Wideband EMG telemetry system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosatino, S. A.; Westbrook, R. M.

1979-01-01

Miniature, individual crystal-controlled RF transmitters located in EMG pressure sensors simplifies multichannel EMG telemetry for electronic gait monitoring. Transmitters which are assigned operating frequencies within 174 - 216 MHz band have linear frequency response from 20 - 2000 Hz and operate over range of 15 m.

Wide-range radiation dose monitor

DOEpatents

Kopp, Manfred K.

1986-01-01

A radiation dose-rate monitor is provided which operates in a conventional linear mode for radiation in the 0 to 0.5 R/h range and utilizes a nonlinear mode of operation for sensing radiation from 0.5 R/h to over 500 R/h. The nonlinear mode is achieved by a feedback circuit which adjusts the high voltage bias of the proportional counter, and hence its gas gain, in accordance with the amount of radiation being monitored. This allows compression of readout onto a single scale over the range of 0 to greater than 500 R/h without scale switching operations.

Wide-range radiation dose monitor

DOEpatents

Kopp, M.K.

1984-09-20

A radiation dose-rate monitor is provided which operates in a conventional linear mode for radiation in the 0 to 0.5 R/h range and utilizes a nonlinear mode of operation for sensing radiation from 0.5 R/h to over 500 R/h. The nonlinear mode is achieved by a feedback circuit which adjusts the high voltage bias of the proportional counter, and hence its gas gain, in accordance with the amount of radiation being monitored. This allows compression of readout onto a single scale over the range of 0 to greater than 500 R/h without scale switching operations.

Multistage depressed collector with efficiency of 90 to 94 percent for operation of a dual-mode traveling wave tube in the linear region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramins, P.; Fox, T. A.

1980-01-01

An axisymmetric, multistage, depressed collector of fixed geometric design was evaluated in conjunction with an octave bandwidth, dual mode traveling wave tube (TWT). The TWT was operated over a wide range of conditions to simulate different applications. The collector performance was optimized (within the constraint of fixed geometric design) over the range of TWT operating conditions covered. For operation of the TWT in the linear, low distortion range, 90 percent and greater collector efficiencies were obtained leading to TWT overall efficiencies of 20 to 35 percent, as compared with 2 to 5 percent with an undepressed collector. With collectors of this efficiency and minimized beam interception losses, it becomes practical to design dual mode TWT's such that the low mode can represent operation well below saturation. Consequently, the required pulse up in beam current can be reduced or eliminated, and this mitigates beam control and dual mode TWT circuit design problems. For operation of the dual mode TWT at saturation, average collector efficiencies in excess of 85 percent were obtained for both the low and high modes across an octave bandwidth, leading to a three to fourfold increase in the TWT overall efficiency.

Piecewise linear approximation for hereditary control problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Propst, Georg

1987-01-01

Finite dimensional approximations are presented for linear retarded functional differential equations by use of discontinuous piecewise linear functions. The approximation scheme is applied to optimal control problems when a quadratic cost integral has to be minimized subject to the controlled retarded system. It is shown that the approximate optimal feedback operators converge to the true ones both in case the cost integral ranges over a finite time interval as well as in the case it ranges over an infinite time interval. The arguments in the latter case rely on the fact that the piecewise linear approximations to stable systems are stable in a uniform sense. This feature is established using a vector-component stability criterion in the state space R(n) x L(2) and the favorable eigenvalue behavior of the piecewise linear approximations.

Genetics-based control of a mimo boiler-turbine plant

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

Dimeo, R.M.; Lee, K.Y.

1994-12-31

A genetic algorithm is used to develop an optimal controller for a non-linear, multi-input/multi-output boiler-turbine plant. The algorithm is used to train a control system for the plant over a wide operating range in an effort to obtain better performance. The results of the genetic algorithm`s controller designed from the linearized plant model at a nominal operating point. Because the genetic algorithm is well-suited to solving traditionally difficult optimization problems it is found that the algorithm is capable of developing the controller based on input/output information only. This controller achieves a performance comparable to the standard linear quadratic regulator.

Indirectly sensing accelerator beam currents for limiting maximum beam current magnitude

DOEpatents

Bogaty, J.M.; Clifft, B.E.; Bollinger, L.M.

1995-08-08

A beam current limiter is disclosed for sensing and limiting the beam current in a particle accelerator, such as a cyclotron or linear accelerator, used in scientific research and medical treatment. A pair of independently operable capacitive electrodes sense the passage of charged particle bunches to develop an RF signal indicative of the beam current magnitude produced at the output of a bunched beam accelerator. The RF signal produced by each sensing electrode is converted to a variable DC voltage indicative of the beam current magnitude. The variable DC voltages thus developed are compared to each other to verify proper system function and are further compared to known references to detect beam currents in excess of pre-established limits. In the event of a system malfunction, or if the detected beam current exceeds pre-established limits, the beam current limiter automatically inhibits further accelerator operation. A high Q tank circuit associated with each sensing electrode provides a narrow system bandwidth to reduce noise and enhance dynamic range. System linearity is provided by injecting, into each sensing electrode, an RF signal that is offset from the bunching frequency by a pre-determined beat frequency to ensure that subsequent rectifying diodes operate in a linear response region. The system thus provides a large dynamic range in combination with good linearity. 6 figs.

Indirectly sensing accelerator beam currents for limiting maximum beam current magnitude

DOEpatents

Bogaty, John M.; Clifft, Benny E.; Bollinger, Lowell M.

1995-01-01

A beam current limiter for sensing and limiting the beam current in a particle accelerator, such as a cyclotron or linear accelerator, used in scientific research and medical treatment. A pair of independently operable capacitive electrodes sense the passage of charged particle bunches to develop an RF signal indicative of the beam current magnitude produced at the output of a bunched beam accelerator. The RF signal produced by each sensing electrode is converted to a variable DC voltage indicative of the beam current magnitude. The variable DC voltages thus developed are compared to each other to verify proper system function and are further compared to known references to detect beam currents in excess of pre-established limits. In the event of a system malfunction, or if the detected beam current exceeds pre-established limits, the beam current limiter automatically inhibits further accelerator operation. A high Q tank circuit associated with each sensing electrode provides a narrow system bandwidth to reduce noise and enhance dynamic range. System linearity is provided by injecting, into each sensing electrode, an RF signal that is offset from the bunching frequency by a pre-determined beat frequency to ensure that subsequent rectifying diodes operate in a linear response region. The system thus provides a large dynamic range in combination with good linearity.

High Precision Piezoelectric Linear Motors for Operations at Cryogenic Temperatures and Vacuum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, D.; Carman, G.; Stam, M.; Bar-Cohen, Y.; Sen, A.; Henry, P.; Bearman, G.; Moacanin, J.

1995-01-01

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory evaluated the use of an electromechanical device for optically positioning a mirror system during the pre-project phase of the Pluto-Fast-Flyby (PFF) mission. The device under consideration was a piezoelectric driven linear motor functionally dependent upon a time varying electric field which induces displacements ranging from submicrons to millimeters with positioning accuracy within nanometers. Using a control package, the mirror system provides image motion compensation and mosaicking capabilities. While this device offers unique advantages, there were concerns pertaining to its operational capabilities for the PFF mission. The issues include irradiation effects and thermal concerns. A literature study indicated that irradiation effects will not significantly impact the linear motor's operational characteristics. On the other hand, thermal concerns necessitated an in depth study.

Non-Linearity in Wide Dynamic Range CMOS Image Sensors Utilizing a Partial Charge Transfer Technique.

PubMed

Shafie, Suhaidi; Kawahito, Shoji; Halin, Izhal Abdul; Hasan, Wan Zuha Wan

2009-01-01

The partial charge transfer technique can expand the dynamic range of a CMOS image sensor by synthesizing two types of signal, namely the long and short accumulation time signals. However the short accumulation time signal obtained from partial transfer operation suffers of non-linearity with respect to the incident light. In this paper, an analysis of the non-linearity in partial charge transfer technique has been carried, and the relationship between dynamic range and the non-linearity is studied. The results show that the non-linearity is caused by two factors, namely the current diffusion, which has an exponential relation with the potential barrier, and the initial condition of photodiodes in which it shows that the error in the high illumination region increases as the ratio of the long to the short accumulation time raises. Moreover, the increment of the saturation level of photodiodes also increases the error in the high illumination region.

Linear-log counting-rate meter uses transconductance characteristics of a silicon planar transistor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eichholz, J. J.

1969-01-01

Counting rate meter compresses a wide range of data values, or decades of current. Silicon planar transistor, operating in the zero collector-base voltage mode, is used as a feedback element in an operational amplifier to obtain the log response.

A linear photodiode array employed in a short range laser triangulation obstacle avoidance sensor. M.S. Thesis; [Martian roving vehicle sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Odenthal, J. P.

1980-01-01

An opto-electronic receiver incorporating a multi-element linear photodiode array as a component of a laser-triangulation rangefinder was developed as an obstacle avoidance sensor for a Martian roving vehicle. The detector can resolve the angle of laser return in 1.5 deg increments within a field of view of 30 deg and a range of five meters. A second receiver with a 1024 elements over 60 deg and a 3 meter range is also documented. Design criteria, circuit operation, schematics, experimental results and calibration procedures are discussed.

Kernel reconstruction methods for Doppler broadening - Temperature interpolation by linear combination of reference cross sections at optimally chosen temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ducru, Pablo; Josey, Colin; Dibert, Karia; Sobes, Vladimir; Forget, Benoit; Smith, Kord

2017-04-01

This article establishes a new family of methods to perform temperature interpolation of nuclear interactions cross sections, reaction rates, or cross sections times the energy. One of these quantities at temperature T is approximated as a linear combination of quantities at reference temperatures (Tj). The problem is formalized in a cross section independent fashion by considering the kernels of the different operators that convert cross section related quantities from a temperature T0 to a higher temperature T - namely the Doppler broadening operation. Doppler broadening interpolation of nuclear cross sections is thus here performed by reconstructing the kernel of the operation at a given temperature T by means of linear combination of kernels at reference temperatures (Tj). The choice of the L2 metric yields optimal linear interpolation coefficients in the form of the solutions of a linear algebraic system inversion. The optimization of the choice of reference temperatures (Tj) is then undertaken so as to best reconstruct, in the L∞ sense, the kernels over a given temperature range [Tmin ,Tmax ]. The performance of these kernel reconstruction methods is then assessed in light of previous temperature interpolation methods by testing them upon isotope 238U. Temperature-optimized free Doppler kernel reconstruction significantly outperforms all previous interpolation-based methods, achieving 0.1% relative error on temperature interpolation of 238U total cross section over the temperature range [ 300 K , 3000 K ] with only 9 reference temperatures.

Reinforcement of drinking by running: effect of fixed ratio and reinforcement time1

PubMed Central

Premack, David; Schaeffer, Robert W.; Hundt, Alan

1964-01-01

Rats were required to complete varying numbers of licks (FR), ranging from 10 to 300, in order to free an activity wheel for predetermined times (CT) ranging from 2 to 20 sec. The reinforcement of drinking by running was shown both by an increased frequency of licking, and by changes in length of the burst of licking relative to operant-level burst length. In log-log coordinates, instrumental licking tended to be a linear increasing function of FR for the range tested, a linear decreasing function of CT for the range tested. Pause time was implicated in both of the above relations, being a generally increasing function of both FR and CT. PMID:14120150

REINFORCEMENT OF DRINKING BY RUNNING: EFFECT OF FIXED RATIO AND REINFORCEMENT TIME.

PubMed

PREMACK, D; SCHAEFFER, R W; HUNDT, A

1964-01-01

Rats were required to complete varying numbers of licks (FR), ranging from 10 to 300, in order to free an activity wheel for predetermined times (CT) ranging from 2 to 20 sec. The reinforcement of drinking by running was shown both by an increased frequency of licking, and by changes in length of the burst of licking relative to operant-level burst length. In log-log coordinates, instrumental licking tended to be a linear increasing function of FR for the range tested, a linear decreasing function of CT for the range tested. Pause time was implicated in both of the above relations, being a generally increasing function of both FR and CT.

Frequency control circuit for all-digital phase-lock loops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, T. O.

1973-01-01

Phase-lock loop references all its operations to fixed high-frequency service clock operating at highest speed which digital circuits permit. Wide-range control circuit provides linear control of frequency of reference signal. It requires only two counters in combination with control circuit consisting only of flip-flop and gate.

Single-Photon-Sensitive HgCdTe Avalanche Photodiode Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huntington, Andrew

2013-01-01

The purpose of this program was to develop single-photon-sensitive short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) and mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) avalanche photodiode (APD) receivers based on linear-mode HgCdTe APDs, for application by NASA in light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors. Linear-mode photon-counting APDs are desired for lidar because they have a shorter pixel dead time than Geiger APDs, and can detect sequential pulse returns from multiple objects that are closely spaced in range. Linear-mode APDs can also measure photon number, which Geiger APDs cannot, adding an extra dimension to lidar scene data for multi-photon returns. High-gain APDs with low multiplication noise are required for efficient linear-mode detection of single photons because of APD gain statistics -- a low-excess-noise APD will generate detectible current pulses from single photon input at a much higher rate of occurrence than will a noisy APD operated at the same average gain. MWIR and LWIR electron-avalanche HgCdTe APDs have been shown to operate in linear mode at high average avalanche gain (M > 1000) without excess multiplication noise (F = 1), and are therefore very good candidates for linear-mode photon counting. However, detectors fashioned from these narrow-bandgap alloys require aggressive cooling to control thermal dark current. Wider-bandgap SWIR HgCdTe APDs were investigated in this program as a strategy to reduce detector cooling requirements.

High Precision Piezoelectric Linear Motors for Operations at Cryogenic Temperatures and Vacuum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, D.; Carman, G.; Stam, M.; Bar-Cohen, Y.; Sen, A.; Henry, P.; Bearman, G.; Moacanin, J.

1995-01-01

The use of an electromechanical device for optically positioning a mirror system during the pre-project phase of the Pluto Fast Flyby mission was evaluated at JPL. The device under consideration was a piezoelectric driven linear motor functionally dependent upon a time varying electric field which induces displacements ranging from submicrons to millimeters with positioning accuracy within nanometers.

Kernel reconstruction methods for Doppler broadening — Temperature interpolation by linear combination of reference cross sections at optimally chosen temperatures

DOE PAGES

Ducru, Pablo; Josey, Colin; Dibert, Karia; ...

2017-01-25

This paper establishes a new family of methods to perform temperature interpolation of nuclear interactions cross sections, reaction rates, or cross sections times the energy. One of these quantities at temperature T is approximated as a linear combination of quantities at reference temperatures (T j). The problem is formalized in a cross section independent fashion by considering the kernels of the different operators that convert cross section related quantities from a temperature T 0 to a higher temperature T — namely the Doppler broadening operation. Doppler broadening interpolation of nuclear cross sections is thus here performed by reconstructing the kernelmore » of the operation at a given temperature T by means of linear combination of kernels at reference temperatures (T j). The choice of the L 2 metric yields optimal linear interpolation coefficients in the form of the solutions of a linear algebraic system inversion. The optimization of the choice of reference temperatures (T j) is then undertaken so as to best reconstruct, in the L∞ sense, the kernels over a given temperature range [T min,T max]. The performance of these kernel reconstruction methods is then assessed in light of previous temperature interpolation methods by testing them upon isotope 238U. Temperature-optimized free Doppler kernel reconstruction significantly outperforms all previous interpolation-based methods, achieving 0.1% relative error on temperature interpolation of 238U total cross section over the temperature range [300 K,3000 K] with only 9 reference temperatures.« less

Chiral photonic crystal fibers with single mode and single polarization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, She; Li, Junqing

2015-12-01

Chiral photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a solid core is numerically investigated by a modified chiral plane-wave expansion method. The effects of structural parameters and chirality strength are analyzed on single-polarization single-mode range and polarization states of guided modes. The simulation demonstrates that the chiral photonic crystal fiber compared to its achiral counterpart possesses another single-circular-polarization operation range, which is located in the short-wavelength region. The original single-polarization operation range in the long-wavelength region extends to the short wavelength caused by introducing chirality. Then this range becomes a broadened one with elliptical polarization from linear polarization. With increase of chirality, the two single-polarization single-mode ranges may fuse together. By optimizing the structure, an ultra-wide single-circular-polarization operation range from 0.5 μm to 1.67 μm for chiral PCF can be realized with moderate chirality strength.

Plastic scintillator block as photon beam monitor for EGRET calibration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Y. C.; Hofstadter, R.; Nolan, P. L.; Walker, A. H.; Mattox, J. R.; Hughes, E. B.

1991-01-01

The EGRET (Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope) detector has been calibrated at SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator) and, to a lesser degree, at the MIT Bates Linear Accelerator Center. To monitor the photon beams for the calibration, a plastic scintillator block, 5 cm x 5 cm in cross section, 15 cm in length, and viewed by a single photomultiplier tube, was used for the entire beam energy range of 15 MeV to 10 GeV. The design operation, and method of analysis of the beam intensity are presented. A mathematical framework has been developed to treat the general case of a beam with multiphoton beam pulses and with a background component. A procedure to deal with the fluctuations of the beam intensity over a data-taking period was also developed. The photon beam monitor is physically sturdy, electronically steady, simple to construct, and easy to operate. Its major merits lie in its sheer simplicity of construction and operation and in the wide energy range it can cover.

The effect of operations on the ground noise footprints associated with a large multibladed, nonbanging helicopter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilton, D. A.; Henderson, H. R.; Maglieri, D. J.; Bigler, W. B., II

1978-01-01

In order to expand the data base of helicopter external noise characteristics, a flyover noise measurement program was conducted utilizing the NASA Civil Helicopter Research Aircraft. The remotely operated multiple array acoustics range (ROMAAR) and a 2560-m linear microphone array were utilized for the purpose of documenting the noise characteristics of the test helicopter during flyby and landing operations. By utilizing both ROMAAR concept and the linear array, the data necessary to plot the ground noise footprints and noise radiation patterns were obtained. Examples of the measured noise signature of the test helicopter, the ground noise footprint or contours, and the directivity patterns measured during level flyby and landing operations of a large, multibladed, nonbanging helicopter, the CH-53, are presented.

A simplified dynamic model of the T700 turboshaft engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duyar, Ahmet; Gu, Zhen; Litt, Jonathan S.

1992-01-01

A simplified open-loop dynamic model of the T700 turboshaft engine, valid within the normal operating range of the engine, is developed. This model is obtained by linking linear state space models obtained at different engine operating points. Each linear model is developed from a detailed nonlinear engine simulation using a multivariable system identification and realization method. The simplified model may be used with a model-based real time diagnostic scheme for fault detection and diagnostics, as well as for open loop engine dynamics studies and closed loop control analysis utilizing a user generated control law.

Digitally gain controlled linear high voltage amplifier for laboratory applications.

PubMed

Koçum, C

2011-08-01

The design of a digitally gain controlled high-voltage non-inverting bipolar linear amplifier is presented. This cost efficient and relatively simple circuit has stable operation range from dc to 90 kHz under the load of 10 kΩ and 39 pF. The amplifier can swing up to 360 V(pp) under these conditions and it has 2.5 μs rise time. The gain can be changed by the aid of JFETs. The amplifiers have been realized using a combination of operational amplifiers and high-voltage discrete bipolar junction transistors. The circuit details and performance characteristics are discussed.

Sensory processing and world modeling for an active ranging device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hong, Tsai-Hong; Wu, Angela Y.

1991-01-01

In this project, we studied world modeling and sensory processing for laser range data. World Model data representation and operation were defined. Sensory processing algorithms for point processing and linear feature detection were designed and implemented. The interface between world modeling and sensory processing in the Servo and Primitive levels was investigated and implemented. In the primitive level, linear features detectors for edges were also implemented, analyzed and compared. The existing world model representations is surveyed. Also presented is the design and implementation of the Y-frame model, a hierarchical world model. The interfaces between the world model module and the sensory processing module are discussed as well as the linear feature detectors that were designed and implemented.

Electric converters of electromagnetic strike machine with battery power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Usanov, K. M.; Volgin, A. V.; Kargin, V. A.; Moiseev, A. P.; Chetverikov, E. A.

2018-03-01

At present, the application of pulse linear electromagnetic engines to drive strike machines for immersion of rod elements into the soil, strike drilling of shallow wells, dynamic probing of soils is recognized as quite effective. The pulse linear electromagnetic engine performs discrete consumption and conversion of electrical energy into mechanical work. Pulse dosing of a stream transmitted by the battery source to the pulse linear electromagnetic engine of the energy is provided by the electrical converter. The electric converters with the control of an electromagnetic strike machine as functions of time and armature movement, which form the unipolar supply pulses of voltage and current necessary for the normal operation of a pulse linear electromagnetic engine, are proposed. Electric converters are stable in operation, implement the necessary range of output parameters control determined by the technological process conditions, have noise immunity and automatic disconnection of power supply in emergency modes.

Control scheme for power modulation of a free piston Stirling engine

DOEpatents

Dhar, Manmohan

1989-01-01

The present invention relates to a control scheme for power modulation of a free-piston Stirling engine-linear alternator power generator system. The present invention includes connecting an autotransformer in series with a tuning capacitance between a linear alternator and a utility grid to maintain a constant displacement to piston stroke ratio and their relative phase angle over a wide range of operating conditions.

Comparison of photo detectors and operating conditions for decay time determination in phosphor thermometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knappe, C.; Nada, F. Abou; Richter, M.; Aldén, M.

2012-09-01

This work compares the extent of linear response regions from standard time-resolving optical detectors for phosphor thermometry. Different types of photomultipliers (ordinary and time-gated) as well as an avalanche photodiode were tested and compared using the phosphorescence decay time of cadmium tungstate (CdWO4). Effects originating from incipient detector saturation are revealed as a change in evaluated phosphorescence decay time, which was found to be a more sensitive measure for saturation than the conventional signal strength comparison between in- and output. Since the decay time of thermographic phosphors is used for temperature determination systematic temperature errors in the order of several tens of Kelvins may be introduced. Saturation from the initial intensity is isolated from temporally developed saturation by varying the CdWO4 decay time over the microsecond to nanosecond range, resultant of varying the temperature from 290 to 580 K. A detector mapping procedure is developed in order to identify linear response regions where the decay-to-temperature evaluations are unbiased. In addition, this mapping procedure generates a library of the degree of distortion for operating points outside of linear response regions. Signals collected in the partly saturated regime can thus be corrected to their unbiased value using this library, extending the usable detector operating range significantly.

Double lens device for tunable harmonic generation of laser beams in KBBF/RBBF crystals or other non-linear optic materials

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

Kaminski, Adam

A method and apparatus to generate harmonically related laser wavelengths includes a pair of lenses at opposing faces of a non-linear optical material. The lenses are configured to promote incoming and outgoing beams to be normal to each outer lens surface over a range of acceptance angles of the incoming laser beam. This reduces reflection loss for higher efficiency operation. Additionally, the lenses allow a wider range of wavelengths for lasers for more universal application. Examples of the lenses include plano-cylindrical and plano-spherical form factors.

Performance of a GM tube based environmental dose rate monitor operating in the Time-To-Count mode

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

Zickefoose, J.; Kulkarni, T.; Martinson, T.

The events at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in the aftermath of a natural disaster underline the importance of a large array of networked environmental monitors to cover areas around nuclear power plants. These monitors should meet a few basic criteria: have a uniform response over a wide range of gamma energies, have a uniform response over a wide range of incident angles, and have a large dynamic range. Many of these criteria are met if the probe is qualified to the international standard IEC 60532 (Radiation protection instrumentation - Installed dose rate meters, warning assemblies and monitors - Xmore » and gamma radiation of energy between 50 keV and 7 MeV), which specifically deals with energy response, angle of incidence, dynamic range, response time, and a number of environmental characteristics. EcoGamma is a dual GM tube environmental gamma radiation monitor designed specifically to meet the requirements of IEC 60532 and operate in the most extreme conditions. EcoGamma utilizes two energy compensated GM tubes operating with a Time-To-Count (TTC) collection algorithm. The TTC algorithm extends the lifetime and range of a GM tube significantly and allows the dual GM tube probe to achieve linearity over approximately 10 decades of gamma dose rate (from the Sv/hr range to 100 Sv/hr). In the TTC mode of operation, the GM tube is not maintained in a biased condition continuously. This is different from a traditional counting system where the GM tube is held at a constant bias continuously and the total number of strikes that the tube registers are counted. The traditional approach allows for good sensitivity, but does not lend itself to a long lifetime of the tube and is susceptible to linearity issues at high count rates. TTC on the other hand only biases the tube for short periods of time and in effect measures the time between events, which is statistically representative of the total strike rate. Since the tube is not continually biased, the life of the tube is extended and the linearity is greatly improved. Testing has been performed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the USA and confirms compliance to IEC 60532 as well as linearity (± 10%) up to 100 Sv/hr. Furthermore, a network of EcoGamma probes may be linked through available supervisory software to provide a dose rate map of an area. This allows for real time monitoring of dose rates from one (or multiple) remote locations. (authors)« less

Linearity optimizations of analog ring resonator modulators through bias voltage adjustments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosseinzadeh, Arash; Middlebrook, Christopher T.

2018-03-01

The linearity of ring resonator modulator (RRM) in microwave photonic links is studied in terms of instantaneous bandwidth, fabrication tolerances, and operational bandwidth. A proposed bias voltage adjustment method is shown to maximize spur-free dynamic range (SFDR) at instantaneous bandwidths required by microwave photonic link (MPL) applications while also mitigating RRM fabrication tolerances effects. The proposed bias voltage adjustment method shows RRM SFDR improvement of ∼5.8 dB versus common Mach-Zehnder modulators at 500 MHz instantaneous bandwidth. Analyzing operational bandwidth effects on SFDR shows RRMs can be promising electro-optic modulators for MPL applications which require high operational frequencies while in a limited bandwidth such as radio-over-fiber 60 GHz wireless network access.

An OTA-C filter for ECG acquisition systems with highly linear range and less passband attenuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jihai, Duan; Chuang, Lan; Weilin, Xu; Baolin, Wei

2015-05-01

A fifth order operational transconductance amplifier-C (OTA-C) Butterworth type low-pass filter with highly linear range and less passband attenuation is presented for wearable bio-telemetry monitoring applications in a UWB wireless body area network. The source degeneration structure applied in typical small transconductance circuit is improved to provide a highly linear range for the OTA-C filter. Moreover, to reduce the passband attenuation of the filter, a cascode structure is employed as the output stage of the OTA. The OTA-based circuit is operated in weak inversion due to strict power limitation in the biomedical chip. The filter is fabricated in a SMIC 0.18-μm CMOS process. The measured results for the filter have shown a passband gain of -6.2 dB, while the -3-dB frequency is around 276 Hz. For the 0.8 VPP sinusoidal input at 100 Hz, a total harmonic distortion (THD) of -56.8 dB is obtained. An electrocardiogram signal with noise interference is fed into this chip to validate the function of the designed filter. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 61161003, 61264001, 61166004) and the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (No. 2013GXNSFAA019333).

Combustion powered linear actuator

DOEpatents

Fischer, Gary J.

2007-09-04

The present invention provides robotic vehicles having wheeled and hopping mobilities that are capable of traversing (e.g. by hopping over) obstacles that are large in size relative to the robot and, are capable of operation in unpredictable terrain over long range. The present invention further provides combustion powered linear actuators, which can include latching mechanisms to facilitate pressurized fueling of the actuators, as can be used to provide wheeled vehicles with a hopping mobility.

Improved pulse shape discriminator for fast neutron-gamma ray detection system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lockwood, J. A.; St. Onge, R.

1969-01-01

Discriminator in nuclear particle detection system distinguishes nuclear particle type and energy among many different nuclear particles. Discriminator incorporates passive, linear circuit elements so that it will operate over a wide dynamic range.

Magnetoelectric Current Sensors

PubMed Central

Bichurin, Mirza; Petrov, Roman; Leontiev, Viktor; Semenov, Gennadiy; Sokolov, Oleg

2017-01-01

In this work a magnetoelectric (ME) current sensor design based on a magnetoelectric effect is presented and discussed. The resonant and non-resonant type of ME current sensors are considered. Theoretical calculations of the ME current sensors by the equivalent circuit method were conducted. The application of different sensors using the new effects, for example, the ME effect, is made possible with the development of new ME composites. A large number of studies conducted in the field of new composites, allowed us to obtain a high magnetostrictive-piezoelectric laminate sensitivity. An optimal ME structure composition was matched. The characterization of a non-resonant current sensor showed that in the operation range to 5 A, the sensor had a sensitivity of 0.34 V/A, non-linearity less than 1% and for a resonant current sensor in the same operation range, the sensitivity was of 0.53 V/A, non-linearity less than 0.5%. PMID:28574486

Ultralow-quiescent-current and wide-load-range low-dropout linear regulator with self-biasing technique for micropower battery management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozaki, Toshihiro; Hirose, Tetsuya; Asano, Hiroki; Kuroki, Nobutaka; Numa, Masahiro

2017-04-01

In this paper, we present a 151 nA quiescent and 6.8 mA maximum-output-current low-dropout (LDO) linear regulator for micropower battery management. The LDO regulator employs self-biasing and multiple-stacked cascode techniques to achieve efficient, accurate, and high-voltage-input-tolerant operation. Measurement results demonstrated that the proposed LDO regulator operates with an ultralow quiescent current of 151 nA. The maximum output currents with a 4.16 V output were 1.0 and 6.8 mA when the input voltages were 4.25 and 5.0 V, respectively.

Application of Multiregressive Linear Models, Dynamic Kriging Models and Neural Network Models to Predictive Maintenance of Hydroelectric Power Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucifredi, A.; Mazzieri, C.; Rossi, M.

2000-05-01

Since the operational conditions of a hydroelectric unit can vary within a wide range, the monitoring system must be able to distinguish between the variations of the monitored variable caused by variations of the operation conditions and those due to arising and progressing of failures and misoperations. The paper aims to identify the best technique to be adopted for the monitoring system. Three different methods have been implemented and compared. Two of them use statistical techniques: the first, the linear multiple regression, expresses the monitored variable as a linear function of the process parameters (independent variables), while the second, the dynamic kriging technique, is a modified technique of multiple linear regression representing the monitored variable as a linear combination of the process variables in such a way as to minimize the variance of the estimate error. The third is based on neural networks. Tests have shown that the monitoring system based on the kriging technique is not affected by some problems common to the other two models e.g. the requirement of a large amount of data for their tuning, both for training the neural network and defining the optimum plane for the multiple regression, not only in the system starting phase but also after a trivial operation of maintenance involving the substitution of machinery components having a direct impact on the observed variable. Or, in addition, the necessity of different models to describe in a satisfactory way the different ranges of operation of the plant. The monitoring system based on the kriging statistical technique overrides the previous difficulties: it does not require a large amount of data to be tuned and is immediately operational: given two points, the third can be immediately estimated; in addition the model follows the system without adapting itself to it. The results of the experimentation performed seem to indicate that a model based on a neural network or on a linear multiple regression is not optimal, and that a different approach is necessary to reduce the amount of work during the learning phase using, when available, all the information stored during the initial phase of the plant to build the reference baseline, elaborating, if it is the case, the raw information available. A mixed approach using the kriging statistical technique and neural network techniques could optimise the result.

The Elementary Operations of Human Vision Are Not Reducible to Template-Matching

PubMed Central

Neri, Peter

2015-01-01

It is generally acknowledged that biological vision presents nonlinear characteristics, yet linear filtering accounts of visual processing are ubiquitous. The template-matching operation implemented by the linear-nonlinear cascade (linear filter followed by static nonlinearity) is the most widely adopted computational tool in systems neuroscience. This simple model achieves remarkable explanatory power while retaining analytical tractability, potentially extending its reach to a wide range of systems and levels in sensory processing. The extent of its applicability to human behaviour, however, remains unclear. Because sensory stimuli possess multiple attributes (e.g. position, orientation, size), the issue of applicability may be asked by considering each attribute one at a time in relation to a family of linear-nonlinear models, or by considering all attributes collectively in relation to a specified implementation of the linear-nonlinear cascade. We demonstrate that human visual processing can operate under conditions that are indistinguishable from linear-nonlinear transduction with respect to substantially different stimulus attributes of a uniquely specified target signal with associated behavioural task. However, no specific implementation of a linear-nonlinear cascade is able to account for the entire collection of results across attributes; a satisfactory account at this level requires the introduction of a small gain-control circuit, resulting in a model that no longer belongs to the linear-nonlinear family. Our results inform and constrain efforts at obtaining and interpreting comprehensive characterizations of the human sensory process by demonstrating its inescapably nonlinear nature, even under conditions that have been painstakingly fine-tuned to facilitate template-matching behaviour and to produce results that, at some level of inspection, do conform to linear filtering predictions. They also suggest that compliance with linear transduction may be the targeted outcome of carefully crafted nonlinear circuits, rather than default behaviour exhibited by basic components. PMID:26556758

Feedback Linearization in a Six Degree-of-Freedom MAG-LEV Stage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ludwick, Stephen J.; Trumper, David L.; Holmes, Michael L.

1996-01-01

A six degree-of-freedom electromagnetically suspended motion control stage (the Angstrom Stage) has been designed and constructed for use in short-travel, high-resolution motion control applications. It achieves better than 0.5 nm resolution over a 100 micron range of travel. The stage consists of a single moving element (the platen) floating in an oil filled chamber. The oil is crucial to the stage's operation since it forms squeeze film dampers between the platen and the frame. Twelve electromagnetic actuators provide the forces necessary to suspend and servo the platen, and six capacitance probes measure its position relative to the frame. The system is controlled using a digital signal processing board residing in a '486 based PC. This digital controller implements a feedback linearization algorithm in real-time to account for nonlinearities in both the magnetic actuators and the fluid film dampers. The feedback linearization technique reduces a highly nonlinear plant with coupling between the degrees of freedom into one that is linear, decoupled, and setpoint independent. The key to this procedure is a detailed plant model. The operation of the feedback linearization procedure is transparent to the outer loop of the controller, and so a proportional controller is sufficient for normal operation. We envision applications of this stage in scanned probe microscopy and for integrated circuit measurement.

Two-gigawatt burst-mode operation of the intense microwave prototype (IMP) free-electron laser (FEL) for the microwave tokamak experiment (MTX)

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

Felker, B.; Allen, S.; Bell, H.

1993-10-06

The MTX explored the plasma heating effects of 140 GHz microwaves from both Gyrotrons and from the IMP FEL wiggler. The Gyrotron was long pulse length (0.5 seconds maximum) and the FEL produced short-pulse length, high-peak power, single and burst modes of 140 GHZ microwaves. Full-power operations of the IMP FEL wiggler were commenced in April of 1992 and continued into October of 1992. The Experimental Test Accelerator H (ETA-II) provided a 50-nanosecond, 6-MeV, 2--3 kAmp electron beam that was introduced co-linear into the IMP FEL with a 140 GHz Gyrotron master oscillator (MO). The FEL was able to amplifymore » the MO signal from approximately 7 kW to peaks consistently in the range of 1--2 GW. This microwave pulse was transmitted into the MTX and allowed the exploration of the linear and non-linear effects of short pulse, intense power in the MTX plasma. Single pulses were used to explore and gain operating experience in the parameter space of the IMP FEL, and finally evaluate transmission and absorption in the MTX. Single-pulse operations were repeatable. After the MTX was shut down burst-mode operations were successful at 2 kHz. This paper will describe the IMP FEL, Microwave Transmission System to MTX, the diagnostics used for calorimetric measurements, and the operations of the entire Microwave system. A discussion of correlated and uncorrelated errors that affect FEL performance will be made Linear and non-linear absorption data of the microwaves in the MTX plasma will be presented.« less

Testing local Lorentz invariance with short-range gravity

DOE PAGES

Kostelecký, V. Alan; Mewes, Matthew

2017-01-10

The Newton limit of gravity is studied in the presence of Lorentz-violating gravitational operators of arbitrary mass dimension. The linearized modified Einstein equations are obtained and the perturbative solutions are constructed and characterized. We develop a formalism for data analysis in laboratory experiments testing gravity at short range and demonstrate that these tests provide unique sensitivity to deviations from local Lorentz invariance.

A Flight Control System for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tunik, A. A.; Nadsadnaya, O. I.

2018-03-01

The program adaptation of the controller for the flight control system (FCS) of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is considered. Linearized flight dynamic models depend mainly on the true airspeed of the UAV, which is measured by the onboard air data system. This enables its use for program adaptation of the FCS over the full range of altitudes and velocities, which define the flight operating range. FCS with program adaptation, based on static feedback (SF), is selected. The SF parameters for every sub-range of the true airspeed are determined using the linear matrix inequality approach in the case of discrete systems for synthesis of a suboptimal robust H ∞-controller. The use of the Lagrange interpolation between true airspeed sub-ranges provides continuous adaptation. The efficiency of the proposed approach is shown against an example of the heading stabilization system.

Fiber-based Coherent Lidar for Target Ranging, Velocimetry, and Atmospheric Wind Sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amzajerdian, Farzin; Pierrottet, Diego

2006-01-01

By employing a combination of optical heterodyne and linear frequency modulation techniques and utilizing state-of-the-art fiber optic technologies, highly efficient, compact and reliable lidar suitable for operation in a space environment is being developed.

Test Report for NASA MSFC Support of the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elam, S. K.

2000-01-01

The Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) was performed in support of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program to help develop a linear aerospike engine. The objective of this program was to operate a small aerospike engine at various speeds and altitudes to determine how slipstreams affect the engine's performance. The joint program between government and industry included NASA!s Dryden Flight Research Center, The Air Force's Phillips Laboratory, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Lockheed Martin Skunkworks, Lockheed-Martin Astronautics, and Rocketdyne Division of Boeing North American. Ground testing of the LASRE engine produced two successful hot-fire tests, along with numerous cold flows to verify sequencing and operation before mounting the assembly on the SR-71. Once installed on the aircraft, flight testing performed several cold flows on the engine system at altitudes ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 feet and Mach numbers ranging from 0.9 to 1.5. The program was terminated before conducting hot-fires in flight because excessive leaks in the propellant supply systems could not be fixed to meet required safety levels without significant program cost and schedule impacts.

Reliability of Central Adiposity Assessments Using B-Mode Ultrasound: A Comparison of Linear and Curved Array Transducers.

PubMed

Stoner, Lee; Geoffron, Morgane; Cornwall, Jon; Chinn, Victoria; Gram, Martin; Credeur, Daniel; Fryer, Simon

2016-12-01

Recently, it was reported that intra-abdominal thickness (IAT) assessments using ultrasound are most reliable if measured from the linea alba to the anterior vertebral column. These 2 anatomical sites can be simultaneously visualized using a linear array transducer. Linear array transducers have different operational characteristics when compared with conventional curved array transducers and are more reliable for some ultrasound-derived measures such as abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness. However, it is unknown whether linear array transducers facilitate more reliable IAT measurements than curved array transducers. The purpose of the current study was to (1) compare the reliability of linear and curved array transducer assessments of IAT and maximal abdominal ratio (MAR) and (2) use the findings to update central adiposity measurement guidelines. Fifteen healthy adults (mean [SD], 27 [10] years; 60% female) with a range of somatotypes (body mass index: mean [SD], 24 [4]; range, 19-33 kg/m; waist circumference: mean [SD], 75 [11]; range, 61-96 cm) were tested on 3 mornings under standardized conditions. Intra-abdominal thickness was assessed 2 cm above the umbilicus (transverse plane), measuring from linea alba to the anterior vertebral column. Maximal abdominal ratio was defined as the ratio of IAT to abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness. The IAT range was 25 to 87 mm, and the MAR range was 0.15 to 0.77. Between-day intraclass correlation coefficient values for IAT measurements made were comparable (0.96-0.97) for both transducers, as were MAR values (0.95). In conclusion, while both transducers provided equally reliable measurement of IAT, the use of a single linear array transducer simplifies the assessment of central adiposity.

Split Stirling linear cryogenic cooler for a new generation of high temperature infrared imagers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veprik, A.; Zechtzer, S.; Pundak, N.

2010-04-01

Split linear cryocoolers find use in a variety of infrared equipment installed in airborne, heliborne, marine and vehicular platforms along with hand held and ground fixed applications. An upcoming generation of portable, high-definition night vision imagers will rely on the high-temperature infrared detectors, operating at elevated temperatures, ranging from 95K to 200K, while being able to show the performance indices comparable with these of their traditional 77K competitors. Recent technological advances in industrial development of such high-temperature detectors initialized attempts for developing compact split Stirling linear cryogenic coolers. Their known advantages, as compared to the rotary integral coolers, are superior flexibility in the system packaging, constant and relatively high driving frequency, lower wideband vibration export, unsurpassed reliability and aural stealth. Unfortunately, such off-the-shelf available linear cryogenic coolers still cannot compete with rotary integral rivals in terms of size, weight and power consumption. Ricor developed the smallest in the range, 1W@95K, linear split Stirling cryogenic cooler for demanding infrared applications, where power consumption, compactness, vibration, aural noise and ownership costs are of concern.

Studies with spike initiators - Linearization by noise allows continuous signal modulation in neural networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, Xiaolong; Lewis, Edwin R.

1989-01-01

It is shown that noise can be an important element in the translation of neuronal generator potentials (summed inputs) to neuronal spike trains (outputs), creating or expanding a range of amplitudes over which the spike rate is proportional to the generator potential amplitude. Noise converts the basically nonlinear operation of a spike initiator into a nearly linear modulation process. This linearization effect of noise is examined in a simple intuitive model of a static threshold and in a more realistic computer simulation of spike initiator based on the Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model. The results are qualitatively similar; in each case larger noise amplitude results in a larger range of nearly linear modulation. The computer simulation of the HH model with noise shows linear and nonlinear features that were earlier observed in spike data obtained from the VIIIth nerve of the bullfrog. This suggests that these features can be explained in terms of spike initiator properties, and it also suggests that the HH model may be useful for representing basic spike initiator properties in vertebrates.

Precision Linear Actuator for Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) Siderostat Pointing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, Brant; Braun, David; Hankins, Steve; Koenig, John; Moore, Don

2008-01-01

'SIM PlanetQuest will exploit the classical measuring tool of astrometry (interferometry) with unprecedented precision to make dramatic advances in many areas of astronomy and astrophysics'(1). In order to obtain interferometric data two large steerable mirrors, or Siderostats, are used to direct starlight into the interferometer. A gimbaled mechanism actuated by linear actuators is chosen to meet the unprecedented pointing and angle tracking requirements of SIM. A group of JPL engineers designed, built, and tested a linear ballscrew actuator capable of performing submicron incremental steps for 10 years of continuous operation. Precise, zero backlash, closed loop pointing control requirements, lead the team to implement a ballscrew actuator with a direct drive DC motor and a precision piezo brake. Motor control commutation using feedback from a precision linear encoder on the ballscrew output produced an unexpected incremental step size of 20 nm over a range of 120 mm, yielding a dynamic range of 6,000,000:1. The results prove linear nanometer positioning requires no gears, levers, or hydraulic converters. Along the way many lessons have been learned and will subsequently be shared.

A life cycle cost economics model for automation projects with uniformly varying operating costs. [applied to Deep Space Network and Air Force Systems Command

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Remer, D. S.

1977-01-01

The described mathematical model calculates life-cycle costs for projects with operating costs increasing or decreasing linearly with time. The cost factors involved in the life-cycle cost are considered, and the errors resulting from the assumption of constant rather than uniformly varying operating costs are examined. Parameters in the study range from 2 to 30 years, for project life; 0 to 15% per year, for interest rate; and 5 to 90% of the initial operating cost, for the operating cost gradient. A numerical example is presented.

A prototype fully polarimetric 160-GHz bistatic ISAR compact radar range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beaudoin, C. J.; Horgan, T.; DeMartinis, G.; Coulombe, M. J.; Goyette, T.; Gatesman, A. J.; Nixon, William E.

2017-05-01

We present a prototype bistatic compact radar range operating at 160 GHz and capable of collecting fullypolarimetric radar cross-section and electromagnetic scattering measurements in a true far-field facility. The bistatic ISAR system incorporates two 90-inch focal length, 27-inch-diameter diamond-turned mirrors fed by 160 GHz transmit and receive horns to establish the compact range. The prototype radar range with its modest sized quiet zone serves as a precursor to a fully developed compact radar range incorporating a larger quiet zone capable of collecting X-band bistatic RCS data and 3D imagery using 1/16th scale objects. The millimeter-wave transmitter provides 20 GHz of swept bandwidth in the single linear (Horizontal/Vertical) polarization while the millimeter-wave receiver, that is sensitive to linear Horizontal and Vertical polarization, possesses a 7 dB noise figure. We present the design of the compact radar range and report on test results collected to validate the system's performance.

Highly linear dual ring resonator modulator for wide bandwidth microwave photonic links.

PubMed

Hosseinzadeh, Arash; Middlebrook, Christopher T

2016-11-28

A highly linear dual ring resonator modulator (DRRM) design is demonstrated to provide high spur-free dynamic range (SFDR) in a wide operational bandwidth. Harmonic and intermodulation distortions are theoretically analyzed in a single ring resonator modulator (RRM) with Lorentzian-shape transfer function and a strategy is proposed to enhance modulator linearity for wide bandwidth applications by utilizing DRRM. Third order intermodulation distortion is suppressed in a frequency independent process with proper splitting ratio of optical and RF power and proper dc biasing of the ring resonators. Operational bandwidth limits of the DRRM are compared to the RRM showing the capability of the DRRM in providing higher SFDR in an unlimited operational bandwidth. DRRM bandwidth limitations are a result of the modulation index from each RRM and their resonance characteristics that limit the gain and noise figure of the microwave photonic link. The impact of the modulator on microwave photonic link figure of merits is analyzed and compared to RRM and Mach-Zehnder Interference (MZI) modulators. Considering ± 5 GHz operational bandwidth around the resonance frequency imposed by the modulation index requirement the DRRM is capable of a ~15 dB SFDR improvement (1 Hz instantaneous bandwidth) versus RRM and MZI.

Alternative Method to Simulate a Sub-idle Engine Operation in Order to Synthesize Its Control System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukhovii, Sergii I.; Sirenko, Feliks F.; Yepifanov, Sergiy V.; Loboda, Igor

2016-09-01

The steady-state and transient engine performances in control systems are usually evaluated by applying thermodynamic engine models. Most models operate between the idle and maximum power points, only recently, they sometimes address a sub-idle operating range. The lack of information about the component maps at the sub-idle modes presents a challenging problem. A common method to cope with the problem is to extrapolate the component performances to the sub-idle range. Precise extrapolation is also a challenge. As a rule, many scientists concern only particular aspects of the problem such as the lighting combustion chamber or the turbine operation under the turned-off conditions of the combustion chamber. However, there are no reports about a model that considers all of these aspects and simulates the engine starting. The proposed paper addresses a new method to simulate the starting. The method substitutes the non-linear thermodynamic model with a linear dynamic model, which is supplemented with a simplified static model. The latter model is the set of direct relations between parameters that are used in the control algorithms instead of commonly used component performances. Specifically, this model consists of simplified relations between the gas path parameters and the corrected rotational speed.

A life cycle cost economics model for projects with uniformly varying operating costs. [management planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Remer, D. S.

1977-01-01

A mathematical model is developed for calculating the life cycle costs for a project where the operating costs increase or decrease in a linear manner with time. The life cycle cost is shown to be a function of the investment costs, initial operating costs, operating cost gradient, project life time, interest rate for capital and salvage value. The results show that the life cycle cost for a project can be grossly underestimated (or overestimated) if the operating costs increase (or decrease) uniformly over time rather than being constant as is often assumed in project economic evaluations. The following range of variables is examined: (1) project life from 2 to 30 years; (2) interest rate from 0 to 15 percent per year; and (3) operating cost gradient from 5 to 90 percent of the initial operating costs. A numerical example plus tables and graphs is given to help calculate project life cycle costs over a wide range of variables.

Traveling solitons in long-range oscillator chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miloshevich, George; Nguenang, Jean Pierre; Dauxois, Thierry; Khomeriki, Ramaz; Ruffo, Stefano

2017-03-01

We investigate the existence and propagation of solitons in a long-range extension of the quartic Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) chain of anharmonic oscillators. The coupling in the linear term decays as a power-law with an exponent 1<α ≤slant 3 . We obtain an analytic perturbative expression of traveling envelope solitons by introducing a non linear Schrödinger equation for the slowly varying amplitude of short wavelength modes. Due to the non analytic properties of the dispersion relation, it is crucial to develop the theory using discrete difference operators. Those properties are also the ultimate reason why kink-solitons may exist but are unstable, at variance with the short-range FPU model. We successfully compare these approximate analytic results with numerical simulations for the value α =2 which was chosen as a case study.

The operation of a single-sided linear induction motor with squirrel-cage and solid-steel reaction rails

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eastham, A. R.; Katz, R. M.

1980-09-01

Two test programs have been conducted to evaluate the performance of a single-sided linear induction motor with a squirrel-cage reaction rail and with a solid steel reaction rail. A 1.73-m-long six-pole stator interacted with the rails mounted on the rim of a 7.6-m-diam wheel. A 64-channel data acquisition system allowed tests to be performed over a wide range of operating conditions at speeds up to 20 m/sec. Typical test results which compare and contrast the mechanical, electrical and magnetic behavior of the SLIMs are presented. The test data are being used to assess the SLIM as an integrated suspension/propulsion system and for other transportation applications.

High-power free-electron maser with frequency multiplication operating in a shortwave part of the millimeter wave range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bandurkin, I. V.; Kaminsky, A. K.; Perelstein, E. A.; Peskov, N. Yu.; Savilov, A. V.; Sedykh, S. N.

2012-08-01

The possibility of using frequency multiplication in order to obtain high-power short-wavelength radiation from a free-electron maser (FEM) with a Bragg resonator has been studied. Preliminary experiments with an LIU-3000 (JINR) linear induction accelerator demonstrate the operation of a frequency-multiplying FEM at megawatt power in the 6- and 4-mm wave bands on the second and third harmonic, respectively.

Hybrid active vibration control of rotorbearing systems using piezoelectric actuators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palazzolo, A. B.; Jagannathan, S.; Kascak, A. F.; Montague, G. T.; Kiraly, L. J.

1993-01-01

The vibrations of a flexible rotor are controlled using piezoelectric actuators. The controller includes active analog components and a hybrid interface with a digital computer. The computer utilizes a grid search algorithm to select feedback gains that minimize a vibration norm at a specific operating speed. These gains are then downloaded as active stillnesses and dampings with a linear fit throughout the operating speed range to obtain a very effective vibration control.

A squeezed light source operated under high vacuum

PubMed Central

Wade, Andrew R.; Mansell, Georgia L.; Chua, Sheon S. Y.; Ward, Robert L.; Slagmolen, Bram J. J.; Shaddock, Daniel A.; McClelland, David E.

2015-01-01

Non-classical squeezed states of light are becoming increasingly important to a range of metrology and other quantum optics applications in cryptography, quantum computation and biophysics. Applications such as improving the sensitivity of advanced gravitational wave detectors and the development of space-based metrology and quantum networks will require robust deployable vacuum-compatible sources. To date non-linear photonics devices operated under high vacuum have been simple single pass systems, testing harmonic generation and the production of classically correlated photon pairs for space-based applications. Here we demonstrate the production under high-vacuum conditions of non-classical squeezed light with an observed 8.6 dB of quantum noise reduction down to 10 Hz. Demonstration of a resonant non-linear optical device, for the generation of squeezed light under vacuum, paves the way to fully exploit the advantages of in-vacuum operations, adapting this technology for deployment into new extreme environments. PMID:26657616

A squeezed light source operated under high vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wade, Andrew R.; Mansell, Georgia L.; Chua, Sheon S. Y.; Ward, Robert L.; Slagmolen, Bram J. J.; Shaddock, Daniel A.; McClelland, David E.

2015-12-01

Non-classical squeezed states of light are becoming increasingly important to a range of metrology and other quantum optics applications in cryptography, quantum computation and biophysics. Applications such as improving the sensitivity of advanced gravitational wave detectors and the development of space-based metrology and quantum networks will require robust deployable vacuum-compatible sources. To date non-linear photonics devices operated under high vacuum have been simple single pass systems, testing harmonic generation and the production of classically correlated photon pairs for space-based applications. Here we demonstrate the production under high-vacuum conditions of non-classical squeezed light with an observed 8.6 dB of quantum noise reduction down to 10 Hz. Demonstration of a resonant non-linear optical device, for the generation of squeezed light under vacuum, paves the way to fully exploit the advantages of in-vacuum operations, adapting this technology for deployment into new extreme environments.

Nonlinear problems in data-assimilation : Can synchronization help?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tribbia, J. J.; Duane, G. S.

2009-12-01

Over the past several years, operational weather centers have initiated ensemble prediction and assimilation techniques to estimate the error covariance of forecasts in the short and the medium range. The ensemble techniques used are based on linear methods. The theory This technique s been shown to be a useful indicator of skill in the linear range where forecast errors are small relative to climatological variance. While this advance has been impressive, there are still ad hoc aspects of its use in practice, like the need for covariance inflation which are troubling. Furthermore, to be of utility in the nonlinear range an ensemble assimilation and prediction method must be capable of giving probabilistic information for the situation where a probability density forecast becomes multi-modal. A prototypical, simplest example of such a situation is the planetary-wave regime transition where the pdf is bimodal. Our recent research show how the inconsistencies and extensions of linear methodology can be consistently treated using the paradigm of synchronization which views the problems of assimilation and forecasting as that of optimizing the forecast model state with respect to the future evolution of the atmosphere.

A linearization time-domain CMOS smart temperature sensor using a curvature compensation oscillator.

PubMed

Chen, Chun-Chi; Chen, Hao-Wen

2013-08-28

This paper presents an area-efficient time-domain CMOS smart temperature sensor using a curvature compensation oscillator for linearity enhancement with a -40 to 120 °C temperature range operability. The inverter-based smart temperature sensors can substantially reduce the cost and circuit complexity of integrated temperature sensors. However, a large curvature exists on the temperature-to-time transfer curve of the inverter-based delay line and results in poor linearity of the sensor output. For cost reduction and error improvement, a temperature-to-pulse generator composed of a ring oscillator and a time amplifier was used to generate a thermal sensing pulse with a sufficient width proportional to the absolute temperature (PTAT). Then, a simple but effective on-chip curvature compensation oscillator is proposed to simultaneously count and compensate the PTAT pulse with curvature for linearization. With such a simple structure, the proposed sensor possesses an extremely small area of 0.07 mm2 in a TSMC 0.35-mm CMOS 2P4M digital process. By using an oscillator-based scheme design, the proposed sensor achieves a fine resolution of 0.045 °C without significantly increasing the circuit area. With the curvature compensation, the inaccuracy of -1.2 to 0.2 °C is achieved in an operation range of -40 to 120 °C after two-point calibration for 14 packaged chips. The power consumption is measured as 23 mW at a sample rate of 10 samples/s.

A spatial operator algebra for manipulator modeling and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodriguez, G.; Jain, A.; Kreutz-Delgado, K.

1991-01-01

A recently developed spatial operator algebra for manipulator modeling, control, and trajectory design is discussed. The elements of this algebra are linear operators whose domain and range spaces consist of forces, moments, velocities, and accelerations. The effect of these operators is equivalent to a spatial recursion along the span of a manipulator. Inversion of operators can be efficiently obtained via techniques of recursive filtering and smoothing. The operator algebra provides a high-level framework for describing the dynamic and kinematic behavior of a manipulator and for control and trajectory design algorithms. The interpretation of expressions within the algebraic framework leads to enhanced conceptual and physical understanding of manipulator dynamics and kinematics.

Three Dimensional Integration and On-Wafer Packaging for Heterogeneous Wafer-Scale Circuit Architectures

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-01

Chip Level CMOS Chip High resistivity Si Metal Interconnect 25μm 24GHz fully integrated receiver CMOS transimpedance Amplifier (13GHz BW, 52dBΩ...power of a high-resistivity SiGe power amplifier chip with the wide operating frequency range and compactness of a CMOS mixed signal chip operating...With good RF channel selectivity, system specifications such as the linearity of the low noise amplifier (LNA), the phase noise of the voltage

Design, fabrication, and operation of capsules for the irradiation testing of candidate advanced space reactor fuel pins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thoms, K. R.

1975-01-01

Fuel irradiation experiments were designed, built, and operated to test uranium mononitride (UN) fuel clad in tungsten-lined T-111 and uranium dioxide fuel clad in both tungsten-lined T-111 and tungsten-lined Nb-1% Zr. A total of nine fuel pins was irradiated at average cladding temperatures ranging from 931 to 1015 C. The UN experiments, capsules UN-4 and -5, operated for 10,480 and 10,037 hr, respectively, at an average linear heat generation rate of 10 kW/ft. The UO2 experiment, capsule UN-6, operated for 8333 hr at an average linear heat generation rate of approximately 5 kW/ft. Following irradiation, the nine fuel pins were removed from their capsules, externally examined, and sent to the NASA Plum Brook Facility for more detailed postirradiation examination. During visual examination, it was discovered that the cladding of the fuel pin containing dense UN in each of capsules UN-4 and -5 had failed, exposing the UN fuel to the NaK in which the pins were submerged and permitting the release of fission gas from the failed pins. A rough analysis of the fission gas seen in samples of the gas in the fuel pin region indicated fission gas release-to-birth rates from these fuel pins in the range of .00001.

Beam-based measurements of long-range transverse wakefields in the Compact Linear Collider main-linac accelerating structure

DOE PAGES

Zha, Hao; Latina, Andrea; Grudiev, Alexej; ...

2016-01-20

The baseline design of CLIC (Compact Linear Collider) uses X-band accelerating structures for its main linacs. In order to maintain beam stability in multibunch operation, long-range transverse wakefields must be suppressed by 2 orders of magnitude between successive bunches, which are separated in time by 0.5 ns. Such strong wakefield suppression is achieved by equipping every accelerating structure cell with four damping waveguides terminated with individual rf loads. A beam-based experiment to directly measure the effectiveness of this long-range transverse wakefield and benchmark simulations was made in the FACET test facility at SLAC using a prototype CLIC accelerating structure. Furthermore,more » the experiment showed good agreement with the simulations and a strong suppression of the wakefields with an unprecedented minimum resolution of 0.1 V/(pC mm m).« less

324GHz CMOS VCO Using Linear Superimposition Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daquan, Huang; LaRocca, Tim R.; Samoska, Lorene A; Fung, Andy; Chang, Frank

2007-01-01

Terahertz (frequencies ranged from 300GHz to 3THz) imaging and spectroscopic systems have drawn increasing attention recently due to their unique capabilities in detecting and possibly analyzing concealed objects. The generation of terahertz signals is nonetheless nontrivial and traditionally accomplished by using either free-electron radiation, optical lasers, Gunn diodes or fundamental oscillation by using III-V based HBT/HEMT technology[1-3]... We have substantially extended the operation range of deep-scaled CMOS by using a linear superimposition method, in which we have realized a 324GHz VCO in 90nm digital CMOS with 4GHz tuning range under 1V supply voltage. This may also pave the way for ultra-high data rate wireless communications beyond that of IEEE 802.15.3c and reach data rates comparable to that of fiber optical communications, such as OC768 (40Gbps) and beyond.

Full-order Luenberger observer based on fuzzy-logic control for sensorless field-oriented control of a single-sided linear induction motor.

PubMed

Holakooie, Mohammad Hosein; Ojaghi, Mansour; Taheri, Asghar

2016-01-01

This paper investigates sensorless indirect field oriented control (IFOC) of SLIM with full-order Luenberger observer. The dynamic equations of SLIM are first elaborated to draw full-order Luenberger observer with some simplifying assumption. The observer gain matrix is derived from conventional procedure so that observer poles are proportional to SLIM poles to ensure the stability of system for wide range of linear speed. The operation of observer is significantly impressed by adaptive scheme. A fuzzy logic control (FLC) is proposed as adaptive scheme to estimate linear speed using speed tuning signal. The parameters of FLC are tuned using an off-line method through chaotic optimization algorithm (COA). The performance of the proposed observer is verified by both numerical simulation and real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) implementation. Moreover, a detailed comparative study among proposed and other speed observers is obtained under different operation conditions. Copyright © 2015 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Handling of computational in vitro/in vivo correlation problems by Microsoft Excel: IV. Generalized matrix analysis of linear compartment systems.

PubMed

Langenbucher, Frieder

2005-01-01

A linear system comprising n compartments is completely defined by the rate constants between any of the compartments and the initial condition in which compartment(s) the drug is present at the beginning. The generalized solution is the time profiles of drug amount in each compartment, described by polyexponential equations. Based on standard matrix operations, an Excel worksheet computes the rate constants and the coefficients, finally the full time profiles for a specified range of time values.

Direct estimations of linear and nonlinear functionals of a quantum state.

PubMed

Ekert, Artur K; Alves, Carolina Moura; Oi, Daniel K L; Horodecki, Michał; Horodecki, Paweł; Kwek, L C

2002-05-27

We present a simple quantum network, based on the controlled-SWAP gate, that can extract certain properties of quantum states without recourse to quantum tomography. It can be used as a basic building block for direct quantum estimations of both linear and nonlinear functionals of any density operator. The network has many potential applications ranging from purity tests and eigenvalue estimations to direct characterization of some properties of quantum channels. Experimental realizations of the proposed network are within the reach of quantum technology that is currently being developed.

Highly linear ring modulator from hybrid silicon and lithium niobate.

PubMed

Chen, Li; Chen, Jiahong; Nagy, Jonathan; Reano, Ronald M

2015-05-18

We present a highly linear ring modulator from the bonding of ion-sliced x-cut lithium niobate onto a silicon ring resonator. The third order intermodulation distortion spurious free dynamic range is measured to be 98.1 dB Hz(2/3) and 87.6 dB Hz(2/3) at 1 GHz and 10 GHz, respectively. The linearity is comparable to a reference lithium niobate Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulator operating at quadrature and over an order of magnitude greater than silicon ring modulators based on plasma dispersion effect. Compact modulators for analog optical links that exploit the second order susceptibility of lithium niobate on the silicon platform are envisioned.

Control of a lithium-ion battery storage system for microgrid applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pegueroles-Queralt, Jordi; Bianchi, Fernando D.; Gomis-Bellmunt, Oriol

2014-12-01

The operation of future microgrids will require the use of energy storage systems employing power electronics converters with advanced power management capacities. This paper presents the control scheme for a medium power lithium-ion battery bidirectional DC/AC power converter intended for microgrid applications. The switching devices of a bidirectional DC converter are commanded by a single sliding mode control law, dynamically shaped by a linear voltage regulator in accordance with the battery management system. The sliding mode controller facilitates the implementation and design of the control law and simplifies the stability analysis over the entire operating range. Control parameters of the linear regulator are designed to minimize the impact of commutation noise in the DC-link voltage regulation. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is illustrated by experimental results.

High performance waveguide-coupled Ge-on-Si linear mode avalanche photodiodes.

PubMed

Martinez, Nicholas J D; Derose, Christopher T; Brock, Reinhard W; Starbuck, Andrew L; Pomerene, Andrew T; Lentine, Anthony L; Trotter, Douglas C; Davids, Paul S

2016-08-22

We present experimental results for a selective epitaxially grown Ge-on-Si separate absorption and charge multiplication (SACM) integrated waveguide coupled avalanche photodiode (APD) compatible with our silicon photonics platform. Epitaxially grown Ge-on-Si waveguide-coupled linear mode avalanche photodiodes with varying lateral multiplication regions and different charge implant dimensions are fabricated and their illuminated device characteristics and high-speed performance is measured. We report a record gain-bandwidth product of 432 GHz for our highest performing waveguide-coupled avalanche photodiode operating at 1510nm. Bit error rate measurements show operation with BER< 10^-12, in the range from -18.3 dBm to -12 dBm received optical power into a 50 Ω load and open eye diagrams with 13 Gbps pseudo-random data at 1550 nm.

Dynamic analysis of Free-Piston Stirling Engine/Linear Alternator-load system-experimentally validated

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kankam, M. David; Rauch, Jeffrey S.; Santiago, Walter

1992-01-01

This paper discusses the effects of variations in system parameters on the dynamic behavior of the Free-Piston Stirling Engine/Linear Alternator (FPSE/LA)-load system. The mathematical formulations incorporate both the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the FPSE, as well as the electrical equations of the connected load. A state-space technique in the frequency domain is applied to the resulting system of equations to facilitate the evaluation of parametric impacts on the system dynamic stability. Also included is a discussion on the system transient stability as affected by sudden changes in some key operating conditions. Some representative results are correlated with experimental data to verify the model and analytic formulation accuracies. Guidelines are given for ranges of the system parameters which will ensure an overall stable operation.

Dynamic analysis of free-piston Stirling engine/linear alternator-load system - Experimentally validated

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kankam, M. D.; Rauch, Jeffrey S.; Santiago, Walter

1992-01-01

This paper discusses the effects of a variations in system parameters on the dynamic behavior of a Free-Piston Stirling Engine/Linear Alternator (FPSE/LA)-load system. The mathematical formulations incorporates both the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the FPSE, as well as the electrical equations of the connected load. State-space technique in the frequency domain is applied to the resulting system of equations to facilitate the evaluation of parametric impacts on the system dynamic stability. Also included is a discussion on the system transient stability as affected by sudden changes in some key operating conditions. Some representative results are correlated with experimental data to verify the model and analytic formulation accuracies. Guidelines are given for ranges of the system parameters which will ensure an overall stable operation.

Double Arm Linkage precision Linear motion (DALL) Carriage, a simplified, rugged, high performance linear motion stage for the moving mirror of an Fourier Transform Spectrometer or other system requiring precision linear motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Kendall B.; Hopkins, Greg

2017-08-01

The Double Arm Linkage precision Linear motion (DALL) carriage has been developed as a simplified, rugged, high performance linear motion stage. Initially conceived as a moving mirror stage for the moving mirror of a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS), it is applicable to any system requiring high performance linear motion. It is based on rigid double arm linkages connecting a base to a moving carriage through flexures. It is a monolithic design. The system is fabricated from one piece of material including the flexural elements, using high precision machining. The monolithic design has many advantages. There are no joints to slip or creep and there are no CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) issues. This provides a stable, robust design, both mechanically and thermally and is expected to provide a wide operating temperature range, including cryogenic temperatures, and high tolerance to vibration and shock. Furthermore, it provides simplicity and ease of implementation, as there is no assembly or alignment of the mechanism. It comes out of the machining operation aligned and there are no adjustments. A prototype has been fabricated and tested, showing superb shear performance and very promising tilt performance. This makes it applicable to both corner cube and flat mirror FTS systems respectively.

Long-range corrected density functional theory with accelerated Hartree-Fock exchange integration using a two-Gaussian operator [LC-ωPBE(2Gau)].

PubMed

Song, Jong-Won; Hirao, Kimihiko

2015-10-14

Since the advent of hybrid functional in 1993, it has become a main quantum chemical tool for the calculation of energies and properties of molecular systems. Following the introduction of long-range corrected hybrid scheme for density functional theory a decade later, the applicability of the hybrid functional has been further amplified due to the resulting increased performance on orbital energy, excitation energy, non-linear optical property, barrier height, and so on. Nevertheless, the high cost associated with the evaluation of Hartree-Fock (HF) exchange integrals remains a bottleneck for the broader and more active applications of hybrid functionals to large molecular and periodic systems. Here, we propose a very simple yet efficient method for the computation of long-range corrected hybrid scheme. It uses a modified two-Gaussian attenuating operator instead of the error function for the long-range HF exchange integral. As a result, the two-Gaussian HF operator, which mimics the shape of the error function operator, reduces computational time dramatically (e.g., about 14 times acceleration in C diamond calculation using periodic boundary condition) and enables lower scaling with system size, while maintaining the improved features of the long-range corrected density functional theory.

Image sensor with high dynamic range linear output

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yadid-Pecht, Orly (Inventor); Fossum, Eric R. (Inventor)

2007-01-01

Designs and operational methods to increase the dynamic range of image sensors and APS devices in particular by achieving more than one integration times for each pixel thereof. An APS system with more than one column-parallel signal chains for readout are described for maintaining a high frame rate in readout. Each active pixel is sampled for multiple times during a single frame readout, thus resulting in multiple integration times. The operation methods can also be used to obtain multiple integration times for each pixel with an APS design having a single column-parallel signal chain for readout. Furthermore, analog-to-digital conversion of high speed and high resolution can be implemented.

Performance of an Annular Linear Induction Pump with Applications to Space Nuclear Power Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Polzin, Kurt A.; Schoenfeld, Michael; Pearson, J. Boise; Webster, Kenneth; Godfroy, Thomas; Adkins, Harold E., Jr.; Werner, James E.

2010-01-01

Results of performance testing of an annular linear induction pump are presented. The pump electromagnetically pumps liquid metal through a circuit specially designed to allow for quantification of the performance. Testing was conducted over a range of conditions, including frequencies of 33, 36, 39, and 60 Hz, liquid metal temperatures from 125 to 525 C, and input voltages from 5 to 120 V. Pump performance spanned a range of flow rates from roughly 0.16 to 5.7 L/s (2.5 to 90 gpm), and pressure head less than 1 to 90 kPa (less than 0.145 to 13 psi). The maximum efficiency measured during testing was slightly greater than 6%. The efficiency was fairly insensitive to input frequency from 33 to 39 Hz, and was markedly lower at 60 Hz. In addition, the efficiency decreased as the NaK temperature was raised. The performance of the pump operating on a variable frequency drive providing 60 Hz power compared favorably with the same pump operating on 60 Hz power drawn directly from the electrical grid.

Eddy current damper

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ellis, R. C.; Fink, R. A.; Rich, R. W.

1989-01-01

A high torque capacity eddy current damper used as a rate limiting device for a large solar array deployment mechanism is discussed. The eddy current damper eliminates the problems associated with the outgassing or leaking of damping fluids. It also provides performance advantages such as damping torque rates, which are truly linear with respect to input speed, continuous 360 degree operation in both directions of rotation, wide operating temperature range, and the capability of convenient adjustment of damping rates by the user without disassembly or special tools.

How long is the memory of the US stock market?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferreira, Paulo; Dionísio, Andreia

2016-06-01

The Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), one of the most important hypothesis in financial economics, argues that return rates have no memory (correlation) which implies that agents cannot make abnormal profits in financial markets, due to the possibility of arbitrage operations. With return rates for the US stock market, we corroborate the fact that with a linear approach, return rates do not show evidence of correlation. However, linear approaches might not be complete or global, since return rates could suffer from nonlinearities. Using detrended cross-correlation analysis and its correlation coefficient, a methodology which analyzes long-range behavior between series, we show that the long-range correlation of return rates only ends in the 149th lag, which corresponds to about seven months. Does this result undermine the EMH?

Eigenvalue assignment strategies in rotor systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Youngblood, J. N.; Welzyn, K. J.

1986-01-01

The work done to establish the control and direction of effective eigenvalue excursions of lightly damped, speed dependent rotor systems using passive control is discussed. Both second order and sixth order bi-axis, quasi-linear, speed dependent generic models were investigated. In every case a single, bi-directional control bearing was used in a passive feedback stabilization loop to resist modal destabilization above the rotor critical speed. Assuming incomplete state measurement, sub-optimal control strategies were used to define the preferred location of the control bearing, the most effective measurement locations, and the best set of control gains to extend the speed range of stable operation. Speed dependent control gains were found by Powell's method to maximize the minimum modal damping ratio for the speed dependent linear model. An increase of 300 percent in stable speed operation was obtained for the sixth order linear system using passive control. Simulations were run to examine the effectiveness of the linear control law on nonlinear rotor models with bearing deadband. The maximum level of control effort (force) required by the control bearing to stabilize the rotor at speeds above the critical was determined for the models with bearing deadband.

Evidence of Non-Linear Associations between Frustration-Related Prefrontal Cortex Activation and the Normal:Abnormal Spectrum of Irritability in Young Children.

PubMed

Grabell, Adam S; Li, Yanwei; Barker, Jeff W; Wakschlag, Lauren S; Huppert, Theodore J; Perlman, Susan B

2018-01-01

Burgeoning interest in early childhood irritability has recently turned toward neuroimaging techniques to better understand normal versus abnormal irritability using dimensional methods. Current accounts largely assume a linear relationship between poor frustration management, an expression of irritability, and its underlying neural circuitry. However, the relationship between these constructs may not be linear (i.e., operate differently at varying points across the irritability spectrum), with implications for how early atypical irritability is identified and treated. Our goal was to examine how the association between frustration-related lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) activation and irritability differs across the dimensional spectrum of irritability by testing for non-linear associations. Children (N = 92; ages 3-7) ranging from virtually no irritability to the upper end of the clinical range completed a frustration induction task while we recorded LPFC hemoglobin levels using fNIRS. Children self-rated their emotions during the task and parents rated their child's level of irritability. Whereas a linear model showed no relationship between frustration-related LPFC activation and irritability, a quadratic model revealed frustration-related LPFC activation increased as parent-reported irritability scores increased within the normative range of irritability but decreased with increasing irritability in the severe range, with an apex at the 91st percentile. Complementarily, we found children's self-ratings of emotion during frustration related to concurrent LPFC activation as an inverted U function, such that children who reported mild distress had greater activation than peers reporting no or high distress. Results suggest children with relatively higher irritability who are unimpaired may possess well-developed LPFC support, a mechanism that drops out in the severe end of the irritability dimension. Findings suggest novel avenues for understanding the heterogeneity of early irritability and its clinical sequelae.

Correlation Between Bone Density and Instantaneous Torque at Implant Site Preparation: A Validation on Polyurethane Foam Blocks of a Device Assessing Density of Jawbones.

PubMed

Di Stefano, Danilo Alessio; Arosio, Paolo

2016-01-01

Bone density at implant placement sites is one of the key factors affecting implant primary stability, which is a determinant for implant osseointegration and rehabilitation success. Site-specific bone density assessment is, therefore, of paramount importance. Recently, an implant micromotor endowed with an instantaneous torque-measuring system has been introduced. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of this system. Five blocks with different densities (0.16, 0.26, 0.33, 0.49, and 0.65 g/cm(3)) were used. A single trained operator measured the density of one of them (0.33 g/cm(3)), by means of five different devices (20 measurements/device). The five resulting datasets were analyzed through the analysis of variance (ANOVA) model to investigate interdevice variability. As differences were not significant (P = .41), the five devices were each assigned to a different operator, who collected 20 density measurements for each block, both under irrigation (I) and without irrigation (NI). Measurements were pooled and averaged for each block, and their correlation with the actual block-density values was investigated using linear regression analysis. The possible effect of irrigation on density measurement was additionally assessed. Different devices provided reproducible, homogenous results. No significant interoperator variability was observed. Within the physiologic range of densities (> 0.30 g/cm(3)), the linear regression analysis showed a significant linear correlation between the mean torque measurements and the actual bone densities under both drilling conditions (r = 0.990 [I], r = 0.999 [NI]). Calibration lines were drawn under both conditions. Values collected under irrigation were lower than those collected without irrigation at all densities. The NI/I mean torque ratio was shown to decrease linearly with density (r = 0.998). The mean error introduced by the device-operator system was less than 10% in the range of normal jawbone density. Measurements performed with the device were linearly correlated with the blocks' bone densities. The results validate the device as an objective intraoperative tool for bone-density assessment that may contribute to proper jawbone-density evaluation and implant-insertion planning.

Stationary-phase optimized selectivity liquid chromatography: development of a linear gradient prediction algorithm.

PubMed

De Beer, Maarten; Lynen, Fréderic; Chen, Kai; Ferguson, Paul; Hanna-Brown, Melissa; Sandra, Pat

2010-03-01

Stationary-phase optimized selectivity liquid chromatography (SOS-LC) is a tool in reversed-phase LC (RP-LC) to optimize the selectivity for a given separation by combining stationary phases in a multisegment column. The presently (commercially) available SOS-LC optimization procedure and algorithm are only applicable to isocratic analyses. Step gradient SOS-LC has been developed, but this is still not very elegant for the analysis of complex mixtures composed of components covering a broad hydrophobicity range. A linear gradient prediction algorithm has been developed allowing one to apply SOS-LC as a generic RP-LC optimization method. The algorithm allows operation in isocratic, stepwise, and linear gradient run modes. The features of SOS-LC in the linear gradient mode are demonstrated by means of a mixture of 13 steroids, whereby baseline separation is predicted and experimentally demonstrated.

Polymeric mercaptosilane-modified platinum electrodes for elimination of interferants in glucose biosensors.

PubMed

Jung, S K; Wilson, G S

1996-02-15

An oxidase-based glucose sensor has been developed that uses a mercaptosilane-modified platinum electrode to achieve selectivity of electrochemical interferants. A platinum-iridium (9:1) wire (0.178 mm o.d., sensing area of 1.12 mm2) is modified with (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane. The modified sensors show excellent operational stability for more than 5 days. Glucose oxidase is immobilized on the modified surface (i) by using 3-maleimidopropionic acid as a linker or (ii) by cross-liking with bovine serum albumin using glutaraldehyde. Sensitivities in the range of 9.97 nA/mM glucose are observed when the enzyme is immobilized by method ii. Lower sensitivities (1.13 x 10(-1) nA/mM glucose) are observed when immobilization method i is employed. In terms of linear response range, the sensor enzyme-immobilized by method i is superior to that immobilized by method ii. The linearity is improved upon coating the enzyme layer with polyurethane. The sensor immobilized by method ii and coated with polyurethane exhibits a linear range to 15 mM glucose and excellent selectivity to glucose (0.47 nA/mM) against interferants such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, and acetaminophen.

TEMPERATURE-GRADIENT INCUBATOR FOR DETERMINING THE TEMPERATURE RANGE OF GROWTH OF MICROORGANISMS

PubMed Central

Elliott, R. Paul

1963-01-01

Elliott, R. Paul (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, Calif.). Temperature-gradient incubator for determining the temperature range of growth of microorganisms. J. Bacteriol. 85:889–894. 1963.—The temperature-gradient incubator consists of an aluminum bar with troughs for media, with controlled temperatures at each end, and with insulation to prevent heat transfer. The resulting linear temperature gradient provides a means for determining minimal or maximal growth temperatures of microorganisms in any desired range and at any desired gradient. The operation of the incubator is unaffected by line-voltage variations or by ambient temperature. Media do not dehydrate seriously even during prolonged periods of operation. The incubator can be used to determine water activity of media by an adjustment to permit partial freezing. Either thermocouples or thermistors may be used to measure temperatures. Images PMID:14044959

Control System for Prosthetic Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bozeman, Richard J. (Inventor)

1996-01-01

A control system and method for prosthetic devices is provided. The control system comprises a transducer for receiving movement from a body part for generating a sensing signal associated with that of movement. The sensing signal is processed by a linearizer for linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part. The linearized sensing signal is normalized to be a function of the entire range of body part movement from the no-shrug position of the moveable body part through the full-shrg position of the moveable body part. The normalized signal is divided into a plurality of discrete command signals. The discrete command signals are used by typical converter devices which are in operational association with the prosthetic device. The converter device uses the discrete command signals for driving the moveable portions of the prosthetic device and its sub-prosthesis. The method for controlling a prosthetic device associated with the present invention comprises the steps of receiving the movement from the body part, generating a sensing signal in association with the movement of the body part, linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part, normalizing the linear signal to be a function of the entire range of the body part movement, dividing the normalized signal into a plurality of discrete command signals, and implementing the plurality of discrete command signals for driving the respective moveable prosthesis device and its sub-prosthesis.

Control method for prosthetic devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bozeman, Richard J., Jr. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A control system and method for prosthetic devices is provided. The control system comprises a transducer for receiving movement from a body part for generating a sensing signal associated with that movement. The sensing signal is processed by a linearizer for linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part. The linearized sensing signal is normalized to be a function of the entire range of body part movement from the no-shrug position of the moveable body part. The normalized signal is divided into a plurality of discrete command signals. The discrete command signals are used by typical converter devices which are in operational association with the prosthetic device. The converter device uses the discrete command signals for driving the moveable portions of the prosthetic device and its sub-prosthesis. The method for controlling a prosthetic device associated with the present invention comprises the steps of receiving the movement from the body part, generating a sensing signal in association with the movement of the body part, linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part, normalizing the linear signal to be a function of the entire range of the body part movement, dividing the normalized signal into a plurality of discrete command signals, and implementing the plurality of discrete command signals for driving the respective moveable prosthesis device and its sub-prosthesis.

Control system and method for prosthetic devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bozeman, Richard J., Jr. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A control system and method for prosthetic devices is provided. The control system comprises a transducer for receiving movement from a body part for generating a sensing signal associated with that movement. The sensing signal is processed by a linearizer for linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part. The linearized sensing signal is normalized to be a function of the entire range of body part movement from the no-shrug position of the movable body part through the full-shrug position of the movable body part. The normalized signal is divided into a plurality of discrete command signals. The discrete command signals are used by typical converter devices which are in operational association with the prosthetic device. The converter device uses the discrete command signals for driving the movable portions of the prosthetic device and its sub-prosthesis. The method for controlling a prosthetic device associated with the present invention comprises the steps of receiving the movement from the body part, generating a sensing signal in association with the movement of the body part, linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part, normalizing the linear signal to be a function of the entire range of the body part movement, dividing the normalized signal into a plurality of discrete command signals, and implementing the plurality of discrete command signals for driving the respective movable prosthesis device and its sub-prosthesis.

The Effect of the Thickness of the Sensitive Layer on the Performance of the Accumulating NOx Sensor

PubMed Central

Groß, Andrea; Richter, Miriam; Kubinski, David J.; Visser, Jacobus H.; Moos, Ralf

2012-01-01

A novel and promising method to measure low levels of NOx utilizes the accumulating sensor principle. During an integration cycle, incoming NOx molecules are stored in a sensitive layer based on an automotive lean NOx trap (LNT) material that changes its electrical resistivity proportional to the amount of stored NOx, making the sensor suitable for long-term detection of low levels of NOx. In this study, the influence of the thickness of the sensitive layer, prepared by multiple screen-printing, is investigated. All samples show good accumulating sensing properties for both NO and NO2. In accordance to a simplified model, the base resistance of the sensitive layer and the sensitivity to NOx decrease with increasing thickness. Contrarily, the sensor response time increases. The linear measurement range of all samples ends at a sensor response of about 30% resulting in an increase of the linearly detectable amount with the thickness. Hence, the variation of the thickness of the sensitive layer is a powerful tool to adapt the linear measurement range (proportional to the thickness) as well as the sensitivity (proportional to the inverse thickness) to the application requirements. Calculations combining the sensor model with the measurement results indicate that for operation in the linear range, about 3% of the LNT material is converted to nitrate.

Sensor-Based Optimized Control of the Full Load Instability in Large Hydraulic Turbines

PubMed Central

Presas, Alexandre; Valero, Carme; Egusquiza, Eduard

2018-01-01

Hydropower plants are of paramount importance for the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources in the power grid. In order to match the energy generated and consumed, Large hydraulic turbines have to work under off-design conditions, which may lead to dangerous unstable operating points involving the hydraulic, mechanical and electrical system. Under these conditions, the stability of the grid and the safety of the power plant itself can be compromised. For many Francis Turbines one of these critical points, that usually limits the maximum output power, is the full load instability. Therefore, these machines usually work far away from this unstable point, reducing the effective operating range of the unit. In order to extend the operating range of the machine, working closer to this point with a reasonable safety margin, it is of paramount importance to monitor and to control relevant parameters of the unit, which have to be obtained with an accurate sensor acquisition strategy. Within the framework of a large EU project, field tests in a large Francis Turbine located in Canada (rated power of 444 MW) have been performed. Many different sensors were used to monitor several working parameters of the unit for all its operating range. Particularly for these tests, more than 80 signals, including ten type of different sensors and several operating signals that define the operating point of the unit, were simultaneously acquired. The present study, focuses on the optimization of the acquisition strategy, which includes type, number, location, acquisition frequency of the sensors and corresponding signal analysis to detect the full load instability and to prevent the unit from reaching this point. A systematic approach to determine this strategy has been followed. It has been found that some indicators obtained with different types of sensors are linearly correlated with the oscillating power. The optimized strategy has been determined based on the correlation characteristics (linearity, sensitivity and reactivity), the simplicity of the installation and the acquisition frequency necessary. Finally, an economic and easy implementable protection system based on the resulting optimized acquisition strategy is proposed. This system, which can be used in a generic Francis turbine with a similar full load instability, permits one to extend the operating range of the unit by working close to the instability with a reasonable safety margin. PMID:29601512

Sensor-Based Optimized Control of the Full Load Instability in Large Hydraulic Turbines.

PubMed

Presas, Alexandre; Valentin, David; Egusquiza, Mònica; Valero, Carme; Egusquiza, Eduard

2018-03-30

Hydropower plants are of paramount importance for the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources in the power grid. In order to match the energy generated and consumed, Large hydraulic turbines have to work under off-design conditions, which may lead to dangerous unstable operating points involving the hydraulic, mechanical and electrical system. Under these conditions, the stability of the grid and the safety of the power plant itself can be compromised. For many Francis Turbines one of these critical points, that usually limits the maximum output power, is the full load instability. Therefore, these machines usually work far away from this unstable point, reducing the effective operating range of the unit. In order to extend the operating range of the machine, working closer to this point with a reasonable safety margin, it is of paramount importance to monitor and to control relevant parameters of the unit, which have to be obtained with an accurate sensor acquisition strategy. Within the framework of a large EU project, field tests in a large Francis Turbine located in Canada (rated power of 444 MW) have been performed. Many different sensors were used to monitor several working parameters of the unit for all its operating range. Particularly for these tests, more than 80 signals, including ten type of different sensors and several operating signals that define the operating point of the unit, were simultaneously acquired. The present study, focuses on the optimization of the acquisition strategy, which includes type, number, location, acquisition frequency of the sensors and corresponding signal analysis to detect the full load instability and to prevent the unit from reaching this point. A systematic approach to determine this strategy has been followed. It has been found that some indicators obtained with different types of sensors are linearly correlated with the oscillating power. The optimized strategy has been determined based on the correlation characteristics (linearity, sensitivity and reactivity), the simplicity of the installation and the acquisition frequency necessary. Finally, an economic and easy implementable protection system based on the resulting optimized acquisition strategy is proposed. This system, which can be used in a generic Francis turbine with a similar full load instability, permits one to extend the operating range of the unit by working close to the instability with a reasonable safety margin.

High performance waveguide-coupled Ge-on-Si linear mode avalanche photodiodes

DOE PAGES

Martinez, Nicholas J. D.; Derose, Christopher T.; Brock, Reinhard W.; ...

2016-08-09

Here, we present experimental results for a selective epitaxially grown Ge-on-Si separate absorption and charge multiplication (SACM) integrated waveguide coupled avalanche photodiode (APD) compatible with our silicon photonics platform. Epitaxially grown Ge-on-Si waveguide-coupled linear mode avalanche photodiodes with varying lateral multiplication regions and different charge implant dimensions are fabricated and their illuminated device characteristics and high-speed performance is measured. We report a record gain-bandwidth product of 432 GHz for our highest performing waveguide-coupled avalanche photodiode operating at 1510nm. Bit error rate measurements show operation with BER< 10 –12, in the range from –18.3 dBm to –12 dBm received optical powermore » into a 50 Ω load and open eye diagrams with 13 Gbps pseudo-random data at 1550 nm.« less

Fiber optics frequency comb enabled linear optical sampling with operation wavelength range extension.

PubMed

Liao, Ruolin; Wu, Zhichao; Fu, Songnian; Zhu, Shengnan; Yu, Zhe; Tang, Ming; Liu, Deming

2018-02-01

Although the linear optical sampling (LOS) technique is powerful enough to characterize various advanced modulation formats with high symbol rates, the central wavelength of a pulsed local oscillator (LO) needs to be carefully set according to that of the signal under test, due to the coherent mixing operation. Here, we experimentally demonstrate wideband LOS enabled by a fiber optics frequency comb (FOFC). Meanwhile, when the broadband FOFC acts as the pulsed LO, we propose a scheme to mitigate the enhanced sampling error arising in the non-ideal response of a balanced photodetector. Finally, precise characterizations of arbitrary 128 Gbps PDM-QPSK wavelength channels from 1550 to 1570 nm are successfully achieved, when a 101.3 MHz frequency spaced comb with a 3 dB spectral power ripple of 20 nm is used.

Experimental evaluation of a unique radiometer for use in solar simulation testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richmond, R. G.

1978-01-01

The vane radiometer is designed to operate over the range 0-1 solar constant and is capable of withstanding temperatures over the range -200 to +175 C. Two of these radiometers, for use in the Johnson Space Center's largest space simulator, have been evaluated for: (1) thermal sensitivity with no solar input, (2) linearity as a function of solar simulation input, and (3) output drift as a function of time. The minimum sensitivity was measured to be approximately 25.5 mV/solar constant. An unusual effect in the pressure range 760 to 1.0 torr is discussed.

Microfluidic flow rate detection based on integrated optical fiber cantilever.

PubMed

Lien, Victor; Vollmer, Frank

2007-10-01

We demonstrate an integrated microfluidic flow sensor with ultra-wide dynamic range, suitable for high throughput applications such as flow cytometry and particle sorting/counting. A fiber-tip cantilever transduces flow rates to optical signal readout, and we demonstrate a dynamic range from 0 to 1500 microL min(-1) for operation in water. Fiber-optic sensor alignment is guided by preformed microfluidic channels, and the dynamic range can be adjusted in a one-step chemical etch. An overall non-linear response is attributed to the far-field angular distribution of single-mode fiber output.

Electrolytes for Wide Operating Temperature Lithium-Ion Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smart, Marshall C. (Inventor); Bugga, Ratnakumar V. (Inventor)

2016-01-01

Provided herein are electrolytes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells employing the electrolytes, methods of making the electrochemical cells and methods of using the electrochemical cells over a wide temperature range. Included are electrolyte compositions comprising a lithium salt, a cyclic carbonate, a non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester and optionally comprising one or more additives.

A linear accelerator for simulated micrometeors.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slattery, J. C.; Becker, D. G.; Hamermesh, B.; Roy, N. L.

1973-01-01

Review of the theory, design parameters, and construction details of a linear accelerator designed to impart meteoric velocities to charged microparticles in the 1- to 10-micron diameter range. The described linac is of the Sloan Lawrence type and, in a significant departure from conventional accelerator practice, is adapted to single particle operation by employing a square wave driving voltage with the frequency automatically adjusted from 12.5 to 125 kHz according to the variable velocity of each injected particle. Any output velocity up to about 30 km/sec can easily be selected, with a repetition rate of approximately two particles per minute.

Integrated circuits for accurate linear analogue electric signal processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huijsing, J. H.

1981-11-01

The main lines in the design of integrated circuits for accurate analog linear electric signal processing in a frequency range including DC are investigated. A categorization of universal active electronic devices is presented on the basis of the connections of one of the terminals of the input and output ports to the common ground potential. The means for quantifying the attributes of four types of universal active electronic devices are included. The design of integrated operational voltage amplifiers (OVA) is discussed. Several important applications in the field of general instrumentation are numerically evaluated, and the design of operatinal floating amplifiers is presented.

The artificial neural network modelling of the piezoelectric actuator vibrations using laser displacement sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paralı, Levent; Sarı, Ali; Kılıç, Ulaş; Şahin, Özge; Pěchoušek, Jiří

2017-09-01

We report an improvement of the artificial neural network (ANN) modelling of a piezoelectric actuator vibration based on the experimental data. The controlled vibrations of an actuator were obtained by utilizing the swept-sine signal excitation. The peak value in the displacement signal response was measured by a laser displacement sensor. The piezoelectric actuator was modelled in both linear and nonlinear operating range. A consistency from 90.3 up to 98.9% of ANN modelled output values and experimental ones was reached. The obtained results clearly demonstrate exact linear relationship between the ANN model and experimental values.

Perfect commuting-operator strategies for linear system games

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cleve, Richard; Liu, Li; Slofstra, William

2017-01-01

Linear system games are a generalization of Mermin's magic square game introduced by Cleve and Mittal. They show that perfect strategies for linear system games in the tensor-product model of entanglement correspond to finite-dimensional operator solutions of a certain set of non-commutative equations. We investigate linear system games in the commuting-operator model of entanglement, where Alice and Bob's measurement operators act on a joint Hilbert space, and Alice's operators must commute with Bob's operators. We show that perfect strategies in this model correspond to possibly infinite-dimensional operator solutions of the non-commutative equations. The proof is based around a finitely presented group associated with the linear system which arises from the non-commutative equations.

A spatial operator algebra for manipulator modeling and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodriguez, G.; Kreutz, K.; Jain, A.

1989-01-01

A spatial operator algebra for modeling the control and trajectory design of manipulation is discussed, with emphasis on its analytical formulation and implementation in the Ada programming language. The elements of this algebra are linear operators whose domain and range spaces consist of forces, moments, velocities, and accelerations. The effect of these operators is equivalent to a spatial recursion along the span of the manipulator. Inversion is obtained using techniques of recursive filtering and smoothing. The operator alegbra provides a high-level framework for describing the dynamic and kinematic behavior of a manipulator and control and trajectory design algorithms. Implementable recursive algorithms can be immediately derived from the abstract operator expressions by inspection, thus greatly simplifying the transition from an abstract problem formulation and solution to the detailed mechanization of a specific algorithm.

Linear FMCW Laser Radar for Precision Range and Vector Velocity Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pierrottet, Diego; Amzajerdian, Farzin; Petway, Larry; Barnes, Bruce; Lockhard, George; Rubio, Manuel

2008-01-01

An all fiber linear frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) coherent laser radar system is under development with a goal to aide NASA s new Space Exploration initiative for manned and robotic missions to the Moon and Mars. By employing a combination of optical heterodyne and linear frequency modulation techniques and utilizing state-of-the-art fiber optic technologies, highly efficient, compact and reliable laser radar suitable for operation in a space environment is being developed. Linear FMCW lidar has the capability of high-resolution range measurements, and when configured into a multi-channel receiver system it has the capability of obtaining high precision horizontal and vertical velocity measurements. Precision range and vector velocity data are beneficial to navigating planetary landing pods to the preselected site and achieving autonomous, safe soft-landing. The all-fiber coherent laser radar has several important advantages over more conventional pulsed laser altimeters or range finders. One of the advantages of the coherent laser radar is its ability to measure directly the platform velocity by extracting the Doppler shift generated from the motion, as opposed to time of flight range finders where terrain features such as hills, cliffs, or slopes add error to the velocity measurement. Doppler measurements are about two orders of magnitude more accurate than the velocity estimates obtained by pulsed laser altimeters. In addition, most of the components of the device are efficient and reliable commercial off-the-shelf fiber optic telecommunication components. This paper discusses the design and performance of a second-generation brassboard system under development at NASA Langley Research Center as part of the Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance (ALHAT) project.

Angle-domain inverse scattering migration/inversion in isotropic media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wuqun; Mao, Weijian; Li, Xuelei; Ouyang, Wei; Liang, Quan

2018-07-01

The classical seismic asymptotic inversion can be transformed into a problem of inversion of generalized Radon transform (GRT). In such methods, the combined parameters are linearly attached to the scattered wave-field by Born approximation and recovered by applying an inverse GRT operator to the scattered wave-field data. Typical GRT-style true-amplitude inversion procedure contains an amplitude compensation process after the weighted migration via dividing an illumination associated matrix whose elements are integrals of scattering angles. It is intuitional to some extent that performs the generalized linear inversion and the inversion of GRT together by this process for direct inversion. However, it is imprecise to carry out such operation when the illumination at the image point is limited, which easily leads to the inaccuracy and instability of the matrix. This paper formulates the GRT true-amplitude inversion framework in an angle-domain version, which naturally degrades the external integral term related to the illumination in the conventional case. We solve the linearized integral equation for combined parameters of different fixed scattering angle values. With this step, we obtain high-quality angle-domain common-image gathers (CIGs) in the migration loop which provide correct amplitude-versus-angle (AVA) behavior and reasonable illumination range for subsurface image points. Then we deal with the over-determined problem to solve each parameter in the combination by a standard optimization operation. The angle-domain GRT inversion method keeps away from calculating the inaccurate and unstable illumination matrix. Compared with the conventional method, the angle-domain method can obtain more accurate amplitude information and wider amplitude-preserved range. Several model tests demonstrate the effectiveness and practicability.

Plasma source development for fusion-relevant material testing

DOE PAGES

Caughman, John B. O.; Goulding, Richard H.; Biewer, Theodore M.; ...

2017-05-01

Plasma facing materials in the divertor of a magnetic fusion reactor will have to tolerate steady-state plasma heat fluxes in the range of 10 MW/m2 for ~107 sec, in addition to fusion neutron fluences, which can damage the plasma facing materials to high displacements per atom (dpa) of ~50 dpa . Material solutions needed for the plasma facing components are yet to be developed and tested. The Materials Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) is a newly proposed steady state linear plasma device that is designed to deliver the necessary plasma heat flux to a target for this material testing, including themore » capability to expose a-priori neutron damaged material samples to those plasmas. The requirements of the plasma source needed to deliver this plasma heat flux are being developed on the Proto-MPEX device, which is a linear high-intensity radio frequency (RF) plasma source that combines a high-density helicon plasma generator with electron and ion heating sections. It is being used to study the physics of heating over-dense plasmas in a linear configuration. The helicon plasma is operated at 13.56 MHz with RF power levels up to 120 kW. Microwaves at 28 GHz (~30 kW) are coupled to the electrons in the over-dense helicon plasma via Electron Bernstein Waves (EBW), and ion cyclotron heating at 7-9 MHz (~30 kW) is via a magnetic beach approach. High plasma densities >6x1019/m3 have been produced in deuterium, with electron temperatures that can range from 2 to >10 eV. Operation with on-axis magnetic field strengths between 0.6 and 1.4 T is typical. The plasma heat flux delivered to a target can be > 10 MW/m2, depending on the operating conditions.« less

Plasma source development for fusion-relevant material testing

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

Caughman, John B. O.; Goulding, Richard H.; Biewer, Theodore M.

Plasma facing materials in the divertor of a magnetic fusion reactor will have to tolerate steady-state plasma heat fluxes in the range of 10 MW/m2 for ~107 sec, in addition to fusion neutron fluences, which can damage the plasma facing materials to high displacements per atom (dpa) of ~50 dpa . Material solutions needed for the plasma facing components are yet to be developed and tested. The Materials Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) is a newly proposed steady state linear plasma device that is designed to deliver the necessary plasma heat flux to a target for this material testing, including themore » capability to expose a-priori neutron damaged material samples to those plasmas. The requirements of the plasma source needed to deliver this plasma heat flux are being developed on the Proto-MPEX device, which is a linear high-intensity radio frequency (RF) plasma source that combines a high-density helicon plasma generator with electron and ion heating sections. It is being used to study the physics of heating over-dense plasmas in a linear configuration. The helicon plasma is operated at 13.56 MHz with RF power levels up to 120 kW. Microwaves at 28 GHz (~30 kW) are coupled to the electrons in the over-dense helicon plasma via Electron Bernstein Waves (EBW), and ion cyclotron heating at 7-9 MHz (~30 kW) is via a magnetic beach approach. High plasma densities >6x1019/m3 have been produced in deuterium, with electron temperatures that can range from 2 to >10 eV. Operation with on-axis magnetic field strengths between 0.6 and 1.4 T is typical. The plasma heat flux delivered to a target can be > 10 MW/m2, depending on the operating conditions.« less

A single-chip 32-channel analog beamformer with 4-ns delay resolution and 768-ns maximum delay range for ultrasound medical imaging with a linear array transducer.

PubMed

Um, Ji-Yong; Kim, Yoon-Jee; Cho, Seong-Eun; Chae, Min-Kyun; Kim, Byungsub; Sim, Jae-Yoon; Park, Hong-June

2015-02-01

A single-chip 32-channel analog beamformer is proposed. It achieves a delay resolution of 4 ns and a maximum delay range of 768 ns. It has a focal-point based architecture, which consists of 7 sub-analog beamformers (sub-ABF). Each sub-ABF performs a RX focusing operation for a single focal point. Seven sub-ABFs perform a time-interleaving operation to achieve the maximum delay range of 768 ns. Phase interpolators are used in sub-ABFs to generate sampling clocks with the delay resolution of 4 ns from a low frequency system clock of 5 MHz. Each sub-ABF samples 32 echo signals at different times into sampling capacitors, which work as analog memory cells. The sampled 32 echo signals of each sub-ABF are originated from one target focal point at one instance. They are summed at one instance in a sub-ABF to perform the RX focusing for the target focal point. The proposed ABF chip has been fabricated in a 0.13- μ m CMOS process with an active area of 16 mm (2). The total power consumption is 287 mW. In measurement, the digital echo signals from a commercial ultrasound medical imaging machine were applied to the fabricated chip through commercial DAC chips. Due to the speed limitation of the DAC chips, the delay resolution was relaxed to 10 ns for the real-time measurement. A linear array transducer with no steering operation is used in this work.

Enhanced focus steering abilities of multi-element therapeutic arrays operating in nonlinear regimes

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

Yuldashev, P., E-mail: petr@acs366.phys.msu.ru; Ilyin, S.; Gavrilov, L.

2015-10-28

Steering abilities of a typical HIFU therapeutic array operated in linear and nonlinear regimes were compared using numerical simulation with the 3D Westervelt equation. The array included 256 elements of 1.2 MHz frequency and 6.6 mm diameter distributed in a quasi-random pattern over a spherical shell with a 130 mm aperture and a focal length of 120 mm. In the case of linear focusing, thermal effects are proportional to the intensity level and the criterion for safe array operation is that the intensity in the grating lobes should be less than 10% of the intensity in the main focus. Inmore » the case of nonlinear focusing, the heating effect is no longer proportional to intensity; therefore the heat deposition rate was chosen as the relevant metric, using the same 10% threshold for the secondary lobe in comparison with the focal maximum. When steering the focus, the same linearly predicted intensity level at the main focus was maintained by increasing the array power. Numerical simulations of the acoustic field were performed for nonlinear propagation both in water and in tissue. It was shown that for shock-forming conditions in the main focus, the steering range of safe electronic focusing is larger than that for linear propagation conditions. Nonlinear sonication regimes therefore can be used to enlarge tissue volumes that can be sonicated using electronic steering of the focus of HIFU arrays.« less

Modelling and identification for control of gas bearings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theisen, Lukas R. S.; Niemann, Hans H.; Santos, Ilmar F.; Galeazzi, Roberto; Blanke, Mogens

2016-03-01

Gas bearings are popular for their high speed capabilities, low friction and clean operation, but suffer from poor damping, which poses challenges for safe operation in presence of disturbances. Feedback control can achieve enhanced damping but requires low complexity models of the dominant dynamics over its entire operating range. Models from first principles are complex and sensitive to parameter uncertainty. This paper presents an experimental technique for "in situ" identification of a low complexity model of a rotor-bearing-actuator system and demonstrates identification over relevant ranges of rotational speed and gas injection pressure. This is obtained using parameter-varying linear models that are found to capture the dominant dynamics. The approach is shown to be easily applied and to suit subsequent control design. Based on the identified models, decentralised proportional control is designed and shown to obtain the required damping in theory and in a laboratory test rig.

Multi-objective control of nonlinear boiler-turbine dynamics with actuator magnitude and rate constraints.

PubMed

Chen, Pang-Chia

2013-01-01

This paper investigates multi-objective controller design approaches for nonlinear boiler-turbine dynamics subject to actuator magnitude and rate constraints. System nonlinearity is handled by a suitable linear parameter varying system representation with drum pressure as the system varying parameter. Variation of the drum pressure is represented by suitable norm-bounded uncertainty and affine dependence on system matrices. Based on linear matrix inequality algorithms, the magnitude and rate constraints on the actuator and the deviations of fluid density and water level are formulated while the tracking abilities on the drum pressure and power output are optimized. Variation ranges of drum pressure and magnitude tracking commands are used as controller design parameters, determined according to the boiler-turbine's operation range. Copyright © 2012 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Materials and construction techniques for cryogenic wind tunnel facilities for instruction/research use

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morse, S. F.; Roper, A. T.

1975-01-01

The results of the cryogenic wind tunnel program conducted at NASA Langley Research Center are presented to provide a starting point for the design of an instructional/research wind tunnel facility. The advantages of the cryogenic concept are discussed, and operating envelopes for a representative facility are presented to indicate the range and mode of operation. Special attention is given to the design, construction and materials problems peculiar to cryogenic wind tunnels. The control system for operation of a cryogenic tunnel is considered, and a portion of a linearized mathematical model is developed for determining the tunnel dynamic characteristics.

Optical NOR logic gate design on square lattice photonic crystal platform

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

D’souza, Nirmala Maria, E-mail: nirmala@cukerala.ac.in; Mathew, Vincent, E-mail: vincent@cukerala.ac.in

We numerically demonstrate a new configuration of all-optical NOR logic gate with square lattice photonic crystal (PhC) waveguide using finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. The logic operations are based on interference effect of optical waves. We have determined the operating frequency range by calculating the band structure for a perfectly periodic PhC using plane wave expansion (PWE) method. Response time of this logic gate is 1.98 ps and it can be operated with speed about 513 GB/s. The proposed device consists of four linear waveguides and a square ring resonator waveguides on PhC platform.

Non-linear effects and thermoelectric efficiency of quantum dot-based single-electron transistors.

PubMed

Talbo, Vincent; Saint-Martin, Jérôme; Retailleau, Sylvie; Dollfus, Philippe

2017-11-01

By means of advanced numerical simulation, the thermoelectric properties of a Si-quantum dot-based single-electron transistor operating in sequential tunneling regime are investigated in terms of figure of merit, efficiency and power. By taking into account the phonon-induced collisional broadening of energy levels in the quantum dot, both heat and electrical currents are computed in a voltage range beyond the linear response. Using our homemade code consisting in a 3D Poisson-Schrödinger solver and the resolution of the Master equation, the Seebeck coefficient at low bias voltage appears to be material independent and nearly independent on the level broadening, which makes this device promising for metrology applications as a nanoscale standard of Seebeck coefficient. Besides, at higher voltage bias, the non-linear characteristics of the heat current are shown to be related to the multi-level effects. Finally, when considering only the electronic contribution to the thermal conductance, the single-electron transistor operating in generator regime is shown to exhibit very good efficiency at maximum power.

In-line phase retarder and polarimeter for conversion of linear to circular polarization

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

Kortright, J.B.; Smith, N.V.; Denlinger, J.D.

1997-04-01

An in-line polarimeter including phase retarder and linear polarizer was designed and commissioned on undulator beamline 7.0 for the purpose of converting linear to circular polarization for experiments downstream. In commissioning studies, Mo/Si multilayers at 95 eV were used both as the upstream, freestanding phase retarder and the downstream linear polarized. The polarization properties of the phase retarder were characterized by direct polarimetry and by collecting MCD spectra in photoemission from Gd and other magnetic surfaces. The resonant birefringence of transmission multilayers results from differing distributions of s- and p-component wave fields in the multilayer when operating near a structuralmore » (Bragg) interference condition. The resulting phase retardation is especially strong when the interference is at or near the Brewster angle, which is roughly 45{degrees} in the EUV and soft x-ray ranges.« less

Breadboard linear array scan imager using LSI solid-state technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tracy, R. A.; Brennan, J. A.; Frankel, D. G.; Noll, R. E.

1976-01-01

The performance of large scale integration photodiode arrays in a linear array scan (pushbroom) breadboard was evaluated for application to multispectral remote sensing of the earth's resources. The technical approach, implementation, and test results of the program are described. Several self scanned linear array visible photodetector focal plane arrays were fabricated and evaluated in an optical bench configuration. A 1728-detector array operating in four bands (0.5 - 1.1 micrometer) was evaluated for noise, spectral response, dynamic range, crosstalk, MTF, noise equivalent irradiance, linearity, and image quality. Other results include image artifact data, temporal characteristics, radiometric accuracy, calibration experience, chip alignment, and array fabrication experience. Special studies and experimentation were included in long array fabrication and real-time image processing for low-cost ground stations, including the use of computer image processing. High quality images were produced and all objectives of the program were attained.

A Simple Numerical Procedure for the Simulation of "Lifelike" Linear-Sweep Voltammograms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bozzini, Benedetto P.

2000-01-01

Practical linear-sweep voltammograms seldom resemble the theoretical ones shown in textbooks. This is because several phenomena (activation, mass transport, ohmic resistance) control the kinetics over different potential ranges scanned during the potential sweep. These effects are generally treated separately in the didactic literature, yet they have never been "assembled" in a way that allows the educational use of real experiments. This makes linear-sweep voltammetric experiments almost unusable in the teaching of physical chemistry. A simple approach to the classroom description of "lifelike" experimental results is proposed in this paper. Analytical expressions of linear sweep voltammograms are provided. The actual numerical evaluations can be carried out with a pocket calculator. Two typical examples are executed and comparison with experimental data is described. This approach to teaching electrode kinetics has proved an effective tool to provide students with an insight into the effects of electrochemical parameters and operating conditions.

Joint Bearing and Range Estimation of Multiple Objects from Time-Frequency Analysis.

PubMed

Liu, Jeng-Cheng; Cheng, Yuang-Tung; Hung, Hsien-Sen

2018-01-19

Direction-of-arrival (DOA) and range estimation is an important issue of sonar signal processing. In this paper, a novel approach using Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) is proposed for joint bearing and range estimation of multiple targets based on a uniform linear array (ULA) of hydrophones. The structure of this ULA based on micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology, and thus has attractive features of small size, high sensitivity and low cost, and is suitable for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operations. This proposed target localization method has the following advantages: only a single snapshot of data is needed and real-time processing is feasible. The proposed algorithm transforms a very complicated nonlinear estimation problem to a simple nearly linear one via time-frequency distribution (TFD) theory and is verified with HHT. Theoretical discussions of resolution issue are also provided to facilitate the design of a MEMS sensor with high sensitivity. Simulation results are shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

A Portable, Low-Cost, LED Fluorimeter for Middle School, High School, and Undergraduate Chemistry Labs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wigton, Benjamin T.; Chohan, Balwant S.; McDonald, Cole; Johnson, Matt; Schunk, Doug; Kreuter, Rod; Sykes, Dan

2011-01-01

A low-cost portable fluorimeter was constructed using a 360 nm LED for excitation and a silicon photodiode for detection. The instrument is simple to operate and has been used to investigate fluorescent whitening agents extracted from various brands of paper, to determine the linear range and limit of detection of quinine in various commercial…

Rf linearity in low dimensional nanowire mosfets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razavieh, Ali

Ever decreasing cost of electronics due to unique scaling potential of today's VLSI processes such as CMOS technology along with innovations in RF devices, circuits and architectures make wireless communication an un-detachable part of everyday's life. This rapid transition of communication systems toward wireless technologies over last couple of decades resulted in operation of numerous standards within a small frequency window. More traffic in adjacent frequency ranges imposes more constraints on the linearity of RF front-end stages, and increases the need for more effective linearization techniques. Long-established ways to improve linearity in DSM CMOS technology are focused on system level methods which require complex circuit design techniques due to challenges such as nonlinear output conductance, and mobility degradation especially when low supply voltage is a key factor. These constrains have turned more focus toward improvement of linearity at the device level in order to simplify the existing linearization techniques. This dissertation discusses the possibility of employing nanostructures particularly nanowires in order to achieve and improve RF linearity at the device level by making a connection between the electronic transport properties of nanowires and their circuit level RF characteristics (RF linearity). Focus of this work is mainly on transconductance (gm) linearity because of the following reasons: 1) due to good electrostatics, nanowire transistors show fine current saturation at very small supply voltages. Good current saturation minimizes the output conductance nonlinearities. 2) non-linearity due to the gate to source capacitances (Cgs) can also be ignored in today's operating frequencies due to small gate capacitance values. If three criteria: i) operation in the quantum capacitance limit (QCL), ii) one-dimensional (1-D) transport, and iii) operation in the ballistic transport regime are met at the same time, a MOSFET will exhibit an ideal linear Id-Vgs characteristics with a constant gm of which is independent of the choice of channel material when operated under high enough drain voltages. Unique scaling potential of nanowires in terms of body thickness, channel length, and oxide thickness makes nanowire transistors an excellent device structure of choice to operate in 1-D ballistic transport regime in the QCL. A set of guidelines is provided for material parameters and device dimensions for nanowire FETs, which meet the three criteria of i) 1-D transport ii) operation in the QCL iii) ballistic transport, and challenges and limitations of fulfilling any of the above transport conditions from materials point of view are discussed. This work also elaborates how a non-ideal device, one that approaches but does not perfectly fulfill criteria i) through iii), can be analyzed in terms of its linearity performance. In particular the potential of silicon based devices will be discussed in this context, through mixture of experiment and simulation. 1-D transport is successfully achieved in the lab. QCL is simulated through back calculation of the band movement of the transistors in on-state. Quasi-ballistic transport conditions can be achieved by cooling down the samples to 77K. Since, ballistic transport is challenging to achieve for practical channel lengths in today's leading semiconductor device technologies the effect of carrier back-scattering on RF linearity is explored through third order intercept point (IIP3) analysis. These findings show that for the devices which operate in the QCL, while 1-D sub-bands are involved in carrier transport, current linearity is directly related to the nature of the dominant scattering mechanism in the channel, and can be improved by proper choice of channel material in order to enforce a specific scattering mechanism to prevail in the channel. Usually, in semiconductors, the dominant scattering mechanism in the channel is the superposition of different mechanisms. Suitable choice of channel material and bias conditions can magnify the effect of a particular scattering mechanism to achieve higher linearity levels. The closing section of this thesis focuses on InAS due to its potential for high linearity since it has small effective mass and large mean-free-path.

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

Edstrom Jr., D.; et al.

The low-energy section of the photoinjector-based electron linear accelerator at the Fermilab Accelerator Science & Technology (FAST) facility was recently commissioned to an energy of 50 MeV. This linear accelerator relies primarily upon pulsed SRF acceleration and an optional bunch compressor to produce a stable beam within a large operational regime in terms of bunch charge, total average charge, bunch length, and beam energy. Various instrumentation was used to characterize fundamental properties of the electron beam including the intensity, stability, emittance, and bunch length. While much of this instrumentation was commissioned in a 20 MeV running period prior, some (includingmore » a new Martin- Puplett interferometer) was in development or pending installation at that time. All instrumentation has since been recommissioned over the wide operational range of beam energies up to 50 MeV, intensities up to 4 nC/pulse, and bunch structures from ~1 ps to more than 50 ps in length.« less

Structure-function relationships using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography: comparison with scanning laser polarimetry.

PubMed

Aptel, Florent; Sayous, Romain; Fortoul, Vincent; Beccat, Sylvain; Denis, Philippe

2010-12-01

To evaluate and compare the regional relationships between visual field sensitivity and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness as measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and scanning laser polarimetry. Prospective cross-sectional study. One hundred and twenty eyes of 120 patients (40 with healthy eyes, 40 with suspected glaucoma, and 40 with glaucoma) were tested on Cirrus-OCT, GDx VCC, and standard automated perimetry. Raw data on RNFL thickness were extracted for 256 peripapillary sectors of 1.40625 degrees each for the OCT measurement ellipse and 64 peripapillary sectors of 5.625 degrees each for the GDx VCC measurement ellipse. Correlations between peripapillary RNFL thickness in 6 sectors and visual field sensitivity in the 6 corresponding areas were evaluated using linear and logarithmic regression analysis. Receiver operating curve areas were calculated for each instrument. With spectral-domain OCT, the correlations (r(2)) between RNFL thickness and visual field sensitivity ranged from 0.082 (nasal RNFL and corresponding visual field area, linear regression) to 0.726 (supratemporal RNFL and corresponding visual field area, logarithmic regression). By comparison, with GDx-VCC, the correlations ranged from 0.062 (temporal RNFL and corresponding visual field area, linear regression) to 0.362 (supratemporal RNFL and corresponding visual field area, logarithmic regression). In pairwise comparisons, these structure-function correlations were generally stronger with spectral-domain OCT than with GDx VCC and with logarithmic regression than with linear regression. The largest areas under the receiver operating curve were seen for OCT superior thickness (0.963 ± 0.022; P < .001) in eyes with glaucoma and for OCT average thickness (0.888 ± 0.072; P < .001) in eyes with suspected glaucoma. The structure-function relationship was significantly stronger with spectral-domain OCT than with scanning laser polarimetry, and was better expressed logarithmically than linearly. Measurements with these 2 instruments should not be considered to be interchangeable. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Song, Jong-Won; Hirao, Kimihiko, E-mail: hirao@riken.jp

Since the advent of hybrid functional in 1993, it has become a main quantum chemical tool for the calculation of energies and properties of molecular systems. Following the introduction of long-range corrected hybrid scheme for density functional theory a decade later, the applicability of the hybrid functional has been further amplified due to the resulting increased performance on orbital energy, excitation energy, non-linear optical property, barrier height, and so on. Nevertheless, the high cost associated with the evaluation of Hartree-Fock (HF) exchange integrals remains a bottleneck for the broader and more active applications of hybrid functionals to large molecular andmore » periodic systems. Here, we propose a very simple yet efficient method for the computation of long-range corrected hybrid scheme. It uses a modified two-Gaussian attenuating operator instead of the error function for the long-range HF exchange integral. As a result, the two-Gaussian HF operator, which mimics the shape of the error function operator, reduces computational time dramatically (e.g., about 14 times acceleration in C diamond calculation using periodic boundary condition) and enables lower scaling with system size, while maintaining the improved features of the long-range corrected density functional theory.« less

Variable-Speed Power-Turbine Research at Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welch, Gerard E.; McVetta, Ashlie B.; Stevens, Mark A.; Howard, Samuel A.; Giel, Paul W.; Ameri, Ali, A.; To, Waiming; Skoch, Gary J.; Thurman, Douglas R.

2012-01-01

The main rotors of the NASA Large Civil Tilt-Rotor (LCTR) notional vehicle operate over a wide speed-range, from 100 percent at takeoff to 54 percent at cruise. The variable-speed power turbine (VSPT) offers one approach by which to effect this speed variation. VSPT aerodynamics challenges include high work factors at cruise, wide (40 to 60 ) incidence-angle variations in blade and vane rows over the speed range, and operation at low Reynolds numbers. Rotordynamics challenges include potential responsiveness to shaft modes within the 50 percent VSPT speed-range. A research effort underway at NASA Glenn Research Center, intended to address these key aerodynamic and rotordynamic challenges, is described. Conceptual design and 3-D multistage RANS and URANS analyses, conducted internally and under contract, provide expected VSPT sizing, stage-count, performance and operability information, and maps for system studies. Initial steps toward experimental testing of incidence-tolerant blading in a transonic linear cascade are described, and progress toward development/improvement of a simulation capability for multistage turbines with low Reynolds number transitional flow is summarized. Preliminary rotordynamics analyses indicate that viable concept engines with 50 percent VSPT shaft-speed range. Assessments of potential paths toward VSPT component-level testing are summarized.

Linearized electrooptic polymeric directional coupler modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hung, Yu-Chueh

External linearized modulators are required in high-performance analog optical communication systems since the performance of conventional modulators, such as Mach-Zehnder modulators, are degraded by distortions by the nonlinearity of their transfer functions. Various linearization schemes have been proposed to increase the dynamic range of an analog optical link. Most of the optical schemes involve multiple Mach-Zehnder modulators, either in parallel or series configuration, incorporated with strict balance of RF and bias control. This is a significant challenge when it comes to practical implementation. In this dissertation, a linearized two-section directional coupler modulator made from electrooptic polymer is presented. The coupling coefficient of each section is tailored by properly tuning the refractive index contrast, which can be easily employed using the photobleaching technique in polymer technology. A two-tone test was performed to evaluate the linearity of the modulator and the spur-free dynamic range shows a 7.5 dB improvement compared to a conventional Mach-Zehnder modulator. This scheme avoids multiple modulators or complicated modulation synchronization and demonstrates a compact design in real implementation. Most of the linearization schemes up to date consider only the direct detection mode of operation. However, the RF output characteristics at the detection side are determined differently by various system parameters if a coherent link is implemented instead. Therefore, different considerations of linearization have to be examined for this kind of application. In the second part of this dissertation, the impact of various modulation scenarios on the system performance of an analog coherent optical link will be addressed. It will be shown that a directional coupler modulator is better suited at increasing the dynamic range in coherent optical links. Specific designs of a directional coupler modulator shows an SFDR improvement of 20 dB compared to a Mach-Zehnder modulator. This new type of device can be easily fabricated using photobleaching technique in eletrooptic polymer and can be utilized in various applications.

Effect of flow-pressure phase on performance of regenerators in the range of 4 K to 20 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, M. A.; Taylor, R. P.; Bradley, P. E.; Radebaugh, R.

2014-01-01

Modeling with REGEN3.3 has shown that the phase between flow and pressure at the cold end of 4 K regenerators has a large effect on their second-law efficiency. The use of inertance tubes in small 4 K pulse tube cryocoolers has limited phase-shifting ability, and their phase shift cannot be varied unless their dimensions are varied. We report here on the use of a miniature linear compressor, operating at the pulse tube warm end of about 30 K, as a controllable expander that can be used to vary the phase over 360°. We also use the back EMF of the linear motor to measure the acoustic power, flow rate amplitude, and phase between flow and pressure at the piston face. We discuss the measurements of the linear motor parameters that are required to determine the piston velocity from the back EMF as well as the measurement procedures to determine the back EMF when the expander is operating at a temperature around 30 K. Our experimental results on the performance of a regenerator/pulse tube stage operating below 30 K show an optimum performance when the flow at the phase shifter lags the pressure by about 65° to 80°, which is close to the model results of about 60°. Temperatures below 10 K were achieved at the cold end in these measurements. The efficiency of the compressor operating as an expander is also discussed.

Extended-range tiltable micromirror

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

Allen, James J; Wiens, Gloria J; Bronson, Jessica R

A tiltable micromirror device is disclosed in which a micromirror is suspended by a progressive linkage with an electrostatic actuator (e.g. a vertical comb actuator or a capacitive plate electrostatic actuator) being located beneath the micromirror. The progressive linkage includes a pair of torsion springs which are connected together to operate similar to a four-bar linkage with spring joints. The progressive linkage provides a non-linear spring constant which can allow the micromirror to be tilted at any angle within its range substantially free from any electrostatic instability or hysteretic behavior.

Optimization Studies of the FERMI at ELETTRA FEL Design

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

De Ninno, Giovanni; Fawley, William M.; Penn, Gregory E.

The FERMI at ELETTRA project at Sincotrone Trieste involves two FEL's, each based upon the principle of seeded harmonic generation and using the existing ELETTRA injection linac at 1.2 GeV beam energy. Scheduled to be completed in 2008, FEL-1 will operate in 40-100 nm wavelength range and will involve one stage of harmonic up-conversion. The second undulator line, FEL-2, will begin operation two years later in the 10-40 nm wavelength range and use two harmonic stages operating as a cascade. The FEL design assumes continuous wavelength tunability over the full wavelength range, and polarization tunability of the output radiation includingmore » vertical or horizontal linear as well as helical polarization. The design considers focusing properties and segmentation of realizable undulators and available input seed lasers. We review the studies that have led to our current design. We present results of simulations using GENESIS and GINGER simulation codes including studies of various shot-to-shot fluctuations and undulator errors. Findings for the expected output radiation in terms of the power, transverse and longitudinal coherence are reported.« less

Novel eye-safe line scanning 3D laser-radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eberle, B.; Kern, Tobias; Hammer, Marcus; Schwanke, Ullrich; Nowak, Heinrich

2014-10-01

Today, the civil market provides quite a number of different 3D-Sensors covering ranges up to 1 km. Typically these sensors are based on single element detectors which suffer from the drawback of spatial resolution at larger distances. Tasks demanding reliable object classification at long ranges can be fulfilled only by sensors consisting of detector arrays. They ensure sufficient frame rates and high spatial resolution. Worldwide there are many efforts in developing 3D-detectors, based on two-dimensional arrays. This paper presents first results on the performance of a recently developed 3D imaging laser radar sensor, working in the short wave infrared (SWIR) at 1.5 μm. It consists of a novel Cadmium Mercury Telluride (CMT) linear array APD detector with 384x1 elements at a pitch of 25 μm, developed by AIM Infrarot Module GmbH. The APD elements are designed to work in the linear (non-Geiger) mode. Each pixel will provide the time of flight measurement, and, due to the linear detection mode, allowing the detection of three successive echoes. The resolution in depth is 15 cm, the maximum repetition rate is 4 kHz. We discuss various sensor concepts regarding possible applications and their dependence on system parameters like field of view, frame rate, spatial resolution and range of operation.

Higgs physics at the CLIC electron-positron linear collider.

PubMed

Abramowicz, H; Abusleme, A; Afanaciev, K; Alipour Tehrani, N; Balázs, C; Benhammou, Y; Benoit, M; Bilki, B; Blaising, J-J; Boland, M J; Boronat, M; Borysov, O; Božović-Jelisavčić, I; Buckland, M; Bugiel, S; Burrows, P N; Charles, T K; Daniluk, W; Dannheim, D; Dasgupta, R; Demarteau, M; Díaz Gutierrez, M A; Eigen, G; Elsener, K; Felzmann, U; Firlej, M; Firu, E; Fiutowski, T; Fuster, J; Gabriel, M; Gaede, F; García, I; Ghenescu, V; Goldstein, J; Green, S; Grefe, C; Hauschild, M; Hawkes, C; Hynds, D; Idzik, M; Kačarević, G; Kalinowski, J; Kananov, S; Klempt, W; Kopec, M; Krawczyk, M; Krupa, B; Kucharczyk, M; Kulis, S; Laštovička, T; Lesiak, T; Levy, A; Levy, I; Linssen, L; Lukić, S; Maier, A A; Makarenko, V; Marshall, J S; Martin, V J; Mei, K; Milutinović-Dumbelović, G; Moroń, J; Moszczyński, A; Moya, D; Münker, R M; Münnich, A; Neagu, A T; Nikiforou, N; Nikolopoulos, K; Nürnberg, A; Pandurović, M; Pawlik, B; Perez Codina, E; Peric, I; Petric, M; Pitters, F; Poss, S G; Preda, T; Protopopescu, D; Rassool, R; Redford, S; Repond, J; Robson, A; Roloff, P; Ros, E; Rosenblat, O; Ruiz-Jimeno, A; Sailer, A; Schlatter, D; Schulte, D; Shumeiko, N; Sicking, E; Simon, F; Simoniello, R; Sopicki, P; Stapnes, S; Ström, R; Strube, J; Świentek, K P; Szalay, M; Tesař, M; Thomson, M A; Trenado, J; Uggerhøj, U I; van der Kolk, N; van der Kraaij, E; Vicente Barreto Pinto, M; Vila, I; Vogel Gonzalez, M; Vos, M; Vossebeld, J; Watson, M; Watson, N; Weber, M A; Weerts, H; Wells, J D; Weuste, L; Winter, A; Wojtoń, T; Xia, L; Xu, B; Żarnecki, A F; Zawiejski, L; Zgura, I-S

2017-01-01

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is an option for a future [Formula: see text] collider operating at centre-of-mass energies up to [Formula: see text], providing sensitivity to a wide range of new physics phenomena and precision physics measurements at the energy frontier. This paper is the first comprehensive presentation of the Higgs physics reach of CLIC operating at three energy stages: [Formula: see text], 1.4 and [Formula: see text]. The initial stage of operation allows the study of Higgs boson production in Higgsstrahlung ([Formula: see text]) and [Formula: see text]-fusion ([Formula: see text]), resulting in precise measurements of the production cross sections, the Higgs total decay width [Formula: see text], and model-independent determinations of the Higgs couplings. Operation at [Formula: see text] provides high-statistics samples of Higgs bosons produced through [Formula: see text]-fusion, enabling tight constraints on the Higgs boson couplings. Studies of the rarer processes [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] allow measurements of the top Yukawa coupling and the Higgs boson self-coupling. This paper presents detailed studies of the precision achievable with Higgs measurements at CLIC and describes the interpretation of these measurements in a global fit.

Flapping response characteristics of hingeless rotor blades by a gereralized harmonic balance method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peters, D. A.; Ormiston, R. A.

1975-01-01

Linearized equations of motion for the flapping response of flexible rotor blades in forward flight are derived in terms of generalized coordinates. The equations are solved using a matrix form of the method of linear harmonic balance, yielding response derivatives for each harmonic of the blade deformations and of the hub forces and moments. Numerical results and approximate closed-form expressions for rotor derivatives are used to illustrate the relationships between rotor parameters, modeling assumptions, and rotor response characteristics. Finally, basic hingeless rotor response derivatives are presented in tabular and graphical form for a wide range of configuration parameters and operating conditions.

Nonlinear graphene plasmonics

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The rapid development of graphene has opened up exciting new fields in graphene plasmonics and nonlinear optics. Graphene's unique two-dimensional band structure provides extraordinary linear and nonlinear optical properties, which have led to extreme optical confinement in graphene plasmonics and ultrahigh nonlinear optical coefficients, respectively. The synergy between graphene's linear and nonlinear optical properties gave rise to nonlinear graphene plasmonics, which greatly augments graphene-based nonlinear device performance beyond a billion-fold. This nascent field of research will eventually find far-reaching revolutionary technological applications that require device miniaturization, low power consumption and a broad range of operating wavelengths approaching the far-infrared, such as optical computing, medical instrumentation and security applications. PMID:29118665

Nonlinear graphene plasmonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ooi, Kelvin J. A.; Tan, Dawn T. H.

2017-10-01

The rapid development of graphene has opened up exciting new fields in graphene plasmonics and nonlinear optics. Graphene's unique two-dimensional band structure provides extraordinary linear and nonlinear optical properties, which have led to extreme optical confinement in graphene plasmonics and ultrahigh nonlinear optical coefficients, respectively. The synergy between graphene's linear and nonlinear optical properties gave rise to nonlinear graphene plasmonics, which greatly augments graphene-based nonlinear device performance beyond a billion-fold. This nascent field of research will eventually find far-reaching revolutionary technological applications that require device miniaturization, low power consumption and a broad range of operating wavelengths approaching the far-infrared, such as optical computing, medical instrumentation and security applications.

Three-dimensional repositioning accuracy of semiadjustable articulator cast mounting systems.

PubMed

Tan, Ming Yi; Ung, Justina Youlin; Low, Ada Hui Yin; Tan, En En; Tan, Keson Beng Choon

2014-10-01

In spite of its importance in prosthesis precision and quality, the 3-dimensional repositioning accuracy of cast mounting systems has not been reported in detail. The purpose of this study was to quantify the 3-dimensional repositioning accuracy of 6 selected cast mounting systems. Five magnetic mounting systems were compared with a conventional screw-on system. Six systems on 3 semiadjustable articulators were evaluated: Denar Mark II with conventional screw-on mounting plates (DENSCR) and magnetic mounting system with converter plates (DENCON); Denar Mark 330 with in-built magnetic mounting system (DENMAG) and disposable mounting plates; and Artex CP with blue (ARTBLU), white (ARTWHI), and black (ARTBLA) magnetic mounting plates. Test casts with 3 high-precision ceramic ball bearings at the mandibular central incisor (Point I) and the right and left second molar (Point R; Point L) positions were mounted on 5 mounting plates (n=5) for all 6 systems. Each cast was repositioned 10 times by 4 operators in random order. Nine linear (Ix, Iy, Iz; Rx, Ry, Rz; Lx, Ly, Lz) and 3 angular (anteroposterior, mediolateral, twisting) displacements were measured with a coordinate measuring machine. The mean standard deviations of the linear and angular displacements defined repositioning accuracy. Anteroposterior linear repositioning accuracy ranged from 23.8 ±3.7 μm (DENCON) to 4.9 ±3.2 μm (DENSCR). Mediolateral linear repositioning accuracy ranged from 46.0 ±8.0 μm (DENCON) to 3.7 ±1.5 μm (ARTBLU), and vertical linear repositioning accuracy ranged from 7.2 ±9.6 μm (DENMAG) to 1.5 ±0.9 μm (ARTBLU). Anteroposterior angular repositioning accuracy ranged from 0.0084 ±0.0080 degrees (DENCON) to 0.0020 ±0.0006 degrees (ARTBLU), and mediolateral angular repositioning accuracy ranged from 0.0120 ±0.0111 degrees (ARTWHI) to 0.0027 ±0.0008 degrees (ARTBLU). Twisting angular repositioning accuracy ranged from 0.0419 ±0.0176 degrees (DENCON) to 0.0042 ±0.0038 degrees (ARTBLA). One-way ANOVA found significant differences (P<.05) among all systems for Iy, Ry, Lx, Ly, and twisting. Generally, vertical linear displacements were less likely to reach the threshold of clinical detectability compared with anteroposterior or mediolateral linear displacements. The overall repositioning accuracy of DENSCR was comparable with 4 magnetic mounting systems (DENMAG, ARTBLU, ARTWHI, ARTBLA). DENCON exhibited the worst repositioning accuracy for Iy, Ry, Lx, Ly, and twisting. Copyright © 2014 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Noncontact Temperature Measurements of Organic Layers in an Organic Light-Emitting Diode Using Wavenumber-Temperature Relations of Raman Bands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugiyama, Takuro; Furukawa, Yukio

2008-05-01

We have measured the temperatures of the organic layers in operating organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) by Raman spectroscopy. The wavenumbers of the Raman bands due to N,N'-di-naphthaleyl-N,N'-diphenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diamine (NPD) and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) have been measured as a function of temperature in the range of 25-191 °C. The observed positions of strong bands around 1607 cm-1 (NPD) and 1531 cm-1 (CuPc) shifted downward linearly with increasing temperature in the ranges lower than 92 and 191 °C, respectively. We have determined the temperatures of the NPD and CuPc layers in an operating OLED from the wavenumber-temperature relations of these bands.

A Short-Range Distance Sensor with Exceptional Linearity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simmons, Steven; Youngquist, Robert

2013-01-01

A sensor has been demonstrated that can measure distance over a total range of about 300 microns to an accuracy of about 0.1 nm (resolution of about 0.01 nm). This represents an exceptionally large dynamic range of operation - over 1,000,000. The sensor is optical in nature, and requires the attachment of a mirror to the object whose distance is being measured. This work resulted from actively developing a white light interferometric system to be used to measure the depths of defects in the Space Shuttle Orbiter windows. The concept was then applied to measuring distance. The concept later expanded to include spectrometer calibration. In summary, broadband (i.e., white) light is launched into a Michelson interferometer, one mirror of which is fixed and one of which is attached to the object whose distance is to be measured. The light emerging from the interferometer has traveled one of two distances: either the distance to the fixed mirror and back, or the distance to the moving mirror and back. These two light beams mix and produce an interference pattern where some wavelengths interfere constructively and some destructively. Sending this light into a spectrometer allows this interference pattern to be analyzed, yielding the net distance difference between the two paths. The unique feature of this distance sensor is its ability to measure accurately distance over a dynamic range of more than one million, the ratio of its range (about 300 microns) to its accuracy (about 0.1 nanometer). Such a large linear operating range is rare and arises here because both amplitude and phase-matching algorithms contribute to the performance. The sensor is limited by the need to attach a mirror of some kind to the object being tracked, and by the fairly small total range, but the exceptional dynamic range should make it of interest.

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.

Application of high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with a quadrupole/linear ion trap instrument for the analysis of pesticide residues in olive oil.

PubMed

Hernando, M D; Ferrer, C; Ulaszewska, M; García-Reyes, J F; Molina-Díaz, A; Fernández-Alba, A R

2007-11-01

This article describes the development of an enhanced liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for the analysis of pesticides in olive oil. One hundred pesticides belonging to different classes and that are currently used in agriculture have been included in this method. The LC-MS method was developed using a hybrid quadrupole/linear ion trap (QqQ(LIT)) analyzer. Key features of this technique are the rapid scan acquisition times, high specificity and high sensitivity it enables when the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode or the linear ion-trap operational mode is employed. The application of 5 ms dwell times using a linearly accelerating (LINAC) high-pressure collision cell enabled the analysis of a high number of pesticides, with enough data points acquired for optimal peak definition in MRM operation mode and for satisfactory quantitative determinations to be made. The method quantifies over a linear dynamic range of LOQs (0.03-10 microg kg(-1)) up to 500 microg kg(-1). Matrix effects were evaluated by comparing the slopes of matrix-matched and solvent-based calibration curves. Weak suppression or enhancement of signals was observed (<15% for most-80-of the pesticides). A study to assess the identification criteria based on the MRM ratio was carried out by comparing the variations observed in standard vs matrix (in terms of coefficient of variation, CV%) and within the linear range of concentrations studied. The CV was lower than 15% when the response observed in solvent was compared to that in olive oil. The limit of detection was < or =10 microg kg(-1) for five of the selected pesticides, < or =5 microg kg(-1) for 14, and < or =1 microg kg(-1) for 81 pesticides. For pesticides where additional structural information was necessary for confirmatory purposes-in particular at low concentrations, since the second transition could not be detected-survey scans for enhanced product ion (EPI) and MS3 were developed.

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

Determination of film processing specifications for the Apollo 17 S-209 lunar sounder experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weinstein, M. S.

1972-01-01

The lunar sounder is described as a radar system operating at carrier frequencies of 5, 15, and 150 MHz. The radar echoes are recorded onto Kodak type S0-394 film through the use of an optical recorder utilizing a cathode ray tube as the exposing device. A processing configuration is determined with regard to linearity, dynamic range, and noise.

Diaphragm size and sensitivity for fiber optic pressure sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

He, Gang; Cuomo, Frank W.; Zuckerwar, Allan J.

1991-01-01

A mechanism which leads to a significant increase in sensitivity and linear operating range in reflective type fiber optic pressure transducers with minute active dimensions is studied. A general theoretical formalism is presented which is in good agreement with the experimental data. These results are found useful in the development of small pressure sensors used in turbulent boundary layer studies and other applications.

Frequency pulling in a low-voltage medium-power gyrotron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Li; Du, Chao-Hai; Huang, Ming-Guang; Liu, Pu-Kun

2018-04-01

Many recent biomedical applications use medium-power frequency-tunable terahertz (THz) sources, such as sensitivity-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance, THz imaging, and biomedical treatment. As a promising candidate, a low-voltage gyrotron can generate watt-level, continuous THz-wave radiation. In particular, the frequency-pulling effect in a gyrotron, namely, the effect of the electron beam parameters on the oscillation frequency, can be used to tune the operating frequency. Most previous investigations used complicated and time-consuming gyrotron nonlinear theory to study the influence of many beam parameters on the interaction performance. While gyrotron linear theory investigation demonstrates the advantages of rapidly and clearly revealing the physical influence of individual key beam parameters on the overall system performance, this paper demonstrates systematically the use of gyrotron linear theory to study the frequency-pulling effect in a low-voltage gyrotron with either a Gaussian or a sinusoidal axial-field profile. Furthermore, simulations of a gyrotron operating in the first axial mode are carried out in the framework of nonlinear theory as a contrast. Close agreement is achieved between the two theories. Besides, some interesting results are obtained. In a low-current sinusoidal-profile cavity, the ranges of frequency variation for different axial modes are isolated from each other, and the frequency tuning bandwidth for each axial mode increases by increasing either the beam voltage or pitch factor. Lowering the voltage, the total tuning ranges are squeezed and become concentrated. However, the isolated frequency regions of each axial mode cannot be linked up unless the beam current is increased, meaning that higher current operation is the key to achieving a wider and continuous tuning frequency range. The results presented in this paper can provide a reference for designing a broadband low-voltage gyrotron.

Implementation and Assessment of Advanced Analog Vector-Matrix Processor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gary, Charles K.; Bualat, Maria G.; Lum, Henry, Jr. (Technical Monitor)

1994-01-01

This paper discusses the design and implementation of an analog optical vecto-rmatrix coprocessor with a throughput of 128 Mops for a personal computer. Vector matrix calculations are inherently parallel, providing a promising domain for the use of optical calculators. However, to date, digital optical systems have proven too cumbersome to replace electronics, and analog processors have not demonstrated sufficient accuracy in large scale systems. The goal of the work described in this paper is to demonstrate a viable optical coprocessor for linear operations. The analog optical processor presented has been integrated with a personal computer to provide full functionality and is the first demonstration of an optical linear algebra processor with a throughput greater than 100 Mops. The optical vector matrix processor consists of a laser diode source, an acoustooptical modulator array to input the vector information, a liquid crystal spatial light modulator to input the matrix information, an avalanche photodiode array to read out the result vector of the vector matrix multiplication, as well as transport optics and the electronics necessary to drive the optical modulators and interface to the computer. The intent of this research is to provide a low cost, highly energy efficient coprocessor for linear operations. Measurements of the analog accuracy of the processor performing 128 Mops are presented along with an assessment of the implications for future systems. A range of noise sources, including cross-talk, source amplitude fluctuations, shot noise at the detector, and non-linearities of the optoelectronic components are measured and compared to determine the most significant source of error. The possibilities for reducing these sources of error are discussed. Also, the total error is compared with that expected from a statistical analysis of the individual components and their relation to the vector-matrix operation. The sufficiency of the measured accuracy of the processor is compared with that required for a range of typical problems. Calculations resolving alloy concentrations from spectral plume data of rocket engines are implemented on the optical processor, demonstrating its sufficiency for this problem. We also show how this technology can be easily extended to a 100 x 100 10 MHz (200 Cops) processor.

Beam breakup in an advanced linear induction accelerator

DOE PAGES

Ekdahl, Carl August; Coleman, Joshua Eugene; McCuistian, Brian Trent

2016-07-01

Two linear induction accelerators (LIAs) have been in operation for a number of years at the Los Alamos Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) facility. A new multipulse LIA is being developed. We have computationally investigated the beam breakup (BBU) instability in this advanced LIA. In particular, we have explored the consequences of the choice of beam injector energy and the grouping of LIA cells. We find that within the limited range of options presently under consideration for the LIA architecture, there is little adverse effect on the BBU growth. The computational tool that we used for this investigation wasmore » the beam dynamics code linear accelerator model for DARHT (LAMDA). In conclusion, to confirm that LAMDA was appropriate for this task, we first validated it through comparisons with the experimental BBU data acquired on the DARHT accelerators.« less

Design of an 8-40 GHz Antenna for the Wideband Instrument for Snow Measurements (WISM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Durham, Timothy E.; Vanhille, Kenneth J.; Trent, Christopher R.; Lambert, Kevin M.; Miranda, Felix A.

2015-01-01

This poster describes the implementation of a 6x6 element, dual linear polarized array with beamformer that operates from about 8-40 GHz. It is implemented using a relatively new multi-layer microfabrication process. The beamformer includes baluns that feed dual-polarized differential antenna elements and reactive splitters that cover the full frequency range of operation. This fixed beam array (FBA) serves as the feed for a multi-band instrument designed to measure snow water equivalent (SWE) from an airborne platform known as the Wideband Instrument for Snow Measurements (WISM).

Virtual Design of a Controller for a Hydraulic Cam Phasing System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Markus; Ulbrich, Heinz

2010-09-01

Hydraulic vane cam phasing systems are nowadays widely used for improving the performance of combustion engines. At stationary operation, these systems should achieve a constant phasing angle, which however is badly disturbed by the alternating torque generated by the valve actuation. As the hydraulic system shows a non-linear characteristic over the full operation range and the inductivity of the hydraulic pipes generates a significant time delay, a full model based control emerges very complex. Therefore a simple feed-forward controller is designed, bridging the time delay of the hydraulic system and improving the system behaviour significantly.

NaK-nitrogen liquid metal MHD converter tests at 30 kw

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cerini, D. J.

1974-01-01

The feasibility of electrical power generation with an ambient temperature liquid-metal MHD separator cycle is demonstrated by tests in which a NaK-nitrogen LM-MHD converter was operated at nozzle inlet pressures ranging from 100 to 165 N/sq cm, NaK flow rates from 46 to 72 kg/sec, and nitrogen flow rates from 2.4 to 3.8 kg/sec. The generator was operated as an eight-phase linear induction generator, with two of the eight phases providing magnetic field compensation to minimized electrical end losses at the generator channel inlet and exit.

Near-infrared diode laser based spectroscopic detection of ammonia: a comparative study of photoacoustic and direct optical absorption methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bozoki, Zoltan; Mohacsi, Arpad; Szabo, Gabor; Bor, Zsolt; Erdelyi, Miklos; Chen, Weidong; Tittel, Frank K.

2002-01-01

A photoacoustic spectroscopic (PAS) and a direct optical absorption spectroscopic (OAS) gas sensor, both using continuous-wave room-temperature diode lasers operating at 1531.8 nm, were compared on the basis of ammonia detection. Excellent linear correlation between the detector signals of the two systems was found. Although the physical properties and the mode of operation of both sensors were significantly different, their performances were found to be remarkably similar, with a sub-ppm level minimum detectable concentration of ammonia and a fast response time in the range of a few minutes.

Advances in high-performance cryocoolers and production variants at Raytheon Infrared Operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ross, Bradley A.; Black, Stephen H.

2001-10-01

Raytheon has consolidated the products and expertise of the former Hughes Mahwah (Magnavox) and Torrance cryocooler operations to the Raytheon Infrared Operations (RIO) located in Goleta, CA (formerly SBRC). Co-location of the cryocooler operations with the detector/dewar operations yields infrared systems with reduced cost. This paper describes the current capabilities of the linear and rotary cryocooler products as well as developments underway and planned. Development goals include cost reduction, high performance while operating in extreme environmental conditions (> 90°C skin temperatures), and long life (> 20,000 hrs). Technologies developed by a Raytheon sister division for space cryocoolers are now being applied to tactical cryocoolers at RIO. Data, specifications, and a technology roadmap for the product-line cryocoolers encompassing cooling capacities including 0.2-, 0.35-, 0.75-, 1.0- and 1.75-watt ranges will be shown.

On differences of linear positive operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aral, Ali; Inoan, Daniela; Raşa, Ioan

2018-04-01

In this paper we consider two different general linear positive operators defined on unbounded interval and obtain estimates for the differences of these operators in quantitative form. Our estimates involve an appropriate K-functional and a weighted modulus of smoothness. Similar estimates are obtained for Chebyshev functional of these operators as well. All considerations are based on rearrangement of the remainder in Taylor's formula. The obtained results are applied for some well known linear positive operators.

Evaluating activation of the shielding walls of a treatment room using the Monte Carlo method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, D.-Y.; Kim, J.-H.

2018-05-01

This study investigates the radiation activation process in a medical linear accelerator, which creates a photon beam with the energy acquired from accelerated electrons. The concrete shielding walls used in conjunction with a medical linear accelerator occupy the largest portion of facility decommissioning costs. Therefore, to evaluate the activation of the shielding wall, this study simulated the operation of a linear accelerator with high-energy photon beams (10, 15, and 20 MV). The results of the simulations showed that the high-energy photon beams produced a large number of neutrons in the areas around the linear accelerator head. Several radionuclides were identified, and their half-lives and radioactivity levels were calculated. Half-lives ranged from 2.62 hours to 3.68E+06 years, and the radioactivity levels of most of the radionuclides were found to satisfy their respective clearance requirements. These results indicate that photon beams of 15 MV or lower satisfy the clearance requirements for decommissioning a linear accelerator facility, whereas those of 20 MV or higher lie partially above the regulatory clearance levels.

Development of a new linearly variable edge filter (LVEF)-based compact slit-less mini-spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmoud, Khaled; Park, Seongchong; Lee, Dong-Hoon

2018-02-01

This paper presents the development of a compact charge-coupled detector (CCD) spectrometer. We describe the design, concept and characterization of VNIR linear variable edge filter (LVEF)- based mini-spectrometer. The new instrument has been realized for operation in the 300 nm to 850 nm wavelength range. The instrument consists of a linear variable edge filter in front of CCD array. Low-size, light-weight and low-cost could be achieved using the linearly variable filters with no need to use any moving parts for wavelength selection as in the case of commercial spectrometers available in the market. This overview discusses the main components characteristics, the main concept with the main advantages and limitations reported. Experimental characteristics of the LVEFs are described. The mathematical approach to get the position-dependent slit function of the presented prototype spectrometer and its numerical de-convolution solution for a spectrum reconstruction is described. The performance of our prototype instrument is demonstrated by measuring the spectrum of a reference light source.

Linear LIDAR versus Geiger-mode LIDAR: impact on data properties and data quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullrich, A.; Pfennigbauer, M.

2016-05-01

LIDAR has become the inevitable technology to provide accurate 3D data fast and reliably even in adverse measurement situations and harsh environments. It provides highly accurate point clouds with a significant number of additional valuable attributes per point. LIDAR systems based on Geiger-mode avalanche photo diode arrays, also called single photon avalanche photo diode arrays, earlier employed for military applications, now seek to enter the commercial market of 3D data acquisition, advertising higher point acquisition speeds from longer ranges compared to conventional techniques. Publications pointing out the advantages of these new systems refer to the other category of LIDAR as "linear LIDAR", as the prime receiver element for detecting the laser echo pulses - avalanche photo diodes - are used in a linear mode of operation. We analyze the differences between the two LIDAR technologies and the fundamental differences in the data they provide. The limitations imposed by physics on both approaches to LIDAR are also addressed and advantages of linear LIDAR over the photon counting approach are discussed.

Simulating run-up on steep slopes with operational Boussinesq models; capabilities, spurious effects and instabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Løvholt, F.; Lynett, P.; Pedersen, G.

2013-06-01

Tsunamis induced by rock slides plunging into fjords constitute a severe threat to local coastal communities. The rock slide impact may give rise to highly non-linear waves in the near field, and because the wave lengths are relatively short, frequency dispersion comes into play. Fjord systems are rugged with steep slopes, and modeling non-linear dispersive waves in this environment with simultaneous run-up is demanding. We have run an operational Boussinesq-type TVD (total variation diminishing) model using different run-up formulations. Two different tests are considered, inundation on steep slopes and propagation in a trapezoidal channel. In addition, a set of Lagrangian models serves as reference models. Demanding test cases with solitary waves with amplitudes ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 were applied, and slopes were ranging from 10 to 50°. Different run-up formulations yielded clearly different accuracy and stability, and only some provided similar accuracy as the reference models. The test cases revealed that the model was prone to instabilities for large non-linearity and fine resolution. Some of the instabilities were linked with false breaking during the first positive inundation, which was not observed for the reference models. None of the models were able to handle the bore forming during drawdown, however. The instabilities are linked to short-crested undulations on the grid scale, and appear on fine resolution during inundation. As a consequence, convergence was not always obtained. It is reason to believe that the instability may be a general problem for Boussinesq models in fjords.

Physics with e{sup +}e{sup -} Linear Colliders

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

Barklow, Timothy L

2003-05-05

We describe the physics potential of e{sup +}e{sup -} linear colliders in this report. These machines are planned to operate in the first phase at a center-of-mass energy of 500 GeV, before being scaled up to about 1 TeV. In the second phase of the operation, a final energy of about 2 TeV is expected. The machines will allow us to perform precision tests of the heavy particles in the Standard Model, the top quark and the electroweak bosons. They are ideal facilities for exploring the properties of Higgs particles, in particular in the intermediate mass range. New vector bosonsmore » and novel matter particles in extended gauge theories can be searched for and studied thoroughly. The machines provide unique opportunities for the discovery of particles in supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model, the spectrum of Higgs particles, the supersymmetric partners of the electroweak gauge and Higgs bosons, and of the matter particles. High precision analyses of their properties and interactions will allow for extrapolations to energy scales close to the Planck scale where gravity becomes significant. In alternative scenarios, like compositeness models, novel matter particles and interactions can be discovered and investigated in the energy range above the existing colliders up to the TeV scale. Whatever scenario is realized in Nature, the discovery potential of e{sup +}e{sup -} linear colliders and the high-precision with which the properties of particles and their interactions can be analyzed, define an exciting physics programme complementary to hadron machines.« less

A fully non-linear multi-species Fokker–Planck–Landau collision operator for simulation of fusion plasma

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

Hager, Robert, E-mail: rhager@pppl.gov; Yoon, E.S., E-mail: yoone@rpi.edu; Ku, S., E-mail: sku@pppl.gov

2016-06-15

Fusion edge plasmas can be far from thermal equilibrium and require the use of a non-linear collision operator for accurate numerical simulations. In this article, the non-linear single-species Fokker–Planck–Landau collision operator developed by Yoon and Chang (2014) [9] is generalized to include multiple particle species. The finite volume discretization used in this work naturally yields exact conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. The implementation of this new non-linear Fokker–Planck–Landau operator in the gyrokinetic particle-in-cell codes XGC1 and XGCa is described and results of a verification study are discussed. Finally, the numerical techniques that make our non-linear collision operator viable onmore » high-performance computing systems are described, including specialized load balancing algorithms and nested OpenMP parallelization. The collision operator's good weak and strong scaling behavior are shown.« less

A fully non-linear multi-species Fokker–Planck–Landau collision operator for simulation of fusion plasma

DOE PAGES

Hager, Robert; Yoon, E. S.; Ku, S.; ...

2016-04-04

Fusion edge plasmas can be far from thermal equilibrium and require the use of a non-linear collision operator for accurate numerical simulations. The non-linear single-species Fokker–Planck–Landau collision operator developed by Yoon and Chang (2014) [9] is generalized to include multiple particle species. Moreover, the finite volume discretization used in this work naturally yields exact conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. The implementation of this new non-linear Fokker–Planck–Landau operator in the gyrokinetic particle-in-cell codes XGC1 and XGCa is described and results of a verification study are discussed. Finally, the numerical techniques that make our non-linear collision operator viable on high-performance computingmore » systems are described, including specialized load balancing algorithms and nested OpenMP parallelization. As a result, the collision operator's good weak and strong scaling behavior are shown.« less

Behaviour of fractional loop delay zero crossing digital phase locked loop (FR-ZCDPLL)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasir, Qassim

2018-01-01

This article analyses the performance of the first-order zero crossing digital phase locked loops (FR-ZCDPLL) when fractional loop delay is added to loop. The non-linear dynamics of the loop is presented, analysed and examined through bifurcation behaviour. Numerical simulation of the loop is conducted to proof the mathematical analysis of the loop operation. The results of the loop simulation show that the proposed FR-ZCDPLL has enhanced the performance compared to the conventional zero crossing DPLL in terms of wider lock range, captured range and stable operation region. In addition, extensive experimental simulation was conducted to find the optimum loop parameters for different loop environmental conditions. The addition of the fractional loop delay network in the conventional loop also reduces the phase jitter and its variance especially when the signal-to-noise ratio is low.

High-Power Ion Thruster Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beattie, J. R.; Matossian, J. N.

1996-01-01

Performance data are presented for the NASA/Hughes 30-cm-diam 'common' thruster operated over the power range from 600 W to 4.6 kW. At the 4.6-kW power level, the thruster produces 172 mN of thrust at a specific impulse of just under 4000 s. Xenon pressure and temperature measurements are presented for a 6.4-mm-diam hollow cathode operated at emission currents ranging from 5 to 30 A and flow rates of 4 sccm and 8 sccm. Highly reproducible results show that the cathode temperature is a linear function of emission current, ranging from approx. 1000 C to 1150 C over this same current range. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements obtained from a 30-cm-diam thruster are presented, suggesting that LIF could be a valuable diagnostic for real-time assessment of accelerator-arid erosion. Calibration results of laminar-thin-film (LTF) erosion badges with bulk molybdenum are presented for 300-eV xenon, krypton, and argon sputtering ions. Facility-pressure effects on the charge-exchange ion current collected by 8-cm-diam and 30-cm-diam thrusters operated on xenon propellant are presented to show that accel current is nearly independent of facility pressure at low pressures, but increases rapidly under high-background-pressure conditions.

Thermophysical Properties of 60-NITINOL for Mechanical Component Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanford, Malcolm K.

2012-01-01

The linear thermal expansion coefficient, specific heat capacity, electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity of 60- NITINOL were studied over a range of temperatures representing the operating environment of an oil-lubricated bearing. The behavior of this material appears to follow wellestablished theories applicable to either metal alloys, in general, or to intermetallic compounds, more specifically and the measured data were found to be comparable to those for conventional bearing alloys.

Wheeled hopping robot

DOEpatents

Fischer, Gary J [Albuquerque, NM

2010-08-17

The present invention provides robotic vehicles having wheeled and hopping mobilities that are capable of traversing (e.g. by hopping over) obstacles that are large in size relative to the robot and, are capable of operation in unpredictable terrain over long range. The present invention further provides combustion powered linear actuators, which can include latching mechanisms to facilitate pressurized fueling of the actuators, as can be used to provide wheeled vehicles with a hopping mobility.

Performance Testing of a Prototypic Annular Linear Induction Pump for Fission Surface Power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Polzin, K. A.; Pearson, J. B.; Schoenfeld, M. P.; Webster, K.; Houts, M. G.; Godfroy, T. J.; Bossard, J. A.

2010-01-01

Results of performance testing of an annular linear induction pump are presented. The pump electromagnetically pumps liquid metal (NaK) through a circuit specially designed to allow for quantification of the performance. Testing was conducted over a range of conditions, including frequencies of 33, 36, 39, and 60 Hz, liquid metal temperatures from 25 to 525 C, and input voltages from 5 to 120 V. Pump performance spanned a range of flow rates from roughly 0.16 to 5.7 L/s (2.5 to 90 gpm), and pressure head <1 to 90 kPa (<0.145 to 13 psi). The maximum efficiency measured during testing was slightly greater than 6%. The efficiency was fairly insensitive to input frequency from 33 to 39 Hz, and was markedly lower at 60 Hz. In addition, the efficiency decreased as the NaK temperature was raised. While the pump was powered, the fluid responded immediately to changes in the input power level, but when power was removed altogether, there was a brief slow-down period before the fluid would come to rest. The performance of the pump operating on a variable frequency drive providing 60 Hz power compared favorably with the same pump operating on 60 Hz power drawn directly from the electrical grid.

Response regime studies on standard detectors for decay time determination in phosphor thermometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knappe, C.; Abou Nada, F.; Lindén, J.; Richter, M.; Aldén, M.

2013-09-01

This work compares the extent of linear response regimes from standard time-resolving optical detectors for phosphor thermometry. Different types of Photomultipliers (ordinary and time-gated) as well as an Avalanche Photodiode are tested and compared using the phosphorescent time decay of CdWO4 that ranges from 10 μs down to a few ns within a temperature span of 290 to 580 K. Effects originating from incipient detector saturation, far from obvious to the operator's eye, are revealed as a change in evaluated phosphorescence decay time. Since the decay time of thermographic phosphors itself is used for temperature determination - systematic temperature errors up to several tens of Kelvins may be introduced by such detector saturation. A detector mapping procedure is suggested in order to identify linear response regions where the decay-to-temperature evaluation can be performed unbiased. Generation of such a library is highly recommended prior to any quantitative measurement attempt. Using this detector library, even signals collected in the partly saturated regime can be corrected to their unbiased value extending the usable detector operating range significantly. Further, the use of an external current-to-voltage amplifier proved useful for most applications in time-based phosphor thermometry helping to limit saturation effects whilst maintaining a reasonable bandwidth and signal outputs.

Computer Program For Linear Algebra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krogh, F. T.; Hanson, R. J.

1987-01-01

Collection of routines provided for basic vector operations. Basic Linear Algebra Subprogram (BLAS) library is collection from FORTRAN-callable routines for employing standard techniques to perform basic operations of numerical linear algebra.

Geometric effects in applied-field MPD thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myers, R. M.; Mantenieks, M.; Sovey, J.

1990-01-01

Three applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster geometries were tested with argon propellant to establish the influence of electrode geometry on thruster performance. The thrust increased approximately linearly with anode radius, while the discharge and electrode fall voltages increased quadratically with anode radius. All these parameters increased linearly with applied-field strength. Thrust efficiency, on the other hand, was not significantly influenced by changes in geometry over the operating range studied, though both thrust and thermal efficiencies increased monotonically with applied field strength. The best performance, 1820 sec I (sub sp) at 20 percent efficiency, was obtained with the largest radius anode at the highest discharge current (1500 amps) and applied field strength (0.4 Tesla).

Geometric effects in applied-field MPD thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myers, R. M.; Mantenieks, M.; Sovey, James S.

1990-01-01

Three applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster geometries were tested with argon propellant to establish the influence of electrode geometry on thruster performance. The thrust increased approximately linearly with anode radius, while the discharge and electrode fall voltages increased quadratically with anode radius. All these parameters increased linearly with applied-field strength. Thrust efficiency, on the other hand, was not significantly influenced by changes in geometry over the operating range studied, though both thrust and thermal efficiencies increased monotonically with applied field strength. The best performance, 1820 sec I(sub sp) at 20 percent efficiency, was obtained with the largest radius anode at the highest discharge current (1500 amps) and applied field strength (0.4 Tesla).

An ultra-low-power filtering technique for biomedical applications.

PubMed

Zhang, Tan-Tan; Mak, Pui-In; Vai, Mang-I; Mak, Peng-Un; Wan, Feng; Martins, R P

2011-01-01

This paper describes an ultra-low-power filtering technique for biomedical applications designated as T-wave sensing in heart-activities detection systems. The topology is based on a source-follower-based Biquad operating in the sub-threshold region. With the intrinsic advantages of simplicity and high linearity of the source-follower, ultra-low-cutoff filtering can be achieved, simultaneously with ultra low power and good linearity. An 8(th)-order 2.4-Hz lowpass filter design example optimized in a 0.35-μm CMOS process was designed achieving over 85-dB dynamic range, 74-dB stopband attenuation and consuming only 0.36 nW at a 3-V supply.

Smart CMOS sensor for wideband laser threat detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarze, Craig R.; Sonkusale, Sameer

2015-09-01

The proliferation of lasers has led to their widespread use in applications ranging from short range standoff chemical detection to long range Lidar sensing and target designation operating across the UV to LWIR spectrum. Recent advances in high energy lasers have renewed the development of laser weapons systems. The ability to measure and assess laser source information is important to both identify a potential threat as well as determine safety and nominal hazard zone (NHZ). Laser detection sensors are required that provide high dynamic range, wide spectral coverage, pulsed and continuous wave detection, and large field of view. OPTRA, Inc. and Tufts have developed a custom ROIC smart pixel imaging sensor architecture and wavelength encoding optics for measurement of source wavelength, pulse length, pulse repetition frequency (PRF), irradiance, and angle of arrival. The smart architecture provides dual linear and logarithmic operating modes to provide 8+ orders of signal dynamic range and nanosecond pulse measurement capability that can be hybridized with the appropriate detector array to provide UV through LWIR laser sensing. Recent advances in sputtering techniques provide the capability for post-processing CMOS dies from the foundry and patterning PbS and PbSe photoconductors directly on the chip to create a single monolithic sensor array architecture for measuring sources operating from 0.26 - 5.0 microns, 1 mW/cm2 - 2 kW/cm2.

A spatial operator algebra for manipulator modeling and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodriguez, G.; Kreutz, Kenneth; Jain, Abhinandan

1989-01-01

A recently developed spatial operator algebra, useful for modeling, control, and trajectory design of manipulators is discussed. The elements of this algebra are linear operators whose domain and range spaces consist of forces, moments, velocities, and accelerations. The effect of these operators is equivalent to a spatial recursion along the span of a manipulator. Inversion of operators can be efficiently obtained via techniques of recursive filtering and smoothing. The operator algebra provides a high level framework for describing the dynamic and kinematic behavior of a manipulator and control and trajectory design algorithms. The interpretation of expressions within the algebraic framework leads to enhanced conceptual and physical understanding of manipulator dynamics and kinematics. Furthermore, implementable recursive algorithms can be immediately derived from the abstract operator expressions by inspection. Thus, the transition from an abstract problem formulation and solution to the detailed mechanizaton of specific algorithms is greatly simplified. The analytical formulation of the operator algebra, as well as its implementation in the Ada programming language are discussed.

Estimation of intra-operator variability in perfusion parameter measurements using DCE-US

PubMed Central

Gauthier, Marianne; Leguerney, Ingrid; Thalmensi, Jessie; Chebil, Mohamed; Parisot, Sarah; Peronneau, Pierre; Roche, Alain; Lassau, Nathalie

2011-01-01

AIM: To investigate intra-operator variability of semi-quantitative perfusion parameters using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCE-US), following bolus injections of SonoVue®. METHODS: The in vitro experiments were conducted using three in-house sets up based on pumping a fluid through a phantom placed in a water tank. In the in vivo experiments, B16F10 melanoma cells were xenografted to five nude mice. Both in vitro and in vivo, images were acquired following bolus injections of the ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue® (Bracco, Milan, Italy) and using a Toshiba Aplio® ultrasound scanner connected to a 2.9-5.8 MHz linear transducer (PZT, PLT 604AT probe) (Toshiba, Japan) allowing harmonic imaging (“Vascular Recognition Imaging”) involving linear raw data. A mathematical model based on the dye-dilution theory was developed by the Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France and used to evaluate seven perfusion parameters from time-intensity curves. Intra-operator variability analyses were based on determining perfusion parameter coefficients of variation (CV). RESULTS: In vitro, different volumes of SonoVue® were tested with the three phantoms: intra-operator variability was found to range from 2.33% to 23.72%. In vivo, experiments were performed on tumor tissues and perfusion parameters exhibited values ranging from 1.48% to 29.97%. In addition, the area under the curve (AUC) and the area under the wash-out (AUWO) were two of the parameters of great interest since throughout in vitro and in vivo experiments their variability was lower than 15.79%. CONCLUSION: AUC and AUWO appear to be the most reliable parameters for assessing tumor perfusion using DCE-US as they exhibited the lowest CV values. PMID:21512654

Estimation of intra-operator variability in perfusion parameter measurements using DCE-US.

PubMed

Gauthier, Marianne; Leguerney, Ingrid; Thalmensi, Jessie; Chebil, Mohamed; Parisot, Sarah; Peronneau, Pierre; Roche, Alain; Lassau, Nathalie

2011-03-28

To investigate intra-operator variability of semi-quantitative perfusion parameters using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCE-US), following bolus injections of SonoVue(®). The in vitro experiments were conducted using three in-house sets up based on pumping a fluid through a phantom placed in a water tank. In the in vivo experiments, B16F10 melanoma cells were xenografted to five nude mice. Both in vitro and in vivo, images were acquired following bolus injections of the ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue(®) (Bracco, Milan, Italy) and using a Toshiba Aplio(®) ultrasound scanner connected to a 2.9-5.8 MHz linear transducer (PZT, PLT 604AT probe) (Toshiba, Japan) allowing harmonic imaging ("Vascular Recognition Imaging") involving linear raw data. A mathematical model based on the dye-dilution theory was developed by the Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France and used to evaluate seven perfusion parameters from time-intensity curves. Intra-operator variability analyses were based on determining perfusion parameter coefficients of variation (CV). In vitro, different volumes of SonoVue(®) were tested with the three phantoms: intra-operator variability was found to range from 2.33% to 23.72%. In vivo, experiments were performed on tumor tissues and perfusion parameters exhibited values ranging from 1.48% to 29.97%. In addition, the area under the curve (AUC) and the area under the wash-out (AUWO) were two of the parameters of great interest since throughout in vitro and in vivo experiments their variability was lower than 15.79%. AUC and AUWO appear to be the most reliable parameters for assessing tumor perfusion using DCE-US as they exhibited the lowest CV values.

Regression to fuzziness method for estimation of remaining useful life in power plant components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alamaniotis, Miltiadis; Grelle, Austin; Tsoukalas, Lefteri H.

2014-10-01

Mitigation of severe accidents in power plants requires the reliable operation of all systems and the on-time replacement of mechanical components. Therefore, the continuous surveillance of power systems is a crucial concern for the overall safety, cost control, and on-time maintenance of a power plant. In this paper a methodology called regression to fuzziness is presented that estimates the remaining useful life (RUL) of power plant components. The RUL is defined as the difference between the time that a measurement was taken and the estimated failure time of that component. The methodology aims to compensate for a potential lack of historical data by modeling an expert's operational experience and expertise applied to the system. It initially identifies critical degradation parameters and their associated value range. Once completed, the operator's experience is modeled through fuzzy sets which span the entire parameter range. This model is then synergistically used with linear regression and a component's failure point to estimate the RUL. The proposed methodology is tested on estimating the RUL of a turbine (the basic electrical generating component of a power plant) in three different cases. Results demonstrate the benefits of the methodology for components for which operational data is not readily available and emphasize the significance of the selection of fuzzy sets and the effect of knowledge representation on the predicted output. To verify the effectiveness of the methodology, it was benchmarked against the data-based simple linear regression model used for predictions which was shown to perform equal or worse than the presented methodology. Furthermore, methodology comparison highlighted the improvement in estimation offered by the adoption of appropriate of fuzzy sets for parameter representation.

Tissue shrinkage in microwave ablation of liver: an ex vivo predictive model.

PubMed

Amabile, Claudio; Farina, Laura; Lopresto, Vanni; Pinto, Rosanna; Cassarino, Simone; Tosoratti, Nevio; Goldberg, S Nahum; Cavagnaro, Marta

2017-02-01

The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model of the shrinkage of liver tissues in microwave ablation. Thirty-seven cuboid specimens of ex vivo bovine liver of size ranging from 2 cm to 8 cm were heated exploiting different techniques: 1) using a microwave oven (2.45 GHz) operated at 420 W, 500 W and 700 W for 8 to 20 min, achieving complete carbonisation of the specimens, 2) using a radiofrequency ablation apparatus (450 kHz) operated at 70 W for a time ranging from 6 to 7.5 min obtaining white coagulation of the specimens, and 3) using a microwave (2.45 GHz) ablation apparatus operated at 60 W for 10 min. Measurements of specimen dimensions, carbonised and coagulated regions were performed using a ruler with an accuracy of 1 mm. Based on the results of the first two experiments a predictive model for the contraction of liver tissue from microwave ablation was constructed and compared to the result of the third experiment. For carbonised tissue, a linear contraction of 31 ± 6% was obtained independently of the heating source, power and operation time. Radiofrequency experiments determined that the average percentage linear contraction of white coagulated tissue was 12 ± 5%. The average accuracy of our model was determined to be 3 mm (5%). The proposed model allows the prediction of the shrinkage of liver tissues upon microwave ablation given the extension of the carbonised and coagulated zones. This may be useful in helping to predict whether sufficient tissue volume is ablated in clinical practice.

MEMS earthworm: a thermally actuated peristaltic linear micromotor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arthur, Craig; Ellerington, Neil; Hubbard, Ted; Kujath, Marek

2011-03-01

This paper examines the design, fabrication and testing of a bio-mimetic MEMS (micro-electro mechanical systems) earthworm motor with external actuators. The motor consists of a passive mobile shuttle with two flexible diamond-shaped segments; each segment is independently squeezed by a pair of stationary chevron-shaped thermal actuators. Applying a specific sequence of squeezes to the earthworm segments, the shuttle can be driven backward or forward. Unlike existing inchworm drives that use clamping and thrusting actuators, the earthworm actuators apply only clamping forces to the shuttle, and lateral thrust is produced by the shuttle's compliant geometry. The earthworm assembly is fabricated using the PolyMUMPs process with planar dimensions of 400 µm width by 800 µm length. The stationary actuators operate within the range of 4-9 V and provide a maximum shuttle range of motion of 350 µm (approximately half its size), a maximum shuttle speed of 17 mm s-1 at 10 kHz, and a maximum dc shuttle force of 80 µN. The shuttle speed was found to vary linearly with both input voltage and input frequency. The shuttle force was found to vary linearly with the actuator voltage.

Operator Factorization and the Solution of Second-Order Linear Ordinary Differential Equations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robin, W.

2007-01-01

The theory and application of second-order linear ordinary differential equations is reviewed from the standpoint of the operator factorization approach to the solution of ordinary differential equations (ODE). Using the operator factorization approach, the general second-order linear ODE is solved, exactly, in quadratures and the resulting…

Single-photon three-qubit quantum logic using spatial light modulators.

PubMed

Kagalwala, Kumel H; Di Giuseppe, Giovanni; Abouraddy, Ayman F; Saleh, Bahaa E A

2017-09-29

The information-carrying capacity of a single photon can be vastly expanded by exploiting its multiple degrees of freedom: spatial, temporal, and polarization. Although multiple qubits can be encoded per photon, to date only two-qubit single-photon quantum operations have been realized. Here, we report an experimental demonstration of three-qubit single-photon, linear, deterministic quantum gates that exploit photon polarization and the two-dimensional spatial-parity-symmetry of the transverse single-photon field. These gates are implemented using a polarization-sensitive spatial light modulator that provides a robust, non-interferometric, versatile platform for implementing controlled unitary gates. Polarization here represents the control qubit for either separable or entangling unitary operations on the two spatial-parity target qubits. Such gates help generate maximally entangled three-qubit Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger and W states, which is confirmed by tomographical reconstruction of single-photon density matrices. This strategy provides access to a wide range of three-qubit states and operations for use in few-qubit quantum information processing protocols.Photons are essential for quantum information processing, but to date only two-qubit single-photon operations have been realized. Here the authors demonstrate experimentally a three-qubit single-photon linear deterministic quantum gate by exploiting polarization along with spatial-parity symmetry.

Increasing Linear Dynamic Range of a CMOS Image Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pain, Bedabrata

2007-01-01

A generic design and a corresponding operating sequence have been developed for increasing the linear-response dynamic range of a complementary metal oxide/semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The design provides for linear calibrated dual-gain pixels that operate at high gain at a low signal level and at low gain at a signal level above a preset threshold. Unlike most prior designs for increasing dynamic range of an image sensor, this design does not entail any increase in noise (including fixed-pattern noise), decrease in responsivity or linearity, or degradation of photometric calibration. The figure is a simplified schematic diagram showing the circuit of one pixel and pertinent parts of its column readout circuitry. The conventional part of the pixel circuit includes a photodiode having a small capacitance, CD. The unconventional part includes an additional larger capacitance, CL, that can be connected to the photodiode via a transfer gate controlled in part by a latch. In the high-gain mode, the signal labeled TSR in the figure is held low through the latch, which also helps to adapt the gain on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Light must be coupled to the pixel through a microlens or by back illumination in order to obtain a high effective fill factor; this is necessary to ensure high quantum efficiency, a loss of which would minimize the efficacy of the dynamic- range-enhancement scheme. Once the level of illumination of the pixel exceeds the threshold, TSR is turned on, causing the transfer gate to conduct, thereby adding CL to the pixel capacitance. The added capacitance reduces the conversion gain, and increases the pixel electron-handling capacity, thereby providing an extension of the dynamic range. By use of an array of comparators also at the bottom of the column, photocharge voltages on sampling capacitors in each column are compared with a reference voltage to determine whether it is necessary to switch from the high-gain to the low-gain mode. Depending upon the built-in offset in each pixel and in each comparator, the point at which the gain change occurs will be different, adding gain-dependent fixed pattern noise in each pixel. The offset, and hence the fixed pattern noise, is eliminated by sampling the pixel readout charge four times by use of four capacitors (instead of two such capacitors as in conventional design) connected to the bottom of the column via electronic switches SHS1, SHR1, SHS2, and SHR2, respectively, corresponding to high and low values of the signals TSR and RST. The samples are combined in an appropriate fashion to cancel offset-induced errors, and provide spurious-free imaging with extended dynamic range.

Navigation Strategies for Primitive Solar System Body Rendezvous and Proximity Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Getzandanner, Kenneth M.

2011-01-01

A wealth of scientific knowledge regarding the composition and evolution of the solar system can be gained through reconnaissance missions to primitive solar system bodies. This paper presents analysis of a baseline navigation strategy designed to address the unique challenges of primitive body navigation. Linear covariance and Monte Carlo error analysis was performed on a baseline navigation strategy using simulated data from a· design reference mission (DRM). The objective of the DRM is to approach, rendezvous, and maintain a stable orbit about the near-Earth asteroid 4660 Nereus. The outlined navigation strategy and resulting analyses, however, are not necessarily limited to this specific target asteroid as they may he applicable to a diverse range of mission scenarios. The baseline navigation strategy included simulated data from Deep Space Network (DSN) radiometric tracking and optical image processing (OpNav). Results from the linear covariance and Monte Carlo analyses suggest the DRM navigation strategy is sufficient to approach and perform proximity operations in the vicinity of the target asteroid with meter-level accuracy.

Third-Order Elliptic Lowpass Filter for Multi-Standard Baseband Chain Using Highly Linear Digitally Programmable OTA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elamien, Mohamed B.; Mahmoud, Soliman A.

2018-03-01

In this paper, a third-order elliptic lowpass filter is designed using highly linear digital programmable balanced OTA. The filter exhibits a cutoff frequency tuning range from 2.2 MHz to 7.1 MHz, thus, it covers W-CDMA, UMTS, and DVB-H standards. The programmability concept in the filter is achieved by using digitally programmable operational transconductors amplifier (DPOTA). The DPOTA employs three linearization techniques which are the source degeneration, double differential pair and the adaptive biasing. Two current division networks (CDNs) are used to control the value of the transconductance. For the DPOTA, the third-order harmonic distortion (HD3) remains below -65 dB up to 0.4 V differential input voltage at 1.2 V supply voltage. The DPOTA and the filter are designed and simulated in 90 nm CMOS technology with LTspice simulator.

Experimental and Numerical Study of the Buckling of Composite Profiles with Open Cross Section under Axial Compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rozylo, Patryk; Teter, Andrzej; Debski, Hubert; Wysmulski, Pawel; Falkowicz, Katarzyna

2017-10-01

The object of the research are short, thin-walled columns with an open top-hat cross section made of multilayer laminate. The walls of the investigated profiles are made of plate elements. The entire columns are subjected to uniform compression. A detailed analysis allowed us to determine critical forces and post-critical equilibrium paths. It is assumed that the columns are articulately supported on the edges forming their ends. The numerical investigation is performed by the finite element method. The study involves solving the problem of eigenvalue and the non-linear problem of stability of the structure. The numerical analysis is performed by the commercial simulation software ABAQUS®. The numerical results are then validated experimentally. In the discussed cases, it is assumed that the material operates within a linearly-elastic range, and the non-linearity of the FEM model is due to large displacements.

Influence of infusion pump operation and flow rate on hemodynamic stability during epinephrine infusion.

PubMed

Klem, S A; Farrington, J M; Leff, R D

1993-08-01

To determine whether variations in the flow rate of epinephrine solutions administered via commonly available infusion pumps lead to significant variations in blood pressure (BP) in vivo. Prospective, randomized, crossover study with factorial design, using infusion pumps with four different operating mechanisms (pulsatile diaphragm, linear piston/syringe, cyclic piston-valve, and linear peristaltic) and three drug delivery rates (1, 5, and 10 mL/hr). Two healthy, mixed-breed dogs (12 to 16 kg). Dogs were made hypotensive with methohexital bolus and continuous infusion. BP was restored to normal with constant-dose epinephrine infusion via two pumps at each rate. Femoral mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded every 10 secs. Pump-flow continuity was quantitated in vitro using a digital gravimetric technique. Variations in MAP and flow continuity were expressed by the coefficient of variation; analysis of variance was used for comparisons. The mean coefficients of variations for MAP varied from 3.8 +/- 3.1% (linear piston/syringe) to 6.1 +/- 6.6% (linear peristaltic), and from 3.4 +/- 2.2% (10 mL/hr) to 7.9 +/- 6.6% (1 mL/hr). The coefficients of variation for in vitro flow continuity ranged from 9 +/- 8% (linear piston-syringe) to 250 +/- 162% (pulsatile diaphragm), and from 35 +/- 44% (10 mL/hr) to 138 +/- 196% (1 mL/hr). Both the type of pump and infusion rate significantly (p < .001) influenced variation in drug delivery rate. The 1 mL/hr infusion rate significantly (p < .01) influenced MAP variation. Cyclic fluctuations in MAP of < or = 30 mm Hg were observed using the pulsatile diaphragm pump at 1 mL/hr. Factors inherent in the operating mechanisms of infusion pumps may result in clinically important hemodynamic fluctuations when administering a concentrated short-acting vasoactive medication at slow infusion rates.

Real-time optical image processing techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Hua-Kuang

1988-01-01

Nonlinear real-time optical processing on spatial pulse frequency modulation has been pursued through the analysis, design, and fabrication of pulse frequency modulated halftone screens and the modification of micro-channel spatial light modulators (MSLMs). Micro-channel spatial light modulators are modified via the Fabry-Perot method to achieve the high gamma operation required for non-linear operation. Real-time nonlinear processing was performed using the halftone screen and MSLM. The experiments showed the effectiveness of the thresholding and also showed the needs of higher SBP for image processing. The Hughes LCLV has been characterized and found to yield high gamma (about 1.7) when operated in low frequency and low bias mode. Cascading of two LCLVs should also provide enough gamma for nonlinear processing. In this case, the SBP of the LCLV is sufficient but the uniformity of the LCLV needs improvement. These include image correlation, computer generation of holograms, pseudo-color image encoding for image enhancement, and associative-retrieval in neural processing. The discovery of the only known optical method for dynamic range compression of an input image in real-time by using GaAs photorefractive crystals is reported. Finally, a new architecture for non-linear multiple sensory, neural processing has been suggested.

A class of all digital phase locked loops - Modelling and analysis.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reddy, C. P.; Gupta, S. C.

1972-01-01

An all digital phase locked loop which tracks the phase of the incoming signal once per carrier cycle is proposed. The different elements and their functions, and the phase lock operation are explained in detail. The general digital loop operation is governed by a non-linear difference equation from which a suitable model is developed. The lock range for the general model is derived. The performance of the digital loop for phase step, and frequency step inputs for different levels of quantization without loop filter, are studied. The analytical results are checked by simulating the actual system on the digital computer.

Development and Production of a 201 MHz, 5.0 MW Peak Power Klystron

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

Aymar, Galen; Eisen, Edward; Stockwell, Brad

2016-01-01

Communications & Power Industries LLC has designed and manufactured the VKP-8201A, a high peak power, high gain, VHF band klystron. The klystron operates at 201.25 MHz, with 5.0 MW peak output power, 34 kW average output power, and a gain of 36 dB. The klystron is designed to operate between 1.0 MW and 4.5 MW in the linear range of the transfer curve. The klystron utilizes a unique magnetic field which enables the use of a proven electron gun design with a larger electron beam requirement. Experimental and predicted performance data are compared.

A portable battery-powered flow injection monitor for the in situ analysis of nitrate in natural waters

PubMed Central

Blundell, N. J.; Hopkins, A.; Worsfold, P. J.; Casey, H.

1993-01-01

The design and performance of a portable, automated flow injection (FI)-based photometric monitor are described. The system is controlled by an in-house microcomputer system that enables the monitor (including a solid state detector) to operate from a 12 V battery supply. The monitor uses the cadmium reduction/diazotization method to analyse for nitrate with a linear range of 0 to 12 mg l-1 and a limit of detection of 0.05 mg l-1 (NO3-N). The hardware and software design, monitor performance and results obtained during unattended operation are presented. PMID:18924971

Newton's method: A link between continuous and discrete solutions of nonlinear problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thurston, G. A.

1980-01-01

Newton's method for nonlinear mechanics problems replaces the governing nonlinear equations by an iterative sequence of linear equations. When the linear equations are linear differential equations, the equations are usually solved by numerical methods. The iterative sequence in Newton's method can exhibit poor convergence properties when the nonlinear problem has multiple solutions for a fixed set of parameters, unless the iterative sequences are aimed at solving for each solution separately. The theory of the linear differential operators is often a better guide for solution strategies in applying Newton's method than the theory of linear algebra associated with the numerical analogs of the differential operators. In fact, the theory for the differential operators can suggest the choice of numerical linear operators. In this paper the method of variation of parameters from the theory of linear ordinary differential equations is examined in detail in the context of Newton's method to demonstrate how it might be used as a guide for numerical solutions.

Unpacking the Complexity of Linear Equations from a Cognitive Load Theory Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ngu, Bing Hiong; Phan, Huy P.

2016-01-01

The degree of element interactivity determines the complexity and therefore the intrinsic cognitive load of linear equations. The unpacking of linear equations at the level of operational and relational lines allows the classification of linear equations in a hierarchical level of complexity. Mapping similar operational and relational lines across…

Ultrathin Terahertz Quarter-wave plate based on Split Ring Resonator and Wire Grating hybrid Metasurface.

PubMed

Nouman, Muhammad Tayyab; Hwang, Ji Hyun; Jang, Jae-Hyung

2016-12-13

Planar metasurface based quarter-wave plates offer various advantages over conventional waveplates in terms of compactness, flexibility and simple fabrication; however they offer very narrow bandwidth of operation. Here, we demonstrate a planar terahertz (THz) metasurface capable of linear to circular polarization conversion and vice versa in a wide frequency range. The proposed metasurface is based on horizontally connected split ring resonators and is realized on an ultrathin (0.05λ) zeonor substrate. The fabricated quarter waveplate realizes linear to circular polarization conversion in two broad frequency bands comprising 0.64-0.82 THz and 0.96-1.3 THz with an insertion loss ranging from -3.9 to -10 dB. By virtue of ultrathin sub wavelength thickness, the proposed waveplate design is well suited for application in near field THz optical systems. Additionally, the proposed metasurface design offers novel transmission phase characteristics that present further opportunities to realize dynamic polarization control of incident waves.

Quasistatic elastoplasticity via Peridynamics: existence and localization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kružík, Martin; Mora-Corral, Carlos; Stefanelli, Ulisse

2018-04-01

Peridynamics is a nonlocal continuum mechanical theory based on minimal regularity on the deformations. Its key trait is that of replacing local constitutive relations featuring spacial differential operators with integrals over differences of displacement fields over a suitable positive interaction range. The advantage of such perspective is that of directly including nonregular situations, in which discontinuities in the displacement field may occur. In the linearized elastic setting, the mechanical foundation of the theory and its mathematical amenability have been thoroughly analyzed in the last years. We present here the extension of Peridynamics to linearized elastoplasticity. This calls for considering the time evolution of elastic and plastic variables, as the effect of a combination of elastic energy storage and plastic energy dissipation mechanisms. The quasistatic evolution problem is variationally reformulated and solved by time discretization. In addition, by a rigorous evolutive Γ -convergence argument we prove that the nonlocal peridynamic model converges to classic local elastoplasticity as the interaction range goes to zero.

Ultrathin Terahertz Quarter-wave plate based on Split Ring Resonator and Wire Grating hybrid Metasurface

PubMed Central

Nouman, Muhammad Tayyab; Hwang, Ji Hyun; Jang, Jae-Hyung

2016-01-01

Planar metasurface based quarter-wave plates offer various advantages over conventional waveplates in terms of compactness, flexibility and simple fabrication; however they offer very narrow bandwidth of operation. Here, we demonstrate a planar terahertz (THz) metasurface capable of linear to circular polarization conversion and vice versa in a wide frequency range. The proposed metasurface is based on horizontally connected split ring resonators and is realized on an ultrathin (0.05λ) zeonor substrate. The fabricated quarter waveplate realizes linear to circular polarization conversion in two broad frequency bands comprising 0.64–0.82 THz and 0.96–1.3 THz with an insertion loss ranging from −3.9 to −10 dB. By virtue of ultrathin sub wavelength thickness, the proposed waveplate design is well suited for application in near field THz optical systems. Additionally, the proposed metasurface design offers novel transmission phase characteristics that present further opportunities to realize dynamic polarization control of incident waves. PMID:27958358

Realization of fiber optic displacement sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guzowski, Bartlomiej; Lakomski, Mateusz

2018-03-01

Fiber optic sensors are very promising because of their inherent advantages such as very small size, hard environment tolerance and impact of electromagnetic fields. In this paper three different types of Intensity Fiber Optic Displacement Sensors (I-FODS) are presented. Three configurations of I-FODS were realized in two varieties. In the first one, the cleaved multimode optical fibers (MMF) were used to collect reflected light, while in the second variety the MMF ended with ball lenses were chosen. To ensure an accurate alignment of optical fibers in the sensor head the MTP C9730 optical fiber ferrules were used. In this paper the influence of distribution of transmitting and detecting optical fibers on sensitivity and linear range of operation of developed I-FODS were investigated. We have shown, that I-FODS with ball lenses receive average 10.5% more reflected power in comparison to the cleaved optical fibers and they increase linearity range of I-FODS by 33%. In this paper, an analysis of each type of the realized sensor and detailed discussion are given.

Time and motion studies of National Health Service cataract theatre lists to determine strategies to improve efficiency.

PubMed

Roberts, Harry W; Myerscough, James; Borsci, Simone; Ni, Melody; O'Brart, David P S

2017-11-24

To provide a quantitative assessment of cataract theatre lists focusing on productivity and staffing levels/tasks using time and motion studies. National Health Service (NHS) cataract theatre lists were prospectively observed in five different institutions (four NHS hospitals and one private hospital). Individual tasks and their timings of every member of staff were recorded. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to investigate possible associations between individual timings and tasks. 140 operations were studied over 18 theatre sessions. The median number of scheduled cataract operations was 7 (range: 5-14). The average duration of an operation was 10.3 min±(SD 4.11 min). The average time to complete one case including patient turnaround was 19.97 min (SD 8.77 min). The proportion of the surgeons' time occupied on total duties or operating ranged from 65.2% to 76.1% and from 42.4% to 56.7%, respectively. The correlations of the surgical time to patient time in theatre was R 2 =0.95. A multiple linear regression model found a significant association (F(3,111)=32.86, P<0.001) with R 2 =0.47 between the duration of one operation and the number of allied healthcare professionals (AHPs), the number of AHP key tasks and the time taken to perform these key tasks by the AHPs. Significant variability in the number of cases performed and the efficiency of patient flow were found between different institutions. Time and motion studies identified requirements for high-volume models and factors relating to performance. Supporting the surgeon with sufficient AHPs and tasks performed by AHPs could improve surgical efficiency up to approximately double productivity over conventional theatre models. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Factors influencing the QMF resolution for operation in stability zones 1 and 3.

PubMed

Syed, Sarfaraz U A H; Hogan, Thomas; Gibson, John; Taylor, Stephen

2012-05-01

This study uses a computer model to simulate a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) instrument under different operating conditions for Mathieu stability zones 1 and 3. The investigation considers the factors that limit the maximum resolution (R(max)), which can be obtained for a given QMF for a particular value of scan line. Previously, QMF resolution (R) has been found to be dependent on number (N) of radio frequency (rf) cycles experienced by the ions in the mass filter, according to R = N(n)/K, where n and K are the constants. However, this expression does not predict the limit to QMF resolution observed in practice and is true only for the linear regions of the performance curve for QMF operation in zone 1 and zone 3 of the stability diagram. Here we model the saturated regions of the performance curve for QMF operation in zone 1 according to R = q(1 - 2c(N))/∆q, where c is a constant and ∆q is the width of the intersection of the operating scan line with the stability zone 1, measured at q-axis of the Mathieu stability diagram. Also by careful calculations of the detail of the stability tip of zone 1, the following relationship was established between R(max) and percentage U/V ratio: R(max) = q/(0.9330-0.00933U/V). For QMF operation in zone 3 the expression R = a - bc(N) simulates well the linear and saturated regions of the performance curve for a range of operational conditions, where a, b, and c are constants.

Time and frequency domain analysis of sampled data controllers via mixed operation equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frisch, H. P.

1981-01-01

Specification of the mathematical equations required to define the dynamic response of a linear continuous plant, subject to sampled data control, is complicated by the fact that the digital components of the control system cannot be modeled via linear ordinary differential equations. This complication can be overcome by introducing two new mathematical operations; namely, the operation of zero order hold and digial delay. It is shown that by direct utilization of these operations, a set of linear mixed operation equations can be written and used to define the dynamic response characteristics of the controlled system. It also is shown how these linear mixed operation equations lead, in an automatable manner, directly to a set of finite difference equations which are in a format compatible with follow on time and frequency domain analysis methods.

Application of linear logic to simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clarke, Thomas L.

1998-08-01

Linear logic, since its introduction by Girard in 1987 has proven expressive and powerful. Linear logic has provided natural encodings of Turing machines, Petri nets and other computational models. Linear logic is also capable of naturally modeling resource dependent aspects of reasoning. The distinguishing characteristic of linear logic is that it accounts for resources; two instances of the same variable are considered differently from a single instance. Linear logic thus must obey a form of the linear superposition principle. A proportion can be reasoned with only once, unless a special operator is applied. Informally, linear logic distinguishes two kinds of conjunction, two kinds of disjunction, and also introduces a modal storage operator that explicitly indicates propositions that can be reused. This paper discuses the application of linear logic to simulation. A wide variety of logics have been developed; in addition to classical logic, there are fuzzy logics, affine logics, quantum logics, etc. All of these have found application in simulations of one sort or another. The special characteristics of linear logic and its benefits for simulation will be discussed. Of particular interest is a connection that can be made between linear logic and simulated dynamics by using the concept of Lie algebras and Lie groups. Lie groups provide the connection between the exponential modal storage operators of linear logic and the eigen functions of dynamic differential operators. Particularly suggestive are possible relations between complexity result for linear logic and non-computability results for dynamical systems.

Linear-Algebra Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawson, C. L.; Krogh, F. T.; Gold, S. S.; Kincaid, D. R.; Sullivan, J.; Williams, E.; Hanson, R. J.; Haskell, K.; Dongarra, J.; Moler, C. B.

1982-01-01

The Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms (BLAS) library is a collection of 38 FORTRAN-callable routines for performing basic operations of numerical linear algebra. BLAS library is portable and efficient source of basic operations for designers of programs involving linear algebriac computations. BLAS library is supplied in portable FORTRAN and Assembler code versions for IBM 370, UNIVAC 1100 and CDC 6000 series computers.

Liquid metals as a divertor plasma-facing material explored using the Pilot-PSI and Magnum-PSI linear devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morgan, T. W.; Rindt, P.; van Eden, G. G.; Kvon, V.; Jaworksi, M. A.; Lopes Cardozo, N. J.

2018-01-01

For DEMO and beyond, liquid metal plasma-facing components are considered due to their resilience to erosion through flowed replacement, potential for cooling beyond conduction and inherent immunity to many of the issues of neutron loading compared to solid materials. The development curve of liquid metals is behind that of e.g. tungsten however, and tokamak-based research is currently somewhat limited in scope. Therefore, investigation into linear plasma devices can provide faster progress under controlled and well-diagnosed conditions in assessing many of the issues surrounding the use of liquid metals. The linear plasma devices Magnum-PSI and Pilot-PSI are capable of producing DEMO-relevant plasma fluxes, which well replicate expected divertor conditions, and the exploration of physics issues for tin (Sn) and lithium (Li) such as vapour shielding, erosion under high particle flux loading and overall power handling are reviewed here. A deeper understanding of erosion and deposition through this work indicates that stannane formation may play an important role in enhancing Sn erosion, while on the other hand the strong hydrogen isotope affinity reduces the evaporation rate and sputtering yields for Li. In combination with the strong redeposition rates, which have been observed under this type of high-density plasma, this implies that an increase in the operational temperature range, implying a power handling range of 20-25 MW m-2 for Sn and up to 12.5 MW m-2 for Li could be achieved. Vapour shielding may be expected to act as a self-protection mechanism in reducing the heat load to the substrate for off-normal events in the case of Sn, but may potentially be a continual mode of operation for Li.

Developments in Polarization and Energy Control of APPLE-II Undulators at Diamond Light Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longhi, E. C.; Bencok, P.; Dobrynin, A.; Rial, E. C. M.; Rose, A.; Steadman, P.; Thompson, C.; Thomson, A.; Wang, H.

2013-03-01

A pair of 2m long APPLE-II type undulators have been built for the I10 BLADE beamline at Diamond Light Source. These 48mm period devices have gap as well as four moveable phase axes which provide the possibility to produce the full range of elliptical polarizations as well as linear polarization tilted through a full 180deg. The mechanical layout chosen has a 'master and slave' arrangement of the phase axes on the top and bottom. This arrangement allows the use of symmetries to provide operational ease for both changing energy using only the master phase while keeping fixed linear horizontal or circular polarization, as well as changing linear polarization angle while keeping fixed energy [1]. The design allows very fast motion of the master phase arrays, without sacrifice of accuracy, allowing the possibility of mechanical polarization switching at 1Hz for dichroism experiments. We present the mechanical design features of these devices, as well as the results of magnetic measurements and shimming from before installation. Finally, we present the results of characterization of these devices by the beamline, including polarimetry, which has been done on the various modes of motion to control energy and polarization. These modes of operation have been available to users since 2011.

Analysis of originating ultra-short optical dissipative solitary pulses in the actively mode-locked semiconductor heterolasers with an external fiber cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shcherbakov, Alexandre S.; Campos Acosta, Joaquin; Pons Aglio, Alicia; Moreno Zarate, Pedro; Mansurova, Svetlana

2010-06-01

We present an advanced approach to describing low-power trains of bright picosecond optical dissipative solitary pulses with an internal frequency modulation in practically important case of exploiting semiconductor heterolaser operating in near-infrared range in the active mode-locking regime. In the chosen schematic arrangement, process of the active mode-locking is caused by a hybrid nonlinear cavity consisting of this heterolaser and an external rather long single-mode optical fiber exhibiting square-law dispersion, cubic Kerr nonlinearity, and small linear optical losses. Our analysis of shaping dissipative solitary pulses includes three principal contributions associated with the modulated gain, total optical losses, as well as with linear and nonlinear phase shifts. In fact, various trains of the non-interacting to one another optical dissipative solitons appear within simultaneous balance between the second-order dispersion and cubic-law Kerr nonlinearity as well as between active medium gain and linear optical losses in a hybrid cavity. Our specific approach makes possible taking the modulating signals providing non-conventional composite regimes of a multi-pulse active mode-locking. Within our model, a contribution of the appearing nonlinear Ginzburg-Landau operator to the parameters of dissipative solitary pulses is described via exploiting an approximate variational procedure involving the technique of trial functions.

Linearized semiclassical initial value time correlation functions with maximum entropy analytic continuation.

PubMed

Liu, Jian; Miller, William H

2008-09-28

The maximum entropy analytic continuation (MEAC) method is used to extend the range of accuracy of the linearized semiclassical initial value representation (LSC-IVR)/classical Wigner approximation for real time correlation functions. LSC-IVR provides a very effective "prior" for the MEAC procedure since it is very good for short times, exact for all time and temperature for harmonic potentials (even for correlation functions of nonlinear operators), and becomes exact in the classical high temperature limit. This combined MEAC+LSC/IVR approach is applied here to two highly nonlinear dynamical systems, a pure quartic potential in one dimensional and liquid para-hydrogen at two thermal state points (25 and 14 K under nearly zero external pressure). The former example shows the MEAC procedure to be a very significant enhancement of the LSC-IVR for correlation functions of both linear and nonlinear operators, and especially at low temperature where semiclassical approximations are least accurate. For liquid para-hydrogen, the LSC-IVR is seen already to be excellent at T=25 K, but the MEAC procedure produces a significant correction at the lower temperature (T=14 K). Comparisons are also made as to how the MEAC procedure is able to provide corrections for other trajectory-based dynamical approximations when used as priors.

Modeling and Control for Microgrids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steenis, Joel

Traditional approaches to modeling microgrids include the behavior of each inverter operating in a particular network configuration and at a particular operating point. Such models quickly become computationally intensive for large systems. Similarly, traditional approaches to control do not use advanced methodologies and suffer from poor performance and limited operating range. In this document a linear model is derived for an inverter connected to the Thevenin equivalent of a microgrid. This model is then compared to a nonlinear simulation model and analyzed using the open and closed loop systems in both the time and frequency domains. The modeling error is quantified with emphasis on its use for controller design purposes. Control design examples are given using a Glover McFarlane controller, gain scheduled Glover McFarlane controller, and bumpless transfer controller which are compared to the standard droop control approach. These examples serve as a guide to illustrate the use of multi-variable modeling techniques in the context of robust controller design and show that gain scheduled MIMO control techniques can extend the operating range of a microgrid. A hardware implementation is used to compare constant gain droop controllers with Glover McFarlane controllers and shows a clear advantage of the Glover McFarlane approach.

User's Guide for the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation (C-MAPSS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frederick, Dean K.; DeCastro, Jonathan A.; Litt, Jonathan S.

2007-01-01

This report is a Users Guide for the NASA-developed Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation (C-MAPSS) software, which is a transient simulation of a large commercial turbofan engine (up to 90,000-lb thrust) with a realistic engine control system. The software supports easy access to health, control, and engine parameters through a graphical user interface (GUI). C-MAPSS provides the user with a graphical turbofan engine simulation environment in which advanced algorithms can be implemented and tested. C-MAPSS can run user-specified transient simulations, and it can generate state-space linear models of the nonlinear engine model at an operating point. The code has a number of GUI screens that allow point-and-click operation, and have editable fields for user-specified input. The software includes an atmospheric model which allows simulation of engine operation at altitudes from sea level to 40,000 ft, Mach numbers from 0 to 0.90, and ambient temperatures from -60 to 103 F. The package also includes a power-management system that allows the engine to be operated over a wide range of thrust levels throughout the full range of flight conditions.

Comparison of COD removal from pharmaceutical wastewater by electrocoagulation, photoelectrocoagulation, peroxi-electrocoagulation and peroxi-photoelectrocoagulation processes.

PubMed

Farhadi, Sajjad; Aminzadeh, Behnoush; Torabian, Ali; Khatibikamal, Vahid; Alizadeh Fard, Mohammad

2012-06-15

This work makes a comparison between electrocoagulation (EC), photoelectrocoagulation, peroxi-electrocoagulation and peroxi-photoelectrocoagulation processes to investigate the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from pharmaceutical wastewater. The effects of operational parameters such as initial pH, current density, applied voltage, amount of hydrogen peroxide and electrolysis time on COD removal efficiency were investigated and the optimum operating range for each of these operating variables was experimentally determined. In electrocoagulation process, the optimum values of pH and voltage were determined to be 7 and 40 V, respectively. Desired pH and hydrogen peroxide concentration in the Fenton-based processes were found to be 3 and 300 mg/L, respectively. The amounts of COD, pH, electrical conductivity, temperature and total dissolved solids (TDS) were on-line monitored. Results indicated that under the optimum operating range for each process, the COD removal efficiency was in order of peroxi-electrocoagulation > peroxi-photoelectrocoagulation > photoelectrocoagulation>electrocoagulation. Finally, a kinetic study was carried out using the linear pseudo-second-order model and results showed that the pseudo-second-order equation provided the best correlation for the COD removal rate. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Plasma studies of a linear magnetron operating in the range from DC to HiPIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anders, André; Yang, Yuchen

2018-01-01

Plasma properties of magnetrons have been extensively studied in the past with the focus on small, research-style magnetrons with planar disk targets. In this contribution, we report on plasma diagnostics of a linear magnetron because the linear geometry is widely used in industry and, more importantly here, it provides the unique opportunity to align a linear racetrack section with a streak camera's entrance slit. This allows us to follow the evolution of plasma instabilities, i.e., localized ionization zones or spokes, as they travel along the racetrack. This report greatly extends our more limited and focused study on the structure and velocity of spokes [Anders and Yang, Appl. Phys. Lett. 111, 064103 (2017)]. Following recent plasma potential measurements [Panjan and Anders, J. Appl. Phys. 121, 063302 (2017)], we interpret optical emission information with localized electron heating. We confirm that for low direct current operation, spokes move in the -E ×B direction, and in the opposite direction in the high current mode. Streak images indicate slower spoke velocities near corners compared to spoke velocities in the straight sections of the racetrack. Spoke splitting and merging are observed supporting the interpretation that spoke motion represents a phase velocity of the region of greatest ionization and is not a motion of plasma. Fast camera investigations are supplemented by measurements of the energy distribution functions of ions emitted from the straight and curved regions of the racetrack, showing notable and reproducible differences.

Superconducting six-axis accelerometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paik, H. J.

1990-01-01

A new superconducting accelerometer, capable of measuring both linear and angular accelerations, is under development at the University of Maryland. A single superconducting proof mass is magnetically levitated against gravity or any other proof force. Its relative positions and orientations with respect to the platform are monitored by six superconducting inductance bridges sharing a single amplifier, called the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). The six degrees of freedom, the three linear acceleration components and the three angular acceleration components, of the platform are measured simultaneously. In order to improve the linearity and the dynamic range of the instrument, the demodulated outputs of the SQUID are fed back to appropriate levitation coils so that the proof mass remains at the null position for all six inductance bridges. The expected intrinsic noise of the instrument is 4 x 10(exp -12)m s(exp -2) Hz(exp -1/2) for linear acceleration and 3 x 10(exp -11) rad s(exp -2) Hz(exp -1/2) for angular acceleration in 1-g environment. In 0-g, the linear acceleration sensitivity of the superconducting accelerometer could be improved by two orders of magnitude. The design and the operating principle of a laboratory prototype of the new instrument is discussed.

Six different roles for crossover inhibition in the retina: correcting the nonlinearities of synaptic transmission.

PubMed

Werblin, Frank S

2010-03-01

Early retinal studies categorized ganglion cell behavior as either linear or nonlinear and rectifying as represented by the familiar X- and Y-type ganglion cells in cat. Nonlinear behavior is in large part a consequence of the rectifying nonlinearities inherent in synaptic transmission. These nonlinear signals underlie many special functions in retinal processing, including motion detection, motion in motion, and local edge detection. But linear behavior is also required for some visual processing tasks. For these tasks, the inherently nonlinear signals are "linearized" by "crossover inhibition." Linearization utilizes a circuitry whereby nonlinear ON inhibition adds with nonlinear OFF excitation or ON excitation adds with OFF inhibition to generate a more linear postsynaptic voltage response. Crossover inhibition has now been measured in most bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells. Functionally crossover inhibition enhances edge detection, allows ganglion cells to recognize luminance-neutral patterns with their receptive fields, permits ganglion cells to distinguish contrast from luminance, and maintains a more constant conductance during the light response. In some cases, crossover extends the operating range of cone-driven OFF ganglion cells into the scotopic levels. Crossover inhibition is also found in neurons of the lateral geniculate nucleus and V1.

Water-absorbing capacitor system for measuring relative humidity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laue, Eric G. (Inventor)

1987-01-01

A method and apparatus using a known water-absorbent polymer as a capacitor which is operated at a dc voltage for measuring relative humidity is presented. When formed as a layer between porous electrically-conductive electrodes and operated in an RC oscillator circuit, the oscillator frequency varies inversely with the partial pressure of the moisture to be measured. In a preferred embodiment, the capacitor is formed from Nafion and is operated at a low dc voltage with a resistor as an RC circuit in an RC oscillator. At the low voltage, the leakage current is proper for oscillation over a satisfactory range. The frequency of oscillation varies in an essentially linear fashion with relative humidity which is represented by the moisture being absorbed into the Nafion. The oscillation frequency is detected by a frequency detector.

Force-reflection and shared compliant control in operating telemanipulators with time delay

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Won S.; Hannaford, Blake; Bejczy, Antal K.

1992-01-01

The performance of an advanced telemanipulation system in the presence of a wide range of time delays between a master control station and a slave robot is quantified. The contemplated applications include multiple satellite links to LEO, geosynchronous operation, spacecraft local area networks, and general-purpose computer-based short-distance designs. The results of high-precision peg-in-hole tasks performed by six test operators indicate that task performance decreased linearly with introduced time delays for both kinesthetic force feedback (KFF) and shared compliant control (SCC). The rate of this decrease was substantially improved with SCC compared to KFF. Task performance at delays above 1 s was not possible using KFF. SCC enabled task performance for such delays, which are realistic values for ground-controlled remote manipulation of telerobots in space.

A novel methodology for non-linear system identification of battery cells used in non-road hybrid electric vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Unger, Johannes; Hametner, Christoph; Jakubek, Stefan; Quasthoff, Marcus

2014-12-01

An accurate state of charge (SoC) estimation of a traction battery in hybrid electric non-road vehicles, which possess higher dynamics and power densities than on-road vehicles, requires a precise battery cell terminal voltage model. This paper presents a novel methodology for non-linear system identification of battery cells to obtain precise battery models. The methodology comprises the architecture of local model networks (LMN) and optimal model based design of experiments (DoE). Three main novelties are proposed: 1) Optimal model based DoE, which aims to high dynamically excite the battery cells at load ranges frequently used in operation. 2) The integration of corresponding inputs in the LMN to regard the non-linearities SoC, relaxation, hysteresis as well as temperature effects. 3) Enhancements to the local linear model tree (LOLIMOT) construction algorithm, to achieve a physical appropriate interpretation of the LMN. The framework is applicable for different battery cell chemistries and different temperatures, and is real time capable, which is shown on an industrial PC. The accuracy of the obtained non-linear battery model is demonstrated on cells with different chemistries and temperatures. The results show significant improvement due to optimal experiment design and integration of the battery non-linearities within the LMN structure.

Electricity generation of single-chamber microbial fuel cells at low temperatures.

PubMed

Cheng, Shaoan; Xing, Defeng; Logan, Bruce E

2011-01-15

Practical applications of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for wastewater treatment will require operation of these systems over a wide range of wastewater temperatures. MFCs at room or higher temperatures (20-35°C) are relatively well studied compared those at lower temperatures. MFC performance was examined here over a temperature range of 4-30°C in terms of startup time needed for reproducible power cycles, and performance. MFCs initially operated at 15°C or higher all attained a reproducible cycles of power generation, but the startup time to reach stable operation increased from 50 h at 30°C to 210 h at 15°C. At temperatures below 15°C, MFCs did not produce appreciable power even after one month of operation. If an MFC was first started up at temperature of 30°C, however, reproducible cycles of power generation could then be achieved at even the two lowest temperatures of 4°C and 10°C. Power production increased linearly with temperature at a rate of 33±4 mW °C(-1), from 425±2 mW m(-2) at 4°C to 1260±10 mW m(-2) at 30°C. Coulombic efficiency decreased by 45% over this same temperature range, or from CE=31% at 4°C to CE=17% at 30°C. These results demonstrate that MFCs can effectively be operated over a wide range of temperatures, but our findings have important implications for the startup of larger scale reactors where low wastewater temperatures could delay or prevent adequate startup of the system. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[An ultrafast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for simultaneous determination of common artificial synthetic pigments in cooked meat products].

PubMed

Chen, Xiaohong; Li, Xiaoping; Zhao, Yonggang; Pan, Shengdong; Jin, Micong

2015-07-01

A method based on ultrafast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) has been developed for the simultaneous determination of seven synthetic pigments in cooked meat product. After the cooked meat products were extracted by mixed extraction agent, purified by WAX column, the UFLC separation was performed on a Shim-pack XR-ODS II column (75 mm x 2.0 mm, 2.2 µm) with a linear gradient elution program of acetonitrile and ammonium acetate (AmAc, 5 mmol/L) as the mobile phase. Electrospray ionization was applied and operated in the negative ion mode. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) for the seven synthetic pigments were in the range of 0.7-5.0 µg/kg. The calibration curves showed good linearities for the seven analytes in their detection ranges, and the correlative coefficients (r) were more than 0.999. The recoveries were between 88.2%-106.5% with the RSDs in the range of 1.2%-5.0%. The method is sensitive, reproducible, quick and adapts to the simultaneous determination of the seven synthetic pigments in cooked meat product.

Restrictions on linear heat capacities from Joule-Brayton maximum-work cycle efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angulo-Brown, F.; Gonzalez-Ayala, Julian; Arias-Hernandez, L. A.

2014-02-01

This paper discusses the possibility of using the Joule-Brayton cycle to determine the accessible value range for the coefficients a and b of the heat capacity at constant pressure Cp, expressed as Cp=a+bT (with T the absolute temperature) by using the Carnot theorem. This is made for several gases which operate as the working fluids. Moreover, the landmark role of the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency for this type of cycle is established.

The uk Lidar-sunphotometer operational volcanic ash monitoring network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, Mariana; Buxmann, Joelle; Freeman, Nigel; Horseman, Andrew; Salmon, Christopher; Sugier, Jacqueline; Bennett, Richard

2018-04-01

The Met Office completed the deployment of ten lidars (UV Raman and depolarization), each accompanied by a sunphotometer (polarized model), to provide quantitative monitoring of volcanic ash over UK for VAAC London. The lidars provide range corrected signal and volume depolarization ratio in near-real time. The sunphotometers deliver aerosol optical depth, Ångstrom exponent and degree of linear polarization. Case study analyses of Saharan dust events (as a proxy for volcanic ash) are presented.

High dynamic range infrared radiometry and imaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coon, Darryl D.; Karunasiri, R. P. G.; Bandara, K. M. S. V.

1988-01-01

The use is described of cryogenically cooled, extrinsic silicon infrared detectors in an unconventional mode of operation which offers an unusually large dynamic range. The system performs intensity-to-frequency conversion at the focal plane via simple circuits with very low power consumption. The incident IR intensity controls the repetition rate of short duration output pulses over a pulse rate dynamic range of about 10(6). Theory indicates the possibility of monotonic and approx. linear response over the full dynamic range. A comparison between the theoretical and the experimental results shows that the model provides a reasonably good description of experimental data. Some measurements of survivability with a very intense IR source were made on these devices and found to be very encouraging. Evidence continues to indicate that some variations in interpulse time intervals are deterministic rather than probabilistic.

Real-time solution of linear computational problems using databases of parametric reduced-order models with arbitrary underlying meshes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amsallem, David; Tezaur, Radek; Farhat, Charbel

2016-12-01

A comprehensive approach for real-time computations using a database of parametric, linear, projection-based reduced-order models (ROMs) based on arbitrary underlying meshes is proposed. In the offline phase of this approach, the parameter space is sampled and linear ROMs defined by linear reduced operators are pre-computed at the sampled parameter points and stored. Then, these operators and associated ROMs are transformed into counterparts that satisfy a certain notion of consistency. In the online phase of this approach, a linear ROM is constructed in real-time at a queried but unsampled parameter point by interpolating the pre-computed linear reduced operators on matrix manifolds and therefore computing an interpolated linear ROM. The proposed overall model reduction framework is illustrated with two applications: a parametric inverse acoustic scattering problem associated with a mockup submarine, and a parametric flutter prediction problem associated with a wing-tank system. The second application is implemented on a mobile device, illustrating the capability of the proposed computational framework to operate in real-time.

Design of a high particle flux hydrogen helicon plasma source for used in plasma materials interaction studies

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

Goulding, R. H.; Chen, G.; Meitner, S.

2009-11-26

Existing linear plasma materials interaction (PMI) facilities all use plasma sources with internal electrodes. An rf-based helicon source is of interest because high plasma densities can be generated with no internal electrodes, allowing true steady state operation with minimal impurity generation. Work has begun at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to develop a large (15 cm) diameter helicon source producing hydrogen plasmas with parameters suitable for use in a linear PMI device: n{sub e}{>=}10{sup 19} m{sup -3}, T{sub e} = 4-10 eV, particle flux {gamma}{sub p}>10{sup 23}m{sup -3} s{sup -1}, and magnetic field strength |B| up to 1 T inmore » the source region. The device, whose design is based on a previous hydrogen helicon source operated at ORNL[1], will operate at rf frequencies in the range 10-26 MHz, and power levels up to {approx}100 kW. Limitations in cooling will prevent operation for pulses longer than several seconds, but a major goal will be the measurement of power deposition on device structures so that a later steady state version can be designed. The device design, the diagnostics to be used, and results of rf modeling of the device will be discussed. These include calculations of plasma loading, resulting currents and voltages in antenna structures and the matching network, power deposition profiles, and the effect of high |B| operation on power absorption.« less

Simultaneous source and attenuation reconstruction in SPECT using ballistic and single scattering data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courdurier, M.; Monard, F.; Osses, A.; Romero, F.

2015-09-01

In medical single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, we seek to simultaneously obtain the internal radioactive sources and the attenuation map using not only ballistic measurements but also first-order scattering measurements and assuming a very specific scattering regime. The problem is modeled using the radiative transfer equation by means of an explicit non-linear operator that gives the ballistic and scattering measurements as a function of the radioactive source and attenuation distributions. First, by differentiating this non-linear operator we obtain a linearized inverse problem. Then, under regularity hypothesis for the source distribution and attenuation map and considering small attenuations, we rigorously prove that the linear operator is invertible and we compute its inverse explicitly. This allows proof of local uniqueness for the non-linear inverse problem. Finally, using the previous inversion result for the linear operator, we propose a new type of iterative algorithm for simultaneous source and attenuation recovery for SPECT based on the Neumann series and a Newton-Raphson algorithm.

The linear -- non-linear frontier for the Goldstone Higgs

DOE PAGES

Gavela, M. B.; Kanshin, K.; Machado, P. A. N.; ...

2016-12-01

The minimalmore » $SO(5)/SO(4)$ sigma model is used as a template for the ultraviolet completion of scenarios in which the Higgs particle is a low-energy remnant of some high-energy dynamics, enjoying a (pseudo) Nambu-Goldstone boson ancestry. Varying the $$\\sigma$$ mass allows to sweep from the perturbative regime to the customary non-linear implementations. The low-energy benchmark effective non-linear Lagrangian for bosons and fermions is obtained, determining as well the operator coefficients including linear corrections. At first order in the latter, three effective bosonic operators emerge which are independent of the explicit soft breaking assumed. The Higgs couplings to vector bosons and fermions turn out to be quite universal: the linear corrections are proportional to the explicit symmetry breaking parameters. Furthermore, we define an effective Yukawa operator which allows a simple parametrization and comparison of different heavy fermion ultraviolet completions. In addition, one particular fermionic completion is explored in detail, obtaining the corresponding leading low-energy fermionic operators.« less

Validation of analytical methods in GMP: the disposable Fast Read 102® device, an alternative practical approach for cell counting.

PubMed

Gunetti, Monica; Castiglia, Sara; Rustichelli, Deborah; Mareschi, Katia; Sanavio, Fiorella; Muraro, Michela; Signorino, Elena; Castello, Laura; Ferrero, Ivana; Fagioli, Franca

2012-05-31

The quality and safety of advanced therapy products must be maintained throughout their production and quality control cycle to ensure their final use in patients. We validated the cell count method according to the International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use and European Pharmacopoeia, considering the tests' accuracy, precision, repeatability, linearity and range. As the cell count is a potency test, we checked accuracy, precision, and linearity, according to ICH Q2. Briefly our experimental approach was first to evaluate the accuracy of Fast Read 102® compared to the Bürker chamber. Once the accuracy of the alternative method was demonstrated, we checked the precision and linearity test only using Fast Read 102®. The data were statistically analyzed by average, standard deviation and coefficient of variation percentages inter and intra operator. All the tests performed met the established acceptance criteria of a coefficient of variation of less than ten percent. For the cell count, the precision reached by each operator had a coefficient of variation of less than ten percent (total cells) and under five percent (viable cells). The best range of dilution, to obtain a slope line value very similar to 1, was between 1:8 and 1:128. Our data demonstrated that the Fast Read 102® count method is accurate, precise and ensures the linearity of the results obtained in a range of cell dilution. Under our standard method procedures, this assay may thus be considered a good quality control method for the cell count as a batch release quality control test. Moreover, the Fast Read 102® chamber is a plastic, disposable device that allows a number of samples to be counted in the same chamber. Last but not least, it overcomes the problem of chamber washing after use and so allows a cell count in a clean environment such as that in a Cell Factory. In a good manufacturing practice setting the disposable cell counting devices will allow a single use of the count chamber they can then be thrown away, thus avoiding the waste disposal of vital dye (e.g. Trypan Blue) or lysing solution (e.g. Tuerk solution).

Validation of analytical methods in GMP: the disposable Fast Read 102® device, an alternative practical approach for cell counting

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The quality and safety of advanced therapy products must be maintained throughout their production and quality control cycle to ensure their final use in patients. We validated the cell count method according to the International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use and European Pharmacopoeia, considering the tests’ accuracy, precision, repeatability, linearity and range. Methods As the cell count is a potency test, we checked accuracy, precision, and linearity, according to ICH Q2. Briefly our experimental approach was first to evaluate the accuracy of Fast Read 102® compared to the Bürker chamber. Once the accuracy of the alternative method was demonstrated, we checked the precision and linearity test only using Fast Read 102®. The data were statistically analyzed by average, standard deviation and coefficient of variation percentages inter and intra operator. Results All the tests performed met the established acceptance criteria of a coefficient of variation of less than ten percent. For the cell count, the precision reached by each operator had a coefficient of variation of less than ten percent (total cells) and under five percent (viable cells). The best range of dilution, to obtain a slope line value very similar to 1, was between 1:8 and 1:128. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that the Fast Read 102® count method is accurate, precise and ensures the linearity of the results obtained in a range of cell dilution. Under our standard method procedures, this assay may thus be considered a good quality control method for the cell count as a batch release quality control test. Moreover, the Fast Read 102® chamber is a plastic, disposable device that allows a number of samples to be counted in the same chamber. Last but not least, it overcomes the problem of chamber washing after use and so allows a cell count in a clean environment such as that in a Cell Factory. In a good manufacturing practice setting the disposable cell counting devices will allow a single use of the count chamber they can then be thrown away, thus avoiding the waste disposal of vital dye (e.g. Trypan Blue) or lysing solution (e.g. Tuerk solution). PMID:22650233

A numerical study on flexoelectric bistable energy harvester

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Anuruddh; Sharma, Anshul; Vaish, Rahul; Kumar, Rajeev; Jain, Satish Chandra

2018-07-01

A flexoelectric energy harvesting can be a viable solution of energy source for low power devices and sensors due to its higher performance at nano/micro domain size. Numerical study has been performed on energy harvester based on flexoelectric phenomenon of dielectric materials. Cantilever type structure was opted here as it induces the polarization due to the breaking of lattice symmetry upon bending. Host layer of cantilever is made of barium strontium titanate (BST) as it has high flexoelectric coefficient, and electrodes are attached with the host layer to collect the charges. In this study, nonlinearity has been introduced using pair of magnets at the free end of the cantilever. Characteristics of the harvester performance (linear-non-linear) changes by varying the distance between magnets. Results revealed that the bistable energy harvester gives more operating frequency range when excitation is random as compared to the linear energy harvester. For the given dimension of the harvester, when magnets distance d = 6 mm, effective harvesting frequency ranges are 5-17.3 and 17.6-26 Hz as compared to linear harvester. Further, role of load resistance was investigated to understand the impact on the performance. Hysteresis loop between voltage and displacement significantly varies with the resistance. This hysteresis loop confirmed the backward coupling of flexoelectric layer, in which voltage affects the displacement due to actuation. Area under the hysteresis loop is maximum for optimum resistance value (20.4 kΩ) which confirms the maximum extraction of power during vibration.

Information theoretic analysis of canny edge detection in visual communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Bo; Rahman, Zia-ur

2011-06-01

In general edge detection evaluation, the edge detectors are examined, analyzed, and compared either visually or with a metric for specific an application. This analysis is usually independent of the characteristics of the image-gathering, transmission and display processes that do impact the quality of the acquired image and thus, the resulting edge image. We propose a new information theoretic analysis of edge detection that unites the different components of the visual communication channel and assesses edge detection algorithms in an integrated manner based on Shannon's information theory. The edge detection algorithm here is considered to achieve high performance only if the information rate from the scene to the edge approaches the maximum possible. Thus, by setting initial conditions of the visual communication system as constant, different edge detection algorithms could be evaluated. This analysis is normally limited to linear shift-invariant filters so in order to examine the Canny edge operator in our proposed system, we need to estimate its "power spectral density" (PSD). Since the Canny operator is non-linear and shift variant, we perform the estimation for a set of different system environment conditions using simulations. In our paper we will first introduce the PSD of the Canny operator for a range of system parameters. Then, using the estimated PSD, we will assess the Canny operator using information theoretic analysis. The information-theoretic metric is also used to compare the performance of the Canny operator with other edge-detection operators. This also provides a simple tool for selecting appropriate edgedetection algorithms based on system parameters, and for adjusting their parameters to maximize information throughput.

An Analysis of Cesarean Section and Emergency Hernia Ratios as Markers of Surgical Capacity in Low-Income Countries Affected by Humanitarian Emergencies from 2008 - 2014 at Médecins sans Frontières Operations Centre Brussels Projects.

PubMed

Stewart, Barclay; Wong, Evan; Papillon-Smith, Jessica; Trelles Centurion, Miguel Antonio; Dominguez, Lynette; Ao, Supongmeren; Jean-Paul, Basimuoneye Kahutsi; Kamal, Mustafa; Helmand, Rahmatullah; Naseer, Aamer; Kushner, Adam L

2015-03-27

Surgical capacity assessments in low-income countries have demonstrated critical deficiencies. Though vital for planning capacity improvements, these assessments are resource intensive and impractical during the planning phase of a humanitarian crisis. This study aimed to determine cesarean sections to total operations performed (CSR) and emergency herniorrhaphies to all herniorrhaphies performed (EHR) ratios from Médecins Sans Frontières Operations Centre Brussels (MSF-OCB) projects and examine if these established metrics are useful proxies for surgical capacity in low-income countries affected by crisis. All procedures performed in MSF-OCB operating theatres from July 2008 through June 2014 were reviewed. Projects providing only specialty care, not fully operational or not offering elective surgeries were excluded. Annual CSRs and EHRs were calculated for each project. Their relationship was assessed with linear regression. After applying the exclusion criteria, there were 47,472 cases performed at 13 sites in 8 countries. There were 13,939 CS performed (29% of total cases). Of the 4,632 herniorrhaphies performed (10% of total cases), 30% were emergency procedures. CSRs ranged from 0.06 to 0.65 and EHRs ranged from 0.03 to 1.0. Linear regression of annual ratios at each project did not demonstrate statistical evidence for the CSR to predict EHR [F(2,30)=2.34, p=0.11, R2=0.11]. The regression equation was: EHR = 0.25 + 0.52(CSR) + 0.10(reason for MSF-OCB assistance). Surgical humanitarian assistance projects operate in areas with critical surgical capacity deficiencies that are further disrupted by crisis. Rapid, accurate assessments of surgical capacity are necessary to plan cost- and clinically-effective humanitarian responses to baseline and acute unmet surgical needs in LICs affected by crisis. Though CSR and EHR may meet these criteria in 'steady-state' healthcare systems, they may not be useful during humanitarian emergencies. Further study of the relationship between direct surgical capacity improvements and these ratios is necessary to document their role in humanitarian settings.

An Analysis of Cesarean Section and Emergency Hernia Ratios as Markers of Surgical Capacity in Low-Income Countries Affected by Humanitarian Emergencies from 2008 – 2014 at Médecins sans Frontières Operations Centre Brussels Projects

PubMed Central

Stewart, Barclay; Wong, Evan; Papillon-Smith, Jessica; Trelles Centurion, Miguel Antonio; Dominguez, Lynette; Ao, Supongmeren; Jean-Paul, Basimuoneye Kahutsi; Kamal, Mustafa; Helmand, Rahmatullah; Naseer, Aamer; Kushner, Adam L.

2015-01-01

Background: Surgical capacity assessments in low-income countries have demonstrated critical deficiencies. Though vital for planning capacity improvements, these assessments are resource intensive and impractical during the planning phase of a humanitarian crisis. This study aimed to determine cesarean sections to total operations performed (CSR) and emergency herniorrhaphies to all herniorrhaphies performed (EHR) ratios from Médecins Sans Frontières Operations Centre Brussels (MSF-OCB) projects and examine if these established metrics are useful proxies for surgical capacity in low-income countries affected by crisis. Methods: All procedures performed in MSF-OCB operating theatres from July 2008 through June 2014 were reviewed. Projects providing only specialty care, not fully operational or not offering elective surgeries were excluded. Annual CSRs and EHRs were calculated for each project. Their relationship was assessed with linear regression. Results: After applying the exclusion criteria, there were 47,472 cases performed at 13 sites in 8 countries. There were 13,939 CS performed (29% of total cases). Of the 4,632 herniorrhaphies performed (10% of total cases), 30% were emergency procedures. CSRs ranged from 0.06 to 0.65 and EHRs ranged from 0.03 to 1.0. Linear regression of annual ratios at each project did not demonstrate statistical evidence for the CSR to predict EHR [F(2,30)=2.34, p=0.11, R2=0.11]. The regression equation was: EHR = 0.25 + 0.52(CSR) + 0.10(reason for MSF-OCB assistance). Conclusion: Surgical humanitarian assistance projects operate in areas with critical surgical capacity deficiencies that are further disrupted by crisis. Rapid, accurate assessments of surgical capacity are necessary to plan cost- and clinically-effective humanitarian responses to baseline and acute unmet surgical needs in LICs affected by crisis. Though CSR and EHR may meet these criteria in ‘steady-state’ healthcare systems, they may not be useful during humanitarian emergencies. Further study of the relationship between direct surgical capacity improvements and these ratios is necessary to document their role in humanitarian settings. PMID:25905025

Introduction to Voigt's wind power plant. [energy conversion efficiency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tompkin, J.

1973-01-01

The design and operation of a 100 kilowatt wind driven generator are reported. Its high speed three-bladed turbine operates at a height of 50 meters. Blades are rigidly connected to the hub and turbine revolutions change linearly with wind velocity, maintaining a constant speed ratio of blade tip velocity to wind velocity over the full predetermined wind range. Three generators installed in the gondola generate either dc or ac current. Based on local wind conditions, the device has a maximum output of 720 kilowatts at a wind velocity of 16 meters per second. Total electrical capacity is 750 kilowatts, and power output per year is 2,135,000 kilowatt/hours.

On differential operators generating iterative systems of linear ODEs of maximal symmetry algebra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ndogmo, J. C.

2017-06-01

Although every iterative scalar linear ordinary differential equation is of maximal symmetry algebra, the situation is different and far more complex for systems of linear ordinary differential equations, and an iterative system of linear equations need not be of maximal symmetry algebra. We illustrate these facts by examples and derive families of vector differential operators whose iterations are all linear systems of equations of maximal symmetry algebra. Some consequences of these results are also discussed.

Efficiency Enhancement of Pico-cell Base Station Power Amplifier MMIC in Gallium Nitride HFET Technology Using the Doherty technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seneviratne, Sashieka

With the growth of smart phones, the demand for more broadband, data centric technologies are being driven higher. As mobile operators worldwide plan and deploy 4th generation (4G) networks such as LTE to support the relentless growth in mobile data demand, the need for strategically positioned pico-sized cellular base stations known as 'pico-cells' are gaining traction. In addition to having to design a transceiver in a much compact footprint, pico-cells must still face the technical challenges presented by the new 4G systems, such as reduced power consumptions and linear amplification of the signals. The RF power amplifier (PA) that amplifies the output signals of 4G pico-cell systems face challenges to minimize size, achieve high average efficiencies and broader bandwidths while maintaining linearity and operating at higher frequencies. 4G standards as LTE use non-constant envelope modulation techniques with high peak to average ratios. Power amplifiers implemented in such applications are forced to operate at a backed off region from saturation. Therefore, in order to reduce power consumption, a design of a high efficiency PA that can maintain the efficiency for a wider range of radio frequency signals is required. The primary focus of this thesis is to enhance the efficiency of a compact RF amplifier suitable for a 4G pico-cell base station. For this aim, an integrated two way Doherty amplifier design in a compact 10mm x 11.5mm2 monolithic microwave integrated circuit using GaN device technology is presented. Using non-linear GaN HFETs models, the design achieves high effi-ciencies of over 50% at both back-off and peak power regions without compromising on the stringent linearity requirements of 4G LTE standards. This demonstrates a 17% increase in power added efficiency at 6 dB back off from peak power compared to conventional Class AB amplifier performance. Performance optimization techniques to select between high efficiency and high linearity operation are also presented. Overall, this thesis demonstrates the feasibility of an integrated HFET Doherty amplifier for LTE band 7 which entails the frequencies from 2.62-2.69GHz. The realization of the layout and various issues related to the PA design is discussed and attempted to be solved.

Noise temperature and noise figure concepts: DC to light

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stelzried, C. T.

1982-01-01

The Deep Space Network is investigating the use of higher operational frequencies for improved performance. Noise temperature and noise figure concepts are used to describe the noise performance of these receiving systems. It is proposed to modify present noise temperature definitions for linear amplifiers so they will be valid over the range (hf/kT) 1 (hf/kT). This is important for systems operating at high frequencies and low noise temperatures, or systems requiring very accurate calibrations. The suggested definitions are such that for an ideal amplifier, T sub e = (hg/k) = T sub q and F = 1. These definitions revert to the present definition for (hf/kT) 1. Noise temperature calibrations are illustrated with a detailed example. These concepts are applied to system signal-to-noise analysis. The fundamental limit to a receiving system sensitivity is determined by the thermal noise of the source and the quantum noise limit of the receiver. The sensitivity of a receiving system consisting of an ideal linear amplifier with a 2.7 K source, degrades significantly at higher frequencies.

Pulsed helium ionization detection system

DOEpatents

Ramsey, R.S.; Todd, R.A.

1985-04-09

A helium ionization detection system is provided which produces stable operation of a conventional helium ionization detector while providing improved sensitivity and linearity. Stability is improved by applying pulsed dc supply voltage across the ionization detector, thereby modifying the sampling of the detectors output current. A unique pulse generator is used to supply pulsed dc to the detector which has variable width and interval adjust features that allows up to 500 V to be applied in pulse widths ranging from about 150 nsec to about dc conditions.

Pulsed helium ionization detection system

DOEpatents

Ramsey, Roswitha S.; Todd, Richard A.

1987-01-01

A helium ionization detection system is provided which produces stable operation of a conventional helium ionization detector while providing improved sensitivity and linearity. Stability is improved by applying pulsed dc supply voltage across the ionization detector, thereby modifying the sampling of the detectors output current. A unique pulse generator is used to supply pulsed dc to the detector which has variable width and interval adjust features that allows up to 500 V to be applied in pulse widths ranging from about 150 nsec to about dc conditions.

Entangled γ-photons—classical laboratory exercise with modern detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hetfleiš, Jakub; Lněnička, Jindřich; Šlégr, Jan

2018-03-01

This paper describes the application of modern semiconductor detectors of γ and β radiation, which can be used in undergraduate laboratory experiments and lecture demonstrations as a replacement for Geiger-Müller (GM) tubes. Unlike GM tubes, semiconductor detectors do not require a high voltage power source or shaping circuits. The principle of operation of semiconductor detectors is discussed briefly, and classical experiments from nuclear physics are described, ranging from the measurements of linear and mass attenuation coefficient to a demonstration of entangled γ-photons.

Infinite Dimensional Linear Systems with Unbounded Control and Observation: A Functional Analytic Approach.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-02-01

In particular, the optimal control is characterized in terms S of the dual system and conditions are given under which the optimal control is...solution in general and has to be replaced by the differential inclusion x - ex 8 range fi. It is important to note that 0 is boundedly invertible on...above way in terms of operators B, C, T which satisfy the hypotheses (S2-4). -9- L ’- ". * The implications of this hypothesis for the inhomogeneous

Estimation of squeeze-film damping and inertial coefficients from experimental free-decay data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, J. B.; of Mechanical Engineers, London.

1987-01-01

The results are given for an experimental program concerned with a parametric identification of the damping and inertial coefficients of a cylindrical squeeze-film bearing, through an analysis of transient response data. The results enable the operating range for which a linear model of the squeeze-film is appropriate to be determined. Comparisons are made between the estimated coefficients and theoretical predictions. Presentation is by courtesy of the Council of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, London.

Thickness Gauging of Single-Layer Conductive Materials with Two-Point Non Linear Calibration Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fulton, James P. (Inventor); Namkung, Min (Inventor); Simpson, John W. (Inventor); Wincheski, Russell A. (Inventor); Nath, Shridhar C. (Inventor)

1998-01-01

A thickness gauging instrument uses a flux focusing eddy current probe and two-point nonlinear calibration algorithm. The instrument is small and portable due to the simple interpretation and operational characteristics of the probe. A nonlinear interpolation scheme incorporated into the instrument enables a user to make highly accurate thickness measurements over a fairly wide calibration range from a single side of nonferromagnetic conductive metals. The instrument is very easy to use and can be calibrated quickly.

Hopping robot

DOEpatents

Spletzer, Barry L.; Fischer, Gary J.; Marron, Lisa C.; Martinez, Michael A.; Kuehl, Michael A.; Feddema, John T.

2001-01-01

The present invention provides a hopping robot that includes a misfire tolerant linear actuator suitable for long trips, low energy steering and control, reliable low energy righting, miniature low energy fuel control. The present invention provides a robot with hopping mobility, capable of traversing obstacles significant in size relative to the robot and capable of operation on unpredictable terrain over long range. The present invention further provides a hopping robot with misfire-tolerant combustion actuation, and with combustion actuation suitable for use in oxygen-poor environments.

Two-axis angular effector

DOEpatents

Vaughn, Mark R.; Robinett, III, Rush D.; Phelan, John R.; Van Zuiden, Don M.

1997-01-21

A new class of coplanar two-axis angular effectors. These effectors combine a two-axis rotational joint analogous to a Cardan joint with linear actuators in a manner to produce a wider range of rotational motion about both axes defined by the joint. This new class of effectors also allows design of robotic manipulators having very high strength and efficiency. These effectors are particularly suited for remote operation in unknown surroundings, because of their extraordinary versatility. An immediate application is to the problems which arise in nuclear waste remediation.

A Terahertz VRT spectrometer employing quantum cascade lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cole, William T. S.; Hlavacek, Nik C.; Lee, Alan W. M.; Kao, Tsung-Yu; Hu, Qing; Reno, John L.; Saykally, Richard J.

2015-10-01

The first application of a commercial Terahertz quantum cascade laser (QCL) system for high resolution spectroscopy of supersonic beams is presented. The QCLs exhibited continuous linear voltage tuning over a 2 GHz range about a center frequency of 3.762 THz with ∼1 ppm resolution. A sensitivity of ∼1 ppm fractional absorption was measured with a single pass optical system. Multipass operation at the quantum noise limit of the stressed photoconductor detector would produce a 100-fold improvement.

Detector with internal gain for short-wave infrared ranging applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fathipour, Vala; Mohseni, Hooman

2017-09-01