Sample records for plasma switches

  1. Triggered plasma opening switch

    DOEpatents

    Mendel, Clifford W.

    1988-01-01

    A triggerable opening switch for a very high voltage and current pulse includes a transmission line extending from a source to a load and having an intermediate switch section including a plasma for conducting electrons between transmission line conductors and a magnetic field for breaking the plasma conduction path and magnetically insulating the electrons when it is desired to open the switch.

  2. Plasma opening switch

    DOEpatents

    Savage, Mark E.; Mendel, Jr., Clifford W.

    2001-01-01

    A command triggered plasma opening switch assembly using an amplification stage. The assembly surrounds a coaxial transmission line and has a main plasma opening switch (POS) close to the load and a trigger POS upstream from the main POS. The trigger POS establishes two different current pathways through the assembly depended on whether it has received a trigger current pulse. The initial pathway has both POS's with plasma between their anodes and cathodes to form a short across the transmission line and isolating the load. The final current pathway is formed when the trigger POS receives a trigger current pulse which energizes its fast coil to push the conductive plasma out from between its anode and cathode, allowing the main transmission line current to pass to the fast coil of the main POS, thus pushing its plasma out the way so as to establish a direct current pathway to the load.

  3. Characteristics of switching plasma in an inverse-pinch switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lee, Ja H.; Choi, Sang H.; Venable, Demetrius D.; Han, Kwang S.; Nam, Sang H.

    1993-01-01

    Characteristics of the plasma that switches on tens of giga volt-ampere in an inverse-pinch plasma switch (INPIStron) have been made. Through optical and spectroscopic diagnostics of the current carrying plasma, the current density, the motion of current paths, dominant ionic species have been determined in order to access their effects on circuit parameters and material erosion. Also the optimum operational condition of the plasma-puff triggering method required for azimuthally uniform conduction in the INPIStron has been determined.

  4. Multi-gap high impedance plasma opening switch

    DOEpatents

    Mason, R.J.

    1996-10-22

    A high impedance plasma opening switch having an anode and a cathode and at least one additional electrode placed between the anode and cathode is disclosed. The presence of the additional electrodes leads to the creation of additional plasma gaps which are in series, increasing the net impedance of the switch. An equivalent effect can be obtained by using two or more conventional plasma switches with their plasma gaps wired in series. Higher impedance switches can provide high current and voltage to higher impedance loads such as plasma radiation sources. 12 figs.

  5. Multi-gap high impedance plasma opening switch

    DOEpatents

    Mason, Rodney J.

    1996-01-01

    A high impedance plasma opening switch having an anode and a cathode and at least one additional electrode placed between the anode and cathode. The presence of the additional electrodes leads to the creation of additional plasma gaps which are in series, increasing the net impedance of the switch. An equivalent effect can be obtained by using two or more conventional plasma switches with their plasma gaps wired in series. Higher impedance switches can provide high current and voltage to higher impedance loads such as plasma radiation sources.

  6. Current-level triggered plasma-opening switch

    DOEpatents

    Mendel, Clifford W.

    1989-01-01

    An opening switch for very high power electrical pulses uses a slow magnetic field to confine a plasma across a gap between two electrodes. The plasma conducts the electric pulse across the gap while the switch is closed. A magnetic field generated by the pulse repels the slow magnetic field from the negative electrode to push the plasma from the electrode, opening the switch. A plurality of radial vanes may be used to enhance the slow magnetic field.

  7. Current-level triggered plasma-opening switch

    DOEpatents

    Mendel, C.W.

    1987-06-29

    An opening switch for very high power electrical pulses uses a slow magnetic field to confine a plasma across a gap between two electrodes. The plasma conducts the electric pulse across the gap while the switch is closed. A magnetic field generated by the pulse repels the slow magnetic field from the negative electrode to push the plasma from the electrode, opening the switch. A plurality of radial vanes may be used to enhance the slow magnetic field. 5 figs.

  8. Research on plasma-puff initiation of high Coulomb transfer switches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Venable, Demetrius D.; Han, Kwang S.

    1993-01-01

    The plasma-puff triggering mechanism based on hypocycloidal pinch geometry was investigated to determine the optimal operating conditions for an azimuthally uniform surface flashover which initiates plasma-puff under wide ranges of fill gas pressures of Ar, He and N2. Research is presented and resulting conference papers are attached. These papers include 'Characteristics of Plasma-Puff Trigger for an Inverse-Pinch Plasma Switch'; 'Ultra-High-Power Plasma Switch INPUTS for Pulse Power Systems'; 'Characteristics of Switching Plasma in an Inverse-Pinch Switch'; 'Comparative Study of INPIStron and Spark Gap'; and 'INPIStron Switched Pulsed Power for Dense Plasma Pinches.'

  9. Plasma-puff initiation of high Coulomb transfer switches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Han, Kwang S.; Venable, Demetrius D.; Lee, Ja H.; Choi, Eun H.; Kim, Y. K.; Kim, J. H.; Nguyen, D. X.

    1993-01-01

    The plasma-puff triggering mechanism based on a hypocycloidal pinch geometry was investigated to determine the optimal operating conditions for an azimuthally uniform surface flashover which initiates plasma-puff under wide ranges of fill gas pressures of Ar, He and N2. The optimal fill gas pressures for the azimuthally uniform plasma-puff were about 120 mTorr less than P(sub opt) less than 450 Torr for He and N2. For Argon 20 mTorr is less than P(sub opt) is less than 5 Torr. The inverse pinch switch was triggered with the plasma-puff and the switching capability under various electrical parameters and working gas pressures of Ar, He and N2 was determined. It was also shown that the azimuthally uniform switching discharges were dependent on the type of fill gas and its fill pressure. A new concept of plasma-focus driven plasma-puff was also discussed in comparison with hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff triggering. The main discharge of the inverse pinch switch with the plasma-focus driven plasma-puff trigger is found to be more azimuthally uniform than that with the hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff trigger in a gas pressure region between 80 mTorr and 1 Torr. In order to assess the effects of plasma current density on material erosion of electrodes, emissions from both an inverse-pinch plasma switch (INPIStron) and from a spark gap switch under test were studied with an optical multichannel analyzer (OMA). The color temperature of the argon plasma was approximately 4,000 K which corresponded with the peak continuum emission near 750 nm. There are the strong line emissions of argon in the 650 - 800 nm range and a lack of line emissions of copper and other solid material used in the switch. This indicates that the plasma current density during closing is low and the hot spot or hot filament in the switch is negligible. This result also indicates considerable reduction of line emission with the INPIStron switch over that of a spark-gap switch. However, a strong carbon

  10. Plasma-puff initiation of high Coulomb transfer switches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Venable, D. D.; Han, K. S.

    1993-01-01

    The plasma-puff triggering mechanism based on a hypocycloidal pinch geometry was investigated to determine the optimal operating conditions for an azimuthally uniform surface flashover which initiates plasma-puff under wide ranges of fill gas pressures of Ar, He and N2. The optimal fill gas pressures for the azimuthally uniform plasma-puff were about 120 mTorr less than P(opt) less than 450 Torr for He and N2. For Argon 120 mTorr less than P(opt) less than 5 Torr for argon. The inverse pinch switch was triggered with the plasma-puff and the switching capability under various electrical parameters and working gas pressures of Ar, He and N2 was determined. It was also shown that the azimuthally uniform switching discharges were dependent on the type of fill gas and its fill pressure. A new concept of plasma-focus driven plasma-puff was also discussed in comparison with hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff triggering. The main discharge of the inverse pinch switch with the plasma-focus driven plasma-puff trigger is found to be more azimuthally uniform than that with the hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff trigger in a gas pressure region between 80 mTorr and 1 Torr. In order to assess the effects of plasma current density on material erosion of electrodes, emissions from both an inverse-pinch plasma switch (INPIStron) and from a spark gap switch under test were studied with an optical multichannel analyzer (OMA). The color temperature of the argon plasma was approximately 4,000 K which corresponded with the peak continuum emission near 750 nm. There are the strong line emissions of argon in the 650 - 800 nm range and a lack of line emissions of copper and other solid material used in the switch. This indicates that the plasma current density during closing is low and the hot spot or hot filament in the switch is negligible. This result also indicates considerable reduction of line emission with the INPIStron switch over that of a spark-gap switch. However, a strong carbon line

  11. Plasma puff initiation of high Coulomb transfer switches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Venable, D. D.; Choi, E. H.

    1990-01-01

    The plasma-puff triggering mechanism based on a hypocycloidal pinch geometry was investigated to determine the optimal operating conditions for the azimuthally uniform surface flashover which initiates plasma-puff under wide range of fill gas pressure of Ar, He and N2. The optimal fill gas pressure for the azimuthally uniform plasma-puff was about 120 mTorr and 450 Torr for He and N2, and between 120 mTorr and 5 Torr for Ar. The inverse pinch switch was triggered with the plasma-puff and the switching capability under various electrical parameters and working gas pressures of Ar, He and N2 was determined. It was also shown that the azimuthally uniform switching discharges were dependent on the type of fill gas and its fill pressure. A new concept of plasma-focus driven plasma-puff was also discussed in comparison with the hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff triggering. The main discharge of inverse pinch switch with plasma-focus driven plasma-puff trigger is found to be more azimuthally uniform than that with hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff trigger in a gas pressure region between 80 mTorr and 1 Torr.

  12. Plasma Switch Development.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-06-08

    Appendix II), the progress to date will be detailed here. II° K -BEAM CONTROLLED SWITCH The EBCS is an opening switch concept that has the potential for...such plasma in ᝺ uis. To accurately assess the viability of this scheme, more effort than what was provided to date is required. 0 00 LL k CCj2 E - w...1962 e+A* -A +A (2) ... 2OOOz t~ -- whs A is, in enera, any positive molecular ion (simple or cluster ) of species A. We define the effective rate at

  13. Characteristics of plasma-puff trigger for a inverse-pinch plasma switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Choi, Eun H.; Venable, Demetrius D.; Han, Kwang S.; Lee, Ja H.

    1993-01-01

    The plasma-puff triggering mechanism based on a hypocycloidal pinch geometry was investigated to determine the optimal operating conditions for the azimuthally uniform surface flashover which initiates plasma-puff under wide ranges of fill gas pressure of Ar, He and N2. The optimal fill-gas pressure range for the azimuthally uniform plasma-puff was about 120 mTorr less than or equal to P(sub op) less than or equal to 450 Torr for He and N2. For Argon 120 mTorr is less than or equal to P(sub op) is less than or equal to 5 Torr. The inverse-pinch switch was triggered with the plasma-puff and the switching capability under various electrical parameters and working gas pressures of Ar, He and N2 was determined. The azimuthally uniform switching discharges were dependent on the type of fill gas and its fill pressure. A new concept of plasma-focus driven plasma-puff will be discussed in comparison with the current hypocycloidal-pinch plasma-puff triggering.

  14. Megavolt, Multigigawatt Pulsed Plasma Switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lee, Ja H.; Choi, Sang H.; Song, Kyo D.

    1996-01-01

    Plasma switch proposed for use in high-voltage, high-current pulse power system. Designed not only to out-perform conventional spark-gap switch but also relatively compact and lightweight. Features inverse-pinch configuration to prevent constriction of current sheets into filaments, plus multiple-ring-electrode structure to resist high-voltage breakdown.

  15. Space-time evolution of ejected plasma for the triggering of gas switch

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

    Liu, Shanhong, E-mail: liushanhong108098@163.com; Liu, Xuandong; Shen, Xi

    2016-06-15

    Ejected plasma has been widely applied to the discharge process of gas spark switches as a trigger technology, and the development process of ejected plasma has a direct and important effect on the discharge characteristics of gas switches. In this paper, both the injection characteristics and space-time evolution of ejected plasma for the triggering of gas spark switch with different stored energies, pulse polarities, and pressures are studied. The discharge characteristics and breakdown process of a gas switch ignited by ejected plasma under different working coefficients are also discussed briefly. The results show that stored energy has significant influence onmore » the characteristics of ejected plasma. With the increase of stored energy, the propulsion mode of ejected plasma in the axial direction transforms from “plasmoid” to “plasma flow,” and the distribution of the ejected plasma goes through “cloud,” “core-cloud,” and “branch” in sequence. The velocity of ejected plasma under negative pulse polarity is obviously higher than that under positive pulse polarity, especially at the very beginning time. The radial dimensions of ejected plasma under two kinds of pulse polarities follow the similar varying pattern over time, which increase first and then decrease, assuming an inverted “U”-shaped curve. With the increase of pressure, the velocity of ejected plasma significantly decreases and the “branch” channels droop earlier. Applying the ejected plasma to the triggering of a gas switch, the switch can be triggered reliably in a much wide working coefficient range of 10%–90%. With the increase of working coefficient, the breakdown process of the switch translates from slow working mode to fast working mode, and the delay time reduces from tens of μs to hundreds of ns.« less

  16. Restrike Particle Beam Experiments on a Dense Plasma Focus. Opening Switch Research on a Dense Plasma Focus.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-06-01

    Research on this grant has focused on plasma focus experiments in the areas of particle beam generation and as a potential repetitive opening switch...as were scaling laws for the increase of electron energy and current with input energy. The potential of the plasma focus as an opening switch was...delay line technique. The observed frequencies were most consistent with the lower hybrid frequency. Keywords include: Dense Plasma Focus , Particle Beam Generation, Opening Switch, Load Experiments, Pulsed Power.

  17. Spectroscopic investigation of species separation in opening switch plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jackson, S. L.; Phipps, D. G.; Richardson, A. S.; Commisso, R. J.; Hinshelwood, D. D.; Murphy, D. P.; Schumer, J. W.; Weber, B. V.; Boyer, C. N.; Doron, R.; Biswas, S.; Maron, Y.

    2015-11-01

    Interactions between magnetic fields and current-carrying plasmas that lead to the separation of plasma species in multi-species plasmas are being studied in a plasma opening switch geometry. Several Marshall guns are used to inject single or multi-species plasmas between coaxial conductors connected to the output of the Naval Research Laboratory's Hawk pulsed-power generator. Following injection of the plasma, the generator is used at roughly half power to apply an electrical pulse with a peak current of 450 kA, a peak voltage of 400 kV, and a rise time of 1.2 μs. The resulting magnetic field interacts with the plasma through a combination of field penetration and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pushing that is not well understood but can lead to the separation of plasma species in multi-species plasmas. An ICCD-coupled spectrometer has been used in combination with magnetic probes, a ribbon-beam interferometer, and particle-in-cell (PIC) modeling to diagnose and understand conditions in the plasma from the time it is injected until the end of the conduction phase of the opening switch. This work supported by the Naval Research Laboratory Base Program and the Office of Naval Research.

  18. Plasma density evolution in plasma opening switch obtained by a time-resolved sensitive He-Ne interferometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Lin; Ren, Jing; Guo, Fan; Zhou, LiangJi; Li, Ye; He, An; Jiang, Wei

    2014-03-01

    To understand the formation process of vacuum gap in coaxial microsecond conduction time plasma opening switch (POS), we have made measurements of the line-integrated plasma density during switch operation using a time-resolved sensitive He-Ne interferometer. The conduction current and conduction time in experiments are about 120 kA and 1 μs, respectively. As a result, more than 85% of conduction current has been transferred to an inductive load with rise time of 130 ns. The radial dependence of the density is measured by changing the radial location of the line-of-sight for shots with the same nominal POS parameters. During the conduction phase, the line-integrated plasma density in POS increases at all radial locations over the gun-only case by further ionization of material injected from the guns. The current conduction is observed to cause a radial redistribution of the switch plasma. A vacuum gap forms rapidly in the plasma at 5.5 mm from the center conductor, which is consistent with the location where magnetic pressure is the largest, allowing current to be transferred from the POS to the load.

  19. INPIStron switched pulsed power for dense plasma pinches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Han, Kwang S.; Lee, Ja H.

    1993-01-01

    The inverse plasma switch INPIStron was employed for 10kJ/40kV capacitor bank discharge system to produce focused dense plasmas in hypocycloidal-pinch (HCP) devices. A single unit and an array of multiple HCP's were coupled as the load of the pulsed power circuit. The geometry and switching plasma dynamics were found advantageous and convenient for commutating the large current pulse from the low impedance transmission line to the low impedance plasma load. The pulse power system with a single unit HCP, the system A, was used for production of high temperature plasma focus and its diagnostics. The radially running down plasma dynamics, revealed in image converter photographs, could be simulated by a simple snow-plow model with a correction for plasma resistivity. The system B with an array of 8-HCP units which forms a long coaxial discharge chamber was used for pumping a Ti-sapphire laser. The intense UV emission from the plasma was frequency shifted with dye-solution jacket to match the absorption band of the Ti crystal laser near 500 nm. An untuned laser pulse energy of 0.6 J/pulse was obtained for 6.4 kJ/40 kV discharge, or near 103 times of the explosion limit of conventional flash lamps. For both systems the advantages of the INPIStron were well demonstrated: a single unit is sufficient for a large current (greater than 50 kA) without increasing the system impedance, highly reliable and long life operation and implied scalability for the high power ranges above I(sub peak) = 1 MA and V(sub hold) = 100 kV.

  20. Studies of the Plasma Triggering Mechanism of Inverse Pinch Switch

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-11-10

    plasma - focus driven plasma-puff was also discussed in comparison with the hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff triggering. The main discharge of inverse pinch switch with plasma - focus driven plasma-puff trigger is found to be more azimuthally uniform than that with hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff trigger in a gas pressure region between 80 mTorr and 1 Torr. A comparative study of the INPIStron and a spark gap also reveals that the INPIStron with a low impedance Z = 9 ohms can transfer a high voltage pulse with a superior pulse-shape fidelity over that with

  1. Plasma Switch for High-Power Active Pulse Compressor

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

    Hirshfield, Jay L.

    2013-11-04

    Results are presented from experiments carried out at the Naval Research Laboratory X-band magnicon facility on a two-channel X-band active RF pulse compressor that employed plasma switches. Experimental evidence is shown to validate the basic goals of the project, which include: simultaneous firing of plasma switches in both channels of the RF circuit, operation of quasi-optical 3-dB hybrid directional coupler coherent superposition of RF compressed pulses from both channels, and operation of the X-band magnicon directly in the RF pulse compressor. For incident 1.2 ?s pulses in the range 0.63 ? 1.35 MW, compressed pulses of peak powers 5.7 ?more » 11.3 MW were obtained, corresponding to peak power gain ratios of 8.3 ? 9.3. Insufficient bakeout and conditioning of the high-power RF circuit prevented experiments from being conducted at higher RF input power levels.« less

  2. Plasma-filled applied B ion diode experiments using a plasma opening switch

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

    Renk, T.J.

    1994-12-15

    In order for a plasma opening switch (POS) to open quickly and transfer power efficiently from an inductively charged vacuum transmission line to an applied B ion diode, the load impedance of the ion diode may be required to have an initial low impedance phase. A plasma-filled diode has such an impedance history. To test the effect of a plasma-filled diode on POS-diode coupling, a drifting plasma was introduced from the cathode side of an applied B ion diode operated on the LION accelerator (1.5 MV, 4 [Omega], 40 ns) at Cornell University. This plasma readily crossed the 2.1 Tmore » magnetic insulation field of the diode, and resulted in both increased diode electrical power, and an increased ability of the ion beam to remove material from a target. The plasma did not appear to have a noticeable effect on local beam steering angle.« less

  3. High Voltage, Fast-Switching Module for Active Control of Magnetic Fields and Edge Plasma Currents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ziemba, Timothy; Miller, Kenneth; Prager, James; Slobodov, Ilia

    2016-10-01

    Fast, reliable, real-time control of plasma is critical to the success of magnetic fusion science. High voltage and current supplies are needed to mitigate instabilities in all experiments as well as disruption events in large scale tokamaks for steady-state operation. Silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs offer many advantages over IGBTs including lower drive energy requirements, lower conduction and switching losses, and higher switching frequency capabilities; however, these devices are limited to 1.2-1.7 kV devices. As fusion enters the long-pulse and burning plasma eras, efficiency of power switching will be important. Eagle Harbor Technologies (EHT), Inc. developing a high voltage SiC MOSFET module that operates at 10 kV. This switch module utilizes EHT gate drive technology, which has demonstrated the ability to increase SiC MOSFET switching efficiency. The module will allow more rapid development of high voltage switching power supplies at lower cost necessary for the next generation of fast plasma feedback and control. EHT is partnering with the High Beta Tokamak group at Columbia to develop detailed high voltage module specifications, to ensure that the final product meets the needs of the fusion science community.

  4. Radiation hard vacuum switch

    DOEpatents

    Boettcher, Gordon E.

    1990-01-01

    A vacuum switch with an isolated trigger probe which is not directly connected to the switching electrodes. The vacuum switch within the plasmatron is triggered by plasma expansion initiated by the trigger probe which travels through an opening to reach the vacuum switch elements. The plasma arc created is directed by the opening to the space between the anode and cathode of the vacuum switch to cause conduction.

  5. Radiation hard vacuum switch

    DOEpatents

    Boettcher, Gordon E.

    1990-03-06

    A vacuum switch with an isolated trigger probe which is not directly connected to the switching electrodes. The vacuum switch within the plasmatron is triggered by plasma expansion initiated by the trigger probe which travels through an opening to reach the vacuum switch elements. The plasma arc created is directed by the opening to the space between the anode and cathode of the vacuum switch to cause conduction.

  6. Plasma treatment switches the regime of wetting and floating of pepper seeds.

    PubMed

    Shapira, Yekaterina; Multanen, Victor; Whyman, Gene; Bormashenko, Yelena; Chaniel, Gilad; Barkay, Zahava; Bormashenko, Edward

    2017-09-01

    Cold radiofrequency plasma treatment modified wetting and floating regimes of pepper seeds. The wetting regime of plasma-treated seeds was switched from the Wenzel-like partial wetting to the complete wetting. No hydrophobic recovery following the plasma treatment was registered. Environmental scanning electron microscopy of the fine structure of the (three-phase) triple line observed with virgin and plasma-treated seeds is reported. Plasma treatment promoted rapid sinking of pepper seeds placed on the water/air interface. Plasma treatment did not influence the surface topography of pepper seeds, while charged them electrically. Electrostatic repulsion of floating plasma-treated seeds was observed. The surface charge density was estimated from the data extracted from floating of charged seeds and independently with the electrostatic pendulum as σ≈1-2μC/m 2 . Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Experimental investigation on the effect of plasma jet in the triggered discharge process of a gas switch

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

    Tie, W., E-mail: twh.110.666@163.com, E-mail: 84470220@qq.com; Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049; Liu, S.

    The temporal and spatial evolution of a plasma jet generated by a spark discharge was observed. The electron temperature and density were obtained under different time and gas pressures by optical emission spectroscopy. Moreover, the discharge process of the plasma-jet triggered gas switch was recorded and analyzed at the lowest working coefficient. The results showed that the plasma jet moved forward in a bullet mode, and the advancing velocity increased with the decrease of pressure, and decreased with time growing. At initial time, the maximum velocity of a plasma jet could reach 3.68 × 10{sup 6 }cm/s. The electron temperature decreased from 2.0 eVmore » to 1.3 eV, and the electron density increased from 3.1 × 10{sup 15}/cm{sup 3} to 6.3 × 10{sup 15}/cm{sup 3} at the initial moment as the gas pressure increases from 0.1 MPa to 0.32 MPa. For a two-gap gas switch, the discharge performances were more depended on the second discharge spark gap (gap 2). Because plasma jet promoted the discharge in Gap 2, the gas switch operating in mode II had better triggered discharge characteristics. In the discharge process, the plasma-jet triggering had the effect of non-penetrating inducing, which not only provided initial electrons for reducing statistical lag but also enhanced the local electric field. The discharge was initiated and accelerated from electron avalanche to streamer. Therefore, a fast discharge was occurred in the gas switch.« less

  8. A radiation hard vacuum switch

    DOEpatents

    Boettcher, G.E.

    1988-07-19

    A vacuum switch with an isolated trigger probe which is not directly connected to the switching electrodes. The vacuum switch within the plasmatron is triggered by plasma expansion initiated by the trigger probe which travels through an opening to reach the vacuum switch elements. The plasma arc created is directed by the opening to the space between the anode and cathode of the vacuum switch to cause conduction. 3 figs.

  9. 20 kA PFN capacitor bank with solid-state switching. [pulse forming network for plasma studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Posta, S. J.; Michels, C. J.

    1973-01-01

    A compact high-current pulse-forming network capacitor bank using paralleled silicon controlled rectifiers as switches is described. The maximum charging voltage of the bank is 1kV and maximum load current is 20 kA. The necessary switch equalization criteria and performance with dummy load and an arc plasma generator are described.

  10. A novel low-jitter plasma-jet triggered gas switch operated at a low working coefficient.

    PubMed

    Tie, Weihao; Liu, Shanhong; Liu, Xuandong; Zhang, Qiaogen; Pang, Lei; Liu, Longchen

    2014-02-01

    In this paper, we described the fabrication and testing of a novel plasma-jet triggered gas switch (PJTGS) operated at extremely low working coefficients with excellent triggered jitters. While the structure of the PJTGS is similar to that of a traditional three-electrode field-distortion gas switch, to improve its triggered performance we used a conical micro-plasma-gun with a needle-to-plate spark gap embedded in the trigger electrode. Applying a nanosecond pulse to the trigger electrode caused a spark discharge in the micro-plasma-gun. The electric field drove the discharge plasma to spray into the spark gap of the gas switch, causing fast breakdown. We tested the PJTGS with charging voltages of ±25 kV and a trigger voltage of +80 kV (5 ns rise time and 80 ns full width at half maximum) in two working modes. The PJTGS operated in Mode II had a lower triggered jitter and could be operated over a wider range of working coefficients than in Mode I under the same conditions. At working coefficients higher than 70%, we obtained sub-ns triggered jitters (<0.89 ns) from the PJTGS, at working coefficients lower than 50%, we obtained triggered jitters of 1.6-3.5 ns without no-fires or pre-fires. Even at a working coefficient of 27.4%, the PJTGS could still be triggered reliably with a delay time of 96.1 ns and a triggered jitter of 3.5 ns, respectively.

  11. Rilpivirine exposure in plasma and sanctuary site compartments after switching from nevirapine-containing combined antiretroviral therapy.

    PubMed

    Mora-Peris, Borja; Watson, Victoria; Vera, Jaime H; Weston, Rosy; Waldman, Adam D; Kaye, Steve; Khoo, Saye; Mackie, Nicola E; Back, David; Winston, Alan

    2014-06-01

    Pharmacokinetic parameters following modifications to antiretroviral therapy and sanctuary site exposure are often unknown for recently licensed antiretrovirals. We assessed plasma, CSF and seminal plasma (SP) exposure of rilpivirine after switching from nevirapine. HIV-infected male subjects receiving tenofovir/emtricitabine/nevirapine (245/200/400 mg) once daily switched to tenofovir/emtricitabine/rilpivirine (245/200/25 mg) once daily for 60 days when CSF and semen samples were collected. Mean and individual plasma concentrations of nevirapine and rilpivirine were compared with the proposed plasma target concentration for nevirapine (3000 ng/mL) and the protein binding-adjusted EC90 for rilpivirine (12.1 ng/mL). Mean rilpivirine CSF and SP concentrations were calculated and individual values compared with the EC50 and EC90 for wild-type virus (0.27 and 0.66 ng/mL, respectively). Of 13 subjects completing study procedures including CSF examination, 8 provided seminal samples. By day 3, the mean plasma rilpivirine trough concentration was 29.7 ng/mL (95% CI: 23.8-37). No patient presented rilpivirine plasma concentrations under the proposed threshold. The mean rilpivirine concentration in CSF was 0.8 ng/mL (95% CI: 0.7-1.0), representing a CSF : plasma ratio of 1.4%, with concentrations above the EC90 in 85% (11/13) of patients. In SP, the mean rilpivirine concentration was 4.9 ng/mL (95% CI: 3.3-7.2), representing an SP : plasma ratio of 9.5%, with all concentrations above the EC90. Switching from nevirapine- to rilpivirine-containing antiretroviral therapy was safe and well tolerated, with plasma rilpivirine concentrations above the protein binding-adjusted EC90 in all subjects. Rilpivirine concentrations were always above the EC50 in the CSF and the EC90 in SP. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  12. Observations of two-dimensional magnetic field evolution in a plasma opening switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shpitalnik, R.; Weingarten, A.; Gomberoff, K.; Krasik, Ya.; Maron, Y.

    1998-03-01

    The time dependent magnetic field distribution was studied in a coaxial 100-ns positive-polarity Plasma Opening Switch (POS) by observing the Zeeman effect in ionic line emission. Measurements local in three dimensions are obtained by doping the plasma using laser evaporation techniques. Fast magnetic field penetration with a relatively sharp magnetic field front (⩽1 cm) is observed at the early stages of the pulse (t≲25). Later in the pulse, the magnetic field is observed at the load-side edge of the plasma, leaving "islands" of low magnetic field at the plasma center that last for about 10 ns. The two-dimensional (2-D) structure of the magnetic field in the r,z plane is compared to the results of an analytical model based on electron-magneto-hydrodynamics, that utilizes the measured 2-D plasma density distribution and assumes fast magnetic field penetration along both POS electrodes. The model results provide quantitative explanation for the magnetic field evolution observed.

  13. Vacuum testing of a miniaturised switch mode amplifier powering an electrothermal plasma micro-thruster

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Charles, Christine; Liang, Wei; Raymond, Luke; Rivas-Davila, Juan; Boswell, Roderick W.

    2017-08-01

    A structurally supportive miniaturised low-weight (≤150 g) radiofrequency switch mode amplifier developed to power the small diameter Pocket Rocket electrothermal plasma micro-thruster called MiniPR is tested in vacuum conditions representative of space to demonstrate its suitability for use on nano-satellites such as `CubeSats'. Argon plasma characterisation is carried out by measuring the optical emission signal seen through the plenum window versus frequency (12.8-13.8 MHz) and the plenum cavity pressure increase (indicative of thrust generation from volumetric gas heating in the plasma cavity) versus power (1-15 Watts) with the amplifier operating at atmospheric pressure and a constant flow rate of 20 sccm. Vacuum testing is subsequently performed by measuring the operational frequency range of the amplifier as a function of gas flow rate. The switch mode amplifier design is finely tuned to the input impedance of the thruster ˜16 pF) to provide a power efficiency of 88 % at the resonant frequency and a direct feed to a low-loss (˜ 10 %) impedance matching network. This system provides successful plasma coupling at 1.54 Watts for all investigated flow rates (10-130 sccm) for cryogenic pumping speeds of the order of 6000 l.s^{-1} and a vacuum pressure of the order of ˜ 2x10^{-5} Torr during operation. Interestingly, the frequency bandwidth for which a plasma can be coupled increases from 0.04 to 0.4 MHz when the gas flow rate is increased, probably as a result of changes in the plasma impedance.

  14. A Tesla-pulse forming line-plasma opening switch pulsed power generator.

    PubMed

    Novac, B M; Kumar, R; Smith, I R

    2010-10-01

    A pulsed power generator based on a high-voltage Tesla transformer which charges a 3.85 Ω/55 ns water-filled pulse forming line to 300 kV has been developed at Loughborough University as a training tool for pulsed power students. The generator uses all forms of insulation specific to pulsed power technology, liquid (oil and water), gas (SF(6)), and magnetic insulation in vacuum, and a number of fast voltage and current sensors are implemented for diagnostic purposes. A miniature (centimeter-size) plasma opening switch has recently been coupled to the output of the pulse forming line, with the overall system comprising the first phase of a program aimed at the development of a novel repetitive, table-top generator capable of producing 15 GW pulses for high power microwave loads. Technical details of all the generator components and the main experimental results obtained during the program and demonstrations of their performance are presented in the paper, together with a description of the various diagnostic tools involved. In particular, it is shown that the miniature plasma opening switch is capable of reducing the rise time of the input current while significantly increasing the load power. Future plans are outlined in the conclusions.

  15. Simulation of the Plasma Afterglow in the Discharge Gap of a Subnanosecond Switch Based on an Open Discharge in Helium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alexandrov, A. L.; Schweigert, I. V.

    2018-05-01

    The phenomenon of subnanosecond electrical breakdown in a strong electric field observed in an open discharge in helium at pressures of 6-20 Torr can be used to create ultrafast plasma switches triggering into a conducting state for a time shorter than 1 ns. To evaluate the possible repetition rate of such a subnanosecond switch, it is interesting to study the decay dynamics of the plasma remaining in the discharge gap after ultrafast breakdown. In this paper, a kinetic model based on the particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision method is used to study the dynamics of the plasma afterglow in the discharge gap of a subnanosecond switch operating with helium at a pressure of 6 Torr. The simulation results show that the radiative, collisional-radiative, and three-body collision recombination mechanisms significantly contribute to the afterglow decay only while the plasma density remains higher than 1012 cm-3; the main mechanism of the further plasma decay is diffusion of plasma particles onto the wall. Therefore, the effect of recombination in the plasma bulk is observed only during the first 10-20 μs of the afterglow. Over nearly the same time, plasma electrons become thermalized. The afterglow time can be substantially reduced by applying a positive voltage U c to the cathode. Since diffusive losses are limited by the ion mobility, the additional ion drift toward the wall significantly accelerates plasma decay. As U c increases from 0 to +500 V, the characteristic time of plasma decay is reduced from 35 to 10 μs.

  16. Atomic Processes in a Plasma Opening Switch.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klepper, C. C.; Moschella, J. J.; Hazelton, R. C.; Yadlowsky, E. J.; Maron, Y.

    1998-11-01

    Detailed measurements of carbon emission have been carried out in a Plasma Opening Switch (POS) with a planar geometry, in order to characterize the plasma conditions and the ionization process in the POS. Emission from various transitions of C^circ to C^3+ has been measured as a function of time from several viewing chords. For these experiments, the POS was operated with a shorted load at 130kA and with a ~700ns conduction time. A single-chord, heterodyne interferometer measured the electron density evolution along a chord coincident with one of the spectroscopic views. The passage of the ionization front across the line of sight is witnessed by both diagnostics. The data are interpreted by analyzing the time-dependent atomic processes. The measured ne rises from 1.5×10^15 to 3×10^15cm-3 as the current crosses the view. An initial electron temperature in the 1.3-2 eV range is obtained from the ratio of the C II 4267 Åand 6578 Ålines. The time dependent line emission of the various charge states shows that Te rises to a few tens of eV at the peak current. The charge state distribution during the pulse will be discussed.

  17. Note: Design and investigation of a multichannel plasma-jet triggered gas switch.

    PubMed

    Tie, Weihao; Liu, Xuandong; Zhang, Qiaogen; Liu, Shanhong

    2014-07-01

    We described the fabrication and testing of a multichannel plasma-jet triggered gas switch (MPJTGS). A novel six-channel annular micro-plasma-gun was embedded in the trigger electrode to generate multichannel plasma jets as a nanosecond trigger pulse arrived. The gas breakdown in multiple sites of the spark gap was induced and fixed around jet orifices by the plasma jets. We tested the multichannel discharge characteristics of the MPJTGS in two working modes with charge voltage of 50 kV, trigger voltage of +40 kV (25 ns rise time), and trigger energy of 240 J, 32 J, and 2 J, respectively, at different working coefficients. Results show that the average number of discharge channels increased as the trigger energy increased, and decreased as the working coefficient decreased. At a working coefficient of 87.1% and trigger energy of 240 J, the average number of discharge channels in Mode II could reach 4.1.

  18. Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance the Differentiation of Human Switched Memory B Lymphocytes into Plasma Cells in Serum-Free Medium

    PubMed Central

    Gervais-St-Amour, Catherine

    2016-01-01

    The differentiation of human B lymphocytes into plasma cells is one of the most stirring questions with regard to adaptive immunity. However, the terminal differentiation and survival of plasma cells are still topics with much to be discovered, especially when targeting switched memory B lymphocytes. Plasma cells can migrate to the bone marrow in response to a CXCL12 gradient and survive for several years while secreting antibodies. In this study, we aimed to get closer to niches favoring plasma cell survival. We tested low oxygen concentrations and coculture with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from human bone marrow. Besides, all cultures were performed using an animal protein-free medium. Overall, our model enables the generation of high proportions of CD38+CD138+CD31+ plasma cells (≥50%) when CD40-activated switched memory B lymphocytes were cultured in direct contact with mesenchymal stem cells. In these cultures, the secretion of CXCL12 and TGF-β, usually found in the bone marrow, was linked to the presence of MSC. The level of oxygen appeared less impactful than the contact with MSC. This study shows for the first time that expanded switched memory B lymphocytes can be differentiated into plasma cells using exclusively a serum-free medium. PMID:27872867

  19. Effects of the injected plasma on the breakdown process of the trigatron gas switch under low working coefficient

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Li; Yang, Lanjun; Qiu, Aici; Huang, Dong; Liu, Shuai

    2018-01-01

    Based on the surface flashover discharge, the injected plasma was generated, and the effects on the breakdown process of the trigatron gas switch were studied in this paper. The breakdown model caused by the injected plasma under the low working coefficient (<0.7) was established. The captured framing images showed that the injected plasma distorted the electrical field of the gap between the frontier of the injected plasma and the opposite electrode, making it easier to achieve the breakdown critical criterion. The calculation results indicated that the breakdown delay time was mainly decided by the development of the injected plasma, as without considering the effects of the photo-ionization and the invisible expansion process, the breakdown delay time of the calculation results was 20% higher than the experimental results. The morphology of the injected plasma generated by polyethylene surface flashover was more stable and regular than ceramic, leading to a 30% lower breakdown delay time when the working coefficient is larger than 0.2, and the difference increased sharply when the working coefficient is lower than 0.2. This was significant for improving the trigger performance of the trigatron gas switch under low working coefficient.

  20. Switching antipsychotics to aripiprazole or blonanserin and plasma monoamine metabolites levels in patients with schizophrenia.

    PubMed

    Miura, Itaru; Shiga, Tetsuya; Katsumi, Akihiko; Kanno-Nozaki, Keiko; Mashiko, Hirobumi; Niwa, Shin-Ichi; Yabe, Hirooki

    2014-03-01

    Blonanserin is a novel atypical antipsychotic drug that has efficacy equal to risperidone. We investigated the effects of aripiprazole and blonanserin on clinical symptoms and plasma levels of homovanillic acid (pHVA) and 3-methoxy-4hydroxyphenylglycol in the switching strategy of schizophrenia. Twenty two Japanese patients with schizophrenia were enrolled into this open study. The antipsychotics of all patients were switched to aripiprazole or blonanserin for the improvement of clinical symptoms or side effects. Plasma monoamine metabolites levels were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography. There were no significant effects for time (p = 0.346) or time × group interaction (p = 0.27) on the changes of positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) total score, although blonanserin decreased PANSS scores. We observed negative correlation between pHVA at baseline and the change in PANSS total score (rs = -0.450, p = 0.046). We also found positive correlation between the changes in pHVA and the changes in PANSS total (rs = 0.536, p = 0.015) and positive (rs = 0.572, p = 0.008) scores. There were no differences between blonanserin and aripiprazole in the improvement of clinical symptoms. Our results suggest that pHVA may be useful indicator for the switching strategy to aripiprazole or blonanserin in schizophrenia. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  1. Reduction of Plasma Globotriaosylsphingosine Levels After Switching from Agalsidase Alfa to Agalsidase Beta as Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Fabry Disease.

    PubMed

    Goker-Alpan, Ozlem; Gambello, Michael J; Maegawa, Gustavo H B; Nedd, Khan J; Gruskin, Daniel J; Blankstein, Larry; Weinreb, Neal J

    2016-01-01

    Agalsidase alfa and agalsidase beta, recombinant enzyme preparations for treatment of Fabry disease (FD), have different approved dosing schedules: 0.2 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg every other week (EOW), respectively. This open-label, multicenter, exploratory phase 4 study evaluated plasma globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-GL-3) and plasma and urine globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) levels at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after the switch from agalsidase alfa (0.2 mg/kg EOW for ≥12 months) to agalsidase beta (1.0 mg/kg EOW) in 15 male patients with FD. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G antidrug antibody titers were assessed, and safety was monitored throughout the study. Plasma lyso-GL-3 concentrations decreased significantly within 2 months after switch and reductions continued through month 6 (mean absolute changes, -12.8, -16.1, and -16.7 ng/mL at 2, 4, and 6 months, respectively; all P < 0.001). The mean percentage reduction from baseline was 39.5% (P < 0.001) at month 6. For plasma GL-3, the mean absolute change from baseline (-0.9 μg/mL) and percentage reduction (17.9%) at month 6 were both significant (P < 0.05). Urine GL-3 measurements showed intra-patient variability and changes from baseline were not significant. No clinical outcomes were assessed in this 6-month study, and, therefore, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the correlation of observed reductions in glycosphingolipid concentrations with clinically relevant outcomes. There were no differences in IgG antidrug antibody titers between the two enzymes. The switch from agalsidase alfa to agalsidase beta was well tolerated. Plasma lyso-GL-3 and GL-3 levels reduced after switching from agalsidase alfa to agalsidase beta, indicating that agalsidase beta has a greater pharmacodynamic effect on these markers at the recommended dose. These data further support the use of agalsidase beta 1.0 mg/kg EOW as enzyme replacement therapy in FD.

  2. Enhancing the x-ray output of a single-wire explosion with a gas-puff based plasma opening switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Engelbrecht, Joseph T.; Ouart, Nicholas D.; Qi, Niansheng; de Grouchy, Philip W.; Shelkovenko, Tatiana A.; Pikuz, Sergey A.; Banasek, Jacob T.; Potter, William M.; Rocco, Sophia V.; Hammer, David A.; Kusse, Bruce R.; Giuliani, John L.

    2018-02-01

    We present experiments performed on the 1 MA COBRA generator using a low density, annular, gas-puff z-pinch implosion as an opening switch to rapidly transfer a current pulse into a single metal wire on axis. This gas-puff on axial wire configuration was studied for its promise as an opening switch and as a means of enhancing the x-ray output of the wire. We demonstrate that current can be switched from the gas-puff plasma into the wire, and that the timing of the switch can be controlled by the gas-puff plenum backing pressure. X-ray detector measurements indicate that for low plenum pressure Kr or Xe shots with a copper wire, this configuration can offer a significant enhancement in the peak intensity and temporal distribution of radiation in the 1-10 keV range.

  3. Plasma-Induced Nonvolatile Resistive Switching with Extremely Low SET Voltage in TiOxFy with AgF Nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Sun, Xiangyu; Wu, Chuangui; Shuai, Yao; Pan, Xinqiang; Luo, Wenbo; You, Tiangui; Bogusz, Agnieszka; Du, Nan; Li, Yanrong; Schmidt, Heidemarie

    2016-12-07

    Low power consumption is crucial for the application of resistive random access memory. In this work, we present the bipolar resistive switching in an Ag/TiO x F y /Ti/Pt stack with extremely low switch-on voltage of 0.07 V. Operating current as low as 10 nA was also obtained by conductive atomic force microscopy. The highly defective TiO x F y layer was fabricated by plasma treatment using helium, oxygen, and carbon tetrafluoride orderly. During the electroforming process, AgF nanoparticles were formed due to the diffusion of Ag + which reacted with the adsorbed F - in the TiO x F y layer. These nanoparticles are of great importance to resistive switching performance because they are believed to be conductive phases and become part of the conducting path when the sample is switched to a low-resistance state.

  4. Simultaneous determination of byak-angelicin and oxypeucedanin hydrate in rat plasma by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

    PubMed

    Ishihara, K; Fukutake, M; Asano, T; Mizuhara, Y; Wakui, Y; Yanagisawa, T; Kamei, H; Ohmori, S; Kitada, M

    2001-04-05

    A simple and sensitive column-switching HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of two furocoumarin compounds, byak-angelicin and oxypeucedanin hydrate, which are the main components of hot water extract of Angelica dahurica root (AE), in rat plasma. Plasma sample was simply deproteinated with perchloric acid. After centrifugation, the supernatant was injected into a column-switching HPLC system consisting of a clean-up column (Symmetry Shield RP 8, 20x3.9 mm I.D.) and analytical column (Symmetry C18, 75x4.6 mm I.D.) which were connected with a six-port switching valve. The flow-rate of the mobile phase (acetonitrile-water, 20:80) was maintained at 1 ml/min. Detection was carried out at wavelength 260 nm with a UV detector. The column temperature was maintained at 40 degrees C. The calibration curves of byak-angelicin and oxypeucedanin hydrate were linear over the ranges 19.6 to 980 ng/ml (r2>0.997). The accuracy of these analytes was less than 4.4%. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations of byak-angelicin and oxypeucedanin hydrate were within 12.0% and 12.7%, respectively. The present method was applied for the analysis of plasma concentration from rats after administration of AE.

  5. A thermal sensor and switch based on a plasma polymer/ZnO suspended nanobelt bimorph structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    He, -Hau, Jr.; Singamaneni, Srikanth; Ho, Chih H.; Lin, Yen-Hsi; McConney, Michael E.; Tsukruk, Vladimir V.

    2009-02-01

    The combination of design and subsequent fabrication of organic/inorganic nanostructures creates an effective way to combine the favorable traits of both to achieve a desired device performance. We demonstrate a miniature electrical read-out, and a sensitive temperature sensor/switch, based on a ZnO nanobelt/plasma-polymerized benzonitrile bimorph structure. A new read-out technique based on the change in the electric current flowing through the bimorph and the contact pad has been employed, replacing the conventional cumbersome piezoresistive method or tedious optical alignment. The thermal sensor demonstrated here has great prospects for thermal switching and triggered detection owing to the relative ease in the fabrication of arrays and the direct electrical read-out.

  6. Development and simulation study of a new inverse-pinch high Coulomb transfer switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Choi, Sang H.

    1989-01-01

    The inverse-pinch plasma switch was studied using a computer simulation code. The code was based on a 2-D, 2-temperature magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model. The application of this code was limited to the disk-type inverse-pinch plasma switch. The results of the computer analysis appear to be in agreement with the experimental results when the same parameters are used. An inverse-pinch plasma switch for closing has been designed and tested for high-power switching requirements. An azimuthally uniform initiation of breakdown is a key factor in achieving an inverse-pinch current path in the switch. Thus, various types of triggers, such as trigger pins, wire-brush, ring trigger, and hypocycloidal-pinch (HCP) devices have been tested for uniform breakdown. Recently, triggering was achieved by injection of a plasma-ring (plasma puff) that is produced separately with hypocycloidal-pinch electrodes placed under the cathode of the main gap. The current paths at switch closing, initiated by the injection of a plasma-ring from the HCP trigger are azimuthally uniform, and the local current density is significantly reduced, so that damage to the electrodes and the insulator surfaces is minimized. The test results indicate that electron bombardment on the electrodes and the insulator surfaces is minimized. The test results indicate that electron bombardment on the electrodes is four orders of magnitude less than that of a spark-gap switch for the same switching power. Indeed, a few thousand shots with peak current exceeding a mega-ampere and with hold-off voltage up to 20 kV have been conducted without showing measurable damage to the electrodes and insulators.

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

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

    1998-11-01

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

  8. Transient current interruption mechanism in a magnetically delayed vacuum switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morris, Gibson, Jr.; Dougal, Roger A.

    1993-01-01

    The capacity of a magnetically delayed vacuum switch to conduct current depends on the density of plasma injected into the switch. Exceeding the current capacity results in the switch entering a lossy mode of operation characterized by a transient interruption of the main current (opening behavior) and a rapid increase of voltage across the vacuum gap. Streak and framing photographs of the discharge indicate that a decrease of luminosity near the middle of the gap preceeds the transition to the opening phase. The zone of low luminosity propagates toward the cathode. This evidence suggests that the mechanism causing the opening phase is erosion of the background plasma in a manner similar to that in a plasma-opening switch. The resulting ion depletion forces a space-charge-limited conduction mode. The switch inductance maintains a high discharge current even during the space-charge-limited conduction phase, thus producing high internal fields. The high accelerating voltage, in turn, produces electron and ion beams that heat the electrode surfaces. As a result of the heating, jets of electrode vapor issue from the electrodes, either cathode or anode, depending on the selection of electrode materials.

  9. Effect of switching to risperidone after unsuccessful treatment with aripiprazole on plasma monoamine metabolites level in the treatment of acute schizophrenia.

    PubMed

    Miura, Itaru; Takeuchi, Satoshi; Katsumi, Akihiko; Kanno, Keiko; Watanabe, Kenya; Mashiko, Hirobumi; Niwa, Shin-Ichi

    2012-09-01

    In the treatment of acute schizophrenia, risperidone and aripiprazole are both placed the first line antipsychotics. These two antipsychotics have different pharmacological effects. We investigated the effects of risperidone on plasma levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4hydroxyphenylglycol after unsuccessful aripiprazole treatment in acute schizophrenia. Ten Japanese patients with acute schizophrenia were enrolled to this study. Plasma levels of monoamine metabolites were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Risperidone improved the symptoms and 4 of 10 patients were responders. Risperidone showed a tendency to decrease plasma HVA (pHVA) levels in responders (p = 0.068), but not in non-responders (p = 1.0). At baseline, pHVA levels of responders were significantly higher than that of non-responders (p = 0.033). A trend for negative correlation was found between pHVA at baseline and the changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-Total (p = 0.061, r = -0.61). Our results suggest that high pHVA level before switching may predict good response to the second line antipsychotics after unsuccessful first antipsychotic treatment. If aripiprazole is not effective in acute schizophrenia, switching to risperidone may be effective and reasonable strategy for improving symptoms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  10. Determination of N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbonyl)-D-phenylalanine and its metabolites in human plasma and urine by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

    PubMed

    Ono, I; Matsuda, K; Kanno, S

    1997-05-09

    A simple, rapid and sensitive two column-switching high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection at 210 nm has been developed for the determination of N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbonyl)-D-phenylalanine (AY4166, I) and its seven metabolites in human plasma and urine. Measurements of I and its metabolites were carried out by two column-switching HPLC, because metabolites were classified into two groups according to their retention times. After purification of plasma samples using solid-phase extraction and direct dilution of urinary samples, I and each metabolite were injected into HPLC. The calibration graphs for plasma and urinary samples were linear in the ranges 0.1 to 10 microg ml(-1) and 0.5 to 50 microg ml(-1), respectively. Recoveries of I and its seven metabolites were over 88% by the standard addition method and the relative standard deviations of I and its metabolites were 1-6%.

  11. High-Voltage, High-Power Gaseous Electronics Switch For Electric Grid Power Conversion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sommerer, Timothy J.

    2014-05-01

    We are developing a high-voltage, high-power gas switch for use in low-cost power conversion terminals on the electric power grid. Direct-current (dc) power transmission has many advantages over alternating current (ac) transmission, but at present the high cost of ac-dc power interconversion limits the use of dc. The gas switch we are developing conducts current through a magnetized cold cathode plasma in hydrogen or helium to reach practical current densities > 1 A/cm2. Thermal and sputter damage of the cathode by the incident ion flux is a major technical risk, and is being addressed through use of a ``self-healing'' liquid metal cathode (eg, gallium). Plasma conditions and cathode sputtering loss are estimated by analyzing plasma spectral emission. A particle-in-cell plasma model is used to understand various aspects of switch operation, including the conduction phase (where plasma densities can exceed 1013 cm-3), the switch-open phase (where the high-voltage must be held against gas breakdown on the left side of Paschen's curve), and the switching transitions (especially the opening process, which is initiated by forming an ion-matrix sheath adjacent to a control grid). The information, data, or work presented herein was funded in part by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), U.S. Department of Energy, under Award Number DE-AR0000298.

  12. Semi-micro high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of tiropramide in human plasma using column-switching.

    PubMed

    Baek, Soo Kyoung; Lee, Seung Seok; Park, Eun Jeon; Sohn, Dong Hwan; Lee, Hye Suk

    2003-02-05

    A rapid and sensitive column-switching semi-micro high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the direct analysis of tiropramide in human plasma. The plasma sample (100 microl) was directly injected onto Capcell Pak MF Ph-1 precolumn where deproteinization and analyte fractionation occurred. Tiropramide was then eluted into an enrichment column (Capcell Pak UG C(18)) using acetonitrile-potassium phosphate (pH 7.0, 50 mM) (12:88, v/v) and was analyzed on a semi-micro C(18) analytical column using acetonitrile-potassium phosphate (pH 7.0, 10 mM) (50:50, v/v). The method showed excellent sensitivity (limit of quantification 5 ng/ml), and good precision (C.V.

  13. Experimental Results from a Laser-Triggered, Gas-Insulated, Spark-Gap Switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Camacho, J. F.; Ruden, E. L.; Domonkos, M. T.

    2017-10-01

    We are performing experiments on a laser-triggered spark-gap switch with the goal of studying the transition from photoionization to current conduction. The discharge of current through the switch is triggered by a focused 532-nm wavelength beam from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a pulse duration of about 10 ns. The trigger pulse is delivered along the longitudinal axis of the switch, and the focal spot can be placed anywhere along the axis of the 5-mm, gas-insulated gap between the switch electrodes. The switch test bed is designed to support a variety of working gases (e.g., Ar, N2) over a range of pressures. Electrical and optical diagnostics are used to measure switch performance as a function of parameters such as charge voltage, trigger pulse energy, insulating gas pressure, and gas species. A Mach-Zehnder imaging interferometer system operating at 532 nm is being used to obtain interferograms of the discharge plasma in the switch. We are also developing a 1064-nm interferometry diagnostic in an attempt to measure plasma free electron and neutral gas density profiles simultaneously within the switch gap. Results from our most recent experiments will be presented.

  14. Determination of highly protein bound drugs in plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography and column switching, exemplified by the retinoids.

    PubMed

    Wyss, R; Bucheli, F

    1988-12-02

    During method development for the determination of either isotretinoin, tretinoin and their 4-oxo-metabolites, or etretinate, acitretin and 13-cis-acitretin in plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography and column switching, recovery problems arose, when undiluted plasma samples were injected directly onto the precolumn. These recovery problems may be due to the strong binding of the retinoids to different plasma proteins. Measures to overcome this strong protein binding, such as variation of the injection solution composition and the purge mobile phase, were systematically investigated. Best recoveries were obtained by diluting of plasma with 9 mM sodium hydroxide-acetonitrile (8:2, v/v) and protein precipitation with ethanol for the isotretinoin and etretinate series, respectively, in combination with the use of a purge mobile phase containing ammonium acetate and 10-20% acetonitrile. Less effective was the use of a longer precolumn or heating of the precolumn.

  15. 5.8kV SiC PiN Diode for Switching of High-Efficiency Inductive Pulsed Plasma Thruster Circuits

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Toftul, Alexandra; Polzin, Kurt A.; Hudgins, Jerry L.

    2014-01-01

    Inductive Pulsed Plasma Thruster (IPPT) pulse circuits, such as those needed to operate the Pulsed Inductive Thruster (PIT), are required to quickly switch capacitor banks operating at a period of µs while conducting current at levels on the order of at least 10 kA. [1,2] For all iterations of the PIT to date, spark gaps have been used to discharge the capacitor bank through an inductive coil. Recent availability of fast, high-power solid state switching devices makes it possible to consider the use of semiconductor switches in modern IPPTs. In addition, novel pre-ionization schemes have led to a reduction in discharge energy per pulse for electric thrusters of this type, relaxing the switching requirements for these thrusters. [3,4] Solid state switches offer the advantage of greater controllability and reliability, as well as decreased drive circuit dimensions and mass relative to spark gap switches. The use of solid state devices such as Integrated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), Gate Turn-off Thyristors (GTOs) and Silicon-Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs) often involves the use of power diodes. These semiconductor devices may be connected antiparallel to the switch for protection from reverse current, or used to reduce power loss in a circuit by clamping off current ringing. In each case, higher circuit efficiency may be achieved by using a diode that is able to transition, or 'switch,' from the forward conducting state ('on' state) to the reverse blocking state ('off' state) in the shortest amount of time, thereby minimizing current ringing and switching losses. Silicon Carbide (SiC) PiN diodes offer significant advantages to conventional fast-switching Silicon (Si) diodes for high power and fast switching applications. A wider band gap results in a breakdown voltage 10 times that of Si, so that a SiC device may have a thinner drift region for a given blocking voltage. [5] This leads to smaller, lighter devices for high voltage applications, as well as reduced

  16. Determination of N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexylcarbonyl)-D-phenylalanine in human plasma by solid-phase extraction and column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

    PubMed

    Ono, I; Matsuda, K; Kanno, S

    1996-04-12

    A column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection at 210 nm has been developed for the determination of N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexylcarbonyl)-D-phenylalanine (AY4166, I) in human plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by solid-phase extraction with Sep-Pak Light tC18, followed by HPLC. The calibration graph for I was linear in the range 0.1-20 micrograms/ml. The limit of quantitation of I, in plasma, was 0.05 microgram/ml. The recovery of spiked I (0.5 microgram/ml) to drug-free plasma was over 92% and the relative standard deviation of spiked I (0.5 microgram/ml) compared to drug-free plasma was 4.3% (n = 8).

  17. Design and Operation of a Two-Color Interferometer to Measure Plasma and Neutral Gas Densities in a Laser-Triggered Spark Gap Switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Camacho, J. F.; Ruden, E. L.; Domonkos, M. T.; Schmitt-Sody, A.; Lucero, A.

    2014-10-01

    A Mach-Zehnder imaging interferometer, operating with 1064-nm and 532-nm wavelength beams from a short-pulse laser and a frequency-doubled branch, respectively, has been designed and built to simultaneously measure plasma free electron and neutral gas densities profiles within a laser-triggered spark gap switch with a 5-mm gap. The switch will be triggered by focusing a separate 532-nm or 1064-nm laser pulse along the gap's axis to trigger low-jitter breakdown. Illuminating the gap transverse to this axis, the diagnostic will generate interferograms for each wavelength, which will then be numerically converted to phase-shift maps. These will be used to calculate independent line-integrated free electron and neutral density profiles by exploiting their different frequency dispersion curves. The density profiles themselves, then, will be calculated by Abel inversion. Details of the interferometer's design will be presented along with density data obtained using a variety of fill gasses at various pressures. Other switch parameters will be varied as well in order to characterize more fully the performance of the switch.

  18. Report of Workshop on Repetitive Opening Switches

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-06-01

    needed. This work must also pay close attention to the poorly understood plasma chemistry in these switches and develop models for discharges and dis...circuit model. Inclusion of plasma chemistry . 2. Compile and measure (when need- ed) fundamental data such as rate coefficients, cross-sec- tions, etc...Include plasma chemistry effects in the code. Conduct literature search. Carry out basic measurements for gas- es and gas mixtures under con

  19. FAST ACTING CURRENT SWITCH

    DOEpatents

    Batzer, T.H.; Cummings, D.B.; Ryan, J.F.

    1962-05-22

    A high-current, fast-acting switch is designed for utilization as a crowbar switch in a high-current circuit such as used to generate the magnetic confinement field of a plasma-confining and heat device, e.g., Pyrotron. The device particularly comprises a cylindrical housing containing two stationary, cylindrical contacts between which a movable contact is bridged to close the switch. The movable contact is actuated by a differential-pressure, airdriven piston assembly also within the housing. To absorb the acceleration (and the shock imparted to the device by the rapidly driven, movable contact), an adjustable air buffer assembly is provided, integrally connected to the movable contact and piston assembly. Various safety locks and circuit-synchronizing means are also provided to permit proper cooperation of the invention and the high-current circuit in which it is installed. (AEC)

  20. Pulse power switch development

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harvey, R.; Gallagher, H.; Hansen, S.

    1980-01-01

    The objective of this study program has been to define an optimum technical approach to the longer range goal of achieving practical high repetition rate high power spark gap switches. Requirements and possible means of extending the state of the art of crossed field closing switches, vacuum spark gaps, and pressurized spark gaps are presented with emphasis on reliable, efficient and compact devices operable in burst mode at 250-300 kV, 40-60 kA, =1 kHz with approximately 50 nsec pulses rising in approximately 3 ns. Models of these devices are discussed which are based upon published and generated design data and on underlying physical principles. Based upon its relative advantages, limitations and tradeoffs we conclude that the Hughes Crossatron switch is the nearest term approach to reach the switch goal levels. Theoretical, experimental, and computer simulation models of the plasma show a collective ion acceleration mechanism to be active which is predicted to result in current rise times approaching 10 nsec. A preliminary design concept is presented. For faster rise times we have shown a vacuum surface flashover switch to be an interesting candidate. This device is limited by trigger instabilities and will require further basic development. The problem areas relevant to high pressure spark gaps are reviewed.

  1. Theoretical Modeling of the Plasma Erosion Opening Switch for Inductive Storage Applications.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-10-27

    instantaneous and depends on the switch and load characteristics. In general T is finite and T >T >0. Thus energy will be lost to switch heatings s op - as...Top, then the switch opening time is the dominant factor and T T Clearly T must be small compared with the decay time of the load S op 5 current, T_

  2. Switch device having a non-linear transmission line

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

    Elizondo-Decanini, Juan M.

    Switching devices are provided. The switching devices include an input electrode, having a main electrode and a trigger electrode, and an output electrode. The main electrode and the trigger electrode are separated from the output electrode by a main gap and a trigger gap, respectively. During operation, the trigger electrode compresses and amplifies a trigger voltage signal causing the trigger electrode to emit a pulse of energy. This pulse of energy form plasma near the trigger electrode, either by arcing across the trigger gap, or by arcing from the trigger electrode to the main electrode. This plasma decreases the breakdownmore » voltage of the main gap. Simultaneously, or near simultaneously, a main voltage signal propagates through the main electrode. The main voltage signal emits a main pulse of energy that arcs across the main gap while the plasma formed by the trigger pulse is still present.« less

  3. Quantitative analysis of retinoids in biological fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography using column switching. I. Determination of isotretinoin and tretinoin and their 4-oxo metabolites in plasma.

    PubMed

    Wyss, R; Bucheli, F

    1988-02-26

    A fully automated gradient high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of isotretinoin, tretinoin and their 4-oxo metabolites in plasma was developed, using the column-switching technique. After dilution with an internal standard solution containing 20% acetonitrile, 0.5 ml of the sample was injected onto a precolumn (17 X 4.6 mm I.D.), filled with C18 Corasil 37-53 micron. Proteins and polar plasma components were washed out using 1% ammonium acetate-acetonitrile (9:1, v/v) as mobile phase 1. After valve switching, the retained components were transferred to the analytical column in the backflush mode, separated by gradient elution and detected at 360 nm by UV detection. Using two coupled reversed-phase columns (125 mm long), the separation of cis and trans isomers was possible, and all four compounds could be quantified down to 2 ng/ml of plasma. The inter-assay precision in the concentration range 20-100 ng/ml was between 1.0 and 4.7% for all compounds.

  4. High-Voltage MOSFET Switching Circuit

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jensen, Kenneth A.

    1995-01-01

    Circuit reliably switches power at supply potential of minus 1,500 V, with controlled frequency and duty cycle. Used in argon-plasma ion-bombardment equipment for texturing copper electrodes, as described in "Texturing Copper To Reduce Secondary Emission of Electrons" (LEW-15898), also adapted to use in powering gaseous flash lamps and stroboscopes.

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

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

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

    2015-11-15

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

  6. A high power microwave triggered RF opening switch.

    PubMed

    Beeson, S; Dickens, J; Neuber, A

    2015-03-01

    A 4-port S-band waveguide structure was designed and fabricated such that a signal of any amplitude (less than 1 MW) can be switched from a normally closed state, <0.5 dB insertion loss (IL), to an open state >30 dB IL by initiating plasma in a gas cell situated at the junction of this waveguide and one propagating a megawatt level magnetron pulse. The 90/10 switching time is as low as 20 ns with a delay of ∼30 ns between the onset of the high power microwave pulse and the initial drop of the signal. Two ports of this device are for the high power triggering pulse while the other two ports are for the triggered signal in a Moreno-like coupler configuration. In order to maintain high isolation, these two sets of waveguides are rotated 90° from each other with a TE111 resonator/plasma cell located at the intersection. This manuscript describes the design and optimization of this structure using COMSOL 4.4 at the design frequency of 2.85 GHz, comparison of simulated scattering parameters with measured "cold tests" (testing without plasma), and finally the temporal waveforms of this device being used to successfully switch a low power CW signal from 2 W to <5 mW on a sub-microsecond timescale.

  7. Single-pulse picking at kHz repetition rates using a Ge plasma switch at the free-electron laser FELBE.

    PubMed

    Schmidt, J; Winnerl, S; Seidel, W; Bauer, C; Gensch, M; Schneider, H; Helm, M

    2015-06-01

    We demonstrate a system for picking of mid-infrared and terahertz (THz) radiation pulses from the free-electron laser (FEL) FELBE operating at a repetition rate of 13 MHz. Single pulses are reflected by a dense electron-hole plasma in a Ge slab that is photoexcited by amplified near-infrared (NIR) laser systems operating at repetition rates of 1 kHz and 100 kHz, respectively. The peak intensity of picked pulses is up to 400 times larger than the peak intensity of residual pulses. The required NIR fluence for picking pulses at wavelengths in the range from 5 μm to 30 μm is discussed. In addition, we show that the reflectivity of the plasma decays on a time scale from 100 ps to 1 ns dependent on the wavelengths of the FEL and the NIR laser. The plasma switch enables experiments with the FEL that require high peak power but lower average power. Furthermore, the system is well suited to investigate processes with decay times in the μs to ms regime, i.e., much longer than the 77 ns long pulse repetition period of FELBE.

  8. Single-pulse picking at kHz repetition rates using a Ge plasma switch at the free-electron laser FELBE

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

    Schmidt, J., E-mail: j.schmidt@hzdr.de; Helm, M.; Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden

    2015-06-15

    We demonstrate a system for picking of mid-infrared and terahertz (THz) radiation pulses from the free-electron laser (FEL) FELBE operating at a repetition rate of 13 MHz. Single pulses are reflected by a dense electron-hole plasma in a Ge slab that is photoexcited by amplified near-infrared (NIR) laser systems operating at repetition rates of 1 kHz and 100 kHz, respectively. The peak intensity of picked pulses is up to 400 times larger than the peak intensity of residual pulses. The required NIR fluence for picking pulses at wavelengths in the range from 5 μm to 30 μm is discussed. Inmore » addition, we show that the reflectivity of the plasma decays on a time scale from 100 ps to 1 ns dependent on the wavelengths of the FEL and the NIR laser. The plasma switch enables experiments with the FEL that require high peak power but lower average power. Furthermore, the system is well suited to investigate processes with decay times in the μs to ms regime, i.e., much longer than the 77 ns long pulse repetition period of FELBE.« less

  9. Opening Switch Research on a Plasma Focus VI.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-02-26

    Sausage Instability in the Plasma Focus In this section the classical Kruskal- Schwarzschild 3 theory for the sausage mode is applied to the pinch phase...on 1) the shape of the pinch, 2) axial flow of plasma, and 3) self-generated magnetic fields are also presented. The Kruskal- Schwarzschild Theory The...classical mhd theory for the m=O mode in a plasma supported by a magnetic field against gravity; this is the well-known Kruskal- Schwarzschild

  10. Effect of tungsten implantation on the switching parameters in V2O5 films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burdyukh, S. V.; Berezina, O. Ya.; Pergament, A. L.

    2017-11-01

    The paper examines the effect of doping with tungsten on switching in hydrated vanadium pentoxide films. The switching effect is associated with the metal-insulator transition in a vanadium dioxide channel that forms in the initial film due to the process of electrical forming (EF). Doping is carried out by the plasma immersion ion implantation method. It is shown that implanting small tungsten doses improves the switching parameters after EF. When implanting large doses, switching is observed without EF, and if EF is applied, the switching effect, on the contrary, disappears.

  11. Design and Development of a Series Switch for High Voltage in RF Heating

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Patel, Himanshu K.; Shah, Deep; Thacker, Mauli; Shah, Atman

    2013-02-01

    Plasma is the fourth state of matter. To sustain plasma in its ionic form very high temperature is essential. RF heating systems are used to provide the required temperature. Arching phenomenon in these systems can cause enormous damage to the RF tube. Heavy current flows across the anode-cathode junction, which need to be suppressed in minimal time for its protection. Fast-switching circuit breakers are used to cut-off the load from the supply in cases of arching. The crowbar interrupts the connection between the high voltage power supply (HVPS) and the RF tube for a temporary period between which the series switch has to open. The crowbar shunts the current across the load but in the process leads to short circuiting the HVPS. Thus, to protect the load as well as the HVPS a series switch is necessary. This paper presents the design and development of high voltage Series Switch for the high power switching applications. Fiber optic based Optimum triggering scheme is designed and tested to restrict the time delay well within the stipulated limits. The design is well supported with the experimental results for the whole set-up along with the series switch at various voltage level before its approval for operation at 5.2 kV.

  12. Transparent electrode for optical switch

    DOEpatents

    Goldhar, Julius; Henesian, Mark A.

    1986-01-01

    A low pressure gas electrode utilizing ionized gas in a glow discharge regime forms a transparent electrode for electro-optical switches. The transparent electrode comprises a low pressure gas region on both sides of the crystal. When the gas is ionized, e.g., by a glow discharge in the low pressure gas, the plasma formed is a good conductor. The gas electrode acts as a highly uniform conducting electrode. Since the plasma is transparent to a high energy laser beam passing through the crystal, the electrode is a transparent electrode. A crystal exposed from two sides to such a plasma can be charged up uniformly to any desired voltage. The plasma can be created either by the main high voltage pulser used to charge up the crystal or by auxiliary discharges or external sources of ionization. A typical configuration utilizes 10 torr argon in the discharge region adjacent to each crystal face.

  13. Simultaneous determination of triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori in human plasma by reversed phase chromatography with online wavelength switching

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmed, Sameh; Atia, Noha N.

    2015-02-01

    The infection of gastric mucosa by Helicobacter pylori (HP) is an essential cofactor in the aetiology of gastroduodenal ulcer and gastric carcinoma. Because of the bacterial resistance, combination therapy containing omeprazole (OME), tinidazole (TNZ) and clarithromycin (CLA) is commonly used for eradication of HP. However, the simultaneous determination of the triple therapy in human plasma was not reported. A simple, reproducible, and selective HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the triple therapy mixture used for management of HP infections in human plasma. An HPLC procedure based on a liquid-liquid extraction, enrichment of the analytes and subsequent reversed-phase chromatography with UV detection was used. To enable sensitive and selective detection, the method involved the use of online wavelength switching detection, with two different detection wavelengths; 280 nm for detection of OME and TNZ and 210 nm for detection of CLA. Separations were performed on C18 analytical column with acetonitrile-10 mM phosphate buffer of pH = 3.0 at flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1. The linear ranges in human plasma were 0.05-10 μg mL-1 with correlation coefficients >0.9990. The detection limits in human plasma were 0.02-0.07 μg mL-1. Validation parameters were assessed in compliance with US-FDA guidelines. The method proved to be valuable for the therapeutic drug monitoring after oral administration of triple therapy tablets.

  14. Low voltage operation of plasma focus.

    PubMed

    Shukla, Rohit; Sharma, S K; Banerjee, P; Das, R; Deb, P; Prabahar, T; Das, B K; Adhikary, B; Shyam, A

    2010-08-01

    Plasma foci of compact sizes and operating with low energies (from tens of joules to few hundred joules) have found application in recent years and have attracted plasma-physics scientists and engineers for research in this direction. We are presenting a low energy and miniature plasma focus which operates from a capacitor bank of 8.4 muF capacity, charged at 4.2-4.3 kV and delivering approximately 52 kA peak current at approximately 60 nH calculated circuit inductance. The total circuit inductance includes the plasma focus inductance. The reported plasma focus operates at the lowest voltage among all reported plasma foci so far. Moreover the cost of capacitor bank used for plasma focus is nearly 20 U.S. dollars making it very cheap. At low voltage operation of plasma focus, the initial breakdown mechanism becomes important for operation of plasma focus. The quartz glass tube is used as insulator and breakdown initiation is done on its surface. The total energy of the plasma focus is approximately 75 J. The plasma focus system is made compact and the switching of capacitor bank energy is done by manual operating switch. The focus is operated with hydrogen and deuterium filled at 1-2 mbar.

  15. Opening Switch Research on a Dense Plasma Focus.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    Several experiments were performed to enhance power coupling to the load by placing the load electrode opposite the muzzle end of the Dense Plasma ... Focus plasma gun. The impaler concept, whereby the current sheath is run into a knife edge insulator, was tested in two configurations. However, the

  16. Design and Prototype of an Automated Column-Switching HPLC System for Radiometabolite Analysis.

    PubMed

    Vasdev, Neil; Collier, Thomas Lee

    2016-08-17

    Column-switching high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is extensively used for the critical analysis of radiolabeled ligands and their metabolites in plasma. However, the lack of streamlined apparatus and consequently varying protocols remain as a challenge among positron emission tomography laboratories. We report here the prototype apparatus and implementation of a fully automated and simplified column-switching procedure to allow for the easy and automated determination of radioligands and their metabolites in up to 5 mL of plasma. The system has been used with conventional UV and coincidence radiation detectors, as well as with a single quadrupole mass spectrometer.

  17. Vacuum arc plasma thrusters with inductive energy storage driver

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schein, Jochen (Inventor); Gerhan, Andrew N. (Inventor); Woo, Robyn L. (Inventor); Au, Michael Y. (Inventor); Krishnan, Mahadevan (Inventor)

    2004-01-01

    An apparatus for producing a vacuum arc plasma source device using a low mass, compact inductive energy storage circuit powered by a low voltage DC supply acts as a vacuum arc plasma thruster. An inductor is charged through a switch, subsequently the switch is opened and a voltage spike of Ldi/dt is produced initiating plasma across a resistive path separating anode and cathode. The plasma is subsequently maintained by energy stored in the inductor. Plasma is produced from cathode material, which allows for any electrically conductive material to be used. A planar structure, a tubular structure, and a coaxial structure allow for consumption of cathode material feed and thereby long lifetime of the thruster for long durations of time.

  18. Compact atmospheric pressure plasma self-resonant drive circuits

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Law, V. J.; Anghel, S. D.

    2012-02-01

    This paper reports on compact solid-state self-resonant drive circuits that are specifically designed to drive an atmospheric pressure plasma jet and a parallel-plate dielectric barrier discharge of small volume (0.5 cm3). The atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) device can be operated with helium, argon or a mixture of both. Equivalent electrical models of the self-resonant drive circuits and discharge are developed and used to estimate the plasma impedance, plasma power density, current density or electron number density of three APP devices. These parameters and the kinetic gas temperature are dependent on the self-resonant frequency of the APP device. For a fixed switching frequency and APP device geometry, the plasma parameters are controlled by adjusting the dc voltage at the primary coil and the gas flow rate. The resonant frequency is controlled by the selection of the switching power transistor and means of step-up voltage transformation (ferrite core, flyback transformer, or Tesla coil). The flyback transformer operates in the tens of kHz, the ferrite core in the hundreds of kHz and Tesla coil in the MHz range. Embedded within this work is the principle of frequency pulling which is exemplified in the flyback transformer circuit that utilizes a pickup coil for feedback control of the switching frequency.

  19. A pH Switch Regulates the Inverse Relationship between Membranolytic and Chaperone-like Activities of HSP-1/2, a Major Protein of Horse Seminal Plasma.

    PubMed

    Kumar, C Sudheer; Swamy, Musti J

    2016-07-05

    HSP-1/2, a major protein of horse seminal plasma binds to choline phospholipids present on the sperm plasma membrane and perturbs its structure by intercalating into the hydrophobic core, which results in an efflux of choline phospholipids and cholesterol, an important event in sperm capacitation. HSP-1/2 also exhibits chaperone-like activity (CLA) in vitro and protects target proteins against various kinds of stress. In the present study we show that HSP-1/2 exhibits destabilizing activity toward model supported and cell membranes. The membranolytic activity of HSP-1/2 is found to be pH dependent, with lytic activity being high at mildly acidic pH (6.0-6.5) and low at mildly basic pH (8.0-8.5). Interestingly, the CLA is also found to be pH dependent, with high activity at mildly basic pH and low activity at mildly acidic pH. Taken together the present studies demonstrate that the membranolytic and chaperone-like activities of HSP-1/2 have an inverse relationship and are regulated via a pH switch, which is reversible. The higher CLA observed at mildly basic pH could be correlated to an increase in surface hydrophobicity of the protein. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting regulation of two different activities of a chaperone protein by a pH switch.

  20. Research in pulsed power plasma physics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hinshelwood, David; Rose, David

    1993-11-01

    The research was conducted in support of light-ion-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) for the Department of Energy (DOE), and nuclear weapon effects simulation (NWES) for the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA). Accomplishments related to ion beams include: development of a practical backup approach to ion beam transport; the first studies of ion-beam interaction with a neutral gas; initial investigations of a promising industrial application of ion beam technology; and detailed theoretical evaluation of several different ion beam transport schemes. Major accomplishments relating to opening switches include: the first direct measurement of the electron density in an opening switch; detailed studies of switch conduction-time scaling; evaluation of several different switch plasma sources; and extensive studies of switch performance into diode loads, leading to the development of a new (and now generally accepted) model of switch behavior.

  1. Microwave pulse compression from a storage cavity with laser-induced switching

    DOEpatents

    Bolton, Paul R.

    1992-01-01

    A laser-induced switch and a multiple cavity configuration are disclosed for producing high power microwave pulses. The microwave pulses are well controlled in wavelength and timing, with a quick rise time and a variable shape and power of the pulse. In addition, a method of reducing pre-pulse leakage to a low level is disclosed. Microwave energy is directed coherently to one or more cavities that stores the energy in a single mode, represented as a standing wave pattern. In order to switch the stored microwave energy out of the main cavity and into the branch waveguide, a laser-actuated switch is provided for the cavity. The switch includes a laser, associated optics for delivering the beam into the main cavity, and a switching gas positioned at an antinode in the main cavity. When actuated, the switching gas ionizes, creating a plasma, which becomes reflective to the microwave energy, changing the resonance of the cavity, and as a result the stored microwave energy is abruptly switched out of the cavity. The laser may directly pre-ionize the switching gas, or it may pump an impurity in the switching gas to an energy level which switches when a pre-selected cavity field is attained. Timing of switching the cavities is controlled by varying the pathlength of the actuating laser beam. For example, the pathlengths may be adjusted to output a single pulse of high power, or a series of quick lower power pulses.

  2. Butyrate Infusions in the Ovine Fetus Delay the Biologic Clock for Globin Gene Switching

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perrine, Susan P.; Rudolph, Abraham; Faller, Douglas V.; Roman, Christine; Cohen, Ruth A.; Chen, Shao-Jing; Kan, Yuet Wai

    1988-11-01

    The switch from fetal to adult hemoglobin expression is regulated in many mammalian species by a developmental clock-like mechanism and determined by the gestational age of the fetus. Prolonging fetal globin gene expression is of considerable interest for therapeutic potential in diseases caused by abnormal β -globin genes. Butyric acid, which is found in increased plasma concentrations in infants of diabetic mothers who have delayed globin gene switching, was infused into catheterized fetal lambs in utero during the time of the normal globin gene switch period. The globin gene switch was significantly delayed in three of four butyrate-treated fetuses compared with controls and was entirely prevented in one fetus in whom the infusion was begun before the globin switch was under way. These data provide a model for investigating and arresting the biologic clock of hemoglobin switching.

  3. Experimental investigation of plasma relaxation using a compact coaxial magnetized plasma gun in a background plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yue; Lynn, Alan; Gilmore, Mark; Hsu, Scott; University of New Mexico Collaboration; Los Alamos National Laboratory Collaboration

    2013-10-01

    A compact coaxial plasma gun is employed for experimental studies of plasma relaxation in a low density background plasma. Experiments are being conducted in the linear HelCat device at UNM. These studies will advance the knowledge of basic plasma physics in the areas of magnetic relaxation and space and astrophysical plasmas, including the evolution of active galactic jets/radio lobes within the intergalactic medium. The gun is powered by a 120pF ignitron-switched capacitor bank which is operated in a range of 5-10 kV and ~100 kA. Multiple diagnostics are employed to investigate plasma relaxation process. Magnetized Argon plasma bubbles with velocities ~1.2Cs and densities ~1020 m-3 have been achieved. Different distinct regimes of operation with qualitatively different dynamics are identified by fast CCD camera images, with the parameter determining the operation regime. Additionally, a B-dot probe array is employed to measure the spatial toroidal and poloidal magnetic flux evolution to identify detached plasma bubble configurations. Experimental data and analysis will be presented.

  4. Optical switches and switching methods

    DOEpatents

    Doty, Michael

    2008-03-04

    A device and method for collecting subject responses, particularly during magnetic imaging experiments and testing using a method such as functional MRI. The device comprises a non-metallic input device which is coupled via fiber optic cables to a computer or other data collection device. One or more optical switches transmit the subject's responses. The input device keeps the subject's fingers comfortably aligned with the switches by partially immobilizing the forearm, wrist, and/or hand of the subject. Also a robust nonmetallic switch, particularly for use with the input device and methods for optical switching.

  5. Switch wear leveling

    DOEpatents

    Wu, Hunter; Sealy, Kylee; Gilchrist, Aaron

    2015-09-01

    An apparatus for switch wear leveling includes a switching module that controls switching for two or more pairs of switches in a switching power converter. The switching module controls switches based on a duty cycle control technique and closes and opens each switch in a switching sequence. The pairs of switches connect to a positive and negative terminal of a DC voltage source. For a first switching sequence a first switch of a pair of switches has a higher switching power loss than a second switch of the pair of switches. The apparatus includes a switch rotation module that changes the switching sequence of the two or more pairs of switches from the first switching sequence to a second switching sequence. The second switch of a pair of switches has a higher switching power loss than the first switch of the pair of switches during the second switching sequence.

  6. Switch Transcripts in Immunoglobulin Class Switching

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lorenz, Matthias; Jung, Steffen; Radbruch, Andreas

    1995-03-01

    B cells can exchange gene segments for the constant region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain, altering the class and effector function of the antibodies that they produce. Class switching is directed to distinct classes by cytokines, which induce transcription of the targeted DNA sequences. These transcripts are processed, resulting in spliced "switch" transcripts. Switch recombination can be directed to immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) by the heterologous human metallothionein II_A promoter in mutant mice. Induction of the structurally conserved, spliced switch transcripts is sufficient to target switch recombination to IgG1, whereas transcription alone is not.

  7. Methods and Apparatus for Pulsed-DC Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuator and Circuit

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Corke, Thomas C. (Inventor); Gold, Calman (Inventor); Kaszeta, Richard (Inventor)

    2017-01-01

    A plasma generating device intended to induce a flow in a fluid via plasma generation includes a dielectric separating two electrodes and a power supply. The first electrode is exposed to a fluid flow while the second electrode is positioned under the dielectric. The power supply is electrically coupled to a switch and the first and second electrodes. When the power supply is energized by repeated action of the switch, it causes a pulsed DC current between the electrodes which causes the fluid to ionize generating a plasma. The generation of the plasma induces a force with a velocity component in the fluid.

  8. Low temperature grown GaNAsSb: A promising material for photoconductive switch application

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

    Tan, K. H.; Yoon, S. F.; Wicaksono, S.

    2013-09-09

    We report a photoconductive switch using low temperature grown GaNAsSb as the active material. The GaNAsSb layer was grown at 200 °C by molecular beam epitaxy in conjunction with a radio frequency plasma-assisted nitrogen source and a valved antimony cracker source. The low temperature growth of the GaNAsSb layer increased the dark resistivity of the switch and shortened the carrier lifetime. The switch exhibited a dark resistivity of 10{sup 7} Ω cm, a photo-absorption of up to 2.1 μm, and a carrier lifetime of ∼1.3 ps. These results strongly support the suitability of low temperature grown GaNAsSb in the photoconductivemore » switch application.« less

  9. Solid-state switch increases switching speed

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mcgowan, G. F.

    1966-01-01

    Solid state switch for commutating capacitors in an RC commutated network increases switching speed and extends the filtering or commutating frequency spectrum well into the kilocycle region. The switch is equivalent to the standard double- pole double-throw /DPDT/ relay and is driven from digital micrologic circuits.

  10. InGaAsP/InP optical waveguide switch operated by a carrier-induced change in the refractive index

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mikami, O.; Nakagome, H.

    1985-11-01

    Waveguided semiconductor optical switches operated by a carrier-induced change in the refractive-index associated with the plasma dispersion are proposed. InGaAsP/InP four-port switches having two intersecting single-mode channel waveguides are fabricated by selective liquid-phase epitaxy and investigated at 1.5 microns wavelength. Optical switching is observed as a result of mode interference in the waveguide intersection region.

  11. Emission current formation in plasma electron emitters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gruzdev, V. A.; Zalesski, V. G.

    2010-12-01

    A model of the plasma electron emitter is considered, in which the current redistribution over electrodes of the emitter gas-discharge structure and weak electric field formation in plasma are taken into account as functions of the emission current. The calculated and experimental dependences of the switching parameters, extraction efficiency, and strength of the electric field in plasma on the accelerating voltage and geometrical sizes of the emission channel are presented.

  12. Compact and low power operation optical switch using silicon-germanium/silicon hetero-structure waveguide.

    PubMed

    Sekiguchi, Shigeaki; Kurahashi, Teruo; Zhu, Lei; Kawaguchi, Kenichi; Morito, Ken

    2012-04-09

    We proposed a silicon-based optical switch with a carrier-plasma-induced phase shifter which employs a silicon-germanium (SiGe) / silicon (Si) hetero-structure in the waveguide core. A type-I hetero-interface formed by SiGe and Si is expected to confine carriers effectively in the SiGe waveguide core. The fabricated Mach-Zehnder optical switch shows a low switching power of only 1.53 mW with a compact phase shifter length of 250 μm. The switching time of the optical switch is less than 4.6 ns for the case of a square waveform driving condition, and 1 ns for the case of a pre-emphasis electric driving condition. These results show that our proposed SiGe/Si waveguide structure holds promise for active devices with compact size and low operation power.

  13. Restrike Particle Beam Experiments on a Dense Plasma Focus.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-11-30

    particle beams generated in a plasma focus with the current flowing in the circuit just before the radial collapse of the pinch, IMB. The results show...the implications for the application of the plasma focus as an opening switch are discussed. (Author)

  14. Vanadium dioxide-based materials for potential thermal switching applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jeong, Minyoung

    One of the materials able to exhibit a transition from insulators to metals (IMT materials) is vanadium dioxide (VO2). Through IMT, VO2 shows a drop of resistivity of five orders of magnitude at a picosecond timescale. In this work, the feasibility of using VO2 as an efficient thermal switching device is discussed. Several synthesis methods (sol-gel, hot press and spark plasma sintering) were attempted to obtain VO2 sample in pellet form. From the X-ray diffraction results, it was found that spark plasma sintering (SPS) yielded the highest phase purity. Several sintering parameters such as temperature or sintering time were tested to determine the optimal sintering conditions. For better thermal switching behavior, high-energy ball milling was used to reduce lattice thermal conductivity (klat.) in the insulator phase. Ball-milling time was varied from 30 minutes to 2 hours. It was found that with increasing milling time, the k lat. was reduced. Thus, it was demonstrated that thermal switching behavior was most efficient with 2 hour-milling. To improve electronic thermal conductivity ( kelec.) in the metallic state, nano-sized copper particles were added to the VO2 system with a subtle amount variation ranging from 3at % to 5 at%. Results show that a composite with 5 at% Cu (copper) addition exhibited the largest increase in thermal conductivity ( k) in the metallic state. In addition to this, a basic mechanism behind IMT and some of the exemplary IMT-based applications were introduced.

  15. Mega-Amp Opening Switch with Nested Electrodes/Pulsed Generator of Ion and Ion Cluster Beams

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-07-30

    The use of a plasma focus as a mega-amp opening switch has been demonstrated by two modes of operation: (a) Single shot mode; (b) Repetitive Mode...energy level and under the same voltage and filling-pressure conditions but without field distortion elements. Misfirings of the plasma focus machine...are also virtually eliminated by using FDE at the coaxial electrode breech. The tests (based on about 10000 shots and five plasma focus machines

  16. Study of Pulsed vs. RF Plasma Properties for Surface Processing Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tang, Ricky; Hopkins, Matthew; Barnat, Edward; Miller, Paul

    2015-09-01

    The ability to manipulate the plasma parameters (density, E/N) was previously demonstrated using a double-pulsed column discharge. Experiments extending this to large-surface plasmas of interest to the plasma processing community were conducted. Differences between an audio-frequency pulsed plasma and a radio-frequency (rf) discharge, both prevalent in plasma processing applications, were studied. Optical emission spectroscopy shows higher-intensity emission in the UV/visible range for the pulsed plasma comparing to the rf plasma at comparable powers. Data suggest that the electron energy is higher for the pulsed plasma leading to higher ionization, resulting in increased ion density and ion flux. Diode laser absorption measurements of the concentration of the 1S5 metastable and 1S4 resonance states of argon (correlated with the plasma E/N) provide comparisons between the excitation/ionization states of the two plasmas. Preliminary modeling efforts suggest that the low-frequency polarity switch causes a much more abrupt potential variation to support interesting transport phenomena, generating a ``wave'' of higher temperature electrons leading to more ionization, as well as ``sheath capture'' of a higher density bolus of ions that are then accelerated during polarity switch.

  17. Self-assembled nanostructured resistive switching memory devices fabricated by templated bottom-up growth

    PubMed Central

    Song, Ji-Min; Lee, Jang-Sik

    2016-01-01

    Metal-oxide-based resistive switching memory device has been studied intensively due to its potential to satisfy the requirements of next-generation memory devices. Active research has been done on the materials and device structures of resistive switching memory devices that meet the requirements of high density, fast switching speed, and reliable data storage. In this study, resistive switching memory devices were fabricated with nano-template-assisted bottom up growth. The electrochemical deposition was adopted to achieve the bottom-up growth of nickel nanodot electrodes. Nickel oxide layer was formed by oxygen plasma treatment of nickel nanodots at low temperature. The structures of fabricated nanoscale memory devices were analyzed with scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope (AFM). The electrical characteristics of the devices were directly measured using conductive AFM. This work demonstrates the fabrication of resistive switching memory devices using self-assembled nanoscale masks and nanomateirals growth from bottom-up electrochemical deposition. PMID:26739122

  18. Transient effects in beam-plasma interactions in a space simulation chamber stimulated by a fast pulse electron gun

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Raitt, W. J.; Banks, P. M.; Denig, W. F.; Anderson, H. R.

    1982-01-01

    Interest in the interaction of electron beams with plasma generated by ionization caused by the primary electron beam was stimulated by the need to develop special vacuum tubes to operate in the kMHz frequency region. The experiments of Getty and Smullin (1963) indicated that the interaction of an energetic electron beam with its self-produced plasma resulted in the emission of wave energy over a wide range of frequencies associated with cyclotron and longitudinal plasma instabilities. This enhanced the thermal plasma density in the vicinity of the beam, and the term Beam-Plasma Discharge (BPD) was employed to described this phenomenon. The present investigation is concerned with some of the transient phenomena associated with wave emission during the beam switch-on and switch-off periods. Results are presented on the changes in electron energy spectra on a time scale of tens of milliseconds following beam switch-on. The results are discussed in terms of the beam plasma discharge phenomenon.

  19. Temporal switching jitter in photoconductive switches

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

    GAUDET,JOHN A.; SKIPPER,MICHAEL C.; ABDALLA,MICHAEL D.

    This paper reports on a recent comparison made between the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) gallium arsenide, optically-triggered switch test configuration and the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) gallium arsenide, optically-triggered switch test configuration. The purpose of these measurements was to compare the temporal switch jitter times. It is found that the optical trigger laser characteristics are dominant in determining the PCSS jitter.

  20. Injection of a coaxial-gun-produced magnetized plasma into a background helicon plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yue; Lynn, Alan; Gilmore, Mark; Hsu, Scott

    2014-10-01

    A compact coaxial plasma gun is employed for experimental investigation of plasma bubble relaxation into a lower density background plasma. Experiments are being conducted in the linear device HelCat at UNM. The gun is powered by a 120-uF ignitron-switched capacitor bank, which is operated in a range of 5 to 10 kV and 100 kA. Multiple diagnostics are employed to investigate the plasma relaxation process. Magnetized argon plasma bubbles with velocities 1.2Cs, densities 1020 m-3 and electron temperature 13eV have been achieved. The background helicon plasma has density 1013 m-3, magnetic field from 200 to 500 Gauss and electron temperature 1eV. Several distinct operational regimes with qualitatively different dynamics are identified by fast CCD camera images. Additionally a B-dot probe array has been employed to measure the spatial toroidal and poloidal magnetic flux evolution to identify plasma bubble configurations. Experimental data and analysis will be presented.

  1. Application of an impedance matching transformer to a plasma focus.

    PubMed

    Bures, B L; James, C; Krishnan, M; Adler, R

    2011-10-01

    A plasma focus was constructed using an impedance matching transformer to improve power transfer between the pulse power and the dynamic plasma load. The system relied on two switches and twelve transformer cores to produce a 100 kA pulse in short circuit on the secondary at 27 kV on the primary with 110 J stored. With the two transformer systems in parallel, the Thevenin equivalent circuit parameters on the secondary side of the driver are: C = 10.9 μF, V(0) = 4.5 kV, L = 17 nH, and R = 5 mΩ. An equivalent direct drive circuit would require a large number of switches in parallel, to achieve the same Thevenin equivalent. The benefits of this approach are replacement of consumable switches with non-consumable transformer cores, reduction of the driver inductance and resistance as viewed by the dynamic load, and reduction of the stored energy to produce a given peak current. The system is designed to operate at 100 Hz, so minimizing the stored energy results in less load on the thermal management system. When operated at 1 Hz, the neutron yield from the transformer matched plasma focus was similar to the neutron yield from a conventional (directly driven) plasma focus at the same peak current.

  2. Study of optoelectronic switch for satellite-switched time-division multiple access

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Su, Shing-Fong; Jou, Liz; Lenart, Joe

    1987-01-01

    The use of optoelectronic switching for satellite switched time division multiple access will improve the isolation and reduce the crosstalk of an IF switch matrix. The results are presented of a study on optoelectronic switching. Tasks include literature search, system requirements study, candidate switching architecture analysis, and switch model optimization. The results show that the power divided and crossbar switching architectures are good candidates for an IF switch matrix.

  3. 49 CFR 218.103 - Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. 218.103 Section 218.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued... Equipment, Switches, and Fixed Derails § 218.103 Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. (a)(1...

  4. 49 CFR 218.103 - Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. 218.103 Section 218.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued... Equipment, Switches, and Fixed Derails § 218.103 Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. (a)(1...

  5. 49 CFR 218.103 - Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. 218.103 Section 218.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued... Equipment, Switches, and Fixed Derails § 218.103 Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. (a)(1...

  6. 49 CFR 218.103 - Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. 218.103 Section 218.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued... Equipment, Switches, and Fixed Derails § 218.103 Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. (a)(1...

  7. 49 CFR 218.103 - Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. 218.103 Section 218.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued... Equipment, Switches, and Fixed Derails § 218.103 Hand-operated switches, including crossover switches. (a)(1...

  8. Plasma x-ray radiation source.

    PubMed

    Popkov, N F; Kargin, V I; Ryaslov, E A; Pikar', A S

    1995-01-01

    This paper gives the results of studies on a plasma x-ray source, which enables one to obtain a 2.5-krad radiation dose per pulse over an area of 100 cm2 in the quantum energy range from 20 to 500 keV. Pulse duration is 100 ns. Spectral radiation distributions from a diode under various operation conditions of a plasma are obtained. A Marx generator served as an initial energy source of 120 kJ with a discharge time of T/4 = 10-6 s. A short electromagnetic pulse (10-7 s) was shaped using plasma erosion opening switches.

  9. Optically-switched submillimeter-wave oscillator and radiator having a switch-to-switch propagation delay

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Spencer, Michael G. (Inventor); Maserjian, Joseph (Inventor)

    1995-01-01

    A submillimeter wave-generating integrated circuit includes an array of N photoconductive switches biased across a common voltage source and an optical path difference from a common optical pulse of repetition rate f sub 0 providing a different optical delay to each of the switches. In one embodiment, each incoming pulse is applied to successive ones of the N switches with successive delays. The N switches are spaced apart with a suitable switch-to-switch spacing so as to generate at the output load or antenna radiation of a submillimeter wave frequency f on the order of N f sub 0. Preferably, the optical pulse has a repetition rate of at least 10 GHz and N is of the order of 100, so that the circuit generates radiation of frequency of the order of or greater than 1 Terahertz.

  10. Fundamental Studies of Transient, Atmospheric-Pressure, Small-Scale Plasmas

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-01-23

    e.g. plasma brush) were explored for surface decontamination against pathogenic bacteria and biofilms , as well as for treatment of cervical cancer , in...pressure plasma jets and jet arrays (e.g. plasma brush) were explored for surface decontamination against pathogenic bacteria and biofilms , as well as...for treatment of cervical cancer , in vitro. 4) Other studies involving portable nanosecond pulsed power generation based gas switches or

  11. Ultrafast Modulation and Switching of Quantum-Well Lasers using Terahertz Fields

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ning, Cun-Zheng; Hughes, S.; Citrin, D.; Saini, Subhash (Technical Monitor)

    1998-01-01

    Modulation and switching of semiconductor lasers are important for laser-based information technology. Typically the speed of modulation and switching is limited by interband processes such as stimulated and spontaneous recombinations which occur on a nanosecond time scale. This is why the diode laser modulation has been restricted to tens of GHz. Modulation at higher speed is highly desirable as the information technology enters into the so-called tera-era. In this paper, we study the possibility of utilizing THz-field-induced plasma heating to modulate quantum-well lasers. This is a timely study since, with the advancement of THz solid-state sources and free-electron lasers, THz physics and related technology is currently coming out of its infancy. The investigation of interplaying THz and optical fields is also of intruiging fundamental interest. First, we introduce theoretical plasma heating results for the quantum-well optical amplifier in the presense of an intense half-cycle THz pulse. The heated carrier distributions are then utilized to calculate the THz-pulse-induced change in refractive index and gain profile. Since the electron-hole-plasma is heated using intraband transitions, we circumvent the usual complications due to an overall change in density, and the nonlinear recovery is governed solely by the carrier-LO-phonon interactions, typically 5 ps for a complete recovery. This procedure implies THz and sub-THz switching and recovery rates, respectively; using either gain modulation or index modulation. Plasma heating via steady-state THz fields is also studied. Finally, numerical simulation of a coupled set of equations to investigate the THz modulation based on a simplified model for quantum-well lasers is presented. Our results show that a semiconductor laser can be modulated at up to 1 THz with little distortion with a THz field amplitude at the order of a few kV/cm. Laser responses to a change in THz frequency will be shown. Constraints

  12. Development of High Power Vacuum Tubes for Accelerators and Plasma Heating

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Srivastava, Vishnu

    2012-11-01

    High pulsed power magnetrons and klystrons for medical and industrial accelerators, and high CW power klystrons and gyrotrons for plasma heating in tokamak, are being developed at CEERI. S-band 2.0MW pulsed tunable magnetrons of centre frequency 2856MHz and 2998 MHz were developed, and S-band 2.6MW pulsed tunable magnetron is being developed for medical LINAC, and 3MW pulsed tunable magnetron is being developed for industrial accelerator. S-band (2856MHz), 5MW pulsed klystron was developed for particle accelerator, and S-band 6MW pulsed klystron is under development for 10MeV industrial accelerator. 350MHz, 100kW (CW) klystron is being developed for proton accelerator, and C-band 250kW (CW) klystron is being developed for plasma heating. 42GHz, 200kW (CW/Long pulse) gyrotron is under development for plasma heating. Plasma filled tubes are also being developed for switching. 25kV/1kA and 40kV/3kA thyratrons were developed for high voltage high current switching in pulse modulators for magnetrons and klystrons. 25kV/3kA Pseudospark switch of current rise time of 1kA/|a-sec and pulse repetition rate of 500Hz is being developed. Plasma assisted high power microwave device is also being investigated.

  13. Switching control of an R/C hovercraft: stabilization and smooth switching.

    PubMed

    Tanaka, K; Iwasaki, M; Wang, H O

    2001-01-01

    This paper presents stable switching control of an radio-controlled (R/C) hovercraft that is a nonholonomic (nonlinear) system. To exactly represent its nonlinear dynamics, more importantly, to maintain controllability of the system, we newly propose a switching fuzzy model that has locally Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy models and switches them according to states, external variables, and/or time. A switching fuzzy controller is constructed by mirroring the rule structure of the switching fuzzy model of an R/C hovercraft. We derive linear matrix inequality (LMI) conditions for ensuring the stability of the closed-loop system consisting of a switching fuzzy model and controller. Furthermore, to guarantee smooth switching of control input at switching boundaries, we also derive a smooth switching condition represented in terms of LMIs. A stable switching fuzzy controller satisfying the smooth switching condition is designed by simultaneously solving both of the LMIs. The simulation and experimental results for the trajectory control of an R/C hovercraft show the validity of the switching fuzzy model and controller design, particularly, the smooth switching condition.

  14. Synchronizable Q-switched, mode-locked, and cavity-dumped ruby laser for plasma diagnostics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Houtman, H.; Meyer, J.

    1985-06-01

    We report on the design and operation of an optimized version of a Q-switched, mode-locked, and cavity-dumped ruby-laser oscillator. The modulator window is much narrower than that assumed in conventional active mode-lock theory, and is shown to yield much shorter pulses than the latter in cases where the number of round trips is restricted. To allow a high-power pulse (≊1 GW) to evolve in the oscillator, and to allow simple synchronization to a (˜100 ns fixed delay) CO2 laser, a limit of 23 round trips was chosen, but similar limits may be imposed by lasers having short-gain duration as in an excimer laser. Details are given on the single spark gap switching element and Pockels cells, with an analysis of their expected switching speeds, in order to establish the effectiveness of the modulator, as compared to conventional sinusoidally driven active mode lockers. Single pulses of 50-70 mJ are reliably cavity-dumped after only 100-ns delay (23 round trips) with pulse length adjustable from 50-100 ps with ±5-ps stability. Relative timing between the main (CO2) and probe (ruby) pulses allows a measurement accuracy of ±50 ps to be attained.

  15. Synchronizable Q-switched, mode-locked, and cavity-dumped ruby laser for plasma diagnostics

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

    Houtman, H.; Meyer, J.

    We report on the design and operation of an optimized version of a Q-switched, mode-locked, and cavity-dumped ruby-laser oscillator. The modulator window is much narrower than that assumed in conventional active mode-lock theory, and is shown to yield much shorter pulses than the latter in cases where the number of round trips is restricted. To allow a high-power pulse (roughly-equal1 GW) to evolve in the oscillator, and to allow simple synchronization to a (approx.100 ns fixed delay) CO/sub 2/ laser, a limit of 23 round trips was chosen, but similar limits may be imposed by lasers having short-gain duration asmore » in an excimer laser. Details are given on the single spark gap switching element and Pockels cells, with an analysis of their expected switching speeds, in order to establish the effectiveness of the modulator, as compared to conventional sinusoidally driven active mode lockers. Single pulses of 50--70 mJ are reliably cavity-dumped after only 100-ns delay (23 round trips) with pulse length adjustable from 50--100 ps with +- 5-ps stability. Relative timing between the main (CO/sub 2/) and probe (ruby) pulses allows a measurement accuracy of +- 50 ps to be attained.« less

  16. Gold-based thin multilayers for ohmic contacts in RF-MEMS switches

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mulloni, V.; Iannacci, J.; Bartali, R.; Micheli, V.; Colpo, S.; Laidani, N.; Margesin, B.

    2011-06-01

    In RF-MEMS switches many reliability issues are related to the metal contacts in the switching area. The characteristics of this contact influence not only contact resistance and insertion loss, but also the most relevant switch failure mechanisms that are wear of ohmic contact, adhesion and stiction. Gold is widely used for this purpose because of its good conductivity and chemical inertness, but is a soft metal, and the development of hard contact materials with low resistivity is of great interest for RF-MEMS switch reliability. It is possible to increase the contact hardness preserving the convenient gold properties alternating gold layers with thin layers of different metals. The material becomes harder not only by simple alloying but also by the presence of interfaces which act as barriers for mechanical dislocation migration. A detailed study of mechanical, electrical and morphological properties of gold-chromium, gold-platinum and gold-palladium multilayers is presented and discussed. It is found that the annealing treatments are important for tuning hardness values, and a careful choice of the alloying metal is essential when the material is inserted in a real switch fabrication cycle, because hardness improvements can vanish during oxygen plasma treatments usually involved in RF-switches fabrication. Platinum is the only metal tested that is unaffected by oxidation, and also modifies the chromium adhesion layer diffusion on the contact surface.

  17. Discharge dynamics and plasma density recovery by on/off switches of additional gas

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

    Lee, Hyo-Chang, E-mail: lhc@kriss.re.kr; Department of Electrical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763; Kwon, Deuk-Chul

    2016-06-15

    Measurement of the plasma density is investigated to study plasma dynamics by adding reactive gas (O{sub 2}) or rare gas (He) in Ar plasmas. When the O{sub 2} or He gas is added, plasma density is suddenly decreased, while the plasma density recovers slowly with gas off. It is found that the recovery time is strongly dependent on the gas flow rate, and it can be explained by effect of gas residence time. When the He gas is off in the Ar plasma, the plasma density is overshot compared to the case of the O{sub 2} gas pulsing due tomore » enhanced ionizations by metastable atoms. Analysis and calculation for correlation between the plasma density dynamics and the gas pulsing are also presented in detail.« less

  18. Immunoglobulin class switching to IgG4 in Warthin tumor and analysis of serum IgG4 levels and IgG4-positive plasma cells in the tumor.

    PubMed

    Aga, Mitsuharu; Kondo, Satoru; Yamada, Kazunori; Wakisaka, Naohiro; Yagi-Nakanishi, Sayaka; Tsuji, Akira; Endo, Kazuhira; Murono, Shigeyuki; Ito, Makoto; Muramatsu, Masamichi; Kawano, Mitsuhiro; Yoshizaki, Tomokazu

    2014-04-01

    We previously reported a case of immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related immune inflammation in Warthin tumor. Increased serum IgG4 levels and tissue infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells are characteristics of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a newly emerging clinicopathological entity. However, the relationship between IgG4-RD and Warthin tumor remains to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate the involvement of systemic and local IgG4 production and class-switch recombination in Warthin tumor. We examined serum IgG4 levels and also analyzed the involvement of IgG4-positive plasma cells in Warthin tumors (18 cases) compared with those of pleomorphic adenomas (19 cases) as controls. Furthermore, in specimens of Warthin tumors (3 cases), pleomorphic adenomas (2 cases), and IgG4-RDs (2 cases), we examined messenger RNA expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase, IgG4 germline transcripts and productive IgG4 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Serum IgG4 levels were increased in 5 of 18 Warthin tumors and not in any of the 19 pleomorphic adenomas. Infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells was detected in 4 Warthin tumors and none in the pleomorphic adenomas. Moreover, activation-induced cytidine deaminase, IgG4 germline transcripts, and productive IgG4 messenger RNA were found to be expressed in 2 of 3 Warthin tumors as well as IgG4-RDs by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, but not in pleomorphic adenomas. In conclusion, immunoglobulin class switching to IgG4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of Warthin tumor, and it is possible that certain inflammatory background with an immune reaction is involved in the pathogenesis of Warthin tumor. © 2013.

  19. PLASMA GENERATOR

    DOEpatents

    Wilcox, J.M.; Baker, W.R.

    1963-09-17

    This invention is a magnetohydrodynamic device for generating a highly ionized ion-electron plasma at a region remote from electrodes and structural members, thus avoiding contamination of the plasma. The apparatus utilizes a closed, gas-filled, cylindrical housing in which an axially directed magnetic field is provided. At one end of the housing, a short cylindrical electrode is disposed coaxially around a short axial inner electrode. A radial electrical discharge is caused to occur between the inner and outer electrodes, creating a rotating hydromagnetic ionization wave that propagates aiong the magnetic field lines toward the opposite end of the housing. A shorting switch connected between the electrodes prevents the wave from striking the opposite end of the housing. (AEC)

  20. Exciter switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mcpeak, W. L.

    1975-01-01

    A new exciter switch assembly has been installed at the three DSN 64-m deep space stations. This assembly provides for switching Block III and Block IV exciters to either the high-power or 20-kW transmitters in either dual-carrier or single-carrier mode. In the dual-carrier mode, it provides for balancing the two drive signals from a single control panel located in the transmitter local control and remote control consoles. In addition to the improved switching capabilities, extensive monitoring of both the exciter switch assembly and Transmitter Subsystem is provided by the exciter switch monitor and display assemblies.

  1. Heating and cooling of the multiply charged ion nonequilibrium plasma in a high-current extended low-inductance discharge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burtsev, V. A.; Kalinin, N. V.

    2014-09-01

    Using a radiation magnetohydrodynamics two-temperature model (RMHD model) of a high-current volumetric radiating Z-discharge, the heating and cooling of the nitrogen plasma in a pulsed pinched extended discharge is investigated as applied to the problem of creating a recombination laser based on 3 → 2 transitions of hydrogen-like nitrogen ions (λ = 13.4 nm). It is shown that the power supply of the discharge, which is represented by a dual storage-forming line and a transmission line, makes it possible to raise the power density of the nitrogen plasma to 0.01-1.00 TW/cm3. Accordingly, there arises the possibility of generating a fully ionized (i.e., consisting of bare nuclei and electrons) plasma through the heating (compression) of electrons owing to the self-magnetic field of the plasma current and Joule heat even if the plasma is cooled by its own radiation at this stage. Such a plasma is needed to produce the lasing (active) medium of a recombination laser based on electron transitions in hydrogen-like ions. At the second stage, it is necessary to rapidly and deeply cool the plasma to 20-40 eV for 1-2 ns. Cooling of the fully ionized expanding plasma was numerically simulated with the discharge current switched on and off by means of a switch with a rapidly rising resistance. In both cases, the plasma expansion in the discharge is not adiabatic. Even after the discharge current is fairly rapidly switched off, heating of electrons continues inside the plasma column for a time longer than the switching time. Discharge current switchoff improves the electron cooling efficiency only slightly. Under such conditions, the plasma cools down to 50-60 eV in the former case and to 46-54 eV in the latter case for 2-3 ns.

  2. A Switch Is Not a Switch: Syntactically-Driven Bilingual Language Control

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gollan, Tamar H.; Goldrick, Matthew

    2018-01-01

    The current study investigated the possibility that language switches could be relatively automatically triggered by context. "Single-word switches," in which bilinguals switched languages on a single word in midsentence and then immediately switched back, were contrasted with more complete "whole-language switches," in which…

  3. Switching Phenomena in a System with No Switches

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Preis, Tobias; Stanley, H. Eugene

    2010-02-01

    It is widely believed that switching phenomena require switches, but this is actually not true. For an intriguing variety of switching phenomena in nature, the underlying complex system abruptly changes from one state to another in a highly discontinuous fashion. For example, financial market fluctuations are characterized by many abrupt switchings creating increasing trends ("bubble formation") and decreasing trends ("financial collapse"). Such switching occurs on time scales ranging from macroscopic bubbles persisting for hundreds of days to microscopic bubbles persisting only for a few seconds. We analyze a database containing 13,991,275 German DAX Future transactions recorded with a time resolution of 10 msec. For comparison, a database providing 2,592,531 of all S&P500 daily closing prices is used. We ask whether these ubiquitous switching phenomena have quantifiable features independent of the time horizon studied. We find striking scale-free behavior of the volatility after each switching occurs. We interpret our findings as being consistent with time-dependent collective behavior of financial market participants. We test the possible universality of our result by performing a parallel analysis of fluctuations in transaction volume and time intervals between trades. We show that these financial market switching processes have properties similar to those of phase transitions. We suggest that the well-known catastrophic bubbles that occur on large time scales—such as the most recent financial crisis—are no outliers but single dramatic representatives caused by the switching between upward and downward trends on time scales varying over nine orders of magnitude from very large (≈102 days) down to very small (≈10 ms).

  4. Fast Electromechanical Switches Based on Carbon Nanotubes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kaul, Anupama; Wong, Eric; Epp, Larry

    2008-01-01

    Electrostatically actuated nanoelectromechanical switches based on carbon nanotubes have been fabricated and tested in a continuing effort to develop high-speed switches for a variety of stationary and portable electronic equipment. As explained below, these devices offer advantages over electrostatically actuated microelectromechanical switches, which, heretofore, have represented the state of the art of rapid, highly miniaturized electromechanical switches. Potential applications for these devices include computer memories, cellular telephones, communication networks, scientific instrumentation, and general radiation-hard electronic equipment. A representative device of the present type includes a single-wall carbon nanotube suspended over a trench about 130 nm wide and 20 nm deep in an electrically insulating material. The ends of the carbon nanotube are connected to metal electrodes, denoted the source and drain electrodes. At bottom of the trench is another metal electrode, denoted the pull electrode (see figure). In the off or open switch state, no voltage is applied, and the nanotube remains out of contact with the pull electrode. When a sufficiently large electric potential (switching potential) is applied between the pull electrode and either or both of the source and drain electrodes, the resulting electrostatic attraction bends and stretches the nanotube into contact with the pull electrode, thereby putting the switch into the "on" or "closed" state, in which substantial current (typically as much as hundreds of nanoamperes) is conducted. Devices of this type for use in initial experiments were fabricated on a thermally oxidized Si wafer, onto which Nb was sputter-deposited for use as the pull-electrode layer. Nb was chosen because its refractory nature would enable it to withstand the chemical and thermal conditions to be subsequently imposed for growing carbon nanotubes. A 200- nm-thick layer of SiO2 was formed on top of the Nb layer by plasma

  5. Current Interruption and Particle Beam Generation by a Plasma Focus.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-11-30

    Through collaboration with Dr. K. H. Schoenbach of Texas Tech University the plasma focus opening switch (PFOS) was revised to answer basic questions...results are consistent with the snowplow model. The final analysis of the plasma focus particle beam generation experiments was completed and a...strong correlation was found for the beam-target model as the mechanism for neutron production in the Illinois plasma focus device. (Author)

  6. 49 CFR 236.6 - Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit..., AND APPLIANCES Rules and Instructions: All Systems General § 236.6 Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller. Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller connected to the...

  7. 49 CFR 236.6 - Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit..., AND APPLIANCES Rules and Instructions: All Systems General § 236.6 Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller. Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller connected to the...

  8. 49 CFR 236.6 - Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit..., AND APPLIANCES Rules and Instructions: All Systems General § 236.6 Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller. Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller connected to the...

  9. 49 CFR 236.6 - Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit..., AND APPLIANCES Rules and Instructions: All Systems General § 236.6 Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller. Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller connected to the...

  10. 49 CFR 236.6 - Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit..., AND APPLIANCES Rules and Instructions: All Systems General § 236.6 Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller. Hand-operated switch equipped with switch circuit controller connected to the...

  11. Operation of a homeostatic sleep switch.

    PubMed

    Pimentel, Diogo; Donlea, Jeffrey M; Talbot, Clifford B; Song, Seoho M; Thurston, Alexander J F; Miesenböck, Gero

    2016-08-18

    Sleep disconnects animals from the external world, at considerable risks and costs that must be offset by a vital benefit. Insight into this mysterious benefit will come from understanding sleep homeostasis: to monitor sleep need, an internal bookkeeper must track physiological changes that are linked to the core function of sleep. In Drosophila, a crucial component of the machinery for sleep homeostasis is a cluster of neurons innervating the dorsal fan-shaped body (dFB) of the central complex. Artificial activation of these cells induces sleep, whereas reductions in excitability cause insomnia. dFB neurons in sleep-deprived flies tend to be electrically active, with high input resistances and long membrane time constants, while neurons in rested flies tend to be electrically silent. Correlative evidence thus supports the simple view that homeostatic sleep control works by switching sleep-promoting neurons between active and quiescent states. Here we demonstrate state switching by dFB neurons, identify dopamine as a neuromodulator that operates the switch, and delineate the switching mechanism. Arousing dopamine caused transient hyperpolarization of dFB neurons within tens of milliseconds and lasting excitability suppression within minutes. Both effects were transduced by Dop1R2 receptors and mediated by potassium conductances. The switch to electrical silence involved the downregulation of voltage-gated A-type currents carried by Shaker and Shab, and the upregulation of voltage-independent leak currents through a two-pore-domain potassium channel that we term Sandman. Sandman is encoded by the CG8713 gene and translocates to the plasma membrane in response to dopamine. dFB-restricted interference with the expression of Shaker or Sandman decreased or increased sleep, respectively, by slowing the repetitive discharge of dFB neurons in the ON state or blocking their entry into the OFF state. Biophysical changes in a small population of neurons are thus linked to the

  12. Simultaneous determination of asperosaponin VI and its active metabolite hederagenin in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with positive/negative ion-switching electrospray ionization and its application in pharmacokinetic study.

    PubMed

    Zhu, He; Ding, Li; Shakya, Shailendra; Qi, Xiemin; Hu, Linlin; Yang, Xiaolin; Yang, Zhonglin

    2011-11-15

    A new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method operated in the positive/negative electrospray ionization (ESI) switching mode has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of asperosaponin VI and its active metabolite hederagenin in rat plasma. After addition of internal standards diazepam (for asperosaponin VI) and glycyrrhetic acid (for hederagenin), the plasma sample was deproteinized with acetonitrile, and separated on a reversed phase C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol (solvent A)-0.05% glacial acetic acid containing 10 mM ammonium acetate and 30 μM sodium acetate (solvent B) using gradient elution. The detection of target compounds was done in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using a tandem mass spectrometry equipped with positive/negative ion-switching ESI source. At the first segment, the MRM detection was operated in the positive ESI mode using the transitions of m/z 951.5 ([M+Na](+))→347.1 for asperosaponin VI and m/z 285.1 ([M+H](+))→193.1 for diazepam for 4 min, then switched to the negative ESI mode using the transitions of m/z 471.3 ([M-H](-))→471.3 for hederagenin and m/z 469.4 ([M-H](-))→425.4 for glycyrrhetic acid, respectively. The sodiated molecular ion [M+Na](+) at m/z 951.5 was selected as the precursor ion for asperosaponin VI, since it provided better sensitivity compared to the deprotonated and protonated molecular ions. Sodium acetate was added to the mobile phase to make sure that abundant amount of the sodiated molecular ion of asperosaponin VI could be produced, and more stable and intensive mass response of the product ion could be obtained. For the detection of hederagenin, since all of the mass responses of the fragment ions were very weak, the deprotonated molecular ion [M-H](-)m/z 471.3 was employed as both the precursor ion and the product ion. But the collision energy was still used for the MRM, in order to eliminate the influences induced by the interference

  13. EDITORIAL: Molecular switches at surfaces Molecular switches at surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weinelt, Martin; von Oppen, Felix

    2012-10-01

    In nature, molecules exploit interaction with their environment to realize complex functionalities on the nanometer length scale. Physical, chemical and/or biological specificity is frequently achieved by the switching of molecules between microscopically different states. Paradigmatic examples are the energy production in proton pumps of bacteria or the signal conversion in human vision, which rely on switching molecules between different configurations or conformations by external stimuli. The remarkable reproducibility and unparalleled fatigue resistance of these natural processes makes it highly desirable to emulate nature and develop artificial systems with molecular functionalities. A promising avenue towards this goal is to anchor the molecular switches at surfaces, offering new pathways to control their functional properties, to apply electrical contacts, or to integrate switches into larger systems. Anchoring at surfaces allows one to access the full range from individual molecular switches to self-assembled monolayers of well-defined geometry and to customize the coupling between molecules and substrate or between adsorbed molecules. Progress in this field requires both synthesis and preparation of appropriate molecular systems and control over suitable external stimuli, such as light, heat, or electrical currents. To optimize switching and generate function, it is essential to unravel the geometric structure, the electronic properties and the dynamic interactions of the molecular switches on surfaces. This special section, Molecular Switches at Surfaces, collects 17 contributions describing different aspects of this research field. They analyze elementary processes, both in single molecules and in ensembles of molecules, which involve molecular switching and concomitant changes of optical, electronic, or magnetic properties. Two topical reviews summarize the current status, including both challenges and achievements in the field of molecular switches on

  14. A fast switch, combiner and narrow-band filter for high-power millimetre wave beams

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kasparek, W.; Petelin, M. I.; Shchegolkov, D. Yu; Erckmann, V.; Plaum, B.; Bruschi, A.; ECRH Groups at IPP Greifswald; Karlsruhe, FZK; Stuttgart, IPF

    2008-05-01

    A fast directional switch (FADIS) is described, which allows controlled switching of high-power microwaves between two outputs. A possible application could be synchronous stabilization of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs). Generally, the device can be used to share the installed EC power between different types of launchers or different applications (e.g. in ITER, midplane/upper launcher). The switching is performed electronically without moving parts by a small frequency-shift keying of the gyrotron (some tens of megahertz), and a narrow-band diplexer. The device can be operated as a beam combiner also, which offers attractive transmission perspectives in multi-megawatt ECRH systems. In addition, these diplexers are useful for plasma diagnostic systems employing high-power sources due to their filter characteristics. The principle and the design of a four-port quasi-optical resonator diplexer is presented. Low-power measurements of switching contrast, mode purity and efficiency show good agreement with theory. Preliminary frequency modulation characteristics of gyrotrons are shown, and first results from high-power switching experiments using the ECRH system for W7-X are presented.

  15. High-Energy Two-Stage Pulsed Plasma Thruster

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Markusic, Tom

    2003-01-01

    A high-energy (28 kJ per pulse) two-stage pulsed plasma thruster (MSFC PPT-1) has been constructed and tested. The motivation of this project is to develop a high power (approximately 500 kW), high specific impulse (approximately 10000 s), highly efficient (greater than 50%) thruster for use as primary propulsion in a high power nuclear electric propulsion system. PPT-1 was designed to overcome four negative characteristics which have detracted from the utility of pulsed plasma thrusters: poor electrical efficiency, poor propellant utilization efficiency, electrode erosion, and reliability issues associated with the use of high speed gas valves and high current switches. Traditional PPTs have been plagued with poor efficiency because they have not been operated in a plasma regime that fully exploits the potential benefits of pulsed plasma acceleration by electromagnetic forces. PPTs have generally been used to accelerate low-density plasmas with long current pulses. Operation of thrusters in this plasma regime allows for the development of certain undesirable particle-kinetic effects, such as Hall effect-induced current sheet canting. PPT-1 was designed to propel a highly collisional, dense plasma that has more fluid-like properties and, hence, is more effectively pushed by a magnetic field. The high-density plasma loading into the second stage of the accelerator is achieved through the use of a dense plasma injector (first stage). The injector produces a thermal plasma, derived from a molten lithium propellant feed system, which is subsequently accelerated by the second stage using mega-amp level currents, which eject the plasma at a speed on the order of 100 kilometers per second. Traditional PPTs also suffer from dynamic efficiency losses associated with snowplow loading of distributed neutral propellant. The twostage scheme used in PPT-I allows the propellant to be loaded in a manner which more closely approximates the optimal slug loading. Lithium propellant

  16. Optimal control of switching time in switched stochastic systems with multi-switching times and different costs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Xiaomei; Li, Shengtao; Zhang, Kanjian

    2017-08-01

    In this paper, we solve an optimal control problem for a class of time-invariant switched stochastic systems with multi-switching times, where the objective is to minimise a cost functional with different costs defined on the states. In particular, we focus on problems in which a pre-specified sequence of active subsystems is given and the switching times are the only control variables. Based on the calculus of variation, we derive the gradient of the cost functional with respect to the switching times on an especially simple form, which can be directly used in gradient descent algorithms to locate the optimal switching instants. Finally, a numerical example is given, highlighting the validity of the proposed methodology.

  17. Transient-Switch-Signal Suppressor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bozeman, Richard J., Jr.

    1995-01-01

    Circuit delays transmission of switch-opening or switch-closing signal until after preset suppression time. Used to prevent transmission of undesired momentary switch signal. Basic mode of operation simple. Beginning of switch signal initiates timing sequence. If switch signal persists after preset suppression time, circuit transmits switch signal to external circuitry. If switch signal no longer present after suppression time, switch signal deemed transient, and circuit does not pass signal on to external circuitry, as though no transient switch signal. Suppression time preset at value large enough to allow for damping of underlying pressure wave or other mechanical transient.

  18. Differential coulometric oxidation following post column-switching high pressure liquid chromatography for fluorescence measurement of unmetabolized folic acid in human plasma.

    PubMed

    Bailey, Steven W; Ayling, June E

    2013-11-08

    Although many countries have fortified their grain supplies with folic acid (FA) to decrease the incidence of neural tube defects, others have not due to concerns that this synthetic folate might have some adverse effects. Persistent unmetabolized FA has been found even in plasma from fasted subjects. To facilitate measurement of low levels of folic acid in human plasma, post-column coulometric oxidative cleavage was used to convert poorly fluorescent FA into a highly fluorescent compound determined to be 6-formyl-pterin. To minimize sample work-up and maximize recovery, column-switching HPLC transferred a window of eluate containing the FA from the first column (C8) onto a second column (phenyl-hexyl). The pH of two mobile phases were adjusted to be above and then below a pK of the FA α-carboxyl group, thus promoting separation from compounds coeluting from the C8-column. This permitted sample preparation using only a simple high recovery protein precipitation. Definitive identification of FA in human plasma was accomplished by duplicate injections of sample with the electrochemical voltage set above and below its half-potential. The LOD (S/N=3) was 0.10 nM. The intra- and inter-assay CV's were 2.3% and 5%, respectively. Comparison of these results with those obtained by HPLC/MS/MS with stable isotope internal standard showed a slope of 1.00 ± 0.019. This simple, sensitive, and repeatable assay facilitates a more thorough investigation of the response of various human populations to folic acid intake. Post-column differential coulometric electrochemistry can expand the variety of compounds amenable to fluorescence detection. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Development and Experimental Operation of a Flashboard Plasma Cathode Test Stand

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-06-01

    grid-controlled system [31]. J.R. Bayless and his group developed a new type of plasma cathode electron gun qualified for pulsed and continuous...Interferometry of flashboard and cable- gun plasma opening switches on hawk,” IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 189–195, Apr. 1997. [29] C...The plasma -cathode electron gun ,” IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 213–218, Feb 1974. [33] Ady Hershcovitch

  20. Characterization of a plasma photonic crystal using a multi-fluid plasma model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thomas, W. R.; Shumlak, U.; Wang, B.; Righetti, F.; Cappelli, M. A.; Miller, S. T.

    2017-10-01

    Plasma photonic crystals have the potential to significantly expand the capabilities of current microwave filtering and switching technologies by providing high speed (μs) control of energy band-gap/pass characteristics in the GHz through low THz range. While photonic crystals consisting of dielectric, semiconductor, and metallic matrices have seen thousands of articles published over the last several decades, plasma-based photonic crystals remain a relatively unexplored field. Numerical modeling efforts so far have largely used the standard methods of analysis for photonic crystals (the Plane Wave Expansion Method, Finite Difference Time Domain, and ANSYS finite element electromagnetic code HFSS), none of which capture nonlinear plasma-radiation interactions. In this study, a 5N-moment multi-fluid plasma model is implemented using University of Washington's WARPXM finite element multi-physics code. A two-dimensional plasma-vacuum photonic crystal is simulated and its behavior is characterized through the generation of dispersion diagrams and transmission spectra. These results are compared with theory, experimental data, and ANSYS HFSS simulation results. This research is supported by a Grant from United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

  1. Digital switched hydraulics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pan, Min; Plummer, Andrew

    2018-06-01

    This paper reviews recent developments in digital switched hydraulics particularly the switched inertance hydraulic systems (SIHSs). The performance of SIHSs is presented in brief with a discussion of several possible configurations and control strategies. The soft switching technology and high-speed switching valve design techniques are discussed. Challenges and recommendations are given based on the current research achievements.

  2. Enhancement of resistive switching properties in Al2O3 bilayer-based atomic switches: multilevel resistive switching.

    PubMed

    Vishwanath, Sujaya Kumar; Woo, Hyunsuk; Jeon, Sanghun

    2018-06-08

    Atomic switches are considered to be building blocks for future non-volatile data storage and internet of things. However, obtaining device structures capable of ultrahigh density data storage, high endurance, and long data retention, and more importantly, understanding the switching mechanisms are still a challenge for atomic switches. Here, we achieved improved resistive switching performance in a bilayer structure containing aluminum oxide, with an oxygen-deficient oxide as the top switching layer and stoichiometric oxide as the bottom switching layer, using atomic layer deposition. This bilayer device showed a high on/off ratio (10 5 ) with better endurance (∼2000 cycles) and longer data retention (10 4 s) than single-oxide layers. In addition, depending on the compliance current, the bilayer device could be operated in four different resistance states. Furthermore, the depth profiles of the hourglass-shaped conductive filament of the bilayer device was observed by conductive atomic force microscopy.

  3. Enhancement of resistive switching properties in Al2O3 bilayer-based atomic switches: multilevel resistive switching

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vishwanath, Sujaya Kumar; Woo, Hyunsuk; Jeon, Sanghun

    2018-06-01

    Atomic switches are considered to be building blocks for future non-volatile data storage and internet of things. However, obtaining device structures capable of ultrahigh density data storage, high endurance, and long data retention, and more importantly, understanding the switching mechanisms are still a challenge for atomic switches. Here, we achieved improved resistive switching performance in a bilayer structure containing aluminum oxide, with an oxygen-deficient oxide as the top switching layer and stoichiometric oxide as the bottom switching layer, using atomic layer deposition. This bilayer device showed a high on/off ratio (105) with better endurance (∼2000 cycles) and longer data retention (104 s) than single-oxide layers. In addition, depending on the compliance current, the bilayer device could be operated in four different resistance states. Furthermore, the depth profiles of the hourglass-shaped conductive filament of the bilayer device was observed by conductive atomic force microscopy.

  4. Finite Ground Coplanar Waveguide Shunt MEMS Switches for Switched Line Phase Shifters

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ponchak, George E.; Simons, Rainee N.; Scardelletti, Maximillian; Varaljay, Nicholas C.

    2000-01-01

    Switches with low insertion loss and high isolation are required for switched line phase shifters and the transmit/receive switch at the front end of communication systems. A Finite Ground Coplanar (FGC) waveguide capacitive, shunt MEMS switch has been implemented on high resistivity Si. The switch has demonstrated an insertion loss of less than 0.3 dB and a return loss greater than 15 dB from 10 to 20, GHz. The switch design, fabrication, and characteristics are presented.

  5. Intentional preparation of auditory attention-switches: Explicit cueing and sequential switch-predictability.

    PubMed

    Seibold, Julia C; Nolden, Sophie; Oberem, Josefa; Fels, Janina; Koch, Iring

    2018-06-01

    In an auditory attention-switching paradigm, participants heard two simultaneously spoken number-words, each presented to one ear, and decided whether the target number was smaller or larger than 5 by pressing a left or right key. An instructional cue in each trial indicated which feature had to be used to identify the target number (e.g., female voice). Auditory attention-switch costs were found when this feature changed compared to when it repeated in two consecutive trials. Earlier studies employing this paradigm showed mixed results when they examined whether such cued auditory attention-switches can be prepared actively during the cue-stimulus interval. This study systematically assessed which preconditions are necessary for the advance preparation of auditory attention-switches. Three experiments were conducted that controlled for cue-repetition benefits, modality switches between cue and stimuli, as well as for predictability of the switch-sequence. Only in the third experiment, in which predictability for an attention-switch was maximal due to a pre-instructed switch-sequence and predictable stimulus onsets, active switch-specific preparation was found. These results suggest that the cognitive system can prepare auditory attention-switches, and this preparation seems to be triggered primarily by the memorised switching-sequence and valid expectations about the time of target onset.

  6. Application of microplasma discharge in a spark gap for high repetitive switching

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

    Rahaman, Hasibur; Nam, Sang Hoon; Nam, Jong Woo

    2010-04-05

    The electrical breakdown in a spark gap for repetitive switching has been a long research interest. For this purpose, microplasma discharge is implemented in the spark gap which is further integrated inside a coaxial transmission line. This work addresses important physical properties and insights of the microplasma discharge, to be optimized, such as plasma generation in a spark channel, dielectric recovery process, and residual plasma in the postspark discharge period. Although understanding the microplasma discharge is the primary goal, considerable attention has been focused on an external circuit scheme to drive the discharge system at a high repetition rate.

  7. Germinal center hypoxia potentiates immunoglobulin class switch recombination

    PubMed Central

    Abbott, Robert K.; Thayer, Molly; Labuda, Jasmine; Silva, Murillo; Philbrook, Phaethon; Cain, Derek W.; Kojima, Hidefumi; Hatfield, Stephen; Sethumadhavan, Shalini; Ohta, Akio; Reinherz, Ellis L.; Kelsoe, Garnett; Sitkovsky, Michail

    2016-01-01

    Germinal centers (GCs) are anatomic sites where B cells undergo secondary diversification to produce high affinity, class switched antibodies. We hypothesized that proliferating B cells in GCs create a hypoxic microenvironment that governs their further differentiation. Using molecular markers, we found GCs to be predominantly hypoxic. Compared to normoxia (21% O2), hypoxic culture conditions (1% O2) in vitro accelerated class switching and plasma cell formation and enhanced expression of GL-7 on B and CD4+ T cells. Reversal of GC hypoxia in vivo by breathing 60% O2 during immunization resulted in reduced frequencies of GC B cells, T follicular helper (TFH) cells and plasmacytes, as well as lower expression of ICOS on TFH. Importantly, this reversal of GC hypoxia decreased antigen-specific serum IgG1 and reduced the frequency of IgG1+ B cells within the antigen specific GC. Taken together, these observations reveal a critical role for hypoxia in GC B cell differentiation. PMID:27798169

  8. Air-bridge and Vertical CNT Switches for High Performance Switching Applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kaul, Anupama B.; Wong, Eric W.; Epp, Larry; Bronikowski, Michael J.; Hunt, BBrian D.

    2006-01-01

    Carbon nanotubes are attractive for switching applications since electrostatically-actuated CNT switches have low actuation voltages and power requirements, while allowing GHz switching speeds that stem from the inherently high elastic modulus and low mass of the CNT.Our first NEM structure, the air-bridge switch, consists of suspended single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) that lie above a sputtered Nb base electrode, where contact to the CNTs is made using evaporated Au/Ti. Electrical measurements of these air-bridge devices show well-defined ON and OFF states as a dc bias of a few volts is applied between the CNT and the Nb-base electrode. The CNT air-bridge switches were measured to have switching times down to a few nanoseconds. Our second NEM structure, the vertical CNT switch, consists of nanotubes grown perpendicular to the substrate. Vertical multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) are grown directly on a heavily doped Si substrate, from 200 - 300 nm wide, approximately 1 micrometer deep nano-pockets, with Nb metal electrodes to result in the formation of a vertical single-pole-double-throw switch architecture.

  9. Time-resolved imaging of the plasma development in a triggered vacuum switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, Wung-Hoa; Kim, Moo-Sang; Son, Yoon-Kyoo; Frank, Klaus; Lee, Byung-Joon; Ackerman, Thilo; Iberler, Marcus

    2017-12-01

    Triggered vacuum switches (TVS) are particularly used in pulsed power technology as closing switches for high voltages and high charge transfer. A non-sealed-off prototype was designed with a side-on quartz window to investigate the evolution of the trigger discharge into the main discharge. The image acquisition was done with a fast CCD camera PI-MAX2 from Princeton Instruments. The CCD camera has a maximum exposure time of 2 ns. The electrode configuration of the prototype is a conventional six-rod gap type, a capacitor bank with C = 16.63 μF, which corresponds at 20 kV charging voltage to a total stored charge of 0.3 C or a total energy of 3.3 kJ. The peak current is 88 kA. According to the tremendously highly different light intensities during the trigger and main discharge, the complete discharge is split into three phases: a trigger breakdown phase, an intermediate phase and a main discharge phase. The CCD camera images of the first phase show instabilities of the trigger breakdown, in phase 2 three different discharge modes are observed. After the first current maximum the discharge behavior is reproducible.

  10. Introduction of Nano-seconds Pulsed Discharge Plasma and its Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Namihira, Takao; Wang, Douyan; Matsumoto, Takao; Okada, Sho; Akiyama, Hidenori

    During the decades, the developments of high power semiconductor switch, magnetic core and etc have allowed us to manufacture the pulsed power source having higher energy transfer efficiency. As the results, the pulsed discharge has been recognized as one of the promised non-thermal plasma to practical use. In this paper, a generation process, electron energy, impedance and a temperature of the pulsed discharge plasma would be explained. In addition, a nano-seconds pulsed discharge plasma would be introduced as the non-thermal plasma processing giving us the highest energy efficiency and be demonstrated it.

  11. Adjustable, High Voltage Pulse Generator with Isolated Output for Plasma Processing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ziemba, Timothy; Miller, Kenneth E.; Prager, James; Slobodov, Ilia

    2015-09-01

    Eagle Harbor Technologies (EHT), Inc. has developed a high voltage pulse generator with isolated output for etch, sputtering, and ion implantation applications within the materials science and semiconductor processing communities. The output parameters are independently user adjustable: output voltage (0 - 2.5 kV), pulse repetition frequency (0 - 100 kHz), and duty cycle (0 - 100%). The pulser can drive loads down to 200 Ω. Higher voltage pulsers have also been tested. The isolated output allows the pulse generator to be connected to loads that need to be biased. These pulser generators take advantage modern silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs. These new solid-state switches decrease the switching and conduction losses while allowing for higher switching frequency capabilities. This pulse generator has applications for RF plasma heating; inductive and arc plasma sources; magnetron driving; and generation of arbitrary pulses at high voltage, high current, and high pulse repetition frequency. This work was supported in part by a DOE SBIR.

  12. Alarm toe switch

    DOEpatents

    Ganyard, Floyd P.

    1982-01-01

    An alarm toe switch inserted within a shoe for energizing an alarm circuit n a covert manner includes an insole mounting pad into which a miniature reed switch is fixedly molded. An elongated slot perpendicular to the reed switch is formed in the bottom surface of the mounting pad. A permanent cylindrical magnet positioned in the forward portion of the slot with a diameter greater than the pad thickness causes a bump above the pad. A foam rubber block is also positioned in the slot rearwardly of the magnet and holds the magnet in normal inoperative relation. A non-magnetic support plate covers the slot and holds the magnet and foam rubber in the slot. The plate minimizes bending and frictional forces to improve movement of the magnet for reliable switch activation. The bump occupies the knuckle space beneath the big toe. When the big toe is scrunched rearwardly the magnet is moved within the slot relative to the reed switch, thus magnetically activating the switch. When toe pressure is released the foam rubber block forces the magnet back into normal inoperative position to deactivate the reed switch. The reed switch is hermetically sealed with the magnet acting through the wall so the switch assembly S is capable of reliable operation even in wet and corrosive environments.

  13. Remote switch actuator

    DOEpatents

    Haas, Edwin Gerard; Beauman, Ronald; Palo, Jr., Stefan

    2013-01-29

    The invention provides a device and method for actuating electrical switches remotely. The device is removably attached to the switch and is actuated through the transfer of a user's force. The user is able to remain physically removed from the switch site obviating need for protective equipment. The device and method allow rapid, safe actuation of high-voltage or high-current carrying electrical switches or circuit breakers.

  14. Mode-locking observation of a CO2 laser by intracavity plasma injection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    John, P. K.; Dembinski, M.

    1980-06-01

    A TEA CO2 laser was simultaneously Q-switched and mode-locked when an underdense plasma was injected into the cavity. The plasma was produced in an electromagnetic shock tube. Plasma density and temperature were N sub e of approximately 10 to the 17th/cu cm and T sub e of approximately 2 eV, respectively. Phase perturbation of the cavity due to the time dependent plasma refractive index could account for the observed mode-locking.

  15. Total internal reflection optical switch using the reverse breakdown of a pn junction in silicon.

    PubMed

    Kim, Jong-Hun; Park, Hyo-Hoon

    2015-11-01

    We demonstrate a new type of silicon total-internal-reflection optical switch with a simple pn junction functioning both as a reflector and a heater. The reflector is placed between asymmetrically y-branched multimode waveguides with an inclination angle corresponding to half of the branch angle. When the reflector is at rest, incident light is reflected in accordance to the refractive index difference due to the plasma dispersion effect of the pre-doped carriers. Switching to the transmission state is attained under a reverse breakdown of the pn junction by the thermo-optic effect which smears the refractive index difference. From this switching scheme, we confirmed the switching operation with a shallow total-internal-reflection region of 1 μm width. At a 6° branch angle, an extinction ratio of 12 dB and an insertion loss of -4.2  dB are achieved along with a thermal heating power of 151.5 mW.

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

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

    2017-10-01

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

  17. Switching antipsychotic medications.

    PubMed

    Weiden, P J; Aquila, R; Dalheim, L; Standard, J M

    1997-01-01

    Compared with conventional antipsychotics, the so-called "atypical" antipsychotics promise improved side effect profiles and better control of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Therefore, most patients currently taking conventional antipsychotics could potentially benefit from a switch to an atypical antipsychotic. Often, the key issue in deciding whether to switch is the presence of countervailing factors that mitigate against the change. This paper discusses the indications and contraindications for switching antipsychotics, plus issues that require consideration before a switch is made. Also, the advantages and disadvantages of various switching techniques are discussed, with a particular focus on the newer antipsychotic olanzapine.

  18. An acoustic switch.

    PubMed

    Vanhille, Christian; Campos-Pozuelo, Cleofé

    2014-01-01

    The benefits derived from the development of acoustic transistors which act as switches or amplifiers have been reported in the literature. Here we propose a model of acoustic switch. We theoretically demonstrate that the device works: the input signal is totally restored at the output when the switch is on whereas the output signal nulls when the switch is off. The switch, on or off, depends on a secondary acoustic field capable to manipulate the main acoustic field. The model relies on the attenuation effect of many oscillating bubbles on the main travelling wave in the liquid, as well as on the capacity of the secondary acoustic wave to move the bubbles. This model evidences the concept of acoustic switch (transistor) with 100% efficiency. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Understanding and Applying Health Benefits of Fasting

    PubMed Central

    Anton, Stephen D.; Moehl, Keelin; Donahoo, William T.; Marosi, Krisztina; Lee, Stephanie; Mainous, Arch G.; Leeuwenburgh, Christiaan; Mattson, Mark P.

    2017-01-01

    Intermittent fasting (IF) is a term used to describe a variety of eating patterns in which no or few calories are consumed for time periods that can range from 12 hours to several days, on a recurring basis. Here we focus on the physiological responses of major organ systems, including the musculoskeletal system, to the onset of the metabolic switch – the point of negative energy balance at which liver glycogen stores are depleted and fatty acids are mobilized (typically beyond 12 hours after cessation of food intake). Emerging findings suggest the metabolic switch from glucose to fatty acid-derived ketones represents an evolutionarily conserved trigger point that shifts metabolism from lipid/cholesterol synthesis and fat storage to mobilization of fat through fatty acid oxidation and fatty-acid derived ketones, which serve to preserve muscle mass and function. Thus, IF regimens that induce the metabolic switch have the potential to improve body composition in overweight individuals. Moreover, IF regimens also induce the coordinated activation of signaling pathways that optimize physiological function, enhance performance, and slow aging and disease processes. Future randomized controlled IF trials should use biomarkers of the metabolic switch (e.g., plasma ketone levels) as a measure of compliance and the magnitude of negative energy balance during the fasting period. PMID:29086496

  20. Coaxial Switch

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-04-23

    0005] RF coaxial switches are typically used in environments that are prone to mechanical shocks and vibrations . For example, in military...withstand mechanical shocks and vibrations and to maintain an RF connection throughout a shock or a vibration event. Attorney Docket No. 102139...3 of 16 [0006] It has been found that shocks and vibrations on prior art rotary-type coaxial switches may cause the shaft in the coaxial switch

  1. Waveguiding and bending modes in a plasma photonic crystal bandgap device

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

    Wang, B., E-mail: bwang17@stanford.edu; Cappelli, M. A.

    2016-06-15

    Waveguiding and bending modes are investigated in a fully tunable plasma photonic crystal. The plasma device actively controls the propagation of free space electromagnetic waves in the S to X band of the microwave spectrum. An array of discharge plasma tubes form a square crystal lattice exhibiting a well-defined bandgap, with individual active switching of the plasma elements to allow for waveguiding and bending modes to be generated dynamically. We show, through simulations and experiments, the existence of transverse electric (TE) mode waveguiding and bending modes.

  2. Miniature intermittent contact switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sword, A.

    1972-01-01

    Design of electric switch for providing intermittent contact is presented. Switch consists of flexible conductor surrounding, but separated from, fixed conductor. Flexing of outside conductor to contact fixed conductor completes circuit. Advantage is small size of switch compared to standard switches.

  3. Electronic logic to enhance switch reliability in detecting openings and closures of redundant switches

    DOEpatents

    Cooper, James A.

    1986-01-01

    A logic circuit is used to enhance redundant switch reliability. Two or more switches are monitored for logical high or low output. The output for the logic circuit produces a redundant and failsafe representation of the switch outputs. When both switch outputs are high, the output is high. Similarly, when both switch outputs are low, the logic circuit's output is low. When the output states of the two switches do not agree, the circuit resolves the conflict by memorizing the last output state which both switches were simultaneously in and produces the logical complement of this output state. Thus, the logic circuit of the present invention allows the redundant switches to be treated as if they were in parallel when the switches are open and as if they were in series when the switches are closed. A failsafe system having maximum reliability is thereby produced.

  4. Atmospheric plasma generation for LCD panel cleaning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Gyu-Sik; Won, Chung-Yuen; Choi, Ju-Yeop; Yim, C. H.

    2007-12-01

    UV lamp systems have been used for cleaning of display panels of TFT LCD or Plasma Display Panel (PDP). However, the needs for high efficient cleaning and low cost made high voltage plasma cleaning techniques to be developed and to be improved. Dielectric-barrier discharges (DBDs), also referred to as barrier discharges or silent discharges have for a long time been exclusively related to ozone generation. In this paper, a 6kW high voltage plasma power supply system was developed for LCD cleaning. The -phase input voltage is rectified and then inverter system is used to make a high frequency pulse train, which is rectified after passing through a high-power transformer. Finally, bi-directional high voltage pulse switching circuits are used to generate the high voltage plasma. Some experimental results showed the usefulness of atmospheric plasma for LCD panel cleaning.

  5. Effective switching frequency multiplier inverter

    DOEpatents

    Su, Gui-Jia [Oak Ridge, TN; Peng, Fang Z [Okemos, MI

    2007-08-07

    A switching frequency multiplier inverter for low inductance machines that uses parallel connection of switches and each switch is independently controlled according to a pulse width modulation scheme. The effective switching frequency is multiplied by the number of switches connected in parallel while each individual switch operates within its limit of switching frequency. This technique can also be used for other power converters such as DC/DC, AC/DC converters.

  6. Simulation of the Plasma Density Evolution during Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating at the T-10 Tokamak

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dnestrovskij, Yu. N.; Vershkov, V. A.; Danilov, A. V.; Dnestrovskij, A. Yu.; Zenin, V. N.; Lysenko, S. E.; Melnikov, A. V.; Shelukhin, D. A.; Subbotin, G. F.; Cherkasov, S. V.

    2018-01-01

    In ohmically heated (OH) plasma with low recycling, an improved particle confinement (IPC) mode is established during gas puffing. However, after gas puffing is switched off, this mode is retained only for about 100 ms, after which an abrupt phase transition into the low particle confinement (LPC) mode occurs in the entire plasma cross section. During such a transition, energy transport due to heat conduction does not change. The phase transition in OH plasma is similar to the effect of density pump-out from the plasma core, which occurs after electron cyclotron heating (ECH) is switched on. Analysis of the measured plasma pressure profiles in the T-10 tokamak shows that, after gas puffing in the OH mode is switched off, the plasma pressure profile in the IPC stage becomes more peaked and, after the peakedness exceeds a certain critical value, the IPC-LPC transition occurs. Similar processes are also observed during ECH. If the pressure profile is insufficiently peaked during ECH, then the density pump-out effect comes into play only after the critical peakedness of the pressure profile is reached. In the plasma core, the density and pressure profiles are close to the corresponding canonical profiles. This allows one to derive an expression for the particle flux within the canonical profile model and formulate a criterion for the IPC-LPC transition. The time evolution of the plasma density profile during phase transitions was simulated for a number of T-10 shots with ECH and high recycling. The particle transport coefficients in the IPC and LPC phases, as well as the dependences of these coefficients on the ECH power, are determined.

  7. Electromagnetically Driven Plasma-Field Dynamics in Modified Ionosphere

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kochetov, Andrey; Terina, Galina

    Under sounding of an artificial ionospheric turbulence by short probing radio pulses of ordinary polarization the two types of scattered signals were observed: a "caviton" signal (CS) and a "plasma" signal (PS), which appeared with the heating transmitter switching on and disap-peared after its switching off (G.I. Terina J. Atm. Terr. Phys, 57, 1995, 273, Izv. VUZov, Radiofizika, 39, 1998, 203). The scattered signal of PS type was revealed also after the heating switching off. It was called an "aftereffect plasma signal" (AEPS) (G.I. Terina Izv .VUZov, Radiofizika, 43, 2000, 958). This signal had large time and spatial delays and appeared mostly when corresponding PS had envelope fluctuations. The aftereffect phenomenon was expressed at time on CS by amplitude increasing at once after the heating transmitter turning off. The theoretical model of this phenomenon is proposed in and some peculiarities of the aftereffect phenomena of the scattered signals in modified ionospheric plasma are considered and discussed. For theoretical interpretation of the characteristics of CS and AEPS the numerical solution of nonlinear Shrüdinger equation (NSE) with driven extension were carried out in inhomogeneous plasma layer with linear electron density profile (A.V. Kochetov, V.A. Mironov, G.I. Terina, Adv. Space Reseacrh, 29, 2002, 1369) and for the one with prescribed density depletion (and A.V. Kochetov, G.I. Terina, Adv. Space Reseacrh, 38, 2006, 2490). The simulation results obtained for linear inhomogeneous plasma layer and for plasma one with density depletion al-low us to interpret the aftereffect of CS and PS qualitatively. The field amplitude increase at relaxation stage displayed at calculations allows us to interpret of CS aftereffect. The large time delays of AEPS can be explained as a result of powerful radio waves trapping in the forming at the plasma resonance regions density depletions (E. Mjøhus, J. Geophys. Res. 103, 1998, 14711; B. Eliasson and L. Stenflo, J

  8. Latching micro optical switch

    DOEpatents

    Garcia, Ernest J; Polosky, Marc A

    2013-05-21

    An optical switch reliably maintains its on or off state even when subjected to environments where the switch is bumped or otherwise moved. In addition, the optical switch maintains its on or off state indefinitely without requiring external power. External power is used only to transition the switch from one state to the other. The optical switch is configured with a fixed optical fiber and a movable optical fiber. The movable optical fiber is guided by various actuators in conjunction with a latching mechanism that configure the switch in one position that corresponds to the on state and in another position that corresponds to the off state.

  9. ION SWITCH

    DOEpatents

    Cook, B.

    1959-02-10

    An ion switch capable of transferring large magnitudes of power is described. An ion switch constructed in accordance with the invention includes a pair of spaced control electrodes disposed in a highly evacuated region for connection in a conventional circuit to control the passing of power therethrough. A controllable ionic conduction path is provided directiy between the control electrodes by a source unit to close the ion switch. Conventional power supply means are provided to trigger the source unit and control the magnitude, durations and pulse repetition rate of the aforementioned ionic conduction path.

  10. Efficacy and safety of raltegravir in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients switching from enfuvirtide-based regimens: 48 week results of the randomized EASIER ANRS 138 trial.

    PubMed

    Gallien, Sébastien; Braun, Joséphine; Delaugerre, Constance; Charreau, Isabelle; Reynes, Jacques; Jeanblanc, François; Verdon, Renaud; de Truchis, Pierre; May, Thierry; Madelaine-Chambrin, Isabelle; Aboulker, Jean-Pierre; Molina, Jean-Michel

    2011-09-01

    To assess the sustainable efficacy and safety of a switch from enfuvirtide to raltegravir in patients with multidrug-resistant HIV infection. One hundred and seventy patients with multidrug-resistant HIV infection and suppressed plasma HIV RNA levels < 400 copies/mL under an enfuvirtide-based regimen were randomized to maintain their regimen or to switch to a raltegravir-based regimen (immediate group) in a 48 week prospective, randomized, open-label trial. At week 24, patients in the maintenance arm also switched to raltegravir (deferred group). Baseline genotypic susceptibility scores (GSSs) were calculated using available historical resistance tests. Efficacy was assessed by the cumulative proportion of patients with virological failure, defined as a confirmed plasma HIV RNA ≥ 400 copies/mL up to week 48. The EASIER ANRS 138 trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00454337). At baseline, 86% of patients had plasma HIV RNA levels <50 copies/mL and 86% had a GSS ≥ 1. Through to week 48, in the on-treatment analysis, only one patient in the immediate group, with a GSS of 0, developed virological failure. At week 48, 90% of patients in both the immediate and deferred groups had plasma HIV-1 RNA levels <50 copies/mL. Median CD4 cell counts remained stable during follow-up. Of note, 12 of 66 (18.2%) patients receiving a regimen combining raltegravir and ritonavir-boosted tipranavir experienced alanine aminotransferase elevations, which led to a switch from tipranavir to darunavir in 8 cases, without discontinuation of raltegravir. In well-suppressed patients with multidrug-resistant HIV infection, a switch from enfuvirtide to raltegravir is generally well tolerated and has sustained antiviral efficacy when combined with a potent background regimen.

  11. Diplexer switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grauling, C. H., Jr.; Parker, T. W.

    1977-01-01

    Switch achieves high isolation and continuous input/output matching by using resonant coupling structure of diplexer. Additionally, dc bias network used to control switch is decoupled from RF input and output lines. Voltage transients in external circuits are thus minimized.

  12. Low-temperature plasma simulations with the LSP PIC code

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carlsson, Johan; Khrabrov, Alex; Kaganovich, Igor; Keating, David; Selezneva, Svetlana; Sommerer, Timothy

    2014-10-01

    The LSP (Large-Scale Plasma) PIC-MCC code has been used to simulate several low-temperature plasma configurations, including a gas switch for high-power AC/DC conversion, a glow discharge and a Hall thruster. Simulation results will be presented with an emphasis on code comparison and validation against experiment. High-voltage, direct-current (HVDC) power transmission is becoming more common as it can reduce construction costs and power losses. Solid-state power-electronics devices are presently used, but it has been proposed that gas switches could become a compact, less costly, alternative. A gas-switch conversion device would be based on a glow discharge, with a magnetically insulated cold cathode. Its operation is similar to that of a sputtering magnetron, but with much higher pressure (0.1 to 0.3 Torr) in order to achieve high current density. We have performed 1D (axial) and 2D (axial/radial) simulations of such a gas switch using LSP. The 1D results were compared with results from the EDIPIC code. To test and compare the collision models used by the LSP and EDIPIC codes in more detail, a validation exercise was performed for the cathode fall of a glow discharge. We will also present some 2D (radial/azimuthal) LSP simulations of a Hall thruster. The information, data, or work presented herein was funded in part by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), U.S. Department of Energy, under Award Number DE-AR0000298.

  13. H∞ control for switched fuzzy systems via dynamic output feedback: Hybrid and switched approaches

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xiang, Weiming; Xiao, Jian; Iqbal, Muhammad Naveed

    2013-06-01

    Fuzzy T-S model has been proven to be a practical and effective way to deal with the analysis and synthesis problems for complex nonlinear systems. As for switched nonlinear system, describing its subsystems as fuzzy T-S models, namely switched fuzzy system, naturally is an alternative method to conventional control approaches. In this paper, the H∞ control problem for a class of switched fuzzy systems is addressed. Hybrid and switched design approaches are proposed with different availability of switching signal information at switching instant. The hybrid control strategy includes two parts: fuzzy controllers for subsystems and state updating controller at switching instant, and the switched control strategy contains the controllers for subsystems. It is demonstrated that the conservativeness is reduced by introducing the state updating behavior but its cost is an online prediction of switching signal. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of proposed approaches and compare the conservativeness of two approaches.

  14. Task Uncertainty Can Account for Mixing and Switch Costs in Task-Switching

    PubMed Central

    Rennie, Jaime L.

    2015-01-01

    Cognitive control is required in situations that involve uncertainty or change, such as when resolving conflict, selecting responses and switching tasks. Recently, it has been suggested that cognitive control can be conceptualised as a mechanism which prioritises goal-relevant information to deal with uncertainty. This hypothesis has been supported using a paradigm that requires conflict resolution. In this study, we examine whether cognitive control during task switching is also consistent with this notion. We used information theory to quantify the level of uncertainty in different trial types during a cued task-switching paradigm. We test the hypothesis that differences in uncertainty between task repeat and task switch trials can account for typical behavioural effects in task-switching. Increasing uncertainty was associated with less efficient performance (i.e., slower and less accurate), particularly on switch trials and trials that afford little opportunity for advance preparation. Interestingly, both mixing and switch costs were associated with a common episodic control process. These results support the notion that cognitive control may be conceptualised as an information processor that serves to resolve uncertainty in the environment. PMID:26107646

  15. Investigating a method for reducing residual switch costs in cued task switching.

    PubMed

    Schneider, Darryl W

    2016-07-01

    Residual switch costs in cued task switching are performance decrements that occur despite a long cue-target interval (CTI) to prepare for a task switch. Verbruggen, Liefooghe, Vandierendonck, and Demanet (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 33; 342-356, 2007) showed that briefly presenting the cue during the CTI and leaving it absent after target onset yielded smaller residual switch costs than those obtained when the cue was available for the full CTI and remained present after target onset. The potential effects of cue availability during the CTI (full or partial) and cue status after target onset (present or absent) on residual switch costs were investigated in the present study. In Experiments 1 and 2, cue status was manipulated while holding cue availability constant. In Experiments 3 and 4, cue status and cue availability were manipulated factorially. Residual switch costs were obtained, but they were not modulated consistently by cue status or cue availability across experiments. In Experiment 5, a direct replication of one of Verbruggen and colleagues' experiments yielded divergent results. Implications for understanding task switching are discussed.

  16. Adaptive synchronized switch damping on an inductor: a self-tuning switching law

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kelley, Christopher R.; Kauffman, Jeffrey L.

    2017-03-01

    Synchronized switch damping (SSD) techniques exploit low-power switching between passive circuits connected to piezoelectric material to reduce structural vibration. In the classical implementation of SSD, the piezoelectric material remains in an open circuit for the majority of the vibration cycle and switches briefly to a shunt circuit at every displacement extremum. Recent research indicates that this switch timing is only optimal for excitation exactly at resonance and points to more general optimal switch criteria based on the phase of the displacement and the system parameters. This work proposes a self-tuning approach that implements the more general optimal switch timing for synchronized switch damping on an inductor (SSDI) without needing any knowledge of the system parameters. The law involves a gradient-based search optimization that is robust to noise and uncertainties in the system. Testing of a physical implementation confirms this law successfully adapts to the frequency and parameters of the system. Overall, the adaptive SSDI controller provides better off-resonance steady-state vibration reduction than classical SSDI while matching performance at resonance.

  17. Controllability of multi-agent systems with periodically switching topologies and switching leaders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tian, Lingling; Zhao, Bin; Wang, Long

    2018-05-01

    This paper considers controllability of multi-agent systems with periodically switching topologies and switching leaders. The concept of m-periodic controllability is proposed, and a criterion for m-periodic controllability is established. The effect of the duration of subsystems on controllability is analysed by utilising a property of analytic functions. In addition, the influence of switching periods on controllability is investigated, and an algorithm is proposed to search for the fewest periods to ensure controllability. A necessary condition for m-periodic controllability is obtained from the perspective of eigenvectors of the subsystems' Laplacian matrices. For a system with switching leaders, it is proved that switching-leader controllability is equivalent to multiple-leader controllability. Furthermore, both the switching order and the tenure of agents being leaders have no effect on the controllability. Some examples are provided to illustrate the theoretical results.

  18. Latching relay switch assembly

    DOEpatents

    Duimstra, Frederick A.

    1991-01-01

    A latching relay switch assembly which includes a coil section and a switch or contact section. The coil section includes at least one permanent magnet and at least one electromagnet. The respective sections are, generally, arranged in separate locations or cavities in the assembly. The switch is latched by a permanent magnet assembly and selectively switched by an overriding electromagnetic assembly.

  19. Asymmetrical Switch Costs in Children

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ellefson, Michelle R.; Shapiron, Laura R.; Chater, Nick

    2006-01-01

    Switching between tasks produces decreases in performance as compared to repeating the same task. Asymmetrical switch costs occur when switching between two tasks of unequal difficulty. This asymmetry occurs because the cost is greater when switching to the less difficult task than when switching to the more difficult task. Various theories about…

  20. Switch-connected HyperX network

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

    Chen, Dong; Heidelberger, Philip

    A network system includes a plurality of sub-network planes and global switches. The sub-network planes have a same network topology as each other. Each of the sub-network planes includes edge switches. Each of the edge switches has N ports. Each of the global switches is configured to connect a group of edge switches at a same location in the sub-network planes. In each of the sub-network planes, some of the N ports of each of the edge switches are connected to end nodes, and others of the N ports are connected to other edge switches in the same sub-network plane,more » other of the N ports are connected to at least one of the global switches.« less

  1. Membrane Switches Check Seal Pressure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hodgetts, P. J.; Stuckenberg, F. H.; Morrissey, E. T.

    1984-01-01

    Array of flexible membrane switches used to indicate closure of seal. Switch membrane responds to pressure exerted by rigid surface on compliant sealing medium and provides switch contacts monitored electronically. Membrane switches connected in series and placed under seal. When all switches are closed lamp or LED lights up, indicating requisite seal pressure has been realized at all switch positions. Principle used to ensure integrity of seals on refrigerator and oven doors, weatherstripping, hatches, spacecraft, airplanes, and submarines.

  2. REMOTE CONTROLLED SWITCHING DEVICE

    DOEpatents

    Hobbs, J.C.

    1959-02-01

    An electrical switching device which can be remotely controlled and in which one or more switches may be accurately operated at predetermined times or with predetermined intervening time intervals is described. The switching device consists essentially of a deck, a post projecting from the deck at right angles thereto, cam means mounted for rotation around said posts and a switch connected to said deck and actuated by said cam means. Means is provided for rotating the cam means at a constant speed and the switching apparatus is enclosed in a sealed container with external adjusting means and electrical connection elements.

  3. Plasma photonics in ICF & HED conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Michel, Pierre; Turnbull, David; Divol, Laurent; Pollock, Bradley; Chen, Cecilia Y.; Tubman, Eleanor; Goyon, Clement S.; Moody, John D.

    2015-11-01

    Interactions between multiple high-energy laser beams and plasma can be used to imprint refractive micro-structures in plasmas via the lasers' ponderomotive force. For example, Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments at the National Ignition Facility already rely on the use of plasma gratings to redirect laser light inside an ICF target and tune the symmetry of the imploded core. More recently, we proposed new concepts of plasma polarizer and waveplate, based on two-wave mixing schemes and laser-induced plasma birefringence. In this talk, we will present new experimental results showing the first demonstration of a fully tunable plasma waveplate, which achieved near-perfect circular laser polarization. We will discuss further prospects for novel ``plasma photonics'' concepts based on two- and four-wave mixing, such as optical switches, bandpass filters, anti-reflection blockers etc. These might find applications in ICF and HED experiments by allowing to manipulate the lasers directly in-situ (i.e. inside the targets), as well as for the design of high power laser systems. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

  4. Task-set switching under cue-based versus memory-based switching conditions in younger and older adults.

    PubMed

    Kray, Jutta

    2006-08-11

    Adult age differences in task switching and advance preparation were examined by comparing cue-based and memory-based switching conditions. Task switching was assessed by determining two types of costs that occur at the general (mixing costs) and specific (switching costs) level of switching. Advance preparation was investigated by varying the time interval until the next task (short, middle, very long). Results indicated that the implementation of task sets was different for cue-based switching with random task sequences and memory-based switching with predictable task sequences. Switching costs were strongly reduced under cue-based switching conditions, indicating that task-set cues facilitate the retrieval of the next task. Age differences were found for mixing costs and for switching costs only under cue-based conditions in which older adults showed smaller switching costs than younger adults. It is suggested that older adults adopt a less extreme bias between two tasks than younger adults in situations associated with uncertainty. For cue-based switching with random task sequences, older adults are less engaged in a complete reconfiguration of task sets because of the probability of a further task change. Furthermore, the reduction of switching costs was more pronounced for cue- than memory-based switching for short preparation intervals, whereas the reduction of switch costs was more pronounced for memory- than cue-based switching for longer preparation intervals at least for older adults. Together these findings suggest that the implementation of task sets is functionally different for the two types of task-switching conditions.

  5. Reduction of Tribocorrosion Products When using the Platform-Switching Concept.

    PubMed

    Alrabeah, G O; Knowles, J C; Petridis, H

    2018-03-01

    The reduced marginal bone loss observed when using the platform-switching concept may be the result of reduced amounts of tribocorrosion products released to the peri-implant tissues. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the tribocorrosion product release from various platform-matched and platform-switched implant-abutment couplings under cyclic loading. Forty-eight titanium implants were coupled with pure titanium, gold alloy, cobalt-chrome alloy, and zirconia abutments forming either platform-switched or platform-matched groups ( n = 6). The specimens were subjected to cyclic occlusal forces in a wet acidic environment for 24 h followed by static aqueous immersion for 6 d. The amount of metal ions released was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Microscopic evaluations were performed pre- and postimmersion under scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy X-ray for corrosion assessment at the interface and wear particle characterization. All platform-switched groups showed less metal ion release compared with their platform-matched counterparts within each abutment material group ( P < 0.001). Implants connected to platform-matched cobalt-chrome abutments demonstrated the highest total mean metal ion release (218 ppb), while the least total mean ion release (11 ppb) was observed in the implants connected to platform-switched titanium abutments ( P ≤ 0.001). Titanium was released from all test groups, with its highest mean release (108 ppb) observed in the implants connected to platform-matched gold abutments ( P < 0.001). SEM images showed surface tribocorrosion features such as pitting and bands of fretting scars. Wear particles were mostly titanium, ranging from submicron to 48 µm in length. The platform-matched groups demonstrated a higher amount of metal ion release and more surface damage. These findings highlight the positive effect of the platform-switching concept in the

  6. Main electrical switch banks, plant switch house, looking to the ...

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

    Main electrical switch banks, plant switch house, looking to the North - Bureau of Mines Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Original Building, Date Street north of U.S. Highway 93, Boulder City, Clark County, NV

  7. Transcriptional switch of dormant tumors to fast-growing angiogenic phenotype.

    PubMed

    Almog, Nava; Ma, Lili; Raychowdhury, Raktima; Schwager, Christian; Erber, Ralf; Short, Sarah; Hlatky, Lynn; Vajkoczy, Peter; Huber, Peter E; Folkman, Judah; Abdollahi, Amir

    2009-02-01

    Tumor dormancy has important implications for early detection and treatment of cancer. Lack of experimental models and limited clinical accessibility constitute major obstacles to the molecular characterization of dormant tumors. We have developed models in which human tumors remain dormant for a prolonged period of time (>120 days) until they switch to rapid growth and become strongly angiogenic. These angiogenic tumors retain their ability to grow fast once injected in new mice. We hypothesized that dormant tumors undergo a stable genetic reprogramming during their switch to the fast-growing phenotype. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis was done to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying the switch of dormant breast carcinoma, glioblastoma, osteosarcoma, and liposarcoma tumors. A consensus expression signature distinguishing all four dormant versus switched fast-growing tumors was generated. In alignment with our phenotypic observation, the angiogenesis process was the most significantly affected functional gene category. The switch of dormant tumors was associated with down-regulation of angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospondin and decreased sensitivity of angiogenic tumors to angiostatin. The conversion of dormant tumors to exponentially growing tumors was also correlated with regulation and activation of pathways not hitherto linked to tumor dormancy process, such as endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, 5'-ecto-nucleotidase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3, epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin-like growth factor receptor, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling. Further, novel dormancy-specific biomarkers such as H2BK and Eph receptor A5 (EphA5) were discovered. EphA5 plasma levels in mice and mRNA levels in tumor specimens of glioma patients correlated with diseases stage. These data will be instrumental in identifying novel early cancer biomarkers and could provide a rationale for development of dormancy-promoting tumor therapy

  8. Active high-power RF switch and pulse compression system

    DOEpatents

    Tantawi, Sami G.; Ruth, Ronald D.; Zolotorev, Max

    1998-01-01

    A high-power RF switching device employs a semiconductor wafer positioned in the third port of a three-port RF device. A controllable source of directed energy, such as a suitable laser or electron beam, is aimed at the semiconductor material. When the source is turned on, the energy incident on the wafer induces an electron-hole plasma layer on the wafer, changing the wafer's dielectric constant, turning the third port into a termination for incident RF signals, and. causing all incident RF signals to be reflected from the surface of the wafer. The propagation constant of RF signals through port 3, therefore, can be changed by controlling the beam. By making the RF coupling to the third port as small as necessary, one can reduce the peak electric field on the unexcited silicon surface for any level of input power from port 1, thereby reducing risk of damaging the wafer by RF with high peak power. The switch is useful to the construction of an improved pulse compression system to boost the peak power of microwave tubes driving linear accelerators. In this application, the high-power RF switch is placed at the coupling iris between the charging waveguide and the resonant storage line of a pulse compression system. This optically controlled high power RF pulse compression system can handle hundreds of Megawatts of power at X-band.

  9. Easily-wired toggle switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dean, W. T.; Stringer, E. J.

    1979-01-01

    Crimp-type connectors reduce assembly and disassembly time. With design, no switch preparation is necessary and socket contracts are crimped to wires inserted in module attached to back of toggle switch engaging pins inside module to make electrical connections. Wires are easily removed with standard detachment tool. Design can accommodate wires of any gage and as many terminals can be placed on switch as wire gage and switch dimensions will allow.

  10. Heat Switches for ADRs

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    DiPirro, M. J.; Shirron, P. J.

    2014-01-01

    Heat switches are key elements in the cyclic operation of Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators (ADRs). Several of the types of heat switches that have been used for ADRs are described in this paper. Key elements in selection and design of these switches include not only ON/OFF switching ratio, but also method of actuation, size, weight, and structural soundness. Some of the trade-off are detailed in this paper.

  11. 35. END VIEW, INTERIOR, SHOWING SWITCHING LEVERS, BERK SWITCH TOWER, ...

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

    35. END VIEW, INTERIOR, SHOWING SWITCHING LEVERS, BERK SWITCH TOWER, SOUTH NORWALK - New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, Automatic Signalization System, Long Island Sound shoreline between Stamford & New Haven, Stamford, Fairfield County, CT

  12. Laboratory of plasma studies. Papers on high power particle beams

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

    Not Available

    1990-01-01

    This book contains paper on Exploding metal film active anode sources experiments on the Lion extractor Ion Diode; Long conductor time plasma opening switch experiments; and Focusing studies of an applied B{sub r} extraction diode on the Lion accelerator.

  13. Thermionic gas switch

    DOEpatents

    Hatch, G.L.; Brummond, W.A.; Barrus, D.M.

    1984-04-05

    The present invention is directed to an improved temperature responsive thermionic gas switch utilizing a hollow cathode and a folded emitter surface area. The folded emitter surface area of the thermionic switch substantially increases the on/off ratio by changing the conduction surface area involved in the two modes thereof. The improved switch of this invention provides an on/off ratio of 450:1 compared to the 10:1 ratio of the prior known thermionic switch, while providing for adjusting the on current. In the improved switch of this invention the conduction area is made small in the off mode, while in the on mode the conduction area is made large. This is achieved by utilizing a folded hollow cathode configuration and utilizing a folded emitter surface area, and by making the dimensions of the folds small enough so that a space charge will develop in the convolutions of the folds and suppress unignited current, thus limiting the current carrying surface in the off mode.

  14. Optical Circuit Switched Protocol

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Monacos, Steve P. (Inventor)

    2000-01-01

    The present invention is a system and method embodied in an optical circuit switched protocol for the transmission of data through a network. The optical circuit switched protocol is an all-optical circuit switched network and includes novel optical switching nodes for transmitting optical data packets within a network. Each optical switching node comprises a detector for receiving the header, header detection logic for translating the header into routing information and eliminating the header, and a controller for receiving the routing information and configuring an all optical path within the node. The all optical path located within the node is solely an optical path without having electronic storage of the data and without having optical delay of the data. Since electronic storage of the header is not necessary and the initial header is eliminated by the first detector of the first switching node. multiple identical headers are sent throughout the network so that subsequent switching nodes can receive and read the header for setting up an optical data path.

  15. High-power microstrip switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Choi, S. D.

    1974-01-01

    Switch, which uses only two p-i-n diodes on microstrip substrate, has been developed for application in spacecraft radio systems. Switch features improved power drain, weight, volume, magnetic cleanliness, and reliability, over currently-used circulator and electromechanical switches.

  16. 36. INTERIOR VIEW, BERK SWITCH TOWER, SOUTH NORWALK, SHOWING SWITCHING ...

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

    36. INTERIOR VIEW, BERK SWITCH TOWER, SOUTH NORWALK, SHOWING SWITCHING LEVERS FROM OPERATOR'S POSITION - New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, Automatic Signalization System, Long Island Sound shoreline between Stamford & New Haven, Stamford, Fairfield County, CT

  17. Characterisation of Plasma Filled Rod Pinch electron beam diode operation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    MacDonald, James; Bland, Simon; Chittenden, Jeremy

    2016-10-01

    The plasma filled rod pinch diode (aka PFRP) offers a small radiographic spot size and a high brightness source. It operates in a very similar to plasma opening switches and dense plasma focus devices - with a plasma prefill, supplied via a number of simple coaxial plasma guns, being snowploughed along a thin rod cathode, before detaching at the end. The aim of this study is to model the PFRP and understand the factors that affect its performance, potentially improving future output. Given the dependence on the PFRP on the prefill, we are making detailed measurements of the density (1015-1018 cm-3), velocity, ionisation and temperature of the plasma emitted from a plasma gun/set of plasma guns. This will then be used to provide initial conditions to the Gorgon 3D MHD code, and the dynamics of the entire rod pinch process studied.

  18. Plasma wave observations during ion gun experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olsen, R. C.; Weddle, L. E.; Roeder, J. L.

    1990-06-01

    Experiments in charge control on the AF/NASA P78-2 (SCATHA) satellite were conducted with a plasma/ion source in the inner magnetosphere. These experiments were monitored with plasma wave instruments capable of high temporal and frequency resolution in the 0-6 kHz frequency range. Ion gun experiments revealed two distinct classes of behavior. Nonneutralized ion beam operation at 1 mA, 1kV resulted in arcing signatures (spiky in time, broad frequency range), coincident with induced satellite potentials of -600 to -900 V. This signature disappeared when the accelerating voltage was switched off or the beam was neutralized. The signal is attributed to arcing between differentially charged surfaces. An additional feature was noted in the 100-kHz channel of the wave receiver. During emission of dense, low-energy plasma, a signal is generated which may be at the upper hybrid, or plasma frequency for the local plasma.

  19. Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Understanding and Applying the Health Benefits of Fasting.

    PubMed

    Anton, Stephen D; Moehl, Keelin; Donahoo, William T; Marosi, Krisztina; Lee, Stephanie A; Mainous, Arch G; Leeuwenburgh, Christiaan; Mattson, Mark P

    2018-02-01

    Intermittent fasting (IF) is a term used to describe a variety of eating patterns in which no or few calories are consumed for time periods that can range from 12 hours to several days, on a recurring basis. This review is focused on the physiological responses of major organ systems, including the musculoskeletal system, to the onset of the metabolic switch: the point of negative energy balance at which liver glycogen stores are depleted and fatty acids are mobilized (typically beyond 12 hours after cessation of food intake). Emerging findings suggest that the metabolic switch from glucose to fatty acid-derived ketones represents an evolutionarily conserved trigger point that shifts metabolism from lipid/cholesterol synthesis and fat storage to mobilization of fat through fatty acid oxidation and fatty acid-derived ketones, which serve to preserve muscle mass and function. Thus, IF regimens that induce the metabolic switch have the potential to improve body composition in overweight individuals. Moreover, IF regimens also induce the coordinated activation of signaling pathways that optimize physiological function, enhance performance, and slow aging and disease processes. Future randomized controlled IF trials should use biomarkers of the metabolic switch (e.g., plasma ketone levels) as a measure of compliance and of the magnitude of negative energy balance during the fasting period. © 2017 The Obesity Society.

  20. Finite-time synchronization of uncertain coupled switched neural networks under asynchronous switching.

    PubMed

    Wu, Yuanyuan; Cao, Jinde; Li, Qingbo; Alsaedi, Ahmed; Alsaadi, Fuad E

    2017-01-01

    This paper deals with the finite-time synchronization problem for a class of uncertain coupled switched neural networks under asynchronous switching. By constructing appropriate Lyapunov-like functionals and using the average dwell time technique, some sufficient criteria are derived to guarantee the finite-time synchronization of considered uncertain coupled switched neural networks. Meanwhile, the asynchronous switching feedback controller is designed to finite-time synchronize the concerned networks. Finally, two numerical examples are introduced to show the validity of the main results. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. 41. INTERIOR VIEW, GREEN SWITCH TOWER, COS COB, SHOWING SWITCH ...

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

    41. INTERIOR VIEW, GREEN SWITCH TOWER, COS COB, SHOWING SWITCH LEVER ASSEMBLAGE AND DISPLAY BOARD - New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, Automatic Signalization System, Long Island Sound shoreline between Stamford & New Haven, Stamford, Fairfield County, CT

  2. 43. OBLIQUE VIEW, GREEN SWITCH TOWER, COS COB, SHOWING SWITCH ...

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

    43. OBLIQUE VIEW, GREEN SWITCH TOWER, COS COB, SHOWING SWITCH LEVER ASSEMBLAGE AND DISPLAY BOARD - New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, Automatic Signalization System, Long Island Sound shoreline between Stamford & New Haven, Stamford, Fairfield County, CT

  3. Low-Crosstalk Composite Optical Crosspoint Switches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pan, Jing-Jong; Liang, Frank

    1993-01-01

    Composite optical switch includes two elementary optical switches in tandem, plus optical absorbers. Like elementary optical switches, composite optical switches assembled into switch matrix. Performance enhanced by increasing number of elementary switches. Advantage of concept: crosstalk reduced to acceptably low level at moderate cost of doubling number of elementary switches rather than at greater cost of tightening manufacturing tolerances and exerting more-precise control over operating conditions.

  4. 6-7 Mev Characteristic Gamma-Ray Source Using A Plasma Opening Switch And A Marx Bank

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-06-01

    of Hawk, including the POS, is shown in Fig. 2a. The POS consists of 12 plasma guns made from coaxial cables that inject ionized plasma radially...inward between two coaxial conductors prior to firing the generator. The POS plasma conducts the generator current as a short circuit for about 700...vacuum gap in the plasma . High-energy electron- and ion-beams form in the plasma -filled coaxial region, with ions from the plasma and the polyethylene

  5. Novel polarization diversity without switch duplication of a Si-wire PILOSS optical switch.

    PubMed

    Tanizawa, Ken; Suzuki, Keijiro; Ikeda, Kazuhiro; Namiki, Shu; Kawashima, Hitoshi

    2016-04-04

    We demonstrate the compact polarization diversity based on the bidirectional full-port use of a path-independent-insertion-loss (PILOSS) optical switch. A polarization-diversity 4 × 4 strictly non-blocking optical switch is developed using a single thermooptic PILOSS Si-wire switch and fiber-based polarization beam splitters (PBSs) and combiners (PBCs). We measure characteristics of the switch and confirm that the proposed configuration demonstrates the performance in the insertion loss, polarization-dependent loss (PDL), and differential group delay (DGD) comparable with that of a conventional polarization-diversity 4 × 4 PILOSS switch using double switch elements. On the other hand, higher crosstalk is observed. The crosstalk increase is associated with the backward crosstalk at a waveguide intersection based on a directional coupler. The effect of the backward crosstalk on the total crosstalk is estimated, and future prospects are discussed.

  6. Illuminated push-button switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Iwagiri, T.

    1983-01-01

    An illuminated push-button switch is described. It is characterized by the fact that is consists of a switch group, an operator button opening and closing the switch group, and a light-emitting element which illuminates the face of the operator button.

  7. Improved Electro-Optical Switches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nelson, Bruce N.; Cooper, Ronald F.

    1994-01-01

    Improved single-pole, double-throw electro-optical switches operate in switching times less than microsecond developed for applications as optical communication systems and networks of optical sensors. Contain no moving parts. In comparison with some prior electro-optical switches, these are simpler and operate with smaller optical losses. Beam of light switched from one output path to other by applying, to electro-optical crystal, voltage causing polarization of beam of light to change from vertical to horizontal.

  8. Organization of the channel-switching process in parallel computer systems based on a matrix optical switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Golomidov, Y. V.; Li, S. K.; Popov, S. A.; Smolov, V. B.

    1986-01-01

    After a classification and analysis of electronic and optoelectronic switching devices, the design principles and structure of a matrix optical switch is described. The switching and pair-exclusion operations in this type of switch are examined, and a method for the optical switching of communication channels is elaborated. Finally, attention is given to the structural organization of a parallel computer system with a matrix optical switch.

  9. Non-latching relay switch assembly

    DOEpatents

    Duimstra, Frederick A.

    1991-01-01

    A non-latching relay switch assembly which includes a coil section and a switch or contact section. The coil section includes a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. The respective sections are arranged in separate locations or cavities in the assembly. The switch has a "normal" position and is selectively switched by an overriding electromagnetic assembly. The switch returns to the "normal" position when the overriding electromagnetic assembly is inactive.

  10. A Josephson Junction based SPDT switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Helin; Earnest, Nathan; Lu, Yao; Ma, Ruichao; Chakram, Srivatsan; Schuster, David

    RF microwave switches are useful tools in cryogenic experiments, allowing for multiple experiments to be connected to a single cryogenic measurement chain. However, these switches dissipate a substantial amount of heat, preventing fast switching. Josephson junction (JJ) are a promising avenue for realizing millikelvin microwave switching. We present a JJ based single-pole-double throw (SPDT) switch that has fast switching time, no heat dissipation, large on/off contrast, and works over a wide bandwidth. The switch can be used for real-time switching between experiments, routing single photons, or even generating entanglement. We will describe the design of the switch and present experimental characterization of its performance.

  11. CHARACTERISTICS OF A FAST RISE TIME POWER SUPPLY FOR A PULSED PLASMA REACTOR FOR CHEMICAL VAPOR DESTRUCTION

    EPA Science Inventory

    Rotating spark gap devices for switching high-voltage direct current (dc) into a corona plasma reactor can achieve pulse rise times in the range of tens of nanoseconds. The fast rise times lead to vigorous plasma generation without sparking at instantaneous applied voltages highe...

  12. Solid state switch

    DOEpatents

    Merritt, Bernard T.; Dreifuerst, Gary R.

    1994-01-01

    A solid state switch, with reverse conducting thyristors, is designed to operate at 20 kV hold-off voltage, 1500 A peak, 1.0 .mu.s pulsewidth, and 4500 pps, to replace thyratrons. The solid state switch is more reliable, more economical, and more easily repaired. The switch includes a stack of circuit card assemblies, a magnetic assist and a trigger chassis. Each circuit card assembly contains a reverse conducting thyristor, a resistor capacitor network, and triggering circuitry.

  13. Multiple switch actuator

    DOEpatents

    Beyer, Edward T.

    1976-01-06

    The present invention relates to switches and switch actuating devices to be operated for purposes of arming a bomb or other missile as it is dropped or released from an aircraft. The particular bomb or missile in which this invention is applied is one in which there is a plurality of circuits which are to be armed by the closing of switches upon dropping or releasing of the bomb. The operation of the switches to closed position is normally accomplished by means of a pull-out wire; that is, a wire which is withdrawn from the bomb or missile at the time of release of the bomb, one end of the wire being attached to the aircraft. The conditions to be met are that the arming switches must be positively and surely maintained in open position until the bomb is released and the arming action is effected. The action of the pull-out wire in achieving the arming action must be sure and positive with minimum danger of malfunctioning, jamming or binding.

  14. Optical switch based on thermocapillarity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sakata, Tomomi; Makihara, Mitsuhiro; Togo, Hiroyoshi; Shimokawa, Fusao; Kaneko, Kazumasa

    2001-11-01

    Space-division optical switches are essential for the protection, optical cross-connects (OXCs), and optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs) needed in future fiber-optic communication networks. For applications in these areas, we proposed a thermocapillarity switch called oil-latching interfacial-tension variation effect (OLIVE) switch. An OLIVE switch is a micro-mechanical optical switch fabricated on planar lightwave circuits (PLC) using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. It consists of a crossing waveguide that has a groove at each crossing point and a pair of microheaters. The groove is partially filled with the refractive-index-matching liquid, and optical signals are switched according to the liquid's position in the groove, i.e., whether it is passing straight through the groove or reflecting at the sidewall of the groove. The liquid is driven by thermocapillarity and latched by capillarity. Using the total internal reflection to switch the optical path, the OLIVE switch exhibits excellent optical characteristics, such as high transparency (insertion loss: < 2 dB), high extinction ratio (> 50 dB), and low crosstalk (< -50 dB). Moreover, since this switch has a simple structure and bi-stability, it has wide variety of applications in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks.

  15. Solid state switch

    DOEpatents

    Merritt, B.T.; Dreifuerst, G.R.

    1994-07-19

    A solid state switch, with reverse conducting thyristors, is designed to operate at 20 kV hold-off voltage, 1,500 A peak, 1.0 [mu]s pulsewidth, and 4,500 pps, to replace thyratrons. The solid state switch is more reliable, more economical, and more easily repaired. The switch includes a stack of circuit card assemblies, a magnetic assist and a trigger chassis. Each circuit card assembly contains a reverse conducting thyristor, a resistor capacitor network, and triggering circuitry. 6 figs.

  16. A Concept for Directly Coupled Pulsed Electromagnetic Acceleration of Plasmas

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Thio, Y.C. Francis; Cassibry, Jason T.; Eskridge, Richard; Smith, James; Wu, S. T.; Rodgers, Stephen L. (Technical Monitor)

    2001-01-01

    Plasma jets with high momentum flux density are required for a variety of applications in propulsion research. Methods of producing these plasma jets are being investigated at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The experimental goal in the immediate future is to develop plasma accelerators which are capable of producing plasma jets with momentum flux density represented by velocities up to 200 km/s and ion density up to 10(exp 24) per cu m, with sufficient precision and reproducibility in their properties, and with sufficiently high efficiency. The jets must be sufficiently focused to allow them to be transported over several meters. A plasma accelerator concept is presented that might be able to meet these requirements. It is a self-switching, shaped coaxial pulsed plasma thruster, with focusing of the plasma flow by shaping muzzle current distribution as in plasma focus devices, and by mechanical tapering of the gun walls. Some 2-D MHD modeling in support of the conceptual design will be presented.

  17. Apollo Ring Optical Switch

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

    Maestas, J.H.

    1987-03-01

    An optical switch was designed, built, and installed at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to facilitate the integration of two Apollo computer networks into a single network. This report presents an overview of the optical switch as well as its layout, switch testing procedure and test data, and installation.

  18. Electronic logic for enhanced switch reliability

    DOEpatents

    Cooper, J.A.

    1984-01-20

    A logic circuit is used to enhance redundant switch reliability. Two or more switches are monitored for logical high or low output. The output for the logic circuit produces a redundant and fail-safe representation of the switch outputs. When both switch outputs are high, the output is high. Similarly, when both switch outputs are low, the logic circuit's output is low. When the output states of the two switches do not agree, the circuit resolves the conflict by memorizing the last output state which both switches were simultaneously in and produces the logical complement of this output state. Thus, the logic circuit of the present invention allows the redundant switches to be treated as if they were in parallel when the switches are open and as if they were in series when the switches are closed. A failsafe system having maximum reliability is thereby produced.

  19. Construction of large scale switch matrix by interconnecting integrated optical switch chips with EDFAs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liao, Mingle; Wu, Baojian; Hou, Jianhong; Qiu, Kun

    2018-03-01

    Large scale optical switches are essential components in optical communication network. We aim to build up a large scale optical switch matrix by the interconnection of silicon-based optical switch chips using 3-stage CLOS structure, where EDFAs are needed to compensate for the insertion loss of the chips. The optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) performance of the resulting large scale optical switch matrix is investigated for TE-mode light and the experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical analysis. We build up a 64 ×64 switch matrix by use of 16 ×16 optical switch chips and the OSNR and receiver sensibility can respectively be improved by 0.6 dB and 0.2 dB by optimizing the gain configuration of the EDFAs.

  20. Experimental characterization of a coaxial plasma accelerator for a colliding plasma experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wiechula, J.; Hock, C.; Iberler, M.; Manegold, T.; Schönlein, A.; Jacoby, J.

    2015-04-01

    We report experimental results of a single coaxial plasma accelerator in preparation for a colliding plasma experiment. The utilized device consisted of a coaxial pair of electrodes, accelerating the plasma due to J ×B forces. A pulse forming network, composed of three capacitors connected in parallel, with a total capacitance of 27 μF was set up. A thyratron allowed to switch the maximum applied voltage of 9 kV. Under these conditions, the pulsed currents reached peak values of about 103 kA. The measurements were performed in a small vacuum chamber with a neutral-gas prefill at gas pressures between 10 Pa and 14 000 Pa. A gas mixture of ArH2 with 2.8% H2 served as the discharge medium. H2 was chosen in order to observe the broadening of the Hβ emission line and thus estimate the electron density. The electron density for a single plasma accelerator reached peak values on the order of 1016 cm-3 . Electrical parameters, inter alia inductance and resistance, were determined for the LCR circuit during the plasma acceleration as well as in a short circuit case. Depending on the applied voltage, the inductance and resistance reached values ranging from 194 nH to 216 nH and 13 mΩ to 23 mΩ, respectively. Furthermore, the plasma velocity was measured using a fast CCD camera. Plasma velocities of 2 km/s up to 17 km/s were observed, the magnitude being highly correlated with gas pressure and applied voltage.

  1. Clinical observations on enzyme replacement therapy in patients with Fabry disease and the switch from agalsidase beta to agalsidase alfa.

    PubMed

    Lin, Hsiang-Yu; Huang, Yu-Hsiu; Liao, Hsuan-Chieh; Liu, Hao-Chuan; Hsu, Ting-Rong; Shen, Chia-I; Li, Shao-Tzu; Li, Cheng-Fang; Lee, Li-Hong; Lee, Pi-Chang; Huang, Chun-Kai; Chiang, Chuan-Chi; Lin, Shuan-Pei; Niu, Dau-Ming

    2014-04-01

    Fabry disease is an X-linked inherited lysosomal storage disease that can be treated with the enzymes of agalsidase beta (Fabrazyme) and agalsidase alfa (Replagal). Since June 2009, viral contamination of Genzyme's production facility has resulted in a worldwide shortage of agalsidase beta, leading to the switch to agalsidase alfa for patients with Fabry disease in Taiwan. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed for nine male patients with Fabry disease from the start of agalsidase beta treatment until the switch to agalsidase alfa for at least 1 year. After 12-112 months of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), decreased plasma globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) was found in five out of seven patients, indicating improvement in disease severity. Among the six patients with available echocardiographic data at baseline and after ERT, all six experienced reductions of left ventricular mass index. Renal function, including microalbuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate, showed stability after ERT. Mainz Severity Score Index scores revealed that all nine patients remained stable at 12 months after switching to agalsidase alfa. ERT improved or stabilized cardiac status and stabilized renal function, while reducing plasma lyso-Gb3. ERT was well tolerated, even among the three patients who had hypersensitivity reactions. The switch of ERT from agalsidase beta to agalsidase alfa appears to be safe after 1 year of follow-up for Taiwanese patients with Fabry disease. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  2. Week 96 results of the randomized, multicentre Maraviroc Switch (MARCH) study.

    PubMed

    Pett, S L; Amin, J; Horban, A; Andrade-Villanueva, J; Losso, M; Porteiro, N; Madero, J S; Belloso, W; Tu, E; Silk, D; Kelleher, A; Harrigan, R; Clark, A; Sugiura, W; Wolff, M; Gill, J; Gatell, J; Clarke, A; Ruxrungtham, K; Prazuck, T; Kaiser, R; Woolley, I; Alberto Arnaiz, J; Cooper, D; Rockstroh, J K; Mallon, P; Emery, S

    2018-01-01

    The Maraviroc Switch (MARCH) study week 48 data demonstrated that maraviroc, a chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5) inhibitor, was a safe and effective switch for the ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r) component of a two nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitor [N(t)RTI] plus PI/r-based antiretroviral regimen in patients with R5-tropic virus. Here we report the durability of this finding. MARCH, an international, multicentre, randomized, 96-week open-label switch study, enrolled HIV-1-infected adults with R5-tropic virus who were stable (> 24 weeks) and virologically suppressed [plasma viral load (pVL) < 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL]. Participants were randomized to continue their current PI/r-based regimen (PI/r) or to switch to MVC plus two N(t)RTIs (MVC) (1:2 randomization). The primary endpoint was the difference in the proportion with pVL < 200 copies/mL at 96 weeks. The switch arm was defined as noninferior if the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the difference was < -12% in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Safety endpoints (the difference in the mean change from baseline or a comparison of proportions) were analysed as key secondary endpoints. Eighty-two (PI/r) and 156 (MVC) participants were randomized and included in the ITT analysis; 71 (87%) and 130 (83%) were in follow-up and on therapy at week 96. At week 96, 89.0% and 90.4% in the PI/r and MVC arms, respectively, had pVL < 50 copies/mL (95% CI -6.6, 10.2). Moreover, in those switching away from PI/r, there were significant reductions in mean total cholesterol (differences 0.31 mmol/L; P = 0.02) and triglycerides (difference 0.44 mmol/L; P < 0.001). Changes in CD4 T-cell count, renal function, and serious and nonserious adverse events were similar in the two arms. MVC as a switch for a PI/r is safe and effective at maintaining virological suppression while having significant lipid benefits over 96 weeks. © 2017 British HIV Association.

  3. Switching Phenomena

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stanley, H. E.; Buldyrev, S. V.; Franzese, G.; Havlin, S.; Mallamace, F.; Mazza, M. G.; Kumar, P.; Plerou, V.; Preis, T.; Stokely, K.; Xu, L.

    One challenge of biology, medicine, and economics is that the systems treated by these serious scientific disciplines can suddenly "switch" from one behavior to another, even though they possess no perfect metronome in time. As if by magic, out of nothing but randomness one finds remarkably fine-tuned processes in time. The past century has, philosophically, been concerned with placing aside the human tendency to see the universe as a fine-tuned machine. Here we will address the challenge of uncovering how, through randomness (albeit, as we shall see, strongly correlated randomness), one can arrive at some of the many temporal patterns in physics, economics, and medicine and even begin to characterize the switching phenomena that enable a system to pass from one state to another. We discuss some applications of correlated randomness to understanding switching phenomena in various fields. Specifically, we present evidence from experiments and from computer simulations supporting the hypothesis that water's anomalies are related to a switching point (which is not unlike the "tipping point" immortalized by Malcolm Gladwell), and that the bubbles in economic phenomena that occur on all scales are not "outliers" (another Gladwell immortalization).

  4. Working memory costs of task switching.

    PubMed

    Liefooghe, Baptist; Barrouillet, Pierre; Vandierendonck, André; Camos, Valérie

    2008-05-01

    Although many accounts of task switching emphasize the importance of working memory as a substantial source of the switch cost, there is a lack of evidence demonstrating that task switching actually places additional demands on working memory. The present study addressed this issue by implementing task switching in continuous complex span tasks with strictly controlled time parameters. A series of 4 experiments demonstrate that recall performance decreased as a function of the number of task switches and that the concurrent load of item maintenance had no influence on task switching. These results indicate that task switching induces a cost on working memory functioning. Implications for theories of task switching, working memory, and resource sharing are addressed.

  5. Study on dynamics of the influence exerted by plasma on gas flow field in non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jet

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

    Qaisrani, M. Hasnain; Xian, Yubin, E-mail: yubin.xian@hotmail.com; Li, Congyun

    2016-06-15

    In this paper, first, steady state of the plasma jet at different operating conditions is investigated through Schlieren photography with and without applying shielding gas. Second, the dynamic process for the plasma impacting on the gas flow field is studied. When the discharge is ignited, reduction in laminar flow occurs. However, when the gas flow rate is too low or too high, this phenomenon is not obvious. What is more, both frequency and voltage have significant impact on the effect of plasma on the gas flow, but the former is more significant. Shielding gas provides a curtain for plasma tomore » propagate further. High speed camera along with Schlieren photography is utilized to study the impact of plasma on the gas flow when plasma is switched on and off. The transition of the gas flow from laminar to turbulent or vice versa happens right after the turbulent front. It is concluded that appearance and propagation of turbulence front is responsible for the transition of the flow state.« less

  6. Optical switching using IP protocol

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Utreras, Andres J.; Gusqui, Luis; Reyes, Andres; Mena, Ricardo I.; Licenko, Gennady L.; Amirgaliyev, Yedilkhan; Komada, Paweł; Luganskaya, Saule; Kashaganova, Gulzhan

    2017-08-01

    To understand and evaluate the Optical Layer, and how it will affect the IP protocols over WDM (Switching), the present analyse is proposed. Optical communications have attractive proprieties, but also have some disadvantages, so the challenge is to combine the best of both branches. In this paper, general concepts for different options of switching are reviewed as: optical burst switching (OBS) and automatically switching optical network (ASON). Specific details such as their architectures are also discussed. In addition, the relevant characteristics of each variation for switching are reviewed.

  7. Complementary resistive switching in BaTiO3/NiO bilayer with opposite switching polarities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Shuo; Wei, Xianhua; Lei, Yao; Yuan, Xincai; Zeng, Huizhong

    2016-12-01

    Resistive switching behaviors have been investigated in the Au/BaTiO3/NiO/Pt structure by stacking the two elements with different switching types. The conducting atomic force microscope measurements on BaTiO3 thin films and NiO thin films suggest that with the same active resistive switching region, the switching polarities in the two semiconductors are opposite to each other. It is in agreement with the bipolar hysteresis I-V curves with opposite switching polarities for single-layer devices. The bilayer devices show complementary resistive switching (CRS) without electroforming and unipolar resistive switching (URS) after electroforming. The coexistence of CRS and URS is mainly ascribed to the co-effect of electric field and Joule heating mechanisms, indicating that changeable of resistance in this device is dominated by the redistribution of oxygen vacancies in BaTiO3 and the formation, disruption, restoration of conducting filaments in NiO. CRS in bilayer with opposite switching polarities is effective to solve the sneak current without the introduction of any selector elements or an additional metal electrode.

  8. Hybrid switch for resonant power converters

    DOEpatents

    Lai, Jih-Sheng; Yu, Wensong

    2014-09-09

    A hybrid switch comprising two semiconductor switches connected in parallel but having different voltage drop characteristics as a function of current facilitates attainment of zero voltage switching and reduces conduction losses to complement reduction of switching losses achieved through zero voltage switching in power converters such as high-current inverters.

  9. Plasmakristall-4: New complex (dusty) plasma laboratory on board the International Space Station

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pustylnik, M. Y.; Fink, M. A.; Nosenko, V.; Antonova, T.; Hagl, T.; Thomas, H. M.; Zobnin, A. V.; Lipaev, A. M.; Usachev, A. D.; Molotkov, V. I.; Petrov, O. F.; Fortov, V. E.; Rau, C.; Deysenroth, C.; Albrecht, S.; Kretschmer, M.; Thoma, M. H.; Morfill, G. E.; Seurig, R.; Stettner, A.; Alyamovskaya, V. A.; Orr, A.; Kufner, E.; Lavrenko, E. G.; Padalka, G. I.; Serova, E. O.; Samokutyayev, A. M.; Christoforetti, S.

    2016-09-01

    New complex-plasma facility, Plasmakristall-4 (PK-4), has been recently commissioned on board the International Space Station. In complex plasmas, the subsystem of μm-sized microparticles immersed in low-pressure weakly ionized gas-discharge plasmas becomes strongly coupled due to the high (103-104 e) electric charge on the microparticle surface. The microparticle subsystem of complex plasmas is available for the observation at the kinetic level, which makes complex plasmas appropriate for particle-resolved modeling of classical condensed matter phenomena. The main purpose of PK-4 is the investigation of flowing complex plasmas. To generate plasma, PK-4 makes use of a classical dc discharge in a glass tube, whose polarity can be switched with the frequency of the order of 100 Hz. This frequency is high enough not to be felt by the relatively heavy microparticles. The duty cycle of the polarity switching can be also varied allowing to vary the drift velocity of the microparticles and (when necessary) to trap them. The facility is equipped with two videocameras and illumination laser for the microparticle imaging, kaleidoscopic plasma glow observation system and minispectrometer for plasma diagnostics and various microparticle manipulation devices (e.g., powerful manipulation laser). Scientific experiments are programmed in the form of scripts written with the help of specially developed C scripting language libraries. PK-4 is mainly operated from the ground (control center CADMOS in Toulouse, France) with the support of the space station crew. Data recorded during the experiments are later on delivered to the ground on the removable hard disk drives and distributed to participating scientists for the detailed analysis.

  10. Plasmakristall-4: New complex (dusty) plasma laboratory on board the International Space Station.

    PubMed

    Pustylnik, M Y; Fink, M A; Nosenko, V; Antonova, T; Hagl, T; Thomas, H M; Zobnin, A V; Lipaev, A M; Usachev, A D; Molotkov, V I; Petrov, O F; Fortov, V E; Rau, C; Deysenroth, C; Albrecht, S; Kretschmer, M; Thoma, M H; Morfill, G E; Seurig, R; Stettner, A; Alyamovskaya, V A; Orr, A; Kufner, E; Lavrenko, E G; Padalka, G I; Serova, E O; Samokutyayev, A M; Christoforetti, S

    2016-09-01

    New complex-plasma facility, Plasmakristall-4 (PK-4), has been recently commissioned on board the International Space Station. In complex plasmas, the subsystem of μm-sized microparticles immersed in low-pressure weakly ionized gas-discharge plasmas becomes strongly coupled due to the high (10 3 -10 4 e) electric charge on the microparticle surface. The microparticle subsystem of complex plasmas is available for the observation at the kinetic level, which makes complex plasmas appropriate for particle-resolved modeling of classical condensed matter phenomena. The main purpose of PK-4 is the investigation of flowing complex plasmas. To generate plasma, PK-4 makes use of a classical dc discharge in a glass tube, whose polarity can be switched with the frequency of the order of 100 Hz. This frequency is high enough not to be felt by the relatively heavy microparticles. The duty cycle of the polarity switching can be also varied allowing to vary the drift velocity of the microparticles and (when necessary) to trap them. The facility is equipped with two videocameras and illumination laser for the microparticle imaging, kaleidoscopic plasma glow observation system and minispectrometer for plasma diagnostics and various microparticle manipulation devices (e.g., powerful manipulation laser). Scientific experiments are programmed in the form of scripts written with the help of specially developed C scripting language libraries. PK-4 is mainly operated from the ground (control center CADMOS in Toulouse, France) with the support of the space station crew. Data recorded during the experiments are later on delivered to the ground on the removable hard disk drives and distributed to participating scientists for the detailed analysis.

  11. Reusable fast opening switch

    DOEpatents

    Van Devender, John P.; Emin, David

    1986-01-01

    A reusable fast opening switch for transferring energy, in the form of a high power pulse, from an electromagnetic storage device such as an inductor into a load. The switch is efficient, compact, fast and reusable. The switch comprises a ferromagnetic semiconductor which undergoes a fast transition between conductive and insulating states at a critical temperature and which undergoes the transition without a phase change in its crystal structure. A semiconductor such as europium rich europhous oxide, which undergoes a conductor to insulator transition when it is joule heated from its conductor state, can be used to form the switch.

  12. Reusable fast opening switch

    DOEpatents

    Van Devender, J.P.; Emin, D.

    1983-12-21

    A reusable fast opening switch for transferring energy, in the form of a high power pulse, from an electromagnetic storage device such as an inductor into a load. The switch is efficient, compact, fast and reusable. The switch comprises a ferromagnetic semiconductor which undergoes a fast transition between conductive and metallic states at a critical temperature and which undergoes the transition without a phase change in its crystal structure. A semiconductor such as europium rich europhous oxide, which undergoes a conductor to insulator transition when it is joule heated from its conductor state, can be used to form the switch.

  13. Age-related differences in BOLD modulation to cognitive control costs in a multitasking paradigm: Global switch, local switch, and compatibility-switch costs.

    PubMed

    Nashiro, Kaoru; Qin, Shuo; O'Connell, Margaret A; Basak, Chandramallika

    2018-05-15

    It is well documented that older adults recruit additional brain regions compared to those recruited by younger adults while performing a wide variety of cognitive tasks. However, it is unclear how such age-related over-recruitment interacts with different types of cognitive control, and whether this over-recruitment is compensatory. To test this, we used a multitasking paradigm, which allowed us to examine age-related over-activation associated with three types of cognitive costs (i.e., global switch, local switch, compatibility-switch costs). We found age-related impairments in global switch cost (GSC), evidenced by slower response times for maintaining and coordinating two tasks vs. performing only one task. However, no age-related declines were observed in either local switch cost (LSC), a cognitive cost associated with switching between the two tasks while maintaining two task loads, or compatibility-switch cost (CSC), a cognitive cost associated with incompatible vs. compatible stimulus-response mappings across the two tasks. The fMRI analyses allowed for identification of distinct cognitive cost-sensitive brain regions associated with GSC and LSC. In fronto-parietal GSC and LSC regions, older adults' increased activations were associated with poorer performance (greater costs), whereas a reverse relationship was observed in younger adults. Older adults also recruited additional fronto-parietal brain regions outside the cognitive cost-sensitive areas, which was associated with poorer performance or no behavioral benefits. Our results suggest that older adults exhibit a combination of inefficient activation within cognitive cost-sensitive regions, specifically the GSC and LSC regions, and non-compensatory over-recruitment in age-sensitive regions. Age-related declines in global switching, compared to local switching, was observed earlier in old age at both neural and behavioral levels. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Tutorial: Integrated-photonic switching structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Soref, Richard

    2018-02-01

    Recent developments in waveguided 2 × 2 and N × M photonic switches are reviewed, including both broadband and narrowband resonant devices for the Si, InP, and AlN platforms. Practical actuation of switches by electro-optical and thermo-optical techniques is discussed. Present datacom-and-computing applications are reviewed, and potential applications are proposed for chip-scale photonic and optoelectronic integrated switching networks. Potential is found in the reconfigurable, programmable "mesh" switches that enable a promising group of applications in new areas beyond those in data centers and cloud servers. Many important matrix switches use gated semiconductor optical amplifiers. The family of broadband, directional-coupler 2 × 2 switches featuring two or three side-coupled waveguides deserves future experimentation, including devices that employ phase-change materials. The newer 2 × 2 resonant switches include standing-wave resonators, different from the micro-ring traveling-wave resonators. The resonant devices comprise nanobeam interferometers, complex-Bragg interferometers, and asymmetric contra-directional couplers. Although the fast, resonant devices offer ultralow switching energy, ˜1 fJ/bit, they have limitations. They require several trade-offs when deployed, but they do have practical application.

  15. CMOS analog switches for adaptive filters

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dixon, C. E.

    1980-01-01

    Adaptive active low-pass filters incorporate CMOS (Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) analog switches (such as 4066 switch) that reduce variation in switch resistance when filter is switched to any selected transfer function.

  16. K-Band Latching Switches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Piotrowski, W. S.; Raue, J. E.

    1984-01-01

    Design, development, and tests are described for two single-pole-double-throw latching waveguide ferrite switches: a K-band switch in WR-42 waveguide and a Ka-band switch in WR-28 waveguide. Both switches have structurally simple junctions, mechanically interlocked without the use of bonding materials; they are impervious to the effects of thermal, shock, and vibration stresses. Ferrite material for the Ka-band switch with a proper combination of magnetic and dielectric properties was available and resulted in excellent low loss, wideband performance. The high power handling requirement of the K-band switch limited the choice of ferrite to nickel-zinc compositions with adequate magnetic properties, but with too low relative dielectric constant. The relative dielectric constant determines the junction dimensions for given frequency responses. In this case the too low value unavoidably leads to a larger than optimum junction volume, increasing the insertion loss and restricting the operating bandwidth. Efforts to overcome the materials-related difficulties through the design of a composite junction with increased effective dielectric properties efforts to modify the relative dielectric constant of nickel-zinc ferrite are examined.

  17. Optically triggered high voltage switch network and method for switching a high voltage

    DOEpatents

    El-Sharkawi, Mohamed A.; Andexler, George; Silberkleit, Lee I.

    1993-01-19

    An optically triggered solid state switch and method for switching a high voltage electrical current. A plurality of solid state switches (350) are connected in series for controlling electrical current flow between a compensation capacitor (112) and ground in a reactive power compensator (50, 50') that monitors the voltage and current flowing through each of three distribution lines (52a, 52b and 52c), which are supplying three-phase power to one or more inductive loads. An optical transmitter (100) controlled by the reactive power compensation system produces light pulses that are conveyed over optical fibers (102) to a switch driver (110') that includes a plurality of series connected optical triger circuits (288). Each of the optical trigger circuits controls a pair of the solid state switches and includes a plurality of series connected resistors (294, 326, 330, and 334) that equalize or balance the potential across the plurality of trigger circuits. The trigger circuits are connected to one of the distribution lines through a trigger capacitor (340). In each switch driver, the light signals activate a phototransistor (300) so that an electrical current flows from one of the energy reservoir capacitors through a pulse transformer (306) in the trigger circuit, producing gate signals that turn on the pair of serially connected solid state switches (350).

  18. Software Defined Networking (SDN) controlled all optical switching networks with multi-dimensional switching architecture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Yongli; Ji, Yuefeng; Zhang, Jie; Li, Hui; Xiong, Qianjin; Qiu, Shaofeng

    2014-08-01

    Ultrahigh throughout capacity requirement is challenging the current optical switching nodes with the fast development of data center networks. Pbit/s level all optical switching networks need to be deployed soon, which will cause the high complexity of node architecture. How to control the future network and node equipment together will become a new problem. An enhanced Software Defined Networking (eSDN) control architecture is proposed in the paper, which consists of Provider NOX (P-NOX) and Node NOX (N-NOX). With the cooperation of P-NOX and N-NOX, the flexible control of the entire network can be achieved. All optical switching network testbed has been experimentally demonstrated with efficient control of enhanced Software Defined Networking (eSDN). Pbit/s level all optical switching nodes in the testbed are implemented based on multi-dimensional switching architecture, i.e. multi-level and multi-planar. Due to the space and cost limitation, each optical switching node is only equipped with four input line boxes and four output line boxes respectively. Experimental results are given to verify the performance of our proposed control and switching architecture.

  19. Optically Driven Q-Switches For Lasers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hemmati, Hamid

    1994-01-01

    Optically driven Q-switches for pulsed lasers proposed, taking place of acousto-optical, magneto-optical, and electro-optical switches. Optical switching beams of proposed Q-switching most likely generated in pulsed diode lasers or light-emitting diodes, outputs of which are amplitude-modulated easily by direct modulation of relatively small input currents. Energy efficiencies exceed those of electrically driven Q-switches.

  20. Transparent electrode for optical switch

    DOEpatents

    Goldhar, J.; Henesian, M.A.

    1984-10-19

    The invention relates generally to optical switches and techniques for applying a voltage to an electro-optical crystal, and more particularly, to transparent electodes for an optical switch. System architectures for very large inertial confinement fusion (ICF) lasers require active optical elements with apertures on the order of one meter. Large aperture optical switches are needed for isolation of stages, switch-out from regenerative amplifier cavities and protection from target retroreflections.

  1. Sleep State Switching

    PubMed Central

    Saper, Clifford B.; Fuller, Patrick M.; Pedersen, Nigel P.; Lu, Jun; Scammell, Thomas E.

    2010-01-01

    We take for granted the ability to fall asleep or to snap out of sleep into wakefulness, but these changes in behavioral state require specific switching mechanisms in the brain that allow well-defined state transitions. In this review, we examine the basic circuitry underlying the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, and discuss a theoretical framework wherein the interactions between reciprocal neuronal circuits enable relatively rapid and complete state transitions. We also review how homeostatic, circadian, and allostatic drives help regulate sleep state switching, and discuss how breakdown of the switching mechanism may contribute to sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. PMID:21172606

  2. Chimeric switch receptor: switching for improved adoptive T-cell therapy against cancers.

    PubMed

    Tay, Johan Ck; Zha, Shijun; Wang, Shu

    2017-12-01

    Adoptive T-lymphocyte transfer-based immunotherapy for cancers has seen huge leaps with both CARs and engineered TCRs. Despite this, issues relating to safety and efficacy persist. To address this, chimeric switch receptors have been created to reverse the outcomes of their original signaling pathways in order to confer immune cells with the ability to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and to allow them to have greater in vivo persistence. Activating switch receptors exploit the inhibitory molecules expressed by cancer cells to further stimulate the tumor antigen-specific T lymphocytes. On the other hand, inhibitory switch receptors inhibit the effects of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes on unintended targets. This paper reviews the switch receptors reported thus far, and lists out potential improvements and future works.

  3. Electro-optic Q-switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zou, Yingyin (Inventor); Chen, Qiushui (Inventor); Zhang, Run (Inventor); Jiang, Hua (Inventor)

    2006-01-01

    An electro-optic Q-switch for generating sequence of laser pulses was disclosed. The Q-switch comprises a quadratic electro-optic material and is connected with an electronic unit generating a radio frequency wave with positive and negative pulses alternatively. The Q-switch is controlled by the radio frequency wave in such a way that laser pulse is generated when the radio frequency wave changes its polarity.

  4. Microstructure and mechanical changes induced by Q-Switched pulse laser on human enamel with aim of caries prevention

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Apsari, R.; Pratomo, D. A.; Hikmawati, D.; Bidin, N.

    2016-03-01

    This study was conducted to determine the effect of Q-Switched Nd: YAG laser energy dose to human enamel caries. The specifications of Q-Switched Nd: YAG laser as followed: wavelength of 1064 nm and 6 ns pulse width. Caries enamel samples taken from human teeth molars of 17-35 ages and the type of media caries. Energy doses used in this study were 723.65 mJ/cm2, 767.72 mJ/cm2, and 1065.515 mJ/cm2; 5 Hz repetition rate, and 20 second exposure time. Samples characterized the surface morphology and the percentage of constituent elements, especially calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) with FESEM-EDAX. The fraction volume and crystallinity percentage of hydroxyapatite (HA) with XRD and hardness value using Vickers Microhardness Test. The results indicated that exposure of Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser on enamel caries resulting cracks, holes, and melt due to plasma production effects in the surface. Plasma production effect also resulted in micro properties such as percentage of Ca/P was close to normal, the fraction volume and crystallinity percentage of HA went up but did not change the crystal structure (in terms of the lattice structure). The hardness value also rose as linear as exposure energy dose caused by phototermal effect. Based on the results, Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser can be used as contactless drill dental caries replacement candidate with the additional therapy effect such as localized caries in order to avoid the spread, the ratio of Ca/P approaching healthy teeth, the fraction volume and crystallinity percentage of HA rose and established stronger teeth with peak energy dose 1065.515 mJ/cm2.

  5. Contribution of rivaroxaban to the international normalized ratio when switching to warfarin for anticoagulation as determined by simulation studies

    PubMed Central

    Siegmund, Hans-Ulrich; Burghaus, Rolf; Kubitza, Dagmar; Coboeken, Katrin

    2015-01-01

    Aim This study evaluated the influence of rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily on international normalized ratio (INR) during the co-administration period when switching from rivaroxaban to warfarin. Methods We developed a calibrated coagulation model that was qualified with phase I clinical data. Prothrombin time and INR values were simulated by use of phospholipid concentrations that matched Neoplastin Plus® and Innovin® reagents. To simulate the combined effects of rivaroxaban and warfarin on INR during switching, warfarin initiation was simulated by adjusting the magnitude of the warfarin effect to reach the desired target INRs over the course of 21 days. The warfarin effect values (obtained every 6 h) and the desired rivaroxaban plasma concentrations were used. Nomograms were generated from rivaroxaban induced increases in INR. Results The simulation had good prediction quality. Rivaroxaban induced increases in the total INR from the warfarin attributed INR were seen, which increased with rivaroxaban plasma concentration. When the warfarin only INR was 2.0–3.0, the INR contribution of rivaroxaban with Neoplastin Plus® was 0.5–1.2, decreasing to 0.3–0.6 with Innovin® at median trough rivaroxaban plasma concentrations (38 μg l−1). Conclusions The data indicate that measuring warfarin induced changes in INR are best performed at trough rivaroxaban concentrations (24 h after rivaroxaban dosing) during the co-administration period when switching from rivaroxaban to warfarin. Furthermore, Innovin® is preferable to Neoplastin Plus® because of its substantially lower sensitivity to rivaroxaban, thereby reducing the influence of rivaroxaban on the measured INR. PMID:25510952

  6. Power-Switching Circuit

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Praver, Gerald A.; Theisinger, Peter C.; Genofsky, John

    1987-01-01

    Functions of circuit breakers, meters, and switches combined. Circuit that includes power field-effect transistors (PFET's) provides on/off switching, soft starting, current monitoring, current tripping, and protection against overcurrent for 30-Vdc power supply at normal load currents up to 2 A. Has no moving parts.

  7. Gain and Efficiency of a Superconducting Microwave Compressor with a Switching Cavity in an Interference Switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Artemenko, S. N.; Samoylenko, G. M.

    2016-11-01

    We study the processes of radiation output from a microwave storage cavity through a superconducting interference switch, which is based on a H-junction with a superconducting switching cavity connected to the side branch of the junction for various ways of controlling the parameters of the switching cavity. It is shown that efficient control over radiation output in such a switch can be achieved by varying the resonance frequency or Q-factor of the switching cavity, as well as by varying these parameters simultaneously. It is found that in the case of controlling the resonance frequency of the switching cavity, there exists an optimal interval of the frequency variation, within which the total efficiency and extraction efficiency are maximum. When the Q-factor of the switching cavity changes, the dependence of the total efficiency and extraction efficiency on the Q-factor has the monotonic character. The mixed regime of radiation output control is also studied. The envelopes of the output compressor pulses are plotted on the basis of recurrent relationships between the amplitudes of the waves in the system for three regimes of switch operation. It is shown that pulses with an almost rectangular shape of the envelope can be formed in the regime of controlling the switching cavity by varying the Q-factor. An example of possible realization of the switching cavity is considered.

  8. 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

  9. 49 CFR 236.382 - Switch obstruction test.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switch obstruction test. 236.382 Section 236.382... and Tests § 236.382 Switch obstruction test. Switch obstruction test of lock rod of each power-operated switch and lock rod of each hand-operated switch equipped with switch-and-lock-movement shall be...

  10. 49 CFR 236.382 - Switch obstruction test.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switch obstruction test. 236.382 Section 236.382... and Tests § 236.382 Switch obstruction test. Switch obstruction test of lock rod of each power-operated switch and lock rod of each hand-operated switch equipped with switch-and-lock-movement shall be...

  11. 49 CFR 236.382 - Switch obstruction test.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switch obstruction test. 236.382 Section 236.382... and Tests § 236.382 Switch obstruction test. Switch obstruction test of lock rod of each power-operated switch and lock rod of each hand-operated switch equipped with switch-and-lock-movement shall be...

  12. 49 CFR 236.382 - Switch obstruction test.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switch obstruction test. 236.382 Section 236.382... and Tests § 236.382 Switch obstruction test. Switch obstruction test of lock rod of each power-operated switch and lock rod of each hand-operated switch equipped with switch-and-lock-movement shall be...

  13. 49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

  14. 49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

  15. 49 CFR 236.382 - Switch obstruction test.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switch obstruction test. 236.382 Section 236.382... and Tests § 236.382 Switch obstruction test. Switch obstruction test of lock rod of each power-operated switch and lock rod of each hand-operated switch equipped with switch-and-lock-movement shall be...

  16. 49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

  17. 49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

  18. 49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

  19. The influence of cue-task association and location on switch cost and alternating-switch cost.

    PubMed

    Arbuthnott, Katherine D; Woodward, Todd S

    2002-03-01

    Task-switching performance is strongly influenced by whether the imperative stimulus uniquely specifies which task to perform: Switch cost is substantial with bivalent stimuli but is greatly reduced with univalent stimuli, suggesting that available contextual information influences processing in task-switching situations. The present study examined whether task-relevant information provided by task cues influences the magnitude of switch cost in a parallel manner. Cues presented 500 ms prior to a trivalent stimulus indicated which of three tasks to perform. These cues either had a preexisting association with the to-be-performed task (verbal cues), or a recently learned association with the task (spatial and shape cues). The results paralleled the effects of stimulus bivalence: substantial switch cost with recently learned cue-task associations and greatly reduced switch cost with preexisting cue-task associations. This suggests that both stimulus-based and cue-based information can activate the relevant task set, possibly providing external support to endogenous control processes. Alternating-switch cost, a greater cost for switching back to a recently abandoned task, was also observed with both preexisting and recently learned cue-task associations, but only when all tasks were presented in a consistent spatial location. When spatial location was used to cue the to-be-performed tasks, no alternating-switch cost was observed, suggesting that different processes may be involved when tasks are uniquely located in space. Specification of the nature of these processes may prove to be complex, as post-hoc inspection of the data suggested that for the spatial cue condition, the alternating-switch cost may oscillate between cost and benefit, depending on the relevant task.

  20. Intelligent single switch wheelchair navigation.

    PubMed

    Ka, Hyun W; Simpson, Richard; Chung, Younghyun

    2012-11-01

    We have developed an intelligent single switch scanning interface and wheelchair navigation assistance system, called intelligent single switch wheelchair navigation (ISSWN), to improve driving safety, comfort and efficiency for individuals who rely on single switch scanning as a control method. ISSWN combines a standard powered wheelchair with a laser rangefinder, a single switch scanning interface and a computer. It provides the user with context sensitive and task specific scanning options that reduce driving effort based on an interpretation of sensor data together with user input. Trials performed by 9 able-bodied participants showed that the system significantly improved driving safety and efficiency in a navigation task by significantly reducing the number of switch presses to 43.5% of traditional single switch wheelchair navigation (p < 0.001). All participants made a significant improvement (39.1%; p < 0.001) in completion time after only two trials.

  1. Spectroscopic Studies of Laser Produced Plasma Metasurfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colon Quinones, Roberto; Underwood, Thomas; Cappelli, Mark

    2016-10-01

    In this presentation, we describe the spatial and temporal plasma characteristics of the dense plasma kernels that are used to construct a laser produced plasma metasurface (PM) that is intended to serve as a tunable THz reflector. The PM is an n x n array of plasmas generated by focusing the light from a 2 J/p Q-switched Nd:YAG laser through a multi-lens array (MLA) and into a gas of varying pressure. A gated CCD camera coupled to a high-resolution spectrometer is used to obtain chord-averaged H α broadening data for the cross section of a single plasma element at the lens focal point. The data is then Abel inverted to derive the radial plasma density distribution. Measurements are repeated for a range of pressures, laser energies, and lens f-number, with a time resolution of 100 ns and a gate width of 20 ns. Results are presented for the variation of plasma density and size over these different conditions. Work supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). R. Colon Quinones and T. Underwood acknowledge the support of the Department of Defense (DoD) through the National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG) Program.

  2. Sleep state switching.

    PubMed

    Saper, Clifford B; Fuller, Patrick M; Pedersen, Nigel P; Lu, Jun; Scammell, Thomas E

    2010-12-22

    We take for granted the ability to fall asleep or to snap out of sleep into wakefulness, but these changes in behavioral state require specific switching mechanisms in the brain that allow well-defined state transitions. In this review, we examine the basic circuitry underlying the regulation of sleep and wakefulness and discuss a theoretical framework wherein the interactions between reciprocal neuronal circuits enable relatively rapid and complete state transitions. We also review how homeostatic, circadian, and allostatic drives help regulate sleep state switching and discuss how breakdown of the switching mechanism may contribute to sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Photoconductive switch package

    DOEpatents

    Ca[rasp, George J

    2013-10-22

    A photoconductive switch is formed of a substrate that has a central portion of SiC or other photoconductive material and an outer portion of cvd-diamond or other suitable material surrounding the central portion. Conducting electrodes are formed on opposed sides of the substrate, with the electrodes extending beyond the central portion and the edges of the electrodes lying over the outer portion. Thus any high electric fields produced at the edges of the electrodes lie outside of and do not affect the central portion, which is the active switching element. Light is transmitted through the outer portion to the central portion to actuate the switch.

  4. SPARK GAP SWITCH

    DOEpatents

    Neal, R.B.

    1957-12-17

    An improved triggered spark gap switch is described, capable of precisely controllable firing time while switching very large amounts of power. The invention in general comprises three electrodes adjustably spaced and adapted to have a large potential impressed between the outer electrodes. The central electrode includes two separate elements electrically connected togetaer and spaced apart to define a pair of spark gaps between the end electrodes. Means are provided to cause the gas flow in the switch to pass towards the central electrode, through a passage in each separate element, and out an exit disposed between the two separate central electrode elements in order to withdraw ions from the spark gap.

  5. Reflective HTS switch

    DOEpatents

    Martens, Jon S.; Hietala, Vincent M.; Hohenwarter, Gert K. G.

    1994-01-01

    A HTS switch includes a HTS conductor for providing a superconducting path for an electrical signal and an serpentine wire actuator for controllably heating a portion of the conductor sufficiently to cause that portion to have normal, and not superconducting, resistivity. Mass of the portion is reduced to decrease switching time.

  6. Proposal of optical mode switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takakura, Ryuta; Jizodo, Makoto; Fujino, Asuka; Tanaka, Tatsushi; Hamamoto, Kiichi

    2014-08-01

    Here, we propose a novel optical mode switch, which is a new concept of the optical switch. It can overcome the matrix size limitation issue, which has been a general issue for the waveguide optical space switch, because of its simple fiber coupling configuration. In addition, it contributes to the lossless mux/demux function such as wavelength multiplexing with powerless mode conversion unlike wavelength conversion. In this paper, we propose the principle of the optical mode switch. The simulation results showed less than -30 dB mode crosstalk, with less than only 0.1 dB excess loss for a two-mode optical switch. Moreover, the scalable configuration up to four modes is also proposed in this paper.

  7. Ultrafast optical switching in three-dimensional photonic crystals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mazurenko, D. A.

    2004-09-01

    The rapidly expanding research on photonic crystals is driven by potential applications in all-optical switches, optical computers, low-threshold lasers, and holographic data storage. The performance of such devices might surpass the speed of traditional electronics by several orders of magnitude and may result in a true revolution in nanotechnology. The heart of such devices would likely be an optical switching element. This thesis analyzes different regimes of ultrafast all-optical switching in various three-dimensional photonic crystals, in particular opals filled with silicon or vanadium dioxide and periodic arrays of silica-gold core-shell spherical particles with silica outer shell. In the experiment an ultrashort optical pulse is used to excite a photonic crystal and change its complex effective dielectric constant. The change in the imaginary part of the dielectric constant corresponds to the change in absorption that suppresses interference inside the photonic crystal and modifies the amplitude of the reflectivity, while the change in the real part of the dielectric constant accounts for a shift in a spectral position of the photonic stop band. The first type of switching is shown on an example of an opal filled with silicon. In this crystal, switching is induced by photo-excited carriers in silicon that act as an electron plasma and increase the absorption in silicon. Within 30 fs constructive interference inside the opal vanishes and Bragg reflectivity drops down. Changes in reflectivity reach values as high as 46% at maximum excitation power. The experimental results are in a good agreement with calculations. The second type of switching is demonstrated in opal filled with vanadium dioxide. Here, the optical switching is driven by a photoinduced phase transition of vanadium dioxide. The phase transition takes place on a subpicosecond time scale and changes the effective dielectric constant of the opal. As a result, the spectral position of the photonic

  8. 14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

  9. 14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

  10. 14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

  11. 14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

  12. 14 CFR 23.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 23.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control and shut off each ignition circuit... the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c) Each group of ignition switches, except...

  13. Experimental Investigation of Laser-sustained Plasma in Supersonic Argon Flow

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

    Sperber, David; Eckel, Hans-Albert; Moessinger, Peter

    Laser-induced energy deposition is widely discussed as a flow control technique in supersonic transportation. In case of thermal laser-plasma upstream of a blunt body, a substantial adaptation of shock wave geometry and magnitude of wave drag is predicted. Related to the research on laser supported detonation, the paper describes the implementation of laser-sustained plasma in a supersonic Argon jet. The stable plasma state is generated by the intersection of a Q-switched Nd:YAG-laser and a continuous wave CO{sub 2}-laser beams, for ignition and maintenance of the plasma respectively. A miniature supersonic Ludwieg tube test facility generates a supersonic jet at velocitiesmore » of Mach 2.1. Modifications of the flow and plasma conditions are investigated and characterized by Schlieren flow visualisation, laser energy transmission and plasma radiation measurements. The results include the discussions of the flow field as well as the required laser and gas parameters.« less

  14. Organic Materials For Optical Switching

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cardelino, Beatriz H.

    1993-01-01

    Equations predict properties of candidate materials. Report presents results of theoretical study of nonlinear optical properties of organic materials. Such materials used in optical switching devices for computers and telecommunications, replacing electronic switches. Optical switching potentially offers extremely high information throughout in compact hardware.

  15. Effect of CpG dinucleotides within IgH switch region repeats on immunoglobulin class switch recombination.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zheng Z; Hsieh, Chih-Lin; Okitsu, Cindy Yen; Han, Li; Yu, Kefei; Lieber, Michael R

    2015-08-01

    Immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chains undergo class switch recombination (CSR) to change the heavy chain isotype from IgM to IgG, A or E. The switch regions are several kilobases long, repetitive, and G-rich on the nontemplate strand. They are also relatively depleted of CpG (also called CG) sites for unknown reasons. Here we use synthetic switch regions at the IgH switch alpha (Sα) locus to test the effect of CpG sites and to try to understand why the IgH switch sequences evolved to be relatively depleted of CpG. We find that even just two CpG sites within an 80 bp synthetic switch repeat iterated 15 times (total switch region length of 1200 bp containing 30 CpG sites) are sufficient to dramatically reduce both Ig CSR and transcription through the switch region from the upstream Iα sterile transcript promoter, which is the promoter that directs transcripts through the Sα region. De novo DNA methylation occurs at the four CpG sites in and around the Iα promoter when each 80 bp Iα switch repeat contains the two CpG sites. Thus, a relatively low density of CpG sites within the switch repeats can induce upstream CpG methylation at the IgH alpha locus, and cause a substantial decrease in transcription from the sterile transcript promoter. This effect is likely the reason that switch regions evolved to contain very few CpG sites. We discuss these findings as they relate to DNA methylation and to Ig CSR. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Alarm toe switch. [Patent application

    DOEpatents

    Ganyard, F.P.

    1980-11-18

    An alarm toe switch inserted within a shoe for energizing an alarm circuit in a covert manner includes an insole mounting pad into which a miniature reed switch is fixedly molded. An elongated slot perpendicular to the reed switch is formed in the bottom surface of the mounting pad. A permanent cylindrical magnet positioned in the forward portion of the slot with a diameter greater than the pad thickness causes a bump above the pad. A foam rubber block is also positioned in the slot rearwardly of the magnet and holds the magnet in normal inoperative relation. A non-magnetic support plate covers the slot and holds the magnet and foam rubber in the slot. The plate minimizes bending and frictional forces to improve movement of the magnet for reliable switch activation. The bump occupies the knuckle space beneath the big toe. When the big toe is scrunched rearwardly the magnet is moved within the slot relative to the reed switch, thus magnetically activating the switch. When toe pressure is released the foam rubber block forces the magnet back into normal inoperative position to deactivate the reed switch.

  17. Anion channels: master switches of stress responses.

    PubMed

    Roelfsema, M Rob G; Hedrich, Rainer; Geiger, Dietmar

    2012-04-01

    During stress, plant cells activate anion channels and trigger the release of anions across the plasma membrane. Recently, two new gene families have been identified that encode major groups of anion channels. The SLAC/SLAH channels are characterized by slow voltage-dependent activation (S-type), whereas ALMT genes encode rapid-activating channels (R-type). Both S- and R-type channels are stimulated in guard cells by the stress hormone ABA, which leads to stomatal closure. Besides their role in ABA-dependent stomatal movement, anion channels are also activated by biotic stress factors such as microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). Given that anion channels occur throughout the plant kingdom, they are likely to serve a general function as master switches of stress responses. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. A Comparison of High-Voltage Switches

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

    Chu, K.W.; Scott, G.L.

    1999-02-01

    This report summarizes our work on high-voltage switches during the past few years. With joint funding from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DOD), we tested a wide variety of switches to a common standard. This approach permitted meaningful comparisons between disparate switches. Most switches were purchased from commercial sources, though some were experimental devices. For the purposes of this report, we divided the switches into three generic types (gas, vacuum, and semiconductor) and selected data that best illustrates important strengths and weaknesses of each switch type. Test techniques that indicate the state of health ofmore » the switches are emphasized. For example, a good indicator of residual gas in a vacuum switch is the systematic variation of the switching delay in response to changes in temperature and/or operating conditions. We believe that the presentation of this kind of information will help engineers to select and to test switches for their particular applications. Our work was limited to switches capable of driving slappers. Also known as exploding-foil initiators, slappers are detonators that initiate a secondary explosive by direct impact with a small piece of matter moving at the detonation velocity (several thousands of meters per second). A slapper is desirable for enhanced safety (no primary explosive), but it also places extra demands on the capacitor-discharge circuit to deliver a fast-rising current pulse (greater than 10 A/ns) of several thousand amperes. The required energy is substantially less than one joule; but this energy is delivered in less than one microsecond, taking the peak power into the megawatt regime. In our study, the switches operated in the 1 kV to 3 kV range and were physically small, roughly 1 cm{sup 3} or less. Although a fuze functions only once in actual use, multiple-shot capability is important for production testing and for research work. For this reason, we restricted this

  19. Switch Costs Occur at Lemma Stage When Bilinguals Name Digits: Evidence from Language-Switching and Event-Related Potentials.

    PubMed

    Chang, Song; Xie, Jiushu; Li, Li; Wang, Ruiming; Liu, Ming

    2016-01-01

    Switch costs are generally found in language switching tasks. However, the locus where switch costs occur during bilingual language production remains unclear. Several studies that used a cued language-switching paradigm have attempted to investigate this question in bilingual language production, but researchers have not reached a consensus. Moreover, we are interested in where switch costs occur when language selection occurs after lemma activation. Previous studies have not investigated this question because most previous studies presented language cues before or along with the stimuli. Therefore, we used a modified cued language-switching paradigm with a combined event-related potentials (ERPs) technique to explore the locus of switch costs during bilingual language production. The cue and stimulus were separated and presented in two different presentation sequences in which Indonesian-Chinese bilingual speakers were instructed to name digits in their L1 or L2 according to the color of the cue. The ERPs related to the cue and stimulus for two presentation sequences were measured. In the stimulus-cue sequence, the analysis that was time-locked to cues revealed a reversed switch cost as early as 220 ms after the cue onset; furthermore, a switch cost was shown in L1 with a late stage post-cue onset. The results suggested that when language selection occurred after lemma activation, the switch costs mainly occurred at the lemma selection stage. In the cue-stimulus sequence, the analysis that was time-locked to cues did not reveal significant main effects of switching, whereas the analysis that was time-locked to digits yielded a switch cost, again indicating that switch costs mainly occurred at the lemma selection stage rather than at the language task schema competition stage. Overall, our results indicated that when bilinguals spoke digits aloud in the language switching task, switch costs mainly occurred at the lemma selection stage.

  20. Fast discharge in a plasma gun with hemispherical insulator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Antsiferov, P. S.; Dorokhin, L. A.; Sidelnikov, Yu. V.; Koshelev, K. N.

    2009-05-01

    A method of creation of hot dense plasma is proposed. It is based on cumulation of a shockwave, which originates on a hemispherical surface of insulator of plasma gun. The results of first experiments are presented. The shock wave is driven by fast electrical discharge (dI /dt>1012 A/s). The inductive storage with semiconductor opening switch is used as a current driver. Time resolved pin-hole images and vacuum ultraviolet (vuv) spectra are studied. Shockwaves from hemispherical insulator with 4 mm radius create plasma with a form of column about 1 mm diameter and 3-4 mm length. vuv spectra contain the lines of Ar ions that corresponds to the electron temperature about 20 eV. Possible practical application is discussed.

  1. Heat Switches Providing Low-Activation Power and Quick-Switching Time for Use in Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kimball, Mark O.; Shirron, Peter J.

    2011-01-01

    An adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) is a solid-state cooler capable of achieving sub-Kelvin temperatures. It neither requires moving parts nor a density gradient in a working fluid making it ideal for use in space-based instruments. The flow of energy through the cooler is controlled by heat switches that allow heat transfer when on and isolate portions of the cooler when off. One type of switch uses helium gas as the switching medium. In the off state the gas is adsorbed in a getter thus breaking the thermal path through the switch. To activate the switch, the getter is heated to release helium into the switch body allowing it to complete the thermal path. A getter that has a small heat capacity and low thermal conductance to the body of the switch requires low-activation power. The cooler benefits from this in two ways: shorter recycle times and higher efficiency. We describe such a design here.

  2. Interconnecting network for switching data packets and method for switching data packets

    DOEpatents

    Benner, Alan Frederic; Minkenberg, Cyriel Johan Agnes; Stunkel, Craig Brian

    2010-05-25

    The interconnecting network for switching data packets, having data and flow control information, comprises a local packet switch element (S1) with local input buffers (I(1,1) . . . I(1,y)) for buffering the incoming data packets, a remote packet switch element (S2) with remote input buffers (I(2,1) . . . I(2,y)) for buffering the incoming data packets, and data lines (L) for interconnecting the local and the remote packet switch elements (S1, S2). The interconnecting network further comprises a local and a remote arbiter (A1, A2) which are connected via control lines (CL) to the input buffers (I(1,1) . . . I(1,y), I(2,1) . . . I(2,y)), and which are formed such that they can provide that the flow control information is transmitted via the data lines (L) and the control lines (CL).

  3. High pressure flow-rate switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gale, G. P.

    1970-01-01

    Flow-rate switch adjusts easily over a wide switching range and operates uniformly over many cycles. It adapts easily to control of various fluids and has the possibility of introducing multi-point switching. Novel design features include the tapered spool, balanced porting, capillary-bypass lubrication, and capillary-restriction damping.

  4. Switched-capacitor isolated LED driver

    DOEpatents

    Sanders, Seth R.; Kline, Mitchell

    2016-03-22

    A switched-capacitor voltage converter which is particularly well-suited for receiving a line voltage from which to drive current through a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Input voltage is rectified in a multi-level rectifier network having switched capacitors in an ascending-bank configuration for passing voltages in uniform steps between zero volts up to full received voltage V.sub.DC. A regulator section, operating on V.sub.DC, comprises switched-capacitor stages of H-bridge switching and flying capacitors. A current controlled oscillator drives the states of the switched-capacitor stages and changes its frequency to maintain a constant current to the load. Embodiments are described for isolating the load from the mains, utilizing an LC tank circuit or a multi-primary-winding transformer.

  5. Working Memory Costs of Task Switching

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Liefooghe, Baptist; Barrouillet, Pierre; Vandierendonck, Andre; Camos, Valerie

    2008-01-01

    Although many accounts of task switching emphasize the importance of working memory as a substantial source of the switch cost, there is a lack of evidence demonstrating that task switching actually places additional demands on working memory. The present study addressed this issue by implementing task switching in continuous complex span tasks…

  6. Photoconductive switch package

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

    Caporaso, George J.

    2015-10-27

    A photoconductive switch is formed of a substrate that has a central portion of SiC or other photoconductive material and an outer portion of cvd-diamond or other suitable material surrounding the central portion. Conducting electrodes are formed on opposed sides of the substrate, with the electrodes extending beyond the central portion and the edges of the electrodes lying over the outer portion. Thus any high electric fields produced at the edges of the electrodes lie outside of and do not affect the central portion, which is the active switching element. Light is transmitted through the outer portion to the centralmore » portion to actuate the switch.« less

  7. Reflective HTS switch

    DOEpatents

    Martens, J.S.; Hietala, V.M.; Hohenwarter, G.K.G.

    1994-09-27

    A HTS (High Temperature Superconductor) switch includes a HTS conductor for providing a superconducting path for an electrical signal and an serpentine wire actuator for controllably heating a portion of the conductor sufficiently to cause that portion to have normal, and not superconducting, resistivity. Mass of the portion is reduced to decrease switching time. 6 figs.

  8. Thermally actuated thermionic switch

    DOEpatents

    Barrus, Donald M.; Shires, Charles D.

    1988-01-01

    A thermally actuated thermionic switch which responds to an increase of temperature by changing from a high impedance to a low impedance at a predictable temperature set point. The switch has a bistable operation mode switching only on temperature increases. The thermionic material may be a metal which is liquid at the desired operation temperature and held in matrix in a graphite block reservoir, and which changes state (ionizes, for example) so as to be electrically conductive at a desired temperature.

  9. Thermally actuated thermionic switch

    DOEpatents

    Barrus, D.M.; Shires, C.D.

    1982-09-30

    A thermally actuated thermionic switch which responds to an increase of temperature by changing from a high impedance to a low impedance at a predictable temperature set point. The switch has a bistable operation mode switching only on temperature increases. The thermionic material may be a metal which is liquid at the desired operation temperature and held in matrix in a graphite block reservoir, and which changes state (ionizes, for example) so as to be electrically conductive at a desired temperature.

  10. Parasitic resistive switching uncovered from complementary resistive switching in single active-layer oxide memory device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Lisha; Hu, Wei; Gao, Chao; Guo, Yongcai

    2017-12-01

    This paper reports the reversible transition processes between the bipolar and complementary resistive switching (CRS) characteristics on the binary metal-oxide resistive memory devices of Pt/HfO x /TiN and Pt/TaO x /TiN by applying the appropriate bias voltages. More interestingly, by controlling the amplitude of the negative bias, the parasitic resistive switching effect exhibiting repeatable switching behavior is uncovered from the CRS behavior. The electrical observation of the parasitic resistive switching effect can be explained by the controlled size of the conductive filament. This work confirms the transformation and interrelationship among the bipolar, parasitic, and CRS effects, and thus provides new insight into the understanding of the physical mechanism of the binary metal-oxide resistive switching memory devices.

  11. 14 CFR 27.1367 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Switches. 27.1367 Section 27.1367... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1367 Switches. Each switch must be— (a) Able to carry its rated current; (b) Accessible to the crew; and (c) Labeled as to...

  12. 14 CFR 27.1367 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Switches. 27.1367 Section 27.1367... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1367 Switches. Each switch must be— (a) Able to carry its rated current; (b) Accessible to the crew; and (c) Labeled as to...

  13. 49 CFR 213.135 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switches. 213.135 Section 213.135 Transportation... TRANSPORTATION TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS Track Structure § 213.135 Switches. (a) Each stock rail must be securely seated in switch plates, but care shall be used to avoid canting the rail by overtightening the rail...

  14. 14 CFR 27.1367 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Switches. 27.1367 Section 27.1367... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1367 Switches. Each switch must be— (a) Able to carry its rated current; (b) Accessible to the crew; and (c) Labeled as to...

  15. 49 CFR 213.135 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switches. 213.135 Section 213.135 Transportation... TRANSPORTATION TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS Track Structure § 213.135 Switches. (a) Each stock rail must be securely seated in switch plates, but care shall be used to avoid canting the rail by overtightening the rail...

  16. 49 CFR 213.135 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switches. 213.135 Section 213.135 Transportation... TRANSPORTATION TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS Track Structure § 213.135 Switches. (a) Each stock rail must be securely seated in switch plates, but care shall be used to avoid canting the rail by overtightening the rail...

  17. 14 CFR 27.1367 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Switches. 27.1367 Section 27.1367... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1367 Switches. Each switch must be— (a) Able to carry its rated current; (b) Accessible to the crew; and (c) Labeled as to...

  18. 14 CFR 27.1367 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Switches. 27.1367 Section 27.1367... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1367 Switches. Each switch must be— (a) Able to carry its rated current; (b) Accessible to the crew; and (c) Labeled as to...

  19. Information Switching Processor (ISP) contention analysis and control

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Inukai, Thomas

    1995-01-01

    In designing a satellite system with on-board processing, the selection of a switching architecture is often critical. The on-board switching function can be implemented by circuit switching or packet switching. Destination-directed packet switching has several attractive features, such as self-routing without on-board switch reconfiguration, no switch control memory requirement, efficient bandwidth utilization for packet switched traffic, and accommodation of circuit switched traffic. Destination-directed packet switching, however, has two potential concerns: (1) contention and (2) congestion. And this report specifically deals with the first problem. It includes a description and analysis of various self-routing switch structures, the nature of contention problems, and contention and resolution techniques.

  20. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Vildagliptin Versus Alogliptin: Effective Switch From Sitagliptin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Shigematsu, Erina; Yamakawa, Tadashi; Oba, Mari S; Suzuki, Jun; Nagakura, Jo; Kadonosono, Kazuaki; Terauchi, Yasuo

    2017-07-01

    We investigated the effects of vildagliptin or alogliptin on blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by sitagliptin. In a single-center open-label trial, 35 patients with inadequate glycemic control on sitagliptin therapy (50 mg once daily) were randomly switched to treatment with vildagliptin (50 mg twice daily) or alogliptin (25 mg once daily). After 12 weeks, patients who failed to achieve the target HbA1c level of < 7.0% with vildagliptin or alogliptin treatment were switched to high-dose sitagliptin (100 mg once daily) and the effect on glycemic control was assessed. Vildagliptin did not significantly alter the mean plasma glucose level (175.5 ± 54.4 mg/dL vs. 179.1 ± 73.4 mg/dL) or HbA1c (8.01% vs. 8.02%) after 12 weeks. With alogliptin, mean plasma glucose increased from 175.4 ± 50.9 mg/dL to 195.3 ± 55.0 mg/dL after 12 weeks and HbA1c increased significantly from 8.0% to 8.3% (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks after switching from vildagliptin to high-dose sitagliptin (100 mg daily), HbA1c was increased to 8.3%, but it was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced to the baseline level of 8.0% after switching from alogliptin. The reduction of HbA1c was significantly greater in the vildagliptin group than the alogliptin group (P = 0.008), but the response rate (achieving the target HbA1c < 7.0%) did not differ significantly between the two groups. The glucose-lowering effects of these three dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (vildagliptin, alogliptin, and sitagliptin) were different, and the effects of vildagliptin and sitagliptin were stronger than that of alogliptin.

  1. 49 CFR 229.87 - Hand-operated switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Hand-operated switches. 229.87 Section 229.87....87 Hand-operated switches. All hand-operated switches carrying currents with a potential of more than... outside of the cover. Means shall be provided to show whether the switches are open or closed. Switches...

  2. 49 CFR 229.87 - Hand-operated switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Hand-operated switches. 229.87 Section 229.87....87 Hand-operated switches. All hand-operated switches carrying currents with a potential of more than... outside of the cover. Means shall be provided to show whether the switches are open or closed. Switches...

  3. 49 CFR 229.87 - Hand-operated switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Hand-operated switches. 229.87 Section 229.87....87 Hand-operated switches. All hand-operated switches carrying currents with a potential of more than... outside of the cover. Means shall be provided to show whether the switches are open or closed. Switches...

  4. 49 CFR 229.87 - Hand-operated switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Hand-operated switches. 229.87 Section 229.87....87 Hand-operated switches. All hand-operated switches carrying currents with a potential of more than... outside of the cover. Means shall be provided to show whether the switches are open or closed. Switches...

  5. Switching dynamics of TaOx-based threshold switching devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goodwill, Jonathan M.; Gala, Darshil K.; Bain, James A.; Skowronski, Marek

    2018-03-01

    Bi-stable volatile switching devices are being used as access devices in solid-state memory arrays and as the active part of compact oscillators. Such structures exhibit two stable states of resistance and switch between them at a critical value of voltage or current. A typical resistance transient under a constant amplitude voltage pulse starts with a slow decrease followed by a rapid drop and leveling off at a low steady state value. This behavior prompted the interpretation of initial delay and fast transition as due to two different processes. Here, we show that the entire transient including incubation time, transition time, and the final resistance values in TaOx-based switching can be explained by one process, namely, Joule heating with the rapid transition due to the thermal runaway. The time, which is required for the device in the conducting state to relax back to the stable high resistance one, is also consistent with the proposed mechanism.

  6. Heat-transfer thermal switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Friedell, M. V.; Anderson, A. J.

    1974-01-01

    Thermal switch maintains temperature of planetary lander, within definite range, by transferring heat. Switch produces relatively large stroke and force, uses minimum electrical power, is lightweight, is vapor pressure actuated, and withstands sterilization temperatures without damage.

  7. Molecular switches and motors on surfaces.

    PubMed

    Pathem, Bala Krishna; Claridge, Shelley A; Zheng, Yue Bing; Weiss, Paul S

    2013-01-01

    Molecular switches and motors respond structurally, electronically, optically, and/or mechanically to external stimuli, testing and potentially enabling extreme miniaturization of optoelectronic devices, nanoelectromechanical systems, and medical devices. The assembly of motors and switches on surfaces makes it possible both to measure the properties of individual molecules as they relate to their environment and to couple function between assembled molecules. In this review, we discuss recent progress in assembling molecular switches and motors on surfaces, measuring static and dynamic structures, understanding switching mechanisms, and constructing functional molecular materials and devices. As demonstrative examples, we choose a representative molecule from three commonly studied classes including molecular switches, photochromic molecules, and mechanically interlocked molecules. We conclude by offering perspectives on the future of molecular switches and motors on surfaces.

  8. MEMS switches having non-metallic crossbeams

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Scardelletti, Maximillian C (Inventor)

    2009-01-01

    A RF MEMS switch comprising a crossbeam of SiC, supported by at least one leg above a substrate and above a plurality of transmission lines forming a CPW. Bias is provided by at least one layer of metal disposed on a top surface of the SiC crossbeam, such as a layer of chromium followed by a layer of gold, and extending beyond the switch to a biasing pad on the substrate. The switch utilizes stress and conductivity-controlled non-metallic thin cantilevers or bridges, thereby improving the RF characteristics and operational reliability of the switch. The switch can be fabricated with conventional silicon integrated circuit (IC) processing techniques. The design of the switch is very versatile and can be implemented in many transmission line mediums.

  9. SWITCH user's manual

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1987-01-01

    The planning program, SWITCH, and its surrounding changed-goal-replanning program, Runaround, are described. The evolution of SWITCH and Runaround from an earlier planner, DEVISER, is recounted. SWITCH's plan representation, and its process of building a plan by backward chaining with strict chronological backtracking, are described. A guide for writing knowledge base files is provided, as are narrative guides for installing the program, running it, and interacting with it while it is running. Some utility functions are documented. For the sake of completeness, a narrative guide to the experimental discrepancy-replanning feature is provided. Appendices contain knowledge base files for a blocksworld domain, and a DRIBBLE file illustrating the output from, and user interaction with, the program in that domain.

  10. Chromatic interocular-switch rivalry.

    PubMed

    Christiansen, Jens H; D'Antona, Anthony D; Shevell, Steven K

    2017-05-01

    Interocular-switch rivalry (also known as stimulus rivalry) is a kind of binocular rivalry in which two rivalrous images are swapped between the eyes several times a second. The result is stable periods of one image and then the other, with stable intervals that span many eye swaps (Logothetis, Leopold, & Sheinberg, 1996). Previous work used this close kin of binocular rivalry with rivalrous forms. Experiments here test whether chromatic interocular-switch rivalry, in which the swapped stimuli differ in only chromaticity, results in slow alternation between two colors. Swapping equiluminant rivalrous chromaticities at 3.75 Hz resulted in slow perceptual color alternation, with one or the other color often continuously visible for two seconds or longer (during which there were 15+ eye swaps). A well-known theory for sustained percepts from interocular-switch rivalry with form is inhibitory competition between binocular neurons driven by monocular neurons with matched orientation tuning in each eye; such binocular neurons would produce a stable response when a given orientation is swapped between the eyes. A similar model can account for the percepts here from chromatic interocular-switch rivalry and is underpinned by the neurophysiological finding that color-preferring binocular neurons are driven by monocular neurons from each eye with well-matched chromatic selectivity (Peirce, Solomon, Forte, & Lennie, 2008). In contrast to chromatic interocular-switch rivalry, luminance interocular-switch rivalry with swapped stimuli that differ in only luminance did not result in slowly alternating percepts of different brightnesses.

  11. Chromatic interocular-switch rivalry

    PubMed Central

    Christiansen, Jens H.; D'Antona, Anthony D.; Shevell, Steven K.

    2017-01-01

    Interocular-switch rivalry (also known as stimulus rivalry) is a kind of binocular rivalry in which two rivalrous images are swapped between the eyes several times a second. The result is stable periods of one image and then the other, with stable intervals that span many eye swaps (Logothetis, Leopold, & Sheinberg, 1996). Previous work used this close kin of binocular rivalry with rivalrous forms. Experiments here test whether chromatic interocular-switch rivalry, in which the swapped stimuli differ in only chromaticity, results in slow alternation between two colors. Swapping equiluminant rivalrous chromaticities at 3.75 Hz resulted in slow perceptual color alternation, with one or the other color often continuously visible for two seconds or longer (during which there were 15+ eye swaps). A well-known theory for sustained percepts from interocular-switch rivalry with form is inhibitory competition between binocular neurons driven by monocular neurons with matched orientation tuning in each eye; such binocular neurons would produce a stable response when a given orientation is swapped between the eyes. A similar model can account for the percepts here from chromatic interocular-switch rivalry and is underpinned by the neurophysiological finding that color-preferring binocular neurons are driven by monocular neurons from each eye with well-matched chromatic selectivity (Peirce, Solomon, Forte, & Lennie, 2008). In contrast to chromatic interocular-switch rivalry, luminance interocular-switch rivalry with swapped stimuli that differ in only luminance did not result in slowly alternating percepts of different brightnesses. PMID:28510624

  12. Regulated competition in health care: switching and barriers to switching in the Dutch health insurance system.

    PubMed

    Reitsma-van Rooijen, Margreet; de Jong, Judith D; Rijken, Mieke

    2011-05-10

    In 2006, a number of changes in the Dutch health insurance system came into effect. In this new system mobility of insured is important. The idea is that insured switch insurers because they are not satisfied with quality of care and the premium of their insurance. As a result, insurers will in theory strive for a better balance between price and quality. The Dutch changes have caught the attention, internationally, of both policy makers and researchers. In our study we examined switching behaviour over three years (2007-2009). We tested if there are differences in the numbers of switchers between groups defined by socio-demographic and health characteristics and between the general population and people with chronic illness or disability. We also looked at reasons for (not-)switching and at perceived barriers to switching. Switching behaviour and reasons for (not-)switching were measured over three years (2007-2009) by sending postal questionnaires to members of the Dutch Health Care Consumer Panel and of the National Panel of people with Chronic illness or Disability. Data were available for each year and for each panel for at least 1896 respondents - a response of between 71% and 88%. The percentages of switchers are low; 6% in 2007, 4% in 2008 and 3% in 2009. Younger and higher educated people switch more often than older and lower educated people and women switch more often than men. There is no difference in the percentage of switchers between the general population and people with chronic illness or disability. People with a bad self-perceived health, and chronically ill and disabled, perceive more barriers to switching than others. The percentages of switchers are comparable to the old system. Switching is not based on quality of care and thus it can be questioned whether it will lead to a better balance between price and quality. Although there is no difference in the frequency of switching among the chronically ill and disabled and people with a bad self

  13. HOLLOTRON switch for megawatt lightweight space inverters

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Poeschel, R. L.; Goebel, D. M.; Schumacher, R. W.

    1991-01-01

    The feasibility of satisfying the switching requirements for a megawatt ultralight inverter system using HOLLOTRON switch technology was determined. The existing experimental switch hardware was modified to investigate a coaxial HOLLOTRON switch configuration and the results were compared with those obtained for a modified linear HOLLOTRON configuration. It was concluded that scaling the HOLLOTRON switch to the current and voltage specifications required for a megawatt converter system is indeed feasible using a modified linear configuration. The experimental HOLLOTRON switch operated at parameters comparable to the scaled coaxial HOLLOTRON. However, the linear HOLLOTRON data verified the capability for meeting all the design objectives simultaneously including current density (greater than 2 A/sq cm), voltage (5 kV), switching frequency (20 kHz), switching time (300 ns), and forward voltage drop (less than or equal to 20 V). Scaling relations were determined and a preliminary design was completed for an engineering model linear HOLLOTRON switch to meet the megawatt converter system specifications.

  14. State Switching of the X-Ray/Radio Transitional Millisecond Pulsar

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shang, Lun-Hua; Zhang, Cheng-Min; Li, Di; Wang, De-Hua; Wang, Shuang-Qiang; Wang, Pei; Pan, Yuan-Yue; Yang, Yi-Yan; Zhi, Qi-Jun

    2017-11-01

    PSR J1023+0038 is a known transitional pulsar, which switches between the accretion-powered X-ray pulsar state and the rotation-powered radio millisecond pulsar (MSP) state. Here, we study the conditions for its state transition by ascribing ˜GHz radio pulse emission to the plasma cutoff oscillation frequency at the magnetosphere, which depends on the plasma density or accretion rate. With the accretion X-ray luminosity declining fromhigh to low state (e.g., ˜ {10}35 erg s-1 to ˜ {10}32 erg s-1), the magnetosphere boundary expands to the light cylinder, where the plasma density is low enough to permit the emission of radio waves at the several-GHz frequency band. Thus, for a sufficiently low accretion-rate state (˜ {10}32 erg s-1), the radio emission at the several-GHz band is not blocked by the plasma, and the radio pulsar can be detected in the favored “observational windows,” I.e., the L band (1-2 GHz), S band (2-4 GHz), and C band (4-8 GHz). Furthermore, to evaluate the penetration characteristics of the outgoing radio wave of low frequency, we calculate its skin depth, which is found to be a couple of centimeters for the low X-ray luminosity of {10}34{--}{10}32 erg s-1, a scale that is much shorter than the light cylinder radius of about 100 km for MSPs.

  15. Picosecond High Pressure Gas Switch Experiment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-06-01

    the calculated pulse waveform for a much higher voltage and pressure switch . Also, a discussion of the modifications made on an existing pulse...s 80 8 ~ 60 J 40 .. : ~--~: __ ~’----~-~ 0.1 10 100 1000 Frequency Figure 7. Output switch recovery. Conclusion The high- pressure switch has...effective in matching experimental results, and should thus be useful in the design of high-voltage and pressure switch configurations

  16. A low-latency optical switch architecture using integrated μm SOI-based contention resolution and switching

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mourgias-Alexandris, G.; Moralis-Pegios, M.; Terzenidis, N.; Cherchi, M.; Harjanne, M.; Aalto, T.; Vyrsokinos, K.; Pleros, N.

    2018-02-01

    The urgent need for high-bandwidth and high-port connectivity in Data Centers has boosted the deployment of optoelectronic packet switches towards bringing high data-rate optics closer to the ASIC, realizing optical transceiver functions directly at the ASIC package for high-rate, low-energy and low-latency interconnects. Even though optics can offer a broad range of low-energy integrated switch fabrics for replacing electronic switches and seamlessly interface with the optical I/Os, the use of energy- and latency-consuming electronic SerDes continues to be a necessity, mainly dictated by the absence of integrated and reliable optical buffering solutions. SerDes undertakes the role of optimally synergizing the lower-speed electronic buffers with the incoming and outgoing optical streams, suggesting that a SerDes-released chip-scale optical switch fabric can be only realized in case all necessary functions including contention resolution and switching can be implemented on a common photonic integration platform. In this paper, we demonstrate experimentally a hybrid Broadcast-and-Select (BS) / wavelength routed optical switch that performs both the optical buffering and switching functions with μm-scale Silicon-integrated building blocks. Optical buffering is carried out in a silicon-integrated variable delay line bank with a record-high on-chip delay/footprint efficiency of 2.6ns/mm2 and up to 17.2 nsec delay capability, while switching is executed via a BS design and a silicon-integrated echelle grating, assisted by SOA-MZI wavelength conversion stages and controlled by a FPGA header processing module. The switch has been experimentally validated in a 3x3 arrangement with 10Gb/s NRZ optical data packets, demonstrating error-free switching operation with a power penalty of <5dB.

  17. Heat Switches Providing Low-Activation Power and Quick-Switching Time for Use in Cryogenic Multi-Stage Refrigerators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kimball, Mark O.; Shirron, Peter J.

    2011-01-01

    An adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) is a solid-state cooler capable of achieving sub-Kelvin temperatures. It neither requires moving parts nor a density gradient in a working fluid making it ideal for use in space-based instruments. The flow of energy through the cooler is controlled by heat switches that allow heat transfer when on and isolate portions of the cooler when off. One type of switch uses helium gas as the switching medium. In the off state the gas is adsorbed in a getter thus breaking the thermal path through the switch. To activate the switch, the getter is heated to release helium into the switch body allowing it to complete the thermal path. A getter that has a small heat capacity and low thermal conductance to the body of the switch requires low-activation power. The cooler benefits from this in two ways: shorter recycle times and higher efficiency. We describe such a design here.

  18. Pulse switching for high energy lasers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Laudenslager, J. B.; Pacala, T. J. (Inventor)

    1981-01-01

    A saturable inductor switch for compressing the width and sharpening the rise time of high voltage pulses from a relatively slow rise time, high voltage generator to an electric discharge gas laser (EDGL) also provides a capability for efficient energy transfer from a high impedance primary source to an intermediate low impedance laser discharge network. The switch is positioned with respect to a capacitive storage device, such as a coaxial cable, so that when a charge build-up in the storage device reaches a predetermined level, saturation of the switch inductor releases or switches energy stored in the capactive storage device to the EDGL. Cascaded saturable inductor switches for providing output pulses having rise times of less than ten nanoseconds and a technique for magnetically biasing the saturable inductor switch are disclosed.

  19. Dynamically reconfigurable optical packet switch (DROPS)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Chi-Heng; Chou, Hsu-Feng; Bowers, John E.; Toudeh-Fallah, Farzam; Gyurek, Russ

    2006-12-01

    A novel Dynamically Reconfigurable Optical Packet Switch (DROPS) that combines both spectral and spatial switching capabilities is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for the first time. Compared with an Arrayed Waveguide Grating Router (AWGR), the added spatial switching capability provided by the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) enables dynamically reconfigurable routing that is not possible with an AWGR alone. This methodology has several advantages over an AWGR including scalability, additional degrees of freedom in routing a packet from an ingress port to an egress port and more flexibility in path or line card recovery. The experimental demonstration implemented with 10-Gb/s packets shows that the added spatial switching does not degrade the bit-error-rate performance, indicating the promising potential of DROPS as a versatile and ultra-high capacity switch for optical packet-switched networks.

  20. Neurochemical variables in schizophrenic patients during switching from neuroleptics to clozapine.

    PubMed

    Hatzimanolis, J; Lykouras, L; Markianos, M; Oulis, P

    1998-10-01

    1. The study aimed to search for the effect of clozapine on the levels of the main metabolites of dopamine homovanillic acid (HVA), serotonin 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and norepinephrine 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in urine as well as on plasma levels of HVA, 5-HIAA, prolactin (PRL) and cortisol. 2. Seventeen male patients diagnosed as suffering from DSM-IIIR schizophrenia completed the study. 3. The patients were switched from classical antipsychotics to clozapine. After six weeks treatment with clozapine the severity of psychopathology (total BPRS score) decreased significantly (p = 0.00004). pHVA and -5-HIAA did not change significantly. uMHPG increased significantly (p = 0.017). Both PRL and cortisol levels decreased significantly (p = 0.0002, p = 0.032 respectively). Patients with high HVA levels in both plasma and urine at baseline had a lower BPRS score at the end of treatment period (p = 0.0001, p = 0.049 respectively).

  1. Description and Operation of the Mark 1B Plasma Focus Radiation Facility,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    plasma focus facility (Mk 1B) at The Aerospace Corporation produces x-ray fluences that are applicable to most radiation testing problems (e.g., integrated circuits or transistors). Although the facility has only one beryllium window for exposing 1.6-cm-dia samples to doses of 25 to 45 krad (Si) per shot, three more windows could be added and the additional samples exposed simultaneously. The facility is experiencing switch problems and is presently averaging 50 shots per week--15 shots per day for 3 or 4 days. The results of a comprehensive switch analysis should

  2. Self-Assessment of Individual Differences in Language Switching

    PubMed Central

    Rodriguez-Fornells, Antoni; Krämer, Ulrike M.; Lorenzo-Seva, Urbano; Festman, Julia; Münte, Thomas F.

    2012-01-01

    Language switching is omnipresent in bilingual individuals. In fact, the ability to switch languages (code switching) is a very fast, efficient, and flexible process that seems to be a fundamental aspect of bilingual language processing. In this study, we aimed to characterize psychometrically self-perceived individual differences in language switching and to create a reliable measure of this behavioral pattern by introducing a bilingual switching questionnaire. As a working hypothesis based on the previous literature about code switching, we decomposed language switching into four constructs: (i) L1 switching tendencies (the tendency to switch to L1; L1-switch); (ii) L2 switching tendencies (L2-switch); (iii) contextual switch, which indexes the frequency of switches usually triggered by a particular situation, topic, or environment; and (iv) unintended switch, which measures the lack of intention and awareness of the language switches. A total of 582 Spanish–Catalan bilingual university students were studied. Twelve items were selected (three for each construct). The correlation matrix was factor-analyzed using minimum rank factor analysis followed by oblique direct oblimin rotation. The overall proportion of common variance explained by the four extracted factors was 0.86. Finally, to assess the external validity of the individual differences scored with the new questionnaire, we evaluated the correlations between these measures and several psychometric (language proficiency) and behavioral measures related to cognitive and attentional control. The present study highlights the importance of evaluating individual differences in language switching using self-assessment instruments when studying the interface between cognitive control and bilingualism. PMID:22291668

  3. Feature Integration and Task Switching: Diminished Switch Costs after Controlling for Stimulus, Response, and Cue Repetitions

    PubMed Central

    Schmidt, James R.; Liefooghe, Baptist

    2016-01-01

    This report presents data from two versions of the task switching procedure in which the separate influence of stimulus repetitions, response key repetitions, conceptual response repetitions, cue repetitions, task repetitions, and congruency are considered. Experiment 1 used a simple alternating runs procedure with parity judgments of digits and consonant/vowel decisions of letters as the two tasks. Results revealed sizable effects of stimulus and response repetitions, and controlling for these effects reduced the switch cost. Experiment 2 was a cued version of the task switch paradigm with parity and magnitude judgments of digits as the two tasks. Results again revealed large effects of stimulus and response repetitions, in addition to cue repetition effects. Controlling for these effects again reduced the switch cost. Congruency did not interact with our novel “unbiased” measure of switch costs. We discuss how the task switch paradigm might be thought of as a more complex version of the feature integration paradigm and propose an episodic learning account of the effect. We further consider to what extent appeals to higher-order control processes might be unnecessary and propose that controls for feature integration biases should be standard practice in task switching experiments. PMID:26964102

  4. Arc-Free High-Power dc Switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Miller, W. N.; Gray, O. E.

    1982-01-01

    Hybrid switch allows high-power direct current to be turned on and off without arcing or erosion. Switch consists of bank of transistors in parallel with mechanical contacts. Transistor bank makes and breaks switched circuit; contacts carry current only during steady-state "on" condition. Designed for Space Shuttle orbiter, hybrid switch can be used also in high-power control circuits in aircraft, electric autos, industrial furnaces, and solar-cell arrays.

  5. Theory and simulent design of a type of auto-self-protecting optical switches

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Binhong; Peng, Songcun

    1990-06-01

    As the use of lasers in the military and in the civilian economy increases with each passing day, it is often necessary for the human eye or sensitive instruments to observe weak lasers, such as the return waves of laser radar and laser communications signals; but it is also necessary to provide protection against damage to the eye from the strong lasers of enemy laser weapons. For this reason, it is necessary to have a kind of automatic optical self-protecting switch. Based upon a study of the transmitting and scattering characteristics of multilayer dielectric optical waveguides, a practical computer program is set up for designing a type of auto-self-protecting optical switch with a computer model by using the nonlinear property of dielectric layers and the plasma behavior of metal substrates. This technique can be used to protect the human eye and sensitive detectors from damage caused by strong laser beams.

  6. Determination of alpidem, an imidazopyridine anxiolytic, and its metabolites by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

    PubMed

    Flaminio, L; Ripamonti, M; Ascalone, V

    1994-05-13

    Alpidem, 6-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-N,N-dipropylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine- 3-acetamide, is an anxiolytic imidazopyridine that undergoes a first-pass elimination after oral administration to humans; it is actively metabolized and three circulating metabolites have been identified in plasma due to N-dealkylation, oxidation or a combination of both processes. For the determination of the unchanged drug and its metabolites in human plasma, a column-switching HPLC method was developed. The method, based on solid-phase extraction (performed on-line), involves the automatic injection of plasma samples (200 microliters) on to a precolumn filled with C18 material, clean-up of the sample with water in order to remove protein and salts and transfer of the analytes to the analytical column (after valve switching) by means of the mobile phase. All the processes were performed in the presence of an internal standard, a compound chemically related to alpidem. During the analytical chromatography, the precolumn was flushed with different solvents and after regeneration with water, it was ready for further injections. The analytical column was a C8 type and the mobile phase was acetonitrile-methanol-phosphate buffer solution (45:15:45, v/v/v) at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml min-1. The column was connected to a fluorimetric detector operating at excitation and emission wavelengths of 255 and 423 nm, respectively. The limits of quantitation of alpidem and three metabolites were 2.5 and 1.5 ng ml-1, respectively, in human plasma.

  7. Single Active Switch PV Inverter

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

    Ramanan, V. R.; Pan, Zhiguo

    This report presents a new PV inverter topology that uses only one active switch instead of 7 active switches in a conventional PV inverter. It has a buck boost converter and operates at discontinuous current control mode, which can reduce the output stage from an active switch bridge to a thyristor bridge. This concept, if successfully demonstrated, may have great cost and size/weight benefits over conventional solutions. Since the proposed topology is completely different from the traditional boost converter plus voltage source inverter approach, there is no existing control/modulation scheme available. A new modulation scheme for both the main switchmore » and the thyristors has been developed. An active clamping circuit has also been proposed to reduce switching losses and voltage spike during the switching transient. A simulation model has been set up to validate the control algorithm and clamping circuit. Simulated results show that a proposed 10 kW PV inverter can reach 5% total harmonic distortion (THD), 98.8% peak efficiency with only one main active switch, and an inductor weighing less than 3 kg. Based on that, a 10 kW prototype converter has been designed and built.« less

  8. Push-pull switching power amplifier

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cuk, Slobodan M. (Inventor)

    1980-01-01

    A true push-pull switching power amplifier is disclosed utilizing two dc-to-dc converters. Each converter is comprised of two inductances, one inductance in series with a DC source and the other inductor in series with the output load, and an electrical energy transferring device with storage capability, namely storage capacitance, with suitable switching means between the inductances to obtain DC level conversion, where the switching means allows bidirectional current (and power) flow, and the switching means of one dc-to-dc converter is driven by the complement of a square-wave switching signal for the other dc-to-dc converter for true push-pull operation. For reduction of current ripple, the inductances in each of the two converters may be coupled, and with proper design of the coupling, the ripple can be reduced to zero at either the input or the output, but preferably the output.

  9. Switching power supply

    DOEpatents

    Mihalka, A.M.

    1984-06-05

    The invention is a repratable capacitor charging, switching power supply. A ferrite transformer steps up a dc input. The transformer primary is in a full bridge configuration utilizing power MOSFETs as the bridge switches. The transformer secondary is fed into a high voltage, full wave rectifier whose output is connected directly to the energy storage capacitor. The transformer is designed to provide adequate leakage inductance to limit capacitor current. The MOSFETs are switched to the variable frequency from 20 to 50 kHz to charge a capacitor from 0.6 kV. The peak current in a transformer primary and secondary is controlled by increasing the pulse width as the capacitor charges. A digital ripple counter counts pulses and after a preselected desired number is reached an up-counter is clocked.

  10. Gate-controlled conductance switching in DNA

    PubMed Central

    Xiang, Limin; Palma, Julio L.; Li, Yueqi; Mujica, Vladimiro; Ratner, Mark A.; Tao, Nongjian

    2017-01-01

    Extensive evidence has shown that long-range charge transport can occur along double helical DNA, but active control (switching) of single-DNA conductance with an external field has not yet been demonstrated. Here we demonstrate conductance switching in DNA by replacing a DNA base with a redox group. By applying an electrochemical (EC) gate voltage to the molecule, we switch the redox group between the oxidized and reduced states, leading to reversible switching of the DNA conductance between two discrete levels. We further show that monitoring the individual conductance switching allows the study of redox reaction kinetics and thermodynamics at single molecular level using DNA as a probe. Our theoretical calculations suggest that the switch is due to the change in the energy level alignment of the redox states relative to the Fermi level of the electrodes. PMID:28218275

  11. Trading off switch costs and stimulus availability benefits: An investigation of voluntary task-switching behavior in a predictable dynamic multitasking environment.

    PubMed

    Mittelstädt, Victor; Miller, Jeff; Kiesel, Andrea

    2018-03-09

    In the present study, we introduce a novel, self-organized task-switching paradigm that can be used to study more directly the determinants of switching. Instead of instructing participants to randomly switch between tasks, as in the classic voluntary task-switching paradigm (Arrington & Logan, 2004), we instructed participants to optimize their task performance in a voluntary task-switching environment in which the stimulus associated with the previously selected task appeared in each trial after a delay. Importantly, the stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) increased further with each additional repetition of this task, whereas the stimulus needed for a task switch was always immediately available. We conducted two experiments with different SOA increments (i.e., Exp. 1a = 50 ms, Exp. 1b = 33 ms) to see whether this procedure would induce switching behavior, and we explored how people trade off switch costs against the increasing availability of the stimulus needed for a task repetition. We observed that participants adapted their behavior to the different task environments (i.e., SOA increments) and that participants switched tasks when the SOA in task switches approximately matched the switch costs. Moreover, correlational analyses indicated relations between individual switch costs and individual switch rates across participants. Together, these results demonstrate that participants were sensitive to the increased availability of switch stimuli in deciding whether to switch or to repeat, which in turn demonstrates flexible adaptive task selection behavior. We suggest that performance limitations in task switching interact with the task environment to influence switching behavior.

  12. 49 CFR 236.817 - Switch, electro-pneumatic.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switch, electro-pneumatic. 236.817 Section 236.817 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, electro-pneumatic. A switch operated by an electro-pneumatic switch-and-lock movement. ...

  13. 49 CFR 236.817 - Switch, electro-pneumatic.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switch, electro-pneumatic. 236.817 Section 236.817 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, electro-pneumatic. A switch operated by an electro-pneumatic switch-and-lock movement. ...

  14. 49 CFR 236.817 - Switch, electro-pneumatic.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switch, electro-pneumatic. 236.817 Section 236.817 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, electro-pneumatic. A switch operated by an electro-pneumatic switch-and-lock movement. ...

  15. 49 CFR 236.817 - Switch, electro-pneumatic.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switch, electro-pneumatic. 236.817 Section 236.817 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, electro-pneumatic. A switch operated by an electro-pneumatic switch-and-lock movement. ...

  16. 49 CFR 236.817 - Switch, electro-pneumatic.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switch, electro-pneumatic. 236.817 Section 236.817 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, electro-pneumatic. A switch operated by an electro-pneumatic switch-and-lock movement. ...

  17. Energy loss in spark gap switches

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

    Oreshkin, V. I., E-mail: oreshkin@ovpe.hcei.tsc.ru; Lavrinovich, I. V.; National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Lenin Avenue 30, 634050 Tomsk

    2014-04-15

    The paper reports on numerical study of the energy loss in spark gap switches. The operation of the switches is analyzed using the Braginsky model which allows calculation of the time dependence of the spark channel resistance. The Braginsky equation is solved simultaneously with generator circuit equations for different load types. Based on the numerical solutions, expressions which determine both the energy released in a spark gap switch and the switching time are derived.

  18. High-Speed, high-power, switching transistor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Carnahan, D.; Ohu, C. K.; Hower, P. L.

    1979-01-01

    Silicon transistor rate for 200 angstroms at 400 to 600 volts combines switching speed of transistors with ruggedness, power capacity of thyristor. Transistor introduces unique combination of increased power-handling capability, unusally low saturation and switching losses, and submicrosecond switching speeds. Potential applications include high power switching regulators, linear amplifiers, chopper controls for high frequency electrical vehicle drives, VLF transmitters, RF induction heaters, kitchen cooking ranges, and electronic scalpels for medical surgery.

  19. BX-U linear trap for one-way production and confinement of Li+ and e- plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Himura, Haruhiko

    2016-03-01

    A modified version of the Penning-Malmberg trap was developed wherein both positive and negative harmonic potential wells were created by using multi-ring electrodes. The sequence of particle injection, particle trapping, and plasma extraction from the potential wells was controlled by a set of switching circuits. All the guns launching charged particles were collected together in one side of the linear trap. Nevertheless, pure electron (e-) and lithium-ion (Li+) plasmas were not only separately produced on the machine axis but also confined simultaneously. Preliminary data show that for B ≈ 0.13 T the e- plasma lasted for 15 s and the Li+ plasma lasted for ~ 4 s.

  20. Switch for serial or parallel communication networks

    DOEpatents

    Crosette, D.B.

    1994-07-19

    A communication switch apparatus and a method for use in a geographically extensive serial, parallel or hybrid communication network linking a multi-processor or parallel processing system has a very low software processing overhead in order to accommodate random burst of high density data. Associated with each processor is a communication switch. A data source and a data destination, a sensor suite or robot for example, may also be associated with a switch. The configuration of the switches in the network are coordinated through a master processor node and depends on the operational phase of the multi-processor network: data acquisition, data processing, and data exchange. The master processor node passes information on the state to be assumed by each switch to the processor node associated with the switch. The processor node then operates a series of multi-state switches internal to each communication switch. The communication switch does not parse and interpret communication protocol and message routing information. During a data acquisition phase, the communication switch couples sensors producing data to the processor node associated with the switch, to a downlink destination on the communications network, or to both. It also may couple an uplink data source to its processor node. During the data exchange phase, the switch couples its processor node or an uplink data source to a downlink destination (which may include a processor node or a robot), or couples an uplink source to its processor node and its processor node to a downlink destination. 9 figs.

  1. Switch for serial or parallel communication networks

    DOEpatents

    Crosette, Dario B.

    1994-01-01

    A communication switch apparatus and a method for use in a geographically extensive serial, parallel or hybrid communication network linking a multi-processor or parallel processing system has a very low software processing overhead in order to accommodate random burst of high density data. Associated with each processor is a communication switch. A data source and a data destination, a sensor suite or robot for example, may also be associated with a switch. The configuration of the switches in the network are coordinated through a master processor node and depends on the operational phase of the multi-processor network: data acquisition, data processing, and data exchange. The master processor node passes information on the state to be assumed by each switch to the processor node associated with the switch. The processor node then operates a series of multi-state switches internal to each communication switch. The communication switch does not parse and interpret communication protocol and message routing information. During a data acquisition phase, the communication switch couples sensors producing data to the processor node associated with the switch, to a downlink destination on the communications network, or to both. It also may couple an uplink data source to its processor node. During the data exchange phase, the switch couples its processor node or an uplink data source to a downlink destination (which may include a processor node or a robot), or couples an uplink source to its processor node and its processor node to a downlink destination.

  2. Nanoionics-Based Switches for Radio-Frequency Applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nessel, James; Lee, Richard

    2010-01-01

    Nanoionics-based devices have shown promise as alternatives to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and semiconductor diode devices for switching radio-frequency (RF) signals in diverse systems. Examples of systems that utilize RF switches include phase shifters for electronically steerable phased-array antennas, multiplexers, cellular telephones and other radio transceivers, and other portable electronic devices. Semiconductor diode switches can operate at low potentials (about 1 to 3 V) and high speeds (switching times of the order of nanoseconds) but are characterized by significant insertion loss, high DC power consumption, low isolation, and generation of third-order harmonics and intermodulation distortion (IMD). MEMS-based switches feature low insertion loss (of the order of 0.2 dB), low DC power consumption (picowatts), high isolation (>30 dB), and low IMD, but contain moving parts, are not highly reliable, and must be operated at high actuation potentials (20 to 60 V) generated and applied by use of complex circuitry. In addition, fabrication of MEMS is complex, involving many processing steps. Nanoionics-based switches offer the superior RF performance and low power consumption of MEMS switches, without need for the high potentials and complex circuitry necessary for operation of MEMS switches. At the same time, nanoionics-based switches offer the high switching speed of semiconductor devices. Also, like semiconductor devices, nanoionics-based switches can be fabricated relatively inexpensively by use of conventional integrated-circuit fabrication techniques. More over, nanoionics-based switches have simple planar structures that can easily be integrated into RF power-distribution circuits.

  3. Optical switch

    DOEpatents

    Reedy, R.P.

    1985-01-18

    An optical switching device is provided whereby light from a first glass fiber or a second glass fiber may be selectively transmitted into a third glass fiber. Each glass fiber is provided with a focusing and collimating lens system. In one mode of operation, light from the first glass fiber is reflected by a planar mirror into the third glass fiber. In another mode of operation, light from the second glass fiber passes directly into the third glass fiber. The planar mirror is attached to a rotatable table which is rotated to provide the optical switching.

  4. Optical switch

    DOEpatents

    Reedy, R.P.

    1987-11-10

    An optical switching device is provided whereby light from a first glass fiber or a second glass fiber may be selectively transmitted into a third glass fiber. Each glass fiber is provided with a focusing and collimating lens system. In one mode of operation, light from the first glass fiber is reflected by a planar mirror into the third glass fiber. In another mode of operation, light from the second glass fiber passes directly into the third glass fiber. The planar mirror is attached to a rotatable table which is rotated to provide the optical switching. 3 figs.

  5. Elvitegravir concentrations in seminal plasma in HIV-1-infected men.

    PubMed

    Imaz, A; Niubó, J; Kashuba, A D; Ferrer, E; Sykes, C; Rozas, N; Acerete, L; Vila, A; Podzamczer, D

    2017-03-01

    The aim of the study was to quantify elvitegravir (EVG) concentrations in the semen of HIV-1-infected men receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) consisting of an elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir (EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF) single-tablet regimen. A phase IV, cross-sectional study was carried out including HIV-1-infected male adults with suppressed plasma HIV-1 RNA who switched ART to EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF. Total EVG concentrations at the end of the dosing interval (C 24 h ) and HIV-1 RNA were measured in paired seminal plasma (SP) and blood plasma (BP) samples 4 weeks after switching to EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF. Validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantify EVG concentrations, and HIV-1 RNA was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ten men were included. Their median age was 40 years (range 24-47 years), the median time on ART was 50 months (range 10-186 months), the median time with plasma HIV-1 RNA < 40 copies/mL was 37 months (range 7-113 months), and the median CD4 count was 737 cells/μL (range 190-1122 cells/μL). Four weeks after switching to EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF, all subjects had HIV-1 RNA < 40 copies/mL in both BP and SP. Median EVG C 24 h was 277 ng/mL (range 64.8-1790 ng/mL) in BP and 169 ng/mL (range 12.8-792 ng/mL) in SP. A significant correlation was observed between BP and SP EVG concentrations (Spearman rho 0.952; P < 0.001). The median SP:BP EVG concentration ratio was 0.39 (range 0.20-0.92). EVG C 24 h in SP was at least 23-fold the in vitro protein-unbound 50% effective response (EC 50 ) of HIV-1 clinical isolates (0.04-0.55 ng/mL). In all but one individual, EVG C 24 h in SP was also higher than the blood plasma protein binding-adjusted 95% inhibitory concentration (IC 95 ) of wild-type HIV-1 (45 ng/mL). Seminal EVG concentrations in HIV-infected men treated with EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF sufficed to contribute to maintaining HIV-1 RNA suppression in this compartment. © 2016 British HIV Association.

  6. Modeling of CMOS compatible ring resonator switch with intermediate vanadium oxide as the switching element

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Mandeep; Datta, Arnab

    2018-05-01

    In this paper, silicon based dual ring resonator with hybrid plasmonic bus waveguides (Cu-SiO2-Si-SiO2-Cu) is investigated for achieving switching in the telecommunication C-band (λ = 1.54-1.553µm). The switch element uses vanadium oxide (VO2) as the switching medium when inserted between the rings in order to tailor transmission from one ring to the other through heating induced phase transition. In this manner, the proposed switch element uses one vanadium oxide medium instead of refractive index tailoring of the whole ring as in the prior reported works and achieves switching response. From two-dimensional finite element analysis we have found that, the proposed switch can achieve maximum extinction ratio of 2.72 dB at λ = 1.5434µm, exclusively by tailoring VO2 phase. Furthermore, impact of aperture width, and gap (separation between the bus waveguide and rings) are investigated to gain insight on the improvement of extinction ratio. From our numerical simulations, we find that free spectral range (FSR) and figure of merit (Q) for OFF and ON states are (173.36 nm, 92.63), and (173.58 nm, 65.39), respectively.

  7. 47 CFR 32.2211 - Non-digital switching.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... switching. (a) This account shall include: (1) Original cost of stored program control analog circuit-switching and associated equipment. (2) Cost of remote analog electronic circuit switches. (3) Original cost of non-electronic circuit-switching equipment such as Step-by-Step, Crossbar, and Other Electro...

  8. 47 CFR 32.2211 - Non-digital switching.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... switching. (a) This account shall include: (1) Original cost of stored program control analog circuit-switching and associated equipment. (2) Cost of remote analog electronic circuit switches. (3) Original cost of non-electronic circuit-switching equipment such as Step-by-Step, Crossbar, and Other Electro...

  9. 47 CFR 32.2211 - Non-digital switching.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... switching. (a) This account shall include: (1) Original cost of stored program control analog circuit-switching and associated equipment. (2) Cost of remote analog electronic circuit switches. (3) Original cost of non-electronic circuit-switching equipment such as Step-by-Step, Crossbar, and Other Electro...

  10. 47 CFR 32.2211 - Non-digital switching.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... switching. (a) This account shall include: (1) Original cost of stored program control analog circuit-switching and associated equipment. (2) Cost of remote analog electronic circuit switches. (3) Original cost of non-electronic circuit-switching equipment such as Step-by-Step, Crossbar, and Other Electro...

  11. 47 CFR 32.2211 - Non-digital switching.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... switching. (a) This account shall include: (1) Original cost of stored program control analog circuit-switching and associated equipment. (2) Cost of remote analog electronic circuit switches. (3) Original cost of non-electronic circuit-switching equipment such as Step-by-Step, Crossbar, and Other Electro...

  12. Measurement of ICRF wave propagation using a microwave reflectometer with fast antenna switching on GAMMA 10

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ikezoe, R.; Ichimura, M.; Itagaki, J.; Hirata, M.; Sumida, S.; Jang, S.; Izumi, K.; Tanaka, A.; Sekine, R.; Kubota, Y.; Shima, Y.; Kohagura, J.; Yoshikawa, M.; Sakamoto, M.; Nakashima, Y.

    2017-12-01

    Slow Alfvén wave in ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) is a powerful tool to heat ions confined in a mirror field. In spite of its efficient heating effect that has been attained in the central cell of GAMMA 10, there are still unknown characteristics concerning boundary condition, transient variation of heating effect, exact picture of cyclotron damping, and so on. To study these characteristics in detail, a multi-point measurement of the waves inside the hot plasma has been recently developed by using a microwave reflectometer. In addition to a radial profile measurement that is available by a usual reflectometer, an axial measurement has been achieved by arraying transmitting and receiving horn antennas in the axial direction, which are repeatedly switched in time during a discharge with PIN diode switches. Another transmitting and receiving horn antenna pair was newly added to the system and probing at five cross sections was achieved in a single discharge with time resolution of about 1 ms at each antenna pair position. With the upgraded reflectometer system, axial and radial distributions of wave-induced fluctuations and those temporal behavior were clearly observed, offering valuable data on wave physics in a hot mirror plasma.

  13. Call for Papers: Photonics in Switching

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wosinska, Lena; Glick, Madeleine

    2006-04-01

    Call for Papers: Photonics in Switching

    Guest Editors:

    Lena Wosinska, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) / ICT Sweden Madeleine Glick, Intel Research, Cambridge, UK

    Technologies based on DWDM systems allow data transmission with bit rates of Tbit/s on a single fiber. To facilitate this enormous transmission volume, high-capacity and high-speed network nodes become inevitable in the optical network. Wideband switching, WDM switching, optical burst switching (OBS), and optical packet switching (OPS) are promising technologies for harnessing the bandwidth of WDM optical fiber networks in a highly flexible and efficient manner. As a number of key optical component technologies approach maturity, photonics in switching is becoming an increasingly attractive and practical solution for the next-generation of optical networks. The scope of this special issue is focused on the technology and architecture of optical switching nodes, including the architectural and algorithmic aspects of high-speed optical networks.

    Scope of Submission

    The scope of the papers includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
    • WDM node architectures
    • Novel device technologies enabling photonics in switching, such as optical switch fabrics, optical memory, and wavelength conversion
    • Routing protocols
    • WDM switching and routing
    • Quality of service
    • Performance measurement and evaluation
    • Next-generation optical networks: architecture, signaling, and control
    • Traffic measurement and field trials
    • Optical burst and packet switching
    • OBS/OPS node architectures
    • Burst/Packet scheduling and routing algorithms
    • Contention resolution/avoidance strategies
    • Services and applications for OBS/OPS (e.g., grid networks, storage-area networks, etc.)
    • Burst assembly and ingress traffic shaping

    • 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.

    • 47 CFR 32.2212 - Digital electronic switching.

      Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

      2012-10-01

      ... shall include the original cost of digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit... electronic switching equipment used to provide both circuit and packet switching shall be recorded in the... 47 Telecommunication 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Digital electronic switching. 32.2212 Section...

    • 47 CFR 32.2212 - Digital electronic switching.

      Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

      2014-10-01

      ... shall include the original cost of digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit... electronic switching equipment used to provide both circuit and packet switching shall be recorded in the... 47 Telecommunication 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Digital electronic switching. 32.2212 Section...

    • 47 CFR 32.2212 - Digital electronic switching.

      Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

      2011-10-01

      ... shall include the original cost of digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit... electronic switching equipment used to provide both circuit and packet switching shall be recorded in the... 47 Telecommunication 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Digital electronic switching. 32.2212 Section...

    • 47 CFR 32.2212 - Digital electronic switching.

      Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

      2010-10-01

      ... shall include the original cost of digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit... electronic switching equipment used to provide both circuit and packet switching shall be recorded in the... 47 Telecommunication 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Digital electronic switching. 32.2212 Section...

    • 47 CFR 32.2212 - Digital electronic switching.

      Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

      2013-10-01

      ... shall include the original cost of digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit... electronic switching equipment used to provide both circuit and packet switching shall be recorded in the... 47 Telecommunication 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Digital electronic switching. 32.2212 Section...

    • 49 CFR 236.820 - Switch, interlocked.

      Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

      2010-10-01

      ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switch, interlocked. 236.820 Section 236.820 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, interlocked. A switch within the interlocking limits the control of which is interlocked with...

  1. 49 CFR 236.820 - Switch, interlocked.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switch, interlocked. 236.820 Section 236.820 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, interlocked. A switch within the interlocking limits the control of which is interlocked with...

  2. 49 CFR 236.820 - Switch, interlocked.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switch, interlocked. 236.820 Section 236.820 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, interlocked. A switch within the interlocking limits the control of which is interlocked with...

  3. 49 CFR 236.820 - Switch, interlocked.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switch, interlocked. 236.820 Section 236.820 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, interlocked. A switch within the interlocking limits the control of which is interlocked with...

  4. 49 CFR 236.820 - Switch, interlocked.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switch, interlocked. 236.820 Section 236.820 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, interlocked. A switch within the interlocking limits the control of which is interlocked with...

  5. Optimization of micromachined membrane switches

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hiltmann, Kai; Lang, Walter

    1997-09-01

    We have determined the minimum dimensions for micromachined membrane switches in several experiments, both regarding the strength of the membranes themselves and the elongations required for safe switching performance. Based on these data, pressure switches for voltages of 10 - 100 V were made as single and multiple elements and tested. Test results, with scatter of pressure threshold data in the ten per cent range, prove very encouraging for further development.

  6. Wide Bandgap Extrinsic Photoconductive Switches

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sullivan, James Stephen

    Wide Bandgap Extrinsic Photoconductive Switches Semi-insulating Gallium Nitride, 4H and 6H Silicon Carbide are attractive materials for compact, high voltage, extrinsic, photoconductive switches due to their wide bandgap, high dark resistance, high critical electric field strength and high electron saturation velocity. These wide bandgap semiconductors are made semi-insulating by the addition of vanadium (4H and 6H-SiC) and iron (2H-GaN) impurities that form deep acceptors. These deep acceptors trap electrons donated from shallow donor impurities. The electrons can be optically excited from these deep acceptor levels into the conduction band to transition the wide bandgap semiconductor materials from a semi-insulating to a conducting state. Extrinsic photoconductive switches with opposing electrodes have been constructed using vanadium compensated 6H-SiC and iron compensated 2H-GaN. These extrinsic photoconductive switches were tested at high voltage and high power to determine if they could be successfully used as the closing switch in compact medical accelerators. The successful development of a vanadium compensated, 6H-SiC extrinsic photoconductive switch for use as a closing switch for compact accelerator applications was realized by improvements made to the vanadium, nitrogen and boron impurity densities. The changes made to the impurity densities were based on the physical intuition outlined and simple rate equation models. The final 6H-SiC impurity 'recipe' calls for vanadium, nitrogen and boron densities of 2.5 e17 cm-3, 1.25e17 cm-3 and ≤ 1e16 cm-3, respectively. This recipe was originally developed to maximize the quantum efficiency of the vanadium compensated 6H-SiC, while maintaining a thermally stable semi-insulating material. The rate equation models indicate that, besides increasing the quantum efficiency, the impurity recipe should be expected to also increase the carrier recombination time. Three generations of 6H-SiC materials were tested. The

  7. Bombardment of Thin Lithium Films with Energetic Plasma Flows

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gray, Travis Kelly

    2009-01-01

    The Divertor Erosion and Vapor Shielding Experiment (DEVEX) has been constructed in the Center for Plasma-Material Interactions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It consists of a conical theta-pinch connected to a 60 kV, 36 [mu]F capacitor bank which is switched with a rise time of 3.5 [mu]s. This results in a peak current of 300…

  8. Self-Compliant Bipolar Resistive Switching in SiN-Based Resistive Switching Memory

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Sungjun; Chang, Yao-Feng; Kim, Min-Hwi; Kim, Tae-Hyeon; Kim, Yoon; Park, Byung-Gook

    2017-01-01

    Here, we present evidence of self-compliant and self-rectifying bipolar resistive switching behavior in Ni/SiNx/n+ Si and Ni/SiNx/n++ Si resistive-switching random access memory devices. The Ni/SiNx/n++ Si device’s Si bottom electrode had a higher dopant concentration (As ion > 1019 cm−3) than the Ni/SiNx/n+ Si device; both unipolar and bipolar resistive switching behaviors were observed for the higher dopant concentration device owing to a large current overshoot. Conversely, for the device with the lower dopant concentration (As ion < 1018 cm−3), self-rectification and self-compliance were achieved owing to the series resistance of the Si bottom electrode. PMID:28772819

  9. Low Power Switching for Antenna Reconfiguration

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bauhahn, Paul E. (Inventor); Becker, Robert C. (Inventor); Meyers, David W. (Inventor); Muldoon, Kelly P. (Inventor)

    2008-01-01

    Methods and systems for low power switching are provided. In one embodiment, an optical switching system is provided. The system comprises at least one optically controlled switch adapted to maintain one of an open state and a closed state based on an associated light signal; and at least one light source adapted to output the associated light signal to the at least one switch, wherein the at least one light source cycles the light signal on and off, wherein the at least one light source is cycled on for a sufficient duration of time and with a sufficient periodicity to maintain the optically controlled switch in one of an open state and a closed state.

  10. 30 CFR 57.12002 - Controls and switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Controls and switches. 57.12002 Section 57... Surface and Underground § 57.12002 Controls and switches. Electric equipment and circuits shall be provided with switches or other controls. Such switches or controls shall be of approved design and...

  11. 49 CFR 236.821 - Switch, sectionalizing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switch, sectionalizing. 236.821 Section 236.821 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, sectionalizing. A switch for disconnecting a section of a power line from the source of energy. ...

  12. 49 CFR 236.821 - Switch, sectionalizing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switch, sectionalizing. 236.821 Section 236.821 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, sectionalizing. A switch for disconnecting a section of a power line from the source of energy. ...

  13. 49 CFR 236.821 - Switch, sectionalizing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switch, sectionalizing. 236.821 Section 236.821 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, sectionalizing. A switch for disconnecting a section of a power line from the source of energy. ...

  14. 49 CFR 236.821 - Switch, sectionalizing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switch, sectionalizing. 236.821 Section 236.821 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, sectionalizing. A switch for disconnecting a section of a power line from the source of energy. ...

  15. 49 CFR 236.821 - Switch, sectionalizing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switch, sectionalizing. 236.821 Section 236.821 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Switch, sectionalizing. A switch for disconnecting a section of a power line from the source of energy. ...

  16. 49 CFR 236.822 - Switch, spring.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switch, spring. 236.822 Section 236.822... Switch, spring. A switch equipped with a spring device which forces the points to their original position after being trailed through and holds them under spring compression. ...

  17. 49 CFR 236.822 - Switch, spring.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switch, spring. 236.822 Section 236.822... Switch, spring. A switch equipped with a spring device which forces the points to their original position after being trailed through and holds them under spring compression. ...

  18. 49 CFR 236.822 - Switch, spring.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switch, spring. 236.822 Section 236.822... Switch, spring. A switch equipped with a spring device which forces the points to their original position after being trailed through and holds them under spring compression. ...

  19. 49 CFR 236.822 - Switch, spring.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switch, spring. 236.822 Section 236.822... Switch, spring. A switch equipped with a spring device which forces the points to their original position after being trailed through and holds them under spring compression. ...

  20. 49 CFR 236.822 - Switch, spring.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switch, spring. 236.822 Section 236.822... Switch, spring. A switch equipped with a spring device which forces the points to their original position after being trailed through and holds them under spring compression. ...

  1. Calibratable solid-state pressure switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1969-01-01

    Pressure switch, incorporating a semiconductor light-detector coupled to an electrically controlled actuating unit, provides accurate and reliable switching over a broad range of pressures and environments.

  2. System for automatically switching transformer coupled lines

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dwinell, W. S. (Inventor)

    1979-01-01

    A system is presented for automatically controlling transformer coupled alternating current electric lines. The secondary winding of each transformer is provided with a center tap. A switching circuit is connected to the center taps of a pair of secondary windings and includes a switch controller. An impedance is connected between the center taps of the opposite pair of secondary windings. The switching circuit has continuity when the AC lines are continuous and discontinuity with any disconnect of the AC lines. Normally open switching means are provided in at least one AC line. The switch controller automatically opens the switching means when the AC lines become separated.

  3. The Roles of Relative Linguistic Proficiency and Modality Switching in Language Switch Cost: Evidence from Chinese Visual Unimodal and Bimodal Bilinguals.

    PubMed

    Lu, Aitao; Wang, Lu; Guo, Yuyang; Zeng, Jiahong; Zheng, Dongping; Wang, Xiaolu; Shao, Yulan; Wang, Ruiming

    2017-09-01

    The current study investigated the mechanism of language switching in unbalanced visual unimodal bilinguals as well as balanced and unbalanced bimodal bilinguals during a picture naming task. All three groups exhibited significant switch costs across two languages, with symmetrical switch cost in balanced bimodal bilinguals and asymmetrical switch cost in unbalanced unimodal bilinguals and bimodal bilinguals. Moreover, the relative proficiency of the two languages but not their absolute proficiency had an effect on language switch cost. For the bimodal bilinguals the language switch cost also arose from modality switching. These findings suggest that the language switch cost might originate from multiple sources from both outside (e.g., modality switching) and inside (e.g., the relative proficiency of the two languages) the linguistic lexicon.

  4. Additional Electrochemical Treatment Effects on the Switching Characteristics of Anodic Porous Alumina Resistive Switching Memory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Otsuka, Shintaro; Takeda, Ryouta; Furuya, Saeko; Shimizu, Tomohiro; Shingubara, Shouso; Iwata, Nobuyuki; Watanabe, Tadataka; Takano, Yoshiki; Takase, Kouichi

    2012-06-01

    We have investigated the current-voltage characteristics of a resistive switching memory (ReRAM), especially the reproducibility of the switching voltage between an insulating state and a metallic state. The poor reproducibility hinders the practical use of this memory. According to a filament model, the variation of the switching voltage may be understood in terms of the random choice of filaments with different conductivities and lengths at each switching. A limitation of the number of conductive paths is expected to lead to the suppression of the variation of switching voltage. In this study, two strategies for the limitation have been proposed using an anodic porous alumina (APA). The first is the reduction of the number of conductive paths by restriction of the contact area between the top electrodes and the insulator. The second is the lowering of the resistivity of the insulator, which makes it possible to grow filaments with the same characteristics by electrochemical treatments using a pulse-electroplating technique.

  5. Manually operated coded switch

    DOEpatents

    Barnette, Jon H.

    1978-01-01

    The disclosure relates to a manually operated recodable coded switch in which a code may be inserted, tried and used to actuate a lever controlling an external device. After attempting a code, the switch's code wheels must be returned to their zero positions before another try is made.

  6. Relationships between strategy switching and strategy switch costs in young and older adults: a study in arithmetic problem solving.

    PubMed

    Taillan, Julien; Ardiale, Eléonore; Lemaire, Patrick

    2015-01-01

    BACKGROUND/STUDY CONTEXT: This study investigated age-related differences in within-item strategy switching (i.e., revising initial strategy choices to select a better strategy while solving a given problem) and in strategy switch costs (i.e., longer latencies when participants switch strategies than when they do not switch strategy during strategy execution). In a computational estimation task, participants had to give approximate products to two-digit multiplication problems (e.g., 41×67) while rounding up (i.e., do 50×70 for 41×67) or rounding down (i.e., do 40×60 for 41×67) operands to their nearest decades. After executing a cued strategy during 1000 ms, participants had the possibility to switch to another strategy (or repeat the same strategy) in a selection condition. In an execution condition, participants were forced to repeat the same strategy or to switch to another strategy. It was found that (1) older adults were less able than young adults to switch strategy after starting to execute a cued strategy (36.1% vs. 45.8%); (2) older adults showed larger switch costs than young adults (422 vs. 223 ms); and (3) strategy switches and strategy switch costs correlated in older adults but not in young adults. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the mechanisms underlying within-item strategy switching and aging effects on these mechanisms as well as, more generally, of strategic variations during cognitive aging.

  7. In situ oxygen plasma cleaning of microswitch surfaces—comparison of Ti and graphite electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oh, Changho; Streller, Frank; Ashurst, W. Robert; Carpick, Robert W.; de Boer, Maarten P.

    2016-11-01

    Ohmic micro- and nanoswitches are of interest for a wide variety of applications including radio frequency communications and as low power complements to transistors. In these switches, it is of paramount importance to maintain surface cleanliness in order to prevent frequent failure by tribopolymer growth. To prepare surfaces, an oxygen plasma clean is expected to be beneficial compared to a high temperature vacuum bakeout because of shorter cleaning time (<5 min compared to ~24 h) and active removal of organic contaminants. We demonstrate that sputtering of the electrode material during oxygen plasma cleaning is a critical consideration for effective cleaning of switch surfaces. With Ti electrodes, a TiO x layer forms that increases electrical contact resistance. When plasma-cleaned using graphite electrodes, the resistance of Pt-coated microswitches exhibit a long lifetime with consistently low resistance (<0.5 Ω variation over 300 million cycles) if the test chamber is refilled with ultra-high purity nitrogen and if the devices are not exposed to laboratory air. Their current-voltage characteristic is also linear at the millivolt level. This is important for nanoswitches which will be operated in that range.

  8. Submicron bidirectional all-optical plasmonic switches

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Jianjun; Li, Zhi; Zhang, Xiang; Xiao, Jinghua; Gong, Qihuang

    2013-01-01

    Ultra-small all-optical switches are of importance in highly integrated optical communication and computing networks. However, the weak nonlinear light-matter interactions in natural materials present an enormous challenge to realize efficiently switching for the ultra-short interaction lengths. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a submicron bidirectional all-optical plasmonic switch with an asymmetric T-shape single slit. Sharp asymmetric spectra as well as significant field enhancements (about 18 times that in the conventional slit case) occur in the symmetry-breaking structure. Consequently, both of the surface plasmon polaritons propagating in the opposite directions on the metal surface are all-optically controlled inversely at the same time with the on/off switching ratios of >6 dB for the device lateral dimension of <1 μm. Moreover, in such a submicron structure, the coupling of free-space light and the on-chip bidirectional switching are integrated together. This submicron bidirectional all-optical switch may find important applications in the highly integrated plasmonic circuits. PMID:23486232

  9. Stable nonlinear Mach-Zehnder fiber switch

    DOEpatents

    Digonnet, Michel J. F.; Shaw, H. John; Pantell, Richard H.; Sadowski, Robert W.

    1999-01-01

    An all-optical fiber switch is implemented within a short Mach-Zehnder interferometer configuration. The Mach-Zehnder switch is constructed to have a high temperature stability so as to minimize temperature gradients and other thermal effects which result in undesirable instability at the output of the switch. The Mach-Zehnder switch of the preferred embodiment is advantageously less than 2 cm in length between couplers to be sufficiently short to be thermally stable, and full switching is accomplished by heavily doping one or both of the arms between the couplers so as to provide a highly nonlinear region within one or both of the arms. A pump input source is used to affect the propagation characteristics of one of the arms to control the output coupling ratio of the switch. Because of the high nonlinearity of the pump input arm, low pump powers can be used, thereby alleviating difficulties and high cost associated with high pump input powers.

  10. Adult age differences in task switching.

    PubMed

    Kray, J; Lindenberger, U

    2000-03-01

    Age differences in 2 components of task-set switching speed were investigated in 118 adults aged 20 to 80 years using task-set homogeneous (e.g., AAAA ...) and task-set heterogeneous (e.g., AABBAABB ... ) blocks. General switch costs were defined as latency differences between heterogeneous and homogeneous blocks. whereas specific switch costs were defined as differences between switch and nonswitch trials within heterogeneous blocks. Both types of costs generalized over verbal, figural, and numeric stimulus materials; were more highly correlated to fluid than to crystallized abilities; and were not eliminated after 6 sessions of practice, indicating that they reflect basic and domain-general aspects of cognitive control. Most important, age-associated increments in costs were significantly greater for general than for specific switch costs, suggesting that the ability to efficiently maintain and coordinate 2 alternating task sets in working memory instead of 1 is more negatively affected by advancing age than the ability to execute the task switch itself.

  11. Manufacture of radio frequency micromachined switches with annealing.

    PubMed

    Lin, Cheng-Yang; Dai, Ching-Liang

    2014-01-17

    The fabrication and characterization of a radio frequency (RF) micromachined switch with annealing were presented. The structure of the RF switch consists of a membrane, coplanar waveguide (CPW) lines, and eight springs. The RF switch is manufactured using the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. The switch requires a post-process to release the membrane and springs. The post-process uses a wet etching to remove the sacrificial silicon dioxide layer, and to obtain the suspended structures of the switch. In order to improve the residual stress of the switch, an annealing process is applied to the switch, and the membrane obtains an excellent flatness. The finite element method (FEM) software CoventorWare is utilized to simulate the stress and displacement of the RF switch. Experimental results show that the RF switch has an insertion loss of 0.9 dB at 35 GHz and an isolation of 21 dB at 39 GHz. The actuation voltage of the switch is 14 V.

  12. Manufacture of Radio Frequency Micromachined Switches with Annealing

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Cheng-Yang; Dai, Ching-Liang

    2014-01-01

    The fabrication and characterization of a radio frequency (RF) micromachined switch with annealing were presented. The structure of the RF switch consists of a membrane, coplanar waveguide (CPW) lines, and eight springs. The RF switch is manufactured using the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. The switch requires a post-process to release the membrane and springs. The post-process uses a wet etching to remove the sacrificial silicon dioxide layer, and to obtain the suspended structures of the switch. In order to improve the residual stress of the switch, an annealing process is applied to the switch, and the membrane obtains an excellent flatness. The finite element method (FEM) software CoventorWare is utilized to simulate the stress and displacement of the RF switch. Experimental results show that the RF switch has an insertion loss of 0.9 dB at 35 GHz and an isolation of 21 dB at 39 GHz. The actuation voltage of the switch is 14 V. PMID:24445415

  13. 49 CFR 218.77 - Remotely controlled switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Remotely controlled switches. 218.77 Section 218....77 Remotely controlled switches. (a) After the operator of the remotely controlled switch is notified that a camp car is to be placed on a particular track, he shall line such switch against movement to...

  14. 49 CFR 218.77 - Remotely controlled switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Remotely controlled switches. 218.77 Section 218....77 Remotely controlled switches. (a) After the operator of the remotely controlled switch is notified that a camp car is to be placed on a particular track, he shall line such switch against movement to...

  15. 49 CFR 218.77 - Remotely controlled switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Remotely controlled switches. 218.77 Section 218....77 Remotely controlled switches. (a) After the operator of the remotely controlled switch is notified that a camp car is to be placed on a particular track, he shall line such switch against movement to...

  16. 49 CFR 218.77 - Remotely controlled switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Remotely controlled switches. 218.77 Section 218....77 Remotely controlled switches. (a) After the operator of the remotely controlled switch is notified that a camp car is to be placed on a particular track, he shall line such switch against movement to...

  17. 49 CFR 218.77 - Remotely controlled switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Remotely controlled switches. 218.77 Section 218....77 Remotely controlled switches. (a) After the operator of the remotely controlled switch is notified that a camp car is to be placed on a particular track, he shall line such switch against movement to...

  18. Conditions for Stabilizability of Linear Switched Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Minh, Vu Trieu

    2011-06-01

    This paper investigates some conditions that can provide stabilizability for linear switched systems with polytopic uncertainties via their closed loop linear quadratic state feedback regulator. The closed loop switched systems can stabilize unstable open loop systems or stable open loop systems but in which there is no solution for a common Lyapunov matrix. For continuous time switched linear systems, we show that if there exists solution in an associated Riccati equation for the closed loop systems sharing one common Lyapunov matrix, the switched linear systems are stable. For the discrete time switched systems, we derive a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) to calculate a common Lyapunov matrix and solution for the stable closed loop feedback systems. These closed loop linear quadratic state feedback regulators guarantee the global asymptotical stability for any switched linear systems with any switching signal sequence.

  19. Electrical switching in cadmium boracite single crystals

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Takahashi, T.; Yamada, O.

    1981-01-01

    Cadmium boracite single crystals at high temperatures ( 300 C) were found to exhibit a reversible electric field-induced transition between a highly insulative and a conductive state. The switching threshold is smaller than a few volts for an electrode spacing of a few tenth of a millimeter corresponding to an electric field of 100 to 1000 V/cm. This is much smaller than the dielectric break-down field for an insulator such as boracite. The insulative state reappears after voltage removal. A pulse technique revealed two different types of switching. Unstable switching occurs when the pulse voltage slightly exceeds the switching threshold and is characterized by a pre-switching delay and also a residual current after voltage pulse removal. A stable type of switching occurs when the voltage becomes sufficiently high. Possible device applications of this switching phenomenon are discussed.

  20. Research and embedded implementation of Layer 3 switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Song, Jin; Cheng, Zijing

    2009-12-01

    In the internetworking world, switches and routers have been deployed for workgroup and enterprise connectivity. In the past, switches mainly operated at Layer 2 (they were extensions of bridges), while routers were clearly Layer3 devices. Recently, the line has blurred and switches operating at Layer 3 are becoming more popular. This paper explains the Linux Bridge, Layer 2 Switches, Virtual LAN (VLAN) and Layer 3 Switches. The flow chart of Layer 3 switches and working routine related to Layer 3 switch technology were investigated in detail. This paper presents a new method to implement layer 3 switching that is entirely accomplished in software and is embedded implemented by code transplanting based on PowerPC 460GT platform.

  1. Electro-plasmonic 2 × 2 channel-routing switch arranged on a thin-Si-doped metal/insulator/semiconductor/metal structure.

    PubMed

    Moazzam, Mostafa Keshavarz; Kaatuzian, Hassan

    2016-01-20

    Plasmonics as a new field of chip-scale technology is the interesting substrate of this study to propose and numerically investigate a metal/insulator/semiconductor/metal (MISM)-structure 2×2 plasmonic routing switch. As a planar subwavelength arrangement, the presented design has two npn-doped side-coupled dual waveguides whose duty is to route the propagating surface plasmon polaritons through the device. Relying on the MISM structure, which has a MOS-like thin-film arrangement of typically 45 nm doped silicon covered by a layer of 8 nm thick HfO(2) gate insulator, the routing configuration is electrically addressed based on the carrier-induced plasma dispersion effects as an external electro-plasmonic switching control. Finite-element-method-conducted electromagnetic simulations are employed to evaluate the switch optical response at telecom wavelength of λ=1550  nm, due to which the balanced operation measure of extinction ratios larger than 10 dB and insertion losses of around -1.8  dB are obtained for both channels of CROSS and STRAIGHT. Compared with other photonic and plasmonic switching counterparts, this configuration, besides its potential for CMOS compatibility, can be utilized as a high-speed compact building block to sustain higher-speed, more miniaturized, and less consuming electro-optic routing/switching protocols toward complicated optical integrated circuits and systems.

  2. Effects of Gibbs free energy of interfacial metal oxide on resistive switching characteristics of solution-processed HfOx films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hsu, Chih-Chieh; Sun, Jhen-Kai; Tsao, Che-Chang; Chuang, Po-Yang

    2017-08-01

    Effects of bottom electrodes (BEs) of Al, Mo, and Pt on resistive switching characteristics of sol-gel HfOx films were investigated in this work. To avoid influences of plasma or thermal energy on HfOx RS characteristic, the top electrodes were formed by pressing indium balls onto the HfOx surface rather than by using a sputter or an evaporator. When using Mo as the BE, the as-deposited HfOx film can give a forming-free resistive switching behavior with low set/reset voltages of 0.28 V / - 0.54 V. In contrast, non-switching characteristics of the HfOx films were observed when using Al and Pt as the BEs. The HfOx conduction current was found to be highly dependent on the BE. However, when an annealing process at 350 °C in an oxygen ambient was performed to the HfOx films on different BEs, the resistive switching behavior of the HfOx/Mo was absent while it can be found in the HfOx/Al sample. Differences in I-V characteristics of the HfOx films on different BEs were explained by considering Gibbs free energies of interfacial oxide layers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profile was used to examine the interfacial oxide layer. The resistive switching mechanism was also studied.

  3. 14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  4. 14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  5. 14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  6. 14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  7. 14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  8. 14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  9. 14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  10. 14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  11. 14 CFR 25.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 25.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each engine ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  12. 14 CFR 29.1145 - Ignition switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Powerplant Powerplant Controls and Accessories § 29.1145 Ignition switches. (a) Ignition switches must control each ignition circuit on each engine. (b) There must be means to quickly shut off all ignition by the grouping of switches or by a master ignition control. (c...

  13. 30 CFR 57.9308 - Switch throws.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Switch throws. 57.9308 Section 57.9308 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND....9308 Switch throws. Switch throws shall be installed to provide clearance to protect switchmen from...

  14. 46 CFR 111.105-19 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switches. 111.105-19 Section 111.105-19 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Hazardous Locations § 111.105-19 Switches. A switch that is explosionproof or flameproof, or that...

  15. 30 CFR 57.9308 - Switch throws.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Switch throws. 57.9308 Section 57.9308 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND....9308 Switch throws. Switch throws shall be installed to provide clearance to protect switchmen from...

  16. 30 CFR 56.9308 - Switch throws.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Switch throws. 56.9308 Section 56.9308 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND... Switch throws. Switch throws shall be installed to provide clearance to protect switchmen from contact...

  17. 46 CFR 111.105-19 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switches. 111.105-19 Section 111.105-19 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Hazardous Locations § 111.105-19 Switches. A switch that is explosionproof or flameproof, or that...

  18. 30 CFR 57.9308 - Switch throws.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Switch throws. 57.9308 Section 57.9308 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND....9308 Switch throws. Switch throws shall be installed to provide clearance to protect switchmen from...

  19. 46 CFR 111.105-19 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switches. 111.105-19 Section 111.105-19 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Hazardous Locations § 111.105-19 Switches. A switch that is explosionproof or flameproof, or that...

  20. 30 CFR 57.9308 - Switch throws.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Switch throws. 57.9308 Section 57.9308 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND....9308 Switch throws. Switch throws shall be installed to provide clearance to protect switchmen from...

  1. 30 CFR 56.9308 - Switch throws.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Switch throws. 56.9308 Section 56.9308 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND... Switch throws. Switch throws shall be installed to provide clearance to protect switchmen from contact...

  2. 46 CFR 111.105-19 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switches. 111.105-19 Section 111.105-19 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Hazardous Locations § 111.105-19 Switches. A switch that is explosionproof or flameproof, or that...

  3. 30 CFR 56.9308 - Switch throws.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Switch throws. 56.9308 Section 56.9308 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND... Switch throws. Switch throws shall be installed to provide clearance to protect switchmen from contact...

  4. 30 CFR 56.9308 - Switch throws.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Switch throws. 56.9308 Section 56.9308 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND... Switch throws. Switch throws shall be installed to provide clearance to protect switchmen from contact...

  5. 30 CFR 56.9308 - Switch throws.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Switch throws. 56.9308 Section 56.9308 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND... Switch throws. Switch throws shall be installed to provide clearance to protect switchmen from contact...

  6. Performance of circuit switching in the Internet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Molinero-Fernández, Pablo; McKeown, Nick

    2003-04-01

    We study the performance of an Internet that uses circuit switching (CS) instead of, or in addition to, packet switching (PS). On the face of it, this would seem a pointless exercise; the Internet is packet switched, and it was deliberately built that way to enable the efficiencies afforded by statistical multiplexing and the robustness of fast rerouting around failures. But link utilization is low particularly at the core of the Internet, which makes statistical multiplexing less important than it once was. Moreover, circuit switches today are capable of rapid reconfiguration around failures. There is also renewed interest in CS because of the ease of building very-high-capacity optical circuit switches. Although several proposals have suggested ways in which CS may be introduced into the Internet, the research presented here is based on Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) switching, in which a new circuit is created for each application flow. Here we explore the performance of a network that uses TCP switching, with particular emphasis on the response time experienced by users. We use simple M/GI/1 and M/GI/N queues to model application flows in both packet-switched and circuit-switched networks, as well as ns-2 simulations. We conclude that because of high-bandwidth long-lived flows, it does not make sense to use CS in shared-access or local area networks. But our results suggest that in the core of the network, where high capacity is needed most, and where peak flow rate is limited by the access link, there is little or no difference in performance between CS and PS. Given that circuit switches can be built to be much faster than packet switches, this suggests that a circuit-switched core warrants further investigation.

  7. Optical switch

    DOEpatents

    Reedy, Robert P.

    1987-01-01

    An optical switching device (10) is provided whereby light from a first glass fiber (16) or a second glass fiber (14) may be selectively transmitted into a third glass fiber (18). Each glass fiber is provided with a focusing and collimating lens system (26, 28, 30). In one mode of operation, light from the first glass fiber (16) is reflected by a planar mirror (36) into the third glass fiber (18). In another mode of operation, light from the second glass fiber (14) passes directly into the third glass fiber (18). The planar mirror (36) is attached to a rotatable table (32) which is rotated to provide the optical switching.

  8. Sequential Effects in Deduction: Cost of Inference Switch

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Milan, Emilio G.; Moreno-Rios, Sergio; Espino, Orlando; Santamaria, Carlos; Gonzalez-Hernandez, Antonio

    2010-01-01

    The task-switch paradigm has helped psychologists gain insight into the processes involved in changing from one activity to another. The literature has yielded consistent results about switch cost reconfiguration (abrupt offset in regular task-switch vs. gradual reduction in random task-switch; endogenous and exogenous components of switch cost;…

  9. Wide Bandgap Extrinsic Photoconductive Switches

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

    Sullivan, James S.

    2012-01-20

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

  10. Switch junction sequences in PMS2-deficient mice reveal a microhomology-mediated mechanism of Ig class switch recombination

    PubMed Central

    Ehrenstein, Michael R.; Rada, Cristina; Jones, Anne-Marie; Milstein, César; Neuberger, Michael S.

    2001-01-01

    Isotype switching involves a region-specific, nonhomologous recombinational deletion that has been suggested to occur by nonhomologous joining of broken DNA ends. Here, we find increased donor/acceptor homology at switch junctions from PMS2-deficient mice and propose that class switching can occur by microhomology-mediated end-joining. Interestingly, although isotype switching and somatic hypermutation show many parallels, we confirm that PMS2 deficiency has no major effect on the pattern of nucleotide substitutions generated during somatic hypermutation. This finding is in contrast to MSH2 deficiency. With MSH2, the altered pattern of switch recombination and hypermutation suggests parallels in the mechanics of the two processes, whereas the fact that PMS2 deficiency affects only switch recombination may reflect differences in the pathways of break resolution. PMID:11717399

  11. Ultra High-Speed Radio Frequency Switch Based on Photonics.

    PubMed

    Ge, Jia; Fok, Mable P

    2015-11-26

    Microwave switches, or Radio Frequency (RF) switches have been intensively used in microwave systems for signal routing. Compared with the fast development of microwave and wireless systems, RF switches have been underdeveloped particularly in terms of switching speed and operating bandwidth. In this paper, we propose a photonics based RF switch that is capable of switching at tens of picoseconds speed, which is hundreds of times faster than any existing RF switch technologies. The high-speed switching property is achieved with the use of a rapidly tunable microwave photonic filter with tens of gigahertz frequency tuning speed, where the tuning mechanism is based on the ultra-fast electro-optics Pockels effect. The RF switch has a wide operation bandwidth of 12 GHz and can go up to 40 GHz, depending on the bandwidth of the modulator used in the scheme. The proposed RF switch can either work as an ON/OFF switch or a two-channel switch, tens of picoseconds switching speed is experimentally observed for both type of switches.

  12. Compound semiconductor optical waveguide switch

    DOEpatents

    Spahn, Olga B.; Sullivan, Charles T.; Garcia, Ernest J.

    2003-06-10

    An optical waveguide switch is disclosed which is formed from III-V compound semiconductors and which has a moveable optical waveguide with a cantilevered portion that can be bent laterally by an integral electrostatic actuator to route an optical signal (i.e. light) between the moveable optical waveguide and one of a plurality of fixed optical waveguides. A plurality of optical waveguide switches can be formed on a common substrate and interconnected to form an optical switching network.

  13. A Bilingual Advantage in Task Switching

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Prior, Anat; MacWhinney, Brian

    2010-01-01

    This study investigated the possibility that lifelong bilingualism may lead to enhanced efficiency in the ability to shift between mental sets. We compared the performance of monolingual and fluent bilingual college students in a task-switching paradigm. Bilinguals incurred reduced switching costs in the task-switching paradigm when compared with…

  14. Solid state remote circuit selector switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Peterson, V. S.

    1970-01-01

    Remote switching circuit utilizes voltage logic to switch on desired circuit. Circuit controls rotating multi-range pressure transducers in jet engine testing and can be used in coded remote circuit activator where sequence of switching has to occur in defined length of time to prevent false or undesired circuit activation.

  15. 14 CFR 27.1361 - Master switch.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Master switch. 27.1361 Section 27.1361... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1361 Master switch. (a) There must be a master switch arrangement to allow ready disconnection of each electric power source...

  16. 14 CFR 27.1361 - Master switch.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Master switch. 27.1361 Section 27.1361... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1361 Master switch. (a) There must be a master switch arrangement to allow ready disconnection of each electric power source...

  17. 14 CFR 27.1361 - Master switch.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Master switch. 27.1361 Section 27.1361... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1361 Master switch. (a) There must be a master switch arrangement to allow ready disconnection of each electric power source...

  18. 14 CFR 27.1361 - Master switch.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Master switch. 27.1361 Section 27.1361... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1361 Master switch. (a) There must be a master switch arrangement to allow ready disconnection of each electric power source...

  19. 14 CFR 27.1361 - Master switch.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Master switch. 27.1361 Section 27.1361... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Equipment Electrical Systems and Equipment § 27.1361 Master switch. (a) There must be a master switch arrangement to allow ready disconnection of each electric power source...

  20. 46 CFR 112.43-1 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switches. 112.43-1 Section 112.43-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND POWER SYSTEMS Emergency Lighting Systems § 112.43-1 Switches. An emergency lighting system must not have a switch, except...

  1. 46 CFR 112.43-1 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switches. 112.43-1 Section 112.43-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND POWER SYSTEMS Emergency Lighting Systems § 112.43-1 Switches. An emergency lighting system must not have a switch, except...

  2. 46 CFR 112.43-1 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switches. 112.43-1 Section 112.43-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND POWER SYSTEMS Emergency Lighting Systems § 112.43-1 Switches. An emergency lighting system must not have a switch, except...

  3. 46 CFR 112.43-1 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switches. 112.43-1 Section 112.43-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND POWER SYSTEMS Emergency Lighting Systems § 112.43-1 Switches. An emergency lighting system must not have a switch, except...

  4. 46 CFR 112.43-1 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switches. 112.43-1 Section 112.43-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND POWER SYSTEMS Emergency Lighting Systems § 112.43-1 Switches. An emergency lighting system must not have a switch, except...

  5. 30 CFR 75.1000 - Cutout switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Cutout switches. 75.1000 Section 75.1000... switches. [Statutory Provisions] Trolley wires and trolley feeder wires, shall be provided with cutout switches at intervals of not more than 2,000 feet and near the beginning of all branch lines. ...

  6. 30 CFR 75.1000 - Cutout switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Cutout switches. 75.1000 Section 75.1000... switches. [Statutory Provisions] Trolley wires and trolley feeder wires, shall be provided with cutout switches at intervals of not more than 2,000 feet and near the beginning of all branch lines. ...

  7. 30 CFR 75.1000 - Cutout switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Cutout switches. 75.1000 Section 75.1000... switches. [Statutory Provisions] Trolley wires and trolley feeder wires, shall be provided with cutout switches at intervals of not more than 2,000 feet and near the beginning of all branch lines. ...

  8. Solid state switch panel. [determination of optimum transducer type for required switches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Beenfeldt, E.

    1973-01-01

    An intensive study of various forms of transducers was conducted with application towards hermetically sealing the transducer and all electronics. The results of the study indicated that the Hall effect devices and a LED/phototransistor combination were the most practical for this type of application. Therefore, hardware was developed utilizing a magnet/Hall effect transducer for single action switches and LED/phototransistor transducers for rotary multiposition or potentiometer applications. All electronics could be housed in a hermetically sealed compartment. A number of switches were built and models were hermetically sealed to prove the feasibility of this type of fabrication. One of each type of switch was subjected to temperature cycling, vibration, and EMI tests. The results of these tests are presented.

  9. Autoregulation of von Willebrand factor function by a disulfide bond switch

    PubMed Central

    Butera, Diego; Passam, Freda; Ju, Lining; Cook, Kristina M.; Woon, Heng; Aponte-Santamaría, Camilo; Gardiner, Elizabeth; Davis, Amanda K.; Murphy, Deirdre A.; Bronowska, Agnieszka; Luken, Brenda M.; Baldauf, Carsten; Jackson, Shaun; Andrews, Robert; Gräter, Frauke; Hogg, Philip J.

    2018-01-01

    Force-dependent binding of platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) receptors to plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a key role in hemostasis and thrombosis. Previous studies have suggested that VWF activation requires force-induced exposure of the GPIb binding site in the A1 domain that is autoinhibited by the neighboring A2 domain. However, the biochemical basis of this “mechanopresentation” remains elusive. From a combination of protein chemical, biophysical, and functional studies, we find that the autoinhibition is controlled by the redox state of an unusual disulfide bond near the carboxyl terminus of the A2 domain that links adjacent cysteine residues to form an eight-membered ring. Only when the bond is cleaved does the A2 domain bind to the A1 domain and block platelet GPIb binding. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that cleavage of the disulfide bond modifies the structure and molecular stresses of the A2 domain in a long-range allosteric manner, which provides a structural explanation for redox control of the autoinhibition. Significantly, the A2 disulfide bond is cleaved in ~75% of VWF subunits in healthy human donor plasma but in just ~25% of plasma VWF subunits from heart failure patients who have received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. This suggests that the majority of plasma VWF binding sites for platelet GPIb are autoinhibited in healthy donors but are mostly available in heart failure patients. These findings demonstrate that a disulfide bond switch regulates mechanopresentation of VWF. PMID:29507883

  10. Autoregulation of von Willebrand factor function by a disulfide bond switch.

    PubMed

    Butera, Diego; Passam, Freda; Ju, Lining; Cook, Kristina M; Woon, Heng; Aponte-Santamaría, Camilo; Gardiner, Elizabeth; Davis, Amanda K; Murphy, Deirdre A; Bronowska, Agnieszka; Luken, Brenda M; Baldauf, Carsten; Jackson, Shaun; Andrews, Robert; Gräter, Frauke; Hogg, Philip J

    2018-02-01

    Force-dependent binding of platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) receptors to plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a key role in hemostasis and thrombosis. Previous studies have suggested that VWF activation requires force-induced exposure of the GPIb binding site in the A1 domain that is autoinhibited by the neighboring A2 domain. However, the biochemical basis of this "mechanopresentation" remains elusive. From a combination of protein chemical, biophysical, and functional studies, we find that the autoinhibition is controlled by the redox state of an unusual disulfide bond near the carboxyl terminus of the A2 domain that links adjacent cysteine residues to form an eight-membered ring. Only when the bond is cleaved does the A2 domain bind to the A1 domain and block platelet GPIb binding. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that cleavage of the disulfide bond modifies the structure and molecular stresses of the A2 domain in a long-range allosteric manner, which provides a structural explanation for redox control of the autoinhibition. Significantly, the A2 disulfide bond is cleaved in ~75% of VWF subunits in healthy human donor plasma but in just ~25% of plasma VWF subunits from heart failure patients who have received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. This suggests that the majority of plasma VWF binding sites for platelet GPIb are autoinhibited in healthy donors but are mostly available in heart failure patients. These findings demonstrate that a disulfide bond switch regulates mechanopresentation of VWF.

  11. Effects of a switch from tenofovir- to abacavir-based antiretroviral therapy, with or without atazanavir, on renal function.

    PubMed

    Guillemi, Silvia A; Ling, Sean H; Dahlby, Julia S; Yip, Benita; Zhang, Wendy; Hull, Mark W; Lima, Viviane Dias; Hogg, Robert S; Werb, Ronald; Montaner, Julio S; Harris, Marianne

    2016-01-01

    Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-associated renal dysfunction may abate when TDF is replaced with abacavir (ABC). The extent to which the third drug atazanavir contributes to renal dysfunction is unclear. A retrospective analysis was conducted on adults who had plasma viral load (pVL)<200 copies/mL for≥six months while receiving TDF/lamivudine (3TC) - or TDF/emtricitabine (FTC)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART), then switched to ABC/3TC while retaining the third drug in the ART regimen. CD4, pVL, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum phosphorus, urine albumin to creatinine ratio and serum lipids were compared between pre-switch baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after the switch to ABC. A total of 286 patients switched from TDF to ABC between 2004 and 2014: 232 (81%) male, median age 48 years (interquartile range (IQR) 42, 56). The third drug was atazanavir (± ritonavir) in 141 (49%) cases. The pVL was<50 copies/mL in 93 to 96% at all time points. Median serum creatinine was 93 µmol/L (IQR 80-111) at baseline and decreased to 88 µmol/L (IQR 78-98) at 12 months after the switch to ABC. Median eGFR increased from 74 (IQR 60-88) mL/min at baseline to 80 mL/min (IQR 69-89) at 12 months. Results were not significantly different between patients on atazanavir versus those on another third drug. Viral suppression was maintained among patients who switched from TDF/3TC or TDF/FTC to ABC/3TC. Serum creatinine and eGFR improved up to 12 months after switching to ABC/3TC, irrespective of whether or not patients were also receiving atazanavir±ritonavir.

  12. Mechanical switching of ferroelectric domains beyond flexoelectricity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Weijin; Liu, Jianyi; Ma, Lele; Liu, Linjie; Jiang, G. L.; Zheng, Yue

    2018-02-01

    The resurgence of interest in flexoelectricity has prompted discussions on the feasibility of switching ferroelectric domains 'non-electrically'. In this work, we perform three-dimensional thermodynamic simulations in combination with ab initio calculations and effective Hamiltonian simulations to demonstrate the great effects of surface screening and surface bonding on ferroelectric domain switching triggered by local tip loading. A three-dimensional simulation scheme has been developed to capture the tip-induced domain switching behavior in ferroelectric thin films by adequately taking into account the surface screening effect and surface bonding effect of the ferroelectric film, as well as the finite elastic stiffness of the substrate and the electrode layers. The major findings are as follows. (i) Compared with flexoelectricity, surface effects can be overwhelming and lead to much more efficient mechanical switching caused by tip loading. (ii) The surface-assisted mechanical switching can be bi-directional without the necessity of reversing strain gradients. (iii) A mode transition from local to propagating domain switching occurs when the screening below a critical value. A ripple effect of domain switching appears with the formation of concentric loop domains. (iv) The ripple effect can lead to 'domain interference' and a deterministic writing of confined loop domain patterns by local excitations. Our study reveals the hidden switching mechanisms of ferroelectric domains and the possible roles of surface in mechanical switching. The ripple effect of domain switching, which is believed to be general in dipole systems, broadens our current knowledge of domain engineering.

  13. Multi-megavolt low jitter multistage switch

    DOEpatents

    Humphreys, D.R.; Penn, K.J. Jr.

    1985-06-19

    It is one object of the present invention to provide a multistage switch capable of holding off numerous megavolts, until triggered, from a particle beam accelerator of the type used for inertial confinement fusion. The invention provides a multistage switch having low timing jitter and capable of producing multiple spark channels for spreading current over a wider area to reduce electrode damage and increase switch lifetime. The switch has fairly uniform electric fields and a short spark gap for laser triggering and is engineered to prevent insulator breakdowns.

  14. Wireless Nanoionic-Based Radio Frequency Switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Miranda, Felix A (Inventor); Nessel, James A. (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    A nanoionic switch connected to one or more rectenna modules is disclosed. The rectenna module is configured to receive a wireless signal and apply a first bias to change a state of the nanoionic switch from a first state to a second state. The rectenna module can receive a second wireless signal and apply a second bias to change the nanoionic switch from the second state back to the first state. The first bias is generally opposite of the first bias. The rectenna module accordingly permits operation of the nanoionic switch without onboard power.

  15. Wireless Nanoionic-Based Radio Frequency Switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Miranda, Felix A (Inventor); Nessel, James A. (Inventor)

    2017-01-01

    A nanoionic switch connected to one or more rectenna modules is disclosed. The rectenna module is configured to receive a wireless signal and apply a first bias to change a state of the nanoionic switch from a first state to a second state. The rectenna module can receive a second wireless signal and apply a second bias to change the nanoionic switch from the second state back to the first state. The first bias is generally opposite of the first bias. The rectenna module accordingly permits operation of the nanoionic switch without onboard power.

  16. A Mechanical Switch Using Spectral Microshifts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mitchell, Gordon L.; Saaski, Elric W.; Hartl, James C.

    1989-02-01

    Among the simplest fiber optic sensors, are those which operate in a binary fashion; they were the first sensor types to be developed. Early experiments with fiber bundles and shutters produced demonstrations of, for example, displacement sensors. Typical applications range from position sensing for aircraft landing gear to counting objects on a production line. Because they frequently replace electrical snap action switches, binary sensors are generally called optical switches. Optical switch applications account for a much larger market than the more complex analog measurements discussed in the balance of this volume. This paper presents an optical switch concept that uses a single fiber and is tolerant of back reflections. The sensor element is a low finesse Fabry-Perot pressure sensor which replaces the electrical contact in a conventional snap action switch.

  17. Seismic switch for strong motion measurement

    DOEpatents

    Harben, Philip E.; Rodgers, Peter W.; Ewert, Daniel W.

    1995-01-01

    A seismic switching device that has an input signal from an existing microseismic station seismometer and a signal from a strong motion measuring instrument. The seismic switch monitors the signal level of the strong motion instrument and passes the seismometer signal to the station data telemetry and recording systems. When the strong motion instrument signal level exceeds a user set threshold level, the seismometer signal is switched out and the strong motion signal is passed to the telemetry system. The amount of time the strong motion signal is passed before switching back to the seismometer signal is user controlled between 1 and 15 seconds. If the threshold level is exceeded during a switch time period, the length of time is extended from that instant by one user set time period.

  18. Seismic switch for strong motion measurement

    DOEpatents

    Harben, P.E.; Rodgers, P.W.; Ewert, D.W.

    1995-05-30

    A seismic switching device is described that has an input signal from an existing microseismic station seismometer and a signal from a strong motion measuring instrument. The seismic switch monitors the signal level of the strong motion instrument and passes the seismometer signal to the station data telemetry and recording systems. When the strong motion instrument signal level exceeds a user set threshold level, the seismometer signal is switched out and the strong motion signal is passed to the telemetry system. The amount of time the strong motion signal is passed before switching back to the seismometer signal is user controlled between 1 and 15 seconds. If the threshold level is exceeded during a switch time period, the length of time is extended from that instant by one user set time period. 11 figs.

  19. 30 CFR 77.1800 - Cutout switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Cutout switches. 77.1800 Section 77.1800... Wires and Trolley Feeder Wires § 77.1800 Cutout switches. Trolley wires and trolley feeder wires shall be provided with cutout switches at intervals of not more than 2,000 feet and near the beginning of...

  20. 30 CFR 77.1800 - Cutout switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Cutout switches. 77.1800 Section 77.1800... Wires and Trolley Feeder Wires § 77.1800 Cutout switches. Trolley wires and trolley feeder wires shall be provided with cutout switches at intervals of not more than 2,000 feet and near the beginning of...

  1. 30 CFR 77.1800 - Cutout switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Cutout switches. 77.1800 Section 77.1800... Wires and Trolley Feeder Wires § 77.1800 Cutout switches. Trolley wires and trolley feeder wires shall be provided with cutout switches at intervals of not more than 2,000 feet and near the beginning of...

  2. 30 CFR 77.1800 - Cutout switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Cutout switches. 77.1800 Section 77.1800... Wires and Trolley Feeder Wires § 77.1800 Cutout switches. Trolley wires and trolley feeder wires shall be provided with cutout switches at intervals of not more than 2,000 feet and near the beginning of...

  3. The genetic network controlling plasma cell differentiation.

    PubMed

    Nutt, Stephen L; Taubenheim, Nadine; Hasbold, Jhagvaral; Corcoran, Lynn M; Hodgkin, Philip D

    2011-10-01

    Upon activation by antigen, mature B cells undergo immunoglobulin class switch recombination and differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells, the endpoint of the B cell developmental lineage. Careful quantitation of these processes, which are stochastic, independent and strongly linked to the division history of the cell, has revealed that populations of B cells behave in a highly predictable manner. Considerable progress has also been made in the last few years in understanding the gene regulatory network that controls the B cell to plasma cell transition. The mutually exclusive transcriptomes of B cells and plasma cells are maintained by the antagonistic influences of two groups of transcription factors, those that maintain the B cell program, including Pax5, Bach2 and Bcl6, and those that promote and facilitate plasma cell differentiation, notably Irf4, Blimp1 and Xbp1. In this review, we discuss progress in the definition of both the transcriptional and cellular events occurring during late B cell differentiation, as integrating these two approaches is crucial to defining a regulatory network that faithfully reflects the stochastic features and complexity of the humoral immune response. 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Optical computer switching network

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clymer, B.; Collins, S. A., Jr.

    1985-01-01

    The design for an optical switching system for minicomputers that uses an optical spatial light modulator such as a Hughes liquid crystal light valve is presented. The switching system is designed to connect 80 minicomputers coupled to the switching system by optical fibers. The system has two major parts: the connection system that connects the data lines by which the computers communicate via a two-dimensional optical matrix array and the control system that controls which computers are connected. The basic system, the matrix-based connecting system, and some of the optical components to be used are described. Finally, the details of the control system are given and illustrated with a discussion of timing.

  5. Molecular Rotors as Switches

    PubMed Central

    Xue, Mei; Wang, Kang L.

    2012-01-01

    The use of a functional molecular unit acting as a state variable provides an attractive alternative for the next generations of nanoscale electronics. It may help overcome the limits of conventional MOSFETd due to their potential scalability, low-cost, low variability, and highly integratable characteristics as well as the capability to exploit bottom-up self-assembly processes. This bottom-up construction and the operation of nanoscale machines/devices, in which the molecular motion can be controlled to perform functions, have been studied for their functionalities. Being triggered by external stimuli such as light, electricity or chemical reagents, these devices have shown various functions including those of diodes, rectifiers, memories, resonant tunnel junctions and single settable molecular switches that can be electronically configured for logic gates. Molecule-specific electronic switching has also been reported for several of these device structures, including nanopores containing oligo(phenylene ethynylene) monolayers, and planar junctions incorporating rotaxane and catenane monolayers for the construction and operation of complex molecular machines. A specific electrically driven surface mounted molecular rotor is described in detail in this review. The rotor is comprised of a monolayer of redox-active ligated copper compounds sandwiched between a gold electrode and a highly-doped P+ Si. This electrically driven sandwich-type monolayer molecular rotor device showed an on/off ratio of approximately 104, a read window of about 2.5 V, and a retention time of greater than 104 s. The rotation speed of this type of molecular rotor has been reported to be in the picosecond timescale, which provides a potential of high switching speed applications. Current-voltage spectroscopy (I-V) revealed a temperature-dependent negative differential resistance (NDR) associated with the device. The analysis of the device I–V characteristics suggests the source of the

  6. Should I Stay or Should I Switch? A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Voluntary Language Switching in Young and Aging Bilinguals

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gollan, Tamar H.; Ferreira, Victor S.

    2009-01-01

    Bilinguals spontaneously switch languages in conversation even though laboratory studies reveal robust cued language switching costs. The authors investigated how voluntary-switching costs might differ when switches are voluntary. Younger (Experiments 1-2) and older (Experiment 3) Spanish-English bilinguals named pictures in 3 conditions: (a)…

  7. A CW Gunn Diode Switching Element.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hurtado, Marco; Rosenbaum, Fred J.

    As part of a study of the application of communication satellites to educational development, certain technical aspects of such a system were examined. A current controlled bistable switching element using a CW Gunn diode is reported on here. With modest circuits switching rates of the order of 10 MHz have been obtained. Switching is initiated by…

  8. Switch Detection in Preschoolers' Cognitive Flexibility

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Chevalier, Nicolas; Wiebe, Sandra A.; Huber, Kristina L.; Espy, Kimberly Andrews

    2011-01-01

    The current study addressed the role of switch detection in cognitive flexibility by testing the effect of transition cues (i.e., cues that directly signal the need to switch or maintain a given task goal) in a cued set-shifting paradigm at 5 years of age. Children performed better, especially on switch trials, when transition cues were combined…

  9. Disparate bilingual experiences modulate task-switching advantages: A diffusion-model analysis of the effects of interactional context on switch costs.

    PubMed

    Hartanto, Andree; Yang, Hwajin

    2016-05-01

    Drawing on the adaptive control hypothesis (Green & Abutalebi, 2013), we investigated whether bilinguals' disparate interactional contexts modulate task-switching performance. Fifty-eight bilinguals within the single-language context (SLC) and 75 bilinguals within the dual-language context (DLC) were compared in a typical task-switching paradigm. Given that DLC bilinguals switch between languages within the same context, while SLC bilinguals speak only one language in one environment and therefore rarely switch languages, we hypothesized that the two groups' stark difference in their interactional contexts of conversational exchanges would lead to differences in switch costs. As predicted, DLC bilinguals showed smaller switch costs than SLC bilinguals. Our diffusion-model analyses suggest that DLC bilinguals' benefits in switch costs are more likely driven by task-set reconfiguration than by proactive interference. Our findings underscore the modulating role of the interactional context of conversational exchanges in task switching. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Calibrating pressure switch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, N. J. (Inventor)

    1968-01-01

    A pressure switch assembly comprising a body portion and a switch mechanism having a contact element operable between opposite limit positions is described. A diaphragm chamber is provided in the body portion which mounts therein a system diaphragm and a calibration diaphragm which are of generally the same configuration and having outer faces conforming to the inner and outer walls of the diaphragm chamber. The space between the inner faces of the diaphragms defines a first chamber section and the space between the outer face of one of the diaphragms and the outer wall of the diaphragm chamber defines a second chamber section. The body portion includes a system pressure port communicating with one of the chamber sections and a calibration pressure port communicating with the other chamber section. An actuator connected to one of the diaphragms and the contact element of the switch operates upon pressure change in the diaphragm sections to move said contact element between limit positions.

  11. Experimental validation of tunable features in laser-induced plasma resonators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colón Quiñones, Roberto A.; Cappelli, Mark A.

    2017-08-01

    Measurements are presented which examine the use of gaseous plasma elements as highly-tunable resonators. The resonator considered here is a laser-induced plasma kernel generated by focusing the fundamental output from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser through a lens and into a gas at constant pressure. The near-ellipsoidal plasma element interacts with incoming microwave radiation through excitation of low-order, electric-dipole resonances similar to those seen in metallic spheres. The tunability of these elements stems from the dispersive nature of plasmas arising from their variable electron density, electron momentum transfer collision frequency, and the concomitant e↵ect of these properties on the excited surface plasmon resonance. Experiments were carried out in the Ku band of the microwave spectrum to characterize the scattering properties of these resonators for di↵erent values of electron density. The experimental results are compared with results from theoretical approximations and finite element method electromagnetic simulations. The described tunable resonators have the potential to be used as the building blocks in a new class of all-plasma metamaterials with fully three-dimensional structural flexibility.

  12. Secure videoconferencing equipment switching system and method

    DOEpatents

    Hansen, Michael E [Livermore, CA

    2009-01-13

    A switching system and method are provided to facilitate use of videoconference facilities over a plurality of security levels. The system includes a switch coupled to a plurality of codecs and communication networks. Audio/Visual peripheral components are connected to the switch. The switch couples control and data signals between the Audio/Visual peripheral components and one but nor both of the plurality of codecs. The switch additionally couples communication networks of the appropriate security level to each of the codecs. In this manner, a videoconferencing facility is provided for use on both secure and non-secure networks.

  13. Switching power pulse system

    DOEpatents

    Aaland, K.

    1983-08-09

    A switching system for delivering pulses of power from a source to a load using a storage capacitor charged through a rectifier, and maintained charged to a reference voltage level by a transistor switch and voltage comparator. A thyristor is triggered to discharge the storage capacitor through a saturable reactor and fractional turn saturable transformer having a secondary to primary turn ratio N of n:l/n = n[sup 2]. The saturable reactor functions as a soaker'' while the thyristor reaches saturation, and then switches to a low impedance state. The saturable transformer functions as a switching transformer with high impedance while a load coupling capacitor charges, and then switches to a low impedance state to dump the charge of the storage capacitor into the load through the coupling capacitor. The transformer is comprised of a multilayer core having two secondary windings tightly wound and connected in parallel to add their output voltage and reduce output inductance, and a number of single turn windings connected in parallel at nodes for the primary winding, each single turn winding linking a different one of the layers of the multilayer core. The load may be comprised of a resistive beampipe for a linear particle accelerator and capacitance of a pulse forming network. To hold off discharge of the capacitance until it is fully charged, a saturable core is provided around the resistive beampipe to isolate the beampipe from the capacitance until it is fully charged. 5 figs.

  14. A High Isolation Series-Shunt RF MEMS Switch

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Yuan-Wei; Zhu, Jian; Jia, Shi-Xing; Shi, Yi

    2009-01-01

    This paper presents a wide band compact high isolation microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch implemented on a coplanar waveguide (CPW) with three ohmic switch cells, which is based on the series-shunt switch design. The ohmic switch shows a low intrinsic loss of 0.1 dB and an isolation of 24.8 dB at 6 GHz. The measured average pull-in voltage is 28 V and switching time is 47 μs. In order to shorten design period of the high isolation switch, a structure-based small-signal model for the 3-port ohmic MEMS switch is developed and parameters are extracted from the measured results. Then a high isolation switch has been developed where each 3-port ohmic MEMS switch is closely located. The agreement of the measured and modeled radio frequency (RF) performance demonstrates the validity of the electrical equivalent model. Measurements of the series-shunt switch indicate an outstanding isolation of more than 40 dB and a low insertion loss of 0.35 dB from DC to 12 GHz with total chip size of 1 mm × 1.2 mm. PMID:22408535

  15. Multi-point measurement using two-channel reflectometer with antenna switching for study of high-frequency fluctuations in GAMMA 10

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ikezoe, R.; Ichimura, M.; Okada, T.; Itagaki, J.; Hirata, M.; Sumida, S.; Jang, S.; Izumi, K.; Tanaka, A.; Yoshikawa, M.; Kohagura, J.; Sakamoto, M.; Nakashima, Y.

    2017-03-01

    A two-channel microwave reflectometer system with fast microwave antenna switching capability was developed and applied to the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror device to study high-frequency small-amplitude fluctuations in a hot mirror plasma. The fast switching of the antennas is controlled using PIN diode switches, which offers the significant advantage of reducing the number of high-cost microwave components and digitizers with high bandwidths and large memory that are required to measure the spatiotemporal behavior of the high-frequency fluctuations. The use of two channels rather than one adds the important function of a simultaneous two-point measurement in either the radial direction or the direction of the antenna array to measure the phase profile of the fluctuations along with the normal amplitude profile. The density fluctuations measured using this system clearly showed the high-frequency coherent fluctuations that are associated with Alfvén-ion-cyclotron (AIC) waves in GAMMA 10. A correlation analysis applied to simultaneously measured density fluctuations showed that the phase component that was included in a reflected microwave provided both high coherence and a clear phase difference for the AIC waves, while the amplitude component showed neither significant coherence nor clear phase difference. The axial phase differences of the AIC waves measured inside the hot plasma confirmed the formation of a standing wave structure. The axial variation of the radial profiles was evaluated and a clear difference was found among the AIC waves for the first time, which would be a key to clarify the unknown boundary conditions of the AIC waves.

  16. Microwave switching power divider. [antenna feeds

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stockton, R. J.; Johnson, R. W. (Inventor)

    1981-01-01

    A pair of parallel, spaced-apart circular ground planes define a microwave cavity with multi-port microwave power distributing switching circuitry formed on opposite sides of a thin circular dielectric substrate disposed between the ground planes. The power distributing circuitry includes a conductive disk located at the center of the substrate and connected to a source of microwave energy. A high speed, low insertion loss switching diode and a dc blocking capacitor are connected in series between the outer end of a transmission line and an output port. A high impedance, microwave blocking dc bias choke is connected between each switching diode and a source of switching current. The switching source forward biases the diodes to couple microwave energy from the conductive disk to selected output ports and, to associated antenna elements connected to the output ports to form a synthesized antenna pattern.

  17. Influence of sample temperature on the expansion dynamics of laser-induced germanium plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, LIU; Yue, TONG; Ying, WANG; Dan, ZHANG; Suyu, LI; Yuanfei, JIANG; Anmin, CHEN; Mingxing, JIN

    2017-12-01

    In this paper, we investigated the influence of sample temperature on the expansion dynamics and the optical emission spectroscopy of laser-induced plasma, and Ge was selected as the test sample. The target was heated from room temperature (22 °C) to 300 °C, and excited in atmospheric environment by using a Q-Switched Nd:YAG pulse laser with the wavelength of 1064 nm. To study the plasma expansion dynamics, we observed the plasma plume at different laser energies (5.0, 7.4 and 9.4 mJ) and different sample temperatures by using time-resolved image. We found that the heated target temperature could accelerate the expansion of plasma plume. Moreover, we also measured the effect of target temperature on the optical emission spectroscopy and signal-to-noise ratio.

  18. Novel control system of the high-voltage IGBT-switch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ponomarev, A. V.; Mamontov, Y. I.; Gusev, A. I.; Pedos, M. S.

    2017-05-01

    HV solid-state switch control circuit was developed and tested. The switch was made with series connection IGBT-transistors. The distinctive feature of the circuit is an ability to fine-tune the switching time of every transistor. Simultaneous switching provides balancing of the dynamic voltage at all switch elements. A separate control board switches on and off every transistor. On and off signals from the main conductor are sent to the board by current pulses of different polarity. A positive pulse provides the transistor switch-on, while a negative pulse provides their switch-off. The time interval between pulses defines the time when the switch is turned on. The minimum time when the switch is turned on equals to a few microseconds, while the maximum time is not limited. This paper shows the test results of 4 kV switch prototype. The switch was used to produce rectangular pulses of a microsecond range under resistive load. The possibility to generate the damped harmonic oscillations was also tested. On the basis of this approach, positive testing results open up a possibility to design switches under an operating voltage of tens kilovolts.

  19. Improved multi-level capability in Si3N4-based resistive switching memory using continuous gradual reset switching

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Sungjun; Park, Byung-Gook

    2017-01-01

    In this letter, we compare three different types of reset switching behavior in a bipolar resistive random-access memory (RRAM) system that is housed in a Ni/Si3N4/Si structure. The abrupt, step-like gradual and continuous gradual reset transitions are largely determined by the low-resistance state (LRS). For abrupt reset switching, the large conducting path shows ohmic behavior or has a weak nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) characteristics in the LRS. For gradual switching, including both the step-like and continuous reset types, trap-assisted direct tunneling is dominant in the low-voltage regime, while trap-assisted Fowler-Nordheim tunneling is dominant in the high-voltage regime, thus causing nonlinear I-V characteristics. More importantly, we evaluate the multi-level capabilities of the two different gradual switching types, including both step-like and continuous reset behavior, using identical and incremental voltage conditions. Finer control of the conductance level with good uniformity is achieved in continuous gradual reset switching when compared to that in step-like gradual reset switching. For continuous reset switching, a single conducting path, which initially has a tunneling gap, gradually responds to pulses with even and identical amplitudes, while for step-like reset switching, the multiple conducting paths only respond to incremental pulses to obtain effective multi-level states.

  20. Spark gap switch with spiral gas flow

    DOEpatents

    Brucker, John P.

    1989-01-01

    A spark gap switch having a contaminate removal system using an injected gas. An annular plate concentric with an electrode of the switch defines flow paths for the injected gas which form a strong spiral flow of the gas in the housing which is effective to remove contaminates from the switch surfaces. The gas along with the contaminates is exhausted from the housing through one of the ends of the switch.

  1. Switching for electric rail guns

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barber, J. P.; Bauer, D. P.

    1984-03-01

    The switching requirements of single-stage electric railguns powered by inductive energy stores are analyzed, and the design of a 500-kA commutation switch is shown. The closed, commutation, and off states of the switch and the reclosure function at the end of the projectile acceleration are discussed in general terms, and the specific requirements of the railgun facility at Australian National University are listed. The switch designed is essentially a railgun mounted perpendicular to the breech of the electric railgun, with the armature accelerating down copper rails at closing speeds from 50 m/sec at 100 kA to 300 m/sec at 500 kA to commutate current to the railgun. Commutation time and maximum voltage during 200 shots at 400 kA were found to be 50 microsec and 100 V; commutation inductance was 18-20 nH.

  2. A Cost-Effective Energy-Recovering Sustain Driving Circuit for ac Plasma Display Panels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lim, Jae Kwang; Tae, Heung-Sik; Choi, Byungcho; Kim, Seok Gi

    A new sustain driving circuit, featuring an energy-recovering function with simple structure and minimal component count, is proposed as a cost-effective solution for driving plasma display panels during the sustaining period. Compared with existing solutions, the proposed circuit reduces the number of semiconductor switches and reactive circuit components without compromising the circuit performance and gas-discharging characteristics. In addition, the proposed circuit utilizes the harness wire as an inductive circuit component, thereby further simplifying the circuit structure. The performance of the proposed circuit is confirmed with a 42-inch plasma display panel.

  3. Progress towards experimental realization of extreme-velocity flow-dominated magnetized plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

    2017-10-01

    Interactions of flow-dominated plasmas with other plasmas, neutral gases, magnetic fields, solids etc., take place with sufficient velocity that kinetic energy dominates the dynamics of the interaction (as opposed to magnetic or thermal energy, which dominates in most laboratory plasma experiments). Building upon progress made by the Magnetized Shock Experiment (MSX) at LANL, we are developing the experimental and modeling capability to increase our ultimate attainable plasma velocities well in excess of 1000 km/s. Ongoing work includes designing new pulsed power switches, triggering, and inductive adder topologies; development of novel high-speed optical diagnostics; and exploration of new numerical techniques to specifically model the unique physics of translating/stagnating flow-dominated plasmas. Furthering our understanding of the physical mechanisms of energy conversion from kinetic to other forms, such as thermal energy, non-thermal tails/accelerated populations, enhanced magnetic fields, and radiation (both continuum and line), has wide-ranging significance in basic plasma science, astrophysics, and plasma technology applications such as inertial confinement fusion and intense radiation sources. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration. LA-UR-17-25786.

  4. 49 CFR 236.820a - Switch, power-operated.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switch, power-operated. 236.820a Section 236.820a... Switch, power-operated. A switch operated by an electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically driven switch-and-lock movement. [49 FR 3388, Jan. 26, 1984] ...

  5. 49 CFR 236.820a - Switch, power-operated.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switch, power-operated. 236.820a Section 236.820a... Switch, power-operated. A switch operated by an electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically driven switch-and-lock movement. [49 FR 3388, Jan. 26, 1984] ...

  6. 49 CFR 236.820a - Switch, power-operated.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switch, power-operated. 236.820a Section 236.820a... Switch, power-operated. A switch operated by an electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically driven switch-and-lock movement. [49 FR 3388, Jan. 26, 1984] ...

  7. 49 CFR 236.820a - Switch, power-operated.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switch, power-operated. 236.820a Section 236.820a... Switch, power-operated. A switch operated by an electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically driven switch-and-lock movement. [49 FR 3388, Jan. 26, 1984] ...

  8. 49 CFR 236.820a - Switch, power-operated.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switch, power-operated. 236.820a Section 236.820a... Switch, power-operated. A switch operated by an electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically driven switch-and-lock movement. [49 FR 3388, Jan. 26, 1984] ...

  9. 47 CFR 32.6212 - Digital electronic switching expense.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... with digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit switching. (c) This subaccount 6212... 47 Telecommunication 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Digital electronic switching expense. 32.6212... Digital electronic switching expense. (a) This account shall include expenses associated with digital...

  10. 47 CFR 32.6212 - Digital electronic switching expense.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... with digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit switching. (c) This subaccount 6212... 47 Telecommunication 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Digital electronic switching expense. 32.6212... Digital electronic switching expense. (a) This account shall include expenses associated with digital...

  11. 47 CFR 32.6212 - Digital electronic switching expense.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... with digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit switching. (c) This subaccount 6212... 47 Telecommunication 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Digital electronic switching expense. 32.6212... Digital electronic switching expense. (a) This account shall include expenses associated with digital...

  12. 47 CFR 32.6212 - Digital electronic switching expense.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... with digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit switching. (c) This subaccount 6212... 47 Telecommunication 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Digital electronic switching expense. 32.6212... Digital electronic switching expense. (a) This account shall include expenses associated with digital...

  13. 47 CFR 32.6212 - Digital electronic switching expense.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... with digital electronic switching equipment used to provide circuit switching. (c) This subaccount 6212... 47 Telecommunication 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Digital electronic switching expense. 32.6212... Digital electronic switching expense. (a) This account shall include expenses associated with digital...

  14. Quantum cryptography without switching.

    PubMed

    Weedbrook, Christian; Lance, Andrew M; Bowen, Warwick P; Symul, Thomas; Ralph, Timothy C; Lam, Ping Koy

    2004-10-22

    We propose a new coherent state quantum key distribution protocol that eliminates the need to randomly switch between measurement bases. This protocol provides significantly higher secret key rates with increased bandwidths than previous schemes that only make single quadrature measurements. It also offers the further advantage of simplicity compared to all previous protocols which, to date, have relied on switching.

  15. 49 CFR 213.135 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... point to the stock rail. Broken or cracked switch point rails will be subject to the requirements of... of the stock rail. (d) The heel of each switch rail shall be secure and the bolts in each heel shall...

  16. 49 CFR 213.135 - Switches.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... point to the stock rail. Broken or cracked switch point rails will be subject to the requirements of... of the stock rail. (d) The heel of each switch rail shall be secure and the bolts in each heel shall...

  17. Microfabricated triggered vacuum switch

    DOEpatents

    Roesler, Alexander W [Tijeras, NM; Schare, Joshua M [Albuquerque, NM; Bunch, Kyle [Albuquerque, NM

    2010-05-11

    A microfabricated vacuum switch is disclosed which includes a substrate upon which an anode, cathode and trigger electrode are located. A cover is sealed over the substrate under vacuum to complete the vacuum switch. In some embodiments of the present invention, a metal cover can be used in place of the trigger electrode on the substrate. Materials used for the vacuum switch are compatible with high vacuum, relatively high temperature processing. These materials include molybdenum, niobium, copper, tungsten, aluminum and alloys thereof for the anode and cathode. Carbon in the form of graphitic carbon, a diamond-like material, or carbon nanotubes can be used in the trigger electrode. Channels can be optionally formed in the substrate to mitigate against surface breakdown.

  18. Contraceptive method switching in the United States.

    PubMed

    Grady, William R; Billy, John O G; Klepinger, Daniel H

    2002-01-01

    Switching among contraceptive method types is the primary determinant of the prevalence of use of specific contraceptive methods, and it has direct implications for women's ability to avoid unintended pregnancies. Yet, method switching among U.S. women has received little attention from researchers. Data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth were used to construct multiple-decrement life tables to explore the gross switching rates of married and unmarried women. Within each group, discrete-time hazard models were estimated to determine how women's characteristics affect their switching behavior. Overall rates of method switching are high among both married and unmarried women (40% and 61%, respectively). Married women's two-year switching rates vary from 30% among women who use the implant, injectable, IUD or other reversible methods to 43% among nonusers, while unmarried women's rates vary from 33% among women who use the implant, injectable or IUD to 70% among nonusers. Multivariate analyses of method switching according to women's characteristics indicate that among married women, women without children are less likely than other women to adopt sterilization or a long-term reversible contraceptive (the implant, injectable or IUD). Older married women have a higher rate than their younger counterparts of switching to sterilization, but are also more likely to continue using no method. Among unmarried women, younger and more highly educated women have high rates of switching to the condom and to dual methods. Women's method switching decisions may be driven primarily by concerns related to level and duration of contraceptive effectiveness, health risks associated with contraceptive use and, among single women, sexually transmitted disease prevention.

  19. AC motor controller with 180 degree conductive switches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oximberg, Carol A. (Inventor)

    1995-01-01

    An ac motor controller is operated by a modified time-switching scheme where the switches of the inverter are on for electrical-phase-and-rotation intervals of 180.degree. as opposed to the conventional 120.degree.. The motor is provided with three-phase drive windings, a power inverter for power supplied from a dc power source consisting of six switches, and a motor controller which controls the current controlled switches in voltage-fed mode. During full power, each switch is gated continuously for three successive intervals of 60.degree. and modulated for only one of said intervals. Thus, during each 60.degree. interval, the two switches with like signs are on continuously and the switch with the opposite sign is modulated.

  20. Gas adsorption/absorption heat switch, phase 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chan, C. K.

    1987-01-01

    The service life and/or reliability of far-infrared sensors on surveillance satellites is presently limited by the cryocooler. The life and/or reliability, however, can be extended by using redundant cryocoolers. To reduce parasitic heat leak, each stage of the inactive redundant cryocooler must be thermally isolated from the optical system, while each stage of the active cryocooler must be thermally connected to the system. The thermal break or the thermal contact can be controlled by heat switches. Among different physical mechanisms for heat switching, mechanically activated heat switches tend to have low reliability and, furthermore, require a large contact force. Magnetoresistive heat switches are, except at very low temperatures, of very low efficiency. Heat switches operated by the heat pipe principle usually require a long response time. A sealed gas gap heat switch operated by an adsorption pump has no mechanical motion and should provide the reliability and long lifetime required in long-term space missions. Another potential application of a heat switch is the thermal isolation of the optical plane during decontamination.