16 CFR 1500.47 - Method for determining the sound pressure level produced by toy caps.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...'s instructions. (2) The oscilloscope shall be the storage type or one equipped with a camera. It...) Fire 10 shots at each of the six orientations, obtaining readings on the oscilloscope of the maximum peak voltage for each shot. Average the results of the 10 firings for each of the six orientations. (4...

16 CFR 1500.47 - Method for determining the sound pressure level produced by toy caps.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

...'s instructions. (2) The oscilloscope shall be the storage type or one equipped with a camera. It...) Fire 10 shots at each of the six orientations, obtaining readings on the oscilloscope of the maximum peak voltage for each shot. Average the results of the 10 firings for each of the six orientations. (4...

16 CFR § 1500.47 - Method for determining the sound pressure level produced by toy caps.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...'s instructions. (2) The oscilloscope shall be the storage type or one equipped with a camera. It...) Fire 10 shots at each of the six orientations, obtaining readings on the oscilloscope of the maximum peak voltage for each shot. Average the results of the 10 firings for each of the six orientations. (4...

16 CFR 1500.47 - Method for determining the sound pressure level produced by toy caps.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

...'s instructions. (2) The oscilloscope shall be the storage type or one equipped with a camera. It...) Fire 10 shots at each of the six orientations, obtaining readings on the oscilloscope of the maximum peak voltage for each shot. Average the results of the 10 firings for each of the six orientations. (4...

Determination of Contact Time of Rubber Balls Using a Digital Oscilloscope

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wadhwa, Ajay

2010-01-01

We present a new method for determining the contact time of a rubber ball with the rebounding surface by using a sound-detecting electronic circuit and a digital storage oscilloscope. The rubber ball (a tennis ball or squash ball) is dropped from a known height onto a rigid surface and its contact time on first bounce is determined on the…

Time domain multiplexed spatial division multiplexing receiver.

PubMed

van Uden, Roy G H; Okonkwo, Chigo M; Chen, Haoshuo; de Waardt, Hugo; Koonen, Antonius M J

2014-05-19

A novel time domain multiplexed (TDM) spatial division multiplexing (SDM) receiver which allows for the reception of >1 dual polarization mode with a single coherent receiver, and corresponding 4-port oscilloscope, is experimentally demonstrated. Received by two coherent receivers and respective 4-port oscilloscopes, a 3 mode transmission of 28GBaud QPSK, 8, 16, and 32QAM over 41.7km of few-mode fiber demonstrates the performance of the TDM-SDM receiver with respect to back-to-back. In addition, by using carrier phase estimation employing one digital phase locked loop per output, the frequency offset between the transmitter laser and local oscillator is shown to perform similar to previous work which employs 3 coherent receivers and 4-port oscilloscopes which are dedicated to the reception of each the three modes.

PULSE AMPLITUDE ANALYZER

DOEpatents

Greenblatt, M.H.

1958-03-25

This patent pertains to pulse amplitude analyzers for sorting and counting a serles of pulses, and specifically discloses an analyzer which ls simple in construction and presents the puise height distribution visually on an oscilloscope screen. According to the invention, the pulses are applied to the vertical deflection plates of an oscilloscope and trigger the horizontal sweep. Each pulse starts at the same point on the screen and has a maximum amplitude substantially along the same vertical line. A mask is placed over the screen except for a slot running along the line where the maximum amplitudes of the pulses appear. After the slot has been scanned by a photocell in combination with a slotted rotating disk, the photocell signal is displayed on an auxiliary oscilloscope as vertical deflection along a horizontal time base to portray the pulse amplitude distribution.

Detection capability of a pulsed Ground Penetrating Radar utilizing an oscilloscope and Radargram Fusion Approach for optimal signal quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seyfried, Daniel; Schoebel, Joerg

2015-07-01

In scientific research pulsed radars often employ a digital oscilloscope as sampling unit. The sensitivity of an oscilloscope is determined in general by means of the number of digits of its analog-to-digital converter and the selected full scale vertical setting, i.e., the maximal voltage range displayed. Furthermore oversampling or averaging of the input signal may increase the effective number of digits, hence the sensitivity. Especially for Ground Penetrating Radar applications high sensitivity of the radar system is demanded since reflection amplitudes of buried objects are strongly attenuated in ground. Hence, in order to achieve high detection capability this parameter is one of the most crucial ones. In this paper we analyze the detection capability of our pulsed radar system utilizing a Rohde & Schwarz RTO 1024 oscilloscope as sampling unit for Ground Penetrating Radar applications, such as detection of pipes and cables in the ground. Also effects of averaging and low-noise amplification of the received signal prior to sampling are investigated by means of an appropriate laboratory setup. To underline our findings we then present real-world radar measurements performed on our GPR test site, where we have buried pipes and cables of different types and materials in different depths. The results illustrate the requirement for proper choice of the settings of the oscilloscope for optimal data recording. However, as we show, displaying both strong signal contributions due to e.g., antenna cross-talk and direct ground bounce reflection as well as weak reflections from objects buried deeper in ground requires opposing trends for the oscilloscope's settings. We therefore present our Radargram Fusion Approach. By means of this approach multiple radargrams recorded in parallel, each with an individual optimized setting for a certain type of contribution, can be fused in an appropriate way in order to finally achieve a single radargram which displays all contributions occurring originally at different strengths in an equalized and normalized way by means of appropriate digital signal post-processing.

Fiber Ring Interferometer Noise Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-01-31

data was obtained by a frame-by-frame analysis of the oscilloscope tracing " movies " obtained by changing the twist angle in 50 increments, from about...North Quincy Street Arlington, Virginia 22217 . Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited LC (..; TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. INTRODUCTION 1...sequence of photographs of the oscilloscope, each corres- ponding to a different twist angle. The resultant " movie " presents a large amount of data in a

Multiple-image oscilloscope camera

DOEpatents

Yasillo, Nicholas J.

1978-01-01

An optical device for placing automatically a plurality of images at selected locations on one film comprises a stepping motor coupled to a rotating mirror and lens. A mechanical connection from the mirror controls an electronic logical system to allow rotation of the mirror to place a focused image at the desired preselected location. The device is of especial utility when used to place four images on a single film to record oscilloscope views obtained in gamma radiography.

Electro-Optic Characterisation of Extremely Wide Bandwidth Electrical Signals

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-02-01

In this report an ultrafast electro - optic sampling system suitable for applications such as device characterisation is described. The aperture time of the sampler is calculated to be about 290 fs, implying an attainable device bandwidth in excess of 300 GHz. The sampler was characterised using a test pulse with approximately 12 GHz of frequency content, and the results compared to those obtained from an 18 GHz digital sampling oscilloscope. Signal Processing, Bandwidth, Frequencies, Oscilloscopes.

Prototype ultrasonic instrument for quantitative testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lynnworth, L. C.; Dubois, J. L.; Kranz, P. R.

1972-01-01

A prototype ultrasonic instrument has been designed and developed for quantitative testing. The complete delivered instrument consists of a pulser/receiver which plugs into a standard oscilloscope, an rf power amplifier, a standard decade oscillator, and a set of broadband transducers for typical use at 1, 2, 5 and 10 MHz. The system provides for its own calibration, and on the oscilloscope, presents a quantitative (digital) indication of time base and sensitivity scale factors and some measurement data.

Apparatus for monitoring high temperature ultrasonic characterization

DOEpatents

Lanagan, Michael T.; Kupperman, David S.; Yaconi, George A.

1998-01-01

A method and an apparatus for nondestructive detecting and evaluating chas in the microstructural properties of a material by employing one or more magnetostrictive transducers linked to the material by means of one or more sonic signal conductors. The magnetostrictive transducer or transducers are connected to a pulser/receiver which in turn is connected to an oscilloscope. The oscilloscope is connected to a computer which employs an algorithm to evaluate changes in the velocity of a signal transmitted to the material sample as function of time and temperature.

Apparatus for monitoring high temperature ultrasonic characterization

DOEpatents

Lanagan, M.T.; Kupperman, D.S.; Yaconi, G.A.

1998-03-24

A method and an apparatus for nondestructive detecting and evaluating changes in the microstructural properties of a material by employing one or more magnetostrictive transducers linked to the material by means of one or more sonic signal conductors. The magnetostrictive transducer or transducers are connected to a pulser/receiver which in turn is connected to an oscilloscope. The oscilloscope is connected to a computer which employs an algorithm to evaluate changes in the velocity of a signal transmitted to the material sample as function of time and temperature. 6 figs.

Instability and Transition on the HIFiRE-5 in a Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-08-01

sensitive paint images were recorded on Tek- tronix oscilloscopes in Hi-Res mode. When an oscilloscope is set to Hi-Res mode, it samples at its highest rate...insulators. The profilometer found root- mean-square surface finishes of 0.17–0.42 µm for the final TSP application on the HIFiRE-5. All TSP images reported...of final TSP application on spray-paint insulator 49 Instead, the decision was made to paint only the aluminum frustum (and its in- serts), leaving

Basal cell carcinoma and World War II-era cathode ray oscilloscope exposure.

PubMed

Cognetta, Armand B; Green, W Harris; Marks, Maria M; Manausa, Robert M; Horenstein, Marcelo G

2005-02-01

There is a high prevalence of skin cancer in World War II servicemen stationed in the Pacific theater as a result of various risk factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation and genetic predisposition. We sought to describe whether a possible association exists between basal cell carcinoma (BCC) development and the use of high-voltage cathode ray tube (CRT) oscilloscopes manufactured around 1940 to 1955, which were a source of X-radiation. We present a case series of 9 men aged 65 to 93 years who presented with similar head and neck distributions of BCC and a history of extensive use of early CRT oscilloscopes during and shortly after the World War II era. The patients were interviewed and their medical records reviewed to determine CRT exposure times and BCC location, subtype, and treatment. Representative BCC histologic sections were reviewed. A total of 230 BCCs of the head and neck region were identified and mapped. Questionnaires determined a minimum exposure of 600 (range, 624-9600) hours within a 60-cm distance of early CRT screens in all patients. The average number of aggressive histologic subtypes was 23.5%. The average number of Mohs micrographic surgery layers required to obtain negative margins was 1.99 compared with 1.63 in the control group treated by the same Mohs micrographic surgeon (P < .002). This descriptive study is the first to suggest that ionizing radiation from early CRT oscilloscopes may be a factor in the development of multiple BCCs of the head and neck with increased subclinical spread.

Measuring the Seismic and Acoustic Time of Flight - Lessons in Earthquakes and Thunder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leeman, J.; Ammon, C. J.

2016-12-01

When teaching the fundamentals of waves and wave propagation, students must appreciate and understand that different waves travel through different materials at different speeds. We describe a simple experiment to explore acoustic wave propagation through the ground and the air and how to use those observations to locate the source of the waves. The experiment that can be performed with a geophone, a microphone, and an oscilloscope. For this activity, students will strike a metal plate, equipped with a vibration trigger, with a hammer. The blow triggers an oscilloscope to begin recording data in a "single-shot" mode. The two channels of the oscilloscope record the output of the microphone (measuring the energy of sound waves in the air) and the geophone (measuring the seismic wave energy in the ground). Seismic waves reach the geophone earlier than the sound waves since they travel at approximately ten times the speed. Students can measure the travel time on the oscilloscope, or using data downloaded to a computer. With measurements of the travel time and distance to the hammer, students can calculate the velocity of each wave. Then, the hammer can be used at other distances from the sensors and by measuring the difference in arrival time of the two waves, students can estimate the distance to the source which they check by direct measurement. This exercise can be directly connected to common observations such as seeing lighting before hearing thunder. The activity also connects directly to concepts related to earthquake location. We describe pedagogical materials, including experiment instructions, videos and data for those who do not have access to the equipment, and simple exercise suggestions for classroom activities.

Transferring data oscilloscope to an IBM using an Apple II+

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, D. L.; Frenklach, M. Y.; Laughlin, P. J.; Clary, D. W.

1984-01-01

A set of PASCAL programs permitting the use of a laboratory microcomputer to facilitate and control the transfer of data from a digital oscilloscope (used with photomultipliers in experiments on soot formation in hydrocarbon combustion) to a mainframe computer and the subsequent mainframe processing of these data is presented. Advantages of this approach include the possibility of on-line computations, transmission flexibility, automatic transfer and selection, increased capacity and analysis options (such as smoothing, averaging, Fourier transformation, and high-quality plotting), and more rapid availability of results. The hardware and software are briefly characterized, the programs are discussed, and printouts of the listings are provided.

Characterization of a 300-GHz Transmission System for Digital Communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hudlička, Martin; Salhi, Mohammed; Kleine-Ostmann, Thomas; Schrader, Thorsten

2017-08-01

The paper presents the characterization of a 300-GHz transmission system for modern digital communications. The quality of the modulated signal at the output of the system (error vector magnitude, EVM) is measured using a vector signal analyzer. A method using a digital real-time oscilloscope and consecutive mathematical processing in a computer is shown for analysis of signals with bandwidths exceeding that of state-of-the-art vector signal analyzers. The uncertainty of EVM measured using the real-time oscilloscope is open to analysis. Behaviour of the 300-GHz transmission system is studied with respect to various modulation schemes and different signal symbol rates.

EXPERIMENTS ON SLIP DAMPING AT ROUNDED CONTACTS

DTIC Science & Technology

SLIDING CONTACTS, *STAINLESS STEEL, DAMPING, ELASTIC PROPERTIES, FRICTION, LABORATORY EQUIPMENT, LOAD DISTRIBUTION , MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING, MEASUREMENT, OSCILLOSCOPES, SHEAR STRESSES, SPHERES, SURFACES, THEORY

SAMPLING OSCILLOSCOPE

DOEpatents

Sugarman, R.M.

1960-08-30

An oscilloscope is designed for displaying transient signal waveforms having random time and amplitude distributions. The oscilloscopc is a sampling device that selects for display a portion of only those waveforms having a particular range of amplitudes. For this purpose a pulse-height analyzer is provided to screen the pulses. A variable voltage-level shifter and a time-scale rampvoltage generator take the pulse height relative to the start of the waveform. The variable voltage shifter produces a voltage level raised one step for each sequential signal waveform to be sampled and this results in an unsmeared record of input signal waveforms. Appropriate delay devices permit each sample waveform to pass its peak amplitude before the circuit selects it for display.

A comprehensive generator-line-infinite-bus micromachine model

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

Swift, G.W.

For almost twenty years, a miniature three-phase electric power system has been used by students at the University of Manitoba, in several courses and for many student hands on'' projects. It features a realistic natural frequency of about one hertz, a realistic exciter/field time constant of about five seconds, a solid state exciter, many short time constant transducers, a unique synchroscope'', and a storage oscilloscope. On the storage oscilloscope power-versus-phase curves can be observed-something seldom seen by practicing engineers or students in the usual laboratory situation. Advanced students can construct operational amplifier based stabilizers on a bread-board close to themore » regulator which is also on a small bread-broad.« less

LM Lederman's Life

Science.gov Websites

"little league" and other related institutions designed to torture pre-teenagers was much less late at night. This led to laboratory research. The oscilloscope was my essential companion as we

Fast Pulses in a Coaxial Cable.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gray, Levi

1985-01-01

Describes an experiment designed to introduce physics majors to the triggered oscilloscope. The experiment uses an inexpensive, easily constructed generator which sends pulses down a long coaxial cable, thus providing useful waveforms. (DH)

A Laboratory Study of X-to-Frequency Converters.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kartalopoulos, Stamatios V.

1979-01-01

Describes a laboratory demonstration that can be used to convert an analog quantity into frequency, which can then be converted into a binary measure using either an oscilloscope or a frequency counter. (MA)

Design concept for improved photo-scan tube

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malling, L. R.

1967-01-01

Conceptual photo-scan tube avoids complexity of internal beam scanning and beam-current adjustment by optical scan readout. It differs from a conventional image orthicon in its use of an external oscilloscope tube.

Dynamic Force Measurement with Strain Gauges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Bruce E.

1974-01-01

Discusses the use of four strain gauges, a Wheatstone bridge, and an oscilloscope to measure forces dynamically. Included is an example of determining the centripetal force of a pendulum in a general physics laboratory. (CC)

BEAMR: An interactive graphic computer program for design of charged particle beam transport systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leonard, R. F.; Giamati, C. C.

1973-01-01

A computer program for a PDP-15 is presented which calculates, to first order, the characteristics of charged-particle beam as it is transported through a sequence of focusing and bending magnets. The maximum dimensions of the beam envelope normal to the transport system axis are continuously plotted on an oscilloscope as a function of distance along the axis. Provision is made to iterate the calculation by changing the types of magnets, their positions, and their field strengths. The program is especially useful for transport system design studies because of the ease and rapidity of altering parameters from panel switches. A typical calculation for a system with eight elements is completed in less than 10 seconds. An IBM 7094 version containing more-detailed printed output but no oscilloscope display is also presented.

Smartphones as portable oscilloscopes for physics labs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forinash, Kyle; Wisman, Raymond F.

2012-04-01

Given that today's smartphones are mobile and have more computing power and means to measure the external world than early PCs, they may also revolutionize data collection, both in structured physics laboratory settings and in less predictable situations, outside the classroom. Several examples using the internal sensors available in a smartphone were presented in earlier papers in this column.1, 2 But data collection is not limited only to the phone's internal sensors since most also have a headphone port for connecting an external microphone and speakers. This port can be used to connect to external equipment in much the same way as the game port on the early Apple II was used in school labs. Below is an illustration using the headphone port to receive data from an external circuit: smartphones as a portable oscilloscope using commercially available hardware and applications.

Circuit Training.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, Jane B.

1998-01-01

Describes a research-based activity for high school physics students in which they build an LC circuit and find its resonant frequency of oscillation using an oscilloscope. Includes a diagram of the apparatus and an explanation of the procedures. (DDR)

48. DETAIL OF REAR OF DEMULTIPLEX PANEL 5 SHOWING COMPONENTS ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

48. DETAIL OF REAR OF DEMULTIPLEX PANEL 5 SHOWING COMPONENTS OF VACUUM-TUBE OSCILLOSCOPE - Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Operations Building, Napa & Alden Roads, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA

A Direct Method for Viewing Ferromagnetic Phase Transition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lue, Chin-Shan

1994-01-01

Provides a method, using the Rowland ring as a specimen, to observe the phase transition process directly on the oscilloscope and even extract the critical exponent of ferromagnetic transition. Includes theory, experimental setup, and results. (MVL)

Ideas in Practice - Making Motion More Meaningful

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cutchins, Malcolm A.

1971-01-01

Three methods of studying motion are described. A wind tunnel is utilized in demonstrating flutter. Computer graphics with an oscilloscope are used to investigate the natural modes of vibration and to track the simulated motion of missiles. (TS)

The V-Scope: An "Oscilloscope" for Motion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ronen, Miky; Lipman, Aharon

1991-01-01

Proposes the V-Scope as a teaching aid to measure, analyze, and display three-dimensional multibody motion. Describes experiment setup considerations, how measurements are calculated, graphic representation capabilities, and modes of operation of this microcomputer-based system. (MDH)

78 FR 24160 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-24

... and Introductions. 2. Working Group Reports. 3. Industry presentation: Oscilloscopes Architectures. 4. Industry presentation: 5E1c1 Technology. 5. New business. Wednesday, May 8 Closed Session 6. Discussion of...

Computer Series, 29: Bits and Pieces, 10.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, John W., Ed.

1982-01-01

Describes computer programs (available from authors) including molecular input to computer, programs for quantum chemistry, library orientation to technical literature, plotting potentiometric titration data, simulating oscilloscope curves, organic qualitative analysis with dynamic graphics, extended Huckel calculations, and calculator programs…

Low-common-mode differential amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, S.

1980-01-01

Outputs of differential amplifier are excellently matched in phase and amplitude over wide range of frequencies. Common mode feedback loop offsets differences between two signal paths. Possible applications of circuit are in oscilloscopes, integrated circuit logic tester, and other self contained instruments.

A Biofeedback Demonstration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garrity, Michael K.

1978-01-01

Describes a demonstration for measurement of biophysical signals produced by the human body. The signals, after amplification, could provide acoustical feedback through a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), or they could be seen either with an oscilloscope or a high speed chart recorder. (GA)

AIS-2 automated meter for spectra recorded on photographic plates

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

Ramendik, G.I.; Khromov, A.Yu.; Volkov, V.L.

1986-10-01

The AIS-2 system contains a G-2 microdensitometer, an Elektronika D3-28 microcomputer, an Shch1312 digital voltmeter, and an S1-72 oscilloscope, which serves as a graphics display. The system operates in the interactive mode.

Contourograph display system for monitoring electrocardiograms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golden, D. P., Jr.; Maudlin, D. G.; Wolthuis, R. A.

1970-01-01

Electrocardiogram is displayed as a contourogram on the cathode ray tube of a variable-persistence oscilloscope. Each cycle is stacked below its predecessors giving a three dimensional effect. A major change in the signal is apparent as a change in the contourogram pattern.

The Determination of Several Spray Characteristics of a High-Speed Oil Engine Injection System with an Oscilloscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hicks, Chester W; Moore, Charles S

1928-01-01

An investigation was conducted to determine the injection lag, duration of injection, and spray start and cut-off characteristics of a fuel injection system operated on an engine and injecting fuel into the atmosphere.

77 FR 30555 - Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-23

..., oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, insulation testers (meggers), and cable fault detectors (impulse... temperature probes; infrared temperature devices and recorders; insulation testers (meggers); voltage, current..., vibration analysis machines, insulation testers (meggers), and cable fault detectors (impulse generators and...

Further Uses of the Analog Computer as a Teaching Tool

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shonle, John I.

1976-01-01

Discusses the use of an analog computer oscilloscope to illustrate the transition from underdamped to overdamped for the simple harmonic oscillator, the maximum range for a projectile, and the behavior of charged particles in crossed electric and magnetic fields. (MLH)

Verbal Modification via Visual Display

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richmond, Edmun B.; Wallace-Childers, La Donna

1977-01-01

The inability of foreign language students to produce acceptable approximations of new vowel sounds initiated a study to devise a real-time visual display system whereby the students could match vowel production to a visual pedagogical model. The system used amateur radio equipment and a standard oscilloscope. (CHK)

Apparatus for Teaching Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Connolly, Walter

1986-01-01

A relatively simple opto-electronic setup is described that utilizes a cadmium sulphide (CdS) photoconductive cell to detect resonance of a stretched vibrating string or wire. The display may be either an oscilloscope or a frequency counter. Also describes an inexpensive socket for flanged-base light bulbs. (JN)

Using Musical Intervals to Demonstrate Superposition of Waves and Fourier Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LoPresto, Michael C.

2013-01-01

What follows is a description of a demonstration of superposition of waves and Fourier analysis using a set of four tuning forks mounted on resonance boxes and oscilloscope software to create, capture and analyze the waveforms and Fourier spectra of musical intervals.

Picosecond beam monitor

DOEpatents

Schutt, D.W.; Beck, G.O.

1974-01-01

The current in the beam of a particle accelerator is monitored with picosecond resolution by causing the beam to impinge upon the center conductor of a coaxial line, generating a pulse of electromagnetic energy in response thereto. This pulse is detected by means such as a sampling oscilloscope. (Official Gazette)

Low cost method for manufacturing a data acquisition system with USB connectivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niculescu, V.; Dobre, R. A.; Popovici, E.

2016-06-01

In the process of designing and manufacturing an electronic system the digital oscilloscope plays an essential role but it also represents one of the most expensive equipment present on the typical workbench. In order to make electronic design more accessible to students and hobbyists, an affordable data acquisition system was imagined. The paper extensively presents the development and testing of a low cost, medium speed, data acquisition system which can be used in a wide range of electronic measurement and debugging applications, assuring also great portability due to the small physical dimensions. Each hardware functional block and is thoroughly described, highlighting the challenges that occurred as well as the solutions to overcome them. The entire system was successfully manufactured using high quality components to assure increased reliability, and high frequency PCB materials and techniques were preferred. The measured values determined based on test signals were compared to the ones obtained using a digital oscilloscope available on the market and differences less than 1% were observed.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis of bovine milk fat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veiga, E. A.; Bertemes-Filho, P.

2012-12-01

Three samples of 250ml at home temperature of 20°C were obtained from whole, low fat and fat free bovine UHT milk. They were analysed by measuring both impedance spectra and dc conductivity in order to establish the relationship between samples related to fat content. An impedance measuring system was developed, which is based on digital oscilloscope, a current source and a FPGA. Data was measured by the oscilloscope in the frequency 1 kHz to 100 kHz. It was showed that there is approximately 7.9% difference in the conductivity between whole and low fat milk whereas 15.9% between low fat and free fat one. The change of fatness in the milk can be significantly sensed by both impedance spectra measurements and dc conductivity. This result might be useful for detecting fat content of milk in a very simple way and also may help the development of sensors for measuring milk quality, as for example the detection of mastitis.

DAQ application of PC oscilloscope for chaos fiber-optic fence system based on LabVIEW

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Manman; Fang, Nian; Wang, Lutang; Huang, Zhaoming; Sun, Xiaofei

2011-12-01

In order to obtain simultaneously high sample rate and large buffer in data acquisition (DAQ) for a chaos fiber-optic fence system, we developed a double-channel high-speed DAQ application of a digital oscilloscope of PicoScope 5203 based on LabVIEW. We accomplished it by creating call library function (CLF) nodes to call the DAQ functions in the two dynamic link libraries (DLLs) of PS5000.dll and PS5000wrap.dll provided by Pico Technology Company. The maximum real-time sample rate of the DAQ application can reach 1GS/s. We can control the resolutions of the application at the sample time and data amplitudes by changing their units in the block diagram, and also control the start and end times of the sampling operations. The experimental results show that the application has enough high sample rate and large buffer to meet the demanding DAQ requirements of the chaos fiber-optic fence system.

Design of a 40-nm CMOS integrated on-chip oscilloscope for 5-50 GHz spin wave characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Egel, Eugen; Csaba, György; Dietz, Andreas; Breitkreutz-von Gamm, Stephan; Russer, Johannes; Russer, Peter; Kreupl, Franz; Becherer, Markus

2018-05-01

Spin wave (SW) devices are receiving growing attention in research as a strong candidate for low power applications in the beyond-CMOS era. All SW applications would require an efficient, low power, on-chip read-out circuitry. Thus, we provide a concept for an on-chip oscilloscope (OCO) allowing parallel detection of the SWs at different frequencies. The readout system is designed in 40-nm CMOS technology and is capable of SW device characterization. First, the SWs are picked up by near field loop antennas, placed below yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film, and amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA). Second, a mixer down-converts the radio frequency (RF) signal of 5 - 50 GHz to lower intermediate frequencies (IF) around 10 - 50 MHz. Finally, the IF signal can be digitized and analyzed regarding the frequency, amplitude and phase variation of the SWs. The power consumption and chip area of the whole OCO are estimated to 166.4 mW and 1.31 mm2, respectively.

8-Channel Broadband Laser Ranging Hardware Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, Corey; La Lone, Brandon; Younk, Patrick; Daykin, Ed; Rhodes, Michelle; Perry, Daniel; Tran, Vu; Miller, Edward

2017-06-01

Broadband Laser Ranging (BLR) is a new diagnostic being developed to precisely measure the position vs. time of surfaces, shock break out, particle clouds, jets, and debris moving at kilometers per second speeds. The instrument uses interferometry to encode distance into a modulation in the spectrum of pulses from a mode-locked fiber laser and uses a dispersive Fourier transformation to map the spectral modulation into time. Range information is thereby recorded on a fast oscilloscope at the repetition rate of the laser, approximately every 50 ns. Current R&D is focused on developing a compact 8-channel system utilizing one laser and one high-speed oscilloscope. This talk will emphasize the hardware being developed for applications at the Contained Firing Facility at LLNL, but has a common architecture being developed in collaboration with NSTec and LANL for applications at multiple other facilities. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344, by LANL under Contract DE-AC52-06NA25396, and by NSTec Contract DE-AC52-06NA25946.

A Pedagogical Measurement of the Velocity of Light

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tyler, Charles E.

1969-01-01

Describes an inexpensive, easily constructed device for demonstrating that the speed of light is finite, and for measuring its value. The main components are gallium arsenide light emitting diodes, a light pulser, transistors, and an oscilloscope. Detailed instructions of procedure and experimental results are given. (LC)

Apparatus for Teaching Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minnix, Richard B.; Carpenter, D. Rae, Jr., Eds.

1982-01-01

Lasers are useful for demonstrating ray optics, especially in large classrooms where a well-defined, easily-viewed ray is essential. Described is a simple device that converts any laser to a projection oscilloscope (or laser spirograph). Suggestions for using the device (including demonstrating Lissajous figures and conic sections) are provided.…

Automated Slide Projector

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gould, Mauri

1975-01-01

Describes assembly of a moderately priced synchronized projector and cassette tape recorder using a single channel recorder with a tuned amplifier to separate voice and control tones. Construction requires familiarity with transistors and use of an oscilloscope with an audio signal generator. A picture as well as schematics is provided. (GH)

The Simplest Demonstration on Acoustic Beats

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ganci, Alessio; Ganci, Salvatore

2015-01-01

The classical demonstration experiment on acoustic beats using two signal generators and a dual trace oscilloscope is an important ingredient in teaching the subject. This short laboratory note aims to point out what may be the simplest demonstrative experiment on acoustic beats to carry out in a classroom without employing any lab apparatus.

Amplitude, Frequency, and Timbre with the French Horn

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Konz, Nicholas; Ruiz, Michael J.

2018-01-01

The French horn is used to introduce the three basic properties of periodic waves: amplitude, frequency, and waveform. These features relate to the perceptual characteristics of loudness, pitch, and timbre encountered in everyday language. Visualizations are provided in the form of oscilloscope screenshots, spectrograms, and Fourier spectra to…

Flute Physics from a Flutist's Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boysen, Erika; Ruiz, Michael J.

2017-01-01

The basic physics of the flute is presented from the perspective of a professional flutist. The flutist can control loudness, pitch and to some extent timbre. Oscilloscope images are provided to compare changes in these three fundamental sound characteristics. Readers can view a video (Ruiz 2017 "Video: The Flute"…

A Laboratory Application of Microcomputer Graphics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gehring, Kalle B.; Moore, John W.

1983-01-01

A PASCAL graphics and instrument interface program for a Z80/S-100 based microcomputer was developed. The computer interfaces to a stopped-flow spectrophotometer replacing a storage oscilloscope and polaroid camera. Applications of this system are discussed, indicating that graphics and analog-to-digital boards have transformed the computer into…

Amplitude Frequency Response Measurement: A Simple Technique

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Satish, L.; Vora, S. C.

2010-01-01

A simple method is described to combine a modern function generator and a digital oscilloscope to configure a setup that can directly measure the amplitude frequency response of a system. This is achieved by synchronously triggering both instruments, with the function generator operated in the "Linear-Sweep" frequency mode, while the oscilloscope…

Visualization of Harmonic Series in Resonance Tubes Using a Smartphone

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jaafar, Rosly; Ayop, Shahrul Kadri; Ismail, Ahmad Tarmimi; Hon, Kok Keng; Daud, Anis Nazihah Mat; Hashim, Mohd Helmy

2016-01-01

Because sound waves are such an abstract concept in physics, hands-on activities are often recommended to improve students' understanding and strengthen their knowledge. However, most schools do not have sufficiently sophisticated measuring instruments to perform sound wave experiments. Recently, researchers used smartphones as oscilloscopes,…

Dielectric Loss Measurements on Raw Materials.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mwanje, J.

1980-01-01

Describes an experiment used to study dielectric properties of materials. Values of the dielectric loss tangent can be determined at low frequencies from Lissajous figures formed on an oscilloscope. Some mineral rock specimens show Debye-type relaxation peaks at frequencies in the region of 1 to 500 Hz. (Author/DS)

Apparatus for Teaching Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minnix, Richard B.; Carpenter, D. Rae, Jr.

1985-01-01

Explains: (1) use of piezoelectric film (connected to power supply and oscilloscope) to reveal force-versus-time curves of bouncing balls; (2) use of bound wood splints or meter sticks to illustrate tree or tower stability; and (3) apparatus of co-axial discs with connected linking rods and suspended bobs to simulate waves. (DH)

How to Generate Chaos at Home.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Douglas

1992-01-01

Describes an electronic circuit that can function as a prototype for chaotic systems. Specific applied voltages produce chaotic signals that can be viewed with an oscilloscope or be made audible with a home stereo system. Provides directions for assembly with typical costs, mathematical basis of chaos theory, and experimental extensions. (JJK)

Determination of Fourier Transforms on an Instructional Analog Computer

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Owen T.; Greenwood, Stephen R.

1974-01-01

An analog computer program to find and display the Fourier transform of some real, even functions is described. Oscilloscope traces are shown for Fourier transforms of a rectangular pulse, a Gaussian, a cosine wave, and a delayed narrow pulse. Instructional uses of the program are discussed briefly. (DT)

Inexpensive Data Acquisition with a Sound Card

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hassan, Umer; Pervaiz, Saad; Anwar, Muhammad Sabieh

2011-01-01

Signal generators, oscilloscopes, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems are standard components of the modern experimental physics laboratory. The sound card, a built-in component in the ubiquitous personal computer, can be utilized for all three of these tasks and offers an attractive option for labs in developing countries such as…

Electronic skewing circuit monitors exact position of object underwater

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roller, R.; Yaroshuk, N.

1967-01-01

Linear Variable Differential Transformer /LVDT/ electronic skewing circuit guides a long cylindrical capsule underwater into a larger tube so that it does not contact the tube wall. This device detects movement of the capsule from a reference point and provides a continuous signal that is monitored on an oscilloscope.

On the Intensity Profile of Electric Lamps and Light Bulbs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bacalla, Xavier; Salumbides, Edcel John

2013-01-01

We demonstrate that the time profile of the light intensity from domestic lighting sources exhibits simple yet interesting properties that foster lively student discussions. We monitor the light intensity of an industrial fluorescent lamp (also known as TL) and an incandescent bulb using a photodetector connected to an oscilloscope. The light…

Demonstrations of Optical Spectra with a Video Camera

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kraftmakher, Yaakov

2012-01-01

The use of a video camera may markedly improve demonstrations of optical spectra. First, the output electrical signal from the camera, which provides full information about a picture to be transmitted, can be used for observing the radiant power spectrum on the screen of a common oscilloscope. Second, increasing the magnification by the camera…

Biological Investigations of Adaptive Networks: Neuronal Control of Conditioned Responses

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-01

The program also controls A/D sampling of voltage trace from NMR transducer and disk files for NMR, neural spikes, and synchronization. * HSAD . Basic...format which ANALYZE (by John Desmond) can read. e FIG.HIRES Reads C-64 HSAD files and EVENT NMR files and generates oscilloscope-like figures showing

It Is Worth Thoroughly Looking at the Computer Display

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kraftmakher, Yaakov

2009-01-01

Two useful observations are possible when thoroughly looking at the cathode-ray display of a computer. First, the structure of a color image is seen with a moderate magnification. Second, the decay of different phosphors corresponding to the red, green, and blue primary colors is observable with a photodiode and oscilloscope.

Inventory Control: A Small Electronic Device for Studying Chemical Kinetics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perez-Rodriguez, A. L.; Calvo-Aguilar, J. L.

1984-01-01

Shows how the rate of reaction can be studied using a simple electronic device that overcomes the difficulty students encounter in solving the differential equations describing chemical equilibrium. The device, used in conjunction with an oscilloscope, supplies the voltages that represent the chemical variables that take part in the equilibrium.…

Electronic Device of Didactic and Electrometric Interest for the Study of RLC Circuits.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rodriguez, Angel L. Perez; And Others

1979-01-01

Presents a method of studying RLC circuits with the help of the oscilloscope in the XYZ mode, complemented by an electronic device which generates a marker-trace on the screen and which is used to measure frequencies without the need of a reference point on the screen. (Author/GA)

Circuit For Current-vs.-Voltage Tests Of Semiconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huston, Steven W.

1991-01-01

Circuit designed for measurement of dc current-versus-voltage characteristics of semiconductor devices. Operates in conjunction with x-y pen plotter or digital storage oscilloscope, which records data. Includes large feedback resistors to prevent high currents damaging device under test. Principal virtues: low cost, simplicity, and compactness. Also used to evaluate diodes and transistors.

Measuring the speed of sound in a solid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Key, Tony; Smidrovskis, Robert; From, Milton

2000-02-01

The speed of sound in a solid is measured using an oscilloscope, a square-wave oscillator and a piezo-electric pick-up. A study of the relationship between the distance traveled and the time of arrival of the sound pulse allows a graphical determination of the speed of the pulse in the lucite rod.

A Circuit to Demonstrate Phase Relationships in "RLC" Circuits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sokol, P. E.; Warren, G.; Zheng, B.; Smith, P.

2013-01-01

We have developed a circuit to demonstrate the phase relationships between resistive and reactive elements in series "RLC" circuits. We utilize a differential amplifier to allow the phases of the three elements and the current to be simultaneously displayed on an inexpensive four channel oscilloscope. We have included a novel circuit…

Free-running waveform characterization using a delay-time tunable laser based delay-line-free electro-optic sampling oscilloscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Gong-Ru

2002-12-01

We develop a delay-line-free and frequency traceable electro-optic sampling oscilloscope by use of a digital phase-locked loop phase shifter (PLL-PS) controlled delay-time-tunable gain-switched laser diode (GSLD). The home-made voltage-controllable PLL-PS exhibits a linear transfer function with ultra-wide phase shifting range of ±350° and tuning error of <±5%, which benefits the advantages of frequency tracking to free-running signals with suppressed timing-jitter. The maximum delay-time of PLL-PS controlled GSLD is up to 1.95 periods by changing the controlling voltage ( VREF) from -3.5 to 3.5 V, which corresponds to 3.9 ns at repetition frequency of 500 MHz. The tuning responsivity and resolution are about 0.56 ns/V and 0.15˜0.2 ps, respectively. The maximum delay-time switching bandwidth of 100 Hz is determined under the control of a saw-tooth modulated VREF function. The waveform sampling of microwave PECL signals generated from a free-running digital frequency divider is performed with acceptable measuring deviation.

Progress Toward Accurate Measurements of Power Consumptions of DBD Plasma Actuators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ashpis, David E.; Laun, Matthew C.; Griebeler, Elmer L.

2012-01-01

The accurate measurement of power consumption by Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma actuators is a challenge due to the characteristics of the actuator current signal. Micro-discharges generate high-amplitude, high-frequency current spike transients superimposed on a low-amplitude, low-frequency current. We have used a high-speed digital oscilloscope to measure the actuator power consumption using the Shunt Resistor method and the Monitor Capacitor method. The measurements were performed simultaneously and compared to each other in a time-accurate manner. It was found that low signal-to-noise ratios of the oscilloscopes used, in combination with the high dynamic range of the current spikes, make the Shunt Resistor method inaccurate. An innovative, nonlinear signal compression circuit was applied to the actuator current signal and yielded excellent agreement between the two methods. The paper describes the issues and challenges associated with performing accurate power measurements. It provides insights into the two methods including new insight into the Lissajous curve of the Monitor Capacitor method. Extension to a broad range of parameters and further development of the compression hardware will be performed in future work.

A computerized system based on an alternative pulse echo immersion technique for acoustic characterization of non-porous solid tissue mimicking materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazihah Mat Daud, Anis; Jaafar, Rosly; Kadri Ayop, Shahrul; Supar Rohani, Md

2018-04-01

This paper discusses the development of a computerized acoustic characterization system of non-porous solid tissue mimicking materials. This system employs an alternative pulse echo immersion technique and consists of a pulser/receiver generator, a transducer used as both a transmitter and a receiver, a digital oscilloscope, and a personal computer with a custom-developed program installed. The program was developed on the LabVIEW 2012 platform and comprises two main components, a user interface and a block diagram. The user interface consists of three panels: a signal acquisition and selection panel, a display panel, and a calculation panel. The block diagram comprises four blocks: a signal acquisition block, a peak signal analysis block, an acoustic properties calculation and display block, and an additional block. Interestingly, the system can be operated in both online and offline modes. For the online mode, the measurements are performed by connecting the system with a Rigol DS2000 Series digital oscilloscope. In contrast, the measurements are carried out by processing the saved data on the computer for the offline mode. The accuracy and consistency of the developed system was validated by a KB-Aerotech Alpha Series transducer with 5 MHz center frequency and a Rigol DS2202 two-channel 200 MHz 2 GSa s-1 digital oscilloscope, based on the measurement of the acoustic properties of three poly(methyl methacrylate) samples immersed in a medium at a temperature of (24.0  ±  0.1) °C. The findings indicated that the accuracy and consistency of the developed system was exceptionally high, within a 1.04% margin of error compared to the reference values. As such, this computerized system can be efficiently used for the acoustic characterization of non-porous solid tissues, given its spontaneous display of results, user-friendly interface, and convenient hardware connection.

Rapid testing of pulse transformers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grillo, J.

1980-01-01

Quality-control testing of pulse transformers is speeded up by method for determining rise time and droop. Instead of using oscilloscope and square-wave generator to measure these characteristics directly, method uses voltmeter and sine-wave generator to measure them indirectly in about one-tenth time. Droop and rise time are determined by measuring input/output voltage ratio at just four frequencies.

Grain refinement control in gas-shielded arc welding of aluminum tubing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iceland, W. F.; Whiffen, E. L.

1974-01-01

When sections are being welded, operator varies pulse rate of power supply and simultaneously monitors signal on oscilloscope until rate is found which produces maximum arc gas voltage. Remainder of welding is performed with power supply set at this pulse rate, producing desired maximum weld puddle agitation and fine uniform weld of grain structure.

MHD Flow Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

Umj) flj + GjE(Umj)flyjI A S + fS do (3.7)I This system (3.6) is integrated in time using explicit low-memory Runge-Kutta method: I U o=U" Ui =UO - ci At...signals are registered by the four-channel digital memory oscilloscopes Tektronix TDS 2414 and ASK 3107. Scheme of operation The scheme of the experiment is

85. View of specialized maintenance shop in transmitter building no. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

85. View of specialized maintenance shop in transmitter building no. 101, showing test bed with meters, power supplies, oscilloscopes, and other electronic test equipment. - Clear Air Force Station, Ballistic Missile Early Warning System Site II, One mile west of mile marker 293.5 on Parks Highway, 5 miles southwest of Anderson, Anderson, Denali Borough, AK

General Purpose Vehicle Mechanic Career Ladder, AFSCs 47232, 47252, and 47275.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-03-01

general-purpose vehicles; gasoline and diesel engines; automotive electrical and emission control systems maintenance; drive trains and brake systems...OR HYDRAULIC PRESSES ELECTRONIC IGNITION TESTERS HEADLIGHT TESTERS OSCILLOSCOPES DYNAMOMETERS EXHAUST EMISSION TESTERS GAS SHIELD WELDING...collection forms; man-hour accounting forms and reports; corrosion control procedures; troubleshooting exhaust systems, and emission control systems

Ship Vibration Design Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-01

for further development are indicated. This guide addresses the major components over which we have the ability to excercise control in the design...this same period, very fast electronic analyzers also became available at a reasonable cost. Known as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), these analyzers...An oscilloscope is desirable anyway to judge whether the signals look reasonable or not. Usually intermittent connections, 60 Hz noise, or other

The Development of Acoustic Experiments for Off-Campus Teaching and Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wild, Graham; Swan, Geoff

2011-01-01

In this article, we show the implementation of a computer-based digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) and function generator (FG) using the computer's soundcard for off-campus acoustic experiments. The microphone input is used for the DSO, and a speaker jack is used as the FG. In an effort to reduce the cost of implementing the experiment, we examine…

77 FR 25729 - Notice of Issuance of Final Determination Concerning Certain Agilent Oscilloscopes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-01

.... LIT. 7. AC line filter PCA that acts as the power manager; 8. Power supply; 9. Fan; 10. Bucket..., consisting of the fan, the AC Line Filter PCA, power supply, AC and DC cables, and wiring, is installed into... power cable on the front deck subassembly is connected to the AC line filter PCA on the rear deck...

THE EFFECT OF VISUAL FEEDBACK ON PRONUNCIATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING. TERMINATION OF RESEARCH REPORT.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

JENSON, PAUL G.; WESTERMEIER, FRANZ X.

A RESEARCH PROJECT USING THE OSCILLOSCOPE TO DETERMINE VISUAL FEEDBACK IN THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE PRONUNCIATION WAS TERMINATED BECAUSE OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES THAT COULD NOT BE RESOLVED WITH THE EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. FAILURE IS ATTRIBUTED TO SUCH FACTORS AS (1) THE SPEECH SOUND WAVES SOUND THE SAME THOUGH THEIR WAVE SHAPES DIFFER, (2)…

A system for measuring the pulse height distribution of ultrafast photomultipliers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abshire, J. B.

1977-01-01

A system for measuring the pulse height distribution of gigahertz bandwidth photomultipliers was developed. This system uses a sampling oscilloscope as a sample-hold circuit and has a bandwidth of 12 gigahertz. Test results are given for a static crossed-filed photomultiplier tested with a demonstration system. Calculations on system amplitude resolution capabilities are included for currently available system components.

Hidden hyperchaos and electronic circuit application in a 5D self-exciting homopolar disc dynamo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Zhouchao; Moroz, Irene; Sprott, J. C.; Akgul, Akif; Zhang, Wei

2017-03-01

We report on the finding of hidden hyperchaos in a 5D extension to a known 3D self-exciting homopolar disc dynamo. The hidden hyperchaos is identified through three positive Lyapunov exponents under the condition that the proposed model has just two stable equilibrium states in certain regions of parameter space. The new 5D hyperchaotic self-exciting homopolar disc dynamo has multiple attractors including point attractors, limit cycles, quasi-periodic dynamics, hidden chaos or hyperchaos, as well as coexisting attractors. We use numerical integrations to create the phase plane trajectories, produce bifurcation diagram, and compute Lyapunov exponents to verify the hidden attractors. Because no unstable equilibria exist in two parameter regions, the system has a multistability and six kinds of complex dynamic behaviors. To the best of our knowledge, this feature has not been previously reported in any other high-dimensional system. Moreover, the 5D hyperchaotic system has been simulated using a specially designed electronic circuit and viewed on an oscilloscope, thereby confirming the results of the numerical integrations. Both Matlab and the oscilloscope outputs produce similar phase portraits. Such implementations in real time represent a new type of hidden attractor with important consequences for engineering applications.

Computer soundcard as an AC signal generator and oscilloscope for the physics laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinlapanuntakul, Jinda; Kijamnajsuk, Puchong; Jetjamnong, Chanthawut; Chotikaprakhan, Sutharat

2018-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to develop both an AC signal generator and a dual-channel oscilloscope based on standard personal computer equipped with sound card as parts of the laboratory of the fundamental physics and the introduction to electronics classes. The setup turns the computer into the two channel measured device which can provides sample rate, simultaneous sampling, frequency range, filters and others essential capabilities required to perform amplitude, phase and frequency measurements of AC signal. The AC signal also generate from the same computer sound card output simultaneously in any waveform such as sine, square, triangle, saw-toothed pulsed, swept sine and white noise etc. These can convert an inexpensive PC sound card into powerful device, which allows the students to measure physical phenomena with their own PCs either at home or at university attendance. A graphic user interface software was developed for control and analysis, including facilities for data recording, signal processing and real time measurement display. The result is expanded utility of self-learning for the students in the field of electronics both AC and DC circuits, including the sound and vibration experiments.

Design of a CMOS integrated on-chip oscilloscope for spin wave characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Egel, Eugen; Meier, Christian; Csaba, György; Breitkreutz-von Gamm, Stephan

2017-05-01

Spin waves can perform some optically-inspired computing algorithms, e.g. the Fourier transform, directly than it is done with the CMOS logic. This article describes a new approach for on-chip characterization of spin wave based devices. The readout circuitry for the spin waves is simulated with 65-nm CMOS technology models. Commonly used circuits for Radio Frequency (RF) receivers are implemented to detect a sinusoidal ultra-wideband (5-50 GHz) signal with an amplitude of at least 15 μV picked up by a loop antenna. First, the RF signal is amplified by a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA). Then, it is down-converted by a mixer to Intermediate Frequency (IF). Finally, an Operational Amplifier (OpAmp) brings the IF signal to higher voltages (50-300 mV). The estimated power consumption and the required area of the readout circuit is approximately 55.5 mW and 0.168 mm2, respectively. The proposed On-Chip Oscilloscope (OCO) is highly suitable for on-chip spin wave characterization regarding the frequency, amplitude change and phase information. It offers an integrated low power alternative to current spin wave detecting systems.

Hidden hyperchaos and electronic circuit application in a 5D self-exciting homopolar disc dynamo.

PubMed

Wei, Zhouchao; Moroz, Irene; Sprott, J C; Akgul, Akif; Zhang, Wei

2017-03-01

We report on the finding of hidden hyperchaos in a 5D extension to a known 3D self-exciting homopolar disc dynamo. The hidden hyperchaos is identified through three positive Lyapunov exponents under the condition that the proposed model has just two stable equilibrium states in certain regions of parameter space. The new 5D hyperchaotic self-exciting homopolar disc dynamo has multiple attractors including point attractors, limit cycles, quasi-periodic dynamics, hidden chaos or hyperchaos, as well as coexisting attractors. We use numerical integrations to create the phase plane trajectories, produce bifurcation diagram, and compute Lyapunov exponents to verify the hidden attractors. Because no unstable equilibria exist in two parameter regions, the system has a multistability and six kinds of complex dynamic behaviors. To the best of our knowledge, this feature has not been previously reported in any other high-dimensional system. Moreover, the 5D hyperchaotic system has been simulated using a specially designed electronic circuit and viewed on an oscilloscope, thereby confirming the results of the numerical integrations. Both Matlab and the oscilloscope outputs produce similar phase portraits. Such implementations in real time represent a new type of hidden attractor with important consequences for engineering applications.

A Study on the Effects of Variable Surface Area to Volume Ratio on Closed Bomb Burn Rates

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-10-01

chrarge amnplif ier. Data acquisition was madie onl a Nic -olet Explorer Ill digital oscilloscope, followed by dlata reduction on aI PUP 11/34 coimpiterA...of Tech Jet PropulsLon Laboratory 2 Thiokol Corporation ATTN: L. D. StrandElkton Division 4800 Oak Grove Drive ATL’N: R. Biddle PsdnC 10 Tec~h Lib

Scientific Visualization: The Modern Oscilloscope for "Seeing the Unseeable" (LBNL Summer Lecture Series)

ScienceCinema

Bethel, E. Wes [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Computational Research Division and Scientific Visualization Group

2018-05-07

Summer Lecture Series 2008: Scientific visualization transforms abstract data into readily comprehensible images, provide a vehicle for "seeing the unseeable," and play a central role in both experimental and computational sciences. Wes Bethel, who heads the Scientific Visualization Group in the Computational Research Division, presents an overview of visualization and computer graphics, current research challenges, and future directions for the field.

Aircraft Assessment and Acceptance Testing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-05-01

telaque le pilote automatique, et lautomnanette, lee syst.-mes de stabilit6 artificielle etc.. A5 - La v~rification des dispositifs de odcuritd B - Essais...signals should be monitored on an oscilloscope, and modulation meter to assist in diagnosis or reasons for poor intelligibility . 7 Qualitative...conditioning in origin, so tests of the effect on com- munications intelligibility should be made in the flight regime that is operationally most

Design of two-channel oscilloscope and basic circuit simulations in LabView

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balzhiev, Plamen; Makal, Jaroslaw

2008-01-01

The project is realized as a diploma thesis in Bialystok Technical University, Poland). The main aim is to develop a useful educational tool which presents the time and frequency characteristics in basic electrical circuits. It is designed as a helpful instrument for lectures and laboratory classes. The predominant audience will be students of electrical engineering from first semester of the higher education. Therefore the level of knowledge at this stage of education is not high enough and different techniques are necessary to increase the students' interest and the efficiency of teaching process. This educational instrument provides the needed knowledge concerning the basic circuits and its parameters. Graphics and animations of the general processes in the electrical circuits make the problems more interesting, comprehensive and easier to understand. For designing such an instrument the National Instruments' programming environment LabView is used. It is preferred to the other simulation software because of its simplicity flexibility and also availability (the free demo version is sufficient to make a simple virtual instrument). LabView uses graphical programming language and has powerful mathematical functions for analysis and simulations. The useful visualization tools for presenting different diagrams are worth recommending, too. It is also specialized in measurement and control and it supports a wide variety of hardware. Therefore this software is suitable for laboratory classes to present the dependencies between the simulated characteristics in basic electrical circuits and the real one measured with the hardware device. For this purpose a two-channel oscilloscope is designed as part of the described project. The main purpose of this instrument as part of the educational process is to present the desired characteristics of the electrical circuits and to become familiar with the general functions of the oscilloscope. This project combines several important features appropriate for teaching purposes: well presented information with graphics, easy to operate with and giving the necessary knowledge. This method of teaching is more interesting and attractive to the audience. Also the information is assimilated more quickly, with less effort.

An International Survey of Industrial Applications of Formal Methods. Volume 1: Purpose, Approach, Analysis, and Conclusions

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-09-30

97 Accesion For NTIS CRA&I DTIC TAB Unannounced 0 Justification ----- ---.......................... Ry Di. t ,:; t,.: 1...months of effort. The product was important for demonstrating to IBM management the potential of the Cleanroom methodology. 3.2.4 Software Architecture ...for Oscilloscopes Using Z (Tektronix) Tektronix in Beaverton, Oregon, used Z to develop a reusable software architecture to be shared among a number

Modeling for Ship Power System Emulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-08

oscilloscope output. Also determines Tdp and Tdpp . clear all load w6inertia_JAN19.mat; % radial speed profile from JAN19_6.mat wreal=f3...Known value. See Appendix I. % Xdp, Xdpp, Tdp, and Tdpp are estimated from this program (trial and % error) Xdp = 1.7...Match Xdp, Xdpp, Tdp, and Tdpp to oscope data Xdpp = .81216; Tdp = 45e-3; Tdpp =15e-3; ib = []; % Capture classical

Spin Pit Application of Image Derotated Holographic Interferometry.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

temperatures resulting from induction heating of the test structuore through the interaction of the electromagnets and the magnetic ring. Subsequent...reference beam, and a Tektronix Model 7633 storage oscilloscope. When the laser is fired, a trigger signal from the laser power supply initiates the...rapid induction heating of the test structure due to the interaction of the electromagnets and the magnetic ring was evi(lent with the switch from dc to

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

Giraldo, L. Ocampo; Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.

For this study, we evaluated the X-Y position resolution achievable in 3D pixelated detectors by processing the signal waveforms readout from neighboring pixels. In these measurements we used a focused light beam, down to 10 μm, generated by a ~1 mW pulsed laser (650 nm) to carry out raster scans over selected 3×3 pixel areas, while recording the charge signals from the 9 pixels and the cathode using two synchronized digital oscilloscopes.

Soil Rock Analyzer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

A redesigned version of a soil/rock analyzer developed by Martin Marietta under a Langley Research Center contract is being marketed by Aurora Tech, Inc. Known as the Aurora ATX-100, it has self-contained power, an oscilloscope, a liquid crystal readout, and a multichannel spectrum analyzer. It measures energy emissions to determine what elements in what percentages a sample contains. It is lightweight and may be used for mineral exploration, pollution monitoring, etc.

Instrumentation for Linear and Nonlinear Optical Device Characterization

DTIC Science & Technology

2018-01-31

1998. 4. TITLE. Enter title and subtitle with volume number and part number, if applicable. On classified documents, enter the title classification...with security classification regulations, e.g. U, C, S, etc. If this form contains classified information, stamp classification level on the top...hundreds of picoseconds. Figure 3 illustrates example data taken from the oscilloscope. 0 5 10 15 Time (ns) 20 25 30 Figure 3. (a) A screen shot

Dynamic Range Enhancement of High-Speed Electrical Signal Data via Non-Linear Compression

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laun, Matthew C. (Inventor)

2016-01-01

Systems and methods for high-speed compression of dynamic electrical signal waveforms to extend the measuring capabilities of conventional measuring devices such as oscilloscopes and high-speed data acquisition systems are discussed. Transfer function components and algorithmic transfer functions can be used to accurately measure signals that are within the frequency bandwidth but beyond the voltage range and voltage resolution capabilities of the measuring device.

Gas Nonideality at One Atmosphere Revealed through Speed of Sound Measurements and Heat Capacity Determinations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halpern, Arthur M.; Liu, Allen

2008-01-01

Using an easy-to-make cylindrical resonator, students can measure the speed of sound in a gas, u, with sufficiently high precision (by locating standing-wave Lissajous patterns on an oscilloscope) to observe real gas properties at one atmosphere and 300 K. For CO[subscript 2] and SF[subscript 6], u is found to be 268.83 and 135.25 m s[superscript…

Software Support during a Control Room Upgrade

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

Michele Joyce; Michael Spata; Thomas Oren

2005-09-21

In 2004, after 14 years of accelerator operations and commissioning, Jefferson Lab renovated its main control room. Changes in technology and lessons learned during those 14 years drove the control room redesign in a new direction, one that optimizes workflow and makes critical information and controls available to everyone in the control room. Fundamental changes in a variety of software applications were required to facilitate the new operating paradigm. A critical component of the new control room design is a large-format video wall that is used to make a variety of operating information available to everyone in the room. Analogmore » devices such as oscilloscopes and function generators are now displayed on the video wall through two crosspoint switchers: one for analog signals and another for video signals. A new software GUI replaces manual configuration of the oscilloscopes and function generators and helps automate setup. Monitoring screens, customized for the video wall, now make important operating information visible to everyone, not just a single operator. New alarm handler software gives any operator, on any workstation, access to all alarm handler functionality, and multiple users can now contribute to a single electronic logbook entry. To further support the shift to distributed access and control, many applications have been redesigned to run on servers instead of on individual workstations.« less

Analyzing the acoustic beat with mobile devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, Jochen; Vogt, Patrik; Hirth, Michael

2014-04-01

In this column, we have previously presented various examples of how physical relationships can be examined by analyzing acoustic signals using smartphones or tablet PCs. In this example, we will be exploring the acoustic phenomenon of small beats, which is produced by the overlapping of two tones with a low difference in frequency Δf. The resulting auditory sensation is a tone with a volume that varies periodically. Acoustic beats can be perceived repeatedly in day-to-day life and have some interesting applications. For example, string instruments are still tuned with the help of an acoustic beat, even with modern technology. If a reference tone (e.g., 440 Hz) and, for example, a slightly out-of-tune violin string produce a tone simultaneously, a beat can be perceived. The more similar the frequencies, the longer the duration of the beat. In the extreme case, when the frequencies are identical, a beat no longer arises. The string is therefore correctly tuned. Using the Oscilloscope app,4 it is possible to capture and save acoustic signals of this kind and determine the beat frequency fS of the signal, which represents the difference in frequency Δf of the two overlapping tones (for Android smartphones, the app OsciPrime Oscilloscope can be used).

Single-shot, high-resolution, fiber-based phase-diversity photodetection of optical pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorrer, C.; Waxer, L. J.; Kalb, A.; Hill, E. M.; Bromage, J.

2016-03-01

Temporally characterizing optical pulses is an important task when building, optimizing, and using optical sources. Direct photodetection with high-bandwidth photodiodes and real-time oscilloscopes is only adequate for optical pulses longer than ~10 ps; diagnostics based on indirect strategies are required to characterize femtosecond and sub-10-ps coherent sources. Most of these diagnostics are based on nonlinear optics and can be difficult to implement for the single-shot characterization of nonrepetitive events. A temporal diagnostic based on phase diversity is demonstrated in the context of picosecond high-energy laser systems, where single-shot pulse measurements are required for system safety and interpretation of experimental results. A plurality of ancillary optical pulses obtained by adding known amounts of chromatic dispersion to the pulse under test are directly measured by photodetection and processed to reconstruct the input pulse shape. This high-sensitivity (~50-pJ) diagnostic is based on a pulse replicator composed of fiber splitters and delay fibers, making it possible to operate with fiber sources and free-space sources after fiber coupling. Experimental data obtained with a high-bandwidth real-time oscilloscope demonstrate accurate characterization of pulses from a high-energy chirped-pulse amplification system, even for pulses shorter than the photodetection impulse response.

Crack Propagation and Branching in Burning Solid Propellants and Ignition of Nitramine-Based Composite Propellants

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-01-01

TAPE ), %V.. ,RECORDER], WAVEFORM ,DIGITIZER AND RECORDER RPLOTER CPUTER OSCILLOSCOPE Fig. 19 S&*tic Diagram of Dat Acqisition Sytem...signals from pressure transducers are amplified by charge atplifiers and then recoiJed on - high-speed magnetic tape recorder and a 2 MHz transient...R. A. Schapery, Dec. 1985 A 92 11. Erdogan , F., "Fracture Mechanics Notes," Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University

Cardiopulmonary Laboratory Career Ladder, AFSCs 90251 and 90271.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

RAND-HELD OR UPDRAFT NEBULIZERS 74 J283 INSTRUCT PATIENT IN USE OF INCENTIVE SPIROMETRY 74 E106 MAKE ENTRIES ON LOCAL FORMS FOR ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS...INSTRUCT PATIENT IN USE OF INCENTIVE SPIROMETRY 94 E109 MAKE ENTRIES ON LOCAL PULMONARY REQUEST FORMS 92 Ell MAK ENTRIES ON LOCAL TREADMILL REPORT FORMS...SCANNERS 31 44 . IMAGE INTENSIFIERS 7 14 INCENTIVE SPIROMETER DEVICES 71 62 MULTICHANNEL RECORDERS WITH TAPE RECORDERS 21 30 OSCILLOSCOPES 35 36

Photoreceiver efficiency measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lehr, C. G.

1975-01-01

The efficiency and other related parameters of Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's four laser receivers were measured at the observing stations by oscilloscope photography. If the efficiency is defined as the number of photoelectrons generated by the photomultiplier tube divided by the number of photons entering the aperture of the receiver, its measured value is about 1% for the laser wavelength of 694 nm. This value is consistent with the efficiency computed from the specified characteristics of the photoreceiver's optical components.

Narrow linewidth short cavity Brillouin random laser based on Bragg grating array fiber and dynamical population inversion gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popov, S. M.; Butov, O. V.; Chamorovski, Y. K.; Isaev, V. A.; Mégret, P.; Korobko, D. A.; Zolotovskii, I. O.; Fotiadi, A. A.

2018-06-01

We report on random lasing observed with 100-m-long fiber comprising an array of weak FBGs inscribed in the fiber core and uniformly distributed over the fiber length. Extended fluctuation-free oscilloscope traces highlight power dynamics typical for lasing. An additional piece of Er-doped fiber included into the laser cavity enables a stable laser generation with a linewidth narrower than 10 kHz.

The Design and Implementation of a Data Flow Multiprocessor.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

to thank Captain Charles Papp who taught me how to use the logic analyzer and the storage oscilloscope. Without these tools, I could never have...debugged and repaired the microprocessors. Finally, I wish to thank my thesis readers, Major Charles Lillie and Major Walt Seward, for taking valuable time...Neumann/ Babbage architecture with the a data flow architecture. The next section describes the benefits of data flow computing. The following section

Performance Evaluation of a Prototype Underwater Short-Range Acoustic Telemetry Modem

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

SR560 Low-Noise Preamplifier – Hewlett Packard (HP) 3314A Function Generator – Phillips PM 3384 Oscilloscope – Dell Latitude D620 notebook...two Stanford Research Systems SR560 low-noise preamplifiers , an IOtech Personal DAQ/3000 Series data acquisition box (DAQ), an HP 3314A function...mono frequency measurements were two B&K 8103 hydrophones, two Stanford Research Systems SR560 low-noise preamplifiers , an IOtech Personal DAQ/3000

Experimental and Computational Modeling of Rarefaction Wave Eliminators Suitable for the BRL 2.44 m Shock Tube

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

made directly from the oscilloscope. Finai data processing was completed with the computer, printer , and plotter. Tables and plots of pressure-time...BASIC DATA ACQUISITION PRINTER FINAL DATA REDUCTION TEKTRONIX 4641 HARD COPY[ TEKTRONIX 4631 PLOTTER COMPUTER TEKTRONIX TEKTRONIX I 4662 4052 DIGITAL...79409 Columbus, OH 43201 1 University of Arkansas 1 Director Department of Physics Applied Physics Laboratory ATTN: Prof 0. Zinke The Johns Hopkins

Specifying and calibrating instrumentations for wideband electronic power measurements. [in switching circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lesco, D. J.; Weikle, D. H.

1980-01-01

The wideband electric power measurement related topics of electronic wattmeter calibration and specification are discussed. Tested calibration techniques are described in detail. Analytical methods used to determine the bandwidth requirements of instrumentation for switching circuit waveforms are presented and illustrated with examples from electric vehicle type applications. Analog multiplier wattmeters, digital wattmeters and calculating digital oscilloscopes are compared. The instrumentation characteristics which are critical to accurate wideband power measurement are described.

Heavy Ion Microbeam- and Broadbeam-Induced Transients in SiGe HBTs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellish, Jonathan A.; Reed, Robert A.; McMorrow, Dale; Vizkelethy, Gyorgy; Ferlet-Cavrois, Veronique; Baggio, Jacques; Duhamel, Olivier; Moen, Kurt A.; Phillips, Stanley D.; Diestelhorst, Ryan M.;

A technique for generating shear waves in cylindrical shells under radial impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blum, A.; Mortimer, R. W.; Rose, J. L.

1974-01-01

Experimental techniques are developed to study and measure the shear-wave velocity in an aluminum cylindrical shell subjected to a radial impact. The radial impact is obtained by exploding an electrical detonator inserted in plastic plugs mounted on the end of the shell. Strain gages, mounted on the outside surface of the shell at various axial locations, are used to obtain oscilloscope traces from which the shear-wave velocity can be calculated.

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

Takacs, Peter

More than fifty years ago, before either arcades or home video games, visitors waited in line at Brookhaven National Laboratory to play Tennis for Two, an electronic tennis game that is unquestionably a forerunner of the modern video game. Two people played the electronic tennis game with separate controllers that connected to an analog computer and used an oscilloscope for a screen. The game's creator, William Higinbotham, was a physicist who lobbied for nuclear nonproliferation as the first chair of the Federation of American Scientists.

Measuring Fracture Times Of Ceramics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shlichta, Paul J.; Bister, Leo; Bickler, Donald G.

1989-01-01

Electrical measurements complement or replace fast cinematography. Electronic system measures microsecond time intervals between impacts of projectiles on ceramic tiles and fracture tiles. Used in research on ceramics and ceramic-based composite materials such as armor. Hardness and low density of ceramics enable them to disintegrate projectiles more efficiently than metals. Projectile approaches ceramic tile specimen. Penetrating foil squares of triggering device activate display and recording instruments. As ceramic and resistive film break oscilloscope plots increase in electrical resistance of film.

Evaluation of Specialized Photoacoustic Absorption Chambers for Near-Millimeter Wave (NMMW) Propagation Measurements.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

an audio oscillator , speaker, frequency counter, and oscilloscope the spheres could be driven into resonance. This procedure was first done for the...cavity, some of the electromagnetic energy is absorbed by an absorbing media. Heating of the gas occurs with the resultant pressure change creating an...acoustic wave. Due to the double open-ended organ pipe design, a pressure maximum occurs midway down the cavity. Because of the symetric placement of the

Particle parameter analyzing system. [x-y plotter circuits and display

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, D. O.; Roy, N. L. (Inventor)

1969-01-01

An X-Y plotter circuit apparatus is described which displays an input pulse representing particle parameter information, that would ordinarily appear on the screen of an oscilloscope as a rectangular pulse, as a single dot positioned on the screen where the upper right hand corner of the input pulse would have appeared. If another event occurs, and it is desired to display this event, the apparatus is provided to replace the dot with a short horizontal line.

Laser Measurement of the Speed of Sound in Gases: A Novel Approach to Determining Heat Capacity Ratios and Gas Composition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baum, J. Clayton; Compton, R. N.; Feigerle, Charles S.

2008-01-01

The speed of sound is measured in several gases using a pulsed laser to create a micro-spark on a carbon rod and a microphone connected to a digital oscilloscope to measure the time-of-flight of the resulting shockwave over a known distance. These data are used to calculate the heat capacity ratios (C[subscript p]/C[subscript V]) of the gases and…

Elastic Characterization of Concrete Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerra-Vela, Claudio; Ruiz, Abraham; Zypman, Fredy R.

2001-03-01

Many geographical locations share a common problem of high environmental humidity. It is thus desirable to build houses that can withstand strong water loading. In this work we study the evolution of High Performance Concrete as a function of hardening stage. The technique that we use is based on the propagation of resonant audio frequency modes of oscillation along the long axis of homemade HPC cylindrical samples. An audio generator fed piezoelectric (at one end of the rod) excites vibrations in the sample. Off resonance these vibrations do not propagate away from the piezoelectric site. On the other hand, when a resonance is reached the vibration extends all over the bar. A second piezoelectric is placed at the other extreme of the cylinder. We measure three parameters: the resonant frequency, speed of sound, and loss factor. To measure the resonant frequency we connect the two piezos to an oscilloscope in the x-y mode. At resonance the oscilloscope displays an ellipse and the audio generator reports the frequency. To measure the speed of sound, we excite the firs piezo with a pulse and measure the delay time in the second piezo. The loss factor can be extracted from the ratio of the exciting pulse and the measured one. From these parameters we calculate the Young modulus, the area moment of inertia and the effective density of the HPC. These quantities are measured twice a day during the 28-day hardening time.

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

Fang, Dongfan, E-mail: fangdongfan1208@126.com; Sun, Qizhi; Zhao, Xiaoming

A 633 nm laser interferometer has been designed based on a novel concept, which, without the acousto-optic modulator or the demodulator circuit, adopts the fibers to connect all elements except photodetectors and oscilloscope in this system to make it more compact, portable, and efficient. The noteworthy feature is to mathematically compare the two divided interference signals, which have the same phase-shift caused by the electron density but possess the different initial phase and low angular frequencies. It is possible to read the plasma density directly on the oscilloscope by our original mathematic demodulation method without a camera. Based on themore » Abel inversion algorithm, the radial electron density profiles versus time can be obtained by using the multi-chord system. The designed measurable phase shift ranges from 0 to 2π rad corresponding to the maximum line integral of electron density less than 3.5 × 10{sup 17} cm{sup −2}, and the phase accuracy is about 0.017 rad corresponding to the line integral of electron density accuracy of 1 × 10{sup 15} cm{sup −2}. After the construction of eight-chord interferometer, it will provide the detailed time resolved information of the spatial distribution of the electron density in the field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma target produced by the “Yingguang-1” programmed-discharge device, which is being constructed in the Key Laboratory of Pulsed Power, China Academy of Engineering Physics.« less

Inexpensive Data Acquisition with a Sound Card

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassan, Umer; Pervaiz, Saad; Anwar, Muhammad Sabieh

2011-12-01

Signal generators, oscilloscopes, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems are standard components of the modern experimental physics laboratory. The sound card, a built-in component in the ubiquitous personal computer, can be utilized for all three of these tasks1,2 and offers an attractive option for labs in developing countries such as ours—Pakistan—where affordability is always of prime concern. In this paper, we describe in a recipe fashion how the sound card is used for DAQ and signal generation.

Novel Optical Methods for Identification, Imaging, and Preservation of the Cavernous Nerves Responsible for Penile Erections during Prostate Cancer Surgery

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

wavelength, pulse energy, and pulse rate) to produce strongest and most rapid erectile response as measured by intracavernosal pressure in the penis ...PC Fiber Rod Housing Optics 5-mm-ID Port Probe Handle Probe Stem Enlarged View of Probe Tip Oscilloscope FunctionGenerator Thulium Fiber Laser Shutter...rapid erectile response as measured by intracavernosal pressure (ICP) in the penis . ICP values were increased from an initial range of 30-40 mmHg

Handbook of Format Models for Designers of Technical Training Materials.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

extended to Raloh Rotzer of the Naval Technical Training Center, Corry Station, Florida, and to CTM2 Pamela Tornow , formerly of that training center...sheets supporting the AN/USM-425(V)1 oscilloscope training (Rotzer and Tornow , 1982). Excerpts from the job sheets are presented in the appendix. Results...Procedure Training Aid for the Learning of Initial Control S for the AQS-13E SonarTn the1-3H Aircraft. IPublished inT , ’BM Rotzer, R. and Tornow , P

SHORT PULSE STRETCHER

DOEpatents

Branum, D.R.; Cummins, W.F.

1962-12-01

>A short pulse stretching circuit capable of stretching a short puise to enable it to be displayed on a relatively slow sweeping oscilloscope is described. Moreover, the duration of the pulse is increased by charging a capacitor through a diode and thereafter discharging the capacitor at such time as is desired. In the circuit the trigger pulse alone passes through a delay line, whereas the main signal passes through the diode only, and results in over-all circuit losses which are proportional to the low losses of the diode only. (AEC)

Summaries of Papers Presented at Photonic Switching Topical Meeting Held in Salt Lake City, Utah on 1-3 March 1989. Technical Digest

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-31

a set of codes which will provide a large number of addresses while minimizing interference . We have analyzed the bit error rate (BER) of the...there will be significant crosstalk. The most severe interference will be caused by the unswitched component of the high-intensity pulses. For example...Diagram of Experimental Apparatus Q = Quarter-wave Plate P = Polarising Filter IF = Interference Filter Figure 2. I Oscilloscope trace a. of Kerr

Longitudinal bunch monitoring at the Fermilab Tevatron and Main Injector synchrotrons

DOE PAGES

Thurman-Keup, R.; Bhat, C.; Blokland, W.; ...

2011-10-17

The measurement of the longitudinal behavior of the accelerated particle beams at Fermilab is crucial to the optimization and control of the beam and the maximizing of the integrated luminosity for the particle physics experiments. Longitudinal measurements in the Tevatron and Main Injector synchrotrons are based on the analysis of signals from resistive wall current monitors. This study describes the signal processing performed by a 2 GHz-bandwidth oscilloscope together with a computer running a LabVIEW program which calculates the longitudinal beam parameters.

A Study of the Radiant Ignition of a Range of Pyrotechnic Materials Using a CO2 Laser

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-08-01

of colored smoke compositions. The experimental data serves as a us,/.I probe into ignition mechanisms, and may prove of value in the design of...Therefore, it is measured directly from the oscilloscope recording and is designated ti. Secondly, time to Ignition may be measured using the Go/No-Go or...calculated. This is designated tiG. Both approaches were examined in this study. However, because of the large number of tests required for the Go/No-Go

Proceedings of the 1980 Tri-Service Conference on Corrosion, 5-7 November 1980, US Air Force Academy, Colorado. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-11-01

the potential fiield vacialions at a plane parallel to the sample surface. The signals can also be recorded on a storage oscilloscope and photographed... storage , and overhaul is performed at the J jappropriate depot(s). If a program requires intensive management, a project manager is dcsignated and...the program include the conduct of a Triennial inspection of DARCOM facilities, thc establishment of a Materiel Deterioration Information Certer, the

1982 AFOSR Research Meeting on Diagnostics of Reacting Flow, 25-26 February 1982.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-01

wing of the Na 589.0 nm line is achieved with a piezo-electrically tuned Fabry - Perot interferometer combined with an interference filter. A second...air burner seeded to -0.01% with NaCl. Oscilloscope traces of the detector signal as the Fabry - Perot is scanned over the wavelength range of interest...lamp, SG from the gas and SL+G transmitted from the lamp through the gas. Following electronic demodulation (Fig. Ib) the three signals are used to

Spring-Blade Impact Tester

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmes, Alan M.; Champagne, James W.

1989-01-01

Record of energy relationships retrieved from compact, portable tester. Spring-blade impact tester developed to support evaluation of tolerance to damage of struts under consideration for use in Space Station. Approach offers potential for determining damage as function of change in relationship between applied and absorbed energies as applied energy successively increased with each impact. Impactor strikes specimen at moment of maximum kinetic energy after spring blades released from cocked position. Concept also provides potential for measuring behavior during impact, and energy relationships retrievable from oscilloscope traces of impact.

First Video Game

ScienceCinema

Takacs, Peter

2018-06-21

More than fifty years ago, before either arcades or home video games, visitors waited in line at Brookhaven National Laboratory to play Tennis for Two, an electronic tennis game that is unquestionably a forerunner of the modern video game. Two people played the electronic tennis game with separate controllers that connected to an analog computer and used an oscilloscope for a screen. The game's creator, William Higinbotham, was a physicist who lobbied for nuclear nonproliferation as the first chair of the Federation of American Scientists.

The use of the phasor display in studying ionospheric radio echoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

From, W. R.; Whitehead, J. D.

1981-12-01

The phase and amplitude of a radio pulse reflected from the ionosphere usually vary during the pulse. It is convenient to observe these variations using the X-Y mode of an oscilloscope to display the phasor of the echo. The variations are then seen as an oval or spiral shape traced out by the end point of the phasor. These shapes provide a sensitive method of detecting the presence of more than one echo, and are useful as a measure of dispersion.

Superluminal Labview Code

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

Wheat, Robert; Marksteiner, Quinn; Quenzer, Jonathan

2012-03-26

This labview code is used to set the phase and amplitudes on the 72 antenna of the superluminal machine, and to map out the radiation patter from the superluminal antenna.Each antenna radiates a modulated signal consisting of two separate frequencies, in the range of 2 GHz to 2.8 GHz. The phases and amplitudes from each antenna are controlled by a pair of AD8349 vector modulators (VMs). These VMs set the phase and amplitude of a high frequency signal using a set of four DC inputs, which are controlled by Linear Technologies LTC1990 digital to analog converters (DACs). The labview codemore » controls these DACs through an 8051 microcontroller.This code also monitors the phases and amplitudes of the 72 channels. Near each antenna, there is a coupler that channels a portion of the power into a binary network. Through a labview controlled switching array, any of the 72 coupled signals can be channeled in to the Tektronix TDS 7404 digital oscilloscope. Then the labview code takes an FFT of the signal, and compares it to the FFT of a reference signal in the oscilloscope to determine the magnitude and phase of each sideband of the signal. The code compensates for phase and amplitude errors introduced by differences in cable lengths.The labview code sets each of the 72 elements to a user determined phase and amplitude. For each element, the code runs an iterative procedure, where it adjusts the DACs until the correct phases and amplitudes have been reached.« less

Simple, Inexpensive Attainment and Measurement of Very High Cooling and Warming Rates✰

PubMed Central

Kleinhans, F.W.; Seki, Shinsuke; Mazur, Peter

2010-01-01

We have developed a simple, inexpensive system (< $300 US) for measuring cooling and warming rates of small (~ 0.1 μl) aqueous samples at rates as high as 105 °C/min. The measurement system itself, can track rates approaching one million °C/min. For temperature sensing, a Type T thermocouple with 50 μm wire was used. The thermocouple output voltage was read with an inexpensive USB based digital oscilloscope interfaced to a laptop computer, and the raw data were processed with MS Excel. PMID:20599881

Organo-Metallic Elements for Associative Information Processing

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-15

7844 400 MHz oscilloscope Hamamatsu Model B2297-3 Ge photodiodes Scientech Model 365 power meter Miscellaneous optical components (i.e., harmonic...dried in vacuo at 80 °C for 3 hours to give a tan colored powder 234.2 g, yield I 84%, mp > 400 oC. IR(KBr) 1787, 1733, 1683, 1621, 1557, 1467, 1375...flask was cooled in an ice-water bath for 3 hours and the solid was collected on a filter and washed thoroughly with water 2 x 400 mL and ethanol 3 x

Amplitude, frequency, and timbre with the French horn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konz, Nicholas; Ruiz, Michael J.

2018-07-01

The French horn is used to introduce the three basic properties of periodic waves: amplitude, frequency, and waveform. These features relate to the perceptual characteristics of loudness, pitch, and timbre encountered in everyday language. Visualizations are provided in the form of oscilloscope screenshots, spectrograms, and Fourier spectra to illustrate the physics. Introductory students will find the musical relevance interesting as they experience a real-world application of physics. Demonstrations playing the French horn are provided in an accompanying video (Ruiz 2018 Video: Amplitude, frequency, and timbre with the French horn http://mjtruiz.com/ped/horn/).

Microwave interferometry technique for obtaining gas interface velocity measurements in an expansion tube facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laney, C. C., Jr.

1974-01-01

A microwave interferometer technique to determine the front interface velocity of a high enthalpy gas flow, is described. The system is designed to excite a standing wave in an expansion tube, and to measure the shift in this standing wave as it is moved by the test gas front. Data, in the form of a varying sinusoidal signal, is recorded on a high-speed drum camera-oscilloscope combination. Measurements of average and incremental velocities in excess of 6,000 meters per second were made.

Measurement of the sound absorption coefficient for an advanced undergraduate physics laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macho-Stadler, E.; Elejalde-García, M. J.

2017-09-01

We present a simple experiment that allows advanced undergraduates to learn the basics of the acoustic properties of materials. The impedance tube-standing wave method is applied to study the normal absorption coefficient of acoustics insulators. The setup includes a tube, a speaker, a microphone, a digital function generator and an oscilloscope, material available in an undergraduate laboratory. Results of the change of the absorption coefficient with the frequency, the sample thickness and the sample density are analysed and compared with those obtained with a commercial system.

Berimbau: A simple instrument for teaching basic concepts in the physics and psychoacoustics of music

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilão, Rui C.; Melo, Santino L. S.

2014-12-01

We address the production of musical tones by a simple musical instrument of the Brazilian tradition: the berimbau-de-barriga. The vibration physics of the string and of the air mass inside the gourd are reviewed. Straightforward measurements of an actual berimbau, which illustrate the basic physical phenomena, are performed using a PC-based "soundcard oscilloscope." The inharmonicity of the string and the role of the gourd are discussed in the context of known results in the psychoacoustics of pitch definition.

Simultaneous sampling technique for two spectral sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jarrett, Olin, Jr.

1987-01-01

A technique is described that uses a bundle of fiber optics to simultaneously sample a dye laser and a spectral lamp. By the use of a real-time display with this technique, the two signals can be superimposed, and the effect of any spectral adjustments can be immediately accessed. In the NASA's CARS system used for combustion diagnostics, the dye laser mixes with a simultaneously pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm to probe the vibrational levels of nitrogen. An illustration of the oscilloscopic display of the system is presented.

Multiroller Traction Drive Speed Reducer. Evaluation for Automotive Gas Turbine Engine

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-01

Speed is deLermined by a magnetic pickup on a toothed wheel . Gas turbine engine instrumunelLtiouu i -designed 1f0r measurement of specific fuel...buffer seal and the fluid--film bearing measured a maximum total runout of 0.038 mm (0.0015 in.) at low speed. At higher speeds, above 8000 rpm, the...maximum was 0.025 mm (0.001 in.) except near 10 000 rpm, where the oscilloscope indicated an excursion of 0.045 mm (0.0018 in.). This runout was within

Time-Reversal Based Range Extension Technique for Ultra-wideband (UWB) Sensors and Applications in Tactical Communications and Networking

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-16

ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE ABSTRACT OF Francis Otuonye P U UU24 19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code ) 24 931-372-3374 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8/98...modulation pulse wavefom--sotware defined or cognitive. From a information-theoretical viewpoint, the two parts as a whole form so-called "pre- coding ". I...The time domain system Fig. 2.3(b) is based on digital sampling oscilloscope (DSO), Textronix TDS 7000E3. The time domain sounder has the capability

Apparatus for measuring the local void fraction in a flowing liquid containing a gas

DOEpatents

Dunn, P.F.

1979-07-17

The local void fraction in liquid containing a gas is measured by placing an impedance-variation probe in the liquid, applying a controlled voltage or current to the probe, and measuring the probe current or voltage. A circuit for applying the one electrical parameter and measuring the other includes a feedback amplifier that minimizes the effect of probe capacitance and a digitizer to provide a clean signal. Time integration of the signal provides a measure of the void fraction, and an oscilloscope display also shows bubble size and distribution.

Apparatus for measuring the local void fraction in a flowing liquid containing a gas

DOEpatents

Dunn, Patrick F.

1981-01-01

The local void fraction in liquid containing a gas is measured by placing an impedance-variation probe in the liquid, applying a controlled voltage or current to the probe, and measuring the probe current or voltage. A circuit for applying the one electrical parameter and measuring the other includes a feedback amplifier that minimizes the effect of probe capacitance and a digitizer to provide a clean signal. Time integration of the signal provides a measure of the void fraction, and an oscilloscope display also shows bubble size and distribution.

An extraordinary tabletop speed of light apparatus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pegna, Guido

2017-09-01

A compact, low-cost, pre-aligned apparatus of the modulation type is described. The apparatus allows accurate determination of the speed of light in free propagation with an accuracy on the order of one part in 104. Due to the 433.92 MHz radio frequency (rf) modulation of its laser diode, determination of the speed of light is possible within a sub-meter measuring base and in small volumes (some cm3) of transparent solids or liquids. No oscilloscope is necessary, while the required function generators, power supplies, and optical components are incorporated into the design of the apparatus and its receiver can slide along the optical bench while maintaining alignment with the laser beam. Measurement of the velocity factor of coaxial cables is also easily performed. The apparatus detects the phase difference between the rf modulation of the laser diode by further modulating the rf signal with an audio frequency signal; the phase difference between these signals is then observed as the loudness of the audio signal. In this way, the positions at which the minima of the audio signal are found determine where the rf signals are completely out of phase. This phase detection method yields a much increased sensitivity with respect to the display of coincidence of two signals of questionable arrival time and somewhat distorted shape on an oscilloscope. The displaying technique is also particularly suitable for large audiences as well as in unattended exhibits in museums and science centers. In addition, the apparatus can be set up in less than one minute.

Teaching a laboratory-intensive online introductory electronics course*

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Markes, Mark

2008-03-01

Most current online courses provide little or no hands-on laboratory content. This talk will describe the development and initial experiences with presenting an introductory online electronics course with significant hands-on laboratory content. The course is delivered using a Linux-based Apache web server, a Darwin Streaming Server, a SMART Board interactive white board, SMART Notebook software and a video camcorder. The laboratory uses primarily the Global Specialties PB-505 trainer and a Tenma 20MHz Oscilloscope that are provided to the students for the duration of the course and then returned. Testing is performed using Course Blackboard course management software.

Using a pulsed laser beam to investigate the feasibility of sub-pixel position resolution with time-correlated transient signals in 3D pixelated CdZnTe detectors

DOE PAGES

Giraldo, L. Ocampo; Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.; ...

2017-04-20

For this study, we evaluated the X-Y position resolution achievable in 3D pixelated detectors by processing the signal waveforms readout from neighboring pixels. In these measurements we used a focused light beam, down to 10 μm, generated by a ~1 mW pulsed laser (650 nm) to carry out raster scans over selected 3×3 pixel areas, while recording the charge signals from the 9 pixels and the cathode using two synchronized digital oscilloscopes.

Modelling switching-time effects in high-frequency power conditioning networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Owen, H. A.; Sloane, T. H.; Rimer, B. H.; Wilson, T. G.

1979-01-01

Power transistor networks which switch large currents in highly inductive environments are beginning to find application in the hundred kilohertz switching frequency range. Recent developments in the fabrication of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors in the power device category have enhanced the movement toward higher switching frequencies. Models for switching devices and of the circuits in which they are imbedded are required to properly characterize the mechanisms responsible for turning on and turning off effects. Easily interpreted results in the form of oscilloscope-like plots assist in understanding the effects of parametric studies using topology oriented computer-aided analysis methods.

An improved method for piezoelectric characterization of polymers for energy harvesting applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gusarova, E.; Gusarov, B.; Zakharov, D.; Bousquet, M.; Viala, B.; Cugat, O.; Delamare, J.; Gimeno, L.

2013-12-01

This work presents an improved method for measuring the direct piezoelectric voltage and energy of flexible polymers. Well-controlled stress is applied with a four-point bending system and voltage is measured in real open-circuit conditions. The presented method separates the piezoelectric part from the measurement part by introducing a mechanical switch, allowing instantaneous post-deformation discharge measurements. Oscilloscope and contact-less electrostatic voltmeter are compared. Direct piezoelectric measurements under open-circuit conditions have been performed on commercial PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and its copolymers. Significant differences to data sheet values (close-circuit conditions) are reported and commented.

The Lewis Research Center geomagnetic substorm simulation facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berkopec, F. D.; Stevens, N. J.; Sturman, J. C.

1977-01-01

A simulation facility was established to determine the response of typical spacecraft materials to the geomagnetic substorm environment and to evaluate instrumentation that will be used to monitor spacecraft system response to this environment. Space environment conditions simulated include the thermal-vacuum conditions of space, solar simulation, geomagnetic substorm electron fluxes and energies, and the low energy plasma environment. Measurements for spacecraft material tests include sample currents, sample surface potentials, and the cumulative number of discharges. Discharge transients are measured by means of current probes and oscilloscopes and are verified by a photomultiplier. Details of this facility and typical operating procedures are presented.

A quantitative method for studying human arterial baroreflexes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eckberg, Dwain L.; Fritsch, Janice M.; Goble, Ross L.

1991-01-01

A new system is described that delivers precise, stereotyped pressure changes to the human neck and elicits neurally-mediated heart rate changes. The centerpiece of this system is a Silastic chamber that is strapped to the anterior neck. This chamber is connected to a stepping-motor-controlled bellows assembly. A strain-gauge transducer measures the intensity of pressure changes. The entire system is controlled by microprocessors, and both stimuli and responses are displayed on a digital oscilloscope. The end-product of this system is a reproducible baroreceptor stimulus-cardiac response relation that can be recorded rapidly and safely in astronauts in space.

A Wavelet Packet Transform Inspired Method of Neutron-Gamma Discrimination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shippen, David I.; Joyce, Malcolm J.; Aspinall, Michael D.

2010-10-01

A Simplified Digital Charge Collection (SDCC) method of discrimination between neutron and gamma pulses in an organic scintillator is presented and compared to the Pulse Gradient Analysis (PGA) discrimination method. Data used in this research were gathered from events arising from the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction detected by an EJ-301 organic liquid scintillator recorded with a fast digital oscilloscope. Time-of-Flight (TOF) data were also recorded and used as a second means of identification. The SDCC method is found to improve on the figure of merit (FOM) given by PGA method at the equivalent sampling rate.

Power measurements of spark discharge experiments.

PubMed

Navarro-Gonzalez, R; Romero, A; Honda, Y

1998-04-01

An accurate and precise knowledge of the amount of energy introduced into prebiotic discharge experiments is important to understand the relative roles of different energy sources in the synthesis of organic compounds in the primitive Earth's atmosphere and other planetary atmospheres. Two methods widely used to determine the power of spark discharges were evaluated, namely calorimetric and oscilloscopic, using a chemically inert gas. The power dissipated by the spark in argon at 500 Torr was determined to be 2.4 (+12%/-17%) J s-1 by calorimetry and 5.3 (+/- 15%) J s-1 by the oscilloscope. The difference between the two methods was attributed to (1) an incomplete conversion of the electric energy into heat, and (2) heat loss from the spark channel to the connecting cables through the electrodes. The latter contribution leads to an unwanted effect in the spark channel by lowering the spark product yields as the spark channel cools by mixing with surrounding air and by losing heat to the electrodes. Once the concentrations of the spark products have frozen at the freeze-out temperature, any additional loss of heat from the spark channel to the electrodes has no consequence in product yields. Therefore, neither methods accurately determines the net energy transferred to the system. With a lack of a quantitative knowledge of the amount of heat loss from the spark channel during the interval from ignition of the spark to when the freeze-out temperature is reached, it is recommended to derive the energy yields of the spark products from the mean value of the two methods with the uncertainty being their standard deviation. For the case of argon at 500 Torr, this would be 3.8 (+/-50%) J s-1.

SU-F-T-479: Estimation of the Accuracy in Respiratory-Gated Radiotherapy

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

Kurosawa, T; Miyakawa, S; Sato, M

Purpose: Irregular respiratory patterns affects dose outputs in respiratorygated radiotherapy and there is no commercially available quality assurance (QA) system for it. We designed and developed a patient specific QA system for respiratory-gated radiotherapy to estimate irradiated output. Methods: Our in-house QA system for gating was composed of a personal computer with the USB-FSIO electronic circuit connecting to the linear accelerator (ONCOR-K, Toshiba Medical Systems). The linac implements a respiratory gating system (AZ-733V, Anzai Medical). During the beam was on, 4.2 V square-wave pulses were continually sent to the system. Our system can receive and count the pulses. At first,more » our system and an oscilloscope were compared to check the performance of our system. Next, basic estimation models were generated when ionization-chamber measurements were performed in gating using regular sinusoidal wave patterns (2.0, 2.5, 4.0, 8.0, 15 sec/cycle). During gated irradiation with the regular patterns, the number of the pulses per one gating window was measured using our system. Correlation between the number of the pulses per one gating and dose per the gating window were assessed to generate the estimation model. Finally, two irregular respiratory patterns were created and the accuracy of the estimation was evaluated. Results: Compared to the oscilloscope, our system worked similarly. The basic models were generated with the accuracy within 0.1%. The results of the gated irradiations with two irregular respiratory patterns show good agreement within 0.4% estimation accuracy. Conclusion: Our developed system shows good estimation for even irregular respiration patterns. The system would be a useful tool to verify the output for respiratory-gated radiotherapy.« less

Engineering studies of vectorcardiographs in blood pressure measuring systems, appendix 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mark, R. G.

1975-01-01

A small, portable, relatively inexpensive computer system was developed for on-line use in clinical or laboratory situations. The system features an integrated hardware-software package that permits use of all peripherals, such as analog-to-digital converter, oscilloscope, plotter, digital bus, with an interpreter constructed around the BASIC programming language. The system is conceptually similar to the LINC system developed in 1962, but is more compact and powerful due to intervening advances in integrated circuit technology. A description of the hardware of the system was given. A reference manual, user manual, and programming guides were also presented. Finally, a stereo display system for vectorcardiograms was described.

Method and apparatus for characterizing reflected ultrasonic pulses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, William T. (Inventor); Cantrell, John H., Jr. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

The invention is a method of and apparatus for characterizing the amplitudes of a sequence of reflected pulses R1, R2, and R3 by converting them into corresponding electric signals E1, E2, and E3 to substantially the same value during each sequence thereby restoring the reflected pulses R1, R2, and R3 to their initial reflection values by timing means, an exponential generator, and a time gain compensator. Envelope and baseline reject circuits permit the display and accurate location of the time spaced sequence of electric signals having substantially the same amplitude on a measurement scale on a suitable video display or oscilloscope.

Three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning.

PubMed

Fredfeldt, K E; Holm, H H; Pedersen, J F

1984-01-01

Simple experiments which form the basis for a true 3-D demonstration of sectional images are presented and a method for genuine 3-D display of dynamic ultrasound images is described. Eight ultrasound images are recorded with a slightly different angulation of the transducer. The images are extracted from the video signal from a conventional ultrasound scanner and stored in eight digital memories. After recording, each image is displayed on an oscilloscope screen, which is viewed via a fast oscillating mirror. The position of the mirror determines which of the eight images are to be displayed and thereby ensures a correct spatial relationship of the images, resulting in a true 3-D scan presentation.

Contribution of the channel electron multiplier to the race of vacuum tubes towards picosecond resolution time

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

Pietri, G.

1977-02-01

The ability to tightly pack millions of microscopic secondary emitting channels into a two-dimensional, very thin, array known as a microchannel plate (MCP) provides excellent electrical charge or current amplification associated with an extremely short response time as well as very good spatial resolution. The ultimate performances in spatial and temporal resolutions achieved by MCP-based vacuum devices are discussed and illustrated by the description of a large range of experimental prototypes (photomultipliers, oscilloscope tubes, streak camera tubes, etc.) designed and produced at LEP, then tested in cooperation with Nuclear Research and Plasma Physics Centers in Europe and USA.

Mach-Zehnder interferometer-based recording system for WACO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woerner, R.

1988-06-01

EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Los Alamos Operations (LAO) designed and built a Mach-Zehnder-interferometer-based recording system to record low-bandwidth pulses. This work was undertaken at the request of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, P-14 Fast Transient Plasma Measurement group. The system was fielded on WACO and its performance compared with that of a conventional recording system fielded on the same event. The results of the fielding showed that for low bandwidth applications like the WACO experiment, the M-Z-based system provides the same data quality and dynamic range as the conventional oscilloscope system, but it is far less complex and uses fewer recorders.

Resistive method for measuring the disintegration speed of Prince Rupert's drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bochkov, Mark; Gusenkova, Daria; Glushkov, Evgenii; Zotova, Julia; Zhabin, S. N.

2016-09-01

We have successfully applied the resistance grid technique to measure the disintegration speed in a special type of glass objects, widely known as Prince Rupert's drops. We use a fast digital oscilloscope and a simple electrical circuit, glued to the surface of the drops, to detect the voltage changes, corresponding to the breaks in the specific parts of the drops. The results obtained using this method are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions and previously published data. Moreover, the proposed experimental setup does not include any expensive equipment (such as a high-speed camera) and can therefore be widely used in high schools and universities.

Zinc-oxygen battery development program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bourland, Deborah S.

1991-01-01

The purpose of this Zinc-Oxygen development program is to incorporate the improved air/oxygen cathode and zinc anode technology developed in recent years into relatively large cells (150-200 amp/hr, 25-100 hour rate) and smaller high rate cells (9-12 amp/hr, 3-12 hour rate). Existing commercial cells manufactured by Duracell and Rayovac are currently being utilized on the Space Shuttle Orbiter in a mini-oscilloscope, the crew radio, and other crew equipment. These applications provide a basis for other Orbiter systems that require portable, storable, electrical power as well as emergency power for the Space Station major payload systems power and for Space Station equipment applications.

Measurement of the J = 0-1 rotational transitions of three isotopes of ArD(+)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowman, W. C.; Plummer, G. M.; Herbst, E.; De Lucia, F. C.

1983-01-01

The rotational transitions of all three isotopic species of ArD(+) in samples containing the Ar isotopes in their natural abundances have been measured by means of millimeter and submillimeter techniques that employ a magnetically enhanced abnormal glow discharge. All three transition frequency measurements were made from digitally averaged signals detected through a lock-in amplifier with a 10-msec time constant. The Ar-4OD(+) transition was easily visible in real time on an oscilloscope with SNR of about 15. It is noted that the observed transition of Ar-38D(+) is more than five orders of magnitude weaker than that due to HCO(+).

Pulse speed on a plucked wire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Odekirk, Tristan; Slaton, William V.

2012-04-01

This paper serves to update an elegant experiment published in The Physics Teacher to measure the speed of a pulse on a taut metal wire. Unfortunately, commercially available units2 that serve the same purpose are priced outside the range of most high school or college physics teaching laboratories. Wakeland et al. show how an affordable adaptation of the traditional standing wave apparatus using taut metal wire and horseshoe magnets can be used to measure the speed of a pulse by using an oscilloscope to measure an induced voltage in the wire as the pulse transverses the middle of the magnets, which are a known distance apart.

Modal Parameter Identification of a Flexible Arm System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barrington, Jason; Lew, Jiann-Shiun; Korbieh, Edward; Wade, Montanez; Tantaris, Richard

1998-01-01

In this paper an experiment is designed for the modal parameter identification of a flexible arm system. This experiment uses a function generator to provide input signal and an oscilloscope to save input and output response data. For each vibrational mode, many sets of sine-wave inputs with frequencies close to the natural frequency of the arm system are used to excite the vibration of this mode. Then a least-squares technique is used to analyze the experimental input/output data to obtain the identified parameters for this mode. The identified results are compared with the analytical model obtained by applying finite element analysis.

High-speed asynchronous optical sampling for high-sensitivity detection of coherent phonons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dekorsy, T.; Taubert, R.; Hudert, F.; Schrenk, G.; Bartels, A.; Cerna, R.; Kotaidis, V.; Plech, A.; Köhler, K.; Schmitz, J.; Wagner, J.

2007-12-01

A new optical pump-probe technique is implemented for the investigation of coherent acoustic phonon dynamics in the GHz to THz frequency range which is based on two asynchronously linked femtosecond lasers. Asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) provides the performance of on all-optical oscilloscope and allows us to record optically induced lattice dynamics over nanosecond times with femtosecond resolution at scan rates of 10 kHz without any moving part in the set-up. Within 1 minute of data acquisition time signal-to-noise ratios better than 107 are achieved. We present examples of the high-sensitivity detection of coherent phonons in superlattices and of the coherent acoustic vibration of metallic nanoparticles.

Electrical and thermal conductance quantization in nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nawrocki, Waldemar

2008-10-01

In the paper problems of electron transport in mesoscopic structures and nanostructures are considered. The electrical conductance of nanowires was measured in a simple experimental system. Investigations have been performed in air at room temperature measuring the conductance between two vibrating metal wires with standard oscilloscope. Conductance quantization in units of G0 = 2e2/h = (12.9 kΩ)-1 up to five quanta of conductance has been observed for nanowires formed in many metals. The explanation of this universal phenomena is the formation of a nanometer-sized wire (nanowire) between macroscopic metallic contacts which induced, due to theory proposed by Landauer, the quantization of conductance. Thermal problems in nanowires are also discussed in the paper.

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

Williams, S.H.; Oxoby, G.J.; Trang, Q.H.

The advent of the personal microcomputer provides a new tool for the debugging, calibration and monitoring of small scale physics apparatus; e.g., a single detector being developed for a larger physics apparatus. With an appropriate interface these microcomputer systems provide a low cost (1/3 the cost of a comparable minicomputer system), convenient, dedicated, portable system which can be used in a fashion similar to that of portable oscilloscopes. Here we describe an interface between the Apple computer and CAMAC which is now being used to study the detector for a Cerenkov ring-imaging device. The Apple is particularly well-suited to thismore » application because of its ease of use, hi-resolution graphics peripheral buss and documentation support.« less

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

Oxoby, G.J.; Trang, Q.H.; Williams, S.H.

The advent of the personal microcomputer provides a new tool for the debugging, calibration and monitoring of small scale physics apparatus, e.g., a single detector being developed for a larger physics apparatus. With an appropriate interface these microcomputer systems provide a low cost (1/3 the cost of a comparable minicomputer system), convenient, dedicated, portable system which can be used in a fashion similar to that of portable oscilloscopes. Here, an interface between the Apple computer and CAMAC which is now being used to study the detector for a Cerenkov ring-imaging device is described. The Apple is particularly well-suited to thismore » application because of its ease of use, hi-resolution graphics, peripheral bus and documentation support.« less

Simulink-aided Design and Implementation of Sensorless BLDC Motor Digital Control System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhilenkov, A. A.; Tsvetkov, Y. N.; Chistov, V. B.; Nyrkov, A. P.; Sokolov, S. S.

2017-07-01

The paper describes the process of creating of brushless direct current motor’s digital control system. The target motor has no speed sensor, so back-EMF method is used for commutation control. Authors show how to model the control system in MatLab/Simulink and to test it onboard STM32F4 microcontroller.This technology allows to create the most flexible system, which will control possible with a personal computer by communication lines. It is possible to examine the signals in the circuit of the actuator without any external measuring instruments - testers, oscilloscopes, etc. - and output waveforms and measured values of signals directly on the host PC.

A study of time over threshold (TOT) technique for plastic scintillator counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jin-Jie; Heng, Yue-Kun; Sun, Zhi-Jia; Wu, Chong; Zhao, Yu-Da; Yang, Gui-An; Jiang, Chun-Hua

2008-03-01

A new charge measurement method, time over threshold (TOT), has been used in some gas detectors lately. Here TOT is studied for TOF system, made of plastic scintillator counter, which can simplify the electronics of the system. The signal characteristics are measured and analyzed with a high quality oscilloscope, including noise, pedestal, signal amplitude, total charge, rise time and the correlation between them. The TOT and charge are related and can be fitted by some empirical formula. The charge measurement resolution by TOT is given and this will help the design of TOF electronics. Supported by BEPCII Project, CAS Knowledge Innovation Program U602 and U-34 (IHEP)

Device for recording the 20 Hz - 200 KHz sound frequency spectrum using teletransmission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baciu, I.

1974-01-01

The device described consists of two distinct parts: (1) The sound pickup system consisting of the wide-frequency band condenser microphone which contains in the same assembly the frequency-modulated oscillator and the output stage. Being transistorized and small, this system can be easily moved, so that sounds can be picked up even in places that are difficult to reach with larger devices. (2) The receiving and recording part is separate and can be at a great distance from the sound pickup system. This part contains a 72 MHz input stage, a frequency changer that gives an intermediate frequency of 30 MHz and a multichannel analyzer coupled to an oscilloscope and a recorder.

Mach-Zehnder interferometer-based recording system for WACO

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

Woerner, R.

1988-06-01

EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Los Alamos Operations (LAO) designed and built a Mach-Zehnder-interferometer-based recording system to record low-bandwidth pulses. This work was undertaken at the request of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, P-14 Fast Transient Plasma Measurement group. The system was fielded on WACO and its performance compared with that of a conventional recording system fielded on the same event. The results of the fielding showed that for low bandwidth applications like the WACO experiment, the M-Z-based system provides the same data quality and dynamic range as the conventional oscilloscope system, but it is far less complex andmore » uses fewer recorders. 4 figs.« less

Tumor-specific frequencies and ocular melanoma.

PubMed

Milham, Samuel; Stetzer, David

2017-01-01

Specific kilohertz frequencies in the environment from variable frequency drives on electric motors at a liquid natural gas compressor and storage station on a natural gas pipeline seem to be associated with the development of a very rare cancer, ocular melanoma, at a high school and in individuals living or working in a neighborhood near the plant. Primary neutral-to-earth oscilloscope voltage waveforms and spectra measured near the high school were nearly identical to the ground voltage 2.3 miles away at the gas pipeline. Peak frequencies of 7440 and 19,980 Hz were found at both places. The electric utility practice of using the earth as a conduit for return currents facilitated this exposure.

A Real-Time Phase Vector Display for EEG Monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finger, Herbert J.; Anliker, James E.; Rimmer, Tamara

1973-01-01

A real-time, computer-based, phase vector display system has been developed which will output a vector whose phase is equal to the delay between a trigger and the peak of a function which is quasi-coherent with respect to the trigger. The system also contains a sliding averager which enables the operator to average successive trials before calculating the phase vector. Data collection, averaging and display generation are performed on a LINC-8 computer. Output displays appear on several X-Y CRT display units and on a kymograph camera/oscilloscope unit which is used to generate photographs of time-varying phase vectors or contourograms of time-varying averages of input functions.

Experimental determination of quantum-well lifetime effect on large-signal resonant tunneling diode switching time

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

Growden, Tyler A.; Berger, Paul R., E-mail: pberger@ieee.org; Brown, E. R.

An experimental determination is presented of the effect the quantum-well lifetime has on a large-signal resonant tunneling diode (RTD) switching time. Traditional vertical In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As/AlAs RTDs were grown, fabricated, and characterized. The switching time was measured with a high-speed oscilloscope and found to be close to the sum of the calculated RC-limited 10%–90% switching time and the quantum-well quasibound-state lifetime. This method displays experimental evidence that the two intrinsic resonant-tunneling characteristic times act independently, and that the quasibound-state lifetime then serves as a quantum-limit on the large-signal speed of RTDs.

ELECTRIC PULSE GENERATOR

DOEpatents

Buntenbach, R.W.

1959-06-01

S>An electro-optical apparatus is described which produces electric pulses in programmed sequences at times and durations controlled with great accuracy. An oscilloscope CRT is supplied with signals to produce a luminous spot moving in a circle. An opaque mask with slots of variable width transmits light from the spot to a photoelectric transducer. For shorter pulse decay times a CRT screen which emits UV can be used with a UVtransmitting filter and a UV- sensitive photoelectric cell. Pulses are varied by changing masks or by using masks with variable slots. This device may be used in multiple arrangements to produce other pulse aT rangements, or it can be used to trigger an electronic pulse generator. (T.R.H.)

Measuring the RC time constant with Arduino

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pereira, N. S. A.

2016-11-01

In this work we use the Arduino UNO R3 open source hardware platform to assemble an experimental apparatus for the measurement of the time constant of an RC circuit. With adequate programming, the Arduino is used as a signal generator, a data acquisition system and a basic signal visualisation tool. Theoretical calculations are compared with direct observations from an analogue oscilloscope. Data processing and curve fitting is performed on a spreadsheet. The results obtained for the six RC test circuits are within the expected interval of values defined by the tolerance of the components. The hardware and software prove to be adequate to the proposed measurements and therefore adaptable to a laboratorial teaching and learning context.

Research investigation of the physical interactions and phenomena associated with hypervelocity sub-micron particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roy, N. L.

1975-01-01

Signals from impact ionization plasmas were studied as a means of performing microparticle composition analysis. Impact ionization signal response was measured in a time-of-flight (TOF) system for lanthanum hexaboride, carbonyl iron, and aluminum microparticle impacts on a tantalum target, primarily in the 1 - 8 km/s velocity range. Oscilloscope photographs of representative ion TOF signal response are given for each material studied. Graphs and histograms are presented of the total charge collected as well as the charge collected in each observed ion mass group. Data show that ion signals consist primarily of the lower ionization potential elements over the 1 - 8 km/s range.

SU-E-J-126: Respiratory Gating Quality Assurance: A Simple Method to Achieve Millisecond Temporal Resolution

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

McCabe, B; Wiersma, R

Purpose: Low temporal latency between a gating on/off signal and a linac beam on/off during respiratory gating is critical for patient safety. Although, a measurement of temporal lag is recommended by AAPM Task Group 142 for commissioning and annual quality assurance, there currently exists no published method. Here we describe a simple, inexpensive, and reliable method to precisely measure gating lag at millisecond resolutions. Methods: A Varian Real-time Position Management™ (RPM) gating simulator with rotating disk was modified with a resistive flex sensor (Spectra Symbol) attached to the gating box platform. A photon diode was placed at machine isocenter. Outputmore » signals of the flex sensor and diode were monitored with a multichannel oscilloscope (Tektronix™ DPO3014). Qualitative inspection of the gating window/beam on synchronicity were made by setting the linac to beam on/off at end-expiration, and the oscilloscope's temporal window to 100 ms to visually examine if the on/off timing was within the recommended 100-ms tolerance. Quantitative measurements were made by saving the signal traces and analyzing in MatLab™. The on and off of the beam signal were located and compared to the expected gating window (e.g. 40% to 60%). Four gating cycles were measured and compared. Results: On a Varian TrueBeam™ STx linac with RPM gating software, the average difference in synchronicity at beam on and off for four cycles was 14 ms (3 to 30 ms) and 11 ms (2 to 32 ms), respectively. For a Varian Clinac™ 21EX the average difference at beam on and off was 127 ms (122 to 133 ms) and 46 ms (42 to 49 ms), respectively. The uncertainty in the synchrony difference was estimated at ±6 ms. Conclusion: This new gating QA method is easy to implement and allows for fast qualitative inspection and quantitative measurements for commissioning and TG-142 annual QA measurements.« less

Vibration assessment for thrombus formation in the centrifugal pump.

PubMed

Nakazawa, T; Makinouchi, K; Takami, Y; Glueck, J; Tayama, E; Nosé, Y

1997-04-01

To clarify the correlation of vibration and thrombus formation inside a rotary blood pump, 40 preliminary vibration studies were performed on pivot bearing centrifugal pumps. No such studies were found in the literature. The primary data acquisition equipment included an accelerometer (Isotron PE accelerometer, ENDEVCO, San Juan Capistrano, CA, U.S.A.), digitizing oscilloscope (TDS 420, Tektronix Inc., Pittsfield, MA, U.S.A.), and pivot bearing centrifugal pumps. The pump impeller was coupled magnetically to the driver magnet. The accelerometer was mounted on the top of the pump casing to sense radial and axial accelerations. To simulate the 3 common areas of thrombus formation, a piece of silicone rubber was attached to each of the following 3 locations as described: a circular shape on the center bottom of the impeller (CI), an eccentric shape on the bottom of the impeller (EI), and a circular shape on the center bottom casing (CC). A fast Fourier transform (FFT) method at 5 L/min against 100 mm Hg, with a pump rotating speed of 1,600 rpm was used. The frequency response of the vibration sensors used spans of 40 Hz to 2 kHz. The frequency domain was already integrated into the oscilloscope, allowing for comparison of the vibration results. The area of frequency domain at a radial direction was 206 +/- 12.7 mVHz in CI, 239.5 +/- 12.1 mVHz in EI, 365 +/- 12.9 mVHz in CC, and 163 +/- 7.9 mVHz in the control (control vs. CI p = 0.07, control vs. EI p < 0.001, control vs. CC p < 0.001, EI vs. CC p < 0.001, CI vs. CC p < 0.001). Three types of imitation thrombus formations were roughly distinguishable. These results suggested the possibility of detecting thrombus formation using vibration signals, and these studies revealed the usefulness of vibration monitoring to detect thrombus formation in a centrifugal pump.

Electron Transport In Nanowires - An Engineer'S View

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nawrocki, W.

In the paper technological problems connected to electron transport in mesoscopic- and nanostructures are considered. The electrical conductance of nanowires formed by metallic contacts in an experimental setup proposed by Costa-Kramer et al. The investigation has been performed in air at room temperature measuring the conductance between two vibrating metal wires with standard oscilloscope. Conductance quantization in units of G o = 2e /h = (12.9 kΩ)-1 up to five quanta of conductance has been observed for nanowires formed in many metals. The explanation of this universal phenomena is the formation of a nanometer-sized wire (nanowire) between macroscopic metallic contacts which induced, due to theory proposed by Landauer, the quantization of conductance. Thermal problems in nanowirese are also discussed in the paper.

Operation Sun Beam, Shots Little Feller II and Small Boy. Project Officer's report - Project 7. 16. Airborne E-field radiation measurements of electromagnetic-pulse phenomena

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

Butler, K.L.

Airborne measurements of the absolute vertical electric field (E-field) of the radiated electromagnetic pulse were attempted for Shots Little Feller II and Small Boy. Instrumentation included calibrated vertical whip antennas, wideband magnetic tape recorders, and photographs of oscilloscope traces. One instrumented aircraft participated in Little Feller II (C-131F); two aircraft participated in Small Boy (a C-131F and an A-3A). No detectable signals were recorded for either event. It is concluded that the vertical E-field intensities encountered were below the calibrated levels of the instrumentation or the method of instrumentation and calibration was inadequate for nonrepetitive pulse signals.

Photoacoustic characterization of optical laser components for 10.6 {mu}m

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

Franke, J.; Meja, P.; Reisse, G.

1995-12-31

The paper deals with the study of characteristics of damage and damage onset of mirrors and substrates at 10.6 {mu}m wavelength of by means of photoacoustics using laser pulse irradiation with up to 10 pulses per on site. One group of the mirrors which have been investigated are commercially available polished uncoated Mo - and Cu - mirrors. A second set of mirrors consists of copper mirrors coated with NiCu - or Au - layer systems for enhanced reflectivity. NaCl - and ZnSe - substrates were selected as IR - transparent materials. For measuring the photoacoustic waves generated by lasermore » pulse irradiation a piezoceramic detector is used. The simplified signal of the detector is sampled by a digital oscilloscope.« less

Automatic Tracking Radar Career Ladder, AFSC-303X3. Electronics Principles Inventory (EPI).

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-02-01

Oscilloscopes (p. 12) to low in areas such as Infrared (pp. 42-43), Lasers (pp. 43-44), and Display Tubes (p. 44-45). The 3-skill level column is...41 55 INPUT/OUTPUT (PERIPHERAL) DEVICES S1171 41 56 PHOTO SENSITIVE DEVICES S1185 42 57 SYNCHRONOUS VIBRATIONS (CHOPPER CIRCUITS) S1186 42 58 INFRARED ... WW2 00 w. 2 -O . 0 a1a 0 21 a a1 a’ 3iiihh hi V i-- 2 a a. aV oft1 cca a x ar cc a a & & it-1- " IkU4. aacW r c f a a ar - C3 j a cca o low cc t a: a cc

Magnetically driven oscillator and resonance: a teaching tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erol, M.; Çolak, İ. Ö.

2018-05-01

This paper reports a simple magnetically driven oscillator, designed and resolved in order to achieve a better student understanding and to overcome certain instructional difficulties. The apparatus is mainly comprised of an ordinary spring pendulum with a neodymium magnet attached to the bottom, a coil placed in the same vertical direction, an ordinary function generator, an oscilloscope and a smartphone. Driven oscillation and resonance is basically managed by applying a sinusoidal voltage to the coil and tuning the driving frequency to the natural frequency of the pendulum. The resultant oscillation is recorded by a smartphone video application and analyzed via a video analysis programme. The designed apparatus can easily be employed in basic physics laboratories to achieve an enhanced and deeper understanding of driven oscillation and resonance.

An OPO-Based Lidar System for Differential Absorption Measurements of Methane in the 3 micron region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, S. W.; Zenker, T.; Chyba, T. H.

1998-01-01

A ground-based lidar system in the wavelength region of 1.45-4 microns for the remote measurement of methane is described. The laser transmitter consists of an injection-seeded Nd:YAG laser which pumps an OPO (optical parametric oscillator). The OPO output is tunable from 1.45-4 microns, with a bandwidth less than 500 MHz, and a pulse energy of 1 to 3 mJ at 3.29 microns. The receiver is cart-mounted and consists of a 14" telescope with 1.57 and 3.29 micron detector channels. A fast oscilloscope is used for data acquisition. The system performance will be tested through measurements of sources of atmospheric methane.

20 T portable bipolar magnetic pulser.

PubMed

Wolf Cruz, R R; Dias, A L B; Bonfim, M J C

2010-06-01

High magnetic fields are required for the study of hard magnetic materials and, in many cases, the reversal of these fields is essential. This paper describes a portable pulse generator capable of producing bipolar magnetic fields up to 20 T into a copper coil. The peak current around 7 kA is achieved by discharging two capacitor banks through a combination of thyristors and fast diodes. Each pulse polarity has a semisinusoidal shape with 18 mus base width. Pulse triggering is computer controlled and magnetic measurements are done by an induction coil or Kerr effect acquired by a sampling oscilloscope. The whole apparatus weighs less than 2 kg. Hysteresis loops of NdFeB magnets were done to demonstrate the viability of the system.

Perturbing laser field dependent high harmonic phase modulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhengyan; Kong, Fanqi; Brown, Graham; Hammond, TJ; Ko, Dong-Hyuk; Zhang, Chunmei; Corkum, P. B.

2018-06-01

A perturbing laser pulse modulates and controls the phase of the high harmonic radiation driven by an intense fundamental pulse. Thus, a structured wave front can impress a specific spatial phase onto the generated high harmonic wave front. This modulation procedure leads to all-optical spatial light modulators for VUV or XUV radiation created by high harmonic generation. Here, through theoretical analysis and experiment, we study the correlation between the high harmonic phase modulations and the perturbing laser field amplitude and phase, providing guidelines for practical high harmonic spatial light modulators. In addition, we show that the petahertz optical oscilloscope for measuring electric fields of a perturbing beam is most robust using low order harmonics, far from the cut-off.

Ultrafast Single-Shot Optical Oscilloscope based on Time-to-Space Conversion due to Temporal and Spatial Walk-Off Effects in Nonlinear Mixing Crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takagi, Yoshihiro; Yamada, Yoshifumi; Ishikawa, Kiyoshi; Shimizu, Seiji; Sakabe, Shuji

2005-09-01

A simple method for single-shot sub-picosecond optical pulse diagnostics has been demonstrated by imaging the time evolution of the optical mixing onto the beam cross section of the sum-frequency wave when the interrogating pulse passes over the tested pulse in the mixing crystal as a result of the combined effect of group-velocity difference and walk-off beam propagation. A high linearity of the time-to-space projection is deduced from the process solely dependent upon the spatial uniformity of the refractive indices. A snap profile of the accidental coincidence between asynchronous pulses from separate mode-locked lasers has been detected, which demonstrates the single-shot ability.

OPTICAL TRANSCRIBING OSCILLOSCOPE

DOEpatents

Kerns, Q.A.

1961-09-26

A device is designed for producing accurate graphed waveforms of very fast electronic pulses. The fast pulse is slowly tracked on a cathode ray tube and a pair of photomultiplier tubes, exposed to the pulse trace, view separate vertical portions thereof at each side of a fixed horizontal reference. Each phototube produces an output signal indicative of vertical movement of the exposed trace, which simultaneous signals are compared in a difference amplifier. The amplifier produces a difference signal which, when applied to the cathode ray tube, maintains the trace on the reference. A graphic recorder receives the amplified difference signal at an x-axis input, while a y-axis input is synchronized with the tracking time of the cathode ray tube and therefore graphs the enlarged waveshape.

Design of a telescope control system using an ARM microcontroller with embedded RTOS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peñuela Pico, Cristian R.; Atara Montañez, Fabian A.; Cuervo, Juan C.; Gonzalez-Llorente, Jesus

2014-08-01

This work presents the design of a wireless control system that allows driving all the necessary instruments to control the orientation of an equatorial mounting telescope through a real time operative system (RTOS) that runs over ARM microcontroller. The control system is commanded through a user-interface which works under Android platform giving the user the option to control the tracking mode, right ascension, and declination. The system was successfully deployed and tested during a one-hour observation of the Moon. The frequency measured by the oscilloscope is 66.67 Hz which equals the sidereal speed. The telescope control systems allows the user to have a better precision when locating a star but also to cover long-duration tracking processes

Fast scintillation counter system and performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sasaki, H.; Nishioka, A.; Ohmori, N.; Kusumose, M.; Nakatsuka, T.; Horiki, T.; Hatano, Y.

1985-01-01

An experimental study of the fast scintillation counter (FS) system to observe a shower disk structure at Mt. Norikura is described, especially the system performance and a pulse wave-form by a single charge particles. The photomultiplier tube (PT) pulse appears at the leading edge of the main pulse. To remove this PT-pulse from the main pulse, the frame of the scintillator vessel was changed. The fast triggering system was made to decrease the dead time which came from the use of the function of the self triggering of the storage oscilloscope (OSC). To provide a new field on the multi-parameter study of the cosmic ray showers, the system response of the FS system also improved as a result of many considerations.

Experiments and Demonstrations in Physics: Bar-Ilan Physics Laboratory (2nd Edition)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraftmakher, Yaakov

2014-08-01

The following sections are included: * Data-acquisition systems from PASCO * ScienceWorkshop 750 Interface and DataStudio software * 850 Universal Interface and Capstone software * Mass on spring * Torsional pendulum * Hooke's law * Characteristics of DC source * Digital storage oscilloscope * Charging and discharging a capacitor * Charge and energy stored in a capacitor * Speed of sound in air * Lissajous patterns * I-V characteristics * Light bulb * Short time intervals * Temperature measurements * Oersted's great discovery * Magnetic field measurements * Magnetic force * Magnetic braking * Curie's point I * Electric power in AC circuits * Faraday's law of induction I * Self-inductance and mutual inductance * Electromagnetic screening * LCR circuit I * Coupled LCR circuits * Probability functions * Photometric laws * Kirchhoff's rule for thermal radiation * Malus' law * Infrared radiation * Irradiance and illuminance

Thomson Scattering Diagnostic Data Acquisition Systems for Modern Fusion Systems

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

Ivanenko, S.V.; Khilchenko, A.D.; Ovchar, V.K.

2015-07-01

Uniquely designed complex data acquisition system for Thomson scattering diagnostic was developed. It allows recording short duration (3-5 ns) scattered pulses with 2 GHz sampling rate and 10-bit total resolution in oscilloscope mode. The system consists up to 48 photo detector modules with 0- 200 MHz bandwidth, 1-48 simultaneously sampling ADC modules and synchronization subsystem. The photo detector modules are based on avalanche photodiodes (APD) and ultra-low noise trans-impedance amplifiers. ADC modules include fast analog to digital converters and digital units based on the FPGA (Field- Programmable Gate Array) for data processing and storage. The synchronization subsystem is used tomore » form triggering pulses and to organize the simultaneously mode of ADC modules operation. (authors)« less

Method and apparatus for correcting eddy current signal voltage for temperature effects

DOEpatents

Kustra, Thomas A.; Caffarel, Alfred J.

1990-01-01

An apparatus and method for measuring physical characteristics of an electrically conductive material by the use of eddy-current techniques and compensating measurement errors caused by changes in temperature includes a switching arrangement connected between primary and reference coils of an eddy-current probe which allows the probe to be selectively connected between an eddy current output oscilloscope and a digital ohm-meter for measuring the resistances of the primary and reference coils substantially at the time of eddy current measurement. In this way, changes in resistance due to temperature effects can be completely taken into account in determining the true error in the eddy current measurement. The true error can consequently be converted into an equivalent eddy current measurement correction.

Submillimeter ionoacoustic range determination for protons in water at a clinical synchrocyclotron.

PubMed

Lehrack, Sebastian; Assmann, Walter; Bertrand, Damien; Henrotin, Sebastien; Herault, Joel; Heymans, Vincent; Stappen, Francois Vander; Thirolf, Peter G; Vidal, Marie; Van de Walle, Jarno; Parodi, Katia

2017-08-18

Proton ranges in water between 145 MeV to 227 MeV initial energy have been measured at a clinical superconducting synchrocyclotron using the acoustic signal induced by the ion dose deposition (ionoacoustic effect). Detection of ultrasound waves was performed by a very sensitive hydrophone and signals were stored in a digital oscilloscope triggered by secondary prompt gammas. The ionoacoustic range measurements were compared to existing range data from a calibrated range detector setup on-site and agreement of better than 1 mm was found at a Bragg peak dose of about 10 Gy for 220 MeV initial proton energy, compatible with the experimental errors. Ionoacoustics has thus the potential to measure the Bragg peak position with submillimeter accuracy during proton therapy, possibly correlated with ultrasound tissue imaging.

Estimation of the ionic charge of non-metallic species into an electrical discharge through a web application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez Gutiérrez, B. R.; Vera-Rivera, F. H.; Niño, E. D. V.

2016-08-01

Estimate the ionic charge generated in electrical discharges will allow us to know more accurately the concentration of ions implanted on the surfaces of nonmetallic solids. For this reason, in this research a web application was developed to allow us to calculate the ionic charge generated in an electrical discharge from the experimental parameters established in an ion implantation process performed in the JUPITER (Joint Universal Plasma and Ion Technologies Experimental Reactor) reactor. The estimated value of the ionic charge will be determined from data acquired on an oscilloscope, during startup and shutdown of electrical discharge, which will then be analyzed and processed. The study will provide best developments with regard to the application of ion implantation in various industrial sectors.

ChiMS: Open-source instrument control software platform on LabVIEW for imaging/depth profiling mass spectrometers.

PubMed

Cui, Yang; Hanley, Luke

2015-06-01

ChiMS is an open-source data acquisition and control software program written within LabVIEW for high speed imaging and depth profiling mass spectrometers. ChiMS can also transfer large datasets from a digitizer to computer memory at high repetition rate, save data to hard disk at high throughput, and perform high speed data processing. The data acquisition mode generally simulates a digital oscilloscope, but with peripheral devices integrated for control as well as advanced data sorting and processing capabilities. Customized user-designed experiments can be easily written based on several included templates. ChiMS is additionally well suited to non-laser based mass spectrometers imaging and various other experiments in laser physics, physical chemistry, and surface science.

ChiMS: Open-source instrument control software platform on LabVIEW for imaging/depth profiling mass spectrometers

PubMed Central

Cui, Yang; Hanley, Luke

2015-01-01

ChiMS is an open-source data acquisition and control software program written within LabVIEW for high speed imaging and depth profiling mass spectrometers. ChiMS can also transfer large datasets from a digitizer to computer memory at high repetition rate, save data to hard disk at high throughput, and perform high speed data processing. The data acquisition mode generally simulates a digital oscilloscope, but with peripheral devices integrated for control as well as advanced data sorting and processing capabilities. Customized user-designed experiments can be easily written based on several included templates. ChiMS is additionally well suited to non-laser based mass spectrometers imaging and various other experiments in laser physics, physical chemistry, and surface science. PMID:26133872

Signal conditioning units for vibration measurement in HUMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Kaizhi; Liu, Tingting; Yu, Zirong; Chen, Lijuan; Huang, Xinjie

2018-03-01

A signal conditioning units for vibration measurement in HUMS is proposed in the paper. Due to the frequency of vibrations caused by components in helicopter are different, two steps amplifier and programmable anti-aliasing filter are designed to meet the measurement of different types of helicopter. Vibration signals are converted into measurable electrical signals combing with ICP driver firstly. Then pre-amplifier and programmable gain amplifier is applied to magnify the weak electrical signals. In addition, programmable anti-aliasing filter is utilized to filter the interference of noise. The units were tested using function signal generator and oscilloscope. The experimental results have demonstrated the effectiveness of our proposed method in quantitatively and qualitatively. The method presented in this paper can meet the measurement requirement for different types of helicopter.

Bulk undercooling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kattamis, T. Z.

1984-01-01

Bulk undercooling methods and procedures will first be reviewed. Measurement of various parameters which are necessary to understand the solidification mechanism during and after recalescence will be discussed. During recalescence of levitated, glass-encased large droplets (5 to 8 mm diam) high speed temperature sensing devices coupled with a rapid response oscilloscope are now being used at MIT to measure local thermal behavior in hypoeutectic and eutectic binary Ni-Sn alloys. Dendrite tip velocities were measured by various investigators using thermal sensors or high speed cinematography. The confirmation of the validity of solidification models of bulk-undercooled melts is made difficult by the fineness of the final microstructure, the ultra-rapid evolution of the solidifying system which makes measurements very awkward, and the continuous modification of the microstructure which formed during recalescence because of precipitation, remelting and rapid coarsening.

Acoustic Levitator Power Device: Study of Ethylene-Glycol Water Mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caccamo, M. T.; Cannuli, A.; Calabrò, E.; Magazù, S.

2017-05-01

Acoustic levitator power device is formed by two vertically and opposed high output acoustic transducers working at 22 kHz frequency and produces sound pressure levels of 160 dB. The acoustic waves are monitored from an oscilloscope using a signal amplifier. The ability to perform contactless measurements, avoidance of undesired contamination from the container, are some of advantages of this apparatus. Acoustic levitation can be also used for sample preparation of high concentrated mixtures starting from solutions. In the present paper, an acoustic levitator power device is employed to collect data on levitated water mixtures of Ethylene Glycol (EG) which are then analysed by Infra-Red spectroscopy. The study allows to follow the drying process versus time and to obtain a gel-like compound characterized by an extended chemical crosslinking.

Monitoring dynamic loads on wind tunnel force balances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferris, Alice T.; White, William C.

1989-01-01

Two devices have been developed at NASA Langley to monitor the dynamic loads incurred during wind-tunnel testing. The Balance Dynamic Display Unit (BDDU), displays and monitors the combined static and dynamic forces and moments in the orthogonal axes. The Balance Critical Point Analyzer scales and sums each normalized signal from the BDDU to obtain combined dynamic and static signals that represent the dynamic loads at predefined high-stress points. The display of each instrument is a multiplex of six analog signals in a way that each channel is displayed sequentially as one-sixth of the horizontal axis on a single oscilloscope trace. Thus this display format permits the operator to quickly and easily monitor the combined static and dynamic level of up to six channels at the same time.

FROM THE HISTORY OF PHYSICS: Georgii L'vovich Shnirman: designer of fast-response instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bashilov, I. P.

1994-07-01

A biography is given of the outstanding Russian scientist Georgii L'vovich Shnirman, whose scientific life had been 'top secret'. He was an experimental physicist and instrument designer, the founder of many branches of the Soviet instrument-making industry, the originator of a theory of electric methods of integration and differentiation, a theory of astasisation of pendulums, and also of original measurement methods. He was the originator and designer of automatic systems for the control of the measuring apparatus used at nuclear test sites and of automatic seismic station systems employed in monitoring nuclear tests. He also designed the first loop oscilloscopes in the Soviet Union, high-speed photographic and cine cameras (streak cameras, etc.), and many other unique instruments, including some mounted on moving objects.

Foil bearings for axial and radial support of high speed rotors: Design, development, and determination of operating characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Licht, L.

1978-01-01

Flexible surface thrust and journal foil bearings were fabricated, and their performance was demonstrated, both individually and jointly as a unified rotor support system. Experimental results are documented with graphs and oscilloscopic data of trajectories, waveforms, and scans of amplitude response. At speeds of 40,000 to 45,000 rpm and a mean clearance of the order of 15 to 20 micrometers (600 to 800 micrometers, the resilient, air lubricated, spiral groove thrust bearings support a load of 127 N (29 lb; 13 kgf), equivalent to 3.0 N/sq cm (4.5 lb/sq in 0.31 kgf sq cm). Journal bearings with polygonal sections provided stable and highly damped supports at speeds up to 50,000 rpm.

ChiMS: Open-source instrument control software platform on LabVIEW for imaging/depth profiling mass spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Yang; Hanley, Luke

2015-06-01

ChiMS is an open-source data acquisition and control software program written within LabVIEW for high speed imaging and depth profiling mass spectrometers. ChiMS can also transfer large datasets from a digitizer to computer memory at high repetition rate, save data to hard disk at high throughput, and perform high speed data processing. The data acquisition mode generally simulates a digital oscilloscope, but with peripheral devices integrated for control as well as advanced data sorting and processing capabilities. Customized user-designed experiments can be easily written based on several included templates. ChiMS is additionally well suited to non-laser based mass spectrometers imaging and various other experiments in laser physics, physical chemistry, and surface science.

Orbits: Computer simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Muszynska, A.

1985-01-01

In rotating machinery dynamics an orbit (Lissajous curve) represents the dynamic path of the shaft centerline motion during shaft rotation and resulting precession. The orbit can be observed with an oscilloscope connected to XY promixity probes. The orbits can also be simulated by a computer. The software for HP computer simulates orbits for two cases: (1) Symmetric orbit with four frequency components with different radial amplitudes and relative phase angles; and (2) Nonsymmetric orbit with two frequency components with two different vertical/horizontal amplitudes and two different relative phase angles. Each orbit carries a Keyphasor mark (one-per-turn reference). The frequencies, amplitudes, and phase angles, as well as number of time steps for orbit computation, have to be chosen and introduced to the computer by the user. The orbit graphs can be observed on the computer screen.

Modified Faraday cup

DOEpatents

Elmer, John W.; Teruya, Alan T.; O'Brien, Dennis W.

1996-01-01

A tomographic technique for measuring the current density distribution in electron beams using electron beam profile data acquired from a modified Faraday cup to create an image of the current density in high and low power beams. The modified Faraday cup includes a narrow slit and is rotated by a stepper motor and can be moved in the x, y and z directions. The beam is swept across the slit perpendicular thereto and controlled by deflection coils, and the slit rotated such that waveforms are taken every few degrees form 0.degree. to 360.degree. and the waveforms are recorded by a digitizing storage oscilloscope. Two-din-tensional and three-dimensional images of the current density distribution in the beam can be reconstructed by computer tomography from this information, providing quantitative information about the beam focus and alignment.

Glow-to-arc transition events in H2-Ar direct current pulsed plasma: automated measurement of current and voltage.

PubMed

Mendes, Luciano A; Mafra, Márcio; Rodrigues, Jhonatam C

2012-01-01

The glow-to-arc transition phenomena (arcing) observed in plasma reactors used in materials processing was studied through the arcs characteristic current and voltage waveforms. In order to capture these arcs signals, a LABVIEW™ based automated instrumentation system (ARCVIEW) was developed, including the integration of an oscilloscope equipped with proper current and voltage probes. The system also allows capturing the process parameters at the arc occurrence moments, which were used to map the arcs events conditions. Experiments in H(2)-Ar DC pulsed plasma returned signals data from 215 arcs events, which were analyzed through software routines. According to the results, an anti-arcing system should react in the time order of few microseconds to prevent most of the damage caused by the undesired arcing phenomena.

An open source digital servo for atomic, molecular, and optical physics experiments

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

Leibrandt, D. R., E-mail: david.leibrandt@nist.gov; Heidecker, J.

2015-12-15

We describe a general purpose digital servo optimized for feedback control of lasers in atomic, molecular, and optical physics experiments. The servo is capable of feedback bandwidths up to roughly 1 MHz (limited by the 320 ns total latency); loop filter shapes up to fifth order; multiple-input, multiple-output control; and automatic lock acquisition. The configuration of the servo is controlled via a graphical user interface, which also provides a rudimentary software oscilloscope and tools for measurement of system transfer functions. We illustrate the functionality of the digital servo by describing its use in two example scenarios: frequency control of themore » laser used to probe the narrow clock transition of {sup 27}Al{sup +} in an optical atomic clock, and length control of a cavity used for resonant frequency doubling of a laser.« less

Microgap x-ray detector

DOEpatents

Wuest, Craig R.; Bionta, Richard M.; Ables, Elden

1994-01-01

An x-ray detector which provides for the conversion of x-ray photons into photoelectrons and subsequent amplification of these photoelectrons through the generation of electron avalanches in a thin gas-filled region subject to a high electric potential. The detector comprises a cathode (photocathode) and an anode separated by the thin, gas-filled region. The cathode may comprise a substrate, such a beryllium, coated with a layer of high atomic number material, such as gold, while the anode can be a single conducting plane of material, such as gold, or a plane of resistive material, such as chromium/silicon monoxide, or multiple areas of conductive or resistive material, mounted on a substrate composed of glass, plastic or ceramic. The charge collected from each electron avalanche by the anode is passed through processing electronics to a point of use, such as an oscilloscope.

An open source digital servo for atomic, molecular, and optical physics experiments.

PubMed

Leibrandt, D R; Heidecker, J

2015-12-01

We describe a general purpose digital servo optimized for feedback control of lasers in atomic, molecular, and optical physics experiments. The servo is capable of feedback bandwidths up to roughly 1 MHz (limited by the 320 ns total latency); loop filter shapes up to fifth order; multiple-input, multiple-output control; and automatic lock acquisition. The configuration of the servo is controlled via a graphical user interface, which also provides a rudimentary software oscilloscope and tools for measurement of system transfer functions. We illustrate the functionality of the digital servo by describing its use in two example scenarios: frequency control of the laser used to probe the narrow clock transition of (27)Al(+) in an optical atomic clock, and length control of a cavity used for resonant frequency doubling of a laser.

Apparatus and method for defect testing of integrated circuits

DOEpatents

Cole, Jr., Edward I.; Soden, Jerry M.

2000-01-01

An apparatus and method for defect and failure-mechanism testing of integrated circuits (ICs) is disclosed. The apparatus provides an operating voltage, V.sub.DD, to an IC under test and measures a transient voltage component, V.sub.DDT, signal that is produced in response to switching transients that occur as test vectors are provided as inputs to the IC. The amplitude or time delay of the V.sub.DDT signal can be used to distinguish between defective and defect-free (i.e. known good) ICs. The V.sub.DDT signal is measured with a transient digitizer, a digital oscilloscope, or with an IC tester that is also used to input the test vectors to the IC. The present invention has applications for IC process development, for the testing of ICs during manufacture, and for qualifying ICs for reliability.

Petahertz optical oscilloscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kyung Taec; Zhang, Chunmei; Shiner, Andrew D.; Schmidt, Bruno E.; Légaré, François; Villeneuve, D. M.; Corkum, P. B.

2013-12-01

The time-dependent field of an electromagnetic pulse can be measured if there is a fast enough gate. For terahertz radiation, femtosecond photoinjection of free carriers into a semiconductor in the presence of the terahertz radiation can serve as the gate. For visible or infrared radiation, attosecond photoionization of a gas target in the presence of the optical field is a direct analogue. Here, we show that nonlinear optical mixing in a medium in which attosecond pulses are being generated can also be used to measure the time-dependent field of an optical pulse. The gate is the phase accumulated by the recollision electron during the subcycle time interval between ionization and recombination. We show that the instantaneous field of an unknown pulse is imprinted onto the deflection of the attosecond extreme ultraviolet pulse using an all-optical set-up with a bandwidth up to 1 PHz.

A flexible surface wetness sensor using a RFID technique.

PubMed

Yang, Cheng-Hao; Chien, Jui-Hung; Wang, Bo-Yan; Chen, Ping-Hei; Lee, Da-Sheng

2008-02-01

This paper presents a flexible wetness sensor whose detection signal, converted to a binary code, is transmitted through radio-frequency (RF) waves from a radio-frequency identification integrated circuit (RFID IC) to a remote reader. The flexible sensor, with a fixed operating frequency of 13.56 MHz, contains a RFID IC and a sensor circuit that is fabricated on a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) using a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) process. The sensor circuit contains a comb-shaped sensing area surrounded by an octagonal antenna with a width of 2.7 cm. The binary code transmitted from the RFIC to the reader changes if the surface conditions of the detector surface changes from dry to wet. This variation in the binary code can be observed on a digital oscilloscope connected to the reader.

The initiation of boiling during pressure transients. [water boiling on metal surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weisman, J.; Bussell, G.; Jashnani, I. L.; Hsieh, T.

1973-01-01

The initiation of boiling of water on metal surfaces during pressure transients has been investigated. The data were obtained by a new technique in which light beam fluctuations and a pressure signal were simultaneously recorded on a dual beam oscilloscope. The results obtained agreed with those obtained using high speed photography. It was found that, for water temperatures between 90-150 C, the wall superheat required to initiate boiling during a rapid pressure transient was significantly higher than required when the pressure was slowly reduced. This result is explained by assuming that a finite time is necessary for vapor to fill the cavity at which the bubble originates. Experimental measurements of this time are in reasonably good agreement with calculations based on the proposed theory. The theory includes a new procedure for estimating the coefficient of vaporization.

External synchronization of oscillating pulse edge on a transmission line with regularly spaced tunnel diodes.

PubMed

Narahara, Koichi; Misono, Masatoshi; Miyakawa, Kenji

2013-01-01

We investigate the external synchronization of the oscillating pulse edges developed in a transmission line periodically loaded with tunnel diodes (TDs), termed a TD line. It is observed that the pulse edge oscillates on a TD line when supplied by an appropriate voltage at the end of the line. We discuss how the pulse edge oscillates on a TD line and the properties of the external synchronization of the edge oscillation driven by a sinusoidal perturbation. By applying a phase-reduction scheme to the transmission equation of a TD line, we obtain the phase sensitivity, which satisfactory explains the measured spatial dependence of the locking range on the frequency. Moreover, we successfully detect the spatiotemporal behaviors of the edge oscillation by establishing synchronization with the sampling trigger of an oscilloscope.

Versatile microsecond movie camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dreyfus, R. W.

1980-03-01

A laboratory-type movie camera is described which satisfies many requirements in the range 1 microsec to 1 sec. The camera consists of a He-Ne laser and compatible state-of-the-art components; the primary components are an acoustooptic modulator, an electromechanical beam deflector, and a video tape system. The present camera is distinct in its operation in that submicrosecond laser flashes freeze the image motion while still allowing the simplicity of electromechanical image deflection in the millisecond range. The gating and pulse delay circuits of an oscilloscope synchronize the modulator and scanner relative to the subject being photographed. The optical table construction and electronic control enhance the camera's versatility and adaptability. The instant replay video tape recording allows for easy synchronization and immediate viewing of the results. Economy is achieved by using off-the-shelf components, optical table construction, and short assembly time.

An open source digital servo for atomic, molecular, and optical physics experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leibrandt, D. R.; Heidecker, J.

2015-12-01

We describe a general purpose digital servo optimized for feedback control of lasers in atomic, molecular, and optical physics experiments. The servo is capable of feedback bandwidths up to roughly 1 MHz (limited by the 320 ns total latency); loop filter shapes up to fifth order; multiple-input, multiple-output control; and automatic lock acquisition. The configuration of the servo is controlled via a graphical user interface, which also provides a rudimentary software oscilloscope and tools for measurement of system transfer functions. We illustrate the functionality of the digital servo by describing its use in two example scenarios: frequency control of the laser used to probe the narrow clock transition of 27Al+ in an optical atomic clock, and length control of a cavity used for resonant frequency doubling of a laser.

Development of a simplified optical technique for the simultaneous measurement of particle size distribution and velocity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, J. L.

1983-01-01

Existing techniques were surveyed, an experimental procedure was developed, a laboratory test model was fabricated, limited data were recovered for proof of principle, and the relationship between particle size distribution and amplitude measurements was illustrated in an effort to develop a low cost, simplified optical technique for measuring particle size distributions and velocities in fluidized bed combustors and gasifiers. A He-Ne laser illuminated Rochi Rulings (range 10 to 500 lines per inch). Various samples of known particle size distributions were passed through the fringe pattern produced by the rulings. A photomultiplier tube converted light from the fringe volume to an electrical signal which was recorded using an oscilloscope and camera. The signal amplitudes were correlated against the known particle size distributions. The correlation holds true for various samples.

Microgap x-ray detector

DOEpatents

Wuest, C.R.; Bionta, R.M.; Ables, E.

1994-05-03

An x-ray detector is disclosed which provides for the conversion of x-ray photons into photoelectrons and subsequent amplification of these photoelectrons through the generation of electron avalanches in a thin gas-filled region subject to a high electric potential. The detector comprises a cathode (photocathode) and an anode separated by the thin, gas-filled region. The cathode may comprise a substrate, such a beryllium, coated with a layer of high atomic number material, such as gold, while the anode can be a single conducting plane of material, such as gold, or a plane of resistive material, such as chromium/silicon monoxide, or multiple areas of conductive or resistive material, mounted on a substrate composed of glass, plastic or ceramic. The charge collected from each electron avalanche by the anode is passed through processing electronics to a point of use, such as an oscilloscope. 3 figures.

Techniques to measure tension in wires or straw tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, S. H.; Lin, S.; Wang, C.

2018-01-01

We discuss two different ways of measuring the tension in light wires and straws. The first technique uses an operational amplifier to subtract out the oscillating driving voltage mixed in the output voltage, which also has the signal. The isolated signal is amplified and displayed in an oscilloscope. In the second technique, an analog switch routes the oscillating voltage to a wire for a fraction of seconds, and then switches off the voltage. As the voltage is turned off, the induced signal from the wire is routed to an amplifier-rectifier circuit for a fraction of a second to measure the signal size as a function of the driving frequency. The first technique fits well to measure a single wire, while the second one fits well to measure many wires, 16 in our case, at a time.

An open source digital servo for atomic, molecular, and optical physics experiments

PubMed Central

Leibrandt, D. R.; Heidecker, J.

2016-01-01

We describe a general purpose digital servo optimized for feedback control of lasers in atomic, molecular, and optical physics experiments. The servo is capable of feedback bandwidths up to roughly 1 MHz (limited by the 320 ns total latency); loop filter shapes up to fifth order; multiple-input, multiple-output control; and automatic lock acquisition. The configuration of the servo is controlled via a graphical user interface, which also provides a rudimentary software oscilloscope and tools for measurement of system transfer functions. We illustrate the functionality of the digital servo by describing its use in two example scenarios: frequency control of the laser used to probe the narrow clock transition of 27Al+ in an optical atomic clock, and length control of a cavity used for resonant frequency doubling of a laser. PMID:26724014

Modified Faraday cup

DOEpatents

Elmer, J.W.; Teruya, A.T.; O`Brien, D.W.

1996-09-10

A tomographic technique for measuring the current density distribution in electron beams using electron beam profile data acquired from a modified Faraday cup to create an image of the current density in high and low power beams is disclosed. The modified Faraday cup includes a narrow slit and is rotated by a stepper motor and can be moved in the x, y and z directions. The beam is swept across the slit perpendicular thereto and controlled by deflection coils, and the slit rotated such that waveforms are taken every few degrees from 0{degree} to 360{degree} and the waveforms are recorded by a digitizing storage oscilloscope. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the current density distribution in the beam can be reconstructed by computer tomography from this information, providing quantitative information about the beam focus and alignment. 12 figs.

System for tomographic determination of the power distribution in electron beams

DOEpatents

Elmer, John W.; Teruya, Alan T.; O'Brien, Dennis W.

1995-01-01

A tomographic technique for measuring the current density distribution in electron beams using electron beam profile data acquired from a modified Faraday cup to create an image of the current density in high and low power beams. The modified Faraday cup includes a narrow slit and is rotated by a stepper motor and can be moved in the x, y and z directions. The beam is swept across the slit perpendicular thereto and controlled by deflection coils, and the slit rotated such that waveforms are taken every few degrees form 0.degree. to 360.degree. and the waveforms are recorded by a digitizing storage oscilloscope. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the current density distribution in the beam can be reconstructed by computer tomography from this information, providing quantitative information about the beam focus and alignment.

System for tomographic determination of the power distribution in electron beams

DOEpatents

Elmer, J.W.; Teruya, A.T.; O`Brien, D.W.

1995-11-21

A tomographic technique for measuring the current density distribution in electron beams using electron beam profile data acquired from a modified Faraday cup to create an image of the current density in high and low power beams. The modified Faraday cup includes a narrow slit and is rotated by a stepper motor and can be moved in the x, y and z directions. The beam is swept across the slit perpendicular thereto and controlled by deflection coils, and the slit rotated such that waveforms are taken every few degrees form 0{degree} to 360{degree} and the waveforms are recorded by a digitizing storage oscilloscope. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the current density distribution in the beam can be reconstructed by computer tomography from this information, providing quantitative information about the beam focus and alignment. 12 figs.

Experimental study of non-stationary operation of a dual-wavelength passively mode-locked fibre ring laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibarra Villalón, H. E.; Pottiez, O.; Bracamontes Rodriguez, Y. E.; Lauterio-Cruz, J. P.; Gomez Vieyra, A.

2018-06-01

In this paper, we report an experimental study of different dynamics taking place in a 20 m long passively mode-locked fibre ring laser in dual-wavelength operation, at 1531 nm and 1558 nm. For different polarization adjustments, self-starting mode locking is obtained, yielding different types of emission: bunches of solitons in quasi-stationary regime, a compact bunch of solitons coexisting with loose bunches of solitons, a noise-like pulse coexisting with bunches of solitons and a noise-like pulse displaying quasi-periodic fluctuations. In each regime, we extract information on the pulse dynamics from measurements of the temporal profile evolution using a 16 GHz real-time oscilloscope and, at the same time, we propose a phase-space diagram representation of the intensity versus the energy of the temporal profile of the pulses; the latter allows evidencing patterns that could not be identified using conventional measurement techniques.

A graphics subsystem retrofit design for the bladed-disk data acquisition system. M.S. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carney, R. R.

1983-01-01

A graphics subsystem retrofit design for the turbojet blade vibration data acquisition system is presented. The graphics subsystem will operate in two modes permitting the system operator to view blade vibrations on an oscilloscope type of display. The first mode is a real-time mode that displays only gross blade characteristics, such as maximum deflections and standing waves. This mode is used to aid the operator in determining when to collect detailed blade vibration data. The second mode of operation is a post-processing mode that will animate the actual blade vibrations using the detailed data collected on an earlier data collection run. The operator can vary the rate of payback to view differring characteristics of blade vibrations. The heart of the graphics subsystem is a modified version of AMD's ""super sixteen'' computer, called the graphics preprocessor computer (GPC). This computer is based on AMD's 2900 series of bit-slice components.

Using computers to overcome math-phobia in an introductory course in musical acoustics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piacsek, Andrew A.

2002-11-01

In recent years, the desktop computer has acquired the signal processing and visualization capabilities once obtained only with expensive specialized equipment. With the appropriate A/D card and software, a PC can behave like an oscilloscope, a real-time signal analyzer, a function generator, and a synthesizer, with both audio and visual outputs. In addition, the computer can be used to visualize specific wave behavior, such as superposition and standing waves, refraction, dispersion, etc. These capabilities make the computer an invaluable tool to teach basic acoustic principles to students with very poor math skills. In this paper I describe my approach to teaching the introductory-level Physics of Musical Sound at Central Washington University, in which very few science students enroll. Emphasis is placed on how vizualization with computers can help students appreciate and apply quantitative methods for analyzing sound.

An inexpensive frequency-modulated (FM) audio monitor of time-dependent analog parameters.

PubMed

Langdon, R B; Jacobs, R S

1980-02-01

The standard method for quantification and presentation of an experimental variable in real time is the use of visual display on the ordinate of an oscilloscope screen or chart recorder. This paper describes a relatively simple electronic circuit, using commercially available and inexpensive integrated circuits (IC), which generates an audible tone, the pitch of which varies in proportion to a running variable of interest. This device, which we call an "Audioscope," can accept as input the monitor output from any instrument that expresses an experimental parameter as a dc voltage. The Audioscope is particularly useful in implanting microelectrodes intracellularly. It may also function to mediate the first step in data recording on magnetic tape, and/or data analysis and reduction by electronic circuitary. We estimate that this device can be built, with two-channel capability, for less than $50, and in less than 10 hr by an experienced electronics technician.

System for tomographic determination of the power distribution in electron beams

DOEpatents

Elmer, J.W.; Teruya, A.T.; O'Brien, D.W.

1995-01-17

A tomographic technique is disclosed for measuring the current density distribution in electron beams using electron beam profile data acquired from a modified Faraday cup to create an image of the current density in high and low power beams. The modified Faraday cup includes a narrow slit and is rotated by a stepper motor and can be moved in the x, y and z directions. The beam is swept across the slit perpendicular thereto and controlled by deflection coils, and the slit rotated such that waveforms are taken every few degrees form 0[degree] to 360[degree] and the waveforms are recorded by a digitizing storage oscilloscope. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the current density distribution in the beam can be reconstructed by computer tomography from this information, providing quantitative information about the beam focus and alignment. 12 figures.

Assessment and Calibration of a Crimp Tool Equipped with Ultrasonic Analysis Features

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, William T. (Inventor); Perey, Daniel F. (Inventor); Cramer, K. Elliott (Inventor)

2013-01-01

A method is provided for calibrating ultrasonic signals passed through a crimp formed with respect to a deformable body via an ultrasonically-equipped crimp tool (UECT). The UECT verifies a crimp quality using the ultrasonic signals. The method includes forming the crimp, transmitting a first signal, e.g., a pulse, to a first transducer of the UECT, and converting the first signal, using the first transducer, into a second signal which defines an ultrasonic pulse. This pulse is transmitted through the UECT into the crimp. A second transducer converts the second signal into a third signal, which may be further conditioned, and the ultrasonic signals are calibrated using the third signal or its conditioned variant. An apparatus for calibrating the ultrasonic signals includes a pulse module (PM) electrically connected to the first and second transducers, and an oscilloscope or display electrically connected to the PM for analyzing an electrical output signal therefrom.

All-optical clock recovery for 100 Gb/s RZ-OOK signal after 25km transmission using a dual-mode beating DBR laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Liqiang; Pan, Biwei; Lu, Dan; Zhao, Lingjuan

2014-11-01

All-optical clock recovery (AOCR) for 100 Gb/s RZ-OOK signal is demonstrated by using a dualmode beating DBR laser. Based on the injection-locking of the DBR (distributed Bragg reflector) laser, a 100-GHz optical clock is recovered. Timing jitter (<1 ps) derived from both phase noise and power fluctuation is measured by an optical sampling oscilloscope (OSO). Furthermore, clock recovery is also realized for the 100 Gb/s signal after 25 km transmission. After the 25-km SMF (5- dB loss) transmission, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal drops from 18 dB to 5.2 dB. The dependence of the timing jitter on the input power is investigated. The lowest timing jitter of 665 fs is realized when the input power is 3 dBm.

Detection of dilute sperm samples using photoacoustic flowmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viator, J. A.; Sutovsky, P.; Weight, R. M.

2008-02-01

Detection of sperm cells in dilute samples may have application in forensic testing and diagnosis of male reproductive health. Due to the optically dense subcellular structures in sperm cells, irradiation by nanosecond laser pulses induces a photoacoustic response detectable using a custom flow cytometer. We determined the detection threshold of bull sperm using various concentrations, from 200 to 1,000,000 sperm cells per milliliter. Using a tunable laser system set to 450nm with a 5 ns pulse duration and 11-12 mJ/pulse, we obtained a detection threshold of 3 sperm cells. The flow rate was 4 ml/minute through the flow chamber. The acoustic sensor was a 100 μm PVDF film attached to the glass flow chamber. The acoustic signal was preamplified and sent to an oscilloscope. The threshold signal indicated a signal to noise ratio of approximately 6 to 1. Improved system design may decrease the threshold to single sperm cells.

Precise frequency calibration using television video carriers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burkhardt, Edward E.

1990-01-01

The availability of inexpensive and quick precise frequency calibration methods is limited. VLF and GPS do offer precise calibration. However, antenna placement, cost of equipment, and calibration time place many restrictions on the user. The USNO maintained line-10 television Time of Coincidence (TOC) of station WTTG, channel 5, Washington, DC requires a frequency stable video carrier. This video carrier, 77.24 MHz is controlled by the same cesium beam standard controlling the TOC of line-10. Excellent frequency comparisons against this video carrier have been accomplished at 95 miles (153 km). With stable propagation and a three foot wire antenna, a part in 10(exp 9) can be determined in a few minutes. Inexpensive field equipment with a synthesized 1 kHz offset from the video carrier offers parts in 10(exp 11) calibrations in a few minutes using an oscilloscope as a phase comparator.

Observation of Q-switching and mode-locking in two-section InAs/InP (100) quantum dot lasers around 1.55 mum.

PubMed

Heck, Martijn J R; Bente, Erwin A J M; Smalbrugge, Barry; Oei, Yok-Siang; Smit, Meint K; Anantathanasarn, Sanguan; Nötzel, Richard

2007-12-10

First observation of passive mode-locking in two-section quantum-dot lasers operating at wavelengths around 1.55 mum is reported. Pulse generation at 4.6 GHz from a 9 mm long device is verified by background-free autocorrelation, RF-spectra and real-time oscilloscope traces. The output pulses are stretched in time and heavily up-chirped with a value of 20 ps/nm, contrary to what is normally observed in passively mode-locked semiconductor lasers. The complete output spectrum is shown to be coherent over 10 nm. From a 7 mm long device Q-switching is observed over a large operating regime. The lasers have been realized using a fabrication technology that is compatible with further photonic integration. This makes the laser a promising candidate for e.g. a mode-comb generator in a complex photonic chip.

The effect of attention loading on the inhibition of choice reaction time to visual motion by concurrent rotary motion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Looper, M.

1976-01-01

This study investigates the influence of attention loading on the established intersensory effects of passive bodily rotation on choice reaction time (RT) to visual motion. Subjects sat at the center of rotation in an enclosed rotating chamber and observed an oscilloscope on which were, in the center, a tracking display and, 10 deg left of center, a RT line. Three tracking tasks and a no-tracking control condition were presented to all subjects in combination with the RT task, which occurred with and without concurrent cab rotations. Choice RT to line motions was inhibited (probability less than .001) both when there was simultaneous vestibular stimulation and when there was a tracking task; response latencies lengthened progressively with increased similarity between the RT and tracking tasks. However, the attention conditions did not affect the intersensory effect; the significance of this for the nature of the sensory interaction is discussed.

Hardware for hard-up schools?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

St John, Stuart A.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this work was to investigate ways in which everyday computers can be used in schools to fulfil several of the roles of more expensive, specialized laboratory equipment for teaching and learning purposes. The brief adopted was to keep things as straightforward as possible so that any school science department with a few basic tools can copy the ideas presented. The project has so far produced a simple, safe input device to enable use of a computer as an oscilloscope and the conversion of external speakers into a signal generator. They are not without their limitations, but the intention is that they may provide opportunities for hands-on learning in schools where budgets are very limited. Several teaching ideas are outlined, with pointers for further development. It is hoped that interest in the project may generate further application of the ideas to the teaching of high school physics.

Broadband Laser Ranging for Position Measurements in Shock Physics Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhodes, Michelle; Bennett, Corey; Daykin, Edward; Younk, Patrick; Lalone, Brandon; Kostinski, Natalie

2017-06-01

Broadband laser ranging (BLR) is a recently developed measurement system that provides an attractive option for determining the position of shock-driven surfaces. This system uses broadband, picosecond (or femtosecond) laser pulses and a fiber interferometer to measure relative travel time to a target and to a reference mirror. The difference in travel time produces a delay difference between pulse replicas that creates a spectral beat frequency. The spectral beating is recorded in real time using a dispersive Fourier transform and an oscilloscope. BLR systems have been designed that measure position at 12.5-40 MHz with better than 100 micron accuracy over ranges greater than 10 cm. We will give an overview of the basic operating principles of these systems. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344, by LANL under Contract DE-AC52-06NA25396, and by NSTec Contract DE-AC52-06NA25946.

Cost-effective broad-band electrical impedance spectroscopy measurement circuit and signal analysis for piezo-materials and ultrasound transducers

PubMed Central

Lewis, George K; Lewis, George K; Olbricht, William

2008-01-01

This paper explains the circuitry and signal processing to perform electrical impedance spectroscopy on piezoelectric materials and ultrasound transducers. Here, we measure and compare the impedance spectra of 2−5 MHz piezoelectrics, but the methodology applies for 700 kHz–20 MHz ultrasonic devices as well. Using a 12 ns wide 5 volt pulsing circuit as an impulse, we determine the electrical impedance curves experimentally using Ohm's law and fast Fourier transform (FFT), and compare results with mathematical models. The method allows for rapid impedance measurement for a range of frequencies using a narrow input pulse, digital oscilloscope and FFT techniques. The technique compares well to current methodologies such as network and impedance analyzers while providing additional versatility in the electrical impedance measurement. The technique is theoretically simple, easy to implement and completed with ordinary laboratory instrumentation for minimal cost. PMID:19081773

Calibration of gamma-ray detectors using Gaussian photopeak fitting in the multichannel spectra with a LabVIEW-based digital system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlattauer, Leo; Parali, Levent; Pechousek, Jiri; Sabikoglu, Israfil; Celiktas, Cuneyt; Tektas, Gozde; Novak, Petr; Jancar, Ales; Prochazka, Vit

2017-09-01

This paper reports on the development of a gamma-ray spectroscopic system for the (i) recording and (ii) processing of spectra. The utilized data read-out unit consists of a PCI digital oscilloscope, personal computer and LabVIEW™ programming environment. A pulse-height spectra of various sources were recorded with two NaI(Tl) detectors and analyzed, demonstrating the proper usage of the detectors. A multichannel analyzer implements the Gaussian photopeak fitting. The presented method provides results which are in compliance to the ones taken from commercial spectroscopy systems. Each individual hardware or software unit can be further utilized in different spectrometric user-systems. An application of the developed system for research and teaching purposes regarding the design of digital spectrometric systems has been successfully tested at the laboratories of the Department of Experimental Physics.

Real-time development of data acquisition and analysis software for hands-on physiology education in neuroscience: G-PRIME.

PubMed

Lott, Gus K; Johnson, Bruce R; Bonow, Robert H; Land, Bruce R; Hoy, Ronald R

2009-01-01

We report on the real-time creation of an application for hands-on neurophysiology in an advanced undergraduate teaching laboratory. Enabled by the rapid software development tools included in the Matlab technical computing environment (The Mathworks, Natick, MA), a team, consisting of a neurophysiology educator and a biophysicist trained as an electrical engineer, interfaced to a course of approximately 15 students from engineering and biology backgrounds. The result is the powerful freeware data acquisition and analysis environment, "g-PRIME." The software was developed from week to week in response to curriculum demands, and student feedback. The program evolved from a simple software oscilloscope, enabling RC circuit analysis, to a suite of tools supporting analysis of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission analysis in invertebrate model systems. The program has subsequently expanded in application to university courses, research, and high school projects in the US and abroad as free courseware.

Photoluminescence-based quality control for thin film absorber layers of photovoltaic devices

DOEpatents

Repins, Ingrid L.; Kuciauskas, Darius

2015-07-07

A time-resolved photoluminescence-based system providing quality control during manufacture of thin film absorber layers for photovoltaic devices. The system includes a laser generating excitation beams and an optical fiber with an end used both for directing each excitation beam onto a thin film absorber layer and for collecting photoluminescence from the absorber layer. The system includes a processor determining a quality control parameter such as minority carrier lifetime of the thin film absorber layer based on the collected photoluminescence. In some implementations, the laser is a low power, pulsed diode laser having photon energy at least great enough to excite electron hole pairs in the thin film absorber layer. The scattered light may be filterable from the collected photoluminescence, and the system may include a dichroic beam splitter and a filter that transmit the photoluminescence and remove scattered laser light prior to delivery to a photodetector and a digital oscilloscope.

Design and testing of an endoscopic photoacoustic probe for determination of treatment depth after photodynamic therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viator, John A.; Paltauf, Guenther; Jacques, Steven L.; Prahl, Scott A.

2001-06-01

An endoscopic photoacoustic probe is designed and tested for use in PDT treatment of esophageal cancer. The probe, measuring less than 2.5 mm in diameter, was designed to fit within the lumen of an endoscope that will be inserted into an esophagus after PDT. PDT treatment results in a blanched, necrotic layer of cancerous tissue over a healthy, deeper layer of perfused tissue. The photoacoustic probe was designed to use acoustic propagation time to determine the thickness of the blanched surface of the esophagus, which corresponds to treatment depth. A side-firing 600 micrometers fiber delivered 532 nm laser light to induce acoustic waves in the perfused layer of the esophagus beneath the blanched (treated) layer. A PVDF transducer detected the induced acoustic waves and transmitted the signal to an oscilloscope. The probe was tested on clear and turbid tissue phantom layers over an optically absorbing dye solution.

Real-time Fourier transformation of lightwave spectra and application in optical reflectometry.

PubMed

Malacarne, Antonio; Park, Yongwoo; Li, Ming; LaRochelle, Sophie; Azaña, José

2015-12-14

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a fiber-optics scheme for real-time analog Fourier transform (FT) of a lightwave energy spectrum, such that the output signal maps the FT of the spectrum of interest along the time axis. This scheme avoids the need for analog-to-digital conversion and subsequent digital signal post-processing of the photo-detected spectrum, thus being capable of providing the desired FT processing directly in the optical domain at megahertz update rates. The proposed concept is particularly attractive for applications requiring FT analysis of optical spectra, such as in many optical Fourier-domain reflectrometry (OFDR), interferometry, spectroscopy and sensing systems. Examples are reported to illustrate the use of the method for real-time OFDR, where the target axial-line profile is directly observed in a single-shot oscilloscope trace, similarly to a time-of-flight measurement, but with a resolution and depth of range dictated by the underlying interferometry scheme.

LabPatch, an acquisition and analysis program for patch-clamp electrophysiology.

PubMed

Robinson, T; Thomsen, L; Huizinga, J D

2000-05-01

An acquisition and analysis program, "LabPatch," has been developed for use in patch-clamp research. LabPatch controls any patch-clamp amplifier, acquires and records data, runs voltage protocols, plots and analyzes data, and connects to spreadsheet and database programs. Controls within LabPatch are grouped by function on one screen, much like an oscilloscope front panel. The software is mouse driven, so that the user need only point and click. Finally, the ability to copy data to other programs running in Windows 95/98, and the ability to keep track of experiments using a database, make LabPatch extremely versatile. The system requirements include Windows 95/98, at least a 100-MHz processor and 16 MB RAM, a data acquisition card, digital-to-analog converter, and a patch-clamp amplifier. LabPatch is available free of charge at http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/huizinga/.

Design and Evaluation of 10-Gbps Inter-satellite Optical Wireless Communication Link for Improved Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Amit; Nagpal, Shaina

2017-05-01

Inter-satellite optical wireless communication (IsOWC) systems can be chosen over existing microwave satellite systems for deploying in space in the future due to their high bandwidth, small size, light weight, low power and low cost. However, the IsOWC system suffers from various attenuations due to weather conditions, turbulence or scintillations which limit its performance and decreases its availability. So, in order to improve the performance, IsOWC system using directly modulated laser source is proposed in this work. The system is designed and evaluated to be suitable for high data rate transmissions up to 10 Gbps. The performance of the system is investigated in order to reduce the cost and complexity of link and improving the quality of information signal. Further the proposed IsOWC system is analysed using BER analyser, power meter and oscilloscope Visualizer.

Low-frequency (< 10 kHz) surface magnetic energy losses measured with polarized secondary electrons (abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woods, J.; O'Handley, R. C.

1990-05-01

The polarization of low-energy secondary electrons emitted from iron- and cobalt-based amorphous melt-spun ribbons is measured as a function of the applied in-plane magnetic field yielding surface hysteresis loops. The polarization is measured in real time up to a frequency of 10 kHz and hysteresis loops are displayed on an oscilloscope. The bulk losses are measured on the same samples in the same configuration with a secondary winding. The area of the loop (energy loss/cycle) is measured as a function of applied magnetic field switching rate for both the surface polarization and bulk magnetization measurements. The surface loss per cycle increases linearly with the switching rate and the bulk loss per cycle increases much more slowly with switching rate. This is the first discrimination of bulk and surface losses we are aware of.

Dynamic Test Method Based on Strong Electromagnetic Pulse for Electromagnetic Shielding Materials with Field-Induced Insulator-Conductor Phase Transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yun; Zhao, Min; Wang, Qingguo

2018-01-01

In order to measure the pulse shielding performance of materials with the characteristic of field-induced insulator-conductor phase transition when materials are used for electromagnetic shielding, a dynamic test method was proposed based on a coaxial fixture. Experiment system was built by square pulse source, coaxial cable, coaxial fixture, attenuator, and oscilloscope and insulating components. S11 parameter of the test system was obtained, which suggested that the working frequency ranges from 300 KHz to 7.36 GHz. Insulating performance is good enough to avoid discharge between conductors when material samples is exposed in the strong electromagnetic pulse field up to 831 kV/m. This method is suitable for materials with annular shape, certain thickness and the characteristic of field-induced insulator-conductor phase transition to get their shielding performances of strong electromagnetic pulse.

A Simple Experiment to Explore Standing Waves in a Flexible Corrugated Sound Tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amorim, Maria Eva; Sousa, Teresa Delmira; Carvalho, P. Simeão; Sousa, Adriano Sampaioe

2011-09-01

Sound tubes, pipes, and singing rods are used as musical instruments and as toys to perform amusing experiments. In particular, corrugated tubes present unique characteristics with respect to the sounds they can produce; that is why they have been studied so intensively, both at theoretical and experimental levels.1-4 Experimental studies usually involve expensive and sophisticated equipment that is out of reach of school laboratory facilities.3-6 In this paper we show how to investigate quantitatively the sounds produced by a flexible sound tube corrugated on the inside by using educational equipment readily available in school laboratories, such as the oscilloscope, the microphone, the anemometer, and the air pump. We show that it is possible for students to study the discontinuous spectrum of sounds produced by a flexible corrugated tube and go even further, computing the speed of sound in air with a simple experimental procedure.

Strong electromagnetic pulses generated in laser-matter interactions with 10TW-class fs laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rączka, Piotr; Rosiński, Marcin; Zaraś-Szydłowska, Agnieszka; Wołowski, Jerzy; Badziak, Jan

2018-01-01

The results of an experiment on the generation of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) in the interaction of 10TW fs pulses with thick (mm scale) and thin foil (μm scale) targets are described. Such pulses, with frequencies in the GHz range, may pose a threat to safe and reliable operation of high-power, high-intensity laser facilities. The main point of the experiment is to investigate the fine temporal structure of such pulses using an oscilloscope capable of measurements at very high sampling rate. It is found that the amazing reproducibility of such pulses is confirmed at this high sampling rate. Furthermore, the differences between the EMP signals generated from thick and thin foil targets are clearly seen, which indicates that besides electric polarization of the target and the target neutralization current there may be other factors essential for the EMP emission.

[Development of residual voltage testing equipment].

PubMed

Zeng, Xiaohui; Wu, Mingjun; Cao, Li; He, Jinyi; Deng, Zhensheng

2014-07-01

For the existing measurement methods of residual voltage which can't turn the power off at peak voltage exactly and simultaneously display waveforms, a new residual voltage detection method is put forward in this paper. First, the zero point of the power supply is detected with zero cross detection circuit and is inputted to a single-chip microcomputer in the form of pulse signal. Secend, when the zero point delays to the peak voltage, the single-chip microcomputer sends control signal to power off the relay. At last, the waveform of the residual voltage is displayed on a principal computer or oscilloscope. The experimental results show that the device designed in this paper can turn the power off at peak voltage and is able to accurately display the voltage waveform immediately after power off and the standard deviation of the residual voltage is less than 0.2 V at exactly one second and later.

Influence of Sample Size of Polymer Materials on Aging Characteristics in the Salt Fog Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otsubo, Masahisa; Anami, Naoya; Yamashita, Seiji; Honda, Chikahisa; Takenouchi, Osamu; Hashimoto, Yousuke

Polymer insulators have been used in worldwide because of some superior properties; light weight, high mechanical strength, good hydrophobicity etc., as compared with porcelain insulators. In this paper, effect of sample size on the aging characteristics in the salt fog test is examined. Leakage current was measured by using 100 MHz AD board or 100 MHz digital oscilloscope and separated three components as conductive current, corona discharge current and dry band arc discharge current by using FFT and the current differential method newly proposed. Each component cumulative charge was estimated automatically by a personal computer. As the results, when the sample size increased under the same average applied electric field, the peak values of leakage current and each component current increased. Especially, the cumulative charges and the arc discharge length of dry band arc discharge increased remarkably with the increase of gap length.

Attenuation length measurements of a liquid scintillator with LabVIEW and reliability evaluation of the device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Long; Yu, Bo-Xiang; Ding, Ya-Yun; Zhou, Li; Wen, Liang-Jian; Xie, Yu-Guang; Wang, Zhi-Gang; Cai, Xiao; Sun, Xi-Lei; Fang, Jian; Xue, Zhen; Zhang, Ai-Wu; Lü, Qi-Wen; Sun, Li-Jun; Ge, Yong-Shuai; Liu, Ying-Biao; Niu, Shun-Li; Hu, Tao; Cao, Jun; Lü, Jun-Guang

2013-07-01

An attenuation length measurement device was constructed using an oscilloscope and LabVIEW for signal acquisition and processing. The performance of the device has been tested in a variety of ways. The test results show that the set-up has a good stability and high precision (sigma/mean reached 0.4 percent). Besides, the accuracy of the measurement system will decrease by about 17 percent if a filter is used. The attenuation length of a gadolinium-loaded liquid scintillator (Gd-LS) was measured as 15.10±0.35 m where Gd-LS was heavily used in the Daya Bay Neutrino Experiment. In addition, one method based on the Beer-Lambert law was proposed to investigate the reliability of the measurement device, the R-square reached 0.9995. Moreover, three purification methods for Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) production were compared in the experiment.

Precise frequency calibration using television video carriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burkhardt, Edward E.

1990-05-01

The availability of inexpensive and quick precise frequency calibration methods is limited. VLF and GPS do offer precise calibration. However, antenna placement, cost of equipment, and calibration time place many restrictions on the user. The USNO maintained line-10 television Time of Coincidence (TOC) of station WTTG, channel 5, Washington, DC requires a frequency stable video carrier. This video carrier, 77.24 MHz is controlled by the same cesium beam standard controlling the TOC of line-10. Excellent frequency comparisons against this video carrier have been accomplished at 95 miles (153 km). With stable propagation and a three foot wire antenna, a part in 10(exp 9) can be determined in a few minutes. Inexpensive field equipment with a synthesized 1 kHz offset from the video carrier offers parts in 10(exp 11) calibrations in a few minutes using an oscilloscope as a phase comparator.

Art in the Digital Age

PubMed

2016-01-01

The genre of “computer art” began in the 1950s, when long exposure photography was used to capture images created by an oscilloscope manipulating electronic waves on a small fluorescent screen. Through the 1960s, most works of computer art were created using plotters and impact printers by the scientists and engineers who had access to emerging computing technology. By the 1970s, artists were learning to program, and some universities began to integrate computers into the fine arts curriculum. The widespread adoption of computers and the availability of off-the-shelf paint programs in the 1980s brought computer art to the masses. At the same time, computer graphics and special effects were beginning their takeover of the entertainment industry through Hollywood films, TV shows, and video games. By the 1990s, the term computer art was fading, and computers were becoming a mainstream part of arts and entertainment.

Life Testing and Diagnostics of a Planar Out-of-Core Thermionic Converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thayer, Kevin L.; Ramalingam, Mysore L.; Young, Timothy J.; Lamp, Thomas R.

1994-07-01

This paper details the design and performance of an automated computer data acquisition system for a planar, out-of-core thermionic converter with CVD rhenium electrodes. The output characteristics of this converter have been mapped for emitter temperatures ranging from approximately 1700K to 2000K, and life testing of the converter is presently being performed at the design point of operation. An automated data acquisition system has been constructed to facilitate the collection of current density versus output voltage (J-V) and temperature data from the converter throughout the life test. This system minimizes the amount of human interaction necessary during the lifetest to measure and archive the data and present it in a usable form. The task was accomplished using a Macintosh Ilcx computer, two multiple-purpose interface boards, a digital oscilloscope, a sweep generator, and National Instrument's LabVIEW application software package.

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

Wackerbarth, David

Sandia National Laboratories has developed a computer program to review, reduce and manipulate waveform data. PlotData is designed for post-acquisition waveform data analysis. PlotData is both a post-acquisition and an advanced interactive data analysis environment. PlotData requires unidirectional waveform data with both uniform and discrete time-series measurements. PlotData operates on a National Instruments' LabVIEW™ software platform. Using PlotData, the user can capture waveform data from digitizing oscilloscopes over a GPIB, USB and Ethernet interface from Tektronix, Lecroy or Agilent scopes. PlotData can both import and export several types of binary waveform files including, but not limited to, Tektronix .wmf files,more » Lecroy.trc files and xy pair ASCIIfiles. Waveform manipulation includes numerous math functions, integration, differentiation, smoothing, truncation, and other specialized data reduction routines such as VISAR, POV, PVDF (Bauer) piezoelectric gauges, and piezoresistive gauges such as carbon manganin pressure gauges.« less

Discharge ignition in the diaphragm configuration supplied by DC non-pulsing voltage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hlochová, L.; Hlavatá, L.; Kozáková, Z.; Krčma, F.

2016-05-01

This work deals with the ignition of the discharge in the diaphragm configuration generated in water solutions containing supporting NaCl electrolyte. The reactor has volume of 110 ml and it is made of polycarbonate. HV electrodes made of stainless steel are placed in this reactor. Ceramic (Shapal-MTM) diaphragm is placed in the barrier separating the cathode and the anode space. An electric power source supplies the reactor by constant DC voltage up to 4 kV and electric current up to 300 mA. The discharge ignition is compared in the reactor with different sizes of diaphragms. Measurements are carried out in electrolyte solutions with the same conductivity. Images of plasma streamers and bubble formation are taken by an ICCD camera iStar 734. Electrical characteristics are measured by an oscilloscope LeCroy LT 374 L in order to determine breakdown moments at different experimental conditions.

Ultrasonic monitoring of the setting of silicone elastomeric impression materials.

PubMed

Kanazawa, Tomoe; Murayama, Ryosuke; Furuichi, Tetsuya; Imai, Arisa; Suda, Shunichi; Kurokawa, Hiroyasu; Takamizawa, Toshiki; Miyazaki, Masashi

2017-01-31

This study used an ultrasonic measurement device to monitor the setting behavior of silicone elastomeric impression materials, and the influence of temperature on setting behavior was determined. The ultrasonic device consisted of a pulser-receiver, transducers, and an oscilloscope. The two-way transit time through the mixing material was divided by two to account for the down-and-back travel path; then it was multiplied by the sonic velocity. Analysis of variance and the Tukey honest significant difference test were used. In the early stages of the setting process, most of the ultrasonic energy was absorbed by the elastomers and the second echoes were relatively weak. As the elastomers hardened, the sonic velocities increased until they plateaued. The changes in sonic velocities varied among the elastomers tested, and were affected by temperature conditions. The ultrasonic method used in this study has considerable potential for determining the setting processes of elastomeric impression materials.

Synchronisation, electronic circuit implementation, and fractional-order analysis of 5D ordinary differential equations with hidden hyperchaotic attractors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Zhouchao; Rajagopal, Karthikeyan; Zhang, Wei; Kingni, Sifeu Takougang; Akgül, Akif

2018-04-01

Hidden hyperchaotic attractors can be generated with three positive Lyapunov exponents in the proposed 5D hyperchaotic Burke-Shaw system with only one stable equilibrium. To the best of our knowledge, this feature has rarely been previously reported in any other higher-dimensional systems. Unidirectional linear error feedback coupling scheme is used to achieve hyperchaos synchronisation, which will be estimated by using two indicators: the normalised average root-mean squared synchronisation error and the maximum cross-correlation coefficient. The 5D hyperchaotic system has been simulated using a specially designed electronic circuit and viewed on an oscilloscope, thereby confirming the results of the numerical integration. In addition, fractional-order hidden hyperchaotic system will be considered from the following three aspects: stability, bifurcation analysis and FPGA implementation. Such implementations in real time represent hidden hyperchaotic attractors with important consequences for engineering applications.

A Two-Color Fourier Transform Mm-Wave Spectrometer for Gas Analysis Operating from 260-295 GHZ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steber, Amanda L.; Harris, Brent J.; Lehmann, Kevin K.; Pate, Brooks H.

2013-06-01

We have designed a two-color mm-wave spectrometer for Fourier transform mm-wave spectroscopy that uses consumer level components for the tunable synthesizers, digital control of the pulse modulators, and digitization of the coherent free induction decay (FID). The excitation pulses are generated using an x24 active multiplier chain (AMC) that produces a peak power of 30 mW. The microwave input to the AMC is generated in a frequency up conversion circuit that accepts a microwave input frequency from about 2-4 GHz. This circuit also generates the input to the mm-wave subhamonic mixer that creates the local oscillator from a separate 2-4 GHz microwave input. Excitation pulses at two independently tunable frequencies are generated using a dual-channel source based on a low-cost, wideband synthesizer integrated circuit (Valon Technology Model 5008). The outputs of the synthesizer are pulse modulated using a PIN diode switch that is driven using the arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) output of a USB-controlled high-speed digitizer / arbitrary waveform generator combination unit (Tie Pie HS-5 530 XM). The two pulses are combined using a Wilkinson power divider before input to the up conversion circuit. The FID frequency is down converted in a two-stage mixing process to 65 MHz. The two LO frequencies used in the receiver are provided by a second Valon 5008. The FID is digitized at 200 MSamples/s using the 12-bit Tie Pie digitizer. The digital oscilloscope (and its AWG channel) and the two synthesizers use a 10 MHz reference signal from a Rubidium clock to permit time-domain signal averaging. A key feature of the digital oscilloscope is its deep memory of 32 Mpts (complemented by the 64 Mpt memory in the 240 MS/s AWG). This makes it possible to perform several one- and two-color coherent measurements, including pulse echoes and double-resonance spectroscopy, in a single "readout" experiment to speed the analysis of mm-wave rotational spectra. The spectrometer sensitivity and frequency accuracy are illustrated by high-speed measurements of OCS rotational transitions for low-abundance isotopes. Examples of pulse echo measurements to determine the collisional relaxation rate and two-color double-resonance measurements to confirm the presence of a molecular species will be illustrated using OCS as the room-temperature gas sample.

Operational amplifier with adjustable frequency response.

PubMed

Gulisek, D; Hencek, M

1978-01-01

The authors describe an operational amplifier with an adjustable frequency response and its use in membrane physiology, using the voltage clamp and current clamp method. The amplifier eliminates feedback poles causing oscillation. It consists of a follower with a high input resistance in the form of a tube and of an actual amplifier with an adjustable frequency response allowing the abolition of clicks by one pole and of oscillation by two poles in the 500 Hz divided by infinity range. Further properties of the amplifier: a long-term voltage drift of 1 mv, a temperature voltage drift of 0.5 mv/degrees K, input resistance greater than 1 GOhm, amplification greater than 80 dB, output +/- 12 v, 25 ma, noise, measured from the width of the oscilloscope track in the presence of a ray of normal brightness, not exceeding 50 muv in the 0-250 kHz band, f1 = 1 MHz. A short report on the amplifier was published a few years ago (Gulísek and Hencek 1973).

CRT electron-optical system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shirai, Shoji

1995-09-01

CRT is the most successful electron optical system, commercially. Over a hundred million systems are produced each year, and distributed to the whole world as television sets or personal computers. Therefore, the system has to be extremely cost and power effective, and ergonomics is the important issue at its design. Also, CRT has to be bright enough to be watched in the luminous living or office room. Therefore, electron beam current and anode voltage (CRT screen voltage) are as high as 0.5 to 7 mA and 20 to 33 kV, respectively. These unique restrictions cause unique electron lens design such as in-line rotationally asymmetrical lens or dynamic quadrupole lens and deflection yoke design such as self converging deflection yoke which produces barrel shaped vertical and pin-cushion shaped horizontal magnetic fields. In this paper the recent technical advancement and future trends of the CRT electron optical system will be discussed. The discussion will be restricted only to the picture tube, and other devices such as camera tube, oscilloscope tube will be excluded.

A laser spectrometer and wavemeter for pulsed lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mckay, J. A.; Laufer, P. M.; Cotnoir, L. J.

1989-01-01

The design, construction, calibration, and evaluation of a pulsed laser wavemeter and spectral analyzer are described. This instrument, called the Laserscope for its oscilloscope-like display of laser spectral structure, was delivered to NASA Langley Research Center as a prototype of a laboratory instrument. The key component is a multibeam Fizeau wedge interferometer, providing high (0.2 pm) spectral resolution and a linear dispersion of spectral information, ideally suited to linear array photodiode detectors. Even operating alone, with the classic order-number ambiguity of interferometers unresolved, this optical element will provide a fast, real-time display of the spectral structure of a laser output. If precise wavelength information is also desired then additional stages must be provided to obtain a wavelength measurement within the order-number uncertainty, i.e., within the free spectral range of the Fizeau wedge interferometer. A Snyder (single-beam Fizeau) wedge is included to provide this initial wavelength measurement. Difficulties in achieving the required wide-spectrum calibration limit the usefulness of this function.

Low threshold all-optical crossbar switch on GaAs-GaAlAs channel waveguide arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jannson, Tomasz; Kostrzewski, Andrew

1994-09-01

During the Phase 2 project entitled 'Low Threshold All-Optical Crossbar Switch on GaAs - GaAlAs Channel Waveguide Array,' Physical Optics Corporation (POC) developed the basic principles for the fabrication of all-optical crossbar switches. Based on this development. POC fabricated a 2 x 2 GaAs/GaAlAs switch that changes the direction of incident light with minimum insertion loss and nonlinear distortion. This unique technology can be used in both analog and digital networks. The applications of this technology are widespread. Because the all-optical network does not have any speed limitations (RC time constant), POC's approach will be beneficial to SONET networks, phased array radar networks, very high speed oscilloscopes, all-optical networks, IR countermeasure systems, BER equipment, and the fast growing video conferencing network market. The novel all-optical crossbar switch developed in this program will solve interconnect problems. and will be a key component in the widely proposed all-optical 200 Gb/s SONET/ATM networks.

Laser radiation wavefront conjugation in fiber optic lightguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chertkov, A. A.

1986-02-01

Wavefront conjugation precision during stimulated brillouin scattering is investigated in a monofiber with spatially homogeneous and inhomogeneous beams at lambda = 106 micrometer. A Q-modulated YAG:Nd sup 3+ laser with initial transmission of 25% was employed as the radiation source. The energy of the incident and reflected radiation was measured by means of F-28 photoelements outputting their signals to an S8-12 oscilloscope. The behavior of the coefficient of reflection from the stimulated Brillouin scattering mirror as a function of the amount by which the pumping energy exceeded the threshold was found to be the same for all types of fibers, and to be independent of astigmatism and angular beam divergence. The wavefront conjugation quality as a function of the energy level was also the same for all of the lightguides employed: quartz, silicate and silicate-quartz. The good wavefront conjugation observed for astigmatic and spatially inhomogeneous beams make it possible to compensate satisfactorily for inhomogeneities in the distorting wavefront of the beam.

Self-mode-locked AlGaInP-VECSEL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bek, R.; Großmann, M.; Kahle, H.; Koch, M.; Rahimi-Iman, A.; Jetter, M.; Michler, P.

2017-10-01

We report the mode-locked operation of an AlGaInP-based semiconductor disk laser without a saturable absorber. The active region containing 20 GaInP quantum wells is used in a linear cavity with a curved outcoupling mirror. The gain chip is optically pumped by a 532 nm laser, and mode-locking is achieved by carefully adjusting the pump spot size. For a pump power of 6.8 W, an average output power of up to 30 mW is reached at a laser wavelength of 666 nm. The pulsed emission is characterized using a fast oscilloscope and a spectrum analyzer, demonstrating stable single-pulse operation at a repetition rate of 3.5 GHz. Intensity autocorrelation measurements reveal a FWHM pulse duration of 22 ps with an additional coherence peak on top, indicating noise-like pulses. The frequency spectrum, as well as the Gaussian beam profile and the measured beam propagation factor below 1.1, shows no influence of higher order transverse modes contributing to the mode-locked operation.

Fast capacitive probe for electromagnetic pulse diagnostic.

PubMed

Lorusso, A; Nassisi, V; Siciliano, M V

2008-06-01

In this work, we report the study and the development of a capacitive probe which is suitable for getting fast and high voltage/current measurements. Due to the fact that fast pulses propagate generally in coaxial structures, the probe realized in this work was a capacitive divider with the divider electrode properly designed to assure the same characteristic impedance of the coaxial structure and the recombination time of the split signals during the propagation. It was a folded cylindrical ring of 1.4 cm long and 0.8 cm thick, which introduce a theoretical delay time of about 100 ps. Analyzing the behavior of the probe closed on 520 Omega, the voltage amplification resulted to be of (3.6+/-0.1) x 10(-4) and, as a consequence, the current attenuation factor of 56+/-1 AV. The response rise time was less than 320 ps, which was limited by oscilloscope bandwave. The capacitor probe can operate voltage measurements of the order of 100 kV.

Improvement of ion thruster design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, R. T.

1986-01-01

Two types of measurements were performed on ion thrustors equipped with SmCo magnets in either ring cusp or line cusp arrangements. Langmuir probes were used to measure plasma potential, electron density, and electron temperture in all regions inside the thruster. Loss fluxes to various surfaces were determined by measuring the currents to foils attached to or imbedded in the surface. Data were obtained for several sets of discharge voltages and currents. The loss currents were determined from current vs voltage characteristics observed on a transistor curve tracer oscilloscope. Both ion and electron currents were measured to all parts of the walls and to all parts of the cathode assembly using collecting plates. These measurement were also made for various parameter sets. In line cusp configuration the plasma density is essentially as predicted by existing calculations. In the ring cusp arrangement the interior of the plasma contains an inhomogeneous and relatively large magnetic field so the geometry is decidely two-dimensional and the models of Self (1967) and of Kino and Sham (1966) do not agree.

Monitoring the quality of welding based on welding current and ste analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazlan, Afidatusshimah; Daniyal, Hamdan; Izzani Mohamed, Amir; Ishak, Mahadzir; Hadi, Amran Abdul

2017-10-01

Qualities of welding play an important part in industry especially in manufacturing field. Post-welding non-destructive test is one of the importance process to ensure the quality of welding but it is time consuming and costly. To reduce the chance of defects, online monitoring had been utilized by continuously sense some of welding parameters and predict welding quality. One of the parameters is welding current, which is rich of information but lack of study focus on extract them at signal analysis level. This paper presents the analysis of welding current using Short Time Energy (STE) signal processing to quantify the pattern of the current. GMAW set with carbon steel specimens are used in this experimental study with high-bandwidth and high sampling rate oscilloscope capturing the welding current. The results indicate welding current as signatures have high correlation with the welding process. Continue with STE analysis, the value below 5000 is declare as good welding, meanwhile the STE value more than 6000 is contained defect.

Characterization of noncontact piezoelectric transducer with conically shaped piezoelement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, James H., Jr.; Ochi, Simeon C. U.

1988-01-01

The characterization of a dynamic surface displacement transducer (IQI Model 501) by a noncontact method is presented. The transducer is designed for ultrasonic as well as acoustic emission measurements and, according to the manufacturer, its characteristic features include a flat frequency response range which is from 50 to 1000 kHz and a quality factor Q of less than unity. The characterization is based on the behavior of the transducer as a receiver and involves exciting the transducer directly by transient pulse input stress signals of quasi-electrostatic origin and observing its response in a digital storage oscilloscope. Theoretical models for studying the response of the transducer to pulse input stress signals and for generating pulse stress signals are presented. The characteristic features of the transducer which include the central frequency f sub o, quality factor Q, and flat frequency response range are obtained by this noncontact characterization technique and they compare favorably with those obtained by a tone burst method which are also presented.

High resolution ultrasonic spectroscopy system for nondestructive evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, C. H.

1991-01-01

With increased demand for high resolution ultrasonic evaluation, computer based systems or work stations become essential. The ultrasonic spectroscopy method of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) was used to develop a high resolution ultrasonic inspection system supported by modern signal processing, pattern recognition, and neural network technologies. The basic system which was completed consists of a 386/20 MHz PC (IBM AT compatible), a pulser/receiver, a digital oscilloscope with serial and parallel communications to the computer, an immersion tank with motor control of X-Y axis movement, and the supporting software package, IUNDE, for interactive ultrasonic evaluation. Although the hardware components are commercially available, the software development is entirely original. By integrating signal processing, pattern recognition, maximum entropy spectral analysis, and artificial neural network functions into the system, many NDE tasks can be performed. The high resolution graphics capability provides visualization of complex NDE problems. The phase 3 efforts involve intensive marketing of the software package and collaborative work with industrial sectors.

The SpikerBox: A Low Cost, Open-Source BioAmplifier for Increasing Public Participation in Neuroscience Inquiry

PubMed Central

Marzullo, Timothy C.; Gage, Gregory J.

2012-01-01

Although people are generally interested in how the brain functions, neuroscience education for the public is hampered by a lack of low cost and engaging teaching materials. To address this, we developed an open-source tool, the SpikerBox, which is appropriate for use in middle/high school educational programs and by amateurs. This device can be used in easy experiments in which students insert sewing pins into the leg of a cockroach, or other invertebrate, to amplify and listen to the electrical activity of neurons. With the cockroach leg preparation, students can hear and see (using a smartphone oscilloscope app we have developed) the dramatic changes in activity caused by touching the mechanosensitive barbs. Students can also experiment with other manipulations such as temperature, drugs, and microstimulation that affect the neural activity. We include teaching guides and other resources in the supplemental materials. These hands-on lessons with the SpikerBox have proven to be effective in teaching basic neuroscience. PMID:22470415

FM-to-AM modulations induced by a weak residual reflection stack of sine-modulated pulses in inertial confinement fusion laser systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xiaoxia; Deng, Xuewei; Zhou, Wei; Hu, Dongxia; Guo, Huaiwen; Wang, Yuancheng; Zhao, Bowang; Zhong, Wei; Deng, Wu

2018-02-01

We report on frequency to amplitude modulation (FM-to-AM) conversion induced by a weak residual reflection stack of sine-modulated pulses in a complex laser system. Theoretical and experimental investigations reveal that when weak residual reflected pulses stack on the main pulse, the spectral intensity changes in the stacked region, which then converts to obvious AM. This kind of FM-to-AM effect often occurs in the tail of the pulse and cannot be eliminated by common compensation methods, which even enhance the modulation depth. Furthermore, the actual intensity modulation frequency and depth induced by the residual reflection stack are much higher and deeper than observed on the oscilloscope, which is harmful for safe operation of the laser facility and the driving power balance during inertial confinement fusion. To eliminate this kind of FM-to-AM effect, any possible on-axis and near-axis residual reflection in laser systems must be avoided.

Impulse Testing of Corporate-Fed Patch Array Antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamberlain, Neil F.

2011-01-01

This paper discusses a novel method for detecting faults in antenna arrays. The method, termed Impulse Testing, was developed for corporate-fed patch arrays where the element is fed by a probe and is shorted at its center. Impulse Testing was devised to supplement conventional microwave measurements in order to quickly verify antenna integrity. The technique relies on exciting each antenna element in turn with a fast pulse (or impulse) that propagates through the feed network to the output port of the antenna. The resulting impulse response is characteristic of the path through the feed network. Using an oscilloscope, a simple amplitude measurement can be made to detect faults. A circuit model of the antenna elements and feed network was constructed to assess various fault scenarios and determine fault-detection thresholds. The experimental setup and impulse measurements for two patch array antennas are presented. Advantages and limitations of the technique are discussed along with applications to other antenna array topologies

Effect of Temperature on Ultrasonic Signal Propagation for Extra Virgin Olive Oil Adulteration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alias, N. A.; Hamid, S. B. Abdul; Sophian, A.

2017-11-01

Fraud cases involving adulteration of extra virgin olive oil has become significant nowadays due to increasing in cost of supply and highlight given the benefit of extra virgin olive oil for human consumption. This paper presents the effects of temperature variation on spectral formed utilising pulse-echo technique of ultrasound signal. Several methods had been introduced to characterize the adulteration of extra virgin olive oil with other fluid sample such as mass chromatography, standard method by ASTM (density test, distillation test and evaporation test) and mass spectrometer. Pulse-echo method of ultrasound being a non-destructive method to be used to analyse the sound wave signal captured by oscilloscope. In this paper, a non-destructive technique utilizing ultrasound to characterize extra virgin olive oil adulteration level will be presented. It can be observed that frequency spectrum of sample with different ratio and variation temperature shows significant percentages different from 30% up to 70% according to temperature variation thus possible to be used for sample characterization.

APPARATUS FOR THE MASS ANALYSIS OF PLASMA ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS

DOEpatents

Neidigh, R.V.

1963-07-01

An apparatus for the mass analysis of plasmas on a continuous basis is described. The apparatus comprises a pair of parallel electrodes in a tubular member which serve as a velocity-selecting region for ions drawn by an accelerating potential through a tapered nose cone affixed to the tubular member. The magnetic force and electrostatic forces in the velocity-selecting region are made equal and opposite in direction to prevent the ionic species from striking either of the electrodes as they traverse the region. A pair of parallel plates is positioned within the tubular member and in alignment with the electrodes, but displaced slightly so as not to be seen by direct light coming through the entrance slit of the nose cone, and one of these plates serves as a collector plate. This collector plate is coupled to the vertical amplifier of an oscilloscope or other recorder to provide a continuous indication of the ionic coinposition of the plasma under analysis. ( DELTA EC)

Absolute calibration technique for broadband ultrasonic transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, William T. (Inventor); Cantrell, John H. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

Calibrating an ultrasonic transducer can be performed with a reduced number of calculations and testing. A wide-band pulser is connected to an ultrasonic transducer under test to generate ultrasonic waves in a liquid. A single frequency is transmitted to the electrostatic acoustic transducer (ESAT) and the voltage change produced is monitored. Then a broadband ultrasonic pulse is generated by the ultrasonic transducer and received by the ESAT. The output of the ESAT is amplified and input to a digitized oscilloscope for fast Fourier transform. The resulting plot is normalized with the monitored signal from the single frequency pulse. The plot is then corrected for characteristics of the membrane and diffraction effects. The transfer function of the final plot is determined. The transfer function gives the final sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer as a function of frequency. The advantage of the system is the speed of calibrating the transducer by a reduced number of measurements and removal of the membrane and diffraction effects.

Collective behavior of silver plasma during pulsed laser ablation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dildar, I. M.; Rehman, S.; Khaleeq-ur-Rahman, M.; Bhatti, K. A.; Shuaib, A.

2015-07-01

The present work reports an electrical investigation of silver plasma using a self-fabricated Langmuir probe in air and under a low vacuum (~10-3 torr). A silver target was irradiated with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with the wavelength 1.064 µm, energy 10 mJ, pulse duration 9-14 ns and power 1.1 MW. The collective behavior of a silver plasma plume is studied using a Langmuir probe as an electrical diagnostic technique. By applying different positive and negative voltages to the probe, the respective signals are collected on a four channels digital storage oscilloscope having a frequency of 500 MHz. An I-V curve helps to measure electron temperature and electron density directly and plasma frequency, response time, Debye length and number of particles in ‘Debye’s sphere’ indirectly using the theory of Langmuir probe and mathematical formulas. The floating potential is measured as negative for laser induced silver plasma in air and vacuum, following the theory of plasma.

Image charge multi-role and function detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milnes, James; Lapington, Jon S.; Jagutzki, Ottmar; Howorth, Jon

2009-06-01

The image charge technique used with microchannel plate imaging tubes provides several operational and practical benefits by serving to isolate the electronic image readout from the detector. The simple dielectric interface between detector and readout provides vacuum isolation and no vacuum electrical feed-throughs are required. Since the readout is mechanically separate from the detector, an image tube of generic design can be simply optimised for various applications by attaching it to different readout devices and electronics. We present imaging performance results using a single image tube with a variety of readout devices suited to differing applications: (a) A four electrode charge division tetra wedge anode, optimised for best spatial resolution in photon counting mode. (b) A cross delay line anode, enabling higher count rate, and the possibility of discriminating near co-incident events, and an event timing resolution of better than 1 ns. (c) A multi-anode readout connected, either to a multi-channel oscilloscope for analogue measurements of fast optical pulses, or alternately, to a multi-channel time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) card.

Doppler radar echoes of lightning and precipitation at vertical incidence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zrnic, D. S.; Rust, W. D.; Taylor, W. L.

1982-01-01

Digital time series data at 16 heights within two storms were collected at vertical incidence with a 10-cm Doppler radar. On several occasions during data collection, lightning echoes were observed as increased reflectivity on an oscilloscope display. Simultaneously, lightning signals from nearby electric field change antennas were recorded on an analog recorder together with the radar echoes. Reflectivity, mean velocity, and Doppler spectra were examined by means of time series analysis for times during and after lightning discharges. Spectra from locations where lightning occurred show peaks, due to the motion of the lightning channel at the air speed. These peaks are considerably narrower than the ones due to precipitation. Besides indicating the vertical air velocity that can then be used to estimate hydrometeor-size distribution, the lightning spectra provide a convenient means to estimate the radar cross section of the channel. Subsequent to one discharge, we deduce that a rapid change in the orientation of hydrometeors occurred within the resolution volume.

Vector solitons with polarization instability and locked polarization in a fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Dingkang; Zhang, Jian-Guo; Liu, Yuanshan

2012-07-01

We investigate the characteristics of vector solitons with and without locked phase velocities of orthogonal polarization components in a specially-designed laser cavity which is formed by a bidirectional fiber loop together with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. The characteristics of the two states are compared in the temporal and spectrum domain, respectively. Both of the two states exhibit the characteristic of mode locking while the two orthogonal polarization components are not resolved. However, for the vector soliton with unlocked phase velocities, identical intensity varies after passing through a polarization beam splitter (PBS) outside the laser cavity. Contrary to the polarization rotation locked vector soliton, the intensity does not change periodically. For the polarization-locked vector soliton (PLVS), the identical pulse intensity is still obtained after passing through the PBS and can be observed on the oscilloscope screen after photodetection. A coupler instead of a circulator is integrated in the laser cavity and strong interaction on the polarization resolved spectra of the PLVS is observed. By comparing the two states, we conclude that interaction between the two orthogonal components contributes to the locked phase velocities.

Arc Voltage Between Deion Grid Affected by Division of Arc in Magnetic Driven Arc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inuzuka, Yutaro; Yamato, Takashi; Yamamoto, Shinji; Iwao, Toru

2016-10-01

Magnetic driven arc has been applied to DC breaker and fault current limiters. However, it has not been researched, especially stagnation and re-strike of the arc. In this paper, the arc voltage between deion grid affected by division of arc in magnetic driven arc and arc behavior are measured by using the oscilloscope and HSVC (High Speed Video Camera). As a result, arc voltage increased because of division of the arc. The arc mean moving speed increases with increasing the external magnetic field. However, when the arc was not stalemate, the arc moving speed does not change so much. The arc re-strike time increases and stalemate time decreases with increasing the external magnetic field. Therefore, the anode spot moving speed increases 8 times because arc re-strike occurs easily with the external magnetic field. Thus, the erosion of electrodes decreases and the arc movement becomes the smooth. When the arc is divided, the arc voltage increased because of the electrode fall voltage. Therefore, the arc voltage increases with increasing the number of deion grid.

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

Smith, D.E.; Roeske, F.

We have successfully fielded a Fiber Optics Radiation Experiment system (FOREX) designed for measuring material properties at high temperatures and pressures in an underground nuclear test. The system collects light from radiating materials and transmits it through several hundred meters of optical fibers to a recording station consisting of a streak camera with film readout. The use of fiber optics provides a faster time response than can presently be obtained with equalized coaxial cables over comparable distances. Fibers also have significant cost and physical size advantages over coax cables. The streak camera achieves a much higher information density than anmore » equivalent oscilloscope system, and it also serves as the light detector. The result is a wide bandwidth high capacity system that can be fielded at a relatively low cost in manpower, space, and materials. For this experiment, the streak camera had a 120 ns time window with a 1.2 ns time resolution. Dynamic range for the system was about 1000. Beam current statistical limitations were approximately 8% for a 0.3 ns wide data point at one decade above the threshold recording intensity.« less

Study of plasma parameters in a pulsed plasma accelerator using triple Langmuir probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borthakur, S.; Talukdar, N.; Neog, N. K.; Borthakur, T. K.

2018-01-01

A Triple Langmuir Probe (TLP) has been used to study plasma parameters of a transient plasma produced in a newly developed Pulsed Plasma Accelerator system. In this experiment, a TLP with a capacitor based current mode biasing circuit was used that instantaneously gives voltage traces in an oscilloscope which are directly proportional to the plasma electron temperature and density. The electron temperature (Te) and plasma density (ne) of the plasma are measured with the help of this probe and found to be 24.13 eV and 3.34 × 1021/m3 at the maximum energy (-15 kV) of the system, respectively. An attempt was also made to analyse the time-dependent fluctuations in plasma parameters detected by the highly sensitive triple probe. In addition to this, the variation of these parameters under different discharge voltages was studied. The information obtained from these parameters is the initial diagnostics of a new device which is to be dedicated to study the impact of high heat flux plasma stream upon material surfaces inside an ITER like tokamak.

Online Measurement of the Energy Spread of Multi-Turn Beam in the Fermilab Booster at Injection

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

Nelson, J.; Bhat, C. M.; Hendricks, B. S.

We have developed a computer program interfaced with the ACNET environment of Fermilab accelerators to measure energy spread of the proton beam from the LINAC at an injection into the Booster. It uses a digitizing oscilloscope and provides users an ability to configure the scope settings for optimal data acquisition from a resistive wall current monitor. When the program is launched, a) a one shot timeline is generated to initiate beam injection into the Booster, b) a gap of about 40 ns is produced in the injected beam using a set of fast kickers, c) collects line charge distribution datamore » from the wall current monitor for the first 200 μs from the injection and d) performs complete data analysis to extract full beam energy spread of the beam. The program also gives the option to store the data for offline analyses. We illustrate a case with an example. We also present results on beam energy spread as a function of beam intensity from recent measurements.« less

Demonstrating the conservation of angular momentum using spherical magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindén, Johan; Slotte, Joakim; Källman, Kjell-Mikael

2018-01-01

An experimental setup for demonstrating the conservation of angular momentum of rotating spherical magnets is described. Two spherical Nd-Fe-B magnets are placed on a double inclined plane and projected towards each other with pre-selected impact parameters ranging from zero to a few tens of millimeters. After impact, the two magnets either revolve vigorously around the common center of mass or stop immediately, depending on the value of the impact parameter. Using a pick-up coil connected to an oscilloscope, the angular frequency for the rotating magnets was measured, and an estimate for the angular momentum was obtained. A high-speed video camera captured the impact and was used for measuring linear and angular velocities of the magnets. A very good agreement between the initial angular momentum before the impact and the final angular momentum of the revolving dumbbell is observed. The two rotating magnets, and the rotating electromagnetic field emanating from them, can also be viewed as a toy model for the newly discovered gravitational waves, where two black holes collide after revolving around each other. (Enhanced online)

Evaluation of the shock-wave pattern for endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy.

PubMed

Vorreuther, R; Engelmann, Y

1995-01-01

We evaluated the electrical events and the resulting shock waves of the spark discharge for electrohydraulic lithotripsy at the tip of a 3.3F probe. Spark generation was achieved by variable combinations of voltage and capacity. The effective electrical output was determined by means of a high-voltage probe, a current coil, and a digital oscilloscope. Peak pressures, rise times, and pulse width of the pressure profiles were recorded using a polyvinylidene difluoride needle hydrophone in 0.9% NaCl solution at a distance of 10 mm. The peak pressure and the slope of the shock front depend solely on the voltage, while the pulse width was correlated with the capacity. Pulses of less than 1-microsecond duration can be obtained when low capacity is applied and the inductivity of the cables and plugs is kept at a low level. Using chalk as a stone model it was proven that short pulses of high peak pressure provided by a low capacity and a high voltage have a greater impact on fragmentation than the corresponding broader shock waves of lower peak pressure carrying the same energy.

FOREX-A Fiber Optics Diagnostic System For Study Of Materials At High Temperatures And Pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, D. E.; Roeske, F.

1983-03-01

We have successfully fielded a Fiber Optics Radiation EXperiment system (FOREX) designed for measuring material properties at high temperatures and pressures on an underground nuclear test. The system collects light from radiating materials and transmits it through several hundred meters of optical fibers to a recording station consisting of a streak camera with film readout. The use of fiber optics provides a faster time response than can presently be obtained with equalized coaxial cables over comparable distances. Fibers also have significant cost and physical size advantages over coax cables. The streak camera achieves a much higher information density than an equivalent oscilloscope system, and it also serves as the light detector. The result is a wide bandwidth high capacity system that can be fielded at a relatively low cost in manpower, space, and materials. For this experiment, the streak camera had a 120 ns time window with a 1.2 ns time resolution. Dynamic range for the system was about 1000. Beam current statistical limitations were approximately 8% for a 0.3 ns wide data point at one decade above the threshold recording intensity.

Sonic resonator control and method for determining component concentration in multiple component molten liquids

DOEpatents

Shen, Sin-Yan

1984-01-01

This invention teaches a control to be used in smelting aluminum by the electrolysis breakdown of alumina (A1.sub.2 O.sub.3) in a molten electrolyte heated to approximately 950.degree.-1000.degree. C. The invention provides a sonic resonator and control that can accurately detect the resonant frequency of the resonator in the molten electrolyte. The resonator preferably is made with tubular side wall 1/4 of the sonic wavelength, or is a quarter wave resonator. A wave generator inputs a signal having a range of frequencies that includes the resonant frequency, so that a peak resonant output at the resonant frequency can be detected on an oscilloscope or like detector. This instantaneous resonant frequency is then checked against an accurate data base correlating the resonant frequencies of the resonator in the electrolyte at specific alumina concentrations normally experienced throughout the electrolysis cycle. The electrolysis cycle can thus be controlled and recharged at any predetermined low alumina concentration greater than where the anode effect phase of the cycle normally might begin.

Timing Performance of TlBr Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hitomi, Keitaro; Tada, Tsutomu; Onodera, Toshiyuki; Shoji, Tadayoshi; Kim, Seong-Yun; Xu, Yuanlai; Ishii, Keizo

2013-08-01

The timing performance of TlBr detectors was evaluated at room temperature (22 °C). 0.5-mm-thick planar TlBr detectors with Tl circular electrodes with a diameter of 3 mm were fabricated from TlBr crystals grown by the traveling molten zone method using a zone-purified material. The pulse rise time of the TlBr detector was measured using a digital oscilloscope as the cathode surface of the device was irradiated with a 22Na gamma-ray source. Coincidence timing spectra were obtained between the TlBr detector and a BaF2 scintillation detector when both detectors were irradiated with 511 keV positron annihilation gamma-rays. The timing resolution of the TlBr detector was found to be inversely proportional to the applied bias voltage. The TlBr detector, in coincidence with the BaF2 detector, exhibited timing resolutions characterized by a 6.5 ns full width at half maximum (FWHM) and an 8.5 ns FWHM with and without an energy window of 350 keV-560 keV, respectively.

Using of fiber-array diagnostic to measure the propagation of fast axial ionization wave during breakdown of electrically exploding tungsten wire in vacuum.

PubMed

Shi, Huantong; Zou, Xiaobing; Wang, Xinxin

2017-12-01

The physical process of electrical explosion of wires in vacuum is featured with the surface discharge along the wire, which generates the corona plasma layer and terminates the Joule heating of the wire core. In this paper, a fiber-array probe was designed to directly measure the radiation of surface arc with spatial and temporal resolution. The radiation of the exploding wire was casted to the section of an optical-fiber-array by a lens and transmitted to PIN diodes and finally collected with an oscilloscope. This probe enables direct diagnostics of the evolution of surface discharge with high temporal resolution and certain spatial resolution. The radiation of a tungsten wire driven by a positive current pulse was measured, and results showed that surface discharge initiates near the cathode and propagates toward the anode with a speed of 7.7 ± 1.6 mm/ns; further estimations showed that this process is responsible for the "conical" structure of the exploding wire.

IV INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ATOM AND MOLECULAR PULSED LASERS (AMPL'99): Discharge characteristics in a nonchain HF(DF) laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apollonov, V. V.; Kazantsev, S. Yu; Saifulin, A. V.; Firsov, K. N.

2000-06-01

It is found that for SF6—hydrocarbon (deuterocarbon) mixtures having a composition typical for nonchain HF(DF) lasers, the electric field strength reduced to the partial pressure of SF6 (pSF6) in the quasistationary phase of a volume self-sustained discharge (E/pSF6)st=92 V m-1 Pa-1 is close to the known critical value (E/p)cr=89 V m-1 Pa-1, which is specified by the condition that the electron-impact ionisation rate of SF6 is equal to the rate of electron attachment to SF6 molecules. This testifies to the decisive role of these two processes and allows the use of the known approximations of the effective ionisation coefficient and the electron drift velocity for pure SF6 when calculating the discharge characteristics. The oscilloscope traces of voltage and current calculated in this approximation for lasers with apertures ranging from 4 to 27 cm deviated from the experimental data by no more than 10%.

Construction of a Magnetic Induction Antenna to Detect Schumann Resonances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernald, Trevr; Bowers, Alexis; Cossel, Raquel; McIntyre, Maxwell; Reid, John, , Dr.

2016-03-01

An antenna was designed and built to detect magnetic field changes in the form of Schumann resonances. This was done in hopes of eventually being able to correlate data with sprite occurrence. A square loop was constructed with one meter sides using 2x4s and was wrapped with six hundred turns of 0.2mm thick copper wire. The antenna was tested in a rural location in northern Pennsylvania, chosen for its isolation and expectations of low electrical noise. Detected signals were filtered using a band-pass filter and observed using an oscilloscope. The signal had too much interference to make it possible to see any unmistakably Schumann character, but a Fourier Transform function made it possible to see the contribution of each component frequency to the overall interference. This function revealed possible presence of Schumann character in the signal, indicating mostly 2nd and 3rd mode Schumann frequencies. The fundamental mode may have been observed as well, but was less consistent and pronounced than the other frequencies. The performance of the filter was somewhat questionable and electrical noise was evident, so further experimentation is necessary.

Computer-assisted recording of tensile tests for the evaluation of serrated flow

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

Weinhandl, H.; Mitter, F.; Bernt, W.

1994-12-01

In a previous paper the authors pointed out the difficulties which arise in the evaluation of serrated flow curves when the applied tensile strain rates are just above normal''. The recording system of tensile testing machines which were built, say, twenty years ago, are not capable of recording the full size of the load drops due to the inertia of the recording pen. This handicap was then overcome by establishing correction factors which were determined from recording a small number of load drops with an oscilloscope. Modern testing machines are equipped with digital recording. The disadvantage of the common systemmore » is, however, their limited capacity, so that not enough space for data points is available. Consequently, the time intervals between data points are of the order of tenths of seconds. It will become obvious from the present results that such a time interval is too large for recording a correct serration size. This report is concerned with the recording of complete load-extension relations during tensile tests using a computer which is capable of storing the data at sufficiently small time intervals.« less

SPE analysis of high efficiency PMTs for the DEAP-3600 dark matter detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olsen, Kevin; Hallin, Aksel; DEAP/CLEAN Collaboration

2011-09-01

The Dark matter Experiment using Argon Pulse-shape discrimination is a collaborative effort to develop a next-generation, tonne-scale dark matter detector at SNOLAB. The detector will feature a single-phase liquid argon (LAr) target surrounded by an array of 266 photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). A new high-efficiency Hamamatsu R877-100 PMT has been delivered to the University of Alberta for evaluation by the DEAP collaboration. The increase in efficiency could lead to a much greater light yield, but other experiments have reported a slower rise time [1],[2]. We have placed the PMT in a small dark box and had a base and preamplifier designed to be used with either an oscilloscope or a multi-channel analyzer. With this setup we have demonstrated the PMT's ability to distinguish single photo-electrons (SPE) and characterized the PMT by measuring the SPE pulse height spectrum, the peak-to-valley ratio, the dark pulse rate, the baseline, time resolution and SPE efficiency for varying the high voltage supplied to the PMT.

Measuring the flexoelectric coefficient of bulk barium titanate from a shock wave experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Taotao; Deng, Qian; Liang, Xu; Shen, Shengping

2017-08-01

In this paper, a phenomenon of polarization introduced by shock waves is experimentally studied. Although this phenomenon has been reported previously in the community of physics, this is the first time to link it to flexoelectricity, the coupling between electric polarization and strain gradients in dielectrics. As the shock waves propagate in a dielectric material, electric polarization is thought to be induced by the strain gradient at the shock front. First, we control the first-order hydrogen gas gun to impact and generate shock waves in unpolarized bulk barium titanate (BT) samples. Then, a high-precision oscilloscope is used to measure the voltage generated by the flexoelectric effect. Based on experimental results, strain elastic wave theory, and flexoelectric theory, a longitudinal flexoelectric coefficient of the bulk BT sample is calculated to be μ 11 = 17.33 × 10 - 6 C/m, which is in accord with the published transverse flexoelectric coefficient. This method effectively suppresses the majority of drawbacks in the quasi-static and low frequency dynamic techniques and provides more reliable results of flexoelectric behaviors.

Using of fiber-array diagnostic to measure the propagation of fast axial ionization wave during breakdown of electrically exploding tungsten wire in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Huantong; Zou, Xiaobing; Wang, Xinxin

2017-12-01

The physical process of electrical explosion of wires in vacuum is featured with the surface discharge along the wire, which generates the corona plasma layer and terminates the Joule heating of the wire core. In this paper, a fiber-array probe was designed to directly measure the radiation of surface arc with spatial and temporal resolution. The radiation of the exploding wire was casted to the section of an optical-fiber-array by a lens and transmitted to PIN diodes and finally collected with an oscilloscope. This probe enables direct diagnostics of the evolution of surface discharge with high temporal resolution and certain spatial resolution. The radiation of a tungsten wire driven by a positive current pulse was measured, and results showed that surface discharge initiates near the cathode and propagates toward the anode with a speed of 7.7 ± 1.6 mm/ns; further estimations showed that this process is responsible for the "conical" structure of the exploding wire.

Ultrasonic Evaluation and Imaging

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

Crawford, Susan L.; Anderson, Michael T.; Diaz, Aaron A.

2015-10-01

Ultrasonic evaluation of materials for material characterization and flaw detection is as simple as manually moving a single-element probe across a speci-men and looking at an oscilloscope display in real time or as complex as automatically (under computer control) scanning a phased-array probe across a specimen and collecting encoded data for immediate or off-line data analyses. The reliability of the results in the second technique is greatly increased because of a higher density of measurements per scanned area and measurements that can be more precisely related to the specimen geometry. This chapter will briefly discuss applications of the collection ofmore » spatially encoded data and focus primarily on the off-line analyses in the form of data imaging. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been involved with as-sessing and advancing the reliability of inservice inspections of nuclear power plant components for over 35 years. Modern ultrasonic imaging techniques such as the synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT), phased-array (PA) technolo-gy and sound field mapping have undergone considerable improvements to effec-tively assess and better understand material constraints.« less

Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bautista, F. J.; De la Rosa, J.; Gallegos, F. J.

2006-02-01

Fluorescence methods are being used increasingly in the measurement of species concentrations in gases, liquids and solids. Laser induced fluorescence is spontaneous emission from atoms or molecules that have been excited by laser radiation. Here we present a time resolved fluorescence instrument that consists of a 5 μJ Nitrogen laser (337.1 nm), a sample holder, a quartz optical fiber, a spectrometer, a PMT and a PC that allows the measurement of visible fluorescence spectra (350-750 nm). Time response of the system is approximately 5 ns. The instrument has been used in the measurement of colored bond paper, antifreeze, diesel, cochineal pigment and malignant tissues. The data acquisition was achieved through computer control of a digital oscilloscope (using General Purpose Interface Bus GPIB) and the spectrometer via serial (RS232). The instrument software provides a graphic interface that lets make some data acquisition tasks like finding fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence lifetimes. The software was developed using the Lab-View 6i graphic programming package and can be easily managed in order to add more functions to it.

Single-shot high-resolution characterization of optical pulses by spectral phase diversity

DOE PAGES

Dorrer, C.; Waxer, L. J.; Kalb, A.; ...

2015-12-15

The concept of spectral phase diversity is proposed and applied to the temporal characterization of optical pulses. The experimental trace is composed of the measured power of a plurality of ancillary optical pulses derived from the pulse under test by adding known amounts of chromatic dispersion. The spectral phase of the pulse under test is retrieved by minimizing the error between the experimental trace and a trace calculated from the optical spectrum using the known diagnostic parameters. An assembly composed of splitters and dispersive delay fibers has been used to generate 64 ancillary pulses whose instantaneous power can be detectedmore » in a single shot with a high-bandwidth photodiode and oscilloscope. Pulse-shape reconstruction for pulses shorter than the photodetection impulse response has been demonstrated.The diagnostic is experimentally shown to accurately characterize pulses from a chirped-pulse–amplification system when its stretcher is detuned from the position for optimal recompression. As a result, various investigations of the performance with respect to the number of ancillary pulses and the range of chromatic dispersion generated in the diagnostic are presented.« less

High-speed microstrip multi-anode multichannel plate detector system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riedo, Andreas; Tulej, Marek; Rohner, Urs; Wurz, Peter

2017-04-01

High-speed detector systems with high dynamic range and pulse width characteristics in the sub-nanosecond regime are mandatory for high resolution and highly sensitive time-of-flight mass spectrometers. Typically, for a reasonable detector area, an impedance-matched anode design is necessary to transmit the registered signal fast and distortion-free from the anode to the signal acquisition system. In this report, a high-speed microstrip multi-anode multichannel plate detector is presented and discussed. The anode consists of four separate active concentric anode segments allowing a simultaneous readout of signal with a dynamic range of about eight orders of magnitude. The impedance matched anode segments show pulse width of about 250 ps, measured at full width at half maximum, and rise time of ˜170 ps, measured with an oscilloscope with a sampling rate of 20 GS/s and 4 GHz analogue bandwidth. The usage of multichannel plates as signal amplifier allowed the design of a lightweight, low power consuming, and compact detector system, suitable, e.g., for the integration into space instrumentation or portable systems where size, weight, and power consumption are limited parameters.

Enhanced low current, voltage, and power dissipation measurements via Arduino Uno microcontroller with modified commercially available sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanner, Meghan; Eckel, Ryan; Senevirathne, Indrajith

The versatility, simplicity, and robustness of Arduino microcontroller architecture have won a huge following with increasingly serious engineering and physical science applications. Arduino microcontroller environment coupled with commercially available sensors have been used to systematically measure, record, and analyze low currents, low voltages and corresponding dissipated power for assessing secondary physical properties in a diverse array of engineering systems. Setup was assembled via breadboard, wire, and simple soldering with an Arduino Uno with ATmega328P microcontroller connected to a PC. The microcontroller was programmed with Arduino Software while the bootloader was used to upload the code. Commercial Hall effect current sensor modules ACS712 and INA169 current shunt monitor was used to measure corresponding low to ultra-low currents and voltages. Stable measurement data was obtained via sensors and compared with corresponding oscilloscope measurements to assess reliability and uncertainty. Sensor breakout boards were modified to enhance the sensitivity of the measurements and to expand the applicability. Discussion of these measurements will focus on capabilities, capacities and limitations of the systems with examples of possible applications. Lock Haven Nanotechnology Program.

Role of superconducting electronics in advancing science and technology (invited) (abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faris, S. M.

1988-08-01

The promises of the ultrahigh-performance properties of superconductivity and Josephson junction technologies have been known for quite some time. This presentation describes the first superconducting electronics and measurement system and its important role as a major tool to advance microwave and millimeter wave technologies. This breakthrough tool is a sampling oscilloscope with 5-ps rise time, 50-μV sensitivity, and a time domain reflectometer with 8-ps rise time. In order to achieve these performance goals, several technological hurdles had to be overcome including perfecting a manufacturing process for building Josephson junction IC chips, developing an innovative cooling technique, developing interfaces and interconnections with bandwidths in excess of 70 GHz, and developing the room-temperature hardware and software necessary to make the instruments convenient, easy to use, easy to learn, in addition to making available functions and features users have come to expect from sophisticated digital test instrumentation. These technological developments are stepping stones leading to the realization of more sophisticated and complex electronic systems satisfying the needs of scientists, technologists, and engineers. The unprecedented speed and sensitivity make it possible to attack new frontiers.

The development of acoustic experiments for off-campus teaching and learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wild, Graham; Swan, Geoff

2011-05-01

In this article, we show the implementation of a computer-based digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) and function generator (FG) using the computer's soundcard for off-campus acoustic experiments. The microphone input is used for the DSO, and a speaker jack is used as the FG. In an effort to reduce the cost of implementing the experiment, we examine software available for free, online. A small number of applications were compared in terms of their interface and functionality, for both the DSO and the FG. The software was then used to investigate standing waves in pipes using the computer-based DSO. Standing wave theory taught in high school and in first year physics is based on a one-dimensional model. With the use of the DSO's fast Fourier transform function, the experimental uncertainly alone was not sufficient to account for the difference observed between the measure and the calculated frequencies. Hence the original experiment was expanded upon to include the end correction effect. The DSO was also used for other simple acoustics experiments, in areas such as the physics of music.

Micro-fabrication of a novel linear actuator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Shuidong; Liu, Lei; Hou, Yangqing; Fang, Houfei

2017-04-01

The novel linear actuator is researched with light weight, small volume, low power consumption, fast response and relatively large displacement output. It can be used for the net surface control of large deployable mesh antennas, the tension precise adjustment of the controlled cable in the tension and tensile truss structure and many other applications. The structure and the geometry parameters are designed and analysed by finite element method in multi-physics coupling. Meantime, the relationship between input voltage and displacement output is computed, and the strength check is completed according to the stress distribution. Carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRC), glass fiber reinforced composited (GFRC), and Lead Zirconium Titanate (PZT) materials are used to fabricate the actuator by using laser etching and others MEMS process. The displacement output is measured by the laser displacement sensor device at the input voltage range of DC0-180V. The response time is obtained by oscilloscope at the arbitrarily voltage in the above range. The nominal force output is measured by the PTR-1101 mechanics setup. Finally, the computed and test results are compared and analysed.

Characterization of a polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network material

PubMed Central

Corazza, Pedro H.; Zhang, Yu

2015-01-01

Objectives To characterize the microstructure and determine some mechanical properties of a polymer-ingfiltrated ceramic-network (PICN) material (Vita Enamic, Vita Zahnfabrik) available for CAD–CAM systems. Methods Specimens were fabricated to perform quantitative and qualitative analyses of the material’s microstructure and to determine the fracture toughness (KIc), density (ρ), Poisson’s ratio (v) and Young’s modulus (E). KIc was determined using V-notched specimens and the short beam toughness method, where bar-shaped specimens were notched and 3-point loaded to fracture. ρ was calculated using Archimedes principle, and v and E were measured using an ultrasonic thickness gauge with a combination of a pulse generator and an oscilloscope. Results Microstructural analyses showed a ceramic- and a polymer-based interpenetrating network. Mean and standard deviation values for the properties evaluated were: KIc = 1.09 ± 0.05 MPa m1/2, ρ = 2.09 ± 0.01 g/cm3, v = 0.23 ± 0.002 and E = 37.95 ± 0.34 GPa. Significance The PICN material showed mechanical properties between porcelains and resin-based composites, reflecting its microstructural components. PMID:24656471

Characterization of a polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network material.

PubMed

Della Bona, Alvaro; Corazza, Pedro H; Zhang, Yu

2014-05-01

To characterize the microstructure and determine some mechanical properties of a polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network (PICN) material (Vita Enamic, Vita Zahnfabrik) available for CAD-CAM systems. Specimens were fabricated to perform quantitative and qualitative analyses of the material's microstructure and to determine the fracture toughness (KIc), density (ρ), Poisson's ratio (ν) and Young's modulus (E). KIc was determined using V-notched specimens and the short beam toughness method, where bar-shaped specimens were notched and 3-point loaded to fracture. ρ was calculated using Archimedes principle, and ν and E were measured using an ultrasonic thickness gauge with a combination of a pulse generator and an oscilloscope. Microstructural analyses showed a ceramic- and a polymer-based interpenetrating network. Mean and standard deviation values for the properties evaluated were: KIc=1.09±0.05MPam(1/2), ρ=2.09±0.01g/cm(3), ν=0.23±0.002 and E=37.95±0.34GPa. The PICN material showed mechanical properties between porcelains and resin-based composites, reflecting its microstructural components. Copyright © 2014 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Calibration tests on magnetic tape lightning current detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crouch, K. E.

1980-01-01

The low cost, passive, peak lightning current detector (LCD) invented at the NASA/Kennedy Space Center, uses magnetic audio recording tape to sense the magnitude of the peak magnetic field around a conductor carrying lightning currents. Test results show that the length of audio tape erased was linearly related to the peak simulated lightning currents in a round conductor. Accuracies of + or - 10% were shown for measurements made using a stopwatch readout technique to determine the amount of tape erased by the lightning current. The stopwatch technique is a simple, low cost means of obtaining LCD readouts and can be used in the field to obtain immediate results. Where more accurate data are desired, the tape is played and the output recorded on a strip chart, oscilloscope, or some other means so that measurements can be made on that recording. Conductor dimensions, tape holder dimensions, and tape formulation must also be considered to obtain a more accurate result. If the shape of the conductor is other than circular (i.e., angle, channel, H-beam), an analysis of the magnetic field is required to use an LCD, especially at low current levels.

Novel methods for measuring afterglow in developmental scintillators for X-ray and neutron detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartle, C. M.; Edgar, A.; Dixie, L.; Varoy, C.; Piltz, R.; Buchanan, S.; Rutherford, K.

2011-09-01

In this paper we discuss two novel methods of measuring afterglow in scintillators. One method is designed for X-ray detection and the other for neutron detection applications. In the first method a commercial fan-beam scanner of basic design similar to those seen at airports is used to deliver a typically 12 ms long X-ray pulse to a scintillator by passing the test equipment through the scanner on the conveyor belt. In the second method the thermal neutron beam from a research reactor is incident on the scintillator. The beam is cut-off in about 1 ms using a 10B impregnated aluminum pneumatic shutter, and the afterglow is recorded on a dual range storage oscilloscope to capture both the steady state intensity and the weak decay. We describe these measurement methods and the results obtained for a range of developmental ceramic and glass scintillators, as well as some standard scintillators such as NaI(Tl), LiI(Eu) and the plastic scintillator NE102A. Preliminary modeling of the afterglow is presented.

Novel circuits for energizing manganin stress gauges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tasker, Douglas G.

2017-01-01

This paper describes the design of a novel MOSFET pulsed constant current supplies for low impedance Manganin stress gauges. The design emphasis has been on high accuracy, low noise, simple, low cost, disposable supplies that can be used to energize multiple gauges in explosive or shock experiments. The Manganin gauges used to measure stresses in detonating explosive experiments have typical resistances of 50 mΩ and are energized with pulsed currents of 50 A. Conventional pulsed, constant current supplies for these gauges are high voltage devices with outputs as high as 500 V. Common problems with the use of high voltage supplies at explosive firing sites are: erroneous signals caused by ground loops; overdrive of oscilloscopes on gauge failure; gauge signal crosstalk; cost; and errors due to changing load impedances. The new circuit corrects these issues. It is an 18-V circuit, powered by 9-V alkaline batteries, and features an optically isolated trigger, and single-point grounding. These circuits have been successfully tested at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in explosive experiments. [LA-UR-15-24819

Can we estimate the cellular phone RF peak output power with a simple experiment?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fioreze, Maycon; dos Santos Junior, Sauli; Goncalves Hönnicke, Marcelo

2016-07-01

Cellular phones are becoming increasingly useful tools for students. Since cell phones operate in the microwave bandwidth, they can be used to motivate students to demonstrate and better understand the properties of electromagnetic waves. However, since these waves operate at higher frequencies (L-band, from 800 MHz to 2 GHz) it is not simple to detect them. Usually, expensive real-time high frequency oscilloscopes are required. Indirect measurements are also possible through heat-based and diode-detector-based radio-frequency (RF) power sensors. Another didactic and intuitive way is to explore a simple and inexpensive detection system, based on the interference effect caused in the electronic circuit of TV and PC soundspeakers, and to try to investigate different properties of the cell phones’ RF electromagnetic waves, such as its power and modulated frequency. This manuscript proposes a trial to quantify these measurements, based on a simple Friis equation model and the time constant of the circuit used in the detection system, in order to show it didactically to the students and even allow them also to explore such a simple detection system at home.

Single-shot high-resolution characterization of optical pulses by spectral phase diversity

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

Dorrer, C.; Waxer, L. J.; Kalb, A.

The concept of spectral phase diversity is proposed and applied to the temporal characterization of optical pulses. The experimental trace is composed of the measured power of a plurality of ancillary optical pulses derived from the pulse under test by adding known amounts of chromatic dispersion. The spectral phase of the pulse under test is retrieved by minimizing the error between the experimental trace and a trace calculated from the optical spectrum using the known diagnostic parameters. An assembly composed of splitters and dispersive delay fibers has been used to generate 64 ancillary pulses whose instantaneous power can be detectedmore » in a single shot with a high-bandwidth photodiode and oscilloscope. Pulse-shape reconstruction for pulses shorter than the photodetection impulse response has been demonstrated.The diagnostic is experimentally shown to accurately characterize pulses from a chirped-pulse–amplification system when its stretcher is detuned from the position for optimal recompression. As a result, various investigations of the performance with respect to the number of ancillary pulses and the range of chromatic dispersion generated in the diagnostic are presented.« less

[Design and experiment of a needle-to-cylinder electrode structure realizing the negative DC glow discharge in ambient air].

PubMed

Li, Hua; Wei, Chang-Yan; Liu, Chun-Xia; Shen, Xian-Hao; Chen, Zhen-Cheng

2014-07-01

A new needle-to-cylinder electrode structure was designed to realize the stable glow discharge in ambient air. The stainless steel needle tip with diameter 56.4 microm and the copper cylinder with diameter 4mm were chosen as the cathode and the anode respectively, which were kept parallel by accurate mechanical structure. In the condition that the distance between the needle and the cylinder is 2 mm, the ballasting resistor is 10 M(omega), the discharge resistor is 10 M(omega), the testing resistor is 1 k(omega), and the discharge voltage is -2 740 V, without air flow in ambient air and at room temperature, the stable glow discharge between the needle and the cylinder was realized. Three different discharge modes can be observed: corona discharge, glow discharge and spark, which were verified by the discharge waveform stored in the oscilloscope, and the discharge pictures were recorded by digital camera. The needle-to-cylinder electrode structure is easy to fabricate by the MEMS technology, which can be used as the ion source of the portable analyzing instruments.

First results on Ge resonant laser photoionization in hollow cathode lamp

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

Scarpa, Daniele, E-mail: daniele.scarpa@lnl.infn.it; Andrighetto, Alberto; Barzakh, Anatoly

2016-02-15

In the framework of the research and development activities of the SPES project regarding the optimization of the radioactive beam production, a dedicated experimental study has been recently started in order to investigate the possibility of in-source ionization of germanium using a set of tunable dye lasers. Germanium is one of the beams to be accelerated by the SPES ISOL facility, which is under construction at Legnaro INFN Laboratories. The three-step, two color ionization schemes have been tested using a Ge hollow cathode lamp. The slow and the fast optogalvanic signals were detected and averaged by an oscilloscope as amore » proof of the laser ionization inside the lamp. As a result, several wavelength scans across the resonances of ionization schemes were collected with the fast optogalvanic signal. Some comparisons of ionization efficiency for different ionization schemes were made. Furthermore, saturation curves of the first excitation transitions have been obtained. This investigation method and the setup built in the laser laboratory of the SPES project can be applied for the photo-ionization scheme studies also for the other possible radioactive elements.« less

Laser/lidar analysis and testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spiers, Gary D.

1994-01-01

Section 1 of this report details development of a model of the output pulse frequency spectrum of a pulsed transversely excited (TE) CO2 laser. In order to limit the computation time required, the model was designed around a generic laser pulse shape model. The use of such a procedure allows many possible laser configurations to be examined. The output pulse shape is combined with the calculated frequency chirp to produce the electric field of the output pulse which is then computationally mixed with a local oscillator field to produce the heterodyne beat signal that would fall on a detector. The power spectral density of this heterodyne signal is then calculated. Section 2 reports on a visit to the LAWS laser contractors to measure the performance of the laser breadboards. The intention was to acquire data using a digital oscilloscope so that it could be analyzed. Section 3 reports on a model developed to assess the power requirements of a 5J LAWS instrument on a Spot MKII platform in a polar orbit. The performance was assessed for three different latitude dependent sampling strategies.

Tests of PMT signal read-out of liquid argon scintillation with a new fast waveform digitizer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acciarri, R.; Canci, N.; Cavanna, F.; Cortopassi, A.; D'Incecco, M.; Mini, G.; Pietropaolo, F.; Romboli, A.; Segreto, E.; Szelc, A. M.

2012-07-01

The CAEN V1751 is a new generation of Waveform Digitizer recently introduced by CAEN SpA. It features 8 Channels per board, 10 bit, 1 GS/s using Flash ADCs Waveform Digitizers (or 4 channels at 2 GS/s in Dual Edge Sampling mode) with threshold and Auto-Trigger capabilities. This provides a good basis for data acquisition in Dark Matter searches using PMTs to detect scintillation light in liquid argon, as it matches the requirements for measuring the fast scintillation component. The board was tested by operating it in real experimental conditions and by comparing it with a state of the art digital oscilloscope. We find that the sampling at 1 or 2 GS/s is appropriate for the reconstruction of the fast component of the scintillation light in argon (characteristic time of about 6-7 ns) and the extended dynamic range, after a small customization, allows for the detection of signals in the range of energy needed. The bandwidth is found to be adequate and the intrinsic noise is very low.

Soliton formation from a noise-like pulse during extreme events in a fibre ring laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pottiez, O.; Ibarra-Villalon, H. E.; Bracamontes-Rodriguez, Y.; Minguela-Gallardo, J. A.; Garcia-Sanchez, E.; Lauterio-Cruz, J. P.; Hernandez-Garcia, J. C.; Bello-Jimenez, M.; Kuzin, E. A.

2017-10-01

We study experimentally the interactions between soliton and noise-like pulse (NLP) components in a mode-locked fibre ring laser operating in a hybrid soliton-NLP regime. For proper polarization adjustments, one NLP and multiple packets of solitons coexist in the cavity, at 1530 nm and 1558 nm, respectively. By examining time-domain sequences measured using a 16 GHz real-time oscilloscope, we unveil the process of soliton genesis: they are produced during extreme-intensity episodes affecting the NLP. These extreme events can emerge sporadically, appear in small groups or even form quasi-periodic sequences. Once formed, the wavelength-shifted soliton packet drifts away from the NLP in the dispersive cavity, and eventually vanishes after a variable lifetime. Evidence of the inverse process, through which NLP formation is occasionally seeded by an extreme-intensity event affecting a bunch of solitons, is also provided. The quasi-stationary dynamics described here constitutes an impressive illustration of the connections and interactions between NLPs, extreme events and solitons in passively mode-locked fibre lasers.

Independent component analysis applied to long bunch beams in the Los Alamos Proton Storage Ring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolski, Jeffrey S.; Macek, Robert J.; McCrady, Rodney C.; Pang, Xiaoying

2012-11-01

Independent component analysis (ICA) is a powerful blind source separation (BSS) method. Compared to the typical BSS method, principal component analysis, ICA is more robust to noise, coupling, and nonlinearity. The conventional ICA application to turn-by-turn position data from multiple beam position monitors (BPMs) yields information about cross-BPM correlations. With this scheme, multi-BPM ICA has been used to measure the transverse betatron phase and amplitude functions, dispersion function, linear coupling, sextupole strength, and nonlinear beam dynamics. We apply ICA in a new way to slices along the bunch revealing correlations of particle motion within the beam bunch. We digitize beam signals of the long bunch at the Los Alamos Proton Storage Ring with a single device (BPM or fast current monitor) for an entire injection-extraction cycle. ICA of the digitized beam signals results in source signals, which we identify to describe varying betatron motion along the bunch, locations of transverse resonances along the bunch, measurement noise, characteristic frequencies of the digitizing oscilloscopes, and longitudinal beam structure.

Submicrosecond Power-Switching Test Circuit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Folk, Eric N.

2006-01-01

A circuit that changes an electrical load in a switching time shorter than 0.3 microsecond has been devised. This circuit can be used in testing the regulation characteristics of power-supply circuits . especially switching power-converter circuits that are supposed to be able to provide acceptably high degrees of regulation in response to rapid load transients. The combination of this power-switching circuit and a known passive constant load could be an attractive alternative to a typical commercially available load-bank circuit that can be made to operate in nominal constant-voltage, constant-current, and constant-resistance modes. The switching provided by a typical commercial load-bank circuit in the constant-resistance mode is not fast enough for testing of regulation in response to load transients. Moreover, some test engineers do not trust the test results obtained when using commercial load-bank circuits because the dynamic responses of those circuits are, variously, partly unknown and/or excessively complex. In contrast, the combination of this circuit and a passive constant load offers both rapid switching and known (or at least better known) load dynamics. The power-switching circuit (see figure) includes a signal-input section, a wide-hysteresis Schmitt trigger that prevents false triggering in the event of switch-contact bounce, a dual-bipolar-transistor power stage that drives the gate of a metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), and the MOSFET, which is the output device that performs the switching of the load. The MOSFET in the specific version of the circuit shown in the figure is rated to stand off a potential of 100 V in the "off" state and to pass a current of 20 A in the "on" state. The switching time of this circuit (the characteristic time of rise or fall of the potential at the drain of the MOSFET) is .300 ns. The circuit can accept any of three control inputs . which one depending on the test that one seeks to perform: a repetitive waveform from a signal generator, momentary closure of a push-button switch, or closure or opening of a manually operated on/off switch. In the case of a signal generator, one can adjust the frequency and duty cycle as needed to obtain the desired AC power-supply response, which one could display on an oscilloscope. Momentary switch closure could be useful for obtaining (and, if desired, displaying on an oscilloscope set to trigger on an event) the response of a power supply to a single load transient. The on/off switch can be used to switch between load states in which static-load regulation measurements are performed.

The high frequency characteristics of laser reflection and visible light during solid state disk laser welding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Xiangdong; You, Deyong; Katayama, Seiji

2015-07-01

Optical properties are related to weld quality during laser welding. Visible light radiation generated from optical-induced plasma and laser reflection is considered a key element reflecting weld quality. An in-depth analysis of the high-frequency component of optical signals is conducted. A combination of a photoelectric sensor and an optical filter helped to obtain visible light reflection and laser reflection in the welding process. Two groups of optical signals were sampled at a high sampling rate (250 kHz) using an oscilloscope. Frequencies in the ranges 1-10 kHz and 10-125 kHz were investigated respectively. Experimental results showed that there was an obvious correlation between the high-frequency signal and the laser power, while the high-frequency signal was not sensitive to changes in welding speed. In particular, when the defocus position was changed, only a high frequency of the visible light signal was observed, while the high frequency of the laser reflection signal remained unchanged. The basic correlation between optical features and welding status during the laser welding process is specified, which helps to provide a new research focus for investigating the stability of welding status.

2-μm optical time domain reflectometry measurements from novel Al-, Ge-, CaAlSi- doped and standard single-mode fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez-Novelo, J. C.; Sanchez-Nieves, J. A.; Sierra-Calderon, A.; Sanchez-Lara, R.; Alvarez-Chavez, J. A.

2017-08-01

The development of novel Al-, Ge- doped and un-doped standard single mode fibers for future optical communication at 2μm requires the integration of, among other pieces of equipment, an optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) technique for precise spectral attenuation characterization, including the well-known cut-back method. The integration of a state of the art OTDR at 2μm could provide valuable attenuation information from the aforementioned novel fibers. The proposed setup consists of a 1.7 mW, 1960nm pump source, a 30 dB gain Thulium doped fibre amplifier at 2μm, an 0.8mm focal length lens with a 0.5 NA, a 30 MHz acusto-optic modulator, a 3.1 focal length lens with a 0.68NA, an optical circulator at 2μm, an InGaAs photodetector for 1.2 nm-2.6 nm range, a voltage amplifier and an oscilloscope. The propagated pulse rate is 50 KHz, with 500 ns, 200 ns, 100 ns and 50 ns pulse widths. Attenuation versus novel fibers types for lengths ranging from 400- to 1000- meter samples were obtained using the proposed setup.

Accurate time delay technology in simulated test for high precision laser range finder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhibin; Xiao, Wenjian; Wang, Weiming; Xue, Mingxi

2015-10-01

With the continuous development of technology, the ranging accuracy of pulsed laser range finder (LRF) is higher and higher, so the maintenance demand of LRF is also rising. According to the dominant ideology of "time analog spatial distance" in simulated test for pulsed range finder, the key of distance simulation precision lies in the adjustable time delay. By analyzing and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of fiber and circuit delay, a method was proposed to improve the accuracy of the circuit delay without increasing the count frequency of the circuit. A high precision controllable delay circuit was designed by combining the internal delay circuit and external delay circuit which could compensate the delay error in real time. And then the circuit delay accuracy could be increased. The accuracy of the novel circuit delay methods proposed in this paper was actually measured by a high sampling rate oscilloscope actual measurement. The measurement result shows that the accuracy of the distance simulated by the circuit delay is increased from +/- 0.75m up to +/- 0.15m. The accuracy of the simulated distance is greatly improved in simulated test for high precision pulsed range finder.

Defibrillator synchronization tester.

PubMed

Demirbilek, Fatma N; Krajnak, Mike; Stolarczyk, George

2009-01-01

A defibrillator sync output signal connector provides an ECG synchronization signal that can be used by some defibrillators for the purpose of performing synchronized cardioversion [1]. This process is used to stop an abnormally fast heart rate or cardiac arrhythmia by the delivery of a therapeutic dose of electric current to the heart during the R-wave of the cardiac cycle. Timing the shock to the R-wave prevents the delivery of the shock during the vulnerable period of the cardiac cycle, which could induce ventricular fibrillation [2]. GE patient monitors include a selectable analog output feature, which provides an analog ECG or arterial blood pressure signal. The blood pressure signal can be used to synchronize balloon pumps to provide cardiac assist to post-MI patients with poor injection fraction. Proper operation requires the defibrillator sync and analog output function to be checked. Checkouts are typically done during planned maintenance and after major part replacements such as patient monitor's main CPU board. Checking out defibrillator sync signals could be done using a GE defibrillator sync tester. The defibrillator sync tester provides a loop back path for the defibrillator sync signals to be displayed on the patient monitor screen and eliminates the need for an external oscilloscope.

Two-dimensional optoelectronic interconnect-processor and its operational bit error rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, J. Jiang; Gollsneider, Brian; Chang, Wayne H.; Carhart, Gary W.; Vorontsov, Mikhail A.; Simonis, George J.; Shoop, Barry L.

2004-10-01

Two-dimensional (2-D) multi-channel 8x8 optical interconnect and processor system were designed and developed using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) driven 850-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays and the photodetector (PD) arrays with corresponding wavelengths. We performed operation and bit-error-rate (BER) analysis on this free-space integrated 8x8 VCSEL optical interconnects driven by silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) circuits. Pseudo-random bit stream (PRBS) data sequence was used in operation of the interconnects. Eye diagrams were measured from individual channels and analyzed using a digital oscilloscope at data rates from 155 Mb/s to 1.5 Gb/s. Using a statistical model of Gaussian distribution for the random noise in the transmission, we developed a method to compute the BER instantaneously with the digital eye-diagrams. Direct measurements on this interconnects were also taken on a standard BER tester for verification. We found that the results of two methods were in the same order and within 50% accuracy. The integrated interconnects were investigated in an optoelectronic processing architecture of digital halftoning image processor. Error diffusion networks implemented by the inherently parallel nature of photonics promise to provide high quality digital halftoned images.

Measurement of intestinal edema using an impedance analyzer circuit.

PubMed

Radhakrishnan, Ravi S; Shah, Kunal; Xue, Hasen; Moore-Olufemi, Stacey D; Moore, Frederick A; Weisbrodt, Norman W; Allen, Steven J; Gill, Brijesh; Cox, Charles S

2007-03-01

Acute intestinal edema adversely affects intestinal transit, permeability, and contractility. Current resuscitation modalities, while effective, are associated with development of acute intestinal edema. Knowledge of levels of tissue edema would allow clinicians to monitor intestinal tissue water and may help prevent the detrimental effects of edema. However, there is no simple method to measure intestinal tissue water without biopsy. We sought to develop a tissue impedance analyzer to measure tissue edema, without the need for invasive biopsy. Oscillating voltage input was applied to the analyzer circuit and an oscilloscope measured the voltage output across any load. Rats were randomized to three groups: sham, mild edema (80 mL/kg of NS resuscitation), and severe edema (80 mL/kg of NS resuscitation with intestinal venous hypertension). Intestinal edema was measured by wet-to-dry tissue weight ratio. Bowel impedance was measured and converted to capacitance using a standard curve. Acute intestinal edema causes a significant increase in bowel capacitance. This capacitance can be used to predict tissue water concentration. Using an impedance analyzer circuit, it is possible to measure intestinal edema reliably and quickly. This may prove to be a useful tool in the resuscitation of critically ill patients.

Charge displacement in bacteriorhodopsin during the forward and reverse bR-K phototransition.

PubMed Central

Groma, G I; Hebling, J; Ludwig, C; Kuhl, J

1995-01-01

Dried oriented purple membrane samples of Halobacterium salinarium were excited by 150 fs laser pulses of 620 nm with a 7 kHz repetition rate. An unusual complex picosecond electric response signal consisting of a positive and a negative peak was detected by a sampling oscilloscope. The ratio of the two peaks was changed by 1) reducing the repetition rate, 2) varying the intensity of the excitation beam, and 3) applying background illumination by light of 647 nm or 511 nm. All of these features can be explained by the simultaneous excitation of the bacteriorhodopsin ground form and the K intermediate. The latter was populated by the (quasi)continuous excitation attributable to its prolonged lifetime in a dehydrated state. Least-square analysis resulted in a 5 ps upper and 2.5 ps lower limit for the time constant of the charge displacement process, corresponding to the forward reaction. That is in good agreement with the formation time of K. The charge separation driven by the reverse phototransition was faster, having a time constant of a 3.5 ps upper limit. The difference in the rates indicates the existence of different routes for the forward and the reverse photoreactions. PMID:8580349

Advanced electrical current measurements of microdischarges: evidence of sub-critical pulses and ion currents in barrier discharge in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Synek, Petr; Zemánek, Miroslav; Kudrle, Vít; Hoder, Tomáš

2018-04-01

Electrical current measurements in corona or barrier microdischarges are a challenge as they require both high temporal resolution and a large dynamic range of the current probe used. In this article, we apply a simple self-assembled current probe and compare it to commercial ones. An analysis in the time and frequency domain is carried out. Moreover, an improved methodology is presented, enabling both temporal resolution in sub-nanosecond times and current sensitivity in the order of tens of micro-amperes. Combining this methodology with a high-tech oscilloscope and self-developed software, a unique statistical analysis of currents in volume barrier discharge driven in atmospheric-pressure air is made for over 80 consecutive periods of a 15 kHz applied voltage. We reveal the presence of repetitive sub-critical current pulses and conclude that these can be identified with the discharging of surface charge microdomains. Moreover, extremely low, long-lasting microsecond currents were detected which are caused by ion flow, and are analysed in detail. The statistical behaviour presented gives deeper insight into the discharge physics of these usually undetectable current signals.

Experiments with Coler magnetic current apparatus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwig, T.

Experiments with a replica of the famous Coler "Magnetstromapparat" (magnetic current apparatus) were conducted. The replica was built at the same institute at the Technical University of Berlin where the original was tested by Prof. Kloss in 1925. The details of the setup will be presented in this paper. The investigation of the Coler device was done with modern methods. The output was measured with a digital multi meter (DMM) and a digital storage oscilloscope (DSO). The results of the measurements will be presented. Did Coler convert vacuum fluctuations via magnetic, electric and acoustic resonance into electricity? There is a strong connection between magnetism and quantum field radiation energy. The magnetic moment of the electron is in part an energy exchange with the radiation field. The energy output of the Coler apparatus is measured. Furthermore the dynamics of the ferromagnetic magnets that Coler reported as the working principle of his device was investigated with magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and the spectroscopy mode of an atomic force microscope (AFM). The magnetic and acoustic resonance was investigated with magnetic force microscopy (MFM). The connection between ZPE and magnetism will be discussed as well as the perspective of using magnetic systems as a means to convert vacuum fluctuations into usable electricity.

A cross-platform GUI to control instruments compliant with SCPI through VISA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roach, Eric; Liu, Jing

2015-10-01

In nuclear physics experiments, it is necessary and important to control instruments from a PC, which automates many tasks that require human operations otherwise. Not only does this make long term measurements possible, but it also makes repetitive operations less error-prone. We created a graphical user interface (GUI) to control instruments connected to a PC through RS232, USB, LAN, etc. The GUI is developed using Qt Creator, a cross-platform integrated development environment, which makes it portable to various operating systems, including those commonly used in mobile devices. NI-VISA library is used in the back end so that the GUI can be used to control instruments connected through various I/O interfaces without any modification. Commonly used SCPI commands can be sent to different instruments using buttons, sliders, knobs, and other various widgets provided by Qt Creator. As an example, we demonstrate how we set and fetch parameters and how to retrieve and display data from an Agilent Digital Storage Oscilloscope X3034A with the GUI. Our GUI can be easily used for other instruments compliant with SCPI and VISA with little or no modification.

Influence of power density and primer application on polymerization of dual-cured resin cements monitored by ultrasonic measurement.

PubMed

Takubo, Chikako; Yasuda, Genta; Murayama, Ryosuke; Ogura, Yukari; Tonegawa, Motoka; Kurokawa, Hiroyasu; Miyazaki, Masashi

2010-08-01

We used ultrasonic measurements to monitor the influence of power density and primer application on the polymerization reaction of dual-cured resin cements. The ultrasonic equipment comprised a pulser-receiver, transducers, and an oscilloscope. Resin cements were mixed and inserted into a transparent mould, and specimens were placed on the sample stage, onto which the primer, if used, was also applied. Power densities of 0 (no irradiation), 200, or 600 mW cm(-2) were used for curing. The transit time through the cement disk was divided by the specimen thickness to obtain the longitudinal sound velocity. When resin cements were light-irradiated, each curve displayed an initial plateau of approximately 1,500 m s(-1), which rapidly increased to a second plateau of 2,300-2,900 m s(-1). The rate of sound velocity increase was retarded when the cements were light-irradiated at lower power densities, and increased when the primer was applied. The polymerization behaviour of dual-cured resin cements was therefore shown to be affected by the power density of the curing unit and the application of self-etching primer. (c) 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation (c) 2010 Eur J Oral Sci.

Laboratory studies of aerosol electrification and experimental evidence for electrical breakdown at different scales.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alois, Stefano; Merrison, Jonathan; Iversen, Jens Jacob; Sesterhenn, Joern

2017-04-01

Contact electrification between different particles size/material can lead to electric field generation high enough to produce electrical breakdown. Experimental studies of solid aerosol contact electrification (Alois et al., 2016) has shown various electrical breakdown phenomena; these range from field emission at the contact site (nm-scale) limiting particle surface charge concentration, to visible electrical discharges (cm-scale) observed both with the use of an electrometer and high-speed camera. In these experiments micron-size particles are injected into a low-pressure chamber, where they are deviated by an applied electric field. A laser Doppler velocimeter allows the simultaneous determination of particle size and charge of single grains. Results have shown an almost constant surface charge concentration, which is likely to be due to charge limitation by field emission at the contact site between particle and injector. In a second measurement technique, the electrically isolated injector tube (i.e. a Faraday cage) is connected to an oscilloscope and synchronised to a high speed camera filming the injection. Here the electrification of a large cloud of particles can be quantified and discharging effects studied. This study advances our understanding on the physical processes leading to electrification and electrical breakdown mechanisms.

Demonstration of acoustic resonances in a cylindrical cavity applying the photoacoustic technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barreiro, N. L.; Vallespi, A. S.; Zajarevich, N. M.; Peuriot, A. L.; Slezak, V. B.

2017-09-01

In this work we present some experiments which can be performed in college or on the first courses of university to acquire knowledge about resonant acoustical phenomena in closed cavities in a tangible way, through experiments based on the photoacoustic effect in gases. This phenomenon consists in the generation of acoustic waves after optical excitation of an absorbing gas and further local heating of the non-absorbing surrounding gas by energy exchange through collisions between molecules of both species. Simple experiments, performed with daily live elements, can be very useful for teachers and students to get in touch with the phenomenon of acoustic resonances with the addition of concepts about light-matter interaction. The setups consist of the resonant cavity, the illumination source and the signal detection-acquisition scheme. In this paper a closed glass test tube is used as the resonant cavity and is filled with a mixture of nitrogen dioxide and air. The illumination is performed by a pulsed power LED modulated at different resonant frequencies of the cavity. A microphone inside the tube is connected to an oscilloscope which displays the photoacoustic signal. The LED is moved along the tube showing how different resonant modes can be excited.

Video Observation as a Tool to Analyze and Modify an Electronics Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coppens, Pieter; Van den Bossche, Johan; De Cock, Mieke

2016-12-01

Laboratories are an important part of science and engineering education, especially in the field of electronics. Yet very little research into the benefits of such labs to student learning exists. In particular, it is not well known what students do and, even more importantly, think during electronics laboratories. Therefore, we conducted a study based on video observation of second year students at 3 university campuses in Belgium during a traditional lab on first order R C filters. In this laboratory, students spent the majority of their time performing measurements, while very little time was spent processing or discussing the results. This in turn resulted in hardly any time spent talking about content knowledge. Based on those observations, a new laboratory was designed that includes a preparation with a virtual oscilloscope, a black box approach during the lab session itself, and a form of quick reporting at the end of the lab. This adjusted laboratory was evaluated using the same methodology and was more successful in the sense that the students spent less time gathering measurements and more time processing and analyzing them, resulting in more content-based discussion.

Performance of the NASA Digitizing Core-Loss Instrumentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwarze, Gene E. (Technical Monitor); Niedra, Janis M.

2003-01-01

The standard method of magnetic core loss measurement was implemented on a high frequency digitizing oscilloscope in order to explore the limits to accuracy when characterizing high Q cores at frequencies up to 1 MHz. This method computes core loss from the cycle mean of the product of the exciting current in a primary winding and induced voltage in a separate flux sensing winding. It is pointed out that just 20 percent accuracy for a Q of 100 core material requires a phase angle accuracy of 0.1 between the voltage and current measurements. Experiment shows that at 1 MHz, even high quality, high frequency current sensing transformers can introduce phase errors of a degree or more. Due to the fact that the Q of some quasilinear core materials can exceed 300 at frequencies below 100 kHz, phase angle errors can be a problem even at 50 kHz. Hence great care is necessary with current sensing and ground loops when measuring high Q cores. Best high frequency current sensing accuracy was obtained from a fabricated 0.1-ohm coaxial resistor, differentially sensed. Sample high frequency core loss data taken with the setup for a permeability-14 MPP core is presented.

Animal exposure during burn tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaume, J. G.

1976-01-01

An animal exposure test system has been designed and fabricated for the purpose of collecting physiological and environmental (temperature) data from animal subjects exposed to combustion gases in large scale fire tests. The AETS consists of an open wire mesh, two-compartment cage, one containing an exercise wheel for small rodents, and the other containing one rat instrumented externally for electrocardiogram and respiration. The ECG and respiration sensors are located in a belt placed around the torso of the subject, electrode wires forming an umbilical to a connector in the top of the compartment. A cable extends from the connector to the power supply and signal conditioning electronics. These are connected to a dual-beam oscilloscope for real time monitoring and a magnetic tape recorder having three or more channels. Endpoints observed are bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, changes in respiratory pattern, respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest. The ECG record also appears to be a good method of monitoring animal activity as indicated by an increase in EMG noise superimposed on the record during increased activity of the torso musculature. Examples of the recordings are presented and discussed as to their significance regarding toxicity of fire gases.

Development of glucose measurement system based on pulsed laser-induced ultrasonic method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Zhong; Wan, Bin; Liu, Guodong; Xiong, Zhihua

2016-09-01

In this study, a kind of glucose measurement system based on pulsed-induced ultrasonic technique was established. In this system, the lateral detection mode was used, the Nd: YAG pumped optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pulsed laser was used as the excitation source, the high sensitivity ultrasonic transducer was used as the signal detector to capture the photoacoustic signals of the glucose. In the experiments, the real-time photoacoustic signals of glucose aqueous solutions with different concentrations were captured by ultrasonic transducer and digital oscilloscope. Moreover, the photoacoustic peak-to-peak values were gotten in the wavelength range from 1300nm to 2300nm. The characteristic absorption wavelengths of glucose were determined via the difference spectral method and second derivative method. In addition, the prediction models of predicting glucose concentrations were established via the multivariable linear regression algorithm and the optimal prediction model of corresponding optimal wavelengths. Results showed that the performance of the glucose system based on the pulsed-induced ultrasonic detection method was feasible. Therefore, the measurement scheme and prediction model have some potential value in the fields of non-invasive monitoring the concentration of the glucose gradient, especially in the food safety and biomedical fields.

Novel Circuits for Energizing Manganin Stress Gauges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tasker, Douglas

2015-06-01

This paper describes the design, manufacture and testing of novel MOSFET pulsed constant current supplies for low impedance Manganin stress gauges. The design emphasis has been on high accuracy, low noise, simple, low cost, disposable supplies that can be used to energize multiple gauges in explosive or shock experiments. Manganin gauges used to measure stresses in detonating explosive experiments have typical resistances of 50 m Ω and are energized with pulsed currents of 50 A. Conventional pulsed current supplies for these gauges are high voltage devices with outputs as high as 500 V. Common problems with the use of high voltage supplies at explosive firing sites are: erroneous signals caused by ground loops; overdrive of oscilloscopes on gauge failure; gauge signal crosstalk; cost; and errors due to finite and changing source impedances. To correct these issues a novel MOSFET circuit was designed and will be described. It is an 18-V circuit, powered by 9-V alkaline batteries, and features an optically isolated trigger, and single-point grounding. These circuits have been successfully tested at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and selected explosive tests will be described together with their results. LA-UR-15-20613.

First Tests of a New Fast Waveform Digitizer for PMT Signal Read-out from Liquid Argon Dark Matter Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szelc, A. M.; Canci, N.; Cavanna, F.; Cortopassi, A.; D'Incecco, M.; Mini, G.; Pietropaolo, F.; Romboli, A.; Segreto, E.; Acciarri, R.

A new generation Waveform Digitizer board as been recently made available on the market by CAEN. The new board CAEN V1751 with 8 Channels per board, 10 bit, 1 GS/s Flash ADC Waveform Digitizer (or 4 channel, 10 bit, 2 GS/s Flash ADC Waveform Digitizer -Dual Edge Sampling mode) with threshold and Auto-Trigger capabilities provides an ideal (relatively low-cost) solution for reading signals from liquid Argon detectors for Dark Matter search equipped with an array of PMTs for the detection of scintillation light. The board was extensively used in real experimental conditions to test its usefulness for possible future uses and to compare it with a state of the art digital oscilloscope. As results, PMT Signal sampling at 1 or 2 GS/s is appropriate for the reconstruction of the fast component of the signal scintillation in Argon (characteristic time of about 4 ns) and the extended dynamic range, after a small customization, allows for the detection of signals in the range of energy needed. The bandwidth is found to be adequate and the intrinsic noise is very low.

On-line and in-situ detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on aerosols via thermodesorption and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy.

PubMed

Panne, U; Knöller, A; Kotzick, R; Niessner, R

2000-02-01

A fiber optical sensor system for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on aerosols by laser-induced, time-resolved fluorescence is combined with a thermodesorption device. The sensor system is based on an aerosol flow cell, which is fibre-optically coupled to a pulsed nitrogen laser for excitation and the detection system. Time-resolved fluorescence emission spectra are detected by a monochromator equipped with a photomultiplier and a fast digital storage oscilloscope. The analytical figures of merit of the thermodenuder are reported for benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[ghi]-perylene on ultrafine soot and NaCl aerosols. By thermodesorption of the PAH, problems due to quenching of the PAH fluorescence by the bulk aerosol material or excimer formation on the aerosol surface were avoided. For the PAH under study, the sensitivity was improved considerably and detection limits between 110 and 850 ng m(-3) were attained, while a response time of 2-3 min was achieved with the thermodenuder. A calibration for PAH on ultrafine soot and NaCl aerosols was established independent of the aerosol substrate.

Dynamic publication model for neurophysiology databases.

PubMed

Gardner, D; Abato, M; Knuth, K H; DeBellis, R; Erde, S M

2001-08-29

We have implemented a pair of database projects, one serving cortical electrophysiology and the other invertebrate neurones and recordings. The design for each combines aspects of two proven schemes for information interchange. The journal article metaphor determined the type, scope, organization and quantity of data to comprise each submission. Sequence databases encouraged intuitive tools for data viewing, capture, and direct submission by authors. Neurophysiology required transcending these models with new datatypes. Time-series, histogram and bivariate datatypes, including illustration-like wrappers, were selected by their utility to the community of investigators. As interpretation of neurophysiological recordings depends on context supplied by metadata attributes, searches are via visual interfaces to sets of controlled-vocabulary metadata trees. Neurones, for example, can be specified by metadata describing functional and anatomical characteristics. Permanence is advanced by data model and data formats largely independent of contemporary technology or implementation, including Java and the XML standard. All user tools, including dynamic data viewers that serve as a virtual oscilloscope, are Java-based, free, multiplatform, and distributed by our application servers to any contemporary networked computer. Copyright is retained by submitters; viewer displays are dynamic and do not violate copyright of related journal figures. Panels of neurophysiologists view and test schemas and tools, enhancing community support.

An investigation of the digital discrimination of neutrons and γ rays with organic scintillation detectors using an artificial neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, G.; Aspinall, M. D.; Ma, X.; Joyce, M. J.

2009-08-01

The discrimination of neutron and γ-ray events in an organic scintillator has been investigated by using a method based on an artificial neural network (ANN). Voltage pulses arising from an EJ-301 organic liquid scintillation detector in a mixed radiation field have been recorded with a fast digital sampling oscilloscope. Piled-up events have been disentangled using a pile-up management unit based on a fitting method. Each individual pulse has subsequently been sent to a discrimination unit which discriminates neutron and γ-ray events with a method based on an artificial neural network. This discrimination technique has been verified by the corresponding mixed-field data assessed by time of flight (TOF). It is shown that the characterization of the neutrons and photons achieved by the discrimination method based on the ANN is consistent with that afforded by TOF. This approach enables events that are often as a result of scattering or pile-up to be identified and returned to the data set and affords digital discrimination of mixed radiation fields in a broad range of environments on the basis of training obtained with a single TOF dataset.

An SMS (single mode - multi mode - single mode) fiber structure for vibration sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waluyo, T. B.; Bayuwati, D.

2017-04-01

We describe an SMS (single mode - multi mode - single mode) fiber structure to be used in a vibration sensing system. The fiber structure was fabricated by splicing a section (about 300 mm in length) of a step index multi mode fiber between two single mode fibers obtained from a communication grade fiber patchcord. Interference between higher order modes occurs while light from a narrow band light source travels along the multi mode fiber. When the multi mode fiber vibrates, the refractive index profile is changed because of the photo-elastics effect and the amplitude of the interference pattern is changed accordingly. To simulate a vibrating structure we used a loudspeaker to vibrate a wooden table. By using a digital oscilloscope, we recorded and analysed the vibrating signals obtained from the SMS fiber structure as well as from a GS-32CT geophone for referencing. We observed that this SMS fiber structure was potential to be used in a vibration sensing system with a measurement range from 30 to 180 Hz with inherent optical fiber sensor advantages such as light weight, immune to electromagnetic interference, and no electricity in the sensing part.

Improving energy efficiency in handheld biometric applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoyle, David C.; Gale, John W.; Schultz, Robert C.; Rakvic, Ryan N.; Ives, Robert W.

2012-06-01

With improved smartphone and tablet technology, it is becoming increasingly feasible to implement powerful biometric recognition algorithms on portable devices. Typical iris recognition algorithms, such as Ridge Energy Direction (RED), utilize two-dimensional convolution in their implementation. This paper explores the energy consumption implications of 12 different methods of implementing two-dimensional convolution on a portable device. Typically, convolution is implemented using floating point operations. If a given algorithm implemented integer convolution vice floating point convolution, it could drastically reduce the energy consumed by the processor. The 12 methods compared include 4 major categories: Integer C, Integer Java, Floating Point C, and Floating Point Java. Each major category is further divided into 3 implementations: variable size looped convolution, static size looped convolution, and unrolled looped convolution. All testing was performed using the HTC Thunderbolt with energy measured directly using a Tektronix TDS5104B Digital Phosphor oscilloscope. Results indicate that energy savings as high as 75% are possible by using Integer C versus Floating Point C. Considering the relative proportion of processing time that convolution is responsible for in a typical algorithm, the savings in energy would likely result in significantly greater time between battery charges.

Setting behaviour of luting cements monitored by an ultrasonic method.

PubMed

Tsubota, Keishi; Mori, Kentarou; Yasuda, Genta; Kawamoto, Ryo; Yoshida, Takeshi; Yamaguchi, Kanako; Kurokawa, Hiroyasu; Miyazaki, Masashi

2008-06-01

The purpose of this study was to monitor the setting behaviour and elastic modulus of luting cements using an ultrasonic device. The ultrasonic equipment comprised a pulser-receiver, transducers and an oscilloscope. The transit time through the cement disk was multiplied by the thickness of the specimen, and the sonic velocity within the material was then calculated. The sonic velocities of the longitudinal and shear waves were used to determine the elastic modulus. Analysis of variance and the Tukey HSD test were used to compare the elastic moduli of the set cements. In the earliest stages of the setting process, most of the ultrasound energy was absorbed by the cements and the sound waves were relatively weak. As the cements hardened, the sound velocities increased and this tendency differed among the luting cements used. The mean elastic moduli of the specimens ranged from 2.9 to 9.9 GPa after 15 min, from 14.4 to 20.3 GPa after 24 h and from 12.1 to 15.9 GPa after 1 month. The setting processes of the luting cements were thus clearly defined by using the present ultrasonic method.

R4SA for Controlling Robots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aghazarian, Hrand

2009-01-01

The R4SA GUI mentioned in the immediately preceding article is a userfriendly interface for controlling one or more robot(s). This GUI makes it possible to perform meaningful real-time field experiments and research in robotics at an unmatched level of fidelity, within minutes of setup. It provides such powerful graphing modes as that of a digitizing oscilloscope that displays up to 250 variables at rates between 1 and 200 Hz. This GUI can be configured as multiple intuitive interfaces for acquisition of data, command, and control to enable rapid testing of subsystems or an entire robot system while simultaneously performing analysis of data. The R4SA software establishes an intuitive component-based design environment that can be easily reconfigured for any robotic platform by creating or editing setup configuration files. The R4SA GUI enables event-driven and conditional sequencing similar to those of Mars Exploration Rover (MER) operations. It has been certified as part of the MER ground support equipment and, therefore, is allowed to be utilized in conjunction with MER flight hardware. The R4SA GUI could also be adapted to use in embedded computing systems, other than that of the MER, for commanding and real-time analysis of data.

Performance evaluation of radiation sensors with internal signal amplification based on the BJT effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosisio, Luciano; Batignani, Giovanni; Bettarini, Stefano; Boscardin, Maurizio; Dalla Betta, Gian-Franco; Giacomini, Gabriele; Piemonte, Claudio; Verzellesi, Giovanni; Zorzi, Nicola

2006-11-01

Prototypes of ionizing radiation detectors with internal signal amplification based on the bipolar transistor effect have been fabricated at ITC-irst (Trento, Italy). Results from the electrical characterization and preliminary functional tests of the devices have been previously reported. Here, we present a more detailed investigation of the performance of this type of detector, with particular attention to their noise and rate limits. Measurements of the signal waveform and of the gain versus frequency dependence are performed by illuminating the devices with, respectively, pulsed or sinusoidally modulated IR light. Pulse height spectra of X-rays from an Am241 source have been taken with very simple front-end electronics (an LF351 operational amplifier) or by directly reading with an oscilloscope the voltage drop across a load resistor connected to the emitter. An equivalent noise charge (referred to input) of 380 electrons r.m.s. has been obtained with the first setup for a small device, with an active area of 0.5×0.5 mm2 and a depleted thickness of 0.6 mm. The corresponding power dissipation in the BJT was 17 μW. The performance limitations of the devices are discussed.

Femtosecond laser fabrication of fiber based optofluidic platform for flow cytometry applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serhatlioglu, Murat; Elbuken, Caglar; Ortac, Bulend; Solmaz, Mehmet E.

2017-02-01

Miniaturized optofluidic platforms play an important role in bio-analysis, detection and diagnostic applications. The advantages of such miniaturized devices are extremely low sample requirement, low cost development and rapid analysis capabilities. Fused silica is advantageous for optofluidic systems due to properties such as being chemically inert, mechanically stable, and optically transparent to a wide spectrum of light. As a three dimensional manufacturing method, femtosecond laser scanning followed by chemical etching shows great potential to fabricate glass based optofluidic chips. In this study, we demonstrate fabrication of all-fiber based, optofluidic flow cytometer in fused silica glass by femtosecond laser machining. 3D particle focusing was achieved through a straightforward planar chip design with two separately fabricated fused silica glass slides thermally bonded together. Bioparticles in a fluid stream encounter with optical interrogation region specifically designed to allocate 405nm single mode fiber laser source and two multi-mode collection fibers for forward scattering (FSC) and side scattering (SSC) signals detection. Detected signal data collected with oscilloscope and post processed with MATLAB script file. We were able to count number of events over 4000events/sec, and achieve size distribution for 5.95μm monodisperse polystyrene beads using FSC and SSC signals. Our platform shows promise for optical and fluidic miniaturization of flow cytometry systems.

Generating Fast and Accurate Compliance Reports for Various Data Rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penugonda, Srinath

As the demands on the industry data rates have increased there is a need for interoperable interfaces to function flawlessly. Added to this complexity, the number of I/O data lines are also increasing making it more time consuming to design and test. This in general leads to creating of compliance standards to which interfaces must adhere. The goal of this theses is to aid the Signal Integrity Engineers with a better and fast way of rendering a full picture of the interface compliance parameters. Three different interfaces at various data rates were chosen. They are: 25Gbps Very Short Reach (VSR) based on Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), Mobile Industry Processer Interface (MIPI) particularly for camera based on MIPI Alliance organization upto 1.5Gbps and for a passive Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C cable based on USB organization particularly for generation-I with data rate of 10Gbps. After a full understanding of each of the interfaces, a complete end-to-end reports for each of the interfaces were developed with an easy to use user interface. A standard one-to-one comparison is done with commercially available software tools for the above mentioned interfaces. The tools were developed in MATLAB and Python. Data was usually obtained by probing at interconnect, from either an oscilloscope or vector network analyzer.

Calibration approach for fluorescence lifetime determination for applications using time-gated detection and finite pulse width excitation.

PubMed

Keller, Scott B; Dudley, Jonathan A; Binzel, Katherine; Jasensky, Joshua; de Pedro, Hector Michael; Frey, Eric W; Urayama, Paul

2008-10-15

Time-gated techniques are useful for the rapid sampling of excited-state (fluorescence) emission decays in the time domain. Gated detectors coupled with bright, economical, nanosecond-pulsed light sources like flashlamps and nitrogen lasers are an attractive combination for bioanalytical and biomedical applications. Here we present a calibration approach for lifetime determination that is noniterative and that does not assume a negligible instrument response function (i.e., a negligible excitation pulse width) as does most current rapid lifetime determination approaches. Analogous to a transducer-based sensor, signals from fluorophores of known lifetime (0.5-12 ns) serve as calibration references. A fast avalanche photodiode and a GHz-bandwidth digital oscilloscope is used to detect transient emission from reference samples excited using a nitrogen laser. We find that the normalized time-integrated emission signal is proportional to the lifetime, which can be determined with good reproducibility (typically <100 ps) even for data with poor signal-to-noise ratios ( approximately 20). Results are in good agreement with simulations. Additionally, a new time-gating scheme for fluorescence lifetime imaging applications is proposed. In conclusion, a calibration-based approach is a valuable analysis tool for the rapid determination of lifetime in applications using time-gated detection and finite pulse width excitation.

Second Preliminary Report on X-ray Yields from OMEGA II Targets

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

Fournier, K B; May, M J; MacLaren, S A

2006-08-28

We present details about X-ray yields measured with LLNL and SNL diagnostics in soft and moderately hard X-ray bands from laser-driven, doped-aerogel targets shot on 07/14/06 during the OMEGA II test series. Yields accurate to {+-}25% in the 5-15 keV band are measured with Livermore's HENWAY spectrometer. Yields in the sub-keV to 3.2 keV band are measured with LLNL's DANTE diagnostic, the DANTE yields may be 35-40% too large. SNL ran a PCD-based diagnostic that also measured X-ray yields in the spectral region above 4 keV, and also down to the nearly sub-keV range. The PCD and HENWAY and DANTEmore » numbers are compared. The time histories of the X-ray signals are measured with LLNL's H11 PCD, and from two SNL PCDs with comparable filtering. There is a persistent disagreement between the H11 PCD and SNL PCD measured FWHM, which is shown not to be due to analysis techniques. The recommended X-ray waveform is that from the SNL PCD p66k10, which was recorded on a fast, high-bandwidth TDS 6804 oscilloscope, and which are not plotted here.« less

Broadband laser ranging development at the DOE Labs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, Corey V.; La Lone, Brandon M.; Younk, Patrick W.; Daykin, Ed P.; Rhodes, Michelle A.

2017-02-01

Broadband Laser Ranging (BLR) is a new diagnostic being developed in collaboration across multiple USA Dept. of Energy (DOE) facilities. Its purpose is to measure the precise position of surfaces and particle clouds moving at speeds of a few kilometers per second. The diagnostic uses spectral interferometry to encode distance into a modulation in the spectrum of pulses from a mode-locked fiber laser and uses a dispersive Fourier transformation to map the spectral modulation into time. This combination enables recording of range information in the time domain on a fast oscilloscope every 25-80 ns. Discussed here are some of the hardware design issues, system tradeoffs, calibration issues, and experimental results. BLR is being developed as an add-on to conventional Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) systems because PDV often yields incomplete information when lateral velocity components are present, or when there are drop-outs in the signal amplitude. In these cases, integration of the velocity from PDV can give incorrect displacement results. Experiments are now regularly fielded with over 100 channels of PDV, and BLR is being developed in a modular way to enable high channel counts of BLR and PDV recorded from the same probes pointed at the same target location. In this way instruments, will independently record surface velocity and distance information along the exact same path.

One-dimensional Numerical Model of Transient Discharges in Air of a Spatial Plasma Ignition Device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saceleanu, Florin N.

This thesis examines the modes of discharge of a plasma ignition device. Oscilloscope data of the discharge voltage and current are analyzed for various pressures in air at ambient temperature. It is determined that the discharge operates in 2 modes: a glow discharge and a postulated streamer discharge. Subsequently, a 1-dimensional fluid simulation of plasma using the finite volume method (FVM) is developed to gain insight into the particle kinetics. Transient results of the simulation agree with theories of electric discharges; however, quasi-steady state results were not reached due to high diffusion time of ions in air. Next, an ordinary differential equation (ODE) is derived to understand the discharge transition. Simulated results were used to estimate the voltage waveform, which describes the ODE's forcing function; additional simulated results were used to estimate the discharge current and the ODE's non-linearity. It is found that the ODE's non-linearity increases exponentially for capacitive discharges. It is postulated that the non-linearity defines the mode transition observed experimentally. The research is motivated by Spatial Plasma Discharge Ignition (SPDI), an innovative ignition system postulated to increase combustion efficiency in automobile engines for up to 9%. The research thus far can only hypothesize SPDI's benefits on combustion, based on the literature review and the modes of discharge.

Large Area and Short-Pulse Shock Initiation of a Tatb/hmx Mixed Explosive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guiji, Wang; Chengwei, Sun; Jun, Chen; Cangli, Liu; Jianheng, Zhao; Fuli, Tan; Ning, Zhang

2007-12-01

The large area and short-pulse shock initiation experiments on the plastic bonded mixed explosive of TATB(80%) and HMX(15%) have been performed with an electric gun where a Mylar flyer of 10-19 mm in diameter and 0.05˜0.30 mm in thickness was launched by an electrically exploding metallic bridge foil. The cylindrical explosive specimens (Φ16 mm×8 mm in size) were initiated by the Mylar flyers in thickness of 0.07˜0.20 mm, which induced shock pressure in specimen was of duration ranging from 0.029 to 0.109 μs. The experimental data were treated with the DRM(Delayed Robbins-Monro) procedure and to provide the initiation threshold of flyer velocities at 50% probability are 3.398˜1.713 km/s and that of shock pressure P 13.73˜5.23 GPa, respectively for different pulse durations. The shock initiation criteria of the explosive specimen at 50% and 100% probabilities are yielded. In addition, the 30° wedged sample was tested and the shock to detonation transition (SDT) process emerging on its inclined surface was diagnosed with a device consisting of multiple optical fiber probe, optoelectronic transducer and digital oscilloscope. The POP plot of the explosive has been gained from above SDT data.

Instrument to average 100 data sets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tuma, G. B.; Birchenough, A. G.; Rice, W. J.

1977-01-01

An instrumentation system is currently under development which will measure many of the important parameters associated with the operation of an internal combustion engine. Some of these parameters include mass-fraction burn rate, ignition energy, and the indicated mean effective pressure. One of the characteristics of an internal combustion engine is the cycle-to-cycle variation of these parameters. A curve-averaging instrument has been produced which will generate the average curve, over 100 cycles, of any engine parameter. the average curve is described by 2048 discrete points which are displayed on an oscilloscope screen to facilitate recording and is available in real time. Input can be any parameter which is expressed as a + or - 10-volt signal. Operation of the curve-averaging instrument is defined between 100 and 6000 rpm. Provisions have also been made for averaging as many as four parameters simultaneously, with a subsequent decrease in resolution. This provides the means to correlate and perhaps interrelate the phenomena occurring in an internal combustion engine. This instrument has been used successfully on a 1975 Chevrolet V8 engine, and on a Continental 6-cylinder aircraft engine. While this instrument was designed for use on an internal combustion engine, with some modification it can be used to average any cyclically varying waveform.

Resonant-type MEMS transducers excited by two acoustic emission simulation techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozevin, Didem; Greve, David W.; Oppenheim, Irving J.; Pessiki, Stephen

2004-07-01

Acoustic emission testing is a passive nondestructive testing technique used to identify the onset and characteristics of damage through the detection and analysis of transient stress waves. Successful detection and implementation of acoustic emission requires good coupling, high transducer sensitivity and ability to discriminate noise from real signals. We report here detection of simulated acoustic emission signals using a MEMS chip fabricated in the multi-user polysilicon surface micromachining (MUMPs) process. The chip includes 18 different transducers with 10 different resonant frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 1 MHz. It was excited by two different source simulation techniques; pencil lead break and impact loading. The former simulation was accomplished by breaking 0.5 mm lead on the ceramic package. Four transducer outputs were collected simultaneously using a multi-channel oscilloscope. The impact loading was repeated for five different diameter ball bearings. Traditional acoustic emission waveform analysis methods were applied to both data sets to illustrate the identification of different source mechanisms. In addition, a sliding window Fourier transform was performed to differentiate frequencies in time-frequency-amplitude domain. The arrival and energy contents of each resonant frequency were investigated in time-magnitude plots. The advantages of the simultaneous excitation of resonant transducers on one chip are discussed and compared with broadband acoustic emission transducers.

Measurement of light penetration of near-infrared laser at the lumbosacral nerves in rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishibashi, Naoya; Shimoyama, Hiroshi; Kawase, Yuki; Motohara, Shosaku; Okayama, Takamitsu; Niwa, Daisuke; Koyama, Jun

2018-02-01

Photobiomodulation or low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been utilized in various areas of medical practice including pain relief, wound healing, and inflammation treatment. Some recent animal studies have reported that near-infrared laser irradiation to the lumbosacral nerves transcutateously relieves neuropathic pain by controlling activity of lumbosacral nerves. However, transcutaneous laser penetration to the nerves has not yet been fully elucidated. Our aim is to determine the light penetration to lumbosacral nerves when near-infrared laser was irradiated transcutateously to lumbosacral nerves. We implanted photodiodes near the lumbosacral nerves of rats and connected the photodiodes to an oscilloscope through an amplifier. Near-infrared lasers (wavelengths: 808 nm and 830 nm) were irradiated through the skin at 2, 5 and 10 W pulses (Duty 10%, 5 Hz) and outputs of photodiodes were collected. After irradiation, the depth of the photodiodes and the nerves from the skin surface were determined by micro-CT device. The result showed that the fluence rate at the lumbosacral nerves was 179+/-19.2 mW/cm2 and 232+/-20.7 mW/cm2 when the 808-nm and 830-nm laser was irradiated at 10 W respectively. These findings would be beneficial for following study of photobiomodulation.

Mapping of spin wave propagation in a one-dimensional magnonic crystal

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

Ordóñez-Romero, César L., E-mail: cloro@fisica.unam.mx; Lazcano-Ortiz, Zorayda; Aguilar-Huerta, Melisa

2016-07-28

The formation and evolution of spin wave band gaps in the transmission spectrum of a magnonic crystal have been studied. A time and space resolved magneto inductive probing system has been used to map the spin wave propagation and evolution in a geometrically structured yttrium iron garnet film. Experiments have been carried out using (1) a chemically etched magnonic crystal supporting the propagation of magnetostatic surface spin waves, (2) a short microwave pulsed excitation of the spin waves, and (3) direct spin wave detection using a movable magneto inductive probe connected to a synchronized fast oscilloscope. The results show thatmore » the periodic structure not only modifies the spectra of the transmitted spin waves but also influences the distribution of the spin wave energy inside the magnonic crystal as a function of the position and the transmitted frequency. These results comprise an experimental confirmation of Bloch′s theorem in a spin wave system and demonstrate good agreement with theoretical observations in analogue phononic and photonic systems. Theoretical prediction of the structured transmission spectra is achieved using a simple model based on microwave transmission lines theory. Here, a spin wave system illustrates in detail the evolution of a much more general physical concept: the band gap.« less

Novel ultrasensitive plasmonic detector of terahertz pulses enhanced by femtosecond optical pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shur, M.; Rudin, S.; Rupper, G.; Muraviev, A.

2016-09-01

Plasmonic Field Effect Transistor detectors (first proposed in 1996) have emerged as superior room temperature terahertz (THz) detectors. Recent theoretical and experimental results showed that such detectors are capable of subpicosecond resolution. Their sensitivity can be greatly enhanced by applying the DC drain-to-source current that increases the responsivity due to the enhanced non-linearity of the device but also adds 1/f noise. We now propose, and demonstrate a dramatic responsivity enhancement of these plasmonic THz pulse detectors by applying a femtosecond optical laser pulse superimposed on the THz pulse. The proposed physical mechanism links the enhanced detection to the superposition of the THz pulse field and the rectified optical field. A femtosecond pulse generates a large concentration of the electron-hole pairs shorting the drain and source contacts and, therefore, determining the moment of time when the THz induced charge starts discharging into the transmission line connecting the FET to an oscilloscope. This allows for scanning the THz pulse with the strongly enhanced sensitivity and/or for scanning the response waveform after the THz pulse is over. The experimental results obtained using AlGaAs/InGaAs deep submicron HEMTs are in good agreement with this mechanism. This new technique could find numerous imaging, sensing, and quality control applications.

Use of an ultrasonic device for the determination of elastic modulus of dentin.

PubMed

Miyazaki, Masashi; Inage, Hirohiko; Onose, Hideo

2002-03-01

The mechanical properties of dentin substrate are one of the important factors in determining bond strength of dentin bonding systems. The purpose of this study was to determine the elastic modulus of dentin substrate with the use of an ultrasonic device. The dentin disks of about 1 mm thickness were obtaining from freshly extracted human third molars, and the dentin disk was shaped in a rectangular form with a line diamond point. The size and weight of each specimen was measured to calculate the density of the specimen. The ultrasonic equipment employed in this study was composed of a Pulser-Receiver (Model 5900PR, Panametrics), transducers (V155, V156, Panametrics) and an oscilloscope. The measured two-way transit time through the dentin disk was divided by two to account for the down-and-back travel path, and then multiplied by the velocity of sound in the test material. Measuring the longitudinal and share wave sound velocity determine elastic modulus. The mean elastic modulus of horizontally sectioned specimens was 21.8 GPa and 18.5 GPa for the vertically sectioned specimens, and a significant difference was found between the two groups. The ultrasonic method used in this study shows considerable promise for determination of the elastic modulus of the tooth substrate.

Mean carrier transport properties and charge collection dynamics of single-crystal, natural type IIa diamonds from ion-induced conductivity measurements

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

Han, Sung Su

1993-09-01

Ion-induced conductivity has been used to investigate the detector characteristics of diamond detectors. Both integrated-charge, and time-resolved current measurements were performed to examine the mean carrier transport properties of diamond and the dynamics of charge collection under highly-localized and high-density excitation conditions. The integrated-charge measurements were conducted with a standard pulse-counting system with 241Am radioactivity as the excitation source for the detectors. The time-resolved current measurements were performed using a 70 GHz random sampling oscilloscope with the detectors incorporated into high-speed microstrip transmission lines and the excitation source for these measurements was an ion beam of either 5-MeV He +more » or 10-MeV Si 3+. The detectors used in both experiments can be described as metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) devices where a volume of the detector material is sandwiched between two metal plates. A charge collection model was developed to interpret the integrated-charge measurements which enabled estimation of the energy required to produce an electron-hole pair (ϵ di) and the mean carrier transport properties in diamond, such as carrier mobility and lifetime, and the behavior of the electrical contacts to diamond.« less

Interference of GSM mobile phones with communication between Cardiac Rhythm Management devices and programmers: A combined in vivo and in vitro study.

PubMed

Huang, Dong; Dong, Zhi-Feng; Chen, Yan; Wang, Fa-Bin; Wei, Zhi; Zhao, Wen-Bin; Li, Shuai; Liu, Ming-Ya; Zhu, Wei; Wei, Meng; Li, Jing-Bo

2015-07-01

To investigate interference, and how to avoid it, by high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) mobile phone with communication between cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMs) and programmers, a combined in vivo and in vitro testing was conducted. During in vivo testing, GSM mobile phones interfered with CRM-programmer communication in 33 of 65 subjects tested (50.8%). Losing ventricle sensing was representative in this study. In terms of clinical symptoms, only 4 subjects (0.6%) felt dizzy during testing. CRM-programmer communication recovered upon termination of mobile phone communication. During in vitro testing, electromagnetic interference by high-frequency (700-950 MHz) EMFs reproducibly occurred in duplicate testing in 18 of 20 CRMs (90%). During each interference, the pacing pulse signal on the programmer would suddenly disappear while the synchronous signal was normal on the amplifier-oscilloscope. Simulation analysis showed that interference by radiofrequency emitting devices with CRM-programmer communication may be attributed to factors including materials, excitation source distance, and implant depth. Results suggested that patients implanted with CRMs should not be restricted from using GSM mobile phones; however, CRMs should be kept away from high-frequency EMFs of GSM mobile phone during programming. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Photoacoustic experiments of glucose aqueous solution based on pulsed laser induced ultrasonic technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Zhong; Liu, Guodong; Huang, Zheng; Ding, Yu

2017-10-01

In this work, to further find the characteristic wavelengths of glucose, the photoacoustic experiments of glucose aqueous solutions were performed by using the photoacoustic technique. The photoacoustic detection system was established by the Q switched Nd: YAG OPO pulsed laser and ultrasonic detector with central frequency of 20MHz. The photoacoustic signals of samples were averaged with 512 times. Baed on the established photoacoustic detection system, the time-resolved photoacoustic signals of glucose with different concentrations at the different wavelengths were captured by the digital oscilloscope, and compared with that of the pure water. In order to get the characteristic wavelengths of glucose, the photoacoustic peak-to-peak values of glucose with different concentrations at the wavelength from 1350nm to 2100nm were obtained, and the difference spectral was gotten by using the difference method between the glucose solutions and pure water. Moreover, the first order derivation method was also used. The wavelength of 1650nm and 1850nm was chosen as the characteristic wavelengths of glucose. The linear fitting equation was established to verify the availability of two characteristic wavelengths. The average prediction error results showed that the choosing of the characteristic wavelength of 1650nm and 1850nm is available.

The design and implementation of a windowing interface pinch force measurement system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Tze-Yee; Chen, Yuanu-Joan; Chung, Chin-Teng; Hsiao, Ming-Heng

2010-02-01

This paper presents a novel windowing interface pinch force measurement system that is basically based on an USB (Universal Series Bus) microcontroller which mainly processes the sensing data from the force sensing resistance sensors mounted on five digits. It possesses several friendly functions, such as the value and curve trace of the applied force by a hand injured patient displayed in real time on a monitoring screen, consequently, not only the physician can easily evaluate the effect of hand injury rehabilitation, but also the patients get more progressive during the hand physical therapy by interacting with the screen of pinch force measurement. In order to facilitate the pinch force measurement system and make it friendly, the detail hardware design and software programming flowchart are described in this paper. Through a series of carefully and detailed experimental tests, first of all, the relationship between the applying force and the FSR sensors are measured and verified. Later, the different type of pinch force measurements are verified by the oscilloscope and compared with the corresponding values and waveform traces in the window interface display panel to obtain the consistency. Finally, a windowing interface pinch force measurement system based on the USB microcontroller is implemented and demonstrated. The experimental results show the verification and feasibility of the designed system.

Single-shot optical recording with sub-picosecond resolution spans record nanosecond lengths

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

Muir, Ryan; Heebner, John

With the advent of electronics, oscilloscopes and photodiodes are now routinely capable of measuring events well below nanosecond resolution. However, these electronic instruments do not currently measure events below 10 ps resolution. From Walden’s observation that there is an engineering tradeoff between electronic bit depth and temporal resolution in analog-to-digital converters, this technique is projected to have extremely poor fidelity if it is extended to record single events with picosecond resolution. While this constraint may be circumvented with extensive signal averaging or other multiple measurements approaches, rare events and nonrepetitive events cannot be observed with this technique. Techniques capable ofmore » measuring information in a single shot are often required. There is a general lack of available technologies that are easily scalable to long records with sub-picosecond resolution, and are simultaneously versatile in wavelength of operation. Since it is difficult to scale electronic methods to shorter resolutions, we instead aim to scale optical methods to longer records. Demonstrated optical recording methods that have achieved 1 ps resolution and long recording lengths rely on either time scaling to slow down the temporal information or, like Wien, perform time-to-space mapping so that fast events may be captured with a conventional camera.« less

g-PRIME: A Free, Windows Based Data Acquisition and Event Analysis Software Package for Physiology in Classrooms and Research Labs.

PubMed

Lott, Gus K; Johnson, Bruce R; Bonow, Robert H; Land, Bruce R; Hoy, Ronald R

2009-01-01

We present g-PRIME, a software based tool for physiology data acquisition, analysis, and stimulus generation in education and research. This software was developed in an undergraduate neurophysiology course and strongly influenced by instructor and student feedback. g-PRIME is a free, stand-alone, windows application coded and "compiled" in Matlab (does not require a Matlab license). g-PRIME supports many data acquisition interfaces from the PC sound card to expensive high throughput calibrated equipment. The program is designed as a software oscilloscope with standard trigger modes, multi-channel visualization controls, and data logging features. Extensive analysis options allow real time and offline filtering of signals, multi-parameter threshold-and-window based event detection, and two-dimensional display of a variety of parameters including event time, energy density, maximum FFT frequency component, max/min amplitudes, and inter-event rate and intervals. The software also correlates detected events with another simultaneously acquired source (event triggered average) in real time or offline. g-PRIME supports parameter histogram production and a variety of elegant publication quality graphics outputs. A major goal of this software is to merge powerful engineering acquisition and analysis tools with a biological approach to studies of nervous system function.

Real-time monitoring of BTEX in air via ambient-pressure MPI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swenson, Orven F.; Carriere, Josef P.; Isensee, Harlan; Gillispie, Gregory D.; Cooper, William F.; Dvorak, Michael A.

1998-05-01

We have developed and begun to field test a very sensitive method for real-time measurements of single-ring aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air. In this study, we focus on the efficient 1 + 1 resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of the BTEX species in the narrow region between 266 and 267 nm. We particularly emphasize 266.7 nm, a wavelength at which both benzene and toluene exhibit a sharp absorbance feature and benzene and its alkylated derivatives all absorb. An optical parametric oscillator system generating 266.7 nm, a REMPI cell, and digital oscilloscope detector are mounted on a breadboard attached to a small cart. In the first field test, the cart was wheeled through the various rooms of a chemistry research complex. Leakage of fuel through the gas caps of cars and light trucks in a parking lot was the subject of the second field test. The same apparatus was also used for a study in which the performance of the REMPI detector and a conventional photoionization detector were compared as a BTEX mixture was eluted by gas chromatography. Among the potential applications of the methodology are on-site analysis of combustion and manufacturing processes, soil gas and water headspace monitoring, space cabin and building air quality, and fuel leak detection.

Low-Cost Alternative for Signal Generators in the Physics Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pathare, Shirish Rajan; Raghavendra, M. K.; Huli, Saurabhee

2017-05-01

Recently devices such as the optical mouse of a computer, webcams, Wii remote, and digital cameras have been used to record and analyze different physical phenomena quantitatively. Devices like tablets and smartphones are also becoming popular. Different scientific applications available at Google Play (Android devices) or the App Store (iOS devices) make them versatile. One can find many websites that provide information regarding various scientific applications compatible with these systems. A variety of smartphones/tablets are available with different types of sensors embedded. Some of them have sensors that are capable of measuring intensity of light, sound, and magnetic field. The camera of these devices has been used to study projectile motion, and the same device, along with a sensor, has been used to study the physical pendulum. Accelerometers have been used to study free and damped harmonic oscillations and to measure acceleration due to gravity. Using accelerometers and gyroscopes, angular velocity and centripetal acceleration have been measured. The coefficient of restitution for a ball bouncing on the floor has been measured using the application Oscilloscope on the iPhone. In this article, we present the use of an Android device as a low-cost alternative for a signal generator. We use the Signal Generator application installed on the Android device along with an amplifier circuit.

Exploitation of an atmospheric lidar network node in single-shot mode for the classification of aerofauna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jansson, Samuel; Brydegaard, Mikkel; Papayannis, Alexandros; Tsaknakis, Georgios; Åkesson, Susanne

2017-07-01

The migration of aerofauna is a seasonal phenomenon of global scale, engaging billions of individuals in long-distance movements every year. Multiband lidar systems are commonly employed for the monitoring of aerosols and atmospheric gases, and a number of systems are operated regularly across Europe in the framework of the European Aerosol Lidar Network (EARLINET). This work examines the feasibility of utilizing EARLINET for the monitoring and classification of migratory fauna based on their pigmentation. An EARLINET Raman lidar system in Athens transmits laser pulses in three bands. By installing a four-channel digital oscilloscope on the system, the backscattered light from single-laser shots is measured. Roughly 100 h of data were gathered in the summer of 2013. The data were examined for aerofauna observations, and a total of 1735 observations interpreted as airborne organisms intercepting the laser beam were found during the study period in July to August 2013. The properties of the observations were analyzed spectrally and intercompared. A spectral multimodality that could be related to different observed species is shown. The system used in this pilot study is located in Athens, Greece. It is concluded that monitoring aerial migration using it and other similar systems is feasible with minor modifications, and that in-flight species classification could be possible.

Electrical features of eighteen automated external defibrillators: a systematic evaluation.

PubMed

Kette, Fulvio; Locatelli, Aldo; Bozzola, Marcella; Zoli, Alberto; Li, Yongqin; Salmoiraghi, Marco; Ristagno, Giuseppe; Andreassi, Aida

2013-11-01

Assessment and comparison of the electrical parameters (energy, current, first and second phase waveform duration) among eighteen AEDs. Engineering bench tests for a descriptive systematic evaluation in commercially available AEDs. AEDs were tested through an ECG simulator, an impedance simulator, an oscilloscope and a measuring device detecting energy delivered, peak and average current, and duration of first and second phase of the biphasic waveforms. All tests were performed at the engineering facility of the Lombardia Regional Emergency Service (AREU). Large variations in the energy delivered at the first shock were observed. The trend of current highlighted a progressive decline concurrent with the increases of impedance. First and second phase duration varied substantially among the AEDs using the exponential biphasic waveform, unlike rectilinear waveform AEDs in which phase duration remained relatively constant. There is a large variability in the electrical features of the AEDs tested. Energy is likely not to be the best indicator for strength dose selection. Current and shock duration should be both considered when approaching the technical features of AEDs. These findings may prompt further investigations to define the optimal current and duration of the shock waves to increase the success rate in the clinical setting. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Progress in Attosecond Metrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kienberger, R.; Krausz, F.

Fundamental processes in atoms, molecules, as well as condensed matter are triggered or mediated by the motion of electrons inside or between atoms. Electronic dynamics on atomic length scales tends to unfold within tens to thousands of attoseconds (1 as = 10-18 s). Recent breakthroughs in laser science are now opening the door to watching and controlling these hitherto inaccessible microscopic dynamics. The key to accessing the attosecond time domain is the control of the electric field of (visible) light, which varies its strength and direction within less than a femtosecond (1 fs = 1000 as). Atoms exposed to a few oscillation cycles of intense laser light are able to emit a single XUV burst lasting less than 1 fs. Full control of the evolution of the electromagnetic field in laser pulses comprising a few wave cycles have recently allowed the reproducible generation and measurement of isolated 250-as XUV pulses, constituting the shortest reproducible events and fastest measurement to date. These tools have enabled us to visualize the oscillating electric field of visible light with an attosecond "oscilloscope" and observing the motion of electrons in and around atoms in real time. Recent experiments hold promise for the development of an attosecond hard X-ray source, which may pave the way toward 4D electron imaging with subatomic resolution in space and time.

Development of a Hands-On Survey Course in the Physics of Living Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matthews, Megan; Goldman, Daniel I.

Due to the widespread availability and technological capabilities of modern smartphones, many biophysical systems can be investigated using easily accessible, low-cost, and/or ``homemade'' equipment. Our survey course is structured to provide students with an overview of research in the physics of living systems, emphasizing the interplay between measurement, mechanism, and modeling required to understand principles at the intersection of physics and biology. The course proceeds through seven modules each consisting of one week of lectures and one week of hands-on experiments, called ``microlabs''. Using smartphones, Arduinos, and 3D printed materials students create their own laboratory equipment, including a 150X van Leeuwenhoek microscope, a shaking incubator, and an oscilloscope, and then use them to study biological systems ranging in length scales from nanometers to meters. These systems include population dynamics of rotifer/algae cultures, experimental evolution of multicellularity in budding yeast, and the bio- & neuromechanics involved in animal locomotion, among others. In each module, students are introduced to fundamental biological and physical concepts as well as theoretical and computational tools (nonlinear dynamics, molecular dynamics simulation, and statistical mechanics). At the end of the course, students apply these concepts and tools to the creation of their own microlab that integrates hands-on experimentation and modeling in the study of their chosen biophysical system.

Fluorescence lifetime measurements in flow cytometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beisker, Wolfgang; Klocke, Axel

1997-05-01

Fluorescence lifetime measurements provide insights int eh dynamic and structural properties of dyes and their micro- environment. The implementation of fluorescence lifetime measurements in flow cytometric systems allows to monitor large cell and particle populations with high statistical significance. In our system, a modulated laser beam is used for excitation and the phase shift of the fluorescence signal recorded with a fast computer controlled digital oscilloscope is processed digitally to determine the phase shift with respect to a reference beam by fast fourier transform. Total fluorescence intensity as well as other parameters can be determined simultaneously from the same fluorescence signal. We use the epi-illumination design to allow the use of high numerical apertures to collect as much light as possible to ensure detection of even weak fluorescence. Data storage and processing is done comparable to slit-scan flow cytometric data using data analysis system. The results are stored, displayed, combined with other parameters and analyzed as normal listmode data. In our report we discuss carefully the signal to noise ratio for analog and digital processed lifetime signals to evaluate the theoretical minimum fluorescence intensity for lifetime measurements. Applications to be presented include DNA staining, parameters of cell functions as well as different applications in non-mammalian cells such as algae.

Single-shot optical recording with sub-picosecond resolution spans record nanosecond lengths

DOE PAGES

Muir, Ryan; Heebner, John

2018-01-18

With the advent of electronics, oscilloscopes and photodiodes are now routinely capable of measuring events well below nanosecond resolution. However, these electronic instruments do not currently measure events below 10 ps resolution. From Walden’s observation that there is an engineering tradeoff between electronic bit depth and temporal resolution in analog-to-digital converters, this technique is projected to have extremely poor fidelity if it is extended to record single events with picosecond resolution. While this constraint may be circumvented with extensive signal averaging or other multiple measurements approaches, rare events and nonrepetitive events cannot be observed with this technique. Techniques capable ofmore » measuring information in a single shot are often required. There is a general lack of available technologies that are easily scalable to long records with sub-picosecond resolution, and are simultaneously versatile in wavelength of operation. Since it is difficult to scale electronic methods to shorter resolutions, we instead aim to scale optical methods to longer records. Demonstrated optical recording methods that have achieved 1 ps resolution and long recording lengths rely on either time scaling to slow down the temporal information or, like Wien, perform time-to-space mapping so that fast events may be captured with a conventional camera.« less

Demonstration of 40 MHz thin-film electro-optic modulator using an organic molecular salt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhowmik, Achintya; Ahyi, Ayayi; Tan, Shida; Mishra, Alpana; Thakur, Mrinal

2000-03-01

Recently we reported the first demonstration of a single-pass thin-film electro-optic modulator based on a DAST single-crystal film.(M. Thakur, J. Xu, A. Bhowmik, and L. Zhou, Appl. Phys. Lett. 74, 635-637 (1999).) In this work, we report a larger modulation depth ( ~80%) and higher speed of operation. Excellent optical quality single-crystal films were prepared by a modified shear method.(M. Thakur and S. Meyler, Macromolecules 18, 2341 (1985); M. Thakur, Y. Shani, G. C. Chi, and K. O'Brien, Synth. Met. 28, D595 (1989).) Thin-film modulator was constructed by depositing electrodes across the polar axis. The beam from a Ti-Sapphire laser, tunable over 720-850 nm, was propagated perpendicular to the film surface. The modulated signal was detected using a fast photodetector, and displayed on a high bandwidth oscilloscope and a spectrum analyzer. The response was independent of the frequency of applied field over the measurement range (2 kHz - 40 MHz). A much higher speed (>100 GHz) of operation should be possible using these films. These modulators involve negligible losses compared to the waveguide structures, and have significant potential for a broad range of applications in high speed optical signal processing.

Optimization behavior of brainstem respiratory neurons. A cerebral neural network model.

PubMed

Poon, C S

1991-01-01

A recent model of respiratory control suggested that the steady-state respiratory responses to CO2 and exercise may be governed by an optimal control law in the brainstem respiratory neurons. It was not certain, however, whether such complex optimization behavior could be accomplished by a realistic biological neural network. To test this hypothesis, we developed a hybrid computer-neural model in which the dynamics of the lung, brain and other tissue compartments were simulated on a digital computer. Mimicking the "controller" was a human subject who pedalled on a bicycle with varying speed (analog of ventilatory output) with a view to minimize an analog signal of the total cost of breathing (chemical and mechanical) which was computed interactively and displayed on an oscilloscope. In this manner, the visuomotor cortex served as a proxy (homolog) of the brainstem respiratory neurons in the model. Results in 4 subjects showed a linear steady-state ventilatory CO2 response to arterial PCO2 during simulated CO2 inhalation and a nearly isocapnic steady-state response during simulated exercise. Thus, neural optimization is a plausible mechanism for respiratory control during exercise and can be achieved by a neural network with cognitive computational ability without the need for an exercise stimulus.

Ultrasonic immersion probes characterization for use in nondestructive testing according to EN 12668-2:2001

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, C. E. R.; Alvarenga, A. V.; Costa-Felix, R. P. B.

2011-02-01

Ultrasound is often used as a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technique to analyze components and structures to detect internal and surface flaws. To guarantee reliable measurements, it is necessary to calibrate instruments and properly assess related uncertainties. An important device of an ultrasonic instrument system is its probe, which characterization should be performed according to EN 12668-2. Concerning immersion probes beam profile, the parameters to be assessed are beam divergence, focal distance, width, and zone length. Such parameters are determined by scanning a reflector or a hydrophone throughout the transducer beam. Within the present work, a methodology developed at Inmetro's Laboratory of Ultrasound to evaluate relevant beam parameters is presented, based on hydrophone scan. Water bath and positioning system to move the hydrophone were used to perform the scan. Studied probes were excited by a signal generator, and the waterborne signals were detected by the hydrophone and acquired using an oscilloscope. A user-friendly virtual instrument was developed in LabVIEW to automate the system. The initial tests were performed using 1 and 2.25 MHz-ultrasonic unfocused probes (Ø 1.27 cm), and results were consistent with the manufacturer's specifications. Moreover, expanded uncertainties were lower than 6% for all parameters under consideration.

A simple integrative method for presenting head-contingent motion parallax and disparity cues on intel x86 processor-based machines.

PubMed

Szatmary, J; Hadani, I; Julesz, B

1997-01-01

Rogers and Graham (1979) developed a system to show that head-movement-contingent motion parallax produces monocular depth perception in random dot patterns. Their display system comprised an oscilloscope driven by function generators or a special graphics board that triggered the X and Y deflection of the raster scan signal. Replication of this system required costly hardware that is no longer on the market. In this paper the Rogers-Graham method is reproduced with an Intel processor based IBM PC compatible machine with no additional hardware cost. An adapted joystick sampled through the standard game-port can serve as a provisional head-movement sensor. Monitor resolution for displaying motion is effectively enhanced 16 times by the use of anti-aliasing, enabling the display of thousands of random dots in real-time with a refresh rate of 60 Hz or above. A color monitor enables the use of the anaglyph method, thus combining stereoscopic and monocular parallax on a single display without the loss of speed. The power of this system is demonstrated by a psychophysical measurement in which subjects nulled head-movement-contingent illusory parallax, evoked by a static stereogram, with real parallax. The amount of real parallax required to null the illusory stereoscopic parallax monotonically increased with disparity.

Measurement of electron density transients in pulsed RF discharges using a frequency boxcar hairpin probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peterson, David; Coumou, David; Shannon, Steven

2015-11-01

Time resolved electron density measurements in pulsed RF discharges are shown using a hairpin resonance probe using low cost electronics, on par with normal Langmuir probe boxcar mode operation. Time resolution of 10 microseconds has been demonstrated. A signal generator produces the applied microwave frequency; the reflected waveform is passed through a directional coupler and filtered to remove the RF component. The signal is heterodyned with a frequency mixer and rectified to produce a DC signal read by an oscilloscope. At certain points during the pulse, the plasma density is such that the applied frequency is the same as the resonance frequency of the probe/plasma system, creating reflected signal dips. The applied microwave frequency is shifted in small increments in a frequency boxcar routine to determine the density as a function of time. A dc sheath correction is applied for the grounded probe, producing low cost, high fidelity, and highly reproducible electron density measurements. The measurements are made in both inductively and capacitively coupled systems, the latter driven by multiple frequencies where a subset of these frequencies are pulsed. Measurements are compared to previous published results, time resolved OES, and in-line measurement of plasma impedance. This work is supported by the NSF DOE partnership on plasma science, the NSF GOALI program, and MKS Instruments.

Pulsed Laser Illumination of Photovoltaic Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yater, Jane A.; Lowe, Roland; Jenkins, Philip; Landis, Geoffrey A.

1994-01-01

In future space missions, free electron lasers (FEL) may be used to illuminate photovoltaic array receivers to provide remote power. The induction FEL and the radio-frequency (RF) FEL both produce pulsed rather than continuous output. In this work, we investigate cell response to pulsed laser light which simulates the RF FEL format, producing 50 ps pulses at a frequency of 78 MHz. A variety of Si, GaAs, CaSb and CdInSe2 (CIS) solar cells are tested at average incident powers between 4 mW/sq cm and 425 mW/sq cm. The results indicate that if the pulse repetition is high, cell efficiencies are only slightly reduced by using a pulsed laser source compared to constant illumination at the same wavelength. Because the pulse separation is less than or approximately equal to the minority carrier lifetime, the illumination conditions are effectively those of a continuous wave laser. The time dependence of the voltage and current response of the cells are also measured using a sampling oscilloscope equipped with a high frequency voltage probe and current transformer. The frequency response of the cells is weak, with both voltage and current outputs essentially dc in nature. Comparison with previous experiments shows that the RF FEL pulse format yields much more efficient photovoltaic conversion of light than does an induction FEL pulse format.

Acoustic comparison of Er,Cr:YSGG laser and dental high speed handpiece for primary anterior tooth preparation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jorden, Monserrat; Chen, Jung-Wei; Easley, Elisabeth; Li, Yiming; Kurti, R. Steven

The acoustics of a dental hard tissue laser (Er,Cr:YSGG laser, Waterlase MD, Biolase, USA) and a traditional dental high speed hand piece (Midwest®, Dentsply International, USA) were compared in vitro using a simple approach that can be easily adapted for in vivo studies. Thirty one extracted caries and restoration free primary anterior teeth were selected. These teeth were sectioned along a symmetry axis to give two identical halves for use in a split study. These halves were randomly assigned to either the laser (experimental) or the high speed (control) group. A miniature electret microphone was coupled to the sample using a polymer and used to collect the acoustic signal at the interface of the pulp chamber. This signal was captured periodically by a digitizing oscilloscope and multiple traces were stored for subsequent analysis. 2x1x1mm3 preparations were made according to manufacturers recommendations for the given method. Each cavity was prepared by the same clinician and calibration tests were performed to ensure consistency. The measurements indicated that the peak acoustic pressures as well as cumulative acoustic effects (due to duty cycle) were significantly higher (P<0.001, T-test) with the dental hand piece than with the dental laser. Our study suggests the need for further investigations into the neurological implications of acoustic effects in dental patient care such as pain studies.

Out-of-plane ultrasonic velocity measurement

DOEpatents

Hall, M.S.; Brodeur, P.H.; Jackson, T.G.

1998-07-14

A method for improving the accuracy of measuring the velocity and time of flight of ultrasonic signals through moving web-like materials such as paper, paperboard and the like, includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed on opposing sides of a moving web-like material. In order to provide acoustical coupling between the transducers and the web-like material, the transducers are disposed in fluid-filled wheels. Errors due to variances in the wheel thicknesses about their circumference which can affect time of flight measurements and ultimately the mechanical property being tested are compensated by averaging the ultrasonic signals for a predetermined number of revolutions. The invention further includes a method for compensating for errors resulting from the digitization of the ultrasonic signals. More particularly, the invention includes a method for eliminating errors known as trigger jitter inherent with digitizing oscilloscopes used to digitize the signals for manipulation by a digital computer. In particular, rather than cross-correlate ultrasonic signals taken during different sample periods as is known in the art in order to determine the time of flight of the ultrasonic signal through the moving web, a pulse echo box is provided to enable cross-correlation of predetermined transmitted ultrasonic signals with predetermined reflected ultrasonic or echo signals during the sample period. By cross-correlating ultrasonic signals in the same sample period, the error associated with trigger jitter is eliminated. 20 figs.

Out-of-plane ultrasonic velocity measurement

DOEpatents

Hall, Maclin S.; Brodeur, Pierre H.; Jackson, Theodore G.

1998-01-01

A method for improving the accuracy of measuring the velocity and time of flight of ultrasonic signals through moving web-like materials such as paper, paperboard and the like, includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed on opposing sides of a moving web-like material. In order to provide acoustical coupling between the transducers and the web-like material, the transducers are disposed in fluid-filled wheels. Errors due to variances in the wheel thicknesses about their circumference which can affect time of flight measurements and ultimately the mechanical property being tested are compensated by averaging the ultrasonic signals for a predetermined number of revolutions. The invention further includes a method for compensating for errors resulting from the digitization of the ultrasonic signals. More particularly, the invention includes a method for eliminating errors known as trigger jitter inherent with digitizing oscilloscopes used to digitize the signals for manipulation by a digital computer. In particular, rather than cross-correlate ultrasonic signals taken during different sample periods as is known in the art in order to determine the time of flight of the ultrasonic signal through the moving web, a pulse echo box is provided to enable cross-correlation of predetermined transmitted ultrasonic signals with predetermined reflected ultrasonic or echo signals during the sample period. By cross-correlating ultrasonic signals in the same sample period, the error associated with trigger jitter is eliminated.

Experimental study on detection of electrostatic discharges generated by polymer granules inside a metal silo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Kwangseok; Mogami, Tomofumi; Suzuki, Teruo

2014-04-01

To detect electrostatic discharges generated by polymer granules within a metal silo, we developed a novel and simple electrostatic discharge detector that utilizes a photosensor. The novel detector consists of a photosensor module in a metal cylinder, an optical band-pass filter, a quartz glass, a power supply, an amplifier for the photosensor module, and a digital oscilloscope. In this study, we conducted experiments at a real pneumatic powder transport facility that includes a metal silo to evaluate the novel detector using polypropylene granules. To determine the performance of the novel detector, we observed the electrostatic discharge within the metal silo using a conventional image intensifier system. The results obtained from the experiments show that the novel detector worked well in this study. The signals obtained with the novel detector were identical to the electrostatic discharges obtained with the conventional image intensifier system. The greatest advantage of this novel detector is that it is effective even when placed under external lights. In addition, the influence of various optical band-pass filters on the performance of the novel detector was discussed. Our study confirmed that an optical band-pass filter with a center wavelength of λ 330 nm (λ1/2: 315-345 nm) was the best performer among the optical band-pass filters used in this study.

Experimental study on detection of electrostatic discharges generated by polymer granules inside a metal silo.

PubMed

Choi, Kwangseok; Mogami, Tomofumi; Suzuki, Teruo

2014-04-01

To detect electrostatic discharges generated by polymer granules within a metal silo, we developed a novel and simple electrostatic discharge detector that utilizes a photosensor. The novel detector consists of a photosensor module in a metal cylinder, an optical band-pass filter, a quartz glass, a power supply, an amplifier for the photosensor module, and a digital oscilloscope. In this study, we conducted experiments at a real pneumatic powder transport facility that includes a metal silo to evaluate the novel detector using polypropylene granules. To determine the performance of the novel detector, we observed the electrostatic discharge within the metal silo using a conventional image intensifier system. The results obtained from the experiments show that the novel detector worked well in this study. The signals obtained with the novel detector were identical to the electrostatic discharges obtained with the conventional image intensifier system. The greatest advantage of this novel detector is that it is effective even when placed under external lights. In addition, the influence of various optical band-pass filters on the performance of the novel detector was discussed. Our study confirmed that an optical band-pass filter with a center wavelength of λ 330 nm (λ1/2: 315-345 nm) was the best performer among the optical band-pass filters used in this study.

An in vitro model of a system of electrical potential compensation in extracorporeal circulation.

PubMed

Carletti, Umberto; Cattini, Stefano; Lodi, Renzo; Petralia, Antonio; Rovati, Luigi; Zaffe, Davide

2014-02-01

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery induces systemic immune-inflammatory reaction that results in increased postoperative morbidity. Many factors are responsible for the adverse response after ECC. The present in vitro study aimed to investigate electric charges (ECs) generated during ECC, to set a device compensating the ECs, and checking its effect on red blood cells (RBC). The electrical signals of blood in ECC were collected by a custom developed low-noise electronic circuit, processed by a digital oscilloscope (DSO) and a dynamic signal analyzer (DSA). The compensation of ECs was performed using a compensation device, injecting a nulling charge into the blood circuit. The compensation effect of the ECs on RBCs was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The electrical analysis performed using both the DSO and the DSA confirmed the EC formation during ECC. The notable electric signals recorded in standard ECC circuits substantially nulled once the compensation device was used, thus confirming efficient EC compensation. After two hours of ECC, the SEM non-blended test on human RBC samples highlighted morphological changes in acanthocytes of the normal biconcave-shaped RBC. The outcomes confirm the development of parasitic ECs during ECC and that a suppressor system may decrease the potential damage of ECs. Nevertheless, further studies are ongoing in order to investigate the complex mechanisms related to lymphocytes and platelet morphological and physiological chances during triboelectric charges in ECC.

Method and apparatus for non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose

DOEpatents

Thomas, Graham H.; Watson, Roger M.; Noell, J. Oakey

1992-06-09

A new and improved method and apparatus are provided for non-invasive monitoring of changes in blood glucose concentration in a tissue specimen and particularly in an individual. The method uses acoustic velocity measurements for monitoring the effect of glucose concentration upon the density and adiabatic compressibility of the serum. In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic velocity measurements are made through the earlobe of a subject by means of an acoustic probe or monitor which includes a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy pulses to and from the blood flowing in the subject's earlobe and a reflector for facilitating reflection of the acoustic pulses from the blood. The probe is designed in such a way that when properly affixed to an ear, the transducer is positioned flush against the anterior portion of an earlobe while the reflector is positioned flush against the interior portion of the earlobe. A microthermocouple is provided on the probe for monitoring the internal temperature of the blood being sampled. An electrical system, essentially comprising a frequency generator, a time intervalometer and an oscilloscope, is linked to the glucose monitoring probe. The electrical system analyzes selected ones of the pulses reflected from the blood sample in order to determine therefrom the acoustic velocity of the blood which, in turn, provides a representation of the blood glucose concentration levels at the time of the acoustic velocity measurements.

Integrated Laser Characterization, Data Acquisition, and Command and Control Test System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stysley, Paul; Coyle, Barry; Lyness, Eric

2012-01-01

Satellite-based laser technology has been developed for topographical measurements of the Earth and of other planets. Lasers for such missions must be highly efficient and stable over long periods in the temperature variations of orbit. In this innovation, LabVIEW is used on an Apple Macintosh to acquire and analyze images of the laser beam as it exits the laser cavity to evaluate the laser s performance over time, and to monitor and control the environmental conditions under which the laser is tested. One computer attached to multiple cameras and instruments running LabVIEW-based software replaces a conglomeration of computers and software packages, saving hours in maintenance and data analysis, and making very longterm tests possible. This all-in-one system was written primarily using LabVIEW for Mac OS X, which allows the combining of data from multiple RS-232, USB, and Ethernet instruments for comprehensive laser analysis and control. The system acquires data from CCDs (charge coupled devices), power meters, thermistors, and oscilloscopes over a controllable period of time. This data is saved to an html file that can be accessed later from a variety of data analysis programs. Also, through the LabVIEW interface, engineers can easily control laser input parameters such as current, pulse width, chiller temperature, and repetition rates. All of these parameters can be adapted and cycled over a period of time.

Synchronous-digitization for Video Rate Polarization Modulated Beam Scanning Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy.

PubMed

Sullivan, Shane Z; DeWalt, Emma L; Schmitt, Paul D; Muir, Ryan M; Simpson, Garth J

2015-03-09

Fast beam-scanning non-linear optical microscopy, coupled with fast (8 MHz) polarization modulation and analytical modeling have enabled simultaneous nonlinear optical Stokes ellipsometry (NOSE) and linear Stokes ellipsometry imaging at video rate (15 Hz). NOSE enables recovery of the complex-valued Jones tensor that describes the polarization-dependent observables, in contrast to polarimetry, in which the polarization stated of the exciting beam is recorded. Each data acquisition consists of 30 images (10 for each detector, with three detectors operating in parallel), each of which corresponds to polarization-dependent results. Processing of this image set by linear fitting contracts down each set of 10 images to a set of 5 parameters for each detector in second harmonic generation (SHG) and three parameters for the transmittance of the fundamental laser beam. Using these parameters, it is possible to recover the Jones tensor elements of the sample at video rate. Video rate imaging is enabled by performing synchronous digitization (SD), in which a PCIe digital oscilloscope card is synchronized to the laser (the laser is the master clock.) Fast polarization modulation was achieved by modulating an electro-optic modulator synchronously with the laser and digitizer, with a simple sine-wave at 1/10th the period of the laser, producing a repeating pattern of 10 polarization states. This approach was validated using Z-cut quartz, and NOSE microscopy was performed for micro-crystals of naproxen.

Synchronous-digitization for video rate polarization modulated beam scanning second harmonic generation microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sullivan, Shane Z.; DeWalt, Emma L.; Schmitt, Paul D.; Muir, Ryan D.; Simpson, Garth J.

2015-03-01

Fast beam-scanning non-linear optical microscopy, coupled with fast (8 MHz) polarization modulation and analytical modeling have enabled simultaneous nonlinear optical Stokes ellipsometry (NOSE) and linear Stokes ellipsometry imaging at video rate (15 Hz). NOSE enables recovery of the complex-valued Jones tensor that describes the polarization-dependent observables, in contrast to polarimetry, in which the polarization stated of the exciting beam is recorded. Each data acquisition consists of 30 images (10 for each detector, with three detectors operating in parallel), each of which corresponds to polarization-dependent results. Processing of this image set by linear fitting contracts down each set of 10 images to a set of 5 parameters for each detector in second harmonic generation (SHG) and three parameters for the transmittance of the fundamental laser beam. Using these parameters, it is possible to recover the Jones tensor elements of the sample at video rate. Video rate imaging is enabled by performing synchronous digitization (SD), in which a PCIe digital oscilloscope card is synchronized to the laser (the laser is the master clock.) Fast polarization modulation was achieved by modulating an electro-optic modulator synchronously with the laser and digitizer, with a simple sine-wave at 1/10th the period of the laser, producing a repeating pattern of 10 polarization states. This approach was validated using Z-cut quartz, and NOSE microscopy was performed for micro-crystals of naproxen.

Wireless GPS-based phase-locked synchronization system for outdoor environment.

PubMed

Meyer, Frédéric; Bahr, Alexander; Lochmatter, Thomas; Borrani, Fabio

2012-01-03

Synchronization of data coming from different sources is of high importance in biomechanics to ensure reliable analyses. This synchronization can either be performed through hardware to obtain perfect matching of data, or post-processed digitally. Hardware synchronization can be achieved using trigger cables connecting different devices in many situations; however, this is often impractical, and sometimes impossible in outdoors situations. The aim of this paper is to describe a wireless system for outdoor use, allowing synchronization of different types of - potentially embedded and moving - devices. In this system, each synchronization device is composed of: (i) a GPS receiver (used as time reference), (ii) a radio transmitter, and (iii) a microcontroller. These components are used to provide synchronized trigger signals at the desired frequency to the measurement device connected. The synchronization devices communicate wirelessly, are very lightweight, battery-operated and thus very easy to set up. They are adaptable to every measurement device equipped with either trigger input or recording channel. The accuracy of the system was validated using an oscilloscope. The mean synchronization error was found to be 0.39 μs and pulses are generated with an accuracy of <2 μs. The system provides synchronization accuracy about two orders of magnitude better than commonly used post-processing methods, and does not suffer from any drift in trigger generation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Towards the utilization of EEG as a brain imaging tool.

PubMed

Michel, Christoph M; Murray, Micah M

2012-06-01

Recent advances in signal analysis have engendered EEG with the status of a true brain mapping and brain imaging method capable of providing spatio-temporal information regarding brain (dys)function. Because of the increasing interest in the temporal dynamics of brain networks, and because of the straightforward compatibility of the EEG with other brain imaging techniques, EEG is increasingly used in the neuroimaging community. However, the full capability of EEG is highly underestimated. Many combined EEG-fMRI studies use the EEG only as a spike-counter or an oscilloscope. Many cognitive and clinical EEG studies use the EEG still in its traditional way and analyze grapho-elements at certain electrodes and latencies. We here show that this way of using the EEG is not only dangerous because it leads to misinterpretations, but it is also largely ignoring the spatial aspects of the signals. In fact, EEG primarily measures the electric potential field at the scalp surface in the same way as MEG measures the magnetic field. By properly sampling and correctly analyzing this electric field, EEG can provide reliable information about the neuronal activity in the brain and the temporal dynamics of this activity in the millisecond range. This review explains some of these analysis methods and illustrates their potential in clinical and experimental applications. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

NASA Researchers Examine a Pratt and Whitney RL-10 Rocket Engine

NASA Image and Video Library

1962-04-21

Lead Test Engineer John Kobak (right) and a technician use an oscilloscope to test the installation of a Pratt and Whitney RL-10 engine in the Propulsion Systems Laboratory at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center. In 1955 the military asked Pratt and Whitney to develop hydrogen engines specifically for aircraft. The program was canceled in 1958, but Pratt and Whitney decided to use the experience to develop a liquid-hydrogen rocket engine, the RL-10. Two of the 15,000-pound-thrust RL-10 engines were used to power the new Centaur second-stage rocket. Centaur was designed to carry the Surveyor spacecraft on its mission to soft-land on the Moon. Pratt and Whitney ran into problems while testing the RL-10 at their facilities. NASA Headquarters assigned Lewis the responsibility for investigating the RL-10 problems because of the center’s long history of liquid-hydrogen development. Lewis’ Chemical Rocket Division began a series of tests to study the RL-10 at its Propulsion Systems Laboratory in March 1960. The facility contained two test chambers that could study powerful engines in simulated altitude conditions. The first series of RL-10 tests in early 1961 involved gimballing the engine as it fired. Lewis researchers were able to yaw and pitch the engine to simulate its behavior during a real flight.

Development of alternative plasma sources for cavity ring-down measurements of mercury.

PubMed

Duan, Yixiang; Wang, Chuji; Scherrer, Susan T; Winstead, Christopher B

2005-08-01

We have been exploring innovative technologies for elemental and hyperfine structure measurements using cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) combined with various plasma sources. A laboratory CRDS system utilizing a tunable dye laser is employed in this work to demonstrate the feasibility of the technology. An in-house fabricated sampling system is used to generate aerosols from solution samples and introduce the aerosols into the plasma source. The ring-down signals are monitored using a photomultiplier tube and recorded using a digital oscilloscope interfaced to a computer. Several microwave plasma discharge devices are tested for mercury CRDS measurement. Various discharge tubes have been designed and tested to reduce background interference and increase the sample path length while still controlling turbulence generated from the plasma gas flow. Significant background reduction has been achieved with the implementation of the newly designed tube-shaped plasma devices, which has resulted in a detection limit of 0.4 ng/mL for mercury with the plasma source CRDS. The calibration curves obtained in this work readily show that linearity over 2 orders of magnitude can be obtained with plasma-CRDS for mercury detection. In this work, the hyperfine structure of mercury at the experimental plasma temperatures is clearly identified. We expect that plasma source cavity ring-down spectroscopy will provide enhanced capabilities for elemental and isotopic measurements.

Zero-lag synchronization in coupled time-delayed piecewise linear electronic circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suresh, R.; Srinivasan, K.; Senthilkumar, D. V.; Raja Mohamed, I.; Murali, K.; Lakshmanan, M.; Kurths, J.

2013-07-01

We investigate and report an experimental confirmation of zero-lag synchronization (ZLS) in a system of three coupled time-delayed piecewise linear electronic circuits via dynamical relaying with different coupling configurations, namely mutual and subsystem coupling configurations. We have observed that when there is a feedback between the central unit (relay unit) and at least one of the outer units, ZLS occurs in the two outer units whereas the central and outer units exhibit inverse phase synchronization (IPS). We find that in the case of mutual coupling configuration ZLS occurs both in periodic and hyperchaotic regimes, while in the subsystem coupling configuration it occurs only in the hyperchaotic regime. Snapshots of the time evolution of outer circuits as observed from the oscilloscope confirm the occurrence of ZLS experimentally. The quality of ZLS is numerically verified by correlation coefficient and similarity function measures. Further, the transition to ZLS is verified from the changes in the largest Lyapunov exponents and the correlation coefficient as a function of the coupling strength. IPS is experimentally confirmed using time series plots and also can be visualized using the concept of localized sets which are also corroborated by numerical simulations. In addition, we have calculated the correlation of probability of recurrence to quantify the phase coherence. We have also analytically derived a sufficient condition for the stability of ZLS using the Krasovskii-Lyapunov theory.

a KA-BAND Chirped-Pulse Fourier Transform Microwave Spectrometer.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaleski, Daniel P.; Neill, Justin L.; Muckle, Matthew T.; Pate, Brooks H.; Carroll, P. Brandon; Weaver, Susanna L. Widicus

2010-06-01

The design and performance of a new chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectrometer operating from 25-40 GHz will be discussed. A 10.5-3 GHz linear frequency sweep, generated by a 24 GS/s arbitrary waveform generator, is upconverted by a 23.00 GHz phase-locked oscillator, then fed into an active doubler to create a 25-40 GHz chirped pulse. After amplification with a 60-80 W pulsed traveling wave tube amplifier, the pulse is broadcast across a molecular beam chamber where it interacts with a molecular sample. The molecular FID signal is downconverted with the 23 GHz oscillator so that it can be digitized on a 50 GS/s oscilloscope with 16 GHz hardware bandwidth. The sensitivity and phase stability of this spectrometer is comparable to that of the previously reported 6.5-18.5 CP-FTMW spectrometer. On propyne (μ=0.78 D), a single-shot signal to noise ratio of approximately 200:1 is observed on the J=2-1 rotational transition at 34183 MHz when the full bandwidth is swept; optimal excitation is observed for this transition with a 250 MHz bandwidth sweep. The emission has a T_2 lifetime of 4 μs. Early results from this spectrometer, particularly in the study of species of astrochemical interest, will be presented. G.G. Brown et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 79 (2008) 053103.

A triple-crystal phoswich detector with digital pulse shape discrimination for alpha/beta/gamma spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Travis L.; Miller, William H.

1999-02-01

Researchers at the University of Missouri - Columbia have developed a three-crystal phoswich detector coupled to a digital pulse shape discrimination system for use in alpha/beta/gamma spectroscopy. Phoswich detectors use a sandwich of scintillators viewed by a single photomultiplier tube to simultaneously detect multiple types of radiation. Separation of radiation types is based upon pulse shape difference among the phosphors, which has historically been performed with analog circuitry. The system uses a GaGe CompuScope 1012, 12 bit, 10 MHz computer-based oscilloscope that digitally captures the pulses from a phoswich detector and subsequently performs pulse shape discrimination with cross-correlation analysis. The detector, based partially on previous phoswich designs by Usuda et al., uses a 10 mg/cm 2 thick layer of ZnS(Ag) for alpha detection, followed by a 0.254 cm CaF 2(Eu) crystal for beta detection, all backed by a 2.54 cm NaI(Tl) crystal for gamma detection. Individual energy spectra and count rate information for all three radiation types are displayed and updated periodically. The system shows excellent charged particle discrimination with an accuracy of greater than 99%. Future development will include a large area beta probe with gamma-ray discrimination, systems for low-energy photon detection (e.g. Bremsstrahlung or keV-range photon emissions), and other health physics instrumentation.

Comparison of five different defibrillators using recommended energy protocols.

PubMed

Zelinka, M; Buić, D; Zelinka, I

2007-09-01

Biphasic defibrillators represent a great step ahead in defibrillation. The manufacturers claim that biphasic defibrillators are able to compensate for differences in transthoracic impedance. That should mean that all patients should be defibrillated with approximately the same amount of current, regardless of their transthoracic impedance. We assessed one monophasic and four biphasic defibrillators. The defibrillators were discharged into resistive loads of 50, 90 and 130 Omega, simulating transthoracic impedance. For each waveform we used energy protocols recommended by the manufacturers and guidelines 2005. Waveforms were observed with on a digitising oscilloscope on a current sensing resistor. We compared the electrical properties of different waveforms and two defibrillators with the same type of waveform. The influence of different impedance on shape, duration and amplitude of current flow were also observed for each waveform. Measurements showed a significant difference in current flow at different impedance loads. At low impedance the mean current is well above expectations for all the defibrillators studied and at high impedance load we observed a big reduction of current amplitude. We can conclude that the compensating mechanisms of biphasic defibrillators are, from electrical point of view, negligible. From the laws of physics it is practically impossible to keep same level of current at given time with same energy at higher impedance. That is why we should reconsider the use of different energy equivalents between patients with different transthoracic impedance and not between different defibrillation impulses.

A look-up-table digital predistortion technique for high-voltage power amplifiers in ultrasonic applications.

PubMed

Gao, Zheng; Gui, Ping

2012-07-01

In this paper, we present a digital predistortion technique to improve the linearity and power efficiency of a high-voltage class-AB power amplifier (PA) for ultrasound transmitters. The system is composed of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in which the digital predistortion (DPD) algorithm is implemented. The DPD algorithm updates the error, which is the difference between the ideal signal and the attenuated distorted output signal, in the look-up table (LUT) memory during each cycle of a sinusoidal signal using the least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm. On the next signal cycle, the error data are used to equalize the signal with negative harmonic components to cancel the amplifier's nonlinear response. The algorithm also includes a linear interpolation method applied to the windowed sinusoidal signals for the B-mode and Doppler modes. The measurement test bench uses an arbitrary function generator as the DAC to generate the input signal, an oscilloscope as the ADC to capture the output waveform, and software to implement the DPD algorithm. The measurement results show that the proposed system is able to reduce the second-order harmonic distortion (HD2) by 20 dB and the third-order harmonic distortion (HD3) by 14.5 dB, while at the same time improving the power efficiency by 18%.

An amplitude modulated radio frequency plasma generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Fan; Li, Xiaoping; Liu, Yanming; Liu, Donglin; Yang, Min; Xie, Kai; Yao, Bo

2017-04-01

A glow discharge plasma generator and diagnostic system has been developed to study the effects of rapidly variable plasmas on electromagnetic wave propagation, mimicking the plasma sheath conditions encountered in space vehicle reentry. The plasma chamber is 400 mm in diameter and 240 mm in length, with a 300-mm-diameter unobstructed clear aperture. Electron densities produced are in the mid 1010 electrons/cm3. An 800 W radio frequency (RF) generator is capacitively coupled through an RF matcher to an internally cooled stainless steel electrode to form the plasma. The RF power is amplitude modulated by a waveform generator that operates at different frequencies. The resulting plasma contains electron density modulations caused by the varying power levels. A 10 GHz microwave horn antenna pair situated on opposite sides of the chamber serves as the source and detector of probe radiation. The microwave power feed to the source horn is split and one portion is sent directly to a high-speed recording oscilloscope. On mixing this with the signal from the pickup horn antenna, the plasma-induced phase shift between the two signals gives the path-integrated electron density with its complete time dependent variation. Care is taken to avoid microwave reflections and extensive shielding is in place to minimize electronic pickup. Data clearly show the low frequency modulation of the electron density as well as higher harmonics and plasma fluctuations.

Input-output characterization of an ultrasonic testing system by digital signal analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, J. H., Jr.; Lee, S. S.; Karagulle, H.

1986-01-01

Ultrasonic test system input-output characteristics were investigated by directly coupling the transmitting and receiving transducers face to face without a test specimen. Some of the fundamentals of digital signal processing were summarized. Input and output signals were digitized by using a digital oscilloscope, and the digitized data were processed in a microcomputer by using digital signal-processing techniques. The continuous-time test system was modeled as a discrete-time, linear, shift-invariant system. In estimating the unit-sample response and frequency response of the discrete-time system, it was necessary to use digital filtering to remove low-amplitude noise, which interfered with deconvolution calculations. A digital bandpass filter constructed with the assistance of a Blackman window and a rectangular time window were used. Approximations of the impulse response and the frequency response of the continuous-time test system were obtained by linearly interpolating the defining points of the unit-sample response and the frequency response of the discrete-time system. The test system behaved as a linear-phase bandpass filter in the frequency range 0.6 to 2.3 MHz. These frequencies were selected in accordance with the criterion that they were 6 dB below the maximum peak of the amplitude of the frequency response. The output of the system to various inputs was predicted and the results were compared with the corresponding measurements on the system.

Study and Control of Various Corona Modes in an Atmospheric Pressure Weakly Ionized Plasma Reactor Using a Current Sensor Characterized by a Broad Frequency Band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Islam, Rokibul; Pedrow, Patrick; Lekobou, William; Englund, Karl

2013-09-01

A broad band current sensor is being used to monitor the various phenomena (primary streamers, secondary streamers, back corona, etc.) associated with an atmospheric pressure needle-array-to-grounded-screen corona discharge. The reactor consists of a PVC tube and the needle array consists of nickel coated steel electrodes with radius of curvature about 50 μ . The grounded screen is made from stainless steel mesh and applied voltage has a frequency of 60 Hz with an RMS value ranging from 0 to 10 kV. The voltage sensor is a resistive divider and the current sensor is a viewing resistor with value 50 Ω. The feed gas stream is presently (argon + acetylene) or (argon + oxygen) with the argon acting as carrier gas and the acetylene and oxygen acting as precursor gases. Voltage and current are captured with a LeCroy 9350AL 500MHz oscilloscope and analyzed with Matlab using digital signal processing algorithms. The goals of the research are 1) to measure reactor electrical power on a real time basis; 2) to provide real time control of the applied voltage and thus avoid spark conditions; and 3) to identify the various corona modes present in the reactor. Processing of substrates takes place downstream from the grounded screen, outside of the harsh corona discharge environment.

Two forms of persistence in visual information processing.

PubMed

Di Lollo, Vincent; Dixon, Peter

1988-11-01

Iconic memory, which was initially regarded as a unitary phenomenon, has since been subdivided into several components. In the present work we examined the joint effects of two such components (visible persistence and the visual analog representation) on performance in a partial report task. The display consisted of 15 alphabetic characters arranged around the perimeter of an imaginary circle on the face of an oscilloscope. The observer named the character singled out by a bar-probe. Two factors were varied: exposure duration of the array (10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400 or 500 ms) and duration of blank period (interstimulus interval, ISI) between the termination of the array and the onset of the probe (0, 50, 100, 150, or 200 ms). Performance was progressively impaired as both exposure duration and ISI were increased. The results were explained in terms of a probabilistic combinatorial model in which the timecourses of visible persistence and of the visual analog representation are regarded as time-locked to the onset and to the end of stimulation, respectively. The impairing effect of exposure duration was attributed to the relatively high spatial demands of the task that could be met optimally by information in visible persistence (which declines as a function of exposure duration), but less adequately by information in the visual analog representation. A second experiment, employing a task with lesser spatial demands, confirmed this interpretation.

Embedded electronics for a 64-channel wireless brain implant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burgert, Johann D.; Malasek, Jan; Martel, Sylvain M.; Wiseman, Colette; Fofonoff, Timothy; Dyer, Robert; Hunter, Ian W.; Hatsopoulos, Nicholas; Donoghue, John

2001-10-01

The Telemetric Electrode Array System (TEAS) is a surgically implantable device for the study of neural activity in the brain. An 8x8 array of electrodes collects intra-cortical neural signals and connects them to an analog front end. The front end amplifies and digitizes these microvolt-level signals with 12 bits of resolution and at 31KHz per channel. Peak detection is used to extract the information carrying features of these signals, which are transmitted over a Bluetooth-based radio link at 725 Kbit/sec. The electrode array is made up of 1mm tall, 60-micron square electrodes spaced 500 microns tip-to-tip. A flex circuit connector provides mechanical isolation between the brain and the electronics, which are mounted to the cranium. Power consumption and management is a critical aspect of the design. The entire system must operate off a surgically implantable battery. With this power source, the system must provide the functionality of a wireless, 64-channel oscilloscope for several hours. The system also provides a low-power sleep mode during which the battery can be inductively charged. Power dissipation and biocompatibility issues also affect the design of the electronics for the probe. The electronics system must fit between the skull and the skin of the test subject. Thus, circuit miniaturization and microassembly techniques are essential to construct the probe's electronics.

Sample-interpolation timing: an optimized technique for the digital measurement of time of flight for γ rays and neutrons at relatively low sampling rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aspinall, M. D.; Joyce, M. J.; Mackin, R. O.; Jarrah, Z.; Boston, A. J.; Nolan, P. J.; Peyton, A. J.; Hawkes, N. P.

2009-01-01

A unique, digital time pick-off method, known as sample-interpolation timing (SIT) is described. This method demonstrates the possibility of improved timing resolution for the digital measurement of time of flight compared with digital replica-analogue time pick-off methods for signals sampled at relatively low rates. Three analogue timing methods have been replicated in the digital domain (leading-edge, crossover and constant-fraction timing) for pulse data sampled at 8 GSa s-1. Events arising from the 7Li(p, n)7Be reaction have been detected with an EJ-301 organic liquid scintillator and recorded with a fast digital sampling oscilloscope. Sample-interpolation timing was developed solely for the digital domain and thus performs more efficiently on digital signals compared with analogue time pick-off methods replicated digitally, especially for fast signals that are sampled at rates that current affordable and portable devices can achieve. Sample interpolation can be applied to any analogue timing method replicated digitally and thus also has the potential to exploit the generic capabilities of analogue techniques with the benefits of operating in the digital domain. A threshold in sampling rate with respect to the signal pulse width is observed beyond which further improvements in timing resolution are not attained. This advance is relevant to many applications in which time-of-flight measurement is essential.

Pump-Probe Spectroscopy Using the Hadamard Transform.

PubMed

Beddard, Godfrey S; Yorke, Briony A

2016-08-01

A new method of performing pump-probe experiments is proposed and experimentally demonstrated by a proof of concept on the millisecond scale. The idea behind this method is to measure the total probe intensity arising from several time points as a group, instead of measuring each time separately. These measurements are multiplexes that are then transformed into the true signal via multiplication with a binary Hadamard S matrix. Each group of probe pulses is determined by using the pattern of a row of the Hadamard S matrix and the experiment is completed by rotating this pattern by one step for each sample excitation until the original pattern is again produced. Thus to measure n time points, n excitation events are needed and n probe patterns each taken from the n × n S matrix. The time resolution is determined by the shortest time between the probe pulses. In principle, this method could be used over all timescales, instead of the conventional pump-probe method which uses delay lines for picosecond and faster time resolution, or fast detectors and oscilloscopes on longer timescales. This new method is particularly suitable for situations where the probe intensity is weak and/or the detector is noisy. When the detector is noisy, there is in principle a signal to noise advantage over conventional pump-probe methods. © The Author(s) 2016.

Characteristics of digital micromirror projection for 3D shape measurement at extreme speed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Höfling, Roland; Aswendt, Petra; Leischnig, Frank; Förster, Matthias

2015-03-01

3D shape measurement is one of the growing industrial applications of the Texas Instruments DLP® micro-mirror device. This paper presents investigations on precision and repeatability of that spatial light modulators output when it is driven up to its high-speed limit. The study concerns the basic switching behavior of the individual micro-mirror at different frame rates ranging over three orders of magnitude. The 3D shape measuring methodologies are focused on phase encoded triangulation, i.e. the projection of sinusoidal patterns. The DLP chip is a bi-stable device providing an on/off pattern at each certain moment in time, i.e. it has a native binary output. Sinusoidal patterns are the result of either a temporal integration of multiple on/off patterns or a spatial integration within one on/off pattern. Both approaches are studied experimentally with respect to precision and stability of the pattern output. The STAR-07 industrial projection unit, based upon the 0.7" DLP Discovery™4100 chipset, has been used for this work and the pattern frame rates cover the range from 225 frames per second (fps) to 50,000 fps. The STAR-07 output is detected by a photodiode, amplified, and analyzed in a Yokogawa digital storage oscilloscope. All results prove the very high precision and repeatability of the STAR-07 pattern projection, up to the extreme speed of 50,000 fps.

Using a PC and external media to quantitatively investigate electromagnetic induction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonanno, A.; Bozzo, G.; Camarca, M.; Sapia, P.

2011-07-01

In this article we describe an experimental learning path about electromagnetic induction which uses an Atwood machine where one of the two hanging bodies is a cylindrical magnet falling through a plexiglass guide, surrounded either by a coil or by a copper pipe. The first configuration (magnet falling across a coil) allows students to quantitatively study the Faraday-Neumann-Lenz law, while the second configuration (falling through a copper pipe) permits learners to investigate the complex phenomena of induction by quantifying the amount of electric power dissipated through the pipe as a result of Foucault eddy currents, when the magnet travels through the pipe. The magnet's fall acceleration can be set by adjusting the counterweight of the Atwood machine so that both the kinematic quantities associated with it and the electromotive force induced within the coil are continuously and quantitatively monitored (respectively, by a common personal computer (PC) equipped with a webcam and by freely available software that makes it possible to use the audio card to convert the PC into an oscilloscope). Measurements carried out when the various experimental parameters are changed provide a useful framework for a thorough understanding and clarification of the conceptual nodes related to electromagnetic induction. The proposed learning path is under evaluation in various high schools participating in the project 'Lauree Scientifiche' promoted by the Italian Department of Education.

A Compact Cosmic Ray Telescope using Silicon Photomultipliers for use in High Schools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castro, Luis; Elizondo, Leonardo; Shelor, Mark; Cervantes, Omar; Fan, Sewan; Ritt, Stefan

2016-03-01

Over the years, the QuarkNet and the LBL Cosmic Ray Project have helped trained thousands of high school students and teachers to explore cosmic ray physics. To get high school students in the Salinas, CA area also excited about cosmic rays, we constructed a cosmic ray telescope as a physics outreach apparatus. Our apparatus includes a pair of plastic scintillators coupled to silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) and a coincidence circuit board. We designed and constructed custom circuit boards for mounting the SiPM detectors, the high voltage power supplies and coincidence AND circuit. The AND logic signals can be used for triggering data acquisition devices including an oscilloscope, a waveform digitizer or an Arduino microcontroller. To properly route the circuit wire traces, the circuit boards were layout in Eagle and fabricated in-house using a circuit board maker from LPKF LASER, model Protomat E33. We used a Raspberry Pi computer to control a fast waveform sampler, the DRS4 to digitize the SiPM signal waveforms. The CERN PAW software package was used to analyze the amplitude and time distributions of SiPM detector signals. At this conference, we present our SiPM experimental setup, circuit board fabrication procedures and the data analysis work flow. AIP Megger's Award, Dept. of Ed. Title V Grant PO31S090007.

Measurement of dynamic magnetization induced by a pulsed field: Proposal for a new rock magnetism method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodama, Kazuto

2015-02-01

This study proposes a new method for measuring transient magnetization of natural samples induced by a pulsed field with duration of 11 ms using a pulse magnetizer. An experimental system was constructed, consisting of a pair of differential sensing coils connected with a high-speed digital oscilloscope for data acquisition. The data were transferred to a computer to obtain an initial magnetization curve and a descending branch of a hysteresis loop in a rapidly changing positive field. This system was tested with synthetic samples (permalloy ribbon, aluminum plate, and nickel powder) as well as two volcanic rock samples. Results from the synthetic samples showed considerable differences from those measured by a quasi-static method using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). These differences were principally due to the time-dependent magnetic properties or to electromagnetic effects, such as magnetic viscosity, eddy current loss, or magnetic relaxation. Results from the natural samples showed that the transient magnetization-field curves were largely comparable to the corresponding portions of the hysteresis loops. However, the relative magnetization (scaled to the saturation magnetization) at the end of a pulse was greater than that measured by a VSM. This discrepancy, together with the occurrence of rapid exponential decay after a pulse, indicates magnetic relaxations that could be interpreted in terms of domain wall displacement. These results suggest that with further developments, the proposed technique can become a useful tool for characterizing magnetic particles contained in a variety of natural materials.

Final Report on X-ray Yields from OMEGA II Targets

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

Fournier, K B; May, M J; MacLaren, S A

2007-06-20

We present details about X-ray yields measured with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) diagnostics in soft and moderately hard X-ray bands from laser-driven, doped-aerogel targets shot on 07/14/06 during the OMEGA II test series. Yields accurate to {+-}25% in the 5-15 keV band are measured with Livermore's HENWAY spectrometer. Yields in the sub-keV to 3.2 keV band are measured with LLNL's DANTE diagnostic, the DANTE yields are accurate to 10-15%. SNL ran a PCD-based diagnostic that also measured X-ray yields in the spectral region above 4 keV, and also down to the sub-keV range. Themore » PCD and HENWAY and DANTE numbers are compared. The time histories of the moderately hard (h{nu} > 4 keV) X-ray signals are measured with LLNL's H11 PCD, and from two SNL PCDs with comparable filtration. There is general agreement between the H11 PCD and SNL PCD measured FWHM except for two of the shorter-laser-pulse shots, which is shown not to be due to analysis techniques. The recommended X-ray waveform is that from the SNL PCD p66k10, which was recorded on a fast, high-bandwidth TDS 6804 oscilloscope. X-ray waveforms from target emission in two softer spectral bands are also shown; the X-ray emissions have increasing duration as the spectral content gets softer.« less

A Compact Multiphoton 3D Imaging System for Recording Fast Neuronal Activity

PubMed Central

Vučinić, Dejan; Sejnowski, Terrence J.

2007-01-01

We constructed a simple and compact imaging system designed specifically for the recording of fast neuronal activity in a 3D volume. The system uses an Yb:KYW femtosecond laser we designed for use with acousto-optic deflection. An integrated two-axis acousto-optic deflector, driven by digitally synthesized signals, can target locations in three dimensions. Data acquisition and the control of scanning are performed by a LeCroy digital oscilloscope. The total cost of construction was one order of magnitude lower than that of a typical Ti:sapphire system. The entire imaging apparatus, including the laser, fits comfortably onto a small rig for electrophysiology. Despite the low cost and simplicity, the convergence of several new technologies allowed us to achieve the following capabilities: i) full-frame acquisition at video rates suitable for patch clamping; ii) random access in under ten microseconds with dwelling ability in the nominal focal plane; iii) three-dimensional random access with the ability to perform fast volume sweeps at kilohertz rates; and iv) fluorescence lifetime imaging. We demonstrate the ability to record action potentials with high temporal resolution using intracellularly loaded potentiometric dye di-2-ANEPEQ. Our design proffers easy integration with electrophysiology and promises a more widespread adoption of functional two-photon imaging as a tool for the study of neuronal activity. The software and firmware we developed is available for download at http://neurospy.org/ under an open source license. PMID:17684546

Turbine-blade tip clearance and tip timing measurements using an optical fiber bundle sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia, Iker; Beloki, Josu; Zubia, Joseba; Durana, Gaizka; Aldabaldetreku, Gotzon

2013-04-01

Traditional limitations of capacitive, inductive or discharging probe sensor for tip timing and tip clearance measurements are overcome by reflective intensity modulated optical fiber sensors. This paper presents the signals and results corresponding to a one stage turbine rig which rotor has 146 blades, obtained from a transonic wind-tunnel test. The probe is based on a trifurcated bundle of optical fibers that is mounted on turbine casing. It is composed of a central illuminating fiber that guides the light from a laser to the turbine blade, and two concentric rings of receiving fibers that collect the reflected light. Two photodetectors turn this reflected light signal from the receiving rings into voltage. The electrical signals are acquired and saved by a high-sample-rate oscilloscope. In tip clearance calculations the ratio of the signals provided by each ring of receiving fibers is evaluated and translated into distance. In the case of tip timing measurements, only one of the signals is considered to get the arrival time of the blade. The differences between the real and theoretical arrival times of the blades are used to obtain the deflections amplitude. The system provides the travelling wave spectrum, which presents the average vibration amplitude of the blades at a certain nodal diameter. The reliability of the results in the turbine rig testing facilities suggests the possibility of performing these measurements in real turbines under real working conditions.

Detection of melanoma cells suspended in mononuclear cells and blood plasma using photoacoustic generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spradling, Emily M.; Viator, John A.

2009-02-01

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Although the initial malignant cells are removed, it is impossible to determine whether or not the cancer has metastasized until a secondary tumor forms that is large enough to detect with conventional imaging. Photoacoustic detection of circulating melanoma cells in the bloodstream has shown promise for early detection of metastasis that may aid in treatment of this aggressive cancer. When blood is irradiated with energy from an Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm, photoacoustic signals are created and melanoma cells can be differentiated from the surrounding cells based on waveforms produced by an oscilloscope. Before this can be used as a diagnostic technique, however, we needed to investigate several parameters. Specifically, the current technique involves the in vitro separation of blood through centrifugation to isolate and test only the white blood cell layer. Using this method, we have detected a single cultured melanoma cell among a suspension of white blood cells. However, the process could be made simpler if the plasma layer were used for detection instead of the white blood cell layer. This layer is easier to obtain after blood separation, the optical difference between plasma and melanoma cells is more pronounced in this layer than in the white blood cell layer, and the possibility that any stray red blood cells could distort the results is eliminated. Using the photoacoustic apparatus, we detected no melanoma cells within the plasma of whole blood samples spiked with cultured melanoma cells.

Characterization of multiport solid state imagers at megahertz data rates

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

Yates, G.J.; Pena, C.R.; Turko, B.T.

1994-08-01

Test results obtained from two recently developed multiport Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) operated at pixel rates in the 10-to-100 MHz range will be presented . The CCDs were evaluated in Los Alamos National Laboratory`s High Speed Solid State Imager Test Station (HSTS) which features PC-based programmable clock waveform generation (Tektronix DAS 9200) and synchronously clocked Digital Sampling Oscilloscopes (DSOs) (LeCroy 9424/9314 series) for CCD pixel data acquisition, analysis and storage. The HSTS also provided special designed optical pinhole array test patterns in the 5-to-50 micron diameter range for use with Xenon Strobe and pulsed laser light sources to simultaneously provide multiplemore » single-pixel illumination patterns to study CCD point-spread-function (PSF) and pixel smear characteristics. The two CCDs tested, EEV model CCD-13 and EG&G Reticon model HSO512J, are both 512 {times} 512 pixel arrays with eight (8) and sixteen (16) video output ports respectively. Both devices are generically Frame Transfer CCDs (FT CCDs) designed for parallel bi-directional vertical readout to augment their multiport design for increased pixel rates over common single port serial readout architecture. Although both CCDs were tested similarly, differences in their designs precluded normalization or any direct comparisons of test results. Rate dependent parameters investigated include S/N, PSF, and MTF. The performance observed for the two imagers at various pixel rates from selected typical output ports is discussed.« less

Design and implementation of a multiband digital filter using FPGA to extract the ECG signal in the presence of different interference signals.

PubMed

Aboutabikh, Kamal; Aboukerdah, Nader

2015-07-01

In this paper, we propose a practical way to synthesize and filter an ECG signal in the presence of four types of interference signals: (1) those arising from power networks with a fundamental frequency of 50Hz, (2) those arising from respiration, having a frequency range from 0.05 to 0.5Hz, (3) muscle signals with a frequency of 25Hz, and (4) white noise present within the ECG signal band. This was done by implementing a multiband digital filter (seven bands) of type FIR Multiband Least Squares using a digital programmable device (Cyclone II EP2C70F896C6 FPGA, Altera), which was placed on an education and development board (DE2-70, Terasic). This filter was designed using the VHDL language in the Quartus II 9.1 design environment. The proposed method depends on Direct Digital Frequency Synthesizers (DDFS) designed to synthesize the ECG signal and various interference signals. So that the synthetic ECG specifications would be closer to actual ECG signals after filtering, we designed in a single multiband digital filter instead of using three separate digital filters LPF, HPF, BSF. Thus all interference signals were removed with a single digital filter. The multiband digital filter results were studied using a digital oscilloscope to characterize input and output signals in the presence of differing sinusoidal interference signals and white noise. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Study of New Pulse Auscultation System

PubMed Central

Chen, Ying-Yun; Chang, Rong-Seng

2015-01-01

This study presents a new type of pulse auscultation system, which uses a condenser microphone to measure pulse sound waves on the wrist, captures the microphone signal for filtering, amplifies the useful signal and outputs it to an oscilloscope in analog form for waveform display and storage and delivers it to a computer to perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and convert the pulse sound waveform into a heartbeat frequency. Furthermore, it also uses an audio signal amplifier to deliver the pulse sound by speaker. The study observed the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s pulsing techniques, where pulse signals at places called “cun”, “guan” and “chi” of the left hand were measured during lifting (100 g), searching (125 g) and pressing (150 g) actions. Because the system collects the vibration sound caused by the pulse, the sensor itself is not affected by the applied pressure, unlike current pulse piezoelectric sensing instruments, therefore, under any kind of pulsing pressure, it displays pulse changes and waveforms with the same accuracy. We provide an acquired pulse and waveform signal suitable for Chinese Medicine practitioners’ objective pulse diagnosis, thus providing a scientific basis for this Traditional Chinese Medicine practice. This study also presents a novel circuit design using an active filtering method. An operational amplifier with its differential features eliminates the interference from external signals, including the instant high-frequency noise. In addition, the system has the advantages of simple circuitry, cheap cost and high precision. PMID:25875192

A study of new pulse auscultation system.

PubMed

Chen, Ying-Yun; Chang, Rong-Seng

2015-04-14

This study presents a new type of pulse auscultation system, which uses a condenser microphone to measure pulse sound waves on the wrist, captures the microphone signal for filtering, amplifies the useful signal and outputs it to an oscilloscope in analog form for waveform display and storage and delivers it to a computer to perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and convert the pulse sound waveform into a heartbeat frequency. Furthermore, it also uses an audio signal amplifier to deliver the pulse sound by speaker. The study observed the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine's pulsing techniques, where pulse signals at places called "cun", "guan" and "chi" of the left hand were measured during lifting (100 g), searching (125 g) and pressing (150 g) actions. Because the system collects the vibration sound caused by the pulse, the sensor itself is not affected by the applied pressure, unlike current pulse piezoelectric sensing instruments, therefore, under any kind of pulsing pressure, it displays pulse changes and waveforms with the same accuracy. We provide an acquired pulse and waveform signal suitable for Chinese Medicine practitioners' objective pulse diagnosis, thus providing a scientific basis for this Traditional Chinese Medicine practice. This study also presents a novel circuit design using an active filtering method. An operational amplifier with its differential features eliminates the interference from external signals, including the instant high-frequency noise. In addition, the system has the advantages of simple circuitry, cheap cost and high precision.

Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Incoherent Scatter Radar Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, Robert M.; van Eyken, Anthony; Farley, Donald

2009-08-01

In the 11 November 2008 issue of Eos (89(46), 458), Henry Rishbeth asked whether the years 2008-2010 feature any important anniversaries in solar-terrestrial physics other than those he mentioned. One such milestone is the fiftieth anniversary of the first incoherent scatter radar (ISR) experiment. At a Cornell University (Ithaca, N. Y.) departmental seminar in the spring of 1958, William Gordon showed that a powerful radar system could detect the uncorrelated and extremely weak scattered signals from individual ionospheric electrons. This process is called incoherent scatter, and studying the properties of the resulting radar echoes can reveal information about the density, temperature, and velocity of ionospheric particles. Gordon discussed this idea with Ken Bowles, a recent Ph.D. graduate of Cornell, and in a few weeks Bowles built a large but inexpensive antenna array that he connected to an existing transmitter near Havana, Ill. Using this crude radar (the data processing consisted of taking a time exposure photograph of the signal amplitude displayed on an oscilloscope), Bowles successfully measured an incoherently scattered signal on 21 October 1958. By a happy coincidence, 21 October was also the day that Gordon gave his first formal talk on the ISR concept at an International Union of Radio Science (URSI) conference at Pennsylvania State University. After calling Bowles for an update on his experiment, Gordon presented his research and added the dramatic and newsworthy note to the end of his talk on the success of the first ISR experiment!

The effect of withdrawal of visual presentation of errors upon the frequency spectrum of tremor in a manual task

PubMed Central

Sutton, G. G.; Sykes, K.

1967-01-01

1. When a subject attempts to exert a steady pressure on a joystick he makes small unavoidable errors which, irrespective of their origin or frequency, may be called tremor. 2. Frequency analysis shows that low frequencies always contribute much more to the total error than high frequencies. If the subject is not allowed to check his performance visually, but has to rely on sensations of pressure in the finger tips, etc., the error power spectrum plotted on logarithmic co-ordinates approximates to a straight line falling at 6 db/octave from 0·4 to 9 c/s. In other words the amplitude of the tremor component at each frequency is inversely proportional to frequency. 3. When the subject is given a visual indication of his errors on an oscilloscope the shape of the tremor spectrum alters. The most striking change is the appearance of a tremor peak at about 9 c/s, but there is also a significant increase of error in the range 1-4 c/s. The extent of these changes varies from subject to subject. 4. If the 9 c/s peak represents oscillation of a muscle length-servo it would appear that greater use is made of this servo when positional information is available from the eyes than when proprioceptive impulses from the limbs have to be relied on. ImagesFig. 2 PMID:6048997

High-speed photography and stress-gauge studies of the impact and penetration of plates by rods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourne, Neil K.; Forde, Lucy C.; Field, John E.

1997-05-01

There has been much study of the penetration of semi- infinite and finite thickness targets by long rods at normal incidence. The effects of oblique impact have received relatively little attention and techniques of modeling are thus less developed. It was decided to conduct an experimental investigation of the effects of rod penetration at various angles of impact at zero yaw. The rods were mounted in a reverse ballistic configuration so that their response could be quantified through the impact. Scale copper, mild steel and tungsten alloy rods with hemispherical ends were suspended at the end of the barrel of a 50 mm gas gun at the University of Cambridge. The rods were instrumented with embedded manganin piezoresistive stress gauges. Annealed aluminum, duraluminum and rolled homogeneous armor plates of varying thickness and obliquity were fired at the rods at one of two velocities. The impacts were backlit and photographed with an Ultranac FS501 programmable high-speed camera operated in framing mode. The gauges were monitored using a 2 GH s-1 storage oscilloscope. Rods and plates were recovered after the impact for microstructural examination. Additionally, penetration of borosilicate glass targets was investigated using high-speed photography and a localized Xe flash source and schlieren optics. Additional data was obtained by the use of flash X-ray. Waves and damage were visualized in the glass. High-speed sequences and gauge records are presented showing the mechanisms of penetration and exit seen during impact.

Fundamentals of diagnostic ultrasonography.

PubMed

Noce, J P

1990-01-01

Diagnostic ultrasonography uses acoustical waves in the frequency range of 1 to 20 MHz. These waves obey Snell's law of reflection and refraction, which are rules ordinary to wave behavior. In ultrasound, the analogy to momentum is acoustic impedance. The acoustic impedance, Z, is equal to the density, p, times velocity, v. The ultrasound transducer converts electrical energy into ultrasound energy and vice versa. The transducer usually consists of a piezoelectric crystal composed of such ceramic materials as barium titanate, lead titanate, zirconate, or lead metaniobate. Five basic ultrasonic scanning modes play the major roles in clinical applications. A-mode, or amplitude-mode, scanning measures the tissue discontinuity along the scan axis. B-mode scanning produces a two-dimensional image of the tissue under study by combining A-mode signals from various directions through mechanical transducer scanning. M-mode, or time motion scanning, is an extension of the A-mode approach in which a single stationary transducer is used. The depth of the echo is displayed on the vertical axis; the brightness of the oscilloscope display is modulated by the echo amplitude. Real-time scanning, or rapid B-scanning, techniques provide continuous data acquisition at a rate sufficient to give the impression of the instantaneous motion of moving structures. Doppler scanning relies on the presence of motion. The Doppler effect occurs when there is relative motion between the source of sound and the receiver of the sound, causing a change in the detected frequency of the sound source.

CO2 Dissociation by Low Current Gliding Discharge in the Reverse Vortex Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutsol, Alexander

2012-10-01

If performed with high energy efficiency, plasma-chemical dissociation of carbon dioxide can be a way of converting and storing energy when there is an excess of electric energy, for example generated by solar elements of wind turbines. CO2 dissociation with efficiency of up to 90% was reported earlier for low pressure microwave discharge in supersonic flow. A new plasma-chemical system uses a low current gliding discharge in the reverse vortex flow of plasma gas. The system is a development of the Gliding Arc in Tornado reactor. The system was used to study dissociation of CO2 in wide ranges of the following experimental parameters: reactor pressure (15-150 kPa), discharge current (50-500 mA), gas flow rate (3-30 liters per minute), and electrode gap length (1-10 cm). Additionally, the effect of thermal energy recuperation on CO2 dissociation efficiency was tested. Plasma chemical efficiency of CO2 dissociation is very low (about 3%) in a short discharge at low pressures (about 15 kPa) when it is defined by electronic excitation. The highest efficiency (above 40%) was reached at pressures 50-70 kPa in a long discharge with thermal energy recuperation. It means that the process is controlled by thermal dissociation with subsequent effective quenching. Plasma chemical efficiency was determined from the data of chromatographic analysis and oscilloscope electric power integration, and also was checked calorimetrically by the thermal balance of the system.

Detection of significant variation in acoustic output of an electromagnetic lithotriptor.

PubMed

Pishchalnikov, Yuri A; McAteer, James A; Vonderhaar, R Jason; Pishchalnikova, Irina V; Williams, James C; Evan, Andrew P

2006-11-01

We describe the observation of significant instability in the output of an electromagnetic lithotriptor. This instability had a form that was not detected by routine assessment, but rather was observed only by collecting many consecutive shock waves in nonstop regimen. A Dornier DoLi-50 lithotriptor used exclusively for basic research was tested and approved by the regional technician. This assessment included hydrophone measures at select power levels with the collection of about 25 shock waves per setting. Subsequent laboratory characterization used a fiberoptic hydrophone and storage oscilloscope for data acquisition. Waveforms were collected nonstop for hundreds of pulses. Output was typically stable for greater than 1,000 shock waves but substantial fluctuations in acoustic pressures were also observed. For example, output at power level 3 (mean peak positive acoustic pressure +/- SD normally 44 +/- 2 MPa) increased dramatically to greater than 50 MPa or decreased significantly to approximately 30 MPa for hundreds of shock waves. The cause of instability was eventually traced to a faulty lithotriptor power supply. Instability in lithotriptor acoustic output can occur and it may not be detected by routine assessment. Collecting waveforms in a nonstop regimen dramatically increases sampling size, improving the detection of instability. Had the instability that we observed occurred during patient treatment, the energy delivered may well have exceeded the planned dose. Since the potential for adverse effects in lithotripsy increases as the dose is increased, it would be valuable to develop ways to better monitor the acoustic output of lithotriptors.

Development of an airborne laser bathymeter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, H., H.; Cervenka, P. O.; Lankford, C. B.

1975-01-01

An airborne laser depth sounding system was built and taken through a complete series of field tests. Two green laser sources were tried: a pulsed neon laser at 540 nm and a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG transmitter at 532 nm. To obtain a depth resolution of better than 20 cm, the pulses had a duration of 5 to 7 nanoseconds and could be fired up to at rates of 50 pulses per second. In the receiver, the signal was detected by a photomultiplier tube connected to a 28 cm diameter Cassegrainian telescope that was aimed vertically downward. Oscilloscopic traces of the signal reflected from the sea surface and the ocean floor could either be recorded by a movie camera on 35 mm film or digitized into 500 discrete channels of information and stored on magnetic tape, from which depth information could be extracted. An aerial color movie camera recorded the geographic footprint while a boat crew of oceanographers measured depth and other relevant water parameters. About two hundred hours of flight time on the NASA C-54 airplane in the area of Chincoteague, Virginia, the Chesapeake Bay, and in Key West, Florida, have yielded information on the actual operating conditions of such a system and helped to optimize the design. One can predict the maximum depth attainable in a mission by measuring the effective attenuation coefficient in flight. This quantity is four times smaller than the usual narrow beam attenuation coefficient. Several square miles of a varied underwater landscape were also mapped.

Digitally Controlled Slot Coupled Patch Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

D'Arista, Thomas; Pauly, Jerry

2010-01-01

A four-element array conformed to a singly curved conducting surface has been demonstrated to provide 2 dB axial ratio of 14 percent, while maintaining VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) of 2:1 and gain of 13 dBiC. The array is digitally controlled and can be scanned with the LMS Adaptive Algorithm using the power spectrum as the objective, as well as the Direction of Arrival (DoA) of the beam to set the amplitude of the power spectrum. The total height of the array above the conducting surface is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). A uniquely configured microstrip-coupled aperture over a conducting surface produced supergain characteristics, achieving 12.5 dBiC across the 2-to-2.13- GHz and 2.2-to-2.3-GHz frequency bands. This design is optimized to retain VSWR and axial ratio across the band as well. The four elements are uniquely configured with respect to one another for performance enhancement, and the appropriate phase excitation to each element for scan can be found either by analytical beam synthesis using the genetic algorithm with the measured or simulated far field radiation pattern, or an adaptive algorithm implemented with the digitized signal. The commercially available tuners and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) boards utilized required precise phase coherent configuration control, and with custom code developed by Nokomis, Inc., were shown to be fully functional in a two-channel configuration controlled by FPGA boards. A four-channel tuner configuration and oscilloscope configuration were also demonstrated although algorithm post-processing was required.

Fundamental study of an industrial reactive HPPMS (Cr,Al)N process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobzin, K.; Brögelmann, T.; Kruppe, N. C.; Engels, M.; von Keudell, A.; Hecimovic, A.; Ludwig, A.; Grochla, D.; Banko, L.

2017-07-01

In this work, a fundamental investigation of an industrial (Cr,Al)N reactive high power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HPPMS) process is presented. The results will be used to improve the coating development for the addressed application, which is the tool coating for plastics processing industry. Substrate-oriented plasma diagnostics and deposition of the (Cr,Al)N coatings were performed for a variation of the HPPMS pulse frequency with values from f = 300 Hz to f = 2000 Hz at constant average power P = 2.5 kW and pulse length ton = 40 μs. The plasma was investigated using an oscilloscope, an intensified charge coupled device camera, phase-resolved optical emission spectroscopy, and an energy-dispersive mass spectrometer. The coating properties were determined by means of scanning electron microscopy, glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy, cantilever stress sensors, nanoindentation, and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Regarding the plasma properties, it was found that the average energy within the plasma is nearly constant for the frequency variation. In contrast, the metal to gas ion flux ratio is changed from JM/JG = 0.51 to JM/JG = 0.10 for increasing frequency. Regarding the coating properties, a structure refinement as well as lower residual stresses, higher universal hardness, and a changing crystal orientation from (111) to (200) were observed at higher frequencies. By correlating the plasma and coating properties, it can be concluded that the change in the gas ion to metal ion flux ratio results in a competitive crystal growth of the film, which results in changing coating properties.

Coherent pulse interrogation system for fiber Bragg grating sensing of strain and pressure in dynamic extremes of materials.

PubMed

Rodriguez, George; Jaime, Marcelo; Balakirev, Fedor; Mielke, Chuck H; Azad, Abul; Marshall, Bruce; La Lone, Brandon M; Henson, Bryan; Smilowitz, Laura

2015-06-01

A 100 MHz fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogation system is described and applied to strain and pressure sensing. The approach relies on coherent pulse illumination of the FBG sensor with a broadband short pulse from a femtosecond modelocked erbium fiber laser. After interrogation of the FBG sensor, a long multi-kilometer run of single mode fiber is used for chromatic dispersion to temporally stretch the spectral components of the reflected pulse from the FBG sensor. Dynamic strain or pressure induced spectral shifts in the FBG sensor are detected as a pulsed time domain waveform shift after encoding by the chromatic dispersive line. Signals are recorded using a single 35 GHz photodetector and a 50 G Samples per second, 25 GHz bandwidth, digitizing oscilloscope. Application of this approach to high-speed strain sensing in magnetic materials in pulsed magnetic fields to ~150 T is demonstrated. The FBG wavelength shifts are used to study magnetic field driven magnetostriction effects in LaCoO₃. A sub-microsecond temporal shift in the FBG sensor wavelength attached to the sample under first order phase change appears as a fractional length change (strain: ΔL/L<10^-4) in the material. A second application used FBG sensing of pressure dynamics to nearly 2 GPa in the thermal ignition of the high explosive PBX-9501 is also demonstrated. Both applications demonstrate the use of this FBG interrogation system in dynamical extreme conditions that would otherwise not be possible using traditional FBG interrogation approaches that are deemed too slow to resolve such events.

Enhancing the sensitivity of three-axis detectable surface acoustic wave gyroscope by using a floating thin piezoelectric membrane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Munhwan; Lee, Keekeun

2017-06-01

A new type of surface acoustic wave (SAW) gyroscope was developed on a floating thin piezoelectric membrane to enhance sensitivity and reliability by removing a bulk noise effect and by importing a higher amplitude of SAW. The developed device constitutes a two-port SAW resonator with a metallic dot array between two interdigital transducers (IDTs), and a one-port SAW delay line. The bulk silicon was completely etched away, leaving only a thin piezoelectric membrane with a thickness of one wavelength. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) was connected to a SAW resonator to activate the SAW resonator, while the SAW delay line was connected to the oscilloscope to monitor any variations caused by the Coriolis force. When the device was rotated, a secondary wave was generated, changing the amplitude of the SAW delay line. The highest sensitivity was observed in a device with a full acoustic wavelength thickness of the membrane because most of the acoustic field is confined within an acoustic wavelength thickness from the top surface; moreover, the thin-membrane-based gyroscope eliminates the bulk noise effect flowing along the bulk substrate. The obtained sensitivity and linearity of the SAW gyroscope were ˜27.5 µV deg-1 s-1 and ˜4.3%, respectively. Superior directivity was observed. The device surface was vacuum-sealed using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) bonding to eliminate environmental interference. A three-axis detectable gyroscope was also implemented by placing three gyrosensors with the same configuration at right angles to each other on a printed circuit board.

The frequency of human, manual adjustments in balancing an inverted pendulum is constrained by intrinsic physiological factors

PubMed Central

Loram, Ian D; Gawthrop, Peter J; Lakie, Martin

2006-01-01

While standing naturally and when manually or pedally balancing an equivalent inverted pendulum, the load sways slowly (characteristic unidirectional duration ∼1 s) and the controller, calf muscles or hand, makes more frequent adjustments (characteristic unidirectional duration 400 ms). Here we test the hypothesis that these durations reflect load properties rather than some intrinsic property of the human neuromuscular system. Using a specialized set-up mechanically analogous to real standing, subjects manually balanced inverted pendulums with different moments of inertia through a compliant spring representing the Achilles tendon. The spring bias was controlled by a sensitive joystick via a servo motor and accurate visual feedback was provided on an oscilloscope. As moment of inertia decreased, inverted pendulum sway size increased and it became difficult to sustain successful balance. The mean duration of unidirectional balance adjustments did not change. Moreover, the mean duration of unidirectional inverted pendulum sway reduced only slightly, remaining around 1 s. The simplest explanation is that balance was maintained by a process of manual adjustments intrinsically limited to a mean frequency of two to three unidirectional adjustments per second corresponding to intermittent control observed in manual tracking experiments. Consequently the inverted pendulum sway duration, mechanically related to the bias duration, reflects an intrinsic constraint of the neuromuscular control system. Given the similar durations of sway and muscle adjustments observed in real standing, we postulate that the characteristic duration of unidirectional standing sway reflects intrinsic intermittent control rather than the inertial properties of the body. PMID:16973712

Optimizing read-out of the NECTAr front-end electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vorobiov, S.; Feinstein, F.; Bolmont, J.; Corona, P.; Delagnes, E.; Falvard, A.; Gascón, D.; Glicenstein, J.-F.; Naumann, C. L.; Nayman, P.; Ribo, M.; Sanuy, A.; Tavernet, J.-P.; Toussenel, F.; Vincent, P.

2012-12-01

We describe the optimization of the read-out specifications of the NECTAr front-end electronics for the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). The NECTAr project aims at building and testing a demonstrator module of a new front-end electronics design, which takes an advantage of the know-how acquired while building the cameras of the CAT, H.E.S.S.-I and H.E.S.S.-II experiments. The goal of the optimization work is to define the specifications of the digitizing electronics of a CTA camera, in particular integration time window, sampling rate, analog bandwidth using physics simulations. We employed for this work real photomultiplier pulses, sampled at 100 ps with a 600 MHz bandwidth oscilloscope. The individual pulses are drawn randomly at the times at which the photo-electrons, originating from atmospheric showers, arrive at the focal planes of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. The timing information is extracted from the existing CTA simulations on the GRID and organized in a local database, together with all the relevant physical parameters (energy, primary particle type, zenith angle, distance from the shower axis, pixel offset from the optical axis, night-sky background level, etc.), and detector configurations (telescope types, camera/mirror configurations, etc.). While investigating the parameter space, an optimal pixel charge integration time window, which minimizes relative error in the measured charge, has been determined. This will allow to gain in sensitivity and to lower the energy threshold of CTA telescopes. We present results of our optimizations and first measurements obtained using the NECTAr demonstrator module.

Novel composite piezoelectric material for energy harvesting applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janusas, Giedrius; Guobiene, Asta; Palevicius, Arvydas; Prosycevas, Igoris; Ponelyte, Sigita; Baltrusaitis, Valentinas; Sakalys, Rokas

2015-04-01

Past few decades were concentrated on researches related to effective energy harvesting applied in modern technologies, MEMS or MOEMS systems. There are many methods for harvesting energy as, for example, usage of electromagnetic devices, but most dramatic changes were noticed in the usage of piezoelectric materials in small scale devices. Major limitation faced was too small generated power by piezoelectric materials or high resonant frequencies of such smallscale harvesters. In this research, novel composite piezoelectric material was created by mixing PZT powder with 20% solution of polyvinyl butyral in benzyl alcohol. Obtained paste was screen printed on copper foil using 325 mesh stainless steel screen and dried for 30 min at 100 °C. Polyvinyl butyral ensures good adhesion and flexibility of a new material at the conditions that requires strong binding. Five types of a composite piezoelectric material with different concentrations of PZT (40%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80 %) were produced. As the results showed, these harvesters were able to transform mechanical strain energy into electric potential and, v.v. In experimental setup, electromagnetic shaker was used to excite energy harvester that is fixed in the custom-built clamp, while generated electric potential were registered with USB oscilloscope PICO 3424. The designed devices generate up to 80 μV at 50 Hz excitation. This property can be applied to power microsystem devices or to use them in portable electronics and wireless sensors. However, the main advantage of the created composite piezoelectric material is possibility to apply it on any uniform or nonuniform vibrating surface and to transform low frequency vibrations into electricity.

Dispersive Fourier transformation for megahertz detection of coherent stokes and anti-stokes Raman spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bohlin, Alexis; Patterson, Brian D.; Kliewer, Christopher J.

2017-11-01

In many fields of study, from coherent Raman microscopy on living cells to time-resolved coherent Raman spectroscopy of gas-phase turbulence and combustion reaction dynamics, the need for the capability to time-resolve fast dynamical and nonrepetitive processes has led to the continued development of high-speed coherent Raman methods and new high-repetition rate laser sources, such as pulse-burst laser systems. However, much less emphasis has been placed on our ability to detect shot to shot coherent Raman spectra at equivalently high scan rates, across the kilohertz to megahertz regime. This is beyond the capability of modern scientific charge coupled device (CCD) cameras, for instance, as would be employed with a Czerny-Turner type spectrograph. As an alternative detection strategy with megahertz spectral detection rate, we demonstrate dispersive Fourier transformation detection of pulsed (∼90 ps) coherent Raman signals in the time-domain. Instead of reading the frequency domain signal out using a spectrometer and CCD, the signal is transformed into a time-domain waveform through dispersive Fourier transformation in a long single-mode fiber and read-out with a fast sampling photodiode and oscilloscope. Molecular O- and S-branch rotational sideband spectra from both N2 and H2 were acquired employing this scheme, and the waveform is fitted to show highly quantitative agreement with a molecular model. The total detection time for the rotational spectrum was 20 ns, indicating an upper limit to the detection frequency of ∼50 MHz, significantly faster than any other reported spectrally-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman detection strategy to date.

Performance of a Mach-Zehnder based analogue data recording system for use with the Gas Cherenkov Detector on the NIF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpenter, A. C.; Herrmann, H. W.; Beeman, B. V.; Lopez, F. E.; Hernandez, J. E.

2016-09-01

This paper covers the performance of a high speed analogue data transmission system. This system uses multiple Mach- Zehnder optical modulators to transmit and record fusion burn history data for the Gas Cherenkov Detector (GCD) on the National Ignition Facility. The GCD is designed to measure the burn duration of high energy gamma rays generated by Deuterium-Tritium (DT) interactions in the NIF. The burn duration of DT fusion can be as short as 10ps and the optical photons generated in the gas Cherenkov cell are measured using a vacuum photodiode with a FWHM of 55ps. A recording system with a 3dB bandwidth of ≥10GHz and a signal to noise ratio of ≥5 for photodiode output voltage of 50mV is presented. The data transmission system uses two or three Mach-Zehnder modulators and an RF amplifier to transmit data optically. This signal is received and recorded by optical to electrical converts and a high speed digital oscilloscope placed outside of the NIF Target Bay. Electrical performance metrics covered include signal to noise ratio (SNR), signal to peak to peak noise ratio, single shot dynamic range, shot to shot dynamic range, system bandwidth, scattering parameters, are shown. Design considerations such as self-test capabilities, the NIF radiation environment, upgrade compatibility, Mach-Zehnder (MZ) biasing, maintainability, and operating considerations for the use of MZs are covered. This data recording system will be used for the future upgrade of the GCD to be used with a Pulse Dilation PMT, currently under development.

Final Report for Research in High Energy Physics (University of Hawaii)

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

Browder, Thomas E.

2013-08-31

Here we present a final report for the DOE award for the University of Hawaii High Energy Physics Group (UHHEPG) for the period from December 1, 2009 to May 31, 2013 (including a period of no-cost extension). The high energy physics (HEP) group at the University of Hawaii (UH) has been engaged in experiments at the intensity frontier studying flavor physics (Task A: Belle, Belle-II and Task B: BES) and neutrinos (Task C: SuperK, LBNE, Double Chooz, DarkSide, and neutrino R\\&D). On the energy frontier, new types of pixel detectors were developed for upgrades of the ATLAS experiment at themore » LHC (Task D). On the cosmic frontier, there were investigations of ultra high-energy neutrino astrophysics and the highest energy cosmic rays using special radio detection techniques (Task E: AMBER, ANITA R\\&D) and results of the analysis of ANITA data. In addition, we have developed new types of sophisticated and cutting edge instrumentation based on novel ``oscilloscope on a chip'' electronics (Task F). Theoretical physics research (Task G) is phenomenologically oriented and has studied experimental consequences of existing and proposed new theories relevant to the energy, cosmic and intensity frontiers. The senior investigators for proposal were T. E. Browder (Task A), F. A. Harris (Task B), P. Gorham (Task E), J. Kumar (Task G), J. Maricic (Task C), J. G. Learned (Task C), S. Pakvasa (Task G), S. Parker (Task D), S. Matsuno (Task C), X. Tata (Task G) and G. S. Varner (Tasks F, A, E).« less

Visuomotor training improves stroke-related ipsilesional upper extremity impairments.

PubMed

Quaney, Barbara M; He, Jianghua; Timberlake, George; Dodd, Kevin; Carr, Caitlin

2010-01-01

Unilateral middle cerebral artery infarction has been reported to impair bilateral hand grasp. Individuals (5 males and 5 females; age 33-86 years) with chronic unilateral middle cerebral artery stroke (4 right lesions and 6 left lesions) repeatedly lifted a 260-g object. Participants were then trained to lift the object using visuomotor feedback via an oscilloscope that displayed their actual grip force (GF) and a target GF, which roughly matched the physical properties of the object. The subjects failed to accurately modulate the predictive GF when relying on somatosensory information from the previous lifts. Instead, for all the lifts, they programmed excessive GF equivalent to the force used for the first lift. The predictive GF was lowered for lifts following the removal of the visual feedback. The mean difference in predictive GF between the lifts before and after visual training was significant (4.35 +/- 0.027 N; P

Dry reforming of methane via plasma-catalysis: influence of the catalyst nature supported on alumina in a packed-bed DBD configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brune, L.; Ozkan, A.; Genty, E.; Visart de Bocarmé, T.; Reniers, F.

2018-06-01

These days, the consideration of CO2 as a feedstock has become the subject of more interest. The reutilization of CO2 is already possible via cold plasma techniques operating at atmospheric pressure. A promising technology is the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). In most cases DBDs exhibit a low energy efficiency for CO2 conversion. However, several routes can be used to increase this efficiency and hence, the product formation. One of these routes is the packed-bed DBD configuration with porous beads inside the gap of the DBD, which also allows the coupling of plasma with catalysis. Catalysts can be introduced in such a configuration to exploit the synergistic effect between plasma and catalytically active surfaces, leading to a more efficient process. In this article, the dry reforming of methane (DRM) is studied, which aims to convert both CO2 and CH4, another greenhouse gas, at the same time. The conversions and energy costs of the DRM process are investigated and compared in both the packed-bed DBD configurations containing catalysts (Co, Cu or Ni) and the classical DBD. The change in filamentary behavior is studied in detail and correlated with the obtained conversions using gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and using an oscilloscope. A characterization of the catalysts on the beads is also carried out. Both the CO2 and CH4 conversions are clearly increased with the plasma-catalysis. Moreover, CH4 conversions as high as 90% can be obtained in certain conditions with copper catalysts.

Comparison of the frequency response characteristics of catheter-mounted piezoelectric and micromanometric phonotransducers.

PubMed

Garcia, J C; Layton, S A; Rubal, B J

1989-05-01

This study compares the frequency response characteristics of catheter-mounted piezoelectric sound transducers with micromanometric transducers. The tip of a 8F catheter with two piezoelectric transducers and two micromanometers was inserted into a water-filled chamber that had a speaker fixed at one end. The speaker was driven by a power amplifier and sine wave generator. The outputs of the transducers were connected to a low-level amplifier. The piezoelectric transducer behaved as a tunable high-pass filter that could be modified by altering the input impedance of the low level amplifier; the frequency response characteristics were examined at five input impedances ranging from 0.96 to 11.8 megohms. The peak-to-peak outputs of the piezoelectric and pressure transducers were recorded at frequency ranges from DC to 1 kHz with a wide-band oscilloscope. The ratio of the outputs from the piezotransducer and micromanometer (Vph/Vpr) was plotted vs. frequency for each input impedance and analyzed to determine the piezotransducer's output resistance and equivalent capacitance; roll-off frequencies were then calculated. The equivalent capacitance of the piezo-element was determined to be 500-700 picofarads. Series capacitance acted with network resistance to produce a predictable frequency-dependent change in signal amplitude and phase angle. The inherent noise of the pressure transducer was found to be approximately 0.2 mm Hg, while the noise of the piezoelectric transducer was immeasurably low. The piezoelectric phonotransducers were superior to micromanometer transducers in their higher gain and lower noise, suggesting that these transducers may prove useful to physiologic and clinical studies for measuring intravascular sound.

Comparison of a triaxial fluxgate magnetometer and Toftness sensometer for body surface EMF measurement.

PubMed

Zhang, John; Toftness, Dave; Snyder, Brian; Nosco, Dennis; Balcavage, Walter; Nindl, Gabi

2004-12-01

The use of magnetic fields to treat disease has intrigued mankind since the time of the ancient Greeks. More recently it has been shown that electromagnetic field (EMF) treatment aids bone healing, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) appears to be beneficial in treating schizophrenia and depression. Since external EMFs influence internal body processes, we hypothesized that measurement of body surface EMFs might be used to detect disease states and direct the course of subsequent therapy. However, measurement of minute body surface EMFs requires use of a sensitive and well documented magnetometer. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity and frequency response of a fluxgate magnetometer with a triaxial probe for use in detecting body surface EMF and we compared the magnetometer readings with a signal from a Toftness Sensometer, operated by an experienced clinician, in the laboratory and in a clinical setting. A Peavy Audio Amplifier and variable power output Telulex signal generator were used to develop 50 microT EMFs in a three coil Merritt coil system. A calibrated magnetometer was used to set a 60 Hz 50 microT field in the coil and an ammeter was used to measure the current required to develop the 50 microT field. At frequencies other than 60 Hz, the field strength was maintained at 50 microT by adjusting the Telulex signal output to keep the current constant. The field generated was monitored using a 10 turn coil connected to an oscilloscope. The oscilloscope reading indicated that the field strength was the same at all frequencies tested. To determine if there was a correspondence between the signals detected by a fluxgate magnetometer (FGM1) and the Toftness Sensometer both devices were placed in the Merritt coil and readings were recorded from the FGM1 and compared with the ability of a highly experienced Toftness operator to detect the 50 microT field. Subsequently, in a clinical setting, FGM1 readings made by an FGM1 technician and Sensometer readings were made by 4 Toftness Sensometer operators, having various degrees of experience with this device. Each examiner obtained instrument readings from 5 different volunteers in separate chiropractic adjusting rooms. Additionally, one of the Toftness Sensometers was equipped with an integrated fluxgate magnetometer (FGM2) and this magnetometer was used to obtain a second set of EMF readings in the clinical setting. The triaxial fluxgate magnetometer was determined to be moderately responsive to changes in magnetic field frequency below 10 Hz. At frequencies above 10 Hz the readings corresponded to that of the ambient static geofield. The practitioner operating the Toftness Sensometer was unable to detect magnetic fields at high frequencies (above 10 Hz) even at very high EMFs. The fluxgate magnetometer was shown to be essentially a DC/static magnetic field detector and like all such devices it has a limited frequency range with some low level of sensitivity at very low field frequencies. The interexaminer reliability of four Toftness practitioners using the Sensometer on 5 patients showed low to moderate correlation. The fluxgate magnetometer although highly sensitive to static (DC) EMFs has only limited sensitivity to EMFs in the range of 1 to 10 Hz and is very insensitive to frequencies above 10 Hz. In laboratory comparisons of the Sensometer and the fluxgate magnetometer there was an occasional correspondence between the two instruments in detecting magnetic fields within the Merritt coil but these occasions were not reproducible. In the clinical studies there was low to moderate agreement between the clinicians using the Sensometer to diagnosing spinal conditions and there was little if any agreement between the Sensometer and the fluxgate magnetometer in detecting EMFs emanating from the volunteers body surface.

Comparison of a triaxial fluxgate magnetometer and Toftness sensometer for body surface EMF measurement

PubMed Central

Zhang, John; Toftness, Dave; Snyder, Brian; Nosco, Dennis; Balcavage, Walter; Nindl, Gabi

2004-01-01

Introduction The use of magnetic fields to treat disease has intrigued mankind since the time of the ancient Greeks. More recently it has been shown that electromagnetic field (EMF) treatment aids bone healing, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) appears to be beneficial in treating schizophrenia and depression. Since external EMFs influence internal body processes, we hypothesized that measurement of body surface EMFs might be used to detect disease states and direct the course of subsequent therapy. However, measurement of minute body surface EMFs requires use of a sensitive and well documented magnetometer. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity and frequency response of a fluxgate magnetometer with a triaxial probe for use in detecting body surface EMF and we compared the magnetometer readings with a signal from a Toftness Sensometer, operated by an experienced clinician, in the laboratory and in a clinical setting. Methods A Peavy Audio Amplifier and variable power output Telulex signal generator were used to develop 50 μT EMFs in a three coil Merritt coil system. A calibrated magnetometer was used to set a 60 Hz 50 μT field in the coil and an ammeter was used to measure the current required to develop the 50 μT field. At frequencies other than 60 Hz, the field strength was maintained at 50 μT by adjusting the Telulex signal output to keep the current constant. The field generated was monitored using a 10 turn coil connected to an oscilloscope. The oscilloscope reading indicated that the field strength was the same at all frequencies tested. To determine if there was a correspondence between the signals detected by a fluxgate magnetometer (FGM1) and the Toftness Sensometer both devices were placed in the Merritt coil and readings were recorded from the FGM1 and compared with the ability of a highly experienced Toftness operator to detect the 50 μT field. Subsequently, in a clinical setting, FGM1 readings made by an FGM1 technician and Sensometer readings were made by 4 Toftness Sensometer operators, having various degrees of experience with this device. Each examiner obtained instrument readings from 5 different volunteers in separate chiropractic adjusting rooms. Additionally, one of the Toftness Sensometers was equipped with an integrated fluxgate magnetometer (FGM2) and this magnetometer was used to obtain a second set of EMF readings in the clinical setting. Results The triaxial fluxgate magnetometer was determined to be moderately responsive to changes in magnetic field frequency below 10 Hz. At frequencies above 10 Hz the readings corresponded to that of the ambient static geofield. The practitioner operating the Toftness Sensometer was unable to detect magnetic fields at high frequencies (above 10 Hz) even at very high EMFs. The fluxgate magnetometer was shown to be essentially a DC/static magnetic field detector and like all such devices it has a limited frequency range with some low level of sensitivity at very low field frequencies. The interexaminer reliability of four Toftness practitioners using the Sensometer on 5 patients showed low to moderate correlation. Conclusions The fluxgate magnetometer although highly sensitive to static (DC) EMFs has only limited sensitivity to EMFs in the range of 1 to 10 Hz and is very insensitive to frequencies above 10 Hz. In laboratory comparisons of the Sensometer and the fluxgate magnetometer there was an occasional correspondence between the two instruments in detecting magnetic fields within the Merritt coil but these occasions were not reproducible. In the clinical studies there was low to moderate agreement between the clinicians using the Sensometer to diagnosing spinal conditions and there was little if any agreement between the Sensometer and the fluxgate magnetometer in detecting EMFs emanating from the volunteers body surface. PMID:17549105

Influence of binding material of PZT coating on microresonator's electrical and mechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janusas, Giedrius; Guobiene, Asta; Palevicius, Arvydas; Brunius, Alfredas; Cekas, Elingas; Baltrusaitis, Valentinas; Sakalys, Rokas

2017-06-01

Microresonators are fundamental components integrated in hosts of MEMS applications: covering the automotive sector, the telecommunication industry, electronic equipment for surface/material characterization and motion sensing, and etc. The aim of this paper is to investigate the mechanical and electrical properties of PZT film fabricated with three binding materials: polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) and to evaluate applicability in control of microresonators Q factor. Micro particles of PZT powder were mixed with 20% solution of PVB, PMMA and PS in benzyl alcohol. For investigation of mechanical and electrical properties multilayer cantilevers were made. Obtained PZT and polymer paste was screen printed on copper (thickness 40 μm) using polyester monofilament screen meshes (layer thickness 50 μm) and dried for 30 min at 100°C. Electric dipoles of the PZT particles in composite material were aligned using high voltage generator (5 kV) and a custom-made holder. Electric field was held for 30 min. Surfaces of the applied films were investigated by Atomic Force Microscope NanoWizard(R)3 NanoScience. Dynamic and electrical characteristics of the multilayer were investigated using laser triangular displacement sensor LK-G3000. The measured vibration amplitude and generated electrical potential was collected with USB oscilloscope PicoScope 3424. As the results showed, these cantilevers were able to transform mechanical strain energy into electric potential and, v.v. However, roughness of PZT coatings with PMMA and PS were higher, what could be the reason of the worse quality of the top electrode. However, the main advantage of the created composite piezoelectric material is the possibility to apply it on any uniform or non-uniform vibrating surface and to transform low frequency vibrations into electricity.

Acoustic emissions imaging and synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis of calcite at high pressure and temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasc, J.; Brantut, N.; Schubnel, A.; Brunet, F.; Mueller, H.

2008-12-01

We have monitored from in-situ X-ray diffraction coupled to Acoustic Emission (AE) imaging, the behavior of a fine grained synthetic calcite aggregate, at 0.66 GPa and for temperatures ranging from ambient to 1200° C. The powder sample was placed in a boron-epoxy assembly with an 8 mm edge-length and loaded in the MAX80 cubic multi-anvil press installed on the German synchrotron (HASYLAB-DESY, Hamburg). AE were recorded using five piezoceramic transducers (5 MHz eigen frequency) glued on each of the five WC anvils (4 side anvils and upper one). Full waveforms were acquired using an eight channel digital oscilloscope and located using the software Insite (ASC Ltd). Beyond 600° C, calcite grains started growing as evidenced by huge changes in the relative intensity of the diffraction lines. This is correlated to a sudden burst of AE which all located within the sample volume. These AE may indicate that stress relaxation, going on as intra-crystalline plasticity mechanisms were activated, released enough acoustic energy to be recorded and located. Although the diffraction data showed that grain growth continued beyond 800° C, the acoustic activity progressively decreased to below the sensitivity of our recording device (i.e. the triggering level). However, at temperature higher than 1000° C, a large number of AE were recorded again ( 2000 events). AE location revealed that the AE front progressed inwards the sample. The complete loss of diffraction signal and the post-mortem recovery of small amounts of CaO suggest that the second AE burst may be related to calcite melting/decarbonation. Perspectives include thorough microstructural analysis of the samples using electron microscopies (SEM and TEM) as well as a statistical and mechanical analysis of the acoustic data.

An "Off-the-Shelf" System for Intraprocedural Electrical Current Evaluation and Monitoring of Irreversible Electroporation Therapy.

PubMed

Neal, Robert E; Kavnoudias, Helen; Thomson, Kenneth R

2015-06-01

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation uses a series of brief electric pulses to create nanoscale defects in cell membranes, killing the cells. It has shown promise in numerous soft-tissue tumor applications. Larger voltages between electrodes will increase ablation volume, but exceeding electrical limits may risk damage to the patient, cause ineffective therapy delivery, or require generator restart. Monitoring electrical current for these conditions in real-time enables managing these risks. This capacity is not presently available in clinical IRE generators. We describe a system using a Tektronix TCP305 AC/DC Current Probe connected to a TCPA300 AC/DC Current Probe Amplifier, which is read on a computer using a Protek DSO-2090 USB computer-interfacing oscilloscope. Accuracy of the system was tested with a resistor circuit and by comparing measured currents with final outputs from the NanoKnife clinical electroporation pulse generator. Accuracy of measured currents was 1.64 ± 2.4 % relative to calculations for the resistor circuit and averaged 0.371 ± 0.977 % deviation from the NanoKnife. During clinical pulse delivery, the system offers real-time evaluation of IRE procedure progress and enables a number of methods for identifying approaching issues from electrical behavior of therapy delivery, facilitating protocol changes before encountering therapy delivery issues. This system can monitor electrical currents in real-time without altering the electric pulses or modifying the pulse generator. This facilitates delivering electric pulse protocols that remain within the optimal range of electrical currents-sufficient strength for clinically relevant ablation volumes, without the risk of exceeding safe electric currents or causing inadequate ablation.

The study and analysis of the mating behavior and sound production of male cicada Psalmocharias alhageos (Kol.) (Homoptera:Cicadidae) to make disruption in mating.

PubMed

Zamanian, H; Mehdipour, M; Ghaemi, N

2008-09-01

Psalmocharias alhageos is an important pest of vine in most parts of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, southern areas of Russia, Turkey and Iraq. This cicada is spread in most provinces in Iran such as Esfahan, Hamedan, Qazvin, Markazi, Lorestan, Qom, Kerman, Tehran and Kordestan. In addition to vine, this insect damages some other fruit trees, such as apple, sour cherry, quince, peach, pomegranate and pear trees and some non-fruit trees, namely white poplar, ash, elm, eglantine, silk and black poplar trees. The nymphs of cicada damage the trees by feeding on root, adult insects on young bud and by oviposition under branch barks. Nourishing root by nymph leads to the weakness of the tree and hinder its growth. The high density oviposition of adult insects inside young barks causes withering of branches. The resulted damage on vine products is 40% which is one of the most important factors in product reduction in vineyard. This research was conducted in Takestan in Qazvin. It was conducted for the first time to study the behaviors of the mates of this vine cicada in order to manage it. Two systems were used to record the sound of male cicada called analog voice-recorder and digital voice recorder. To analyze the recorded sound of the male cicada we used of spectrum analyzer, digital storage oscilloscope and protens 7 computer softwares. We could call the attention of natural enemies an disturb the male insect's attracting sound by producing natural and artificial sound in the range of 1-6 kHz in two different ripeness status of the fruits and could prevent mating and oviposition of female cicadas.

Tuning Coler Magnetic Current Apparatus with Magneto-Acoustic Resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwig, Thorsten

An attempt was made to tune the Coler magnetic current apparatus with the magneto acoustic resonance of the magnetic rods. Measurements with a replica of the famous Coler "Magnetstromapparat" were conducted. In order to tune the acoustic, magnetic and electric resonance circuits of the Coler device the magneto-acoustic resonance was measured with a frequency scan through a function generator and a lock-in amplifier. The frequency generator was powering a driving coil, while the lock-in was connected to a pickup coil. Both coils were placed on a magnetic rod. Resonances were observed up to the 17th harmonic. The quality Q of the observed resonances was 270. To study the magneto-acoustic resonance in the time domain a pair of Permendur rods were employed. The magneto-acoustic resonances of the Permendur rods were observed with an oscilloscope. Spectra of the magneto acoustic resonance were measured for the Permendur rods and for a Coler replica magnet in the frequency range from 25 kHz to 380 kHz. The next step was to bring the resonances of the Permendur rods close together so that they overlap. The 10thharmonic was chosen because it was close to the 180 kHz that Hans Coler related to ferromagnetism. Further more magneto-acoustic coupling between the Permendur rods was studied. Finally the question was explored if Hans Coler converted vacuum fluctuations via magnetic and acoustic resonance into electricity. There is a strong connection between magnetism and quantum field zero point energy (ZPE). An outlook is given on next steps in the experiments to unveil the working mechanism of the Coler magnetic current apparatus.

Fourier-Based Diffraction Analysis of Live Caenorhabditis elegans.

PubMed

Magnes, Jenny; Hastings, Harold M; Raley-Susman, Kathleen M; Alivisatos, Clara; Warner, Adam; Hulsey-Vincent, Miranda

2017-09-13

This manuscript describes how to classify nematodes using temporal far-field diffraction signatures. A single C. elegans is suspended in a water column inside an optical cuvette. A 632 nm continuous wave HeNe laser is directed through the cuvette using front surface mirrors. A significant distance of at least 20-30 cm traveled after the light passes through the cuvette ensures a useful far-field (Fraunhofer) diffraction pattern. The diffraction pattern changes in real time as the nematode swims within the laser beam. The photodiode is placed off-center in the diffraction pattern. The voltage signal from the photodiode is observed in real time and recorded using a digital oscilloscope. This process is repeated for 139 wild type and 108 "roller" C. elegans. Wild type worms exhibit a rapid oscillation pattern in solution. The "roller" worms have a mutation in a key component of the cuticle that interferes with smooth locomotion. Time intervals that are not free of saturation and inactivity are discarded. It is practical to divide each average by its maximum to compare relative intensities. The signal for each worm is Fourier transformed so that the frequency pattern for each worm emerges. The signal for each type of worm is averaged. The averaged Fourier spectra for the wild type and the "roller" C. elegans are distinctly different and reveal that the dynamic worm shapes of the two different worm strains can be distinguished using Fourier analysis. The Fourier spectra of each worm strain match an approximate model using two different binary worm shapes that correspond to locomotory moments. The envelope of the averaged frequency distribution for actual and modeled worms confirms the model matches the data. This method can serve as a baseline for Fourier analysis for many microscopic species, as every microorganism will have its unique Fourier spectrum.

Influence of power density on the setting behaviour of light-cured glass-ionomer cements monitored by ultrasound measurements.

PubMed

Tonegawa, Motoka; Yasuda, Genta; Chikako, Takubo; Tamura, Yukie; Yoshida, Takeshi; Kurokawa, Hiroyasu; Miyazaki, Masashi

2009-07-01

To monitor the influence of the power density of the curing unit on the setting behaviour of light-cured glass-ionomer cements (LCGICs) using ultrasound measurements. The ultrasound equipment comprised a pulser-receiver, transducers and an oscilloscope. The LCGICs used were Fuji II LC, Fuji II LC EM and Fuji Filling LC. The cements were mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and then inserted into a transparent mould. The specimens were placed on the sample stage and cured with power densities of 0 (no irradiation), 200 or 600 mW/cm(2). The transit time through the cement disk was divided by the specimen thickness and then the longitudinal ultrasound velocity (V) within the material was obtained. Analysis of variance and Tukey's Honestly Significantly Different test were used to compare the V values between the set cements. When the LCGICs were light-irradiated, each curve displayed an initial plateau at approximately 1500 m/s and then rapidly increased to a second plateau at approximately 2600 m/s. The rate of increase of V was retarded when the cements were light-irradiated with a power density of 200 mW/cm(2) than with a power density of 600 mW/cm(2). Although sonic echoes were detected from the beginning of the measurements, the rates of increase of the sonic velocity were relatively slow when the cement was not light-irradiated. The ultrasound device monitored the setting processes of LCGICs accurately based on the longitudinal V. The polymerization behaviour of LCGICs was shown to be affected by the power density of the curing unit.

A high-throughput, multi-channel photon-counting detector with picosecond timing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lapington, J. S.; Fraser, G. W.; Miller, G. M.; Ashton, T. J. R.; Jarron, P.; Despeisse, M.; Powolny, F.; Howorth, J.; Milnes, J.

2009-06-01

High-throughput photon counting with high time resolution is a niche application area where vacuum tubes can still outperform solid-state devices. Applications in the life sciences utilizing time-resolved spectroscopies, particularly in the growing field of proteomics, will benefit greatly from performance enhancements in event timing and detector throughput. The HiContent project is a collaboration between the University of Leicester Space Research Centre, the Microelectronics Group at CERN, Photek Ltd., and end-users at the Gray Cancer Institute and the University of Manchester. The goal is to develop a detector system specifically designed for optical proteomics, capable of high content (multi-parametric) analysis at high throughput. The HiContent detector system is being developed to exploit this niche market. It combines multi-channel, high time resolution photon counting in a single miniaturized detector system with integrated electronics. The combination of enabling technologies; small pore microchannel plate devices with very high time resolution, and high-speed multi-channel ASIC electronics developed for the LHC at CERN, provides the necessary building blocks for a high-throughput detector system with up to 1024 parallel counting channels and 20 ps time resolution. We describe the detector and electronic design, discuss the current status of the HiContent project and present the results from a 64-channel prototype system. In the absence of an operational detector, we present measurements of the electronics performance using a pulse generator to simulate detector events. Event timing results from the NINO high-speed front-end ASIC captured using a fast digital oscilloscope are compared with data taken with the proposed electronic configuration which uses the multi-channel HPTDC timing ASIC.

Automation of data collection for PWAS-based structural health monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Weiping; Giurgiutiu, Victor

2005-05-01

Crack detection with piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) is emerging as an effective and powerful technique in structural health monitoring (SHM). Because of the piezoelectric properties of the PWAS, they act as both transmitters and receivers of guided Lamb waves for such applications. With arrays of PWAS attached to the structure, excitation signals are sent to one of the PWAS and wave signals from the structure are received at all the PWAS. The signals are analyzed to detect the position of cracks. One important issue associated with the PWAS-assisted SHM is the connectivity between the PWAS arrays and the measurement instruments. An automatic signal collection unit is necessary to send the excitation signals to PWAS and acquire the response signal from another PWAS. Such a program-controlled switching unit can quickly and precisely execute the data collection in a way which is more efficient and reliable than the manual switching operations. In this paper, we present an innovative design of a LabVIEW controlled automatic signal collection unit (ASCU) for PWAS-assisted SHM. The hardware circuit construction and the control LabVIEW program are discussed. As a conduit between the phase array of PWAS and the signal instruments (signal generators, oscilloscopes etc.), the ASCU provides a convenient way to switch excitation and echo signals automatically to the selected PWAS transducers with the help of GUI in the LabVIEW control program. The control program is easy to implement and can be integrated into an upper level program that executes the whole task of signal acquisition and analysis. Because of the concise design of the hardware, the ASCU concept of the auto signal switch has been extended to other application cases such as the electromechanical (E/M) impedance measurement for SHM.

High sensitive and high temporal and spatial resolved image of reactive species in atmospheric pressure surface discharge reactor by laser induced fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Liang; Feng, Chun-Lei; Wang, Zhi-Wei; Ding, Hongbin

2017-05-01

The current paucity of spatial and temporal characterization of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) concentration has been a major hurdle to the advancement and clinical translation of low temperature atmospheric plasmas. In this study, an advanced laser induced fluorescence (LIF) system has been developed to be an effective antibacterial surface discharge reactor for the diagnosis of RONS, where the highest spatial and temporal resolution of the LIF system has been achieved to ˜100 μm scale and ˜20 ns scale, respectively. Measurements on an oxidative OH radical have been carried out as typical RONS for the benchmark of the whole LIF system, where absolute number density calibration has been performed on the basis of the laser Rayleigh scattering method. Requirements for pixel resolved spatial distribution and outer plasma region detection become challenging tasks due to the low RONS concentration (˜ppb level) and strong interference, especially the discharge induced emission and pulsed laser induced stray light. In order to design the highly sensitive LIF system, a self-developed fluorescence telescope, the optimization of high precision synchronization among a tunable pulsed laser, a surface discharge generator, intensified Charge Coupled Device (iCCD) camera, and an oscilloscope have been performed. Moreover, an image BOXCAR approach has been developed to remarkably improve the sensitivity of the whole LIF system by optimizing spatial and temporal gating functions via both hardware and software, which has been integrated into our automatic control and data acquisition system on the LabVIEW platform. In addition, a reciprocation averaging measurement has been applied to verify the accuracy of the whole LIF detecting system, indicating the relative standard deviation of ˜3%.

Extracting third order optical nonlinearities of Mn(III)-Phthalocyanine chloride using high repetition rate femtosecond pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makhal, Krishnandu; Mathur, Paresh; Maurya, Sidharth; Goswami, Debabrata

2017-02-01

Third order nonlinearities of Mn(III)-Phthalocyanine chloride in dimethyl-sulphoxide under 50 fs pulses, operating at 94 MHz, by eliminating cumulative thermal effects have been investigated and reported by us. Modifications were done in data acquisition during Z-scan experiment, which included recording of time evolution waveform traces in an oscilloscope and not collection of Z versus transmission and utilization of a chopper of a suitable duty cycle. Time evolution traces were further processed analytically through MatLab® programming, which yielded Z-scan traces similar to what was obtained with single shot 50 fs pulse. We observed reverse saturable absorption at 800 nm owing to excited state absorption. We show that the nonlinear refractive index (γ) and nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) are over estimated almost 100 times, when MHz pulses are used compared to a situation, where thermo-optical nonlinearities are accounted. Illumination and dark periods are carefully set in a way, so that the sample is able to completely recover its initial temperature before arrival of the next pulse. Magnitudes of γ and β were found to be -(6.5-4.9) × 10-16 m2/W and (5.4-6.2) × 10-10 m/W under the MHz condition, whereas they were -(0.18-2.2) × 10-18 m2/W and (9.5-15) × 10-12 m/W under the thermally managed condition, respectively. To reveal the associated fast nonlinearity, femtosecond transient absorption experiment was performed, which inferred excited state absorption and ground state bleaching across the 450-780 nm region. Dynamics associated with these processes are reported along with fluorescence lifetime obtained through the TCSPC technique. Structure optimization using TDDFT calculations and HOMO-LUMO gaps with orbital pictures are also shown.

Coherent pulse interrogation system for fiber Bragg grating sensing of strain and pressure in dynamic extremes of materials

DOE PAGES

Rodriguez, George; Jaime, Marcelo; Balakirev, Fedor; ...

2015-05-21

A 100 MHz fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogation system is described and applied to strain and pressure sensing. The approach relies on coherent pulse illumination of the FBG sensor with a broadband short pulse from a femtosecond modelocked erbium fiber laser. After interrogation of the FBG sensor, a long multi-kilometer run of single mode fiber is used for chromatic dispersion to temporally stretch the spectral components of the reflected pulse from the FBG sensor. Dynamic strain or pressure induced spectral shifts in the FBG sensor are detected as a pulsed time domain waveform shift after encoding by the chromatic dispersivemore » line. Signals are recorded using a single 35 GHz photodetector and a 50 GSamples per second, 25 GHz bandwidth, digitizing oscilloscope. Application of this approach to high-speed strain sensing in magnetic materials in pulsed magnetic fields to ~150 T is demonstrated. The FBG wavelength shifts are used to study magnetic field driven magnetostriction effects in LaCoO₃. A sub-microsecond temporal shift in the FBG sensor wavelength attached to the sample under first order phase change appears as a fractional length change (strain: ΔL/L<10⁻⁴) in the material. A second application used FBG sensing of pressure dynamics to nearly 2 GPa in the thermal ignition of the high explosive PBX-9501 is also demonstrated. In conclusion, both applications demonstrate the use of this FBG interrogation system in dynamical extreme conditions that would otherwise not be possible using traditional FBG interrogation approaches that are deemed too slow to resolve such events.« less

SU-E-E-06: Teaching About the Gamma Camera and Ultrasound Imaging

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

Lowe, M; Spiro, A; Vogel, R

Purpose: Instructional modules on applications of physics in medicine are being developed. The target audience consists of students who have had an introductory undergraduate physics course. This presentation will concentrate on an active learning approach to teach the principles of the gamma camera. There will also be a description of an apparatus to teach ultrasound imaging. Methods: Since a real gamma camera is not feasible in the undergraduate classroom, we have developed two types of optical apparatus that teach the main principles. To understand the collimator, LEDS mimic gamma emitters in the body, and the photons pass through an arraymore » of tubes. The distance, spacing, diameter, and length of the tubes can be varied to understand the effect upon the resolution of the image. To determine the positions of the gamma emitters, a second apparatus uses a movable green laser, fluorescent plastic in lieu of the scintillation crystal, acrylic rods that mimic the PMTs, and a photodetector to measure the intensity. The position of the laser is calculated with a centroid algorithm.To teach the principles of ultrasound imaging, we are using the sound head and pulser box of an educational product, variable gain amplifier, rotation table, digital oscilloscope, Matlab software, and phantoms. Results: Gamma camera curriculum materials have been implemented in the classroom at Loyola in 2014 and 2015. Written work shows good knowledge retention and a more complete understanding of the material. Preliminary ultrasound imaging materials were run in 2015. Conclusion: Active learning methods add another dimension to descriptions in textbooks and are effective in keeping the students engaged during class time. The teaching apparatus for the gamma camera and ultrasound imaging can be expanded to include more cases, and could potentially improve students’ understanding of artifacts and distortions in the images.« less

A novel low profile wireless flow sensor to monitor hemodynamic changes in cerebral aneurysm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yanfei; Jankowitz, Brian T.; Cho, Sung Kwon; Chun, Youngjae

2015-03-01

A proof of concept of low-profile flow sensor has been designed, fabricated, and subsequently tested to demonstrate its feasibility for monitoring hemodynamic changes in cerebral aneurysm. The prototype sensor contains three layers, i.e., a thin polyurethane layer was sandwiched between two sputter-deposited thin film nitinol layers (6μm thick). A novel superhydrophilic surface treatment was used to create hemocompatible surface of thin nitinol electrode layers. A finite element model was conducted using ANSYS Workbench 15.0 Static Structural to optimize the dimensions of flow sensor. A computational fluid dynamics calculations were performed using ANSYS Workbench Fluent to assess the flow velocity patterns within the aneurysm sac. We built a test platform with a z-axis translation stage and an S-beam load cell to compare the capacitance changes of the sensors with different parameters during deformation. Both LCR meter and oscilloscope were used to measure the capacitance and the resonant frequency shifts, respectively. The experimental compression tests demonstrated the linear relationship between the capacitance and applied compression force and decreasing the length, width and increasing the thickness improved the sensor sensitivity. The experimentally measured resonant frequency dropped from 12.7MHz to 12.48MHz, indicating a 0.22MHz shift with 200g ( 2N) compression force while the theoretical resonant frequency shifted 0.35MHz with 50g ( 0.5N). Our recent results demonstrated a feasibility of the low-profile flow sensor for monitoring haemodynamics in cerebral aneurysm region, as well as the efficacy of the use of the surface treated thin film nitinol for the low-profile sensor materials.

The University of Connecticut Biomedical Engineering Mentoring Program for high school students.

PubMed

Enderle, John D; Liebler, Christopher M; Haapala, Stephenic A; Hart, James L; Thonakkaraparayil, Naomi T; Romonosky, Laura L; Rodriguez, Francisco; Trumbower, Randy D

2004-01-01

For the past four years, the Biomedical Engineering Program at the University of Connecticut has offered a summer mentoring program for high school students interested in biomedical engineering. To offer this program, we have partnered with the UConn Mentor Connection Program, the School of Engineering 2000 Program and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Summer Laboratory Apprentice Program. We typically have approximately 20-25 high school students learning about biomedical engineering each summer. The mentoring aspect of the program exists at many different levels, with the graduate students mentoring the undergraduate students, and these students mentoring the high school students. The program starts with a three-hour lecture on biomedical engineering to properly orient the students. An in-depth paper on an area in biomedical engineering is a required component, as well as a PowerPoint presentation on their research. All of the students build a device to record an EKG on a computer using LabView, including signal processing to remove noise. The students learn some rudimentary concepts on electrocardiography and the physiology and anatomy of the heart. The students also learn basic electronics and breadboarding circuits, PSpice, the building of a printed circuit board, PIC microcontroller, the operation of Multimeters (including the oscilloscope), soldering, assembly of the EKG device and writing LabView code to run their device on a PC. The students keep their EKG device, LabView program and a fully illustrated booklet on EKG to bring home with them, and hopefully bring back to their high school to share their experiences with other students and teachers. The students also work on several other projects during this summer experience as well as visit Hartford Hospital to learn about Clinical Engineering.

Using convolutional neural networks to estimate time-of-flight from PET detector waveforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, Eric; Cherry, Simon R.

2018-01-01

Although there have been impressive strides in detector development for time-of-flight positron emission tomography, most detectors still make use of simple signal processing methods to extract the time-of-flight information from the detector signals. In most cases, the timing pick-off for each waveform is computed using leading edge discrimination or constant fraction discrimination, as these were historically easily implemented with analog pulse processing electronics. However, now with the availability of fast waveform digitizers, there is opportunity to make use of more of the timing information contained in the coincident detector waveforms with advanced signal processing techniques. Here we describe the application of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs), a type of machine learning, to estimate time-of-flight directly from the pair of digitized detector waveforms for a coincident event. One of the key features of this approach is the simplicity in obtaining ground-truth-labeled data needed to train the CNN: the true time-of-flight is determined from the difference in path length between the positron emission and each of the coincident detectors, which can be easily controlled experimentally. The experimental setup used here made use of two photomultiplier tube-based scintillation detectors, and a point source, stepped in 5 mm increments over a 15 cm range between the two detectors. The detector waveforms were digitized at 10 GS s-1 using a bench-top oscilloscope. The results shown here demonstrate that CNN-based time-of-flight estimation improves timing resolution by 20% compared to leading edge discrimination (231 ps versus 185 ps), and 23% compared to constant fraction discrimination (242 ps versus 185 ps). By comparing several different CNN architectures, we also showed that CNN depth (number of convolutional and fully connected layers) had the largest impact on timing resolution, while the exact network parameters, such as convolutional filter size and number of feature maps, had only a minor influence.

A boostrap algorithm for temporal signal reconstruction in the presence of noise from its fractional Fourier transformed intensity spectra

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

Tan, Cheng-Yang; /Fermilab

2011-02-01

A bootstrap algorithm for reconstructing the temporal signal from four of its fractional Fourier intensity spectra in the presence of noise is described. An optical arrangement is proposed which realises the bootstrap method for the measurement of ultrashort laser pulses. The measurement of short laser pulses which are less than 1 ps is an ongoing challenge in optical physics. One reason is that no oscilloscope exists today which can directly measure the time structure of these pulses and so it becomes necessary to invent other techniques which indirectly provide the necessary information for temporal pulse reconstruction. One method called FROGmore » (frequency resolved optical gating) has been in use since 19911 and is one of the popular methods for recovering these types of short pulses. The idea behind FROG is the use of multiple time-correlated pulse measurements in the frequency domain for the reconstruction. Multiple data sets are required because only intensity information is recorded and not phase, and thus by collecting multiple data sets, there is enough redundant measurements to yield the original time structure, but not necessarily uniquely (or even up to an arbitrary constant phase offset). The objective of this paper is to describe another method which is simpler than FROG. Instead of collecting many auto-correlated data sets, only two spectral intensity measurements of the temporal signal are needed in the absence of noise. The first can be from the intensity components of its usual Fourier transform and the second from its FrFT (fractional Fourier transform). In the presence of noise, a minimum of four measurements are required with the same FrFT order but with two different apertures. Armed with these two or four measurements, a unique solution up to a constant phase offset can be constructed.« less

Salt, time, and metaphor: examining norms in scientific culture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brady, Anna G.

2017-06-01

As has been widely discussed, the National Research Council's (NRC) current policy in United States education advocates supporting students toward acquiring skills to engage in scientific practices. NRC policy also suggests that supporting students in the practices of science may require different approaches than what is required for supporting student engagement with scientific content. Further, acquiring skills in scientific practices is not limited to gaining proficiency in utilizing tools that support scientific inquiry: students must also understand how to interpret information generated from such tools. These tools of scientific practices are embedded within scientific culture, which from Sewell's perspective, is comprised of both practice and semiotic code (symbols and meanings). To become scientifically literate students must learn to utilize this code in practice. Author Germà Garcia-Belmonte identified one example of learning to utilize the semiotic code in scientific practice and considers challenges faced by undergraduate physics and engineering students within that context. Garcia-Belmonte observes students struggle to interpret symbols and meaning (the visual display generated) while engaging in practice (utilizing an oscilloscope) and posits that two, culturally bound, competing, linguistic metaphors of time may be the cause. Ultimately, however, the author does not explore beyond hypotheses. Although his theory may be correct, the paper serves as a reminder of the responsibility we have to students. As educators, it is useful and beneficial to make observations and develop theories surrounding why our students struggle. However, in addition to theorizing on why, for example, a particular scientific norm might present challenges for our students, we must remain mindful that challenges may not be uniform and may vary considerably according to students' culture(s). Engaging with students and soliciting specific information regarding the challenges they face allows us, as educators, to both examine whether students' reported challenges align or conflict with our own perceptions of those challenges, and subsequently devise and test methods toward supporting students in overcoming their challenges.

MR-compatibility of a high-resolution small animal PET insert operating inside a 7 T MRI.

PubMed

Thiessen, J D; Shams, E; Stortz, G; Schellenberg, G; Bishop, D; Khan, M S; Kozlowski, P; Retière, F; Sossi, V; Thompson, C J; Goertzen, A L

2016-11-21

A full-ring PET insert consisting of 16 PET detector modules was designed and constructed to fit within the 114 mm diameter gradient bore of a Bruker 7 T MRI. The individual detector modules contain two silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays, dual-layer offset LYSO crystal arrays, and high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cables for both signal and power transmission. Several different RF shielding configurations were assessed prior to construction of a fully assembled PET insert using a combination of carbon fibre and copper foil for RF shielding. MR-compatibility measurements included field mapping of the static magnetic field (B 0 ) and the time-varying excitation field (B 1 ) as well as acquisitions with multiple pulse sequences: spin echo (SE), rapid imaging with refocused echoes (RARE), fast low angle shot (FLASH) gradient echo, and echo planar imaging (EPI). B 0 field maps revealed a small degradation in the mean homogeneity (+0.1 ppm) when the PET insert was installed and operating. No significant change was observed in the B 1 field maps or the image homogeneity of various MR images, with a 9% decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) observed only in EPI images acquired with the PET insert installed and operating. PET detector flood histograms, photopeak amplitudes, and energy resolutions were unchanged in individual PET detector modules when acquired during MRI operation. There was a small baseline shift on the PET detector signals due to the switching amplifiers used to power MRI gradient pulses. This baseline shift was observable when measured with an oscilloscope and varied as a function of the gradient duty cycle, but had no noticeable effect on the performance of the PET detector modules. Compact front-end electronics and effective RF shielding led to minimal cross-interference between the PET and MRI systems. Both PET detector and MRI performance was excellent, whether operating as a standalone system or a hybrid PET/MRI.

Static and dynamic strain energy release rates in toughened thermosetting composite laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cairns, Douglas S.

1992-01-01

In this work, the static and dynamic fracture properties of several thermosetting resin based composite laminates are presented. Two classes of materials are explored. These are homogeneous, thermosetting resins and toughened, multi-phase, thermosetting resin systems. Multi-phase resin materials have shown enhancement over homogenous materials with respect to damage resistance. The development of new dynamic tests are presented for composite laminates based on Width Tapered Double Cantilevered Beam (WTDCB) for Mode 1 fracture and the End Notched Flexure (ENF) specimen. The WTDCB sample was loaded via a low inertia, pneumatic cylinder to produce rapid cross-head displacements. A high rate, piezo-electric load cell and an accelerometer were mounted on the specimen. A digital oscilloscope was used for data acquisition. Typical static and dynamic load versus displacement plots are presented. The ENF specimen was impacted in three point bending with an instrumented impact tower. Fracture initiation and propagation energies under static and dynamic conditions were determined analytically and experimentally. The test results for Mode 1 fracture are relatively insensitive to strain rate effects for the laminates tested in this study. The test results from Mode 2 fracture indicate that the toughened systems provide superior fracture initiation and higher resistance to propagation under dynamic conditions. While the static fracture properties of the homogeneous systems may be relatively high, the apparent Mode 2 dynamic critical strain energy release rate drops significantly. The results indicate that static Mode 2 fracture testing is inadequate for determining the fracture performance of composite structures subjected to conditions such as low velocity impact. A good correlation between the basic Mode 2 dynamic fracture properties and the performance is a combined material/structural Compression After Impact (CAI) test is found. These results underscore the importance of examining rate-dependent behavior for determining the longevity of structures manufactured from composite materials.

A wideband dual-antenna receiver for wireless recording from animals behaving in large arenas.

PubMed

Lee, Seung Bae; Yin, Ming; Manns, Joseph R; Ghovanloo, Maysam

2013-07-01

A low-noise wideband receiver (Rx) is presented for a multichannel wireless implantable neural recording (WINeR) system that utilizes time-division multiplexing of pulse width modulated (PWM) samples. The WINeR-6 Rx consists of four parts: 1) RF front end; 2) signal conditioning; 3) analog output (AO); and 4) field-programmable gate array (FPGA) back end. The RF front end receives RF-modulated neural signals in the 403-490 MHz band with a wide bandwidth of 18 MHz. The frequency-shift keying (FSK) PWM demodulator in the FPGA is a time-to-digital converter with 304 ps resolution, which converts the analog pulse width information to 16-bit digital samples. Automated frequency tracking has been implemented in the Rx to lock onto the free-running voltage-controlled oscillator in the transmitter (Tx). Two antennas and two parallel RF paths are used to increase the wireless coverage area. BCI-2000 graphical user interface has been adopted and modified to acquire, visualize, and record the recovered neural signals in real time. The AO module picks three demultiplexed channels and converts them into analog signals for direct observation on an oscilloscope. One of these signals is further amplified to generate an audio output, offering users the ability to listen to ongoing neural activity. Bench-top testing of the Rx performance with a 32-channel WINeR-6 Tx showed that the input referred noise of the entire system at a Tx-Rx distance of 1.5 m was 4.58 μV rms with 8-bit resolution at 640 kSps. In an in vivo experiment, location-specific receptive fields of hippocampal place cells were mapped during a behavioral experiment in which a rat completed 40 laps in a large circular track. Results were compared against those acquired from the same animal and the same set of electrodes by a commercial hardwired recording system to validate the wirelessly recorded signals.

A Wideband Dual-Antenna Receiver for Wireless Recording From Animals Behaving in Large Arenas

PubMed Central

Lee, Seung Bae; Yin, Ming; Manns, Joseph R.

2014-01-01

A low-noise wideband receiver (Rx) is presented for a multichannel wireless implantable neural recording (WINeR) system that utilizes time-division multiplexing of pulse width modulated (PWM) samples. The WINeR-6 Rx consists of four parts: 1) RF front end; 2) signal conditioning; 3) analog output (AO); and 4) field-programmable gate array (FPGA) back end. The RF front end receives RF-modulated neural signals in the 403–490 MHz band with a wide bandwidth of 18 MHz. The frequency-shift keying (FSK) PWM demodulator in the FPGA is a time-to-digital converter with 304 ps resolution, which converts the analog pulse width information to 16-bit digital samples. Automated frequency tracking has been implemented in the Rx to lock onto the free-running voltage-controlled oscillator in the transmitter (Tx). Two antennas and two parallel RF paths are used to increase the wireless coverage area. BCI-2000 graphical user interface has been adopted and modified to acquire, visualize, and record the recovered neural signals in real time. The AO module picks three demultiplexed channels and converts them into analog signals for direct observation on an oscilloscope. One of these signals is further amplified to generate an audio output, offering users the ability to listen to ongoing neural activity. Bench-top testing of the Rx performance with a 32-channel WINeR-6 Tx showed that the input referred noise of the entire system at a Tx–Rx distance of 1.5 m was 4.58 μVrms with 8-bit resolution at 640 kSps. In an in vivo experiment, location-specific receptive fields of hippocampal place cells were mapped during a behavioral experiment in which a rat completed 40 laps in a large circular track. Results were compared against those acquired from the same animal and the same set of electrodes by a commercial hardwired recording system to validate the wirelessly recorded signals. PMID:23428612

a 480 MHz Chirped-Pulse Fourier-Transform Microwave Spectrometer: Construction and Measurement of the Rotational Spectra of Divinyl Silane and 3,3-DIFLUOROPENTANE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obenchain, Daniel A.; Steber, Amanda L.; Elliott, Ashley A.; Peebles, Rebecca A.; Peebles, Sean A.; Wurrey, Charles J.; Guirgis, Gamil A.

2010-06-01

A chirped-pulse Fourier-transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectrometer based on the original Pate design has been constructed to allow analysis of any 480 MHz region in the 7 - 18 GHz range. A 1 μs chirped-pulse (0 - 240 MHz) from an arbitrary function generator is mixed with output from a microwave synthesizer and used to polarize a supersonic gas expansion; the resulting free induction decay is collected over 20 μs and Fourier-transformed on a 500 MHz oscilloscope to produce a rotational spectrum. A variety of molecules have now been studied with this instrument and results will be presented for numerous conformers of divinyl silane (predicted μtotal = 0.6 - 0.7 D) and the more polar 3,3-difluoropentane (predicted μtotal = 2.5 - 2.8 D). Two of the three possible conformers of divinyl silane were assigned (both having a C_1=C_2-Si-C_3 dihedral angle of -120° and a {C_2-Si-C_3=C_4} dihedral of either 0° (C_1 symmetry) or -120° (C_2 symmetry)). For 3,3-difluoropentane, three of the four possible {conformers} were identified: anti-gauche (C_1), gauche-gauche (C_2) and anti-anti (C2v). While rotational spectra for only the silicon isotopologues were observed for divinyl silane, measurement of the 13C spectra of 3,3-difluoropentane allowed heavy atom structure determinations for the anti-gauche and gauche-gauche conformers. Initial assignments of all spectra were made on the CP-FTMW {spectrometer}, and a Balle-Flygare FTMW spectrometer was used to compare frequencies of measured transitions and also to provide Stark effect data. Substitution (r_s) and inertial fit (r_0) structures will be compared with computational data and instrumental details will be presented. G.G. Brown, B.C. Dian, K.O. Douglass, S.M. Geyer, S.T. Shipman, B.H. Pate, Rev. Sci. Instrum., 79, (2008), 053103.

An integrated micromechanical large particle in flow sorter (MILPIS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuad, Nurul M.; Skommer, Joanna; Friedrich, Timo; Kaslin, Jan; Wlodkowic, Donald

2015-06-01

At present, the major hurdle to widespread deployment of zebrafish embryo and larvae in large-scale drug development projects is lack of enabling high-throughput analytical platforms. In order to spearhead drug discovery with the use of zebrafish as a model, platforms need to integrate automated pre-test sorting of organisms (to ensure quality control and standardization) and their in-test positioning (suitable for high-content imaging) with modules for flexible drug delivery. The major obstacle hampering sorting of millimetre sized particles such as zebrafish embryos on chip-based devices is their substantial diameter (above one millimetre), mass (above one milligram), which both lead to rapid gravitational-induced sedimentation and high inertial forces. Manual procedures associated with sorting hundreds of embryos are very monotonous and as such prone to significant analytical errors due to operator's fatigue. In this work, we present an innovative design of a micromechanical large particle in-flow sorter (MILPIS) capable of analysing, sorting and dispensing living zebrafish embryos for drug discovery applications. The system consisted of a microfluidic network, revolving micromechanical receptacle actuated by robotic servomotor and opto-electronic sensing module. The prototypes were fabricated in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) transparent thermoplastic using infrared laser micromachining. Elements of MILPIS were also fabricated in an optically transparent VisiJet resin using 3D stereolithography (SLA) processes (ProJet 7000HD, 3D Systems). The device operation was based on a rapidly revolving miniaturized mechanical receptacle. The latter function was to hold and position individual fish embryos for (i) interrogation, (ii) sorting decision-making and (iii) physical sorting..The system was designed to separate between fertilized (LIVE) and non-fertilized (DEAD) eggs, based on optical transparency using infrared (IR) emitters and receivers embedded in the system. Digital oscilloscope were used to distinguish the diffraction signals from IR sensors when both LIVE and DEAD embryos were flow through in the chip. Image process analysis were also used as detection module to track DEAD embryos as it flowed in the channel.

MR-compatibility of a high-resolution small animal PET insert operating inside a 7 T MRI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thiessen, J. D.; Shams, E.; Stortz, G.; Schellenberg, G.; Bishop, D.; Khan, M. S.; Kozlowski, P.; Retière, F.; Sossi, V.; Thompson, C. J.; Goertzen, A. L.

2016-11-01

A full-ring PET insert consisting of 16 PET detector modules was designed and constructed to fit within the 114 mm diameter gradient bore of a Bruker 7 T MRI. The individual detector modules contain two silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays, dual-layer offset LYSO crystal arrays, and high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cables for both signal and power transmission. Several different RF shielding configurations were assessed prior to construction of a fully assembled PET insert using a combination of carbon fibre and copper foil for RF shielding. MR-compatibility measurements included field mapping of the static magnetic field (B 0) and the time-varying excitation field (B 1) as well as acquisitions with multiple pulse sequences: spin echo (SE), rapid imaging with refocused echoes (RARE), fast low angle shot (FLASH) gradient echo, and echo planar imaging (EPI). B 0 field maps revealed a small degradation in the mean homogeneity (+0.1 ppm) when the PET insert was installed and operating. No significant change was observed in the B 1 field maps or the image homogeneity of various MR images, with a 9% decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) observed only in EPI images acquired with the PET insert installed and operating. PET detector flood histograms, photopeak amplitudes, and energy resolutions were unchanged in individual PET detector modules when acquired during MRI operation. There was a small baseline shift on the PET detector signals due to the switching amplifiers used to power MRI gradient pulses. This baseline shift was observable when measured with an oscilloscope and varied as a function of the gradient duty cycle, but had no noticeable effect on the performance of the PET detector modules. Compact front-end electronics and effective RF shielding led to minimal cross-interference between the PET and MRI systems. Both PET detector and MRI performance was excellent, whether operating as a standalone system or a hybrid PET/MRI.

Health Monitoring System Based on Intra-Body Communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razak, A. H. A.; Ibrahim, I. W.; Ayub, A. H.; Amri, M. F.; Hamzi, M. H.; Halim, A. K.; Ahmad, A.; Junid, S. A. M. Al

2015-11-01

This paper presents a model of a Body Area Network (BAN) health monitoring system based on Intra-Body Communication. Intra-body Communication (IBC) is a communication technique that uses the human body as a medium for electrical signal communication. One of the visions in the health care industry is to provide autonomous and continuous self and the remote health monitoring system. This can be achieved via BAN, LAN and WAN integration. The BAN technology itself consists of short range data communication modules, sensors, controller and actuators. The information can be transmitted to the LAN and WAN via the RF technology such as Bluetooth, ZigBee and ANT. Although the implementations of RF communication have been successful, there are still limitations in term of power consumption, battery lifetime, interferences and signal attenuations. One of the solutions for Medical Body Area Network (MBANs) to overcome these issues is by using an IBC technique because it can operate at lower frequencies and power consumption compared to the existing techniques. The first objective is to design the IBC's transmitter and receiver modules using the off the shelf components. The specifications of the modules such as frequency, data rate, modulation and demodulation coding system were defined. The individual module were designed and tested separately. The modules was integrated as an IBC system and tested for functionality then was implemented on PCB. Next objective is to model and implement the digital parts of the transmitter and receiver modules on the Altera's FPGA board. The digital blocks were interfaced with the FPGA's on board modules and the discrete components. The signals that have been received from the transmitter were converted into a proper waveform and it can be viewed via external devices such as oscilloscope and Labview. The signals such as heartbeats or pulses can also be displayed on LCD. In conclusion, the IBC project presents medical health monitoring model that operates at the range of 21 MHz frequency and reduce the power consumption for a longer battery lifetime.

Quantitative Ultrasound: Transition from the Laboratory to the Clinic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, Timothy

2014-03-01

There is a long history of development and testing of quantitative methods in medical ultrasound. From the initial attempts to scan breasts with ultrasound in the early 1950's, there was a simultaneous attempt to classify tissue as benign or malignant based on the appearance of the echo signal on an oscilloscope. Since that time, there has been substantial improvement in the ultrasound systems used, the models to describe wave propagation in random media, the methods of signal detection theory, and the combination of those models and methods into parameter estimation techniques. One particularly useful measure in ultrasonics is the acoustic differential scattering cross section per unit volume in the special case of the 180° (as occurs in pulse-echo ultrasound imaging) which is known as the backscatter coefficient. The backscatter coefficient, and parameters derived from it, can be used to objectively measure quantities that are used clinically to subjectively describe ultrasound images. For example, the ``echogenicity'' (relative ultrasound image brightness) of the renal cortex is commonly compared to that of the liver. Investigating the possibility of liver disease, it is assumed the renal cortex echogenicity is normal. Investigating the kidney, it is assumed the liver echogenicity is normal. Objective measures of backscatter remove these assumptions. There is a 30-year history of accurate estimates of acoustic backscatter coefficients with laboratory systems. Twenty years ago that ability was extended to clinical imaging systems with array transducers. Recent studies involving multiple laboratories and a variety of clinical imaging systems has demonstrated system-independent estimates of acoustic backscatter coefficients in well-characterized media (agreement within about 1.5dB over about a 1-decade frequency range). Advancements that made this possible, transition of this and similar capabilities into medical practice and the prospects for quantitative image-based biomarkers will be discussed. This work was supported, in part, by NIH grants R01CA140271 and R01HD072077.

Prospects of lean ignition with the quarter wave coaxial cavity igniter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pertl, Franz Andreas Johannes

New ignition sources are needed to operate the next generation of lean high efficiency internal combustion engines. A significant environmental and economic benefit could be obtained from these lean engines. Toward this goal, the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator, QWCCR, igniter was examined. A detailed theoretical analysis of the resonator was performed relating geometric and material parameters to performance characteristics, such as resonator quality factor and developed tip electric field. The analysis provided for the construction and evaluation of a resonator for ignition testing. The evaluation consisted of ignition tests with liquefied-petroleum-gas (LPG) air mixtures of varying composition. The combustion of these mixtures was contained in a closed steel vessel with a precombustion pressure near one atmosphere. The resonator igniter was fired in this vessel with a nominal 150 W microwave pulse of varying duration, to determine ignition energy limits for various mixtures. The mixture compositions were determined by partial pressure measurement and the ideal gas law. Successful ignition was determined through observation of the combustion through a view port. The pulse and reflected microwave power were captured in real time with a high-speed digital storage oscilloscope. Ignition energies and power levels were calculated from these measurements. As a comparison, these ignition experiments were also carried out with a standard non-resistive spark plug, where gap voltage and current were captured for energy calculations. The results show that easily ignitable mixtures around stoichiometric and slightly rich compositions are ignitable with the QWCCR using the similar kinds of energies as the conventional spark plug in the low milli-Joule range. Energies for very lean mixtures could not be determined reliably for the QWCCR for this prototype test, but could be lower than that for a conventional spark. Given the capability of high power, high energy delivery, and opportunity for optimization, the QWCCR has the potential to deliver more energy per unit time than a conventional spark plug and thus should be considered be as a lean ignition source.

TH-CD-201-06: Experimental Characterization of Acoustic Signals Generated in Water Following Clinical Photon and Electron Beam Irradiation

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

Hickling, S; El Naqa, I

Purpose: Previous work has demonstrated the detectability of acoustic waves induced following the irradiation of high density metals with radiotherapy linac photon beams. This work demonstrates the ability to experimentally detect such acoustic signals following both photon and electron irradiation in a more radiotherapy relevant material. The relationship between induced acoustic signal properties in water and the deposited dose distribution is explored, and the feasibility of exploiting such signals for radiotherapy dosimetry is demonstrated. Methods: Acoustic waves were experimentally induced in a water tank via the thermoacoustic effect following a single pulse of photon or electron irradiation produced by amore » clinical linac. An immersion ultrasound transducer was used to detect these acoustic waves in water and signals were read out on an oscilloscope. Results: Peaks and troughs in the detected acoustic signals were found to correspond to the location of gradients in the deposited dose distribution following both photon and electron irradiation. Signal amplitude was linearly related to the dose per pulse deposited by photon or electron beams at the depth of detection. Flattening filter free beams induced large acoustic signals, and signal amplitude decreased with depth after the depth of maximum dose. Varying the field size resulted in a temporal shift of the acoustic signal peaks and a change in the detected signal frequency. Conclusion: Acoustic waves can be detected in a water tank following irradiation by linac photon and electron beams with basic electronics, and have characteristics related to the deposited dose distribution. The physical location of dose gradients and the amount of dose deposited can be inferred from the location and magnitude of acoustic signal peaks. Thus, the detection of induced acoustic waves could be applied to photon and electron water tank and in vivo dosimetry. This work was supported in part by CIHR grants MOP-114910 and MOP-136774. S.H. acknowledges support by the NSERC CREATE Medical Physics Research Training Network grant 432290.« less

The Diagnostics of the External Plasma for the Plasma Rocket

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karr, Gerald R.

1997-01-01

The plasma rocket is located at NASA Johnson Space Center. To produce a thrust in space. an inert gas is ionized into a plasma and heated in the linear section of a tokamak fusion device to 1 x 10(exp 4) - 1.16 x 10(exp 6)K(p= 10(exp 10) - 10(exp 14)/cu cm ). The magnetic field used to contain the plasma has a magnitude of 2 - 10k Gauss. The plasma plume has a variable thrust and specific impulse. A high temperature retarding potential analyzer (RPA) is being developed to characterize the plasma in the plume and at the edge of the magnetically contained plasma. The RPA measures the energy and density of ions or electrons entering into its solid angle of collection. An oscilloscope displays the ion flux versus the collected current. All measurements are made relative to the facility ground. A RPA is being developed in a process which involves the investigation of several prototypes. The first prototype has been tested on a thermal plasma. The knowledge gained from its development and testing were applied to the development of a RPA for collimated plasma. The prototypes consist of four equally spaced grids and an ion collector. The outermost grid is a ground. The second grid acts as a bias to repel electrons. The third is a variable v voltage ion suppressor. Grid four (inner grid) acts to repel secondary electrons, being biased equal to the first. Knowledge gained during these two stages are being applied to the development of a high temperature RPA Testing of this device involves the determination of its output parameters. sensitivity, and responses to a wide range of energies and densities. Each grid will be tested individually by changing only its voltage and observing the output from the RPA. To verify that the RPA is providing proper output. it is compared to the output from a Langmuir or Faraday probe.

VHF Broadband Digital Interferometer for Real-time Operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawasaki, Z. I.; Morimoto, T.; Akita, M.; Nakamura, Y.; Ushio, T.

2008-12-01

Lightning Research Group of Osaka University (LRG-OU) has been developing a VHF lightning mapper, Broadband Digital Interferometer (BDITF), to investigate lightning initiation and progression since 1995. When LRG-OU started the project, a multichannel digital storage oscilloscope was deployed to record VHF waveforms emitted by lightning discharges. VHF broadband antenna and necessary electronics like an amplifier were redesigned. Original VHF BDITF was operated in a rocket-triggered lightning experiment during winter thunderstorm season in Hokuriku, Japan. The first observation by BDITF was a rocket-triggered lightning, which lowered the positive charge to the ground. That meant ascending negative breakdown propagation was recorded, and LRG-OU obtained the lightning channel image by upward triggered lightning. Since LRGOU could validate the function and capability of BDITF through several field campaigns, a project to design and manufacture a special analog to digital converter for BDITF was initiated in 1998. Moreover software for a real-time data processing was developed. The first system of new BDITF was operated during a filed campaign in 2003, and lightning channels in two dimensions (2D), which meant azimuth and elevation format, were able to be reconstructed in a several seconds after occurrence of lightning flash. The BDITF system was considered to be an operational system recently. For three dimensional (3D) imaging, two sites operation of BDITF and post data processing of the triangulation are required. LRG-OU learned the bi- directional leader progression, possible charge distribution related to the leader initiation, and the speed of the leader propagation by the 3D imaging. The achievement of BDITF technique by LRG-OU gives us the chance of deployment and operation of the system around the rocket launching site of JAXA on the Tanegashima island. This operation is expected to contribute the go/no-go judgment of rocket launching by JAXA because of the now casting the location of lightning discharges. LRG-OU also joins in the several satellite projects. BDITF system which can be deployed on the satellite and/or space station is manufactured. The first VHF system is expected to be in the space in early 2009.

A television scanner for the ultracentrifuge. II. Multiple cell operation.

PubMed

Rockholt, D L; Royce, C R; Richards, E G

1976-07-01

The "Optical Multichannel Analyzer" (OMA) is a commercially available instrument that with the absorption optical system of the ultracentrifuge, provides an entire 500 channel intensity profile of a cell in real time. With its own analog-todigital converter, the OMA integrates a selectable number of 32.8 msec scans to provide a time-averaged image in digital form. This paper describes an interface-controller for operation of the OMA with single- and double-sector cells in multi-cell rotors, simulating double-beam measurement required for absorbance determinations. The desired sector is selected by "gating" the intensifier stage of a "Silicon Intensified Target" vidicon (SIT) used as the light detector. The cell location in the rotor and the position of the gate relative to the cell centerline is obtained from a phase-locked loop circuit which divides each rotation of the rotor into 3600 parts independent of rotor speed. (This circuit employed with photo-multiplier scanners would select the gate position for integration of photomultiplier pulses.) From examination of appropriate signals with an oscilloscope, it was verified that gate positions and widths are located with an accuracy of 0.1degree or better and with a precision of +/- 0.1 mus. The light intensity profile for any desired cell can be examined in "real time", even during acceleration of the rotor. Additional circuits employing a 10 MHz crystal clock 1) control the automatic collection of data for all sectors in multicell rotors at digitally selected time intervals, 2) display the rotor speed, and 3) indicate the elapsed time of the experiment. Constructed but not tested are additional circuits for pulsing a laser into the absorption or Rayleigh optical system. The accuracy of the pulsed SIT has been demonstrated by measurement of absorbances of solutions and also by sedimentation equilibrium experiments with myoglobin. The estimated error is 0.003 for absorbances ranging from 0 to 1. The interface-controller operates extremely well, but problems related to the pulsed SIT (optimum gate position relative to the sector opening shape of high-voltage pulse, slight pincushion distortion) require more work.

Using Piezoelectric Ceramics for Dust Mitigation of Space Suits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Angel, Heather K.

2004-01-01

The particles that make up moon dust and Mars soil can be hazardous to an astronaut s health if not handled properly. In the near future, while exploring outer space, astronauts plan to wander the surfaces of unknown planets. During these explorations, dust and soil will cling to their space suits and become imbedded in the fabric. The astronauts will track moon dust and mars soil back into their living quarters. This not only will create a mess with millions of tiny air-born particles floating around, but will also be dangerous in the case that the fine particles are breathed in and become trapped in an astronaut s lungs. research center are investigating ways to remove these particles from space suits. This problem is very difficult due to the nature of the particles: They are extremely small and have jagged edges which can easily latch onto the fibers of the fabric. For the past summer, I have been involved in researching the potential problems, investigating ways to remove the particles, and conducting experiments to validate the techniques. The current technique under investigation uses piezoelectric ceramics imbedded in the fabric that vibrate and shake the particles free. The particles will be left on the planet s surface or collected a vacuum to be disposed of later. The ceramics vibrate when connected to an AC voltage supply and create a small scale motion similar to what people use at the beach to shake sand off of a beach towel. Because the particles are so small, similar to volcanic ash, caution must be taken to make sure that this technique does not further inbed them in the fabric and make removal more difficult. Only a very precise range of frequency and voltage will produce a suitable vibration. My summer project involved many experiments to determine the correct range. Analysis involved hands on experience with oscilloscopes, amplifiers, piezoelectrics, a high speed camera, microscopes and computers. perfect this technology. Someday, vibration to remove dust may a vital component to the space exploration program. In order to mitigate this problem, engineers and scientists at the NASA-Glenn Further research and experiments are planned to better understand and ultimately

Development of an S-band cavity-type beam position monitor for a high power THz free-electron laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noh, Seon Yeong; Kim, Eun-San; Hwang, Ji-Gwang; Heo, A.; won Jang, Si; Vinokurov, Nikolay A.; Jeong, Young UK; Hee Park, Seong; Jang, Kyu-Ha

2015-01-01

A cavity-type beam position monitor (BPM) has been developed for a compact terahertz (THz) free-electron laser (FEL) system and ultra-short pulsed electron Linac system at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). Compared with other types of BPMs, the cavity-type BPM has higher sensitivity and faster response time even at low charge levels. When electron beam passes through the cavity-type BPM, it excites the dipole mode of the cavity of which amplitude depends linearly on the beam offset from the center of the cavity. Signals from the BPM were measured as a function of the beam offset by using an oscilloscope. The microtron accelerator for the KAERI THz FEL produces the electron beam with an energy of 6.5 MeV and pulse length of 5 μs with a micropulse of 10-20 ps at the frequency of 2.801 GHz. The macropulse beam current is 40 mA. Because the microtron provides multi-bunch system, output signal would be the superposition of each single bunch. So high output signal can be obtained from superposition of each single bunch. The designed position resolution of the cavity-type BPM in multi-bunch is submicron. Our cavity-type BPM is made of aluminum and vacuum can be maintained by indium sealing without brazing process, resulting in easy modification and cost saving. The resonance frequency of the cavity-type BPM is 2.803 GHz and the cavity-type BPM dimensions are 200 × 220 mm (length × height) with a pipe diameter of 38 mm. The measured position sensitivity was 6.19 (mV/mm)/mA and the measured isolation between the X and Y axis was -39 dB. By measuring the thermal noise of system, position resolution of the cavity-type BPM was estimated to be less than 1 μm. In this article, we present the test results of the S-band cavity-type BPM and prove the feasibility of the beam position measurement with high resolution using this device.