Their SERS performance was evaluated using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA). These gold arrays yielded strong SERS signals under 785 nm laser excitation. The enhancement factors for 4-MBA molecules on the prepared gold nanoparticle and nanohole arrays maxed at 1.08 × 107 and 8.61 × 106, respectively. The observed increase in SERS enhancement was attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength shifting toward the near-infrared regime when the gold nanohole diameter increased, in agreement with the theoretical prediction in this study. The contribution of LSPR to the Raman enhancement from nanohole arrays deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass was elucidated by comparing SERS and transmission spectra. This simple fabrication procedure, which entails employing electron beam lithography and the controllability of the intergap distance, suggests highly promising uses of nanohole arrays as functional components in sensing and photonic devices.

Joint Local/Teleseismic Tomographic Inversion in Taiwan Using TAIGER and Other Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, E.; Wu, F. T.; Huang, B.; Liang, W.; Wang, C.; Rawlinson, N.; Okaya, D. A.

2008-12-01

Taiwan, one of the most active orogenic belts, is at the intersection of two subduction zones. In southern Taiwan, the South China Sea Slab (SCSS), part of Eurasian Plate (EP), subducts beneath the Luzon arc along the Manila trench. In northern Taiwan, the Philippine Sea Plate (PSP) subducts beneath the Ryukyu arc along the Ryukyu trench. The thin skinned model and lithospheric deformation model have been proposed to explain the formation of orogeny. To distinguish between these two geodynamically possible processes, imaging of the deep structures below Taiwan is necessary. In this study, explosion data, local/regional earthquakes and teleseisms are used to invert the velocity structures of Taiwan from surface to about 150 km. Temporary passive broadband (on land and at the ocean bottom), active sources array datasets of the TAIGER (TAiwan Integrated GEodynamics Research) project and permanent array datasets of the BATS (Broadband Array in Taiwan for Seismology) and CWB (Central Weather Bureau) are used in this study. FMTOMO (fast marching tomography) of Rawlinson et al. (2006) is employed to invert the 3D P-wavespeed beneath Taiwan. The derived velocity perturbations dVp (dVp= Vfinal-Vinital) are clearly related to geology and tectonics. At shallow depth (< 10km), dVp >0 under the Central Range (Pre-Tertiary metamorphic rocks) and dVp < 0 under the Foothills (Pliocene sedimentary). Below a depth about 20 km, the placement of the high and low anomalies is reversed, i.e., dVp>0 under the Foothills and dVp<0 under the Central Range; the low velocity core of the Central Ranges extend down to about 50 km, forming the mountain root. A steeply dipping high velocity zone lies under the thickening 'mountain root' in central Taiwan. In southern Taiwan, the high velocity zone dips eastward coinciding with the Benioff Zone. The geometry of the high velocity zones in the upper mantle are key to understanding the Taiwan orogeny.

EarthScope's Transportable Array in Alaska and Western Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Enders, M.; Miner, J.; Bierma, R. M.; Busby, R.

2015-12-01

EarthScope's Transportable Array (TA) in Alaska and Canada is an ongoing deployment of 261 high quality broadband seismographs. The Alaska TA is the continuation of the rolling TA/USArray deployment of 400 broadband seismographs in the lower 48 contiguous states and builds on the success of the TA project there. The TA in Alaska and Canada is operated by the IRIS Consortium on behalf of the National Science Foundation as part of the EarthScope program. By Sept 2015, it is anticipated that the TA network in Alaska and Canada will be operating 105 stations. During the summer 2015, TA field crews comprised of IRIS and HTSI station specialists, as well as representatives from our partner agencies the Alaska Earthquake Center and the Alaska Volcano Observatory and engineers from the UNAVCO Plate Boundary Observatory will have completed a total of 36 new station installations. Additionally, we will have completed upgrades at 9 existing Alaska Earthquake Center stations with borehole seismometers and the adoption of an additional 35 existing stations. As the array doubles in Alaska, IRIS continues to collaborate closely with other network operators, universities and research consortia in Alaska and Canada including the Alaska Earthquake Center (AEC), the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), the UNAVCO Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO), the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN), Canadian Hazard Information Service (CHIS), the Yukon Geologic Survey (YGS), the Pacific Geoscience Center of the Geologic Survey, Yukon College and others. During FY14 and FY15 the TA has completed upgrade work at 20 Alaska Earthquake Center stations and 2 AVO stations, TA has co-located borehole seismometers at 5 existing PBO GPS stations to augment the EarthScope observatory. We present an overview of deployment plan and the status through 2015. The performance of new Alaska TA stations including improvements to existing stations is described.

Frequency steerable acoustic transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senesi, Matteo

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is an active research area devoted to the assessment of the structural integrity of critical components of aerospace, civil and mechanical systems. Guided wave methods have been proposed for SHM of plate-like structures using permanently attached piezoelectric transducers, which generate and sense waves to evaluate the presence of damage. Effective interrogation of structural health is often facilitated by sensors and actuators with the ability to perform electronic, i.e. phased array, scanning. The objective of this research is to design an innovative directional piezoelectric transducer to be employed for the localization of broadband acoustic events, or for the generation of Lamb waves for active interrogation of structural health. The proposed Frequency Steerable Acoustic Transducers (FSATs) are characterized by a spatial arrangement of active material which leads to directional characteristics varying with frequency. Thus FSATs can be employed both for directional sensing and generation of guided waves without relying on phasing and control of a large number of channels. The analytical expression of the shape of the FSATs is obtained through a theoretical formulation for continuously distributed active material as part of a shaped piezoelectric device. The FSAT configurations analyzed in this work are a quadrilateral array and a geometry which corresponds to a spiral in the wavenumber domain. The quadrilateral array is experimentally validated, confirming the concept of frequency-dependent directionality. Its limited directivity is improved by the Wavenumber Spiral FSAT (WS-FSAT), which, instead, is characterized by a continuous frequency dependent directionality. Preliminary validations of the WS-FSAT, using a laser doppler vibrometer, are followed by the implementation of the WS-FSAT as a properly shaped piezo transducer. The prototype is first used for localization of acoustic broadband sources. Signal processing algorithms and related imaging techniques for damage location are also presented. Finally, the WS-FSAT has also been experimentally validated in generation.

Broadband spectra of seismic survey air-gun emissions, with reference to dolphin auditory thresholds.

PubMed

Goold, J C; Fish, P J

1998-04-01

Acoustic emissions from a 2120 cubic in air-gun array were recorded through a towed hydrophone assembly during an oil industry 2-D seismic survey off the West Wales Coast of the British Isles. Recorded seismic pulses were sampled, calibrated, and analyzed post-survey to investigate power levels of the pulses in the band 200 Hz-22 kHz at 750-m, 1-km, 2.2-km, and 8-km range from source. At 750-m range from source, seismic pulse power at the 200-Hz end of the spectrum was 140 dB re: 1 microPa2/Hz, and at the 20-kHz end of the spectrum seismic pulse power was 90 dB re: 1 microPa2/Hz. Although the background noise levels of the seismic recordings were far in excess of ambient, due to the proximity of engine, propeller, and flow sources of the ship towing the hydrophone, seismic power dominated the entire recorded bandwidth of 200 Hz-22 kHz at ranges of up to 2 km from the air-gun source. Even at 8-km range seismic power was still clearly in excess of the high background noise levels up to 8 kHz. Acoustic observations of common dolphins during preceding seismic surveys suggest that these animals avoided the immediate vicinity of the air-gun array while firing was in progress, i.e., localized disturbance occurred during seismic surveying. Although a general pattern of localized disturbance is suggested, one specific observation revealed that common dolphins were able to tolerate the seismic pulses at 1-km range from the air-gun array. Given the high broadband seismic pulse power levels across the entire recorded bandwidth, and known auditory thresholds for several dolphin species, we consider such seismic emissions to be clearly audible to dolphins across a bandwidth of tens on kilohertz, and at least out to 8-km range.

BASE Flexible Array Preliminary Lithospheric Structure Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeck, W. L.; Sheehan, A. F.; Anderson, M. L.; Siddoway, C. S.; Erslev, E.; Harder, S. H.; Miller, K. C.

2009-12-01

The Bighorns Arch Seismic Experiment (BASE) is a Flexible Array experiment integrated with EarthScope. The goal of BASE is to develop a better understanding of how basement-involved foreland arches form and what their link is to plate tectonic processes. To achieve this goal, the crustal structure under the Bighorn Mountain range, Bighorn Basin, and Powder River Basin of northern Wyoming and southern Montana are investigated through the deployment of 35 broadband seismometers, 200 short period seismometers, 1600 “Texan” instruments using active sources and 800 “Texan” instruments monitoring passive sources, together with field structural analysis of brittle structures. The novel combination of these approaches and anticipated simultaneous data inversion will give a detailed structural crustal image of the Bighorn region at all levels of the crust. Four models have been proposed for the formation of the Bighorn foreland arch: subhorizontal detachment within the crust, lithospheric buckling, pure shear lithospheric thickening, and fault blocks defined by lithosphere-penetrating thrust faults. During the summer of 2009, we deployed 35 broadband instruments, which have already recorded several magnitude 7+ teleseismic events. Through P wave receiver function analysis of these 35 stations folded in with many EarthScope Transportable Array stations in the region, we present a preliminary map of the Mohorovicic discontinuity. This crustal map is our first test of how the unique Moho geometries predicted by the four hypothesized models of basement involved arches fit seismic observations for the Bighorn Mountains. In addition, shear-wave splitting analysis for our first few recorded teleseisms helps us determine if strong lithospheric deformation is preserved under the range. These analyses help lead us to our final goal, a complete 4D (3D spatial plus temporal) lithospheric-scale model of arch formation which will advance our understanding of the mechanisms accommodating and driving basement-involved arch formation as well as continental lithospheric rheology.

Optical Antenna Arrays on a Fiber Facet for In Situ Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection

PubMed Central

Smythe, Elizabeth J.; Dickey, Michael D.; Bao, Jiming; Whitesides, George M.

2009-01-01

This paper reports a bidirectional fiber optic probe for the detection of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). One facet of the probe features an array of gold optical antennas designed to enhance Raman signal, while the other facet of the fiber is used for the input and collection of light. Simultaneous detection of benzenethiol and 2-[(E)-2-pyridin-4-ylethenyl]pyridine is demonstrated through a 35 cm long fiber. The array of nanoscale optical antennas was first defined by electron-beam lithography on a silicon wafer. The array was subsequently stripped from the wafer and then transferred to the facet of a fiber. Lithographic definition of the antennas provides a method for producing two-dimensional arrays with well-defined geometry, which allows (i) the optical response of the probe to be tuned and (ii) the density of ‘hot spots’ generating the enhanced Raman signal to be controlled. It is difficult to determine the Raman signal enhancement factor (EF) of most fiber optic Raman sensors featuring ‘hot spots’ because the geometry of the Raman enhancing nanostructures is poorly defined. The ability to control the size and spacing of the antennas enables the EF of the transferred array to be estimated. EF values estimated after focusing a laser directly onto the transferred array ranged from 2.6 × 105 to 5.1 × 105. PMID:19236032

High-rotational symmetry lattices fabricated by moiré nanolithography.

PubMed

Lubin, Steven M; Zhou, Wei; Hryn, Alexander J; Huntington, Mark D; Odom, Teri W

2012-09-12

This paper describes a new nanofabrication method, moiré nanolithography, that can fabricate subwavelength lattices with high-rotational symmetries. By exposing elastomeric photomasks sequentially at multiple offset angles, we created arrays with rotational symmetries as high as 36-fold, which is three times higher than quasiperiodic lattices (≤12-fold) and six times higher than two-dimensional periodic lattices (≤6-fold). Because these moiré nanopatterns can be generated over wafer-scale areas, they are promising for a range of photonic applications, especially those that require broadband, omnidirectional absorption of visible light.

A Study of the Broadband Parametric Acoustic Array

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-04

iJ~ exp[~~) fj 2 0 . (3.8) This expression indicates a maximum when f =--n (3.9) This result was derived by Findeisen . 64 Using the definitions of n...Interactions of Progressive Finite Amplitude Waves in Nondispersive Fluids," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 50, 1299-1312 (1971). 64. A. G. Findeisen and S. A. Means, "A...Clynch, ARL:UT 126 George P. Coble, ARL:UT 127 Bernie R. Criswell, ARL:IJT 128 Charles R. Culbertson, ARL:UT 129 Allen G. Findeisen , ARL:UT 130 Karl C

Microwave photonic filters using low-cost sources featuring tunability, reconfigurability and negative coefficients.

PubMed

Capmany, José; Mora, José; Ortega, Beatriz; Pastor, Daniel

2005-03-07

We propose and experimentally demonstrate two configurations of photonic filters for the processing of microwave signals featuring tunability, reconfigurability and negative coefficients based on the use of low cost optical sources. The first option is a low power configuration based on spectral slicing of a broadband source. The second is a high power configuration based on fixed lasers. Tunability, reconfigurability and negative coefficients are achieved by means of a MEMS cross-connect, a variable optical attenuator array and simple 2x2 switches respectively.

Baseline Design of a 5-7 kJ KrF Laser Facility for Direct Illumination ICF Experiments.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-12-31

energies of 5-7 kJ, pulsewidths 5 ns, and broadband (> 20 45) capabilities, the proposed sys - tem is intended primarily for laser-plasma experiments...optics with mounts and align- ment hardware, (3) building, (4) chamber system, (5) oscillator, (6) I.S.I. array, and (7) control sys - tem. Each component...hence, for a spherical mirror, 2 - COA 3pDG (B14) NABE - NOMA 16f2?( Astigmatisnr~ (78)MAx 2CID92 -- (VL8)mlN; hence, for either a spherical mirror or

Full characterisation of a background limited antenna coupled KID over an octave of bandwidth for THz radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bueno, J.; Yurduseven, O.; Yates, S. J. C.; Llombart, N.; Murugesan, V.; Thoen, D. J.; Baryshev, A. M.; Neto, A.; Baselmans, J. J. A.

2017-06-01

We present the design, fabrication, and full characterisation (sensitivity, beam pattern, and frequency response) of a background limited broadband antenna coupled kinetic inductance detector covering the frequency range from 1.4 to 2.8 THz. This device shows photon noise limited performance with a noise equivalent power of 2.5 × 10-19 W/Hz1/2 at 1.55 THz and can be easily scaled to a kilo-pixel array. The measured optical efficiency, beam pattern, and antenna frequency response match very well the simulations.

Broadband and omnidirectional light harvesting enhancement in photovoltaic devices with aperiodic TiO2 nanotube photonic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Min; Su, Haijun; Zhang, Jun; Liu, Lin; Fu, Nianqing; Yong, Zehui; Huang, Haitao; Xie, Keyu

2017-03-01

Design of more effective broadband light-trapping elements to improve the light harvesting efficiency under both normal and tilted light for solar cells and other photonic devices is highly desirable. Herein we present a theoretical analysis on the optical properties of a novel TiO2 nanotube aperiodic photonic crystal (NT APC) following an aperiodic sequences and its photocurrent enhancement effect for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) under various incidence angles. It is found that, compared to regular PC, the designed TiO2 NT APC owns broader reflection region and a desired omnidirectional reflection (ODR) bandgaps, leading to considerable and stable photocurrent enhancement under both normal and oblique light. The effects of the structural parameters of the TiO2 NT APC, including the average lattice constant and the common sequence difference, on the optical properties, ODR bandgaps and absorption magnification of the integrated DSSCs are investigated in detail. Moreover, the angular dependence of photocurrent enhancement and angular compensation effect of such TiO2 NT APCs are also provided to offer a guidance on the optimum structural parameters design under different engineering application conditions.

Method and apparatus for enhancing vortex pinning by conformal crystal arrays

DOEpatents

Janko, Boldizsar; Reichhardt, Cynthia; Reichhardt, Charles; Ray, Dipanjan

2015-07-14

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for strongly enhancing vortex pinning by conformal crystal arrays. The conformal crystal array is constructed by a conformal transformation of a hexagonal lattice, producing a non-uniform structure with a gradient where the local six-fold coordination of the pinning sites is preserved, and with an arching effect. The conformal pinning arrays produce significantly enhanced vortex pinning over a much wider range of field than that found for other vortex pinning geometries with an equivalent number of vortex pinning sites, such as random, square, and triangular.

Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2011

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA

2011-02-02

Senate - 02/02/2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2010

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA

2010-06-17

Senate - 06/17/2010 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

A Bit Stream Scalable Speech/Audio Coder Combining Enhanced Regular Pulse Excitation and Parametric Coding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riera-Palou, Felip; den Brinker, Albertus C.

2007-12-01

This paper introduces a new audio and speech broadband coding technique based on the combination of a pulse excitation coder and a standardized parametric coder, namely, MPEG-4 high-quality parametric coder. After presenting a series of enhancements to regular pulse excitation (RPE) to make it suitable for the modeling of broadband signals, it is shown how pulse and parametric codings complement each other and how they can be merged to yield a layered bit stream scalable coder able to operate at different points in the quality bit rate plane. The performance of the proposed coder is evaluated in a listening test. The major result is that the extra functionality of the bit stream scalability does not come at the price of a reduced performance since the coder is competitive with standardized coders (MP3, AAC, SSC).

Hierarchical Graphene Foam for Efficient Omnidirectional Solar-Thermal Energy Conversion.

PubMed

Ren, Huaying; Tang, Miao; Guan, Baolu; Wang, Kexin; Yang, Jiawei; Wang, Feifan; Wang, Mingzhan; Shan, Jingyuan; Chen, Zhaolong; Wei, Di; Peng, Hailin; Liu, Zhongfan

2017-10-01

Efficient solar-thermal energy conversion is essential for the harvesting and transformation of abundant solar energy, leading to the exploration and design of efficient solar-thermal materials. Carbon-based materials, especially graphene, have the advantages of broadband absorption and excellent photothermal properties, and hold promise for solar-thermal energy conversion. However, to date, graphene-based solar-thermal materials with superior omnidirectional light harvesting performances remain elusive. Herein, hierarchical graphene foam (h-G foam) with continuous porosity grown via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is reported, showing dramatic enhancement of broadband and omnidirectional absorption of sunlight, which thereby can enable a considerable elevation of temperature. Used as a heating material, the external solar-thermal energy conversion efficiency of the h-G foam impressively reaches up to ≈93.4%, and the solar-vapor conversion efficiency exceeds 90% for seawater desalination with high endurance. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectrometer for aircraft measurements of glyoxal, methylglyoxal, nitrous acid, nitrogen dioxide, and water vapor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Min, K.-E.; Washenfelder, R. A.; Dubé, W. P.; Langford, A. O.; Edwards, P. M.; Zarzana, K. J.; Stutz, J.; Lu, K.; Rohrer, F.; Zhang, Y.; Brown, S. S.

2015-10-01

We describe a two-channel broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectrometer (BBCEAS) for aircraft measurements of glyoxal (CHOCHO), methylglyoxal (CH3COCHO), nitrous acid (HONO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and water (H2O). The instrument spans 361-389 and 438-468 nm, using two light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a grating spectrometer with a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector. Robust performance is achieved using a custom optical mounting system, high power LEDs with electronic on/off modulation, state-of-the-art cavity mirrors, and materials that minimize analyte surface losses. We have successfully deployed this instrument during two aircraft and two ground-based field campaigns to date. The demonstrated precision (2σ) for retrievals of CHOCHO, HONO and NO2 are 34, 350 and 80 pptv in 5 s. The accuracy is 5.8, 9.0 and 5.0 % limited mainly by the available absorption cross sections.

Broadband and wide-angle light harvesting by ultra-thin silicon solar cells with partially embedded dielectric spheres.

PubMed

Yang, Zhenhai; Shang, Aixue; Qin, Linling; Zhan, Yaohui; Zhang, Cheng; Gao, Pingqi; Ye, Jichun; Li, Xiaofeng

2016-04-01

We propose a design of crystalline silicon thin-film solar cells (c-Si TFSCs, 2 μm-thick) configured with partially embedded dielectric spheres on the light-injecting side. The intrinsic light trapping and photoconversion are simulated by the complete optoelectronic simulation. It shows that the embedding depth of the spheres provides an effective way to modulate and significantly enhance the optical absorption. Compared to the conventional planar and front sphere systems, the optimized partially embedded sphere design enables a broadband, wide-angle, and strong optical absorption and efficient carrier transportation. Optoelectronic simulation predicts that a 2 μm-thick c-Si TFSC with half-embedded spheres shows an increment of more than 10  mA/cm² in short-circuit current density and an enhancement ratio of more than 56% in light-conversion efficiency, compared to the conventional planar counterparts.

Single-shot and single-sensor high/super-resolution microwave imaging based on metasurface.

PubMed

Wang, Libo; Li, Lianlin; Li, Yunbo; Zhang, Hao Chi; Cui, Tie Jun

2016-06-01

Real-time high-resolution (including super-resolution) imaging with low-cost hardware is a long sought-after goal in various imaging applications. Here, we propose broadband single-shot and single-sensor high-/super-resolution imaging by using a spatio-temporal dispersive metasurface and an imaging reconstruction algorithm. The metasurface with spatio-temporal dispersive property ensures the feasibility of the single-shot and single-sensor imager for super- and high-resolution imaging, since it can convert efficiently the detailed spatial information of the probed object into one-dimensional time- or frequency-dependent signal acquired by a single sensor fixed in the far-field region. The imaging quality can be improved by applying a feature-enhanced reconstruction algorithm in post-processing, and the desired imaging resolution is related to the distance between the object and metasurface. When the object is placed in the vicinity of the metasurface, the super-resolution imaging can be realized. The proposed imaging methodology provides a unique means to perform real-time data acquisition, high-/super-resolution images without employing expensive hardware (e.g. mechanical scanner, antenna array, etc.). We expect that this methodology could make potential breakthroughs in the areas of microwave, terahertz, optical, and even ultrasound imaging.

Graded metascreens to enable a new degree of nanoscale light management

PubMed Central

Mohammadi Estakhri, Nasim; Argyropoulos, Christos; Alù, Andrea

2015-01-01

Optical metasurfaces, typically referred to as two-dimensional metamaterials, are arrays of engineered subwavelength inclusions suitably designed to tailor the light properties, including amplitude, phase and polarization state, over deeply subwavelength scales. By exploiting anomalous localized interactions of surface elements with optical waves, metasurfaces can go beyond the functionalities offered by conventional diffractive optical gratings. The innate simplicity of implementation and the distinct underlying physics of their wave–matter interaction distinguish metasurfaces from three-dimensional metamaterials and provide a valuable means of moulding optical waves in the desired manner. Here, we introduce a general approach based on the electromagnetic equivalence principle to develop and synthesize graded, non-periodic metasurfaces to generate arbitrarily prescribed distributions of electromagnetic waves. Graded metasurfaces are realized with a single layer of spatially modulated, electrically polarizable nanoparticles, tailoring the scattering response of the surface with nanoscale resolutions. We discuss promising applications based on the proposed local wave management technique, including the design of ultrathin optical carpet cloaks, alignment-free polarization beam splitters and a novel approach to enable broadband light absorption enhancement in thin-film solar cells. This concept opens up a practical route towards efficient planarized optical structures with potential impact on the integrated nanophotonic technology. PMID:26217059

Wavelength-Filter Based Spectral Calibrated Wave number - Linearization in 1.3 mm Spectral Domain Optical Coherence.

PubMed

Wijeisnghe, Ruchire Eranga Henry; Cho, Nam Hyun; Park, Kibeom; Shin, Yongseung; Kim, Jeehyun

2013-12-01

In this study, we demonstrate the enhanced spectral calibration method for 1.3 μm spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The calibration method using wavelength-filter simplifies the SD-OCT system, and also the axial resolution and the entire speed of the OCT system can be dramatically improved as well. An externally connected wavelength-filter is utilized to obtain the information of the wavenumber and the pixel position. During the calibration process the wavelength-filter is placed after a broadband source by connecting through an optical circulator. The filtered spectrum with a narrow line width of 0.5 nm is detected by using a line-scan camera. The method does not require a filter or a software recalibration algorithm for imaging as it simply resamples the OCT signal from the detector array without employing rescaling or interpolation methods. One of the main drawbacks of SD-OCT is the broadened point spread functions (PSFs) with increasing imaging depth can be compensated by increasing the wavenumber-linearization order. The sensitivity of our system was measured at 99.8 dB at an imaging depth of 2.1 mm compared with the uncompensated case.

Residual topography and gravity anomalies reveal structural controls on co-seismic slip in the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku-oki earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bassett, D.; Watts, A. B.; Sandwell, D. T.; Fialko, Y. A.

2016-12-01

We performed shear wave splitting analysis on 203 permanent (French RLPB, CEA and Catalonian networks) and temporary (PYROPE and IberArray experiments) broad-band stations around the Pyrenees. These measurements considerably enhance the spatial resolution and coverage of seismic anisotropy in that region. In particular, we characterize with different shear wave splitting analysis methods the small-scale variations of splitting parameters φ and δt along three dense transects crossing the western and central Pyrenees with an interstation spacing of about 7 km. While we find a relatively coherent seismic anisotropy pattern in the Pyrenean domain, we observe abrupt changes of splitting parameters in the Aquitaine Basin and delay times along the Pyrenees. We moreover observe coherent fast directions despite complex lithospheric structures in Iberia and the Massif Central. This suggests that two main sources of anisotropy are required to interpret seismic anisotropy in this region: (i) lithospheric fabrics in the Aquitaine Basin (probably frozen-in Hercynian anisotropy) and in the Pyrenees (early and late Pyrenean dynamics); (ii) asthenospheric mantle flow beneath the entire region (imprint of the western Mediterranean dynamics since the Oligocene).

Upper-mantle deformation beneath the Pyrenean domain inferred from SKS splitting in northern Spain and southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnin, Mickaël; Chevrot, Sébastien; Gaudot, Ianis; Haugmard, Méric

2017-08-01

We performed shear wave splitting analysis on 203 permanent (French RLPB, CEA and Catalonian networks) and temporary (PyrOPE and IberArray experiments) broad-band stations around the Pyrenees. These measurements considerably enhance the spatial resolution and coverage of seismic anisotropy in that region. In particular, we characterize with different shear wave splitting analysis methods the small-scale variations of splitting parameters ϕ and δt along three dense transects crossing the western and central Pyrenees with an interstation spacing of about 7 km. While we find a relatively coherent seismic anisotropy pattern in the Pyrenean domain, we observe abrupt changes of splitting parameters in the Aquitaine Basin and delay times along the Pyrenees. We moreover observe coherent fast directions despite complex lithospheric structures in Iberia and the Massif Central. This suggests that two main sources of anisotropy are required to interpret seismic anisotropy in this region: (i) lithospheric fabrics in the Aquitaine Basin (probably frozen-in Hercynian anisotropy) and in the Pyrenees (early and late Pyrenean dynamics); (ii) asthenospheric mantle flow beneath the entire region (imprint of the western Mediterranean dynamics since the Oligocene).

Upper-Mantle Deformation Beneath the Pyrenean Domain Inferred from SKS Splitting in Northern Spain and Southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnin, M. J. A.; Chevrot, S.; Gaudot, I.; Haugmard, M.

2017-12-01

We performed shear wave splitting analysis on 203 permanent (French RLPB, CEA and Catalonian networks) and temporary (PYROPE and IberArray experiments) broad-band stations around the Pyrenees. These measurements considerably enhance the spatial resolution and coverage of seismic anisotropy in that region. In particular, we characterize with different shear wave splitting analysis methods the small-scale variations of splitting parameters φ and δt along three dense transects crossing the western and central Pyrenees with an interstation spacing of about 7 km. While we find a relatively coherent seismic anisotropy pattern in the Pyrenean domain, we observe abrupt changes of splitting parameters in the Aquitaine Basin and delay times along the Pyrenees. We moreover observe coherent fast directions despite complex lithospheric structures in Iberia and the Massif Central. This suggests that two main sources of anisotropy are required to interpret seismic anisotropy in this region: (i) lithospheric fabrics in the Aquitaine Basin (probably frozen-in Hercynian anisotropy) and in the Pyrenees (early and late Pyrenean dynamics); (ii) asthenospheric mantle flow beneath the entire region (imprint of the western Mediterranean dynamics since the Oligocene).

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

Topics covered include: Multisensor Instrument for Real-Time Biological Monitoring; Sensor for Monitoring Nanodevice-Fabrication Plasmas; Backed Bending Actuator; Compact Optoelectronic Compass; Micro Sun Sensor for Spacecraft; Passive IFF: Autonomous Nonintrusive Rapid Identification of Friendly Assets; Finned-Ladder Slow-Wave Circuit for a TWT; Directional Radio-Frequency Identification Tag Reader; Integrated Solar-Energy-Harvesting and -Storage Device; Event-Driven Random-Access-Windowing CCD Imaging System; Stroboscope Controller for Imaging Helicopter Rotors; Software for Checking State-charts; Program Predicts Broadband Noise from a Turbofan Engine; Protocol for a Delay-Tolerant Data-Communication Network; Software Implements a Space-Mission File-Transfer Protocol; Making Carbon-Nanotube Arrays Using Block Copolymers: Part 2; Modular Rake of Pitot Probes; Preloading To Accelerate Slow-Crack-Growth Testing; Miniature Blimps for Surveillance and Collection of Samples; Hybrid Automotive Engine Using Ethanol-Burning Miller Cycle; Fabricating Blazed Diffraction Gratings by X-Ray Lithography; Freeze-Tolerant Condensers; The StarLight Space Interferometer; Champagne Heat Pump; Controllable Sonar Lenses and Prisms Based on ERFs; Measuring Gravitation Using Polarization Spectroscopy; Serial-Turbo-Trellis-Coded Modulation with Rate-1 Inner Code; Enhanced Software for Scheduling Space-Shuttle Processing; Bayesian-Augmented Identification of Stars in a Narrow View; Spacecraft Orbits for Earth/Mars-Lander Radio Relay; and Self-Inflatable/Self-Rigidizable Reflectarray Antenna.

Optical Characterization of the SPT-3G Camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Z.; Ade, P. A. R.; Ahmed, Z.; Anderson, A. J.; Austermann, J. E.; Avva, J. S.; Thakur, R. Basu; Bender, A. N.; Benson, B. A.; Carlstrom, J. E.; Carter, F. W.; Cecil, T.; Chang, C. L.; Cliche, J. F.; Cukierman, A.; Denison, E. V.; de Haan, T.; Ding, J.; Dobbs, M. A.; Dutcher, D.; Everett, W.; Foster, A.; Gannon, R. N.; Gilbert, A.; Groh, J. C.; Halverson, N. W.; Harke-Hosemann, A. H.; Harrington, N. L.; Henning, J. W.; Hilton, G. C.; Holzapfel, W. L.; Huang, N.; Irwin, K. D.; Jeong, O. B.; Jonas, M.; Khaire, T.; Kofman, A. M.; Korman, M.; Kubik, D.; Kuhlmann, S.; Kuo, C. L.; Lee, A. T.; Lowitz, A. E.; Meyer, S. S.; Michalik, D.; Montgomery, J.; Nadolski, A.; Natoli, T.; Nguyen, H.; Noble, G. I.; Novosad, V.; Padin, S.; Pearson, J.; Posada, C. M.; Rahlin, A.; Ruhl, J. E.; Saunders, L. J.; Sayre, J. T.; Shirley, I.; Shirokoff, E.; Smecher, G.; Sobrin, J. A.; Stark, A. A.; Story, K. T.; Suzuki, A.; Tang, Q. Y.; Thompson, K. L.; Tucker, C.; Vale, L. R.; Vanderlinde, K.; Vieira, J. D.; Wang, G.; Whitehorn, N.; Yefremenko, V.; Yoon, K. W.; Young, M. R.

2018-05-01

The third-generation South Pole Telescope camera is designed to measure the cosmic microwave background across three frequency bands (centered at 95, 150 and 220 GHz) with ˜ 16,000 transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometers. Each multichroic array element on a detector wafer has a broadband sinuous antenna that couples power to six TESs, one for each of the three observing bands and both polarizations, via lumped element filters. Ten detector wafers populate the detector array, which is coupled to the sky via a large-aperture optical system. Here we present the frequency band characterization with Fourier transform spectroscopy, measurements of optical time constants, beam properties, and optical and polarization efficiencies of the detector array. The detectors have frequency bands consistent with our simulations and have high average optical efficiency which is 86, 77 and 66% for the 95, 150 and 220 GHz detectors. The time constants of the detectors are mostly between 0.5 and 5 ms. The beam is round with the correct size, and the polarization efficiency is more than 90% for most of the bolometers.

The AlpArray Seismic Network: status and operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hetényi, György; Molinari, Irene; Clinton, John; Kissling, Edi

2017-04-01

The AlpArray initiative (http://www.alparray.ethz.ch) is a large-scale European collaboration to study the entire Alpine orogen at high resolution and in 3D with a large variety of geoscientific methods. The core element of the initiative is an extensive and dense broadband seismological network, the AlpArray Seismic Network (AASN). Over 300 temporary stations complement the permanent seismological stations to ensure homogeneous coverage of the greater Alpine area. The AASN has officially started operation in January 2016 and is now complete on land. It is operated in a joint effort by a number of institutions from Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Switzerland. In the Ligurian Sea, a 32-station OBS campaign is planned from June 2017 until March 2018. This will complete the coverage of the greater Alpine area at an unprecedented resolution. In this poster we present the actual status of the deployment, the effort undertaken by the contributing groups, station performance, best practices, data management as well as often encountered challenges, and provide a meeting and discussion point during the conference.

Enhanced THz extinction in arrays of resonant semiconductor particles.

PubMed

Schaafsma, Martijn C; Georgiou, Giorgos; Rivas, Jaime Gómez

2015-09-21

We demonstrate experimentally the enhanced THz extinction by periodic arrays of resonant semiconductor particles. This phenomenon is explained in terms of the radiative coupling of localized resonances with diffractive orders in the plane of the array (Rayleigh anomalies). The experimental results are described by numerical calculations using a coupled dipole model and by Finite-Difference in Time-Domain simulations. An optimum particle size for enhancing the extinction efficiency of the array is found. This optimum is determined by the frequency detuning between the localized resonances in the individual particles and the Rayleigh anomaly. The extinction calculations and measurements are also compared to near-field simulations illustrating the optimum particle size for the enhancement of the near-field.

Broadband nonlinear optical response in multi-layer black phosphorus: an emerging infrared and mid-infrared optical material.

PubMed

Lu, S B; Miao, L L; Guo, Z N; Qi, X; Zhao, C J; Zhang, H; Wen, S C; Tang, D Y; Fan, D Y

2015-05-04

Black phosphorous (BP), the most thermodynamically stable allotrope of phosphorus, is a high-mobility layered semiconductor with direct band-gap determined by the number of layers from 0.3 eV (bulk) to 2.0 eV (single layer). Therefore, BP is considered as a natural candidate for broadband optical applications, particularly in the infrared (IR) and mid-IR part of the spectrum. The strong light-matter interaction, narrow direct band-gap, and wide range of tunable optical response make BP as a promising nonlinear optical material, particularly with great potentials for infrared and mid-infrared opto-electronics. Herein, we experimentally verified its broadband and enhanced saturable absorption of multi-layer BP (with a thickness of ~10 nm) by wide-band Z-scan measurement technique, and anticipated that multi-layer BPs could be developed as another new type of two-dimensional saturable absorber with operation bandwidth ranging from the visible (400 nm) towards mid-IR (at least 1930 nm). Our results might suggest that ultra-thin multi-layer BP films could be potentially developed as broadband ultra-fast photonics devices, such as passive Q-switcher, mode-locker, optical switcher etc.

Amplitude modulation detection by human listeners in reverberant sound fields: Carrier bandwidth effects and binaural versus monaural comparison.

PubMed

Zahorik, Pavel; Kim, Duck O; Kuwada, Shigeyuki; Anderson, Paul W; Brandewie, Eugene; Collecchia, Regina; Srinivasan, Nirmal

2012-06-01

Previous work [Zahorik et al., POMA, 12, 050005 (2011)] has reported that for a broadband noise carrier signal in a simulated reverberant sound field, human sensitivity to amplitude modulation (AM) is higher than would be predicted based on the broadband acoustical modulation transfer function (MTF) of the listening environment. Interpretation of this result was complicated by the fact that acoustical MTFs of rooms are often quite different for different carrier frequency regions, and listeners may have selectively responded to advantageous carrier frequency regions where the effective acoustic modulation loss due to the room was less than indicated by a broadband acoustic MTF analysis. Here, AM sensitivity testing and acoustic MTF analyses were expanded to include narrowband noise carriers (1-octave and 1/3-octave bands centered at 4 kHz), as well as monaural and binaural listening conditions. Narrowband results were found to be consistent with broadband results: In a reverberant sound field, human AM sensitivity is higher than indicated by the acoustical MTFs. The effect was greatest for modulation frequencies above 32 Hz and was present whether the stimulation was monaural or binaural. These results are suggestive of mechanisms that functionally enhance modulation in reverberant listening.

Is the Isabella anomaly a fossil slab or the foundered lithospheric root of the Sierra Nevada batholith?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoots, C. R.; Schmandt, B.; Clayton, R. W.; Hansen, S. M.; Dougherty, S. L.

2015-12-01

The Isabella Anomaly is a volume of relatively high seismic velocity upper mantle beneath the southern Great Valley in California. We deployed ~45 broadband seismometers in central California to test two main hypotheses for the origin of the Isabella Anomaly. One suggests that the Isabella Anomaly is the foundered lithospheric root of the southern Sierra Nevada batholith, which delaminated on account of eclogite-rich composition and translated westward as it began to sink into the asthenosphere. The other hypothesis suggests that the Isabella Anomaly is a fossil slab fragment attached to the Monterey microplate that lies offshore of central California and thus it is mechanically coupled to the Pacific plate. Prior seismic imaging with ~70 km station spacing cannot resolve the landward termination of Monterey microplate lithosphere beneath coastal California or where/if the Isabella Anomaly is attached to North America lithosphere beneath the Great Valley. The new temporary broadband array consists of 40 broadband seismometers with ~7 km spacing extending from the central California coast to the western Sierra Nevada batholith, plus some outliers to fill gaps in the regional network coverage. The temporary array was initially deployed in early 2014 and will continue to record until October 2015 so the complete data are not yet available. Preliminary Ps scattered wave images show an abrupt ~6 km increase in Moho depth eastward across the San Andreas fault, a strong positive impedance contrast that dips westward from ~7-25 km beneath Great Valley, and a sharp Moho with a slight westward dip beneath the western edge of the Sierra Nevada batholith. Apparently low impedance contrast characterizes the Moho beneath the eastern Great Valley and foothills, consistent with near mantle velocities in the lower crust. Processing of the cumulative data that will be available in October 2015 and incorporation of new tomography models into scattered wave imaging are needed before assessing the significance of potential uppermost mantle interfaces that may represent edges of the Isabella Anomaly. Results from Ps and Sp scattered wave imaging, ambient noise surface wave tomography, teleseismic body-wave tomography, and teleseismic shear wave splitting will be presented.

Fuel bundle design for enhanced usage of plutonium fuel

DOEpatents

Reese, Anthony P.; Stachowski, Russell E.

1995-01-01

A nuclear fuel bundle includes a square array of fuel rods each having a concentration of enriched uranium and plutonium. Each rod of an interior array of the rods also has a concentration of gadolinium. The interior array of rods is surrounded by an exterior array of rods void of gadolinium. By this design, usage of plutonium in the nuclear reactor is enhanced.

Fuel bundle design for enhanced usage of plutonium fuel

DOEpatents

Reese, A.P.; Stachowski, R.E.

1995-08-08

A nuclear fuel bundle includes a square array of fuel rods each having a concentration of enriched uranium and plutonium. Each rod of an interior array of the rods also has a concentration of gadolinium. The interior array of rods is surrounded by an exterior array of rods void of gadolinium. By this design, usage of plutonium in the nuclear reactor is enhanced. 10 figs.

Enhancing Photovoltaic Performance Using Broadband Luminescent Down-Shifting by Combining Multiple Species of Eu-Doped Silicate Phosphors

PubMed Central

Shen, Yu-Tang; Liu, Jheng-Jie; You, Bang-Jin; Ho, Chun-Hung

2017-01-01

This paper demonstrates the application of a broadband luminescent downshifting (LDS) layer with multiple species of europium (Eu)-doped silicate phosphors using spin-on film technique to enhance the photovoltaic efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells. The surface morphology of the deposited layer was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The chemical composition of the Eu-doped silicate phosphors was analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The fluorescence emission of the Eu-doped silicate phosphors was characterized using photoluminescence (PL) measurements at room temperature. We also compared the optical reflectance and external quantum efficiency (EQE) response of cells with combinations of various Eu-doped phosphors species. The cell coated with two species of Eu-doped phosphors achieved a conversion efficiency enhancement (∆η) of 19.39%, far exceeding the ∆η = 15.08% of the cell with one species of Eu-doped phosphors and the ∆η = 8.51% of the reference cell with the same silicate layer without Eu-doped phosphors. PMID:29065487

An Evaluation of North Korea’s Nuclear Test by Belbasi Nuclear Tests Monitoring Center-KOERI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Necmioglu, O.; Meral Ozel, N.; Semin, K.

2009-12-01

Bogazici University and Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI) is acting as the Turkish National Data Center (NDC) and responsible for the operation of the International Monitoring System (IMS) Primary Seismic Station (PS-43) under Belbasi Nuclear Tests Monitoring Center for the verification of compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) since February 2000. The NDC is responsible for operating two arrays which are part of the IMS, as well as for transmitting data from these stations to the International Data Centre (IDC) in Vienna. The Belbasi array was established in 1951, as a four-element (Benioff 1051) seismic array as part of the United States Atomic Energy Detection System (USAEDS). Turkish General Staff (TGS) and U.S. Air Force Technical Application Center (AFTAC) under the Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement (DECA) jointly operated this short period array. The station was upgraded and several seismometers were added to array during 1951 and 1994 and the station code was changed from BSRS (Belbasi Seismic Research Station) to BRTR-PS43 later on. PS-43 is composed of two sub-arrays (Ankara and Keskin): the medium-period array with a ~40 km radius located in Ankara and the short-period array with a ~3 km radius located in Keskin. Each array has a broadband element located at the middle of the circular geometry. Short period instruments are installed at depth 30 meters from the surface while medium and broadband instruments are installed at depth 60 meters from surface. On 25 May 2009, The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) claimed that it had conducted a nuclear test. Corresponding seismic event was recorded by IMS and IDC released first automatic estimation of time (00:54:43 GMT), location (41.2896°N and 129.0480°E) and the magnitude (4.52 mb) of the event in less than two hours time (USGS: 00:54:43 GMT; 41.306°N, 129.029°E; 4.7 mb) During our preliminary analysis of the 25th May 2009 DPRK event, we saw a very clear P arrival at 01:05:47 (GMT) at BRTR SP array. The result of the f-k analysis performed in Geotool software, installed at NDC facilities in 2008 and is in full use currently, was also indicating that the arrival belongs to the DPRK event. When comparing our f-k results (calculated at 1-2 Hz) with IDC-REB, however, we have noticed that our calculation and therefore corresponding residuals (calculated with reference to REB residuals) are much better in comparison to REB. The reasons of this ambiguity have been explored and for the first time a comprehensive seismological analysis of a Nuclear Test has been conducted in Turkey. CTBT has an important role for the implementation of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and it is a key element for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. In this study, we would like to reflect the technical and scientific aspects of the 25 May 2009 DPRK event analysis, together with our involvement in CTBT(O) affairs, which we believe it brings new dimensions to Turkey especially in the area of Geophysics.

Flexible photonic payload for broadband telecom satellites: from concepts to system demonstrators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotom, M.; Aveline, M.; Barbaste, R.; Benazet, B.; Le Kernec, A.; Magnaval, J.; Picq, M.

2017-09-01

In the last decade, Thales Alenia Space has put significant research effort in photonic technologies for satellite applications, with the objective to provide telecom payload systems with enhanced functionality, higher performance and lower costs.

Broadband high resolution X-ray spectral analyzer

DOEpatents

Silver, Eric H.; Legros, Mark; Madden, Norm W.; Goulding, Fred; Landis, Don

1998-01-01

A broad bandwidth high resolution x-ray fluorescence spectrometer has a performance that is superior in many ways to those currently available. It consists of an array of 4 large area microcalorimeters with 95% quantum efficiency at 6 keV and it produces x-ray spectra between 0.2 keV and 7 keV with an energy resolution of 7 to 10 eV. The resolution is obtained at input count rates per array element of 10 to 50 Hz in real-time, with analog pulse processing and thermal pile-up rejection. This performance cannot be matched by currently available x-ray spectrometers. The detectors are incorporated into a compact and portable cryogenic refrigerator system that is ready for use in many analytical spectroscopy applications as a tool for x-ray microanalysis or in research applications such as laboratory and astrophysical x-ray and particle spectroscopy.

Broadband high resolution X-ray spectral analyzer

DOEpatents

Silver, E.H.; Legros, M.; Madden, N.W.; Goulding, F.; Landis, D.

1998-07-07

A broad bandwidth high resolution X-ray fluorescence spectrometer has a performance that is superior in many ways to those currently available. It consists of an array of 4 large area microcalorimeters with 95% quantum efficiency at 6 keV and it produces X-ray spectra between 0.2 keV and 7 keV with an energy resolution of 7 to 10 eV. The resolution is obtained at input count rates per array element of 10 to 50 Hz in real-time, with analog pulse processing and thermal pile-up rejection. This performance cannot be matched by currently available X-ray spectrometers. The detectors are incorporated into a compact and portable cryogenic refrigerator system that is ready for use in many analytical spectroscopy applications as a tool for X-ray microanalysis or in research applications such as laboratory and astrophysical X-ray and particle spectroscopy. 6 figs.

New Antennas and Methods for the Low Frequency Stellar and Planetary Radio Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konovalenko, A. A.; Falkovich, I. S.; Rucker, H. O.; Lecacheux, A.; Zarka, Ph.; Koliadin, V. L.; Zakharenko, V. V.; Stanislavsky, A. A.; Melnik, V. N.; Litvinenko, G. V.; Gridin, A. A.; Bubnov, I. N.; Kalinichenko, N. N.; Reznik, A. P.; Sidorchuk, M. A.; Stepkin, S. V.; Mukha, D. V.; Nikolajenko, V. S.; Karlsson, R.; Thide, B.

According to the special Program of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, creation of the new giant Ukrainian radio telescope (GURT) was started a few years ago on the UTR-2 radio telescope observatory. The main goal is to reach maximum band at the lowest frequencies (10-70 MHz), effective area (step-by-step up to 100,000 sq.m), and high interference immunity for resolving many astrophysical tasks when the sensitivity is less limited by the confusion effects. These tasks include stellar radio astronomy (the Sun, solar wind, flare stars, pulsars, transients) and planetary one (Jupiter, planetary lightnings, Earth ionosphere, the Moon, exoplanets). This array should be complementary to the LOFAR, E-LOFAR systems. The first stages of the GURT (6 x 25 cross dipole active elements) and broad-band digital registration of the impulsive and sporadic events were tested in comparison with the existing largest decameter array UTR-2.

Interferometric imaging using Si3N4 photonic integrated circuits for a SPIDER imager.

PubMed

Su, Tiehui; Liu, Guangyao; Badham, Katherine E; Thurman, Samuel T; Kendrick, Richard L; Duncan, Alan; Wuchenich, Danielle; Ogden, Chad; Chriqui, Guy; Feng, Shaoqi; Chun, Jaeyi; Lai, Weicheng; Yoo, S J B

2018-05-14

This paper reports design, fabrication, and experimental demonstration of a silicon nitride photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The PIC is capable of conducting one-dimensional interferometric imaging with twelve baselines near λ = 1100-1600 nm. The PIC consists of twelve waveguide pairs, each leading to a multi-mode interferometer (MMI) that forms broadband interference fringes or each corresponding pair of the waveguides. Then an 18 channel arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) separates the combined signal into 18 signals of different wavelengths. A total of 103 sets of fringes are collected by the detector array at the output of the PIC. We keep the optical path difference (OPD) of each interferometer baseline to within 1 µm to maximize the visibility of the interference measurement. We also constructed a testbed to utilize the PIC for two-dimension complex visibility measurement with various targets. The experiment shows reconstructed images in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

MEMS based Doppler velocity measurement system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Minchul

The design, fabrication, modeling and characterization of a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) based in-air Doppler velocity measurement system using a 1 cm2 planar array are described. Continuous wave operation in a narrowband was chosen in order to maximize range, as it allows for better rejection of broadband noise. The sensor array has a 160-185 kHz resonant frequency to achieve a 10 degree beamwidth. A model for the cMUT and the acoustic system which includes electrical, mechanical, and acoustic components is provided. Furthermore, characterization of the cMUT sensor with a variety of testing procedures is provided. Laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV), beampattern, reflection, and velocity testing characterize the performance of the sensors. The sensor is capable of measuring the velocity of a moving specular reflector with a resolution of 5 cm/s, an update rate of 0.016 second, and a range of 1.5 m.

Numerical simulation of quantum efficiency and surface recombination in HgCdTe IR photon-trapping structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuster, Jonathan; Bellotti, Enrico

2013-06-01

We have investigated the quantum effiency in HgCdTe photovoltaic pixel arrays employing a photon-trapping structure realized with a periodic array of pillars intended to provide broadband operation. We have found that the quantum efficiency depends heavily on the passivation of the pillar surface. Pillars passivated with anodicoxide have a large fixed positive charge on the pillar surface. We use our three-dimensional numerical simulation model to study the effect of surface charge and surface recombination velocity on the exterior of the pillars. We then evaluate the quantum efficiency of this structure subject to different surface conditions. We have found that by themselves, the surface charge and surface recombination are detrimental to the quantum efficiency but the quantum efficiency is recovered when both phenomena are present. We will discuss the effects of these phenomena and the trade offs that exist between the two.

Imaging thunder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, J. B.; Arechiga, R. O.; Thomas, R. J.; Edens, H. E.; Anderson, J.; Johnson, R. L.

2011-12-01

We use a network of broadband microphones, including a 4-element array, to locate the sources of thunder occurring during an electrical storm in central New Mexico on July 24th, 2009. Combined slowness search and distance ranging are used to identify thunder regions in three dimensions (out to 12 km) and for two overlapping frequency bands (1-10 and 4-40 Hz). Distinct thunder pulses are locatable and used to predict time-of-arrival to neighboring stations and to identify correlated phases across the network. Spatial correlation is also found between the thunder source regions and regions of VHF radiation as located by the New Mexico Lightning Mapping Array (LMA). Some of the misfit between the LMA and thunder locations is attributable to differences in excitation mechanisms of the respective radiation, which is related to current impulses in lightning channels (for thunder) and incremental ionization of the atmosphere (for VHF emissions).

Imaging thunder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, J. B.; Arechiga, R. O.; Thomas, R. J.; Edens, H. E.; Anderson, J.; Johnson, R.

2011-10-01

We use a network of broadband microphones, including a 4-element array, to locate the sources of thunder occurring during an electrical storm in central New Mexico on July 24th, 2009. Combined slowness search and distance ranging are used to identify thunder regions in three dimensions (out to 12 km) and for two overlapping frequency bands (1-10 and 4-40 Hz). Distinct thunder pulses are locatable and used to predict time-of-arrival to neighboring stations and to identify correlated phases across the network. Spatial correlation is also found between the thunder source regions and regions of very high frequency (VHF) radiation as located by the New Mexico Lightning Mapping Array (LMA). Some of the misfit between the LMA and thunder locations is attributable to differences in excitation mechanisms of the respective radiation, which is related to current impulses in lightning channels (for thunder) and incremental ionization of the atmosphere (for VHF emissions).