Nonlinear self-sustained structures and fronts in spatially developing wake flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pier, Benoît; Huerre, Patrick

2001-05-01

A family of slowly spatially developing wakes with variable pressure gradient is numerically demonstrated to sustain a synchronized finite-amplitude vortex street tuned at a well-defined frequency. This oscillating state is shown to be described by a steep global mode exhibiting a sharp Dee Langer-type front at the streamwise station of marginal absolute instability. The front acts as a wavemaker which sends out nonlinear travelling waves in the downstream direction, the global frequency being imposed by the real absolute frequency prevailing at the front station. The nonlinear travelling waves are determined to be governed by the local nonlinear dispersion relation resulting from a temporal evolution problem on a local wake profile considered as parallel. Although the vortex street is fully nonlinear, its frequency is dictated by a purely linear marginal absolute instability criterion applied to the local linear dispersion relation.

High-Level Psychophysical Tuning Curves: Forward Masking in Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Listeners.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, David A.

1991-01-01

Forward-masked psychophysical tuning curves were obtained at multiple probe levels from 26 normal-hearing listeners and 24 ears of 21 hearing-impaired listeners with cochlear hearing loss. Results indicated that some cochlear hearing losses influence the sharp tuning capabilities usually associated with outer hair cell function. (Author/JDD)

A Computational Study of How Orientation Bias in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Can Give Rise to Orientation Selectivity in Primary Visual Cortex

PubMed Central

Kuhlmann, Levin; Vidyasagar, Trichur R.

2011-01-01

Controversy remains about how orientation selectivity emerges in simple cells of the mammalian primary visual cortex. In this paper, we present a computational model of how the orientation-biased responses of cells in lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) can contribute to the orientation selectivity in simple cells in cats. We propose that simple cells are excited by lateral geniculate fields with an orientation-bias and disynaptically inhibited by unoriented lateral geniculate fields (or biased fields pooled across orientations), both at approximately the same retinotopic co-ordinates. This interaction, combined with recurrent cortical excitation and inhibition, helps to create the sharp orientation tuning seen in simple cell responses. Along with describing orientation selectivity, the model also accounts for the spatial frequency and length–response functions in simple cells, in normal conditions as well as under the influence of the GABAA antagonist, bicuculline. In addition, the model captures the response properties of LGN and simple cells to simultaneous visual stimulation and electrical stimulation of the LGN. We show that the sharp selectivity for stimulus orientation seen in primary visual cortical cells can be achieved without the excitatory convergence of the LGN input cells with receptive fields along a line in visual space, which has been a core assumption in classical models of visual cortex. We have also simulated how the full range of orientations seen in the cortex can emerge from the activity among broadly tuned channels tuned to a limited number of optimum orientations, just as in the classical case of coding for color in trichromatic primates. PMID:22013414

Feed-forward and feed-backward amplification model from cochlear cytoarchitecture: an interspecies comparison.

PubMed

Yoon, Yong-Jin; Steele, Charles R; Puria, Sunil

2011-01-05

The high sensitivity and wide bandwidth of mammalian hearing are thought to derive from an active process involving the somatic and hair-bundle motility of the thousands of outer hair cells uniquely found in mammalian cochleae. To better understand this, a biophysical three-dimensional cochlear fluid model was developed for gerbil, chinchilla, cat, and human, featuring an active "push-pull" cochlear amplifier mechanism based on the cytoarchitecture of the organ of Corti and using the time-averaged Lagrangian method. Cochlear responses are simulated and compared with in vivo physiological measurements for the basilar membrane (BM) velocity, V(BM), frequency tuning of the BM vibration, and Q₁₀ values representing the sharpness of the cochlear tuning curves. The V(BM) simulation results for gerbil and chinchilla are consistent with in vivo cochlea measurements. Simulated mechanical tuning curves based on maintaining a constant V(BM) value agree with neural-tuning threshold measurements better than those based on a constant displacement value, which implies that the inner hair cells are more sensitive to V(BM) than to BM displacement. The Q₁₀ values of the V(BM) tuning curve agree well with those of cochlear neurons across species, and appear to be related in part to the width of the basilar membrane. Copyright © 2011 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Distortion product otoacoustic emission suppression tuning and acoustic admittance in human infants: Birth through 6 months

PubMed Central

Abdala, Carolina; Keefe, Douglas H.; Oba, Sandra I.

2009-01-01

Previous work has reported non-adultlike distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) suppression in human newborns at f2 =6000 Hz, indicating an immaturity in peripheral auditory function. In this study, DPOAE suppression tuning curves (STCs) were recorded as a measure of cochlear function and acoustic admittance/reflectance (YR) in the ear canal recorded as a measure of middle-ear function, in the same 20 infants at birth and through 6 months of age. DPOAE STCs changed little from birth through 6 months, showing excessively narrow and sharp tuning throughout the test period. In contrast, several middle-ear indices at corresponding frequencies shifted systematically with increasing age, although they also remained non-adultlike at 6 months. Linear correlations were conducted between YR and DPOAE suppression features. Only two correlations out of 76 were significant, and all but three YR variables accounted for <10% of the variance in DPOAE suppression tuning. The strongest correlation was noted between admittance phase at 5700 Hz and STC tip-to-tail (R=0.49). The association between middle-ear variables and DPOAE suppression may be stronger during other developmental time periods. Study of older infants and children is needed to fully define postnatal immaturity of human peripheral auditory function. PMID:17552713

Polarization and angle insensitive dual-band bandpass frequency selective surface using all-dielectric metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Fei; Wang, Jun; Wang, Jiafu; Ma, Hua; Du, Hongliang; Xu, Zhuo; Qu, Shaobo

2016-04-01

In this paper, we demonstrate a dual-band bandpass all-dielectric frequency selective surface (FSS), the building elements of which are high-permittivity ceramic particles rather than metallic patterns. With proper structural design and parameter adjustment, the resonant frequency can be tuned at will. Dual-band bandpass response can be realized due to the coupling between electric and magnetic resonances. As an example, a dual-band bandpass FSS is designed in Ku band, which is composed of two-dimensional periodic arrays of complementary quatrefoil structures (CQS) cut from dielectric plates. Moreover, cylindrical dielectric resonators are introduced and placed in the center of each CQS to broaden the bandwidth and to sharpen the cut-off frequency. Theoretical analysis shows that the bandpass response arises from impedance matching caused by electric and magnetic resonances. In addition, effective electromagnetic parameters and dynamic field distributions are presented to explain the mechanism of impedance matching. The proposed FSS has the merits of polarization independence, stable transmission, and sharp roll-off frequency. The method can also be used to design all-dielectric FSSs with continuum structures at other frequencies.

A High-Q AFM Sensor Using a Balanced Trolling Quartz Tuning Fork in the Liquid

PubMed Central

Li, Yingzi; Song, Zihang; Lin, Rui; Chen, Yifu; Qian, Jianqiang

2018-01-01

A quartz tuning fork (QTF) has been widely used as a force sensor of the frequency modulation atomic force microscope due to its ultrahigh stiffness, high quality factor and self-sensing nature. However, due to the bulky structure and exposed surface electrode arrangement, its application is limited, especially in liquid imaging of in situ biological samples, ionic liquids, electrochemical reaction, etc. Although the complication can be resolved by coating insulating materials on the QTF surface and then immersing the whole QTF into the liquid, it would result in a sharp drop of the quality factor, which will reduce the sensitivity of the QTF. To solve the problem, a novel method, called the balanced trolling quartz tuning fork (BT-QTF), is introduced here. In this method, two same probes are glued on both prongs of the QTF separately while only one probe immersed in the liquid. With the method, the hydrodynamic interaction can be reduced, thus the BT-QTF can retain a high quality factor and constant resonance frequency. The stable small vibration of the BT-QTF can be achieved in the liquid. Initially, a theoretical model is presented to analyze the sensing performance of the BT-QTF in the liquid. Then, the sensing performance analysis experiments of the BT-QTF have been performed. At last, the proposed method is applied to atomic force microscope imaging different samples in the liquid, which proves its feasibility. PMID:29783740

Analysis of sharpness increase by image noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurihara, Takehito; Aoki, Naokazu; Kobayashi, Hiroyuki

2009-02-01

Motivated by the reported increase in sharpness by image noise, we investigated how noise affects sharpness perception. We first used natural images of tree bark with different amounts of noise to see whether noise enhances sharpness. Although the result showed sharpness decreased as noise amount increased, some observers seemed to perceive more sharpness with increasing noise, while the others did not. We next used 1D and 2D uni-frequency patterns as stimuli in an attempt to reduce such variability in the judgment. The result showed, for higher frequency stimuli, sharpness decreased as the noise amount increased, while sharpness of the lower frequency stimuli increased at a certain noise level. From this result, we thought image noise might reduce sharpness at edges, but be able to improve sharpness of lower frequency component or texture in image. To prove this prediction, we experimented again with the natural image used in the first experiment. Stimuli were made by applying noise separately to edge or to texture part of the image. The result showed noise, when added to edge region, only decreased sharpness, whereas when added to texture, could improve sharpness. We think it is the interaction between noise and texture that sharpens image.

Age Is Associated with Reduced Sharp-Wave Ripple Frequency and Altered Patterns of Neuronal Variability

PubMed Central

Wiegand, Jean-Paul L.; Gray, Daniel T.; Schimanski, Lesley A.; Lipa, Peter; Barnes, C. A.

2016-01-01

Spatial and episodic memory performance declines with age, and the neural basis for this decline is not well understood. Sharp-wave ripples are brief (∼70 ms) high-frequency oscillatory events generated in the hippocampus and are associated with the consolidation of spatial memories. Given the connection between ripple oscillations and memory consolidation, we investigated whether the structure of ripple oscillations and ripple-triggered patterns of single-unit activity are altered in aged rats. Local field and single-unit activity surrounding sharp-wave ripple events were examined in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of old (n = 5) and young (n = 6) F344 rats during periods of rest preceding and following performance on a place-dependent eyeblink-conditioning task. Neural responses in aged rats differed from responses in young rats in several ways. First, compared with young rats, the rate of ripple occurrence (ripple density) is reduced in aged rats during postbehavior rest. Second, mean ripple frequency during prebehavior and postbehavior rest is lower in aged animals (aged: 132 Hz; young: 146 Hz). Third, single neurons in aged animals responded more consistently from ripple to ripple. Fourth, variability in interspike intervals was greater in aged rats. Finally, neurons were tuned to a narrower range of phases of the ripple oscillation relative to young animals. Together, these results suggest that the CA1 network in aged animals has a reduced “vocabulary” of available representational states. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The hippocampus is a structure that is critical for the formation of episodic memories. Sharp-wave ripple events generated in the hippocampus have been implicated in memory consolidation processes critical to memory stabilization. We examine here whether these ripple oscillations are altered over the course of the life span, which could contribute to hippocampus-dependent memory deficits that occur during aging. This experiment used young and aged memory-impaired rats to examine age-related changes in ripple architecture, ripple-triggered spike variance, and spike-phase coherence. We found that there are, indeed, significant changes in characteristics of ripples in older animals that could impact consolidation processes and memory stabilization in the aged brain. PMID:27194342

Spin transfer driven resonant expulsion of a magnetic vortex core for efficient rf detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menshawy, S.; Jenkins, A. S.; Merazzo, K. J.; Vila, L.; Ferreira, R.; Cyrille, M.-C.; Ebels, U.; Bortolotti, P.; Kermorvant, J.; Cros, V.

2017-05-01

Spin transfer magnetization dynamics have led to considerable advances in Spintronics, including opportunities for new nanoscale radiofrequency devices. Among the new functionalities is the radiofrequency (rf) detection using the spin diode rectification effect in spin torque nano-oscillators (STNOs). In this study, we focus on a new phenomenon, the resonant expulsion of a magnetic vortex in STNOs. This effect is observed when the excitation vortex radius, due to spin torques associated to rf currents, becomes larger than the actual radius of the STNO. This vortex expulsion is leading to a sharp variation of the voltage at the resonant frequency. Here we show that the detected frequency can be tuned by different parameters; furthermore, a simultaneous detection of different rf signals can be achieved by real time measurements with several STNOs having different diameters. This result constitutes a first proof-of-principle towards the development of a new kind of nanoscale rf threshold detector.

Response Growth With Sound Level in Auditory-Nerve Fibers After Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

PubMed Central

Heinz, Michael G.; Young, Eric D.

2010-01-01

People with sensorineural hearing loss are often constrained by a reduced acoustic dynamic range associated with loudness recruitment; however, the neural correlates of loudness and recruitment are still not well understood. The growth of auditory-nerve (AN) activity with sound level was compared in normal-hearing cats and in cats with a noise-induced hearing loss to test the hypothesis that AN-fiber rate-level functions are steeper in impaired ears. Stimuli included best-frequency and fixed-frequency tones, broadband noise, and a brief speech token. Three types of impaired responses were observed. 1) Fibers with rate-level functions that were similar across all stimuli typically had broad tuning, consistent with outer-hair-cell (OHC) damage. 2) Fibers with a wide dynamic range and shallow slope above threshold often retained sharp tuning, consistent with primarily inner-hair-cell (IHC) damage. 3) Fibers with very steep rate-level functions for all stimuli had thresholds above approximately 80 dB SPL and very broad tuning, consistent with severe IHC and OHC damage. Impaired rate-level slopes were on average shallower than normal for tones, and were steeper in only limited conditions. There was less variation in rate-level slopes across stimuli in impaired fibers, presumably attributable to the lack of suppression-induced reductions in slopes for complex stimuli relative to BF-tone slopes. Sloping saturation was observed less often in impaired fibers. These results illustrate that AN fibers do not provide a simple representation of the basilar-membrane I/O function and suggest that both OHC and IHC damage can affect AN response growth. PMID:14534289

Nonlinear electro-optic tuning of plasmonic nano-filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotb, Rehab; Ismail, Yehea; Swillam, Mohamed A.

2015-03-01

Efficient, easy and accurate tuning techniques to a plasmonic nano-filter are investigated. The proposed filter supports both blue and red shift in the resonance wavelength. By varying the refractive index with a very small change (in the order of 10-3), the resonance wavelength can be controlled efficiently. Using Pockels material, an electrical tuning to the response of the filter is demonstrated. In addition, the behavior of the proposed filter can be controlled optically using Kerr material. A new approach of multi-stage electro-optic controlling is introduced. By cascading two stages and filling the first stage with pockels material and the second stage with kerr material, the output response of the second stage can be controlled by controlling the output response of the first stage electrically. Due to the sharp response of the proposed filter, 60nm shift in the resonance wavelength per 10 voltages is achieved. This nano-filter has compact size, low loss, sharp response and wide range of tunabilty which is highly demandable in many biological and sensing applications.

Effects of excitation frequency on high-order terahertz sideband generation in semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Xiao-Tao; Zhu, Bang-Fen; Liu, Ren-Bao

2013-10-01

We theoretically investigate the effects of the excitation frequency on the plateau of high-order terahertz sideband generation (HSG) in semiconductors driven by intense terahertz (THz) fields. We find that the plateau of the sideband spectrum strongly depends on the detuning between the near-infrared laser field and the band gap. We use the quantum trajectory theory (three-step model) to understand the HSG. In the three-step model, an electron-hole pair is first excited by a weak laser, then driven by the strong THz field, and finally recombined to emit a photon with energy gain. When the laser is tuned below the band gap (negative detuning), the electron-hole generation is a virtual process that requires quantum tunneling to occur. When the energy gained by the electron-hole pair from the THz field is less than 3.17 times the ponderomotive energy (Up), the electron and the hole can be driven to the same position and recombined without quantum tunneling, so that the HSG will have large probability amplitude. This leads to a plateau feature of the HSG spectrum with a high-frequency cutoff at about 3.17Up above the band gap. Such a plateau feature is similar to the case of high-order harmonics generation in atoms where electrons have to overcome the binding energy to escape the atomic core. A particularly interesting excitation condition in HSG is that the laser can be tuned above the band gap (positive detuning), corresponding to the unphysical ‘negative’ binding energy in atoms for high-order harmonic generation. Now the electron-hole pair is generated by real excitation, but the recombination process can be real or virtual depending on the energy gained from the THz field, which determines the plateau feature in HSG. Both the numerical calculation and the quantum trajectory analysis reveal that for positive detuning, the HSG plateau cutoff depends on the frequency of the excitation laser. In particular, when the laser is tuned more than 3.17Up above the band gap, the HSG spectrum presents no plateau feature but instead sharp peaks near the band edge and near the excitation frequency.

Nonradiative transport of atomic excitation in Na vapor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zajonc, Arthur G.; Phelps, A. V.

1981-05-01

Measurements are reported which show the effect of nonradiative losses at a gas-window interface on the backscattered fluorescence intensity for Na vapor at frequencies in the vicinity of the resonance lines near 589 nm. The Na 3P12,32 states are excited with a low-intensity single-mode tunable dye laser at high Na densities and the frequency integral of the backscattered fluorescence intensity in the D1 and D2 lines is measured. As the laser is tuned through resonance, the loss of atomic excitation to the window appears as a sharp decrease in the frequency-integrated fluorescence intensity. For example, at 7×1020 atoms m-3 the fluorescence intensity decreases by a factor of 4 in a frequency interval of 4 GHz. Measured absolute fluorescence intensities versus laser frequency are compared with predictions made using the theory of Hummer and Kunasz which includes both radiative and nonradiative transport processes. The agreement between theory and experiment is remarkably good when one considers that the theory contains only one unknown coefficient, i.e., the reflection coefficient for excited atoms at the windows. In our case the excited atoms are assumed to be completely destroyed at the window.

Design and verification of wide-band, simultaneous, multi-frequency, tuning circuits for large moment transmitter loops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dvorak, Steven L.; Sternberg, Ben K.; Feng, Wanjie

2017-03-01

In this paper we discuss the design and verification of wide-band, multi-frequency, tuning circuits for large-moment Transmitter (TX) loops. Since these multi-frequency, tuned-TX loops allow for the simultaneous transmission of multiple frequencies at high-current levels, they are ideally suited for frequency-domain geophysical systems that collect data while moving, such as helicopter mounted systems. Furthermore, since multi-frequency tuners use the same TX loop for all frequencies, instead of using separate tuned-TX loops for each frequency, they allow for the use of larger moment TX loops. In this paper we discuss the design and simulation of one- and three-frequency tuned TX loops and then present measurement results for a three-frequency, tuned-TX loop.

Relationships between hippocampal sharp waves, ripples and fast gamma oscillation: influence of dentate and entorhinal cortical activity

PubMed Central

Sullivan, David; Csicsvari, Jozsef; Mizuseki, Kenji; Montgomery, Sean; Diba, Kamran; Buzsáki, György

2011-01-01

Summary Hippocampal sharp waves (SPW) and associated fast (‘ripple’) oscillations in the CA1 region are among the most synchronous physiological patterns in the mammalian brain. Using two-dimensional arrays of electrodes for recording local field potentials and unit discharges in freely moving rats, we studied the emergence of ripple oscillations (140–220 Hz) and compared their origin and cellular-synaptic mechanisms with fast gamma oscillations (90–140 Hz). We show that (a) hippocampal SPW-Rs and fast gamma oscillations are quantitatively distinct patterns but involve the same networks and share similar mechanisms, (b) both the frequency and magnitude of fast oscillations is positively correlated with the magnitude of SPWs, (c) during both ripples and fast gamma oscillations the frequency of network oscillation is higher in CA1 than in CA3, (d) SPWs and associated firing of neurons are synchronous in the dorsal hippocampus and dorso-medial entorhinal cortex but ripples are confined to the CA1 pyramidal layer and its downstream targets and (e) the emergence of CA3 population bursts, a prerequisite for SPW-ripples, is biased by activity patterns in the dentate gyrus and entorhinal cortex, with highest probability of ripples associated with an ‘optimum’ level of dentate gamma power. We hypothesize that each hippocampal subnetwork possesses distinct resonant properties, tuned by the magnitude of the excitatory drive. PMID:21653864

Perfect Spin Filter by Periodic Drive of a Ferromagnetic Quantum Barrier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thuberg, Daniel; Muñoz, Enrique; Eggert, Sebastian; Reyes, Sebastián A.

2017-12-01

We consider the problem of particle tunneling through a periodically driven ferromagnetic quantum barrier connected to two leads. The barrier is modeled by an impurity site representing a ferromagnetic layer or a quantum dot in a tight-binding Hamiltonian with a local magnetic field and an ac-driven potential, which is solved using the Floquet formalism. The repulsive interactions in the quantum barrier are also taken into account. Our results show that the time-periodic potential causes sharp resonances of perfect transmission and reflection, which can be tuned by the frequency, the driving strength, and the magnetic field. We demonstrate that a device based on this configuration could act as a highly tunable spin valve for spintronic applications.

Age Is Associated with Reduced Sharp-Wave Ripple Frequency and Altered Patterns of Neuronal Variability.

PubMed

Wiegand, Jean-Paul L; Gray, Daniel T; Schimanski, Lesley A; Lipa, Peter; Barnes, C A; Cowen, Stephen L

2016-05-18

Spatial and episodic memory performance declines with age, and the neural basis for this decline is not well understood. Sharp-wave ripples are brief (∼70 ms) high-frequency oscillatory events generated in the hippocampus and are associated with the consolidation of spatial memories. Given the connection between ripple oscillations and memory consolidation, we investigated whether the structure of ripple oscillations and ripple-triggered patterns of single-unit activity are altered in aged rats. Local field and single-unit activity surrounding sharp-wave ripple events were examined in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of old (n = 5) and young (n = 6) F344 rats during periods of rest preceding and following performance on a place-dependent eyeblink-conditioning task. Neural responses in aged rats differed from responses in young rats in several ways. First, compared with young rats, the rate of ripple occurrence (ripple density) is reduced in aged rats during postbehavior rest. Second, mean ripple frequency during prebehavior and postbehavior rest is lower in aged animals (aged: 132 Hz; young: 146 Hz). Third, single neurons in aged animals responded more consistently from ripple to ripple. Fourth, variability in interspike intervals was greater in aged rats. Finally, neurons were tuned to a narrower range of phases of the ripple oscillation relative to young animals. Together, these results suggest that the CA1 network in aged animals has a reduced "vocabulary" of available representational states. The hippocampus is a structure that is critical for the formation of episodic memories. Sharp-wave ripple events generated in the hippocampus have been implicated in memory consolidation processes critical to memory stabilization. We examine here whether these ripple oscillations are altered over the course of the life span, which could contribute to hippocampus-dependent memory deficits that occur during aging. This experiment used young and aged memory-impaired rats to examine age-related changes in ripple architecture, ripple-triggered spike variance, and spike-phase coherence. We found that there are, indeed, significant changes in characteristics of ripples in older animals that could impact consolidation processes and memory stabilization in the aged brain. Copyright © 2016 the authors 0270-6474/16/365650-11$15.00/0.

Quantitative analysis of neuronal response properties in primary and higher-order auditory cortical fields of awake house mice (Mus musculus)

PubMed Central

Joachimsthaler, Bettina; Uhlmann, Michaela; Miller, Frank; Ehret, Günter; Kurt, Simone

2014-01-01

Because of its great genetic potential, the mouse (Mus musculus) has become a popular model species for studies on hearing and sound processing along the auditory pathways. Here, we present the first comparative study on the representation of neuronal response parameters to tones in primary and higher-order auditory cortical fields of awake mice. We quantified 12 neuronal properties of tone processing in order to estimate similarities and differences of function between the fields, and to discuss how far auditory cortex (AC) function in the mouse is comparable to that in awake monkeys and cats. Extracellular recordings were made from 1400 small clusters of neurons from cortical layers III/IV in the primary fields AI (primary auditory field) and AAF (anterior auditory field), and the higher-order fields AII (second auditory field) and DP (dorsoposterior field). Field specificity was shown with regard to spontaneous activity, correlation between spontaneous and evoked activity, tone response latency, sharpness of frequency tuning, temporal response patterns (occurrence of phasic responses, phasic-tonic responses, tonic responses, and off-responses), and degree of variation between the characteristic frequency (CF) and the best frequency (BF) (CF–BF relationship). Field similarities were noted as significant correlations between CFs and BFs, V-shaped frequency tuning curves, similar minimum response thresholds and non-monotonic rate-level functions in approximately two-thirds of the neurons. Comparative and quantitative analyses showed that the measured response characteristics were, to various degrees, susceptible to influences of anesthetics. Therefore, studies of neuronal responses in the awake AC are important in order to establish adequate relationships between neuronal data and auditory perception and acoustic response behavior. PMID:24506843

Fundamental frequency estimation of singing voice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Cheveigné, Alain; Henrich, Nathalie

2002-05-01

A method of fundamental frequency (F0) estimation recently developped for speech [de Cheveigné and Kawahara, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (to be published)] was applied to singing voice. An electroglottograph signal recorded together with the microphone provided a reference by which estimates could be validated. Using standard parameter settings as for speech, error rates were low despite the wide range of F0s (about 100 to 1600 Hz). Most ``errors'' were due to irregular vibration of the vocal folds, a sharp formant resonance that reduced the waveform to a single harmonic, or fast F0 changes such as in high-amplitude vibrato. Our database (18 singers from baritone to soprano) included examples of diphonic singing for which melody is carried by variations of the frequency of a narrow formant rather than F0. Varying a parameter (ratio of inharmonic to total power) the algorithm could be tuned to follow either frequency. Although the method has not been formally tested on a wide range of instruments, it seems appropriate for musical applications because it is accurate, accepts a wide range of F0s, and can be implemented with low latency for interactive applications. [Work supported by the Cognitique programme of the French Ministry of Research and Technology.

Stay tuned: active amplification tunes tree cricket ears to track temperature-dependent song frequency.

PubMed

Mhatre, Natasha; Pollack, Gerald; Mason, Andrew

2016-04-01

Tree cricket males produce tonal songs, used for mate attraction and male-male interactions. Active mechanics tunes hearing to conspecific song frequency. However, tree cricket song frequency increases with temperature, presenting a problem for tuned listeners. We show that the actively amplified frequency increases with temperature, thus shifting mechanical and neuronal auditory tuning to maintain a match with conspecific song frequency. Active auditory processes are known from several taxa, but their adaptive function has rarely been demonstrated. We show that tree crickets harness active processes to ensure that auditory tuning remains matched to conspecific song frequency, despite changing environmental conditions and signal characteristics. Adaptive tuning allows tree crickets to selectively detect potential mates or rivals over large distances and is likely to bestow a strong selective advantage by reducing mate-finding effort and facilitating intermale interactions. © 2016 The Author(s).

Reducing variable frequency vibrations in a powertrain system with an adaptive tuned vibration absorber group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Pu; Xiang, Changle; Liu, Hui; Zhou, Han

2018-07-01

Based on a multiple degrees of freedom dynamic model of a vehicle powertrain system, natural vibration analyses and sensitivity analyses of the eigenvalues are performed to determine the key inertia for each natural vibration of a powertrain system. Then, the results are used to optimize the installation position of each adaptive tuned vibration absorber. According to the relationship between the variable frequency torque excitation and the natural vibration of a powertrain system, the entire vibration frequency band is divided into segments, and the auxiliary vibration absorber and dominant vibration absorber are determined for each sensitive frequency band. The optimum parameters of the auxiliary vibration absorber are calculated based on the optimal frequency ratio and the optimal damping ratio of the passive vibration absorber. The instantaneous change state of the natural vibrations of a powertrain system with adaptive tuned vibration absorbers is studied, and the optimized start and stop tuning frequencies of the adaptive tuned vibration absorber are obtained. These frequencies can be translated into the optimum parameters of the dominant vibration absorber. Finally, the optimal tuning scheme for the adaptive tuned vibration absorber group, which can be used to reduce the variable frequency vibrations of a powertrain system, is proposed, and corresponding numerical simulations are performed. The simulation time history signals are transformed into three-dimensional information related to time, frequency and vibration energy via the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT). A comprehensive time-frequency analysis is then conducted to verify that the optimal tuning scheme for the adaptive tuned vibration absorber group can significantly reduce the variable frequency vibrations of a powertrain system.

Reticular lamina and basilar membrane vibrations in the basal turn of gerbil and mouse cochleae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Tianying; He, Wenxuan

2018-05-01

Low-coherence interferometry in living cochleae has provided valuable information for understanding cochlear micromechanics. A recent measurement of the reticular lamina and basilar membrane vibrations in mouse cochleae, however, is inconsistent with data collected from guinea pig cochleae. To determine whether a species difference accounts for the observed difference, a custom-built heterodyne low-coherence interferometer was used to measure reticular lamina and basilar membrane vibrations at the basal turn of sensitive gerbil and mouse cochleae. For the gerbil and mouse, both the reticular lamina and basilar membrane vibrations show sharp tuning and nonlinear compressive growth near the best frequency. The magnitude of the reticular lamina vibration is significantly greater than that of the basilar membrane vibration not only near the best frequency, but also at low frequencies. The phase of the reticular lamina vibration leads the basilar membrane phase by up to 180-degrees at low frequencies, and this phase lead decreases with frequency, approaching zero near the best frequency. The best frequency of the reticular lamina and basilar membrane vibrations at the cochlear basal turn in mice is significantly higher than that in gerbils. Besides this difference, cochlear micromechanical responses in the gerbil are similar to those in the mouse. Thus, the current results indicate that gerbil and mouse cochleae detect and process sounds likely through a similar micromechanical mechanism.

1THz synchronous tuning of two optical synthesizers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neuhaus, Rudolf; Rohde, Felix; Benkler, Erik; Puppe, Thomas; Raab, Christoph; Unterreitmayer, Reinhard; Zach, Armin; Telle, Harald R.; Stuhler, Jürgen

2016-04-01

Single-frequency optical synthesizers (SFOS) provide an optical field with arbitrarily adjustable frequency and phase which is phase-coherently linked to a reference signal. Ideally, they combine the spectral resolution of narrow linewidth frequency stabilized lasers with the broad spectral coverage of frequency combs in a tunable fashion. In state-of-the-art SFOSs tuning across comb lines requires comb line order switching,1, 2 which imposes technical overhead with problems like forbidden frequency gaps or strong phase glitches. Conventional tunable lasers often tune over only tens of GHz before mode-hops occur. Here, we present a novel type of SFOSs, which relies on a serrodyne technique with conditional flyback,3 shifting the carrier frequency of the employed frequency comb without an intrusion into the comb generator. It utilizes a new continuously tunable diode laser that tunes mode-hop-free across the full gain spectrum of the integrated laser diode. We investigate the tuning behavior of two identical SFOSs that share a common reference, by comparing the phases of their output signals. Previously, we achieved phase-stable and cycle-slip free frequency tuning over 28.1 GHz with a maximum zero-to-peak phase deviation of 62 mrad4 when sharing a common comb generator. With the new continuously tunable lasers, the SFOSs tune synchronously across nearly 17800 comb lines (1 THz). The tuning range in this approach can be extended to the full bandwidth of the frequency comb and the 110 nm mode-hop-free tuning range of the diode laser.

Precision and Fast Wavelength Tuning of a Dynamically Phase-Locked Widely-Tunable Laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Numata, Kenji; Chen, Jeffrey R.; Wu, Stewart T.

2012-01-01

We report a precision and fast wavelength tuning technique demonstrated for a digital-supermode distributed Bragg reflector laser. The laser was dynamically offset-locked to a frequency-stabilized master laser using an optical phase-locked loop, enabling precision fast tuning to and from any frequencies within a 40-GHz tuning range. The offset frequency noise was suppressed to the statically offset-locked level in less than 40 s upon each frequency switch, allowing the laser to retain the absolute frequency stability of the master laser. This technique satisfies stringent requirements for gas sensing lidars and enables other applications that require such well-controlled precision fast tuning.

Nonlinear dynamics of a pulse-coupled neural oscillator model of orientation tuning in the visual cortex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bressloff, P. C.; Bressloff, N. W.

2000-02-01

Orientation tuning in a ring of pulse-coupled integrate-and-fire (IF) neurons is analyzed in terms of spontaneous pattern formation. It is shown how the ring bifurcates from a synchronous state to a non-phase-locked state whose spike trains are characterized by quasiperiodic variations of the inter-spike intervals (ISIs) on closed invariant circles. The separation of these invariant circles in phase space results in a localized peak of activity as measured by the time-averaged firing rate of the neurons. This generates a sharp orientation tuning curve that can lock to a slowly rotating, weakly tuned external stimulus. For fast synapses, breakup of the quasiperiodic orbits occurs leading to high spike time variability suggestive of chaos.

Frequency-tuning input-shaped manifold-based switching control for underactuated space robot equipped with flexible appendages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kojima, Hirohisa; Ieda, Shoko; Kasai, Shinya

2014-08-01

Underactuated control problems, such as the control of a space robot without actuators on the main body, have been widely investigated. However, few studies have examined attitude control problems of underactuated space robots equipped with a flexible appendage, such as solar panels. In order to suppress vibration in flexible appendages, a zero-vibration input-shaping technique was applied to the link motion of an underactuated planar space robot. However, because the vibrational frequency depends on the link angles, simple input-shaping control methods cannot sufficiently suppress the vibration. In this paper, the dependency of the vibrational frequency on the link angles is measured experimentally, and the time-delay interval of the input shaper is then tuned based on the frequency estimated from the link angles. The proposed control method is referred to as frequency-tuning input-shaped manifold-based switching control (frequency-tuning IS-MBSC). The experimental results reveal that frequency-tuning IS-MBSC is capable of controlling the link angles and the main body attitude to maintain the target angles and that the vibration suppression performance of the proposed frequency-tuning IS-MBSC is better than that of a non-tuning IS-MBSC, which does not take the frequency variation into consideration.

Precise Stabilization of the Optical Frequency of WGMRs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Savchenkov, Anatoliy; Matsko, Andrey; Matsko, Andrey; Yu, Nan; Maleki, Lute; Iltchenko, Vladimir

2009-01-01

Crystalline whispering gallery mode resonators (CWGMRs) made of crystals with axial symmetry have ordinary and extraordinary families of optical modes. These modes have substantially different thermo-refractive constants. This results in a very sharp dependence of differential detuning of optical frequency on effective temperature. This frequency difference compared with clock gives an error signal for precise compensation of the random fluctuations of optical frequency. Certain crystals, like MgF2, have turnover points where the thermo-refractive effect is completely nullified. An advantage for applications using WGMRs for frequency stabilization is in the possibility of manufacturing resonators out of practically any optically transparent crystal. It is known that there are crystals with negative and zero thermal expansion at some specific temperatures. Doping changes properties of the crystals and it is possible to create an optically transparent crystal with zero thermal expansion at room temperature. With this innovation s stabilization technique, the resultant WGMR will have absolute frequency stability The expansion of the resonator s body can be completely compensated for by nonlinear elements. This results in compensation of linear thermal expansion (see figure). In three-mode, the MgF2 resonator, if tuned at the turnover thermal point, can compensate for all types of random thermal-related frequency drift. Simplified dual-mode method is also available. This creates miniature optical resonators with good short- and long-term stability for passive secondary frequency ethalon and an active resonator for active secondary frequency standard (a narrowband laser with long-term stability).

Strings on a Violin: Location Dependence of Frequency Tuning in Active Dendrites.

PubMed

Das, Anindita; Rathour, Rahul K; Narayanan, Rishikesh

2017-01-01

Strings on a violin are tuned to generate distinct sound frequencies in a manner that is firmly dependent on finger location along the fingerboard. Sound frequencies emerging from different violins could be very different based on their architecture, the nature of strings and their tuning. Analogously, active neuronal dendrites, dendrites endowed with active channel conductances, are tuned to distinct input frequencies in a manner that is dependent on the dendritic location of the synaptic inputs. Further, disparate channel expression profiles and differences in morphological characteristics could result in dendrites on different neurons of the same subtype tuned to distinct frequency ranges. Alternately, similar location-dependence along dendritic structures could be achieved through disparate combinations of channel profiles and morphological characteristics, leading to degeneracy in active dendritic spectral tuning. Akin to strings on a violin being tuned to different frequencies than those on a viola or a cello, different neuronal subtypes exhibit distinct channel profiles and disparate morphological characteristics endowing each neuronal subtype with unique location-dependent frequency selectivity. Finally, similar to the tunability of musical instruments to elicit distinct location-dependent sounds, neuronal frequency selectivity and its location-dependence are tunable through activity-dependent plasticity of ion channels and morphology. In this morceau, we explore the origins of neuronal frequency selectivity, and survey the literature on the mechanisms behind the emergence of location-dependence in distinct forms of frequency tuning. As a coda to this composition, we present some future directions for this exciting convergence of biophysical mechanisms that endow a neuron with frequency multiplexing capabilities.

Precision and fast wavelength tuning of a dynamically phase-locked widely-tunable laser.

PubMed

Numata, Kenji; Chen, Jeffrey R; Wu, Stewart T

2012-06-18

We report a precision and fast wavelength tuning technique demonstrated for a digital-supermode distributed Bragg reflector laser. The laser was dynamically offset-locked to a frequency-stabilized master laser using an optical phase-locked loop, enabling precision fast tuning to and from any frequencies within a ~40-GHz tuning range. The offset frequency noise was suppressed to the statically offset-locked level in less than ~40 μs upon each frequency switch, allowing the laser to retain the absolute frequency stability of the master laser. This technique satisfies stringent requirements for gas sensing lidars and enables other applications that require such well-controlled precision fast tuning.

Energy consumption optimization of the total-FETI solver by changing the CPU frequency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horak, David; Riha, Lubomir; Sojka, Radim; Kruzik, Jakub; Beseda, Martin; Cermak, Martin; Schuchart, Joseph

2017-07-01

The energy consumption of supercomputers is one of the critical problems for the upcoming Exascale supercomputing era. The awareness of power and energy consumption is required on both software and hardware side. This paper deals with the energy consumption evaluation of the Finite Element Tearing and Interconnect (FETI) based solvers of linear systems, which is an established method for solving real-world engineering problems. We have evaluated the effect of the CPU frequency on the energy consumption of the FETI solver using a linear elasticity 3D cube synthetic benchmark. In this problem, we have evaluated the effect of frequency tuning on the energy consumption of the essential processing kernels of the FETI method. The paper provides results for two types of frequency tuning: (1) static tuning and (2) dynamic tuning. For static tuning experiments, the frequency is set before execution and kept constant during the runtime. For dynamic tuning, the frequency is changed during the program execution to adapt the system to the actual needs of the application. The paper shows that static tuning brings up 12% energy savings when compared to default CPU settings (the highest clock rate). The dynamic tuning improves this further by up to 3%.

Linear frequency tuning in an LC-resonant system using a C-V response controllable MEMS varactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Chang-Hoon; Yoon, Yong-Hoon; Ko, Seung-Deok; Seo, Min-Ho; Yoon, Jun-Bo

2017-12-01

This paper proposes a device level solution to achieve linear frequency tuning with respect to a tuning voltage ( V tune ) sweep in an inductor ( L)-capacitor ( C) resonant system. Since the linearity of the resonant frequency vs. tuning voltage ( f- V) relationship in an LC-resonant system is closely related to the C- V response characteristic of the varactor, we propose a C- V response tunable varactor to realize the linear frequency tuning. The proposed varactor was fabricated using microelectromechanical system (MEMS) surface micromachining. The fabricated MEMS varactor has the ability to dynamically change the C- V response characteristic according to a curve control voltage ( V curve- control ). When V curve- control was increased from zero to 9 V, the C- V response curve was changed from a linear to a concave form (i.e., the capacitance decreased quickly in the low tuning voltage region and slowly in the high tuning voltage region). This change in the C- V response characteristic resulted in a change in the f- V relationship, and we successfully demonstrated almost perfectly linear frequency tuning in the LC-resonant system, with a linearity factor of 99.95%.

Otoacoustic Estimates of Cochlear Tuning: Testing Predictions in Macaque

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shera, Christopher A.; Bergevin, Christopher; Kalluri, Radha; Mc Laughlin, Myles; Michelet, Pascal; van der Heijden, Marcel; Joris, Philip X.

2011-11-01

Otoacoustic estimates of cochlear frequency selectivity suggest substantially sharper tuning in humans. However, the logic and methodology underlying these estimates remain untested by direct measurements in primates. We report measurements of frequency tuning in macaque monkeys, Old-World primates phylogenetically closer to humans than the small laboratory animals often taken as models of human hearing (e.g., cats, guinea pigs, and chinchillas). We find that measurements of tuning obtained directly from individual nerve fibers and indirectly using otoacoustic emissions both indicate that peripheral frequency selectivity in macaques is significantly sharper than in small laboratory animals, matching that inferred for humans at high frequencies. Our results validate the use of otoacoustic emissions for noninvasive measurement of cochlear tuning and corroborate the finding of sharper tuning in humans.

Frequency Tuning of Vibration Absorber Using Topology Optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harel, Swapnil Subhash

A tuned mass absorber is a system for reducing the amplitude in one oscillator by coupling it to a second oscillator. If tuned correctly, the maximum amplitude of the first oscillator in response to a periodic driver will be lowered, and much of the vibration will be 'transferred' to the second oscillator. The tuned vibration absorber (TVA) has been utilized for vibration control purposes in many sectors of Civil/Automotive/Aerospace Engineering for many decades since its inception. Time and again we come across a situation in which a vibratory system is required to run near resonance. In the past, approaches have been made to design such auxiliary spring mass tuned absorbers for the safety of the structures. This research focuses on the development and optimization of continuously tuned mass absorbers as a substitute to the discretely tuned mass absorbers (spring- mass system). After conducting the study of structural behavior, the boundary condition and frequency to which the absorber is to be tuned are determined. The Modal analysis approach is used to determine mode shapes and frequencies. The absorber is designed and optimized using the topology optimization tool, which simultaneously designs, optimizes and tunes the absorber to the desired frequency. The tuned, optimized absorber, after post processing, is attached to the target structure. The number of the absorbers are increased to amplify bandwidth and thereby upgrade the safety of structure for a wide range of frequency. The frequency response analysis is carried out using various combinations of structure and number of absorber cell.

Quasi-continuous frequency tunable terahertz quantum cascade lasers with coupled cavity and integrated photonic lattice.

PubMed

Kundu, Iman; Dean, Paul; Valavanis, Alexander; Chen, Li; Li, Lianhe; Cunningham, John E; Linfield, Edmund H; Davies, A Giles

2017-01-09

We demonstrate quasi-continuous tuning of the emission frequency from coupled cavity terahertz frequency quantum cascade lasers. Such coupled cavity lasers comprise a lasing cavity and a tuning cavity which are optically coupled through a narrow air slit and are operated above and below the lasing threshold current, respectively. The emission frequency of these devices is determined by the Vernier resonance of longitudinal modes in the lasing and the tuning cavities, and can be tuned by applying an index perturbation in the tuning cavity. The spectral coverage of the coupled cavity devices have been increased by reducing the repetition frequency of the Vernier resonance and increasing the ratio of the free spectral ranges of the two cavities. A continuous tuning of the coupled cavity modes has been realized through an index perturbation of the lasing cavity itself by using wide electrical heating pulses at the tuning cavity and exploiting thermal conduction through the monolithic substrate. Single mode emission and discrete frequency tuning over a bandwidth of 100 GHz and a quasi-continuous frequency coverage of 7 GHz at 2.25 THz is demonstrated. An improvement in the side mode suppression and a continuous spectral coverage of 3 GHz is achieved without any degradation of output power by integrating a π-phase shifted photonic lattice in the laser cavity.

Self-tuning bandpass filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deboo, G. J.; Hedlund, R. C. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

An electronic filter is described which simultaneously maintains a constant bandwidth and a constant center frequency gain as the input signal frequency varies, and remains self-tuning to that center frequency over a decade range. The filter utilizes a field effect transistor (FET) as a voltage variable resistance in the bandpass frequency determining circuit. The FET is responsive to a phase detector to achieve self-tuning.

Error Analysis of Wind Measurements for the University of Illinois Sodium Doppler Temperature System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pfenninger, W. Matthew; Papen, George C.

1992-01-01

Four-frequency lidar measurements of temperature and wind velocity require accurate frequency tuning to an absolute reference and long term frequency stability. We quantify frequency tuning errors for the Illinois sodium system, to measure absolute frequencies and a reference interferometer to measure relative frequencies. To determine laser tuning errors, we monitor the vapor cell and interferometer during lidar data acquisition and analyze the two signals for variations as functions of time. Both sodium cell and interferometer are the same as those used to frequency tune the laser. By quantifying the frequency variations of the laser during data acquisition, an error analysis of temperature and wind measurements can be calculated. These error bounds determine the confidence in the calculated temperatures and wind velocities.

Tuning the Stiffness Balance Using Characteristic Frequencies as a Criterion for a Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer.

PubMed

Liu, Xikai; Ma, Dong; Chen, Liang; Liu, Xiangdong

2018-02-08

Tuning the stiffness balance is crucial to full-band common-mode rejection for a superconducting gravity gradiometer (SGG). A reliable method to do so has been proposed and experimentally tested. In the tuning scheme, the frequency response functions of the displacement of individual test mass upon common-mode accelerations were measured and thus determined a characteristic frequency for each test mass. A reduced difference in characteristic frequencies between the two test masses was utilized as the criterion for an effective tuning. Since the measurement of the characteristic frequencies does not depend on the scale factors of displacement detection, stiffness tuning can be done independently. We have tested this new method on a single-component SGG and obtained a reduction of two orders of magnitude in stiffness mismatch.

Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions, threshold microstructure, and psychophysical tuning over a wide frequency range in humansa

PubMed Central

Baiduc, Rachael R.; Lee, Jungmee; Dhar, Sumitrajit

2014-01-01

Hearing thresholds have been shown to exhibit periodic minima and maxima, a pattern known as threshold microstructure. Microstructure has previously been linked to spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) and normal cochlear function. However, SOAEs at high frequencies (>4 kHz) have been associated with hearing loss or cochlear pathology in some reports. Microstructure would not be expected near these high-frequency SOAEs. Psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs), the expression of frequency selectivity, may also be altered by SOAEs. Prior comparisons of tuning between ears with and without SOAEs demonstrated sharper tuning in ears with emissions. Here, threshold microstructure and PTCs were compared at SOAE frequencies ranging between 1.2 and 13.9 kHz using subjects without SOAEs as controls. Results indicate: (1) Threshold microstructure is observable in the vicinity of SOAEs of all frequencies; (2) PTCs are influenced by SOAEs, resulting in shifted tuning curve tips, multiple tips, or inversion. High frequency SOAEs show a greater effect on PTC morphology. The influence of most SOAEs at high frequencies on threshold microstructure and PTCs is consistent with those at lower frequencies, suggesting that high-frequency SOAEs reflect the same cochlear processes that lead to SOAEs at lower frequencies. PMID:24437770

Squeezing Alters Frequency Tuning of WGM Optical Resonator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mohageg, Makan; Maleki, Lute

2010-01-01

Mechanical squeezing has been found to alter the frequency tuning of a whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) optical resonator that has an elliptical shape and is made of lithium niobate. It may be possible to exploit this effect to design reconfigurable optical filters for optical communications and for scientific experiments involving quantum electrodynamics. Some background information is prerequisite to a meaningful description of the squeezing-induced alteration of frequency tuning: The spectrum of a WGM resonator is represented by a comblike plot of intensity versus frequency. Each peak of the comblike plot corresponds to an electromagnetic mode represented by an integer mode number, and the modes are grouped into sets represented by integer mode indices. Because lithium niobate is an electro-optically active material, the WGM resonator can be tuned (that is, the resonance frequencies can be shifted) by applying a suitable bias potential. The frequency shift of each mode is quantified by a tuning rate defined as the ratio between the frequency shift and the applied potential. In the absence of squeezing, all modes exhibit the same tuning rate. This concludes the background information. It has been demonstrated experimentally that when the resonator is squeezed along part of either of its two principal axes, tuning rates differ among the groups of modes represented by different indices (see figure). The differences in tuning rates could be utilized to configure the resonance spectrum to obtain a desired effect; for example, through a combination of squeezing and electrical biasing, two resonances represented by different mode indices could be set at a specified frequency difference something that could not be done through electrical biasing alone.

Tuning the Stiffness Balance Using Characteristic Frequencies as a Criterion for a Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer

PubMed Central

Liu, Xikai; Ma, Dong; Chen, Liang; Liu, Xiangdong

2018-01-01

Tuning the stiffness balance is crucial to full-band common-mode rejection for a superconducting gravity gradiometer (SGG). A reliable method to do so has been proposed and experimentally tested. In the tuning scheme, the frequency response functions of the displacement of individual test mass upon common-mode accelerations were measured and thus determined a characteristic frequency for each test mass. A reduced difference in characteristic frequencies between the two test masses was utilized as the criterion for an effective tuning. Since the measurement of the characteristic frequencies does not depend on the scale factors of displacement detection, stiffness tuning can be done independently. We have tested this new method on a single-component SGG and obtained a reduction of two orders of magnitude in stiffness mismatch. PMID:29419796

Musician's and Physicist's View on Tuning Keyboard Instruments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lubenow, Martin; Meyn, Jan-Peter

2007-01-01

The simultaneous sound of several voices or instruments requires proper tuning to achieve consonance for certain intervals and chords. Most instruments allow enough frequency variation to enable pure tuning while being played. Keyboard instruments such as organ and piano have given frequencies for individual notes and the tuning must be based on a…

Tuning In to Sound: Frequency-Selective Attentional Filter in Human Primary Auditory Cortex

PubMed Central

Da Costa, Sandra; van der Zwaag, Wietske; Miller, Lee M.; Clarke, Stephanie

2013-01-01

Cocktail parties, busy streets, and other noisy environments pose a difficult challenge to the auditory system: how to focus attention on selected sounds while ignoring others? Neurons of primary auditory cortex, many of which are sharply tuned to sound frequency, could help solve this problem by filtering selected sound information based on frequency-content. To investigate whether this occurs, we used high-resolution fMRI at 7 tesla to map the fine-scale frequency-tuning (1.5 mm isotropic resolution) of primary auditory areas A1 and R in six human participants. Then, in a selective attention experiment, participants heard low (250 Hz)- and high (4000 Hz)-frequency streams of tones presented at the same time (dual-stream) and were instructed to focus attention onto one stream versus the other, switching back and forth every 30 s. Attention to low-frequency tones enhanced neural responses within low-frequency-tuned voxels relative to high, and when attention switched the pattern quickly reversed. Thus, like a radio, human primary auditory cortex is able to tune into attended frequency channels and can switch channels on demand. PMID:23365225

Piezoelectric-tuned microwave cavity for absorption spectrometry

DOEpatents

Leskovar, Branko; Buscher, Harold T.; Kolbe, William F.

1978-01-01

Gas samples are analyzed for pollutants in a microwave cavity that is provided with two highly polished walls. One wall of the cavity is mechanically driven with a piezoelectric transducer at a low frequency to tune the cavity over a band of microwave frequencies in synchronism with frequency modulated microwave energy applied to the cavity. Absorption of microwave energy over the tuned frequencies is detected, and energy absorption at a particular microwave frequency is an indication of a particular pollutant in the gas sample.

The effect of the inner-hair-cell mediated transduction on the shape of neural tuning curves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altoè, Alessandro; Pulkki, Ville; Verhulst, Sarah

2018-05-01

The inner hair cells of the mammalian cochlea transform the vibrations of their stereocilia into releases of neurotransmitter at the ribbon synapses, thereby controlling the activity of the afferent auditory fibers. The mechanical-to-neural transduction is a highly nonlinear process and it introduces differences between the frequency-tuning of the stereocilia and that of the afferent fibers. Using a computational model of the inner hair cell that is based on in vitro data, we estimated that smaller vibrations of the stereocilia are necessary to drive the afferent fibers above threshold at low (≤0.5 kHz) than at high (≥4 kHz) driving frequencies. In the base of the cochlea, the transduction process affects the low-frequency tails of neural tuning curves. In particular, it introduces differences between the frequency-tuning of the stereocilia and that of the auditory fibers resembling those between basilar membrane velocity and auditory fibers tuning curves in the chinchilla base. For units with a characteristic frequency between 1 and 4 kHz, the transduction process yields shallower neural than stereocilia tuning curves as the characteristic frequency decreases. This study proposes that transduction contributes to the progressive broadening of neural tuning curves from the base to the apex.

Higher-order vibrational mode frequency tuning utilizing fishbone-shaped microelectromechanical systems resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Naoya; Tanigawa, Hiroshi; Suzuki, Kenichiro

2013-04-01

Resonators based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have received considerable attention for their applications for wireless equipment. The requirements for this application include small size, high frequency, wide bandwidth and high portability. However, few MEMS resonators with wide-frequency tuning have been reported. A fishbone-shaped resonator has a resonant frequency with a maximum response that can be changed according to the location and number of several exciting electrodes. Therefore, it can be expected to provide wide-frequency tuning. The resonator has three types of electrostatic forces that can be generated to deform a main beam. We evaluate the vibrational modes caused by each exciting electrodes by comparing simulated results with measured ones. We then successfully demonstrate the frequency tuning of the first to fifth resonant modes by using the algorithm we propose here. The resulting frequency tuning covers 178 to 1746 kHz. In addition, we investigate the suppression of the anchor loss to enhance the Q-factor. An experiment shows that tapered-shaped anchors provide a higher Q-factor than rectangular-shaped anchors. The Q-factor of the resonators supported by suspension beams is also discussed. Because the suspension beams cause complicated vibrational modes for higher frequencies, the enhancement of the Q-factor for high vibrational modes cannot be obtained here. At present, the tapered-anchor resonators are thought to be most suitable for frequency tuning applications.

Bistability of Cavity Magnon Polaritons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yi-Pu; Zhang, Guo-Qiang; Zhang, Dengke; Li, Tie-Fu; Hu, C.-M.; You, J. Q.

2018-01-01

We report the first observation of the magnon-polariton bistability in a cavity magnonics system consisting of cavity photons strongly interacting with the magnons in a small yttrium iron garnet (YIG) sphere. The bistable behaviors emerged as sharp frequency switchings of the cavity magnon polaritons (CMPs) and related to the transition between states with large and small numbers of polaritons. In our experiment, we align, respectively, the [100] and [110] crystallographic axes of the YIG sphere parallel to the static magnetic field and find very different bistable behaviors (e.g., clockwise and counter-clockwise hysteresis loops) in these two cases. The experimental results are well fitted and explained as being due to the Kerr nonlinearity with either a positive or negative coefficient. Moreover, when the magnetic field is tuned away from the anticrossing point of CMPs, we observe simultaneous bistability of both magnons and cavity photons by applying a drive field on the lower branch.

Bistability of Cavity Magnon Polaritons.

PubMed

Wang, Yi-Pu; Zhang, Guo-Qiang; Zhang, Dengke; Li, Tie-Fu; Hu, C-M; You, J Q

2018-02-02

We report the first observation of the magnon-polariton bistability in a cavity magnonics system consisting of cavity photons strongly interacting with the magnons in a small yttrium iron garnet (YIG) sphere. The bistable behaviors emerged as sharp frequency switchings of the cavity magnon polaritons (CMPs) and related to the transition between states with large and small numbers of polaritons. In our experiment, we align, respectively, the [100] and [110] crystallographic axes of the YIG sphere parallel to the static magnetic field and find very different bistable behaviors (e.g., clockwise and counter-clockwise hysteresis loops) in these two cases. The experimental results are well fitted and explained as being due to the Kerr nonlinearity with either a positive or negative coefficient. Moreover, when the magnetic field is tuned away from the anticrossing point of CMPs, we observe simultaneous bistability of both magnons and cavity photons by applying a drive field on the lower branch.

Neurons in cat V1 show significant clustering by degree of tuning

PubMed Central

Ziskind, Avi J.; Emondi, Al A.; Kurgansky, Andrei V.; Rebrik, Sergei P.

2015-01-01

Neighboring neurons in cat primary visual cortex (V1) have similar preferred orientation, direction, and spatial frequency. How diverse is their degree of tuning for these properties? To address this, we used single-tetrode recordings to simultaneously isolate multiple cells at single recording sites and record their responses to flashed and drifting gratings of multiple orientations, spatial frequencies, and, for drifting gratings, directions. Orientation tuning width, spatial frequency tuning width, and direction selectivity index (DSI) all showed significant clustering: pairs of neurons recorded at a single site were significantly more similar in each of these properties than pairs of neurons from different recording sites. The strength of the clustering was generally modest. The percent decrease in the median difference between pairs from the same site, relative to pairs from different sites, was as follows: for different measures of orientation tuning width, 29–35% (drifting gratings) or 15–25% (flashed gratings); for DSI, 24%; and for spatial frequency tuning width measured in octaves, 8% (drifting gratings). The clusterings of all of these measures were much weaker than for preferred orientation (68% decrease) but comparable to that seen for preferred spatial frequency in response to drifting gratings (26%). For the above properties, little difference in clustering was seen between simple and complex cells. In studies of spatial frequency tuning to flashed gratings, strong clustering was seen among simple-cell pairs for tuning width (70% decrease) and preferred frequency (71% decrease), whereas no clustering was seen for simple-complex or complex-complex cell pairs. PMID:25652921

Feedback and feedforward control of frequency tuning to naturalistic stimuli.

PubMed

Chacron, Maurice J; Maler, Leonard; Bastian, Joseph

2005-06-08

Sensory neurons must respond to a wide variety of natural stimuli that can have very different spatiotemporal characteristics. Optimal responsiveness to subsets of these stimuli can be achieved by devoting specialized neural circuitry to different stimulus categories, or, alternatively, this circuitry can be modulated or tuned to optimize responsiveness to current stimulus conditions. This study explores the mechanisms that enable neurons within the initial processing station of the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish to shift their tuning properties based on the spatial extent of the stimulus. These neurons are tuned to low frequencies when the stimulus is restricted to a small region within the receptive field center but are tuned to higher frequencies when the stimulus impinges on large regions of the sensory epithelium. Through a combination of modeling and in vivo electrophysiology, we reveal the respective contributions of the filtering characteristics of extended dendritic structures and feedback circuitry to this shift in tuning. Our results show that low-frequency tuning can result from the cable properties of an extended dendrite that conveys receptor-afferent information to the cell body. The shift from low- to high-frequency tuning, seen in response to spatially extensive stimuli, results from increased wide-band input attributable to activation of larger populations of receptor afferents, as well as the activation of parallel fiber feedback from the cerebellum. This feedback provides a cancellation signal with low-pass characteristics that selectively attenuates low-frequency responsiveness. Thus, with spatially extensive stimuli, these cells preferentially respond to the higher-frequency components of the receptor-afferent input.

Refined tip preparation by electrochemical etching and ultrahigh vacuum treatment to obtain atomically sharp tips for scanning tunneling microscope and atomic force microscope.

PubMed

Hagedorn, Till; El Ouali, Mehdi; Paul, William; Oliver, David; Miyahara, Yoichi; Grütter, Peter

2011-11-01

A modification of the common electrochemical etching setup is presented. The described method reproducibly yields sharp tungsten tips for usage in the scanning tunneling microscope and tuning fork atomic force microscope. In situ treatment under ultrahigh vacuum (p ≤10(-10) mbar) conditions for cleaning and fine sharpening with minimal blunting is described. The structure of the microscopic apex of these tips is atomically resolved with field ion microscopy and cross checked with field emission. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Spectrally selective solar absorber with sharp and temperature dependent cut-off based on semiconductor nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yang; Zhou, Lin; Zheng, Qinghui; Lu, Hong; Gan, Qiaoqiang; Yu, Zongfu; Zhu, Jia

2017-05-01

Spectrally selective absorbers (SSA) with high selectivity of absorption and sharp cut-off between high absorptivity and low emissivity are critical for efficient solar energy conversion. Here, we report the semiconductor nanowire enabled SSA with not only high absorption selectivity but also temperature dependent sharp absorption cut-off. By taking advantage of the temperature dependent bandgap of semiconductors, we systematically demonstrate that the absorption cut-off profile of the semiconductor-nanowire-based SSA can be flexibly tuned, which is quite different from most of the other SSA reported so far. As an example, silicon nanowire based selective absorbers are fabricated, with the measured absorption efficiency above (below) bandgap ˜97% (15%) combined with an extremely sharp absorption cut-off (transition region ˜200 nm), the sharpest SSA demonstrated so far. The demonstrated semiconductor-nanowire-based SSA can enable a high solar thermal efficiency of ≳86% under a wide range of operating conditions, which would be competitive candidates for the concentrated solar energy utilizations.

Tunable plasmon-induced transparency in plasmonic metamaterial composed of three identical rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Yuchen; Ding, Pei; Fan, Chunzhen

2017-10-01

We numerically investigated the plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) effect in a three-dimensional plasmonic metamaterial composed of three identical rings. It is illustrated that the PIT effect appears as a result of the destructive interference between the electric dipole and the quadrupole resonance mode. By tuning gap distance, radius or rotation angle of the metamaterial, the required transmission spectra with a narrow sharp transparency peak can be realized. In particular, it is found that an on-to-off amplitude modulation of the PIT transparency window can be achieved by moving or rotating the horizontal ring. Two dips move to high frequency and low frequency regions, respectively, in the transmission spectra by moving the horizontal ring, namely, the width of transmission peak becomes larger. With the rotation of horizontal ring, both width and position of transmission peak are kept invariant. Our designed structure achieved a maximum group index of 352 in the visible frequency range, which has a significant slow light effect. Moreover, the PIT effect is explained based on the classical two-oscillator theory, which is in well agreement with the numerical results. It indicates our proposed structure and theoretical analysis may open up avenues for the tunable control of light in highly integrated optical circuits.

On the Tuning of High-Resolution NMR Probes

PubMed Central

Pöschko, Maria Theresia; Schlagnitweit, Judith; Huber, Gaspard; Nausner, Martin; Horničáková, Michaela; Desvaux, Hervé; Müller, Norbert

2014-01-01

Three optimum conditions for the tuning of NMR probes are compared: the conventional tuning optimum, which is based on radio-frequency pulse efficiency, the spin noise tuning optimum based on the line shape of the spin noise signal, and the newly introduced frequency shift tuning optimum, which minimizes the frequency pushing effect on strong signals. The latter results if the radiation damping feedback field is not in perfect quadrature to the precessing magnetization. According to the conventional RLC (resistor–inductor–capacitor) resonant circuit model, the optima should be identical, but significant deviations are found experimentally at low temperatures, in particular on cryogenically cooled probes. The existence of different optima with respect to frequency pushing and spin noise line shape has important consequences on the nonlinearity of spin dynamics at high polarization levels and the implementation of experiments on cold probes. PMID:25210000

Control of Ferromagnetic Resonance Frequency and Frequency Linewidth by Electrical Fields in FeCo/[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3]0.68-[PbTiO3]0.32(011) Heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phuoc, Nguyen N.; Ong, C. K.

2016-10-01

We report our detailed investigation of the electrical tuning of the ferromagnetic resonance frequency and frequency linewidth in multiferroic heterostructures consisting of FeCo thin films grown onto [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3) O3]0.68-[PbTiO3]0.32 (PMN-PT) substrates with NiFe underlayers. Our study shows that the electrical tuning range of both ferromagnetic resonance frequency and frequency linewidth in this FeCo/PMN-PT heterostructure can be very large. Specifically, the resonance frequency can be tuned from 1.8 GHz to 10.3 GHz, and the frequency linewidth can be changed from 1.6 GHz to 7.3 GHz. The electrical tuning of these microwave properties is discussed in conjunction with the result from the static magnetic characterization and is explained based on the strain-driven magnetoelectric heterostructured effect.

Frequency tuning of synaptic inhibition underlying duration-tuned neurons in the mammalian inferior colliculus

PubMed Central

Valdizón-Rodríguez, Roberto

2017-01-01

Inhibition plays an important role in creating the temporal response properties of duration-tuned neurons (DTNs) in the mammalian inferior colliculus (IC). Neurophysiological and computational studies indicate that duration selectivity in the IC is created through the convergence of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs offset in time. We used paired-tone stimulation and extracellular recording to measure the frequency tuning of the inhibition acting on DTNs in the IC of the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). We stimulated DTNs with pairs of tones differing in duration, onset time, and frequency. The onset time of a short, best-duration (BD), probe tone set to the best excitatory frequency (BEF) was varied relative to the onset of a longer-duration, nonexcitatory (NE) tone whose frequency was varied. When the NE tone frequency was near or within the cell’s excitatory bandwidth (eBW), BD tone-evoked spikes were suppressed by an onset-evoked inhibition. The onset of the spike suppression was independent of stimulus frequency, but both the offset and duration of the suppression decreased as the NE tone frequency departed from the BEF. We measured the inhibitory frequency response area, best inhibitory frequency (BIF), and inhibitory bandwidth (iBW) of each cell. We found that the BIF closely matched the BEF, but the iBW was broader and usually overlapped the eBW measured from the same cell. These data suggest that temporal selectivity of midbrain DTNs is created and preserved by having cells receive an onset-evoked, constant-latency, broadband inhibition that largely overlaps the cell’s excitatory receptive field. We conclude by discussing possible neural sources of the inhibition. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Duration-tuned neurons (DTNs) arise from temporally offset excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. We used single-unit recording and paired-tone stimulation to measure the spectral tuning of the inhibitory inputs to DTNs. The onset of inhibition was independent of stimulus frequency; the offset and duration of inhibition systematically decreased as the stimulus departed from the cell’s best excitatory frequency. Best inhibitory frequencies matched best excitatory frequencies; however, inhibitory bandwidths were more broadly tuned than excitatory bandwidths. PMID:28100657

Audit of sharp weapon deaths in metropolis of Karachi--an autopsy based study.

PubMed

Mirza, Farhat Hussain; Hasan, Qudsia; Memon, Akhtar Amin; Adil, Syeda Ezz-e-Rukhshan

2010-01-01

Sharp weapons are one of the most violent and abhorrent means of deaths. This study assesses the frequency of sharp weapon deaths in Karachi. This was a cross sectional study, and involves the deaths by sharp weapons autopsied in Karachi during Mar 2008-Feb 2009. This study reports that the frequency of sharp weapon deaths in Karachi is similar to some other studies conducted in different regions of Pakistan, yet it is very high as the population of Karachi is way more than any other metropolis of Pakistan. Our study reported that out of 2090 medico-legal deaths in Karachi during the study period, 91 deaths were due to sharp weapons, including 73 (80.2%) males and 18 (19.8%) females. 100% of the deaths were homicides, so none were suicides. Deaths were more frequent in age group ranging from 20-39 years (59.3%). Sharp weapon deaths continue to be a means of quite a number of deaths in Karachi. Such violence depicts intolerant and frustrated nature of the citizens.

Synchronisation hubs in the visual cortex may arise from strong rhythmic inhibition during gamma oscillations.

PubMed

Folias, Stefanos E; Yu, Shan; Snyder, Abigail; Nikolić, Danko; Rubin, Jonathan E

2013-09-01

Neurons in the visual cortex exhibit heterogeneity in feature selectivity and the tendency to generate action potentials synchronously with other nearby neurons. By examining visual responses from cat area 17 we found that, during gamma oscillations, there was a positive correlation between each unit's sharpness of orientation tuning, strength of oscillations, and propensity towards synchronisation with other units. Using a computational model, we demonstrated that heterogeneity in the strength of rhythmic inhibitory inputs can account for the correlations between these three properties. Neurons subject to strong inhibition tend to oscillate strongly in response to both optimal and suboptimal stimuli and synchronise promiscuously with other neurons, even if they have different orientation preferences. Moreover, these strongly inhibited neurons can exhibit sharp orientation selectivity provided that the inhibition they receive is broadly tuned relative to their excitatory inputs. These results predict that the strength and orientation tuning of synaptic inhibition are heterogeneous across area 17 neurons, which could have important implications for these neurons' sensory processing capabilities. Furthermore, although our experimental recordings were conducted in the visual cortex, our model and simulation results can apply more generally to any brain region with analogous neuron types in which heterogeneity in the strength of rhythmic inhibition can arise during gamma oscillations. © 2013 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

1.55-μm mode-locked quantum-dot lasers with 300 MHz frequency tuning range

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

Sadeev, T., E-mail: tagir@mailbox.tu-berlin.de; Arsenijević, D.; Bimberg, D.

2015-01-19

Passive mode-locking of two-section quantum-dot mode-locked lasers grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on InP is reported. 1250-μm long lasers exhibit a wide tuning range of 300 MHz around the fundamental mode-locking frequency of 33.48 GHz. The frequency tuning is achieved by varying the reverse bias of the saturable absorber from 0 to −2.2 V and the gain section current from 90 to 280 mA. 3 dB optical spectra width of 6–7 nm leads to ex-facet optical pulses with full-width half-maximum down to 3.7 ps. Single-section quantum-dot mode-locked lasers show 0.8 ps broad optical pulses after external fiber-based compression. Injection current tuning from 70 tomore » 300 mA leads to 30 MHz frequency tuning.« less

Spectral behavior of a terahertz quantum-cascade laser.

PubMed

Hensley, J M; Montoya, Juan; Allen, M G; Xu, J; Mahler, L; Tredicucci, A; Beere, H E; Ritchie, D A

2009-10-26

In this paper, the spectral behavior of two terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) operating both pulsed and cw is characterized using a heterodyne technique. Both lasers emitting around 2.5 THz are combined onto a whisker contact Schottky diode mixer mounted in a corner cube reflector. The resulting difference frequency beatnote is recorded in both the time and frequency domain. From the frequency domain data, we measure the effective laser linewidth and the tuning rates as a function of both temperature and injection current and show that the current tuning behavior cannot be explained by temperature tuning mechanisms alone. From the time domain data, we characterize the intrapulse frequency tuning behavior, which limits the effective linewidth to approximately 5 MHz.

Turbine bucket natural frequency tuning rib

DOEpatents

Wang, John Zhiqiang; Norton, Paul Francis; Barb, Kevin Joseph; Jacala, Ariel Caesar-Prepena

2002-01-01

A tuning rib is added preferably in the aft cavity of a cored turbine bucket to alter the bucket's natural frequencies. The tuning rib may be a solid rib or a segmented rib and is particularly suited for altering high order frequency modes such as 2T, 4F and 1-3S. As such, detrimental crossings of natural bucket frequencies and gas turbine stimuli can be avoided to thereby improve the reliability of a gas turbine without impacting other features of the bucket that are important to the performance of the gas turbine.

Tuning a Tetrahertz Wire Laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Qin, Qi; Williams, Benjamin S.; Kumar, Sushil; Reno, John L.; Hu, Qing

2009-01-01

Tunable terahertz lasers are desirable in applications in sensing and spectroscopy because many biochemical species have strong spectral fingerprints at terahertz frequencies. Conventionally, the frequency of a laser is tuned in a similar manner to a stringed musical instrument, in which pitch is varied by changing the length of the string (the longitudinal component of the wave vector) and/ or its tension (the refractive index). However, such methods are difficult to implement in terahertz semiconductor lasers because of their poor outcoupling efficiencies. Here, we demonstrate a novel tuning mechanism based on a unique 'wire laser' device for which the transverse dimension w is much much less than lambda. Placing a movable object close to the wire laser manipulates a large fraction of the waveguided mode propagating outside the cavity, thereby tuning its resonant frequency. Continuous single-mode redshift and blueshift tuning is demonstrated for the same device by using either a dielectric or metallic movable object. In combination, this enables a frequency tuning of approximately equal to 137 GHz (3.6%) from a single laser device at approximately equal to 3.8 THz.

Target dependence of orientation and direction selectivity of corticocortical projection neurons in the mouse V1

PubMed Central

Matsui, Teppei; Ohki, Kenichi

2013-01-01

Higher order visual areas that receive input from the primary visual cortex (V1) are specialized for the processing of distinct features of visual information. However, it is still incompletely understood how this functional specialization is acquired. Here we used in vivo two photon calcium imaging in the mouse visual cortex to investigate whether this functional distinction exists at as early as the level of projections from V1 to two higher order visual areas, AL and LM. Specifically, we examined whether sharpness of orientation and direction selectivity and optimal spatial and temporal frequency of projection neurons from V1 to higher order visual areas match with that of target areas. We found that the V1 input to higher order visual areas were indeed functionally distinct: AL preferentially received inputs from V1 that were more orientation and direction selective and tuned for lower spatial frequency compared to projection of V1 to LM, consistent with functional differences between AL and LM. The present findings suggest that selective projections from V1 to higher order visual areas initiates parallel processing of sensory information in the visual cortical network. PMID:24068987

Silicon Integrated Cavity Optomechanical Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Jie; Miao, Houxun; Michels, Thomas; Liu, Yuxiang; Srinivasan, Kartik; Aksyuk, Vladimir

2013-03-01

Cavity optomechanics enables measurements of mechanical motion at the fundamental limits of precision imposed by quantum mechanics. However, the need to align and couple devices to off-chip optical components hinders development, miniaturization and broader application of ultrahigh sensitivity chip-scale optomechanical transducers. Here we demonstrate a fully integrated and optical fiber pigtailed optomechanical transducer with a high Q silicon micro-disk cavity near-field coupled to a nanoscale cantilever. We detect the motion of the cantilever by measuring the resonant frequency shift of the whispering gallery mode of the micro-disk. The sensitivity near the standard quantum limit can be reached with sub-uW optical power. Our on-chip approach combines compactness and stability with great design flexibility: the geometry of the micro-disk and cantilever can be tailored to optimize the mechanical/optical Q factors and tune the mechanical frequency over two orders of magnitudes. Electrical transduction in addition to optical transduction was also demonstrated and both can be used to effectively cool the cantilever. Moreover, cantilevers with sharp tips overhanging the chip edge were fabricated to potentially allow the mechanical cantilever to be coupled to a wide range of off-chip systems, such as spins, DNA, nanostructures and atoms on clean surfaces.

Comparative physiology of sound localization in four species of owls.

PubMed

Volman, S F; Konishi, M

1990-01-01

Bilateral ear asymmetry is found in some, but not all, species of owls. We investigated the neural basis of sound localization in symmetrical and asymmetrical species, to deduce how ear asymmetry might have evolved from the ancestral condition, by comparing the response properties of neurons in the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICx) of the symmetrical burrowing owl and asymmetrical long-eared owl with previous findings in the symmetrical great horned owl and asymmetrical barn owl. In the ICx of all of these owls, the neurons had spatially restricted receptive fields, and auditory space was topographically mapped. In the symmetrical owls, ICx units were not restricted in elevation, and only azimuth was mapped in ICx. In the barn owl, the space map is two-dimensional, with elevation forming the second dimension. Receptive fields in the long-eared owl were somewhat restricted in elevation, but their tuning was not sharp enough to determine if elevation is mapped. In every species, the primary cue for azimuth was interaural time difference, although ICx units were also tuned for interaural intensity difference (IID). In the barn owl, the IIDs of sounds with frequencies between about 5 and 8 kHz vary systematically with elevation, and the IID selectivity of ICx neurons primarily encodes elevation. In the symmetrical owls, whose ICx neurons do not respond to frequencies above about 5 kHz, IID appears to be a supplementary cue for azimuth. We hypothesize that ear asymmetry can be exploited by owls that have evolved the higher-frequency hearing necessary to generate elevation cues. Thus, the IID selectivity of ICx neurons in symmetrical owls may preadapt them for asymmetry; the neural circuitry that underlies IID selectivity is already present in symmetrical owls, but because IID is not absolutely required to encode azimuth it can come to encode elevation in asymmetrical owls.

A novel scaling law relating the geometrical dimensions of a photocathode radio frequency gun to its radio frequency properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lal, Shankar; Pant, K. K.; Krishnagopal, S.

2011-12-01

Developing a photocathode RF gun with the desired RF properties of the π-mode, such as field balance (eb) ˜1, resonant frequency fπ = 2856 MHz, and waveguide-to-cavity coupling coefficient βπ ˜1, requires precise tuning of the resonant frequencies of the independent full- and half-cells (ff and fh), and of the waveguide-to-full-cell coupling coefficient (βf). While contemporary electromagnetic codes and precision machining capability have made it possible to design and tune independent cells of a photocathode RF gun for desired RF properties, thereby eliminating the need for tuning, access to such computational resources and quality of machining is not very widespread. Therefore, many such structures require tuning after machining by employing conventional tuning techniques that are iterative in nature. Any procedure that improves understanding of the tuning process and consequently reduces the number of iterations and the associated risks in tuning a photocathode gun would, therefore, be useful. In this paper, we discuss a method devised by us to tune a photocathode RF gun for desired RF properties under operating conditions. We develop and employ a simple scaling law that accounts for inter-dependence between frequency of independent cells and waveguide-to-cavity coupling coefficient, and the effect of brazing clearance for joining of the two cells. The method has been employed to successfully develop multiple 1.6 cell BNL/SLAC/UCLA type S-band photocathode RF guns with the desired RF properties, without the need to tune them by a tiresome cut-and-measure process. Our analysis also provides a physical insight into how the geometrical dimensions affect the RF properties of the photo-cathode RF gun.

Frequency adjustable MEMS vibration energy harvester

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Podder, P.; Constantinou, P.; Amann, A.; Roy, S.

2016-10-01

Ambient mechanical vibrations offer an attractive solution for powering the wireless sensor nodes of the emerging “Internet-of-Things”. However, the wide-ranging variability of the ambient vibration frequencies pose a significant challenge to the efficient transduction of vibration into usable electrical energy. This work reports the development of a MEMS electromagnetic vibration energy harvester where the resonance frequency of the oscillator can be adjusted or tuned to adapt to the ambient vibrational frequency. Micro-fabricated silicon spring and double layer planar micro-coils along with sintered NdFeB micro-magnets are used to construct the electromagnetic transduction mechanism. Furthermore, another NdFeB magnet is adjustably assembled to induce variable magnetic interaction with the transducing magnet, leading to significant change in the spring stiffness and resonance frequency. Finite element analysis and numerical simulations exhibit substantial frequency tuning range (25% of natural resonance frequency) by appropriate adjustment of the repulsive magnetic interaction between the tuning and transducing magnet pair. This demonstrated method of frequency adjustment or tuning have potential applications in other MEMS vibration energy harvesters and micromechanical oscillators.

Estimating human cochlear tuning behaviorally via forward masking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oxenham, Andrew J.; Kreft, Heather A.

2018-05-01

The cochlea is where sound vibrations are transduced into the initial neural code for hearing. Despite the intervening stages of auditory processing, a surprising number of auditory perceptual phenomena can be explained in terms of the cochlea's biomechanical transformations. The quest to relate perception to these transformations has a long and distinguished history. Given its long history, it is perhaps surprising that something as fundamental as the link between frequency tuning in the cochlea and perception remains a controversial and active topic of investigation. Here we review some recent developments in our understanding of the relationship between cochlear frequency tuning and behavioral measures of frequency selectivity in humans. We show that forward masking using the notched-noise technique can produce reliable estimates of tuning that are in line with predictions from stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions.

Frequency-specific attentional modulation in human primary auditory cortex and midbrain.

PubMed

Riecke, Lars; Peters, Judith C; Valente, Giancarlo; Poser, Benedikt A; Kemper, Valentin G; Formisano, Elia; Sorger, Bettina

2018-07-01

Paying selective attention to an audio frequency selectively enhances activity within primary auditory cortex (PAC) at the tonotopic site (frequency channel) representing that frequency. Animal PAC neurons achieve this 'frequency-specific attentional spotlight' by adapting their frequency tuning, yet comparable evidence in humans is scarce. Moreover, whether the spotlight operates in human midbrain is unknown. To address these issues, we studied the spectral tuning of frequency channels in human PAC and inferior colliculus (IC), using 7-T functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) and frequency mapping, while participants focused on different frequency-specific sounds. We found that shifts in frequency-specific attention alter the response gain, but not tuning profile, of PAC frequency channels. The gain modulation was strongest in low-frequency channels and varied near-monotonically across the tonotopic axis, giving rise to the attentional spotlight. We observed less prominent, non-tonotopic spatial patterns of attentional modulation in IC. These results indicate that the frequency-specific attentional spotlight in human PAC as measured with FMRI arises primarily from tonotopic gain modulation, rather than adapted frequency tuning. Moreover, frequency-specific attentional modulation of afferent sound processing in human IC seems to be considerably weaker, suggesting that the spotlight diminishes toward this lower-order processing stage. Our study sheds light on how the human auditory pathway adapts to the different demands of selective hearing. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Self-Tuning Impact Damper for Rotating Blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pufy, Kirsten P. (Inventor); Brown, Gerald V. (Inventor); Bagley, Ronald L. (Inventor)

2004-01-01

A self-tuning impact damper is disclosed that absorbs and dissipates vibration energy in the blades of rotors in compressors and/or turbines thereby dramatically extending their service life and operational readiness. The self-tuning impact damper uses the rotor speed to tune the resonant frequency of a rattling mass to an engine order excitation frequency. The rating mass dissipates energy through collisions between the rattling mass and the walls of a cavity of the self-tuning impact damper, as well as though friction between the rattling mass and the base of the cavity. In one embodiment, the self-tuning impact damper has a ball-in-trough configuration with tire ball serving as the rattling mass.

Tuning the resonance frequencies and mode shapes in a large range multi-degree of freedom micromirror.

PubMed

Morrison, Jessica; Imboden, Matthias; Bishop, David J

2017-04-03

The ability to actively shift the primary resonance of a 2D scanning micromirror allows the user to set the scanning direction, set the scanning frequency, and lift otherwise degenerate modes in a symmetrically designed system. In most cases, resonant scanning micromirrors require frequency stability in order to perform imaging and projection functions properly. This paper suggests a method to tune the tip and tilt resonant frequencies in real time while actively suppressing or allowing degeneracy of the two modes in a symmetric electrothermal micromirror. We show resonant frequency tuning with a range of degeneracy separation of 470 Hz or by approximately ±15% and controllable coupling.

Power suppression at large scales in string inflation

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

Cicoli, Michele; Downes, Sean; Dutta, Bhaskar, E-mail: mcicoli@ictp.it, E-mail: sddownes@physics.tamu.edu, E-mail: dutta@physics.tamu.edu

2013-12-01

We study a possible origin of the anomalous suppression of the power spectrum at large angular scales in the cosmic microwave background within the framework of explicit string inflationary models where inflation is driven by a closed string modulus parameterizing the size of the extra dimensions. In this class of models the apparent power loss at large scales is caused by the background dynamics which involves a sharp transition from a fast-roll power law phase to a period of Starobinsky-like slow-roll inflation. An interesting feature of this class of string inflationary models is that the number of e-foldings of inflationmore » is inversely proportional to the string coupling to a positive power. Therefore once the string coupling is tuned to small values in order to trust string perturbation theory, enough e-foldings of inflation are automatically obtained without the need of extra tuning. Moreover, in the less tuned cases the sharp transition responsible for the power loss takes place just before the last 50-60 e-foldings of inflation. We illustrate these general claims in the case of Fibre Inflation where we study the strength of this transition in terms of the attractor dynamics, finding that it induces a pivot from a blue to a redshifted power spectrum which can explain the apparent large scale power loss. We compute the effects of this pivot for example cases and demonstrate how magnitude and duration of this effect depend on model parameters.« less

Power suppression at large scales in string inflation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cicoli, Michele; Downes, Sean; Dutta, Bhaskar

2013-12-01

We study a possible origin of the anomalous suppression of the power spectrum at large angular scales in the cosmic microwave background within the framework of explicit string inflationary models where inflation is driven by a closed string modulus parameterizing the size of the extra dimensions. In this class of models the apparent power loss at large scales is caused by the background dynamics which involves a sharp transition from a fast-roll power law phase to a period of Starobinsky-like slow-roll inflation. An interesting feature of this class of string inflationary models is that the number of e-foldings of inflation is inversely proportional to the string coupling to a positive power. Therefore once the string coupling is tuned to small values in order to trust string perturbation theory, enough e-foldings of inflation are automatically obtained without the need of extra tuning. Moreover, in the less tuned cases the sharp transition responsible for the power loss takes place just before the last 50-60 e-foldings of inflation. We illustrate these general claims in the case of Fibre Inflation where we study the strength of this transition in terms of the attractor dynamics, finding that it induces a pivot from a blue to a redshifted power spectrum which can explain the apparent large scale power loss. We compute the effects of this pivot for example cases and demonstrate how magnitude and duration of this effect depend on model parameters.

Distortion-product otoacoustic emission suppression tuning curves in humans

PubMed Central

Gorga, Michael P.; Neely, Stephen T.; Kopun, Judy; Tan, Hongyang

2011-01-01

Distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) suppression data as a function of suppressor level (L3) for f2 frequencies from 0.5 to 8 kHz and L2 levels from 10 to 60 dB sensation level were used to construct suppression tuning curves (STCs). DPOAE levels in the presence of suppressors were converted into decrement versus L3 functions, and the L3 levels resulting in 3 dB decrements were derived by transformed linear regression. These L3 levels were plotted as a function of f3 to construct STCs. When f3 is represented on an octave scale, STCs were similar in shape across f2 frequency. These STCs were analyzed to provide estimates of gain (tip-to-tail difference) and tuning (QERB). Both gain and tuning decreased as L2 increased, regardless of f2, but the trend with f2 was not monotonic. A roughly linear relation was observed between gain and tuning at each frequency, such that gain increased by 4–16 dB (mean ≈ 5 dB) for every unit increase in QERB, although the pattern varied with frequency. These findings suggest consistent nonlinear processing across a wide frequency range in humans, although the nonlinear operation range is frequency dependent. PMID:21361440

Widely tunable laser frequency offset lock with 30 GHz range and 5 THz offset.

PubMed

Biesheuvel, J; Noom, D W E; Salumbides, E J; Sheridan, K T; Ubachs, W; Koelemeij, J C J

2013-06-17

We demonstrate a simple and versatile method to greatly extend the tuning range of optical frequency shifting devices, such as acousto-optic modulators (AOMs). We use this method to stabilize the frequency of a tunable narrow-band continuous-wave (CW) laser to a transmission maximum of an external Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) with a tunable frequency offset. This is achieved through a servo loop which contains an in-loop AOM for simple radiofrequency (RF) tuning of the optical frequency over the full 30 GHz mode-hop-free tuning range of the CW laser. By stabilizing the length of the FPI to a stabilized helium-neon (HeNe) laser (at 5 THz offset from the tunable laser) we simultaneously transfer the ~ 1 MHz absolute frequency stability of the HeNe laser to the entire 30 GHz range of the tunable laser. Thus, our method allows simple, wide-range, fast and reproducible optical frequency tuning and absolute optical frequency measurements through RF electronics, which is here demonstrated by repeatedly recording a 27-GHz-wide molecular iodine spectrum at scan rates up to 500 MHz/s. General technical aspects that determine the performance of the method are discussed in detail.

Acoustics of Korean percussion instruments: Pyeongyeong and pyeonjong

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, Junehee

2005-11-01

The pyeongyeong and the pyeonjong have long been cherished as standard instruments in Korean court music. Pyeongyeong is a set of sixteen L-shaped chime stones and pyeonjong is a set of sixteen oval chime bells. To figure out the acoustical properties of the pyeongyeong and the pyeonjong, the vibrational modes are obtained by using FFT analyzers, accelerometer scanning, TV holography, and impact hammer testing. Especially to test the geometry effects on the tuning, the finite element method is introduced. The pyeongyeong covers one and one third octave from 528.6 Hz to 1262.8 Hz. The nominal frequency of the first stone, whangjong, is 528.6 Hz which is 17.6 cents higher than 523.25 Hz, the frequency of the C5 note in the A440 tempered scale. The second mode is tuned to about 1.5 times the nominal frequency, which means the second partial is tuned to be a perfect fifth above the nominal. The third mode is tuned to about 2.3 times the nominal frequency. Mode shapes of a gyeong from three different methods agree with each other. In most cases, the modes seem to be combinations of bending and torsional motion. The calculated results by using the finite element method show that the ratio frequencies of higher modes rise as the vertex angle of a gyeong changes from 90 degrees to 180 degrees. The curvatures of the baseline affect the tuning of the stone, but the effects are smaller than those of the vertex angle. The geometry of the gyeong affects the tuning of the stone. The pyeonjong covers one and one third octave from 267.95 Hz to 634.74 Hz. The nominal frequency of the first bell, whangiong , is 267.95 Hz. The second mode (i.e. (2,0)b) is tuned to about 1.09 times the nominal frequency (i.e. (2,0)a) mode. The third mode (i.e. (3,0)b) is tuned to about 2.62 times the nominal frequency. The fourth mode (3,0), is tuned 2.72 times the nominal frequency, a perfect fourth plus 39 cents above the octave. Mode shapes of the bells, determined by electronic TV holography, are described by m, the number of nodal meridians and n, the number of nodal circles. Like Chinese two-tone bells, the bells in pyeonjong have "a" and "b" modes with the same (m, n) designation. The mode shapes agree very well with the results from former studies.

Commissioning of two RF operation modes for RF negative ion source experimental setup at HUST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, D.; Chen, D.; Liu, K.; Zhao, P.; Zuo, C.; Wang, X.; Wang, H.; Zhang, L.

2017-08-01

An RF-driven negative ion source experimental setup, without a cesium oven and an extraction system, has been built at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST). The working gas is hydrogen, and the typical operational gas pressure is 0.3 Pa. The RF generator is capable of delivering up to 20 kW at 0.9 - 1.1 MHz, and has two operation modes, the fixed-frequency mode and auto-tuning mode. In the fixed-frequency mode, it outputs a steady RF forward power (Pf) at a fixed frequency. In the auto-tuning mode, it adjusts the operating frequency to seek and track the minimum standing wave ratio (SWR) during plasma discharge. To achieve fast frequency tuning, the RF signal source adopts a direct digital synthesizer (DDS). To withstand high SWR during the discharge, a tetrode amplifier is chosen as the final stage amplifier. The trend of maximum power reflection coefficient |ρ|2 at plasma ignition is presented at the fixed frequency of 1.02 MHz with the Pf increasing from 5 kW to 20 kW, which shows the maximum |ρ|2 tends to be "steady" under high RF power. The experiments in auto-tuning mode fail due to over-current protection of screen grid. The possible reason is the relatively large equivalent anode impedance caused by the frequency tuning. The corresponding analysis and possible solution are presented.

Temporal properties of responses to sound in the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus.

PubMed

Recio-Spinoso, Alberto; Joris, Philip X

2014-02-01

Besides the rapid fluctuations in pressure that constitute the "fine structure" of a sound stimulus, slower fluctuations in the sound's envelope represent an important temporal feature. At various stages in the auditory system, neurons exhibit tuning to envelope frequency and have been described as modulation filters. We examine such tuning in the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (VNLL) of the pentobarbital-anesthetized cat. The VNLL is a large but poorly accessible auditory structure that provides a massive inhibitory input to the inferior colliculus. We test whether envelope filtering effectively applies to the envelope spectrum when multiple envelope components are simultaneously present. We find two broad classes of response with often complementary properties. The firing rate of onset neurons is tuned to a band of modulation frequencies, over which they also synchronize strongly to the envelope waveform. Although most sustained neurons show little firing rate dependence on modulation frequency, some of them are weakly tuned. The latter neurons are usually band-pass or low-pass tuned in synchronization, and a reverse-correlation approach demonstrates that their modulation tuning is preserved to nonperiodic, noisy envelope modulations of a tonal carrier. Modulation tuning to this type of stimulus is weaker for onset neurons. In response to broadband noise, sustained and onset neurons tend to filter out envelope components over a frequency range consistent with their modulation tuning to periodically modulated tones. The results support a role for VNLL in providing temporal reference signals to the auditory midbrain.

Testing inferior colliculus neurons for selectivity to the rate or duration of frequency modulated sweeps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faure, Paul A.; Morrison, James A.; Valdizón-Rodríguez, Roberto

2018-05-01

Here we propose a method for testing how the responses of so-called "FM duration-tuned neurons (DTNs)" encode temporal properties of frequency modulated (FM) sweeps to determine if the responses of so-called "FM duration-tuned neurons (DTNs)" are tuned to FM rate or FM duration. Based on previous studies it was unclear if the responses of "FM DTNs" were tuned to signal duration, like pure-tone DTNs, or FM sweep rate. We tested this using single-unit extracellular recording in the inferior colliculus (IC) of the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). We presented IC cells with linear FM sweeps that were varied in FM center frequency (CEF) and spectral bandwidth (BW) to measure the FM rate tuning responses of a cell. We also varied FM signal duration to measure the best duration (BD) and temporal BW of duration tuning of a cell. We then doubled (and halved) the best FM BW, while keeping the CEF constant, and remeasured the BD and temporal BW of duration tuning with FM bandwidth manipulated signals. We reasoned that the range of excitatory signal durations should not change in a true FM DTN whose responses are tuned to signal duration; however, when stimulated with bandwidth manipulated FM sounds the range of excitatory signal durations should predictably vary in a FM rate-tuned cell. Preliminary data indicate that our stimulus paradigm can disambiguate whether the evoked responses of an IC neuron are FM sweep rate tuned or FM duration tuned.

Homeostatic enhancement of sensory transduction

PubMed Central

Milewski, Andrew R.; Ó Maoiléidigh, Dáibhid; Salvi, Joshua D.; Hudspeth, A. J.

2017-01-01

Our sense of hearing boasts exquisite sensitivity, precise frequency discrimination, and a broad dynamic range. Experiments and modeling imply, however, that the auditory system achieves this performance for only a narrow range of parameter values. Small changes in these values could compromise hair cells’ ability to detect stimuli. We propose that, rather than exerting tight control over parameters, the auditory system uses a homeostatic mechanism that increases the robustness of its operation to variation in parameter values. To slowly adjust the response to sinusoidal stimulation, the homeostatic mechanism feeds back a rectified version of the hair bundle’s displacement to its adaptation process. When homeostasis is enforced, the range of parameter values for which the sensitivity, tuning sharpness, and dynamic range exceed specified thresholds can increase by more than an order of magnitude. Signatures in the hair cell’s behavior provide a means to determine through experiment whether such a mechanism operates in the auditory system. Robustness of function through homeostasis may be ensured in any system through mechanisms similar to those that we describe here. PMID:28760949

Mechanical and electrical tuning in a tonotopically organized insect ear

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hummel, Jennifer; Schöneich, Stefan; Hedwig, Berthold; Kössl, Manfred; Nowotny, Manuela

2015-12-01

The high-frequency hearing organ of bushcrickets - the crista acustica (CA) - is tonotopically organized. Details about the mechano-electrical transduction mechanisms within the sensory-cell complex, however, remain unknown. In the recent study, we investigated and compared the anatomical, mechanical and electrophysiological properties of the CA and reveal a strong correlation of the mechanical and neuronal frequency tuning, which is supported by an anatomical gradient along the CA. Only in the distal high-frequency region of the CA a discrepancy between a strong mechanical response to low frequencies <30 kHz and a neuronal response that was restricted to frequencies >30 kHz was found. Therefore, we suggest that there might be additional intrinsic tuning mechanisms in the sensory cells of the distal region to distinguish the frequency content of sound.

Isotope enrichment by frequency-tripled temperature tuned neodymium laser photolysis of formaldehyde

DOEpatents

Marling, John B.

1977-01-01

Enrichment of carbon, hydrogen and/or oxygen isotopes by means of isotopically selective photo-predissociation of formaldehyde is achieved by irradiation provided by a frequency-tripled, temperature tuned neodymium laser.

Analysis of tuning methods in semiconductor frequency-selective surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shemelya, Corey; Palm, Dominic; Fip, Tassilo; Rahm, Marco

2017-02-01

Advanced technology, such as sensing and communication equipment, has recently begun to combine optically sensitive nano-scale structures with customizable semiconductor material systems. Included within this broad field of study is the aptly named frequency-selective surface; which is unique in that it can be artificially designed to produce a specific electromagnetic or optical response. With the inherent utility of a frequency-selective surface, there has been an increased interest in the area of dynamic frequency-selective surfaces, which can be altered through optical or electrical tuning. This area has had exciting break throughs as tuning methods have evolved; however, these methods are typically energy intensive (optical tuning) or have met with limited success (electrical tuning). As such, this work investigates multiple structures and processes which implement semiconductor electrical biasing and/or optical tuning. Within this study are surfaces ranging from transmission meta-structures to metamaterial surface-waves and the associated coupling schemes. This work shows the utility of each design, while highlighting potential methods for optimizing dynamic meta-surfaces. As an added constraint, the structures were also designed to operate in unison with a state-of-the-art Ti:Sapphire Spitfire Ace and Spitfire Ace PA dual system (12 Watt) with pulse front matching THz generation and an EOS detection system. Additionally, the Ti:Sapphire laser system would provide the means for optical tunablity, while electrical tuning can be obtained through external power supplies.

Effects of reversible noise exposure on the suppression tuning of rabbit distortion-product otoacoustic emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howard, Mackenzie A.; Stagner, Barden B.; Lonsbury-Martin, Brenda L.; Martin, Glen K.

2002-01-01

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) at 2f1-f2 can be suppressed by the introduction of a third ``suppressor'' tone. Plotting the suppression of the DPOAE level against the changing frequency and level of the suppressor produces frequency-tuning functions referred to as suppression tuning curves (STCs). The dominant features of STCs, including their shape, are similar to the features of neural tuning curves (NTCs) recorded from single auditory nerve fibers. However, recent findings using reversible diuretics suggest that STCs do not provide the same measure of cochlear frequency selectivity as provided by NTCs. To determine if STCs are also insensitive to the adverse effects of excessive sounds, the present study exposed rabbits to a moderate-level noise that produced temporary threshold shift-like (TTS) effects on DPOAEs, and examined the influence of such exposures on STCs. DPOAEs were produced using primary tones with geometric-mean frequencies centered at 2.8 or 4 kHz, and with L1 and L2 values of 45/45, 50/35, 50/50, and 55/45 dB SPL. STCs were obtained before and during recovery for a period of approximately 2 h immediately following, and at 1, 2, 3, and 7 d post-exposure to a 2 kHz octave band noise, at levels and durations sufficient to cause significant but reversible reductions in DPOAE levels. STC data included tip center frequency, tip threshold, and Q10dB measures of tuning for suppression criteria of 3, 6, 9, and 12 dB. Recovery was variable between animals, but all rabbits recovered fully by 7 d post-exposure. STC center frequencies measured during the TTS typically tuned to a slightly higher frequency, while tip thresholds tended to decrease and Q10dB increase. Together, the results indicate that, despite similarities in the general properties of STCs and NTCs, these two types of tuning curves are affected differently following reversible cochlear insult.

A pseudo differential Gm—C complex filter with frequency tuning for IEEE802.15.4 applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Cheng; Lungui, Zhong; Haigang, Yang; Fei, Liu; Tongqiang, Gao

2011-07-01

This paper presents a CMOS Gm—C complex filter for a low-IF receiver of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. A pseudo differential OTA with reconfigurable common mode feedback and common mode feed-forward is proposed as well as the frequency tuning method based on a relaxation oscillator. A detailed analysis of non-ideality of the OTA and the frequency tuning method is elaborated. The analysis and measurement results have shown that the center frequency of the complex filter could be tuned accurately. The chip was fabricated in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS process, with a single 3.3 V power supply. The filter consumes 2.1mA current, has a measured in-band group delay ripple of less than 0.16 μs and an IRR larger than 28 dB at 2 MHz apart, which could meet the requirements oftheIEEE802.15.4 standard.

Magnetoresistance engineering and singlet/triplet switching in InAs nanowire quantum dots with ferromagnetic sidegates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fábián, G.; Makk, P.; Madsen, M. H.; Nygârd, J.; Schönenberger, C.; Baumgartner, A.

2016-11-01

We present magnetoresistance (MR) experiments on an InAs nanowire quantum dot device with two ferromagnetic sidegates (FSGs) in a split-gate geometry. The wire segment can be electrically tuned to a single dot or to a double dot regime using the FSGs and a backgate. In both regimes we find a strong MR and a sharp MR switching of up to 25% at the field at which the magnetizations of the FSGs are inverted by the external field. The sign and amplitude of the MR and the MR switching can both be tuned electrically by the FSGs. In a double dot regime close to pinch-off we find two sharp transitions in the conductance, reminiscent of tunneling MR (TMR) between two ferromagnetic contacts, with one transition near zero and one at the FSG switching fields. These surprisingly rich characteristics we explain in several simple resonant tunneling models. For example, the TMR-like MR can be understood as a stray-field controlled transitions between singlet and triplet double dot states. Such local magnetic fields are the key elements in various proposals to engineer novel states of matter and may be used for testing electron spin based Bell inequalities.

GABAergic inhibition shapes frequency tuning and modifies response properties in the superior olivary nucleus of the leopard frog.

PubMed

Zheng, W; Hall, J C

2000-01-01

The role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibition in shaping the excitatory frequency tuning of 74 neurons in the superior olivary nucleus of the leopard frog, Rana pipiens, was studied using iontophoretic application of the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline methiodide. For 37 neurons, bicuculline application broadened and/or changed the configuration of the excitatory frequency-tuning curve. Results indicate that GABA-mediated inhibition not only sharpens the tuning curves of neurons but also plays a critical role in creating new frequency tuning properties in the superior olivary nucleus. Bicuculline application affected other neuronal response properties as well. Spontaneous firing rate increased 11-338% for 18 of 59 neurons. For 32 of 58 neurons there was an increase in stimulus-evoked discharge rate and a change in rate-level function. There was no qualitative effect on the discharge pattern of 60 neurons, though 2 tonically responding neurons did show an increase (> 30%) in response duration. Additional roles for GABAergic inhibition in monaural signal analysis are discussed.

Motion mechanisms with different spatiotemporal characteristics identified by an MAE technique with superimposed gratings.

PubMed

Shioiri, Satoshi; Matsumiya, Kazumichi

2009-05-29

We investigated spatiotemporal characteristics of motion mechanisms using a new type of motion aftereffect (MAE) we found. Our stimulus comprised two superimposed sinusoidal gratings with different spatial frequencies. After exposure to the moving stimulus, observers perceived the MAE in the static test in the direction opposite to that of the high spatial frequency grating even when low spatial frequency motion was perceived during adaptation. In contrast, in the flicker test, the MAE was perceived in the direction opposite to that of the low spatial frequency grating. These MAEs indicate that two different motion systems contribute to motion perception and can be isolated by using different test stimuli. Using a psychophysical technique based on the MAE, we investigated the differences between the two motion mechanisms. The results showed that the static MAE is the aftereffect of the motion system with a high spatial and low temporal frequency tuning (slow motion detector) and the flicker MAE is the aftereffect of the motion system with a low spatial and high temporal frequency tuning (fast motion detector). We also revealed that the two motion detectors differ in orientation tuning, temporal frequency tuning, and sensitivity to relative motion.

Apparatus and Method to Enable Precision and Fast Laser Frequency Tuning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Jeffrey R. (Inventor); Numata, Kenji (Inventor); Wu, Stewart T. (Inventor); Yang, Guangning (Inventor)

2015-01-01

An apparatus and method is provided to enable precision and fast laser frequency tuning. For instance, a fast tunable slave laser may be dynamically offset-locked to a reference laser line using an optical phase-locked loop. The slave laser is heterodyned against a reference laser line to generate a beatnote that is subsequently frequency divided. The phase difference between the divided beatnote and a reference signal may be detected to generate an error signal proportional to the phase difference. The error signal is converted into appropriate feedback signals to phase lock the divided beatnote to the reference signal. The slave laser frequency target may be rapidly changed based on a combination of a dynamically changing frequency of the reference signal, the frequency dividing factor, and an effective polarity of the error signal. Feed-forward signals may be generated to accelerate the slave laser frequency switching through laser tuning ports.

Supranormal orientation selectivity of visual neurons in orientation-restricted animals.

PubMed

Sasaki, Kota S; Kimura, Rui; Ninomiya, Taihei; Tabuchi, Yuka; Tanaka, Hiroki; Fukui, Masayuki; Asada, Yusuke C; Arai, Toshiya; Inagaki, Mikio; Nakazono, Takayuki; Baba, Mika; Kato, Daisuke; Nishimoto, Shinji; Sanada, Takahisa M; Tani, Toshiki; Imamura, Kazuyuki; Tanaka, Shigeru; Ohzawa, Izumi

2015-11-16

Altered sensory experience in early life often leads to remarkable adaptations so that humans and animals can make the best use of the available information in a particular environment. By restricting visual input to a limited range of orientations in young animals, this investigation shows that stimulus selectivity, e.g., the sharpness of tuning of single neurons in the primary visual cortex, is modified to match a particular environment. Specifically, neurons tuned to an experienced orientation in orientation-restricted animals show sharper orientation tuning than neurons in normal animals, whereas the opposite was true for neurons tuned to non-experienced orientations. This sharpened tuning appears to be due to elongated receptive fields. Our results demonstrate that restricted sensory experiences can sculpt the supranormal functions of single neurons tailored for a particular environment. The above findings, in addition to the minimal population response to orientations close to the experienced one, agree with the predictions of a sparse coding hypothesis in which information is represented efficiently by a small number of activated neurons. This suggests that early brain areas adopt an efficient strategy for coding information even when animals are raised in a severely limited visual environment where sensory inputs have an unnatural statistical structure.

Supranormal orientation selectivity of visual neurons in orientation-restricted animals

PubMed Central

Sasaki, Kota S.; Kimura, Rui; Ninomiya, Taihei; Tabuchi, Yuka; Tanaka, Hiroki; Fukui, Masayuki; Asada, Yusuke C.; Arai, Toshiya; Inagaki, Mikio; Nakazono, Takayuki; Baba, Mika; Kato, Daisuke; Nishimoto, Shinji; Sanada, Takahisa M.; Tani, Toshiki; Imamura, Kazuyuki; Tanaka, Shigeru; Ohzawa, Izumi

2015-01-01

Altered sensory experience in early life often leads to remarkable adaptations so that humans and animals can make the best use of the available information in a particular environment. By restricting visual input to a limited range of orientations in young animals, this investigation shows that stimulus selectivity, e.g., the sharpness of tuning of single neurons in the primary visual cortex, is modified to match a particular environment. Specifically, neurons tuned to an experienced orientation in orientation-restricted animals show sharper orientation tuning than neurons in normal animals, whereas the opposite was true for neurons tuned to non-experienced orientations. This sharpened tuning appears to be due to elongated receptive fields. Our results demonstrate that restricted sensory experiences can sculpt the supranormal functions of single neurons tailored for a particular environment. The above findings, in addition to the minimal population response to orientations close to the experienced one, agree with the predictions of a sparse coding hypothesis in which information is represented efficiently by a small number of activated neurons. This suggests that early brain areas adopt an efficient strategy for coding information even when animals are raised in a severely limited visual environment where sensory inputs have an unnatural statistical structure. PMID:26567927

Economy of scale: a motion sensor with variable speed tuning.

PubMed

Perrone, John A

2005-01-26

We have previously presented a model of how neurons in the primate middle temporal (MT/V5) area can develop selectivity for image speed by using common properties of the V1 neurons that precede them in the visual motion pathway (J. A. Perrone & A. Thiele, 2002). The motion sensor developed in this model is based on two broad classes of V1 complex neurons (sustained and transient). The S-type neuron has low-pass temporal frequency tuning, p(omega), and the T-type has band-pass temporal frequency tuning, m(omega). The outputs from the S and T neurons are combined in a special way (weighted intersection mechanism [WIM]) to generate a sensor tuned to a particular speed, v. Here I go on to show that if the S and T temporal frequency tuning functions have a particular form (i.e., p(omega)/(m(omega) = k/omega), then a motion sensor with variable speed tuning can be generated from just two V1 neurons. A simple scaling of the S- or T-type neuron output before it is incorporated into the WIM model produces a motion sensor that can be tuned to a wide continuous range of optimal speeds.

Musical experience sharpens human cochlear tuning.

PubMed

Bidelman, Gavin M; Nelms, Caitlin; Bhagat, Shaum P

2016-05-01

The mammalian cochlea functions as a filter bank that performs a spectral, Fourier-like decomposition on the acoustic signal. While tuning can be compromised (e.g., broadened with hearing impairment), whether or not human cochlear frequency resolution can be sharpened through experiential factors (e.g., training or learning) has not yet been established. Previous studies have demonstrated sharper psychophysical tuning curves in trained musicians compared to nonmusicians, implying superior peripheral tuning. However, these findings are based on perceptual masking paradigms, and reflect engagement of the entire auditory system rather than cochlear tuning, per se. Here, by directly mapping physiological tuning curves from stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs)-cochlear emitted sounds-we show that estimates of human cochlear tuning in a high-frequency cochlear region (4 kHz) is further sharpened (by a factor of 1.5×) in musicians and improves with the number of years of their auditory training. These findings were corroborated by measurements of psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) derived via simultaneous masking, which similarly showed sharper tuning in musicians. Comparisons between SFOAE and PTCs revealed closer correspondence between physiological and behavioral curves in musicians, indicating that tuning is also more consistent between different levels of auditory processing in trained ears. Our findings demonstrate an experience-dependent enhancement in the resolving power of the cochlear sensory epithelium and the spectral resolution of human hearing and provide a peripheral account for the auditory perceptual benefits observed in musicians. Both local and feedback (e.g., medial olivocochlear efferent) mechanisms are discussed as potential mechanisms for experience-dependent tuning. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Note: Enhanced energy harvesting from low-frequency magnetic fields utilizing magneto-mechano-electric composite tuning-fork.

PubMed

Yang, Aichao; Li, Ping; Wen, Yumei; Yang, Chao; Wang, Decai; Zhang, Feng; Zhang, Jiajia

2015-06-01

A magnetic-field energy harvester using a low-frequency magneto-mechano-electric (MME) composite tuning-fork is proposed. This MME composite tuning-fork consists of a copper tuning fork with piezoelectric Pb(Zr(1-x)Ti(x))O3 (PZT) plates bonded near its fixed end and with NdFeB magnets attached at its free ends. Due to the resonance coupling between fork prongs, the MME composite tuning-fork owns strong vibration and high Q value. Experimental results show that the proposed magnetic-field energy harvester using the MME composite tuning-fork exhibits approximately 4 times larger maximum output voltage and 7.2 times higher maximum power than the conventional magnetic-field energy harvester using the MME composite cantilever.

Viscoelastic effects on frequency tuning of a dielectric elastomer membrane resonator

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

Zhou, Jianyou; Jiang, Liying, E-mail: lyjiang@eng.uwo.ca; Khayat, Roger E.

2014-03-28

As a recent application of dielectric elastomers (DEs), DE resonators have become an alternative to conventional silicon-based resonators used in MEMS and have attracted much interest from the research community. However, most existing modeling works for the DE resonators ignore the intrinsic viscoelastic effect of the material that may strongly influence their dynamic performance. Based on the finite-deformation viscoelasticity theory for dielectrics, this paper theoretically examines the in-plane oscillation of a DE membrane resonator to demonstrate how the material viscoelasticity affects the actuation and frequency tuning processes of the resonator. From the simulation results, it is concluded that not onlymore » the applied voltage can change the natural frequency of the resonator, but also the inelastic deformation contributes to frequency tuning. Due to the viscoelasticity of the material, the electrical loading rate influences the actuation process of the DE resonator, while it has little effect on the final steady frequency tuned by the prescribed voltage within the safety range. With the consideration of the typical failure modes of the resonator and the evolution process of the material, the tunable frequency range and the safe range of the applied voltage of the DE membrane resonator with different dimension parameters are determined in this work, which are found to be dependent on the electrical loading rate. This work is expected to provide a better understanding on the frequency tuning of viscoelastic DE membrane resonators and a guideline for the design of DE devices.« less

The Group Delay and Suppression Pattern of the Cochlear Microphonic Potential Recorded at the Round Window

PubMed Central

He, Wenxuan; Porsov, Edward; Kemp, David; Nuttall, Alfred L.; Ren, Tianying

2012-01-01

Background It is commonly assumed that the cochlear microphonic potential (CM) recorded from the round window (RW) is generated at the cochlear base. Based on this assumption, the low-frequency RW CM has been measured for evaluating the integrity of mechanoelectrical transduction of outer hair cells at the cochlear base and for studying sound propagation inside the cochlea. However, the group delay and the origin of the low-frequency RW CM have not been demonstrated experimentally. Methodology/Principal Findings This study quantified the intra-cochlear group delay of the RW CM by measuring RW CM and vibrations at the stapes and basilar membrane in gerbils. At low sound levels, the RW CM showed a significant group delay and a nonlinear growth at frequencies below 2 kHz. However, at high sound levels or at frequencies above 2 kHz, the RW CM magnitude increased proportionally with sound pressure, and the CM phase in respect to the stapes showed no significant group delay. After the local application of tetrodotoxin the RW CM below 2 kHz became linear and showed a negligible group delay. In contrast to RW CM phase, the BM vibration measured at location ∼2.5 mm from the base showed high sensitivity, sharp tuning, and nonlinearity with a frequency-dependent group delay. At low or intermediate sound levels, low-frequency RW CMs were suppressed by an additional tone near the probe-tone frequency while, at high sound levels, they were partially suppressed only at high frequencies. Conclusions/Significance We conclude that the group delay of the RW CM provides no temporal information on the wave propagation inside the cochlea, and that significant group delay of low-frequency CMs results from the auditory nerve neurophonic potential. Suppression data demonstrate that the generation site of the low-frequency RW CM shifts from apex to base as the probe-tone level increases. PMID:22470560

Lacosamide and Levetiracetam Have No Effect on Sharp-Wave Ripple Rate.

PubMed

Kudlacek, Jan; Chvojka, Jan; Posusta, Antonin; Kovacova, Lubica; Hong, Seung Bong; Weiss, Shennan; Volna, Kamila; Marusic, Petr; Otahal, Jakub; Jiruska, Premysl

2017-01-01

Pathological high-frequency oscillations are a novel marker used to improve the delineation of epileptogenic tissue and, hence, the outcome of epilepsy surgery. Their practical clinical utilization is curtailed by the inability to discriminate them from physiological oscillations due to frequency overlap. Although it is well documented that pathological HFOs are suppressed by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), the effect of AEDs on normal HFOs is not well known. In this experimental study, we have explored whether physiological HFOs (sharp-wave ripples) of hippocampal origin respond to AED treatment. The results show that application of a single dose of levetiracetam or lacosamide does not reduce the rate of sharp-wave ripples. In addition, it seems that these new generation drugs do not negatively affect the cellular and network mechanisms involved in sharp-wave ripple generation, which may provide a plausible explanation for the absence of significant negative effects on cognitive functions of these drugs, particularly on memory.

Note: A component-level frequency tunable isolator for vibration-sensitive chips using SMA beams.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaoyong; Ding, Xin; Wu, Di; Qi, Junlei; Wang, Ruixin; Lu, Siwei; Yan, Xiaojun

2016-06-01

This note presents a component-level frequency tunable isolator for vibration-sensitive chips. The isolator employed 8 U-shaped shape memory alloy (SMA) beams to support an isolation island (used for mounting chips). Due to the temperature-induced Young's modulus variation of SMA, the system stiffness of the isolator can be controlled through heating the SMA beams. In such a way, the natural frequency of the isolator can be tuned. A prototype was fabricated to evaluate the concept. The test results show that the natural frequency of the isolator can be tuned in the range of 64 Hz-97 Hz by applying different heating strategies. Moreover, resonant vibration can be suppressed significantly (the transmissibility decreases about 65% near the resonant frequency) using a real-time tuning method.

Lasing in chiral photonic liquid crystals and associated frequency tuning.

PubMed

Fuh, Andy; Lin, Tsung-Hsien; Liu, J-H; Wu, F-C

2004-05-03

This letter addresses a dye-doped planar cholesteric cell as a one-dimensional photonic crystal, which can be lased at the band edges of the photonic band gap. The effect of the composition of the material and the thickness of a cholesteric cell (CLC) on the lasing action, and the photo-control of the lasing frequency, are experimentally investigated. Adding a tunable chiral monomer (TCM) allows the CLC's reflection band to be tuned by varying the intensity and/or exposure time of the UV curing light, enabling the lasing frequency of the CLC sample to be tuned.

Mode selection and tuning of single-frequency short-cavity VECSELs

DOE PAGES

Serkland, Darwin K.; So, Haley M.; Peake, Gregory M.; ...

2018-03-05

Here, we report on mode selection and tuning properties of vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) containing coupled semiconductor and external cavities of total length less than 1 mm. Our goal is to create narrowlinewidth (<1MHz) single-frequency VECSELs that operate near 850 nm on a single longitudinal cavity resonance and tune versus temperature without mode hops. We have designed, fabricated, and measured VECSELs with external-cavity lengths ranging from 25 to 800 μm. Lastly, we compare simulated and measured coupled-cavity mode frequencies and discuss criteria for single mode selection.

Wideband electromagnetic energy harvesting from ambient vibrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallick, Dhiman; Podder, Pranay; Roy, Saibal

2015-06-01

Different bandwidth widening schemes of electromagnetic energy harvesters have been reported in this work. The devices are fabricated on FR4 substrate using laser micromachining techniques. The linear device operate in a narrow band around the resonance; in order to tune resonant frequency of the device electrically, two different types of complex load topologies are adopted. Using capacitive load, the resonant frequency is tuned in the low frequency direction whereas using inductive load, the resonant frequency is tuned in the high frequency direction. An overall tuning range of ˜2.4 Hz is obtained at 0.3g though the output power dropped significantly over the tuning range. In order to improve the off-resonance performance, nonlinear oscillation based systems are adopted. A specially designed spring arm with fixed-guided configuration produced single well nonlinear monostable configuration. With increasing input acceleration, wider bandwidth is obtained with such a system as large displacement, stretching nonlinearity comes into play and 9.55 Hz bandwidth is obtained at 0.5g. The repulsive force between one static and one vibrating oppositely polarized magnets are used to generate bistable nonlinear potential system. The distance between the mentioned magnets is varied between 4 to 10 mm to produce tunable nonlinearity with a maximum half power bandwidth over 3 Hz at 0.5g.

Tunable Magnetic Resonance in Microwave Spintronics Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Yunpeng; Fan, Xin; Xie, Yunsong; Zhou, Yang; Wang, Tao; Wilson, Jeffrey D.; Simons, Rainee N.; Chui, Sui-Tat; Xiao, John Q.

2015-01-01

Magnetic resonance is one of the key properties of magnetic materials for the application of microwave spintronics devices. The conventional method for tuning magnetic resonance is to use an electromagnet, which provides very limited tuning range. Hence, the quest for enhancing the magnetic resonance tuning range without using an electromagnet has attracted tremendous attention. In this paper, we exploit the huge exchange coupling field between magnetic interlayers, which is on the order of 4000 Oe and also the high frequency modes of coupled oscillators to enhance the tuning range. Furthermore, we demonstrate a new scheme to control the magnetic resonance frequency. Moreover, we report a shift in the magnetic resonance frequency as high as 20 GHz in CoFe based tunable microwave spintronics devices, which is 10X higher than conventional methods.

rf measurements and tuning of the 750 MHz radio frequency quadrupole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koubek, Benjamin; Grudiev, Alexej; Timmins, Marc

2017-08-01

In the framework of the program on medical applications a compact 750 MHz RFQ has been designed and built to be used as an injector for a hadron therapy linac. This RFQ was designed to accelerate protons to an energy of 5 MeV within only 2 m length. It is divided into four segments and equipped with 32 tuners in total. The length of the RFQ corresponds to 5 λ which is considered to be close to the limit for field adjustment using only piston tuners. Moreover the high frequency, which is about double the frequency of existing RFQs, results in a sensitive structure and requires careful tuning. In this paper we present the tuning algorithm, the tuning procedure and rf measurements of the RFQ.

Tunable Magnetic Resonance in Microwave Spintronics Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Yunpeng; Fan, Xin; Xie, Yungsong; Zhou, Yang; Wang, Tao; Wilson, Jeffrey D.; Simons, Rainee N.; Chui, Sui-Tat; Xiao, John Q.

2015-01-01

Magnetic resonance is one of the key properties of magnetic materials for the application of microwave spintronics devices. The conventional method for tuning magnetic resonance is to use an electromagnet, which provides very limited tuning range. Hence, the quest for enhancing the magnetic resonance tuning range without using an electromagnet has attracted tremendous attention. In this paper, we exploit the huge exchange coupling field between magnetic interlayers, which is on the order of 4000 Oe and also the high frequency modes of coupled oscillators to enhance the tuning range. Furthermore, we demonstrate a new scheme to control the magnetic resonance frequency. Moreover, we report a shift in the magnetic resonance frequency as high as 20 GHz in CoFe-based tunable microwave spintronics devices, which is 10X higher than conventional methods.

Radio frequency measurements and tuning of the China Material Irradiation Facility RFQ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chenxing; He, Yuan; Wang, Fengfeng; Yu, Peiyan; Yang, Lei; Li, Chunlong; Wang, Wenbin; Xu, Xianbo; Shi, Longbo; Ma, Wei; Sun, Liepeng; Lu, Liang; Wang, Zhijun; Shi, Aimin; Wang, Tieshan

2018-05-01

The full assembly and alignment of the China Material Irradiation Facility RFQ have been completed. Before the completion, the assembly and braze of single segments had been done. Radio frequency measurements of each module with dummy extension undercuts were performed before and after braze. The results reveal that there is no unexpected deformation after braze. After the full assembly, RF measurements and tuning have been performed in order to compensate the errors originated from the fabrication, braze and assembly. The impact of these errors on the field distribution is depressed to a level that is restricted by beam dynamics simulation. In this paper, the procedure of radio frequency measurement and tuning will be expatiated and the ultimate RF parameters of the cavity after tuning will be presented.

Tuning of gravity-dependent and gravity-independent vertical angular VOR gain changes by frequency of adaptation

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

The gain of the vertical angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) was adaptively increased and decreased in a side-down head orientation for 4 h in two cynomolgus monkeys. Adaptation was performed at 0.25, 1, 2, or 4 Hz. The gravity-dependent and -independent gain changes were determined over a range of head orientations from left-side-down to right-side-down at frequencies from 0.25 to 10 Hz, before and after adaptation. Gain changes vs. frequency data were fit with a Gaussian to determine the frequency at which the peak gain change occurred, as well as the tuning width. The frequency at which the peak gravity-dependent gain change occurred was approximately equal to the frequency of adaptation, and the width increased monotonically with increases in the frequency of adaptation. The gravity-independent component was tuned to the adaptive frequency of 0.25 Hz but was uniformly distributed over all frequencies when the adaptation frequency was 1–4 Hz. The amplitude of the gravity-independent gain changes was larger after the aVOR gain decrease than after the gain increase across all tested frequencies. For the aVOR gain decrease, the phase lagged about 4° for frequencies below the adaptation frequency and led for frequencies above the adaptation frequency. For gain increases, the phase relationship as a function of frequency was inverted. This study demonstrates that the previously described dependence of aVOR gain adaptation on frequency is a property of the gravity-dependent component of the aVOR only. The gravity-independent component of the aVOR had a substantial tuning curve only at an adaptation frequency of 0.25 Hz. PMID:22402654

Tuning of gravity-dependent and gravity-independent vertical angular VOR gain changes by frequency of adaptation.

PubMed

Yakushin, Sergei B

2012-06-01

The gain of the vertical angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) was adaptively increased and decreased in a side-down head orientation for 4 h in two cynomolgus monkeys. Adaptation was performed at 0.25, 1, 2, or 4 Hz. The gravity-dependent and -independent gain changes were determined over a range of head orientations from left-side-down to right-side-down at frequencies from 0.25 to 10 Hz, before and after adaptation. Gain changes vs. frequency data were fit with a Gaussian to determine the frequency at which the peak gain change occurred, as well as the tuning width. The frequency at which the peak gravity-dependent gain change occurred was approximately equal to the frequency of adaptation, and the width increased monotonically with increases in the frequency of adaptation. The gravity-independent component was tuned to the adaptive frequency of 0.25 Hz but was uniformly distributed over all frequencies when the adaptation frequency was 1-4 Hz. The amplitude of the gravity-independent gain changes was larger after the aVOR gain decrease than after the gain increase across all tested frequencies. For the aVOR gain decrease, the phase lagged about 4° for frequencies below the adaptation frequency and led for frequencies above the adaptation frequency. For gain increases, the phase relationship as a function of frequency was inverted. This study demonstrates that the previously described dependence of aVOR gain adaptation on frequency is a property of the gravity-dependent component of the aVOR only. The gravity-independent component of the aVOR had a substantial tuning curve only at an adaptation frequency of 0.25 Hz.

Automatic tuned MRI RF coil for multinuclear imaging of small animals at 3T.

PubMed

Muftuler, L Tugan; Gulsen, Gultekin; Sezen, Kumsal D; Nalcioglu, Orhan

2002-03-01

We have developed an MRI RF coil whose tuning can be adjusted automatically between 120 and 128 MHz for sequential spectroscopic imaging of hydrogen and fluorine nuclei at field strength 3 T. Variable capacitance (varactor) diodes were placed on each rung of an eight-leg low-pass birdcage coil to change the tuning frequency of the coil. The diode junction capacitance can be controlled by the amount of applied reverse bias voltage. Impedance matching was also done automatically by another pair of varactor diodes to obtain the maximum SNR at each frequency. The same bias voltage was applied to the tuning varactors on all rungs to avoid perturbations in the coil. A network analyzer was used to monitor matching and tuning of the coil. A Pentium PC controlled the analyzer through the GPIB bus. A code written in LABVIEW was used to communicate with the network analyzer and adjust the bias voltages of the varactors via D/A converters. Serially programmed D/A converter devices were used to apply the bias voltages to the varactors. Isolation amplifiers were used together with RF choke inductors to provide isolation between the RF coil and the DC bias lines. We acquired proton and fluorine images sequentially from a multicompartment phantom using the designed coil. Good matching and tuning were obtained at both resonance frequencies. The tuning and matching of the coil were changed from one resonance frequency to the other within 60 s. (c) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).

Musician's and physicist's view on tuning keyboard instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lubenow, Martin; Meyn, Jan-Peter

2007-01-01

The simultaneous sound of several voices or instruments requires proper tuning to achieve consonance for certain intervals and chords. Most instruments allow enough frequency variation to enable pure tuning while being played. Keyboard instruments such as organ and piano have given frequencies for individual notes and the tuning must be based on a compromise. The equal temperament is not the only solution, but a special choice. Unequal temperaments produce better results in many cases, because important major thirds and triads are improved. Equal temperament was not propagated by Johann Sebastian Bach, as is often stated in introductory literature on this topic.

Quartz Crystal Temperature Sensor for MAS NMR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simon, Gerald

1997-10-01

Quartz crystal temperature sensors (QCTS) were tested for the first time as wireless thermometers in NMR MAS rotors utilizing the NMR RF technique itself for exiting and receiving electro-mechanical quartz resonances. This new tool in MAS NMR has a high sensitivity, linearity, and precision. When compared to the frequently used calibration of the variable temperature in the NMR system by a solid state NMR chemical shift thermometer (CST), such as lead nitrate, QCTS shows a number of advantages. It is an inert thermometer in close contact with solid samples operating parallel to the NMR experiment. QCTS can be manufactured for any frequency to be near a NMR frequency of interest (typically 1 to 2 MHz below or above). Due to the strong response of the crystal, signal detection is possible without changing the tuning of the MAS probe. The NMR signal is not influenced due to the relative sharp crystal resonance, restricted excitation by finite pulses, high probeQvalues, and commonly used audio filters. The quadratic dependence of the temperature increase on spinning speed is the same for the QCTS and for the CST lead nitrate and is discussed in terms of frictional heat in accordance with the literature about lead nitrate and with the results of a simple rotor speed jump experiment with differently radial located lead nitrate in the rotor.

The frequency response of rat vibrissae to sound.

PubMed

Shatz, Lisa F; Christensen, Craig W

2008-05-01

The motion of isolated rat vibrissae due to low frequency sound has been modeled and measured with good agreement (within a factor of 2) between the data and the model's predictions. As had been done in previous studies on the response of rat vibrissae to tactile stimulation [Hartmann, M. J., Johnson, N. J., Towal, R. B., and Assad, C., J. Neurosci 23, 6510-6519 (2003) and Neimark, M. A., Andermann, A. L., Hopfield, J. J., and Moore, C. I., J. Neurosci 23, 6449-6509 (2003)] the vibrissae were modeled as thin conical beams. The force of the vibrating air on a vibrissa was modeled using the exact solution for a vibrating infinite cylinder in linear fluid. A finite element method was used to model the motion of a single vibrissa fixed at its base, using the aforementioned fluid force. Values for Young's modulus and vibrissa mass density were taken from a previous study [Neimark et al. (above)]. The model had no freely fitted parameters. Motion of isolated vibrissae was measured using a video camera with microscope. The sound stimulation was created using a stereo speaker connected to a signal generator. The tuning was found to be sharp, with quality factors that varied between 3 and 7, much sharper than the motion of cricket cercal hairs or in vitro inner ear hair bundles.

Timbral Sharpness and Modulations in Frequency and Amplitude: Implications for the Fusion of Musical Sounds.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goad, Pamela Joy

The fusion of musical voices is an important aspect of musical blend, or the mixing of individual sounds. Yet, little research has been done to explicitly determine the factors involved in fusion. In this study, the similarity of timbre and modulation were examined for their contribution to the fusion of sounds. It is hypothesized that similar timbres will fuse better than dissimilar timbres, and, voices with the same kind of modulation will fuse better than voices of different modulations. A perceptually-based measure, known as sharpness was investigated as a measure of timbre. The advantages of using sharpness are that it is based on hearing sensitivities and masking phenomena of inner ear processing. Five musical instrument families were digitally recorded in performances across a typical playing range at two extreme dynamic levels. Analyses reveal that sharpness is capable of uncovering subtle changes in timbre including those found in musical dynamics, instrument design, and performer-specific variations. While these analyses alone are insufficient to address fusion, preliminary calculations of timbral combinations indicate that sharpness has the potential to predict the fusion of sounds used in musical composition. Three experiments investigated the effects of modulation on the fusion of a harmonic major sixth interval. In the first experiment using frequency modulation, stimuli varied in deviation about a mean fundamental frequency and relative modulation phase between the two tones. Results showed smaller frequency deviations promoted fusion and relative phase differences had a minimal effect. In a second experiment using amplitude modulation, stimuli varied in deviation about a mean amplitude level and relative phase of modulation. Results showed smaller amplitude deviations promoted better fusion, but unlike frequency modulation, relative phase differences were also important. In a third experiment, frequency modulation, amplitude modulation and mixed modulation were arranged in all possible voicings. Results showed frequency modulation in the lower voice and less variance in amplitude envelopes contributed to an increase in fusion. The theory that similar modulations would promote better fusion was only marginally supported. For these experiments, results revealed differences depending on modulation type and that a lesser amount of modulation fosters greater fusion.

Tuned Chamber Core Panel Acoustic Test Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schiller, Noah H.; Allen, Albert R.

2016-01-01

This report documents acoustic testing of tuned chamber core panels, which can be used to supplement the low-frequency performance of conventional acoustic treatment. The tuned chamber core concept incorporates low-frequency noise control directly within the primary structure and is applicable to sandwich constructions with a directional core, including corrugated-, truss-, and fluted-core designs. These types of sandwich structures have long, hollow channels (or chambers) in the core. By adding small holes through one of the facesheets, the hollow chambers can be utilized as an array of low-frequency acoustic resonators. These resonators can then be used to attenuate low-frequency noise (below 400 Hz) inside a vehicle compartment without increasing the weight or size of the structure. The results of this test program demonstrate that the tuned chamber core concept is effective when used in isolation or combined with acoustic foam treatments. Specifically, an array of acoustic resonators integrated within the core of the panels was shown to improve both the low-frequency absorption and transmission loss of the structure in targeted one-third octave bands.

Differences between mechanical and neural tuning at the apex of the intact guinea pig cochlea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Recio-Spinoso, Alberto; Oghalai, John S.

2018-05-01

While most of human speech information is contained within frequencies < 3-4 kHz, only a few mechanical measurements have been made in cochlear regions responsive to such low frequencies. Furthermore, the data that do exist are difficult to interpret given the technical difficulties in performing the experiments and/or the artifacts that result from opening the otic capsule bone to visualize the organ of Corti. Here, we overcame historical technical limitations and non-invasively measured sound-induced vibrations within the apex of the guinea pig cochlea using volumetric optical coherence tomography vibrometry (VOCTV). We found that vibrations within apical cochlear regions, with neural tuning below 2 kHz, demonstrate low-pass filter characteristics. There was evidence of a low-level of broad-band cochlear amplification that did not sharpen frequency selectivity. We compared the vibratory responses we measured to previously-measured single-unit auditory nerve tuning curves in the same frequency range, and found that mechanical responses do not match neural responses. These data suggest that, for low frequency cochlear regions, inner hair cells not only transduce vibrations of the organ of Corti but also sharpen frequency tuning.

Effects of temperature on tuning of the auditory pathway in the cicada Tettigetta josei (Hemiptera, Tibicinidae).

PubMed

Fonseca, P J; Correia, T

2007-05-01

The effects of temperature on hearing in the cicada Tettigetta josei were studied. The activity of the auditory nerve and the responses of auditory interneurons to stimuli of different frequencies and intensities were recorded at different temperatures ranging from 16 degrees C to 29 degrees C. Firstly, in order to investigate the temperature dependence of hearing processes, we analyzed its effects on auditory tuning, sensitivity, latency and Q(10dB). Increasing temperature led to an upward shift of the characteristic hearing frequency, to an increase in sensitivity and to a decrease in the latency of the auditory response both in the auditory nerve recordings (periphery) and in some interneurons at the metathoracic-abdominal ganglionic complex (MAC). Characteristic frequency shifts were only observed at low frequency (3-8 kHz). No changes were seen in Q(10dB). Different tuning mechanisms underlying frequency selectivity may explain the results observed. Secondly, we investigated the role of the mechanical sensory structures that participate in the transduction process. Laser vibrometry measurements revealed that the vibrations of the tympanum and tympanal apodeme are temperature independent in the biologically relevant range (18-35 degrees C). Since the above mentioned effects of temperature are present in the auditory nerve recordings, the observed shifts in frequency tuning must be performed by mechanisms intrinsic to the receptor cells. Finally, the role of potassium channels in the response of the auditory system was investigated using a specific inhibitor of these channels, tetraethylammonium (TEA). TEA caused shifts on tuning and sensitivity of the summed response of the receptors similar to the effects of temperature. Thus, potassium channels are implicated in the tuning of the receptor cells.

Tunable Micro- and Nanomechanical Resonators

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wen-Ming; Hu, Kai-Ming; Peng, Zhi-Ke; Meng, Guang

2015-01-01

Advances in micro- and nanofabrication technologies have enabled the development of novel micro- and nanomechanical resonators which have attracted significant attention due to their fascinating physical properties and growing potential applications. In this review, we have presented a brief overview of the resonance behavior and frequency tuning principles by varying either the mass or the stiffness of resonators. The progress in micro- and nanomechanical resonators using the tuning electrode, tuning fork, and suspended channel structures and made of graphene have been reviewed. We have also highlighted some major influencing factors such as large-amplitude effect, surface effect and fluid effect on the performances of resonators. More specifically, we have addressed the effects of axial stress/strain, residual surface stress and adsorption-induced surface stress on the sensing and detection applications and discussed the current challenges. We have significantly focused on the active and passive frequency tuning methods and techniques for micro- and nanomechanical resonator applications. On one hand, we have comprehensively evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy, including active methods such as electrothermal, electrostatic, piezoelectrical, dielectric, magnetomotive, photothermal, mode-coupling as well as tension-based tuning mechanisms, and passive techniques such as post-fabrication and post-packaging tuning processes. On the other hand, the tuning capability and challenges to integrate reliable and customizable frequency tuning methods have been addressed. We have additionally concluded with a discussion of important future directions for further tunable micro- and nanomechanical resonators. PMID:26501294

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

Zhang, Xiaoyong, E-mail: zhangxy@buaa.edu.cn, E-mail: yanxiaojun@buaa.edu.cn; Yan, Xiaojun, E-mail: zhangxy@buaa.edu.cn, E-mail: yanxiaojun@buaa.edu.cn; Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Aero-Engine, Beijing 100191

This note presents a component-level frequency tunable isolator for vibration-sensitive chips. The isolator employed 8 U-shaped shape memory alloy (SMA) beams to support an isolation island (used for mounting chips). Due to the temperature-induced Young’s modulus variation of SMA, the system stiffness of the isolator can be controlled through heating the SMA beams. In such a way, the natural frequency of the isolator can be tuned. A prototype was fabricated to evaluate the concept. The test results show that the natural frequency of the isolator can be tuned in the range of 64 Hz–97 Hz by applying different heating strategies.more » Moreover, resonant vibration can be suppressed significantly (the transmissibility decreases about 65% near the resonant frequency) using a real-time tuning method.« less

Interior noise reduction by alternate resonance tuning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bliss, Donald B.; Gottwald, James A.; Bryce, Jeffrey W.

1987-01-01

Existing interior noise reduction techniques for aircraft fuselages perform reasonably well at higher frequencies, but are inadequate at low frequencies, particularly with respect to the low blade passage harmonics with high forcing levels found in propeller aircraft. A method is studied which considers aircraft fuselages lined with panels alternately tuned to frequencies above and below the frequency that must be attenuated. Adjacent panel would oscillate at equal amplitude, to give equal acoustic source strength, but with opposite phase. Provided these adjacent panels are acoustically compact, the resulting cancellation causes the interior acoustic modes to be cut off, and therefore be nonpropagating and evanescent. This interior noise reduction method, called Alternate Resonance Tuning (ART), is being investigated theoretically and experimentally. Progress to date is discussed.

Spatiotemporal frequency tuning of BOLD and gamma band MEG responses compared in primary visual cortex.

PubMed

Muthukumaraswamy, Suresh D; Singh, Krish D

2008-05-01

In this study, the spatial and temporal frequency tuning characteristics of the MEG gamma (40-60 Hz) rhythm and the BOLD response in primary visual cortex were measured and compared. In an identical MEG/fMRI paradigm, 10 participants viewed reversing square wave gratings at 2 spatial frequencies [0.5 and 3 cycles per degree (cpd)] reversing at 5 temporal frequencies (0, 1 6, 10, 15 Hz). Three-dimensional images of MEG source power were generated with synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM) and showed a high degree of spatial correspondence with BOLD responses in primary visual cortex with a mean spatial separation of 6.5 mm, but the two modalities showed different tuning characteristics. The gamma rhythm showed a clear increase in induced power for the high spatial frequency stimulus while BOLD showed no difference in activity for the two spatial frequencies used. Both imaging modalities showed a general increase of activity with temporal frequency, however, BOLD plateaued around 6-10 Hz while the MEG generally increased with a dip exhibited at 6 Hz. These results demonstrate that the two modalities may show activation in similar spatial locations but that the functional pattern of these activations may differ in a complex manner, suggesting that they may be tuned to different aspects of neuronal activity.

Broadband terahertz-power extracting by using electron cyclotron maser.

PubMed

Pan, Shi; Du, Chao-Hai; Qi, Xiang-Bo; Liu, Pu-Kun

2017-08-04

Terahertz applications urgently require high performance and room temperature terahertz sources. The gyrotron based on the principle of electron cyclotron maser is able to generate watt-to-megawatt level terahertz radiation, and becomes an exceptional role in the frontiers of energy, security and biomedicine. However, in normal conditions, a terahertz gyrotron could generate terahertz radiation with high efficiency on a single frequency or with low efficiency in a relatively narrow tuning band. Here a frequency tuning scheme for the terahertz gyrotron utilizing sequentially switching among several whispering-gallery modes is proposed to reach high performance with broadband, coherence and high power simultaneously. Such mode-switching gyrotron has the potential of generating broadband radiation with 100-GHz-level bandwidth. Even wider bandwidth is limited by the frequency-dependent effective electrical length of the cavity. Preliminary investigation applies a pre-bunched circuit to the single-mode wide-band tuning. Then, more broadband sweeping is produced by mode switching in great-range magnetic tuning. The effect of mode competition, as well as critical engineering techniques on frequency tuning is discussed to confirm the feasibility for the case close to reality. This multi-mode-switching scheme could make gyrotron a promising device towards bridging the so-called terahertz gap.

Hardware platforms for MEMS gyroscope tuning based on evolutionary computation using open-loop and closed -loop frequency response

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keymeulen, Didier; Ferguson, Michael I.; Fink, Wolfgang; Oks, Boris; Peay, Chris; Terrile, Richard; Cheng, Yen; Kim, Dennis; MacDonald, Eric; Foor, David

2005-01-01

We propose a tuning method for MEMS gyroscopes based on evolutionary computation to efficiently increase the sensitivity of MEMS gyroscopes through tuning. The tuning method was tested for the second generation JPL/Boeing Post-resonator MEMS gyroscope using the measurement of the frequency response of the MEMS device in open-loop operation. We also report on the development of a hardware platform for integrated tuning and closed loop operation of MEMS gyroscopes. The control of this device is implemented through a digital design on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The hardware platform easily transitions to an embedded solution that allows for the miniaturization of the system to a single chip.

DYNAMIC TUNING OF INSECT AND BIRD WINGS AND COPEPOD AND DAPHNIA APPENDAGES

EPA Science Inventory

Compressible flow theory suggests, and dimensional analysis and growing empirical evidence confirm that, to aid flight, many insects and even some birds, notably hummingbirds, tune their wing-beat frequency to a corresponding characteristic harmonic frequency of air. The same pro...

[Perceptual sharpness metric for visible and infrared color fusion images].

PubMed

Gao, Shao-Shu; Jin, Wei-Qi; Wang, Xia; Wang, Ling-Xue; Luo, Yuan

2012-12-01

For visible and infrared color fusion images, objective sharpness assessment model is proposed to measure the clarity of detail and edge definition of the fusion image. Firstly, the contrast sensitivity functions (CSF) of the human visual system is used to reduce insensitive frequency components under certain viewing conditions. Secondly, perceptual contrast model, which takes human luminance masking effect into account, is proposed based on local band-limited contrast model. Finally, the perceptual contrast is calculated in the region of interest (contains image details and edges) in the fusion image to evaluate image perceptual sharpness. Experimental results show that the proposed perceptual sharpness metrics provides better predictions, which are more closely matched to human perceptual evaluations, than five existing sharpness (blur) metrics for color images. The proposed perceptual sharpness metrics can evaluate the perceptual sharpness for color fusion images effectively.

Oxygen measurements at high pressures with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, J.; Sanders, S. T.; Jeffries, J. B.; Hanson, R. K.

Measurements of oxygen concentration at high pressures (to 10.9 bar) were made using diode-laser absorption of oxygen A-band transitions near 760 nm. The wide current-tuning frequency range (>30 cm-1) of vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) was exploited to enable the first scanned-wavelength demonstration of diode-laser absorption at high pressures; this strategy is more robust than fixed-wavelength strategies, particularly in hostile environments. The wide tuning range and rapid frequency response of the current tuning were further exploited to demonstrate wavelength-modulation absorption spectroscopy in a high-pressure environment. The minimum detectable absorbance demonstrated, 1×10-4, corresponds to 800 ppm-m oxygen detectivity at room temperature and is limited by etalon noise. The rapid- and wide-frequency tunability of VCSELs should significantly expand the application domain of absorption-based sensors limited in the past by the small current-tuning frequency range (typically <2 cm-1) of conventional edge-emitting diode lasers.

Design and construction of a novel 1H/19F double-tuned coil system using PIN-diode switches at 9.4T.

PubMed

Choi, Chang-Hoon; Hong, Suk-Min; Ha, YongHyun; Shah, N Jon

2017-06-01

A double-tuned 1 H/ 19 F coil using PIN-diode switches was developed and its performance evaluated. The is a key difference from the previous developments being that this design used a PIN-diode switch in series with an additionally inserted inductor in parallel to one of the capacitors on the loop. The probe was adjusted to 19 F when the reverse bias voltage was applied (PIN-diode OFF), whilst it was switched to 1 H when forward current was flowing (PIN-diode ON). S-parameters and Q-factors of single- and double-tuned coils were examined and compared with/without a phantom on the bench. Imaging experiments were carried out on a 9.4T preclinical scanner. All coils were tuned at resonance frequencies and matched well. It is shown that the Q-ratio and SNR of double-tuned coil at 19 F frequency are nearly as good as those of a single-tuned coil. Since the operating frequency was tuned to 19 F when the PIN-diodes were turned off, losses due to PIN-diodes were substantially lower resulting in the provision of excellent image quality of X-nuclei. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Basilar membrane vibration after targeted removal of the third row of OHCs and Deiters cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Anping; Udagawa, Tomokatsu; Raphael, Patrick D.; Cheng, Alan G.; Steele, Charles R.; Applegate, Brian E.; Oghalai, John S.

2018-05-01

The mammalian cochlea has three rows of outer hair cells (OHCs) that amplify the basilar membrane (BM) traveling wave with high gain and exquisite sharpness. However, it is unclear why three rows of OHCs are needed to achieve this. We used a novel transgenic mouse with the diphtheria toxin receptor in Lgr5-positive cells (Lgr5DTR-EGFP/+ mouse) that allowed us to ablate the third row of OHCs and Deiters cells (D) in adulthood via DT injection, after normal cochlear function had developed. We then used volumetric optical coherence tomography (VOCTV) to investigate the impacts of this manipulation of cochlear amplification in the apical turn. As expected, Lgr5DTR-EGFP/+ control mice had sharply-tuned vibratory responses. However, Lgr5DTR-EGFP/+ mice had broad tuning with a 20 dB increase in vibratory thresholds. The Q10dB was ˜1 in Lgr5DTR-EGFP/+ mice, whereas it was ˜3 in control mice. The characteristic frequency was lower in Lgr5DTR-EGFP/+ mice compared to controls (7.5 vs. 9.0 kHz). The gain of cochlear amplification was substantially lower in Lgr5DTR-EGFP/+ mice compared to controls (22 vs. 50). In the post-mortem period, the vibratory responses in Lgr5DTR-EGFP/+ mice were identical to controls. Together, these results demonstrate the substantial importance of the third row of OHCs and Deiters cells to normal cochlear amplification.

Preceding weak noise sharpens the frequency tuning and elevates the response threshold of the mouse inferior collicular neurons through GABAergic inhibition.

PubMed

Wang, Xin; Jen, Philip H-S; Wu, Fei-Jian; Chen, Qi-Cai

2007-09-05

In acoustic communication, animals must extract biologically relevant signals that are embedded in noisy environment. The present study examines how weak noise may affect the auditory sensitivity of neurons in the central nucleus of the mouse inferior colliculus (IC) which receives convergent excitatory and inhibitory inputs from both lower and higher auditory centers. Specifically, we studied the frequency sensitivity and minimum threshold of IC neurons using a pure tone probe and a weak white noise masker under forward masking paradigm. For most IC neurons, probe-elicited response was decreased by a weak white noise that was presented at a specific gap (i.e. time window). When presented within this time window, weak noise masking sharpened the frequency tuning curve and increased the minimum threshold of IC neurons. The degree of weak noise masking of these two measurements increased with noise duration. Sharpening of the frequency tuning curve and increasing of the minimum threshold of IC neurons during weak noise masking were mostly mediated through GABAergic inhibition. In addition, sharpening of frequency tuning curve by the weak noise masker was more effective at the high than at low frequency limb. These data indicate that in the real world the ambient noise may improve frequency sensitivity of IC neurons through GABAergic inhibition while inevitably decrease the frequency response range and sensitivity of IC neurons.

Tuner design and RF test of a four-rod RFQ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, QuanFeng; Zhu, Kun; Guo, ZhiYu; Kang, MingLei; Gao, ShuLi; Lu, YuanRong; Chen, JiaEr

2011-12-01

A mini-vane four-rod radio frequency quadruple (RFQ) accelerator has been built for neutron imaging. The RFQ will operate at 201.5 MHz, and its length is 2.7 m. The original electric field distribution along the electrodes is not flat. The resonant frequency needs to be tuned to the operating value. And the frequency needs to be compensated for temperature change during high power RF test and beam test. As tuning such a RFQ is difficult, plate tuners and stick tuners are designed. This paper will present the tuners design, the tuning procedure, and the RF properties of the RFQ.

Contralateral Bias of High Spatial Frequency Tuning and Cardinal Direction Selectivity in Mouse Visual Cortex

PubMed Central

Zeitoun, Jack H.; Kim, Hyungtae

2017-01-01

Binocular mechanisms for visual processing are thought to enhance spatial acuity by combining matched input from the two eyes. Studies in the primary visual cortex of carnivores and primates have confirmed that eye-specific neuronal response properties are largely matched. In recent years, the mouse has emerged as a prominent model for binocular visual processing, yet little is known about the spatial frequency tuning of binocular responses in mouse visual cortex. Using calcium imaging in awake mice of both sexes, we show that the spatial frequency preference of cortical responses to the contralateral eye is ∼35% higher than responses to the ipsilateral eye. Furthermore, we find that neurons in binocular visual cortex that respond only to the contralateral eye are tuned to higher spatial frequencies. Binocular neurons that are well matched in spatial frequency preference are also matched in orientation preference. In contrast, we observe that binocularly mismatched cells are more mismatched in orientation tuning. Furthermore, we find that contralateral responses are more direction-selective than ipsilateral responses and are strongly biased to the cardinal directions. The contralateral bias of high spatial frequency tuning was found in both awake and anesthetized recordings. The distinct properties of contralateral cortical responses may reflect the functional segregation of direction-selective, high spatial frequency-preferring neurons in earlier stages of the central visual pathway. Moreover, these results suggest that the development of binocularity and visual acuity may engage distinct circuits in the mouse visual system. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Seeing through two eyes is thought to improve visual acuity by enhancing sensitivity to fine edges. Using calcium imaging of cellular responses in awake mice, we find surprising asymmetries in the spatial processing of eye-specific visual input in binocular primary visual cortex. The contralateral visual pathway is tuned to higher spatial frequencies than the ipsilateral pathway. At the highest spatial frequencies, the contralateral pathway strongly prefers to respond to visual stimuli along the cardinal (horizontal and vertical) axes. These results suggest that monocular, and not binocular, mechanisms set the limit of spatial acuity in mice. Furthermore, they suggest that the development of visual acuity and binocularity in mice involves different circuits. PMID:28924011

Specificity of the Human Frequency Following Response for Carrier and Modulation Frequency Assessed Using Adaptation.

PubMed

Gockel, Hedwig E; Krugliak, Alexandra; Plack, Christopher J; Carlyon, Robert P

2015-12-01

The frequency following response (FFR) is a scalp-recorded measure of phase-locked brainstem activity to stimulus-related periodicities. Three experiments investigated the specificity of the FFR for carrier and modulation frequency using adaptation. FFR waveforms evoked by alternating-polarity stimuli were averaged for each polarity and added, to enhance envelope, or subtracted, to enhance temporal fine structure information. The first experiment investigated peristimulus adaptation of the FFR for pure and complex tones as a function of stimulus frequency and fundamental frequency (F0). It showed more adaptation of the FFR in response to sounds with higher frequencies or F0s than to sounds with lower frequency or F0s. The second experiment investigated tuning to modulation rate in the FFR. The FFR to a complex tone with a modulation rate of 213 Hz was not reduced more by an adaptor that had the same modulation rate than by an adaptor with a different modulation rate (90 or 504 Hz), thus providing no evidence that the FFR originates mainly from neurons that respond selectively to the modulation rate of the stimulus. The third experiment investigated tuning to audio frequency in the FFR using pure tones. An adaptor that had the same frequency as the target (213 or 504 Hz) did not generally reduce the FFR to the target more than an adaptor that differed in frequency (by 1.24 octaves). Thus, there was no evidence that the FFR originated mainly from neurons tuned to the frequency of the target. Instead, the results are consistent with the suggestion that the FFR for low-frequency pure tones at medium to high levels mainly originates from neurons tuned to higher frequencies. Implications for the use and interpretation of the FFR are discussed.

An electronically tuned wideband probehead for NQR spectroscopy in the VHF range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scharfetter, Hermann

2016-10-01

Nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy is an analytical method which allows to characterize materials which contain quadrupolar nuclei, i.e. nuclei with spin ⩾1. The measurement technology is similar to that of NMR except that no static magnetic field is necessary. In contrast to NMR, however, it is frequently necessary to scan spectra with a very large bandwidth with a span of several tens of % of the central frequency so as to localize unknown peaks. Standard NMR probeheads which are typically constructed as resonators must be tuned and matched to comparatively narrow bands and must thus be re-tuned and re-matched very frequently when scanning over a whole NQR spectrum. At low frequencies up to few MHz dedicated circuits without the need for tuning and matching have been developed, but many quadrupole nuclei have transitions in the VHF range between several tens of MHz up to several hundreds of MHz. Currently available commercial NQR probeheads employ stepper motors for setting mechanically tuneable capacitors in standard NMR resonators. These yield high quality factors (Q) and thus high SNR but are relatively large and clumsy and do not allow for fast frequency sweeps. This article presents a new concept for a NQR probehead which combines a previously published no-tune no-match wideband concept for the transmit (TX) pulse with an electronically tuneable receive (RX) part employing varactor diodes. The prototype coil provides a TX frequency range of 57 MHz with a center frequency of 97.5 MHz with a return loss of ⩽-15 dB. During RX the resonator is tuned and matched automatically to the right frequency via control voltages which are read out from a previously generated lookup table, thus providing high SNR. The control voltages which bias the varactors settle very fast and allow for hopping to the next frequency point in the spectrum within less than 100 μs. Experiments with a test sample of ZnBr2 proved the feasibility of the method.

Frequency organization and responses to complex sounds in the medial geniculate body of the mustached bat.

PubMed

Wenstrup, J J

1999-11-01

The auditory cortex of the mustached bat (Pteronotus parnellii) displays some of the most highly developed physiological and organizational features described in mammalian auditory cortex. This study examines response properties and organization in the medial geniculate body (MGB) that may contribute to these features of auditory cortex. About 25% of 427 auditory responses had simple frequency tuning with single excitatory tuning curves. The remainder displayed more complex frequency tuning using two-tone or noise stimuli. Most of these were combination-sensitive, responsive to combinations of different frequency bands within sonar or social vocalizations. They included FM-FM neurons, responsive to different harmonic elements of the frequency modulated (FM) sweep in the sonar signal, and H1-CF neurons, responsive to combinations of the bat's first sonar harmonic (H1) and a higher harmonic of the constant frequency (CF) sonar signal. Most combination-sensitive neurons (86%) showed facilitatory interactions. Neurons tuned to frequencies outside the biosonar range also displayed combination-sensitive responses, perhaps related to analyses of social vocalizations. Complex spectral responses were distributed throughout dorsal and ventral divisions of the MGB, forming a major feature of this bat's analysis of complex sounds. The auditory sector of the thalamic reticular nucleus also was dominated by complex spectral responses to sounds. The ventral division was organized tonotopically, based on best frequencies of singly tuned neurons and higher best frequencies of combination-sensitive neurons. Best frequencies were lowest ventrolaterally, increasing dorsally and then ventromedially. However, representations of frequencies associated with higher harmonics of the FM sonar signal were reduced greatly. Frequency organization in the dorsal division was not tonotopic; within the middle one-third of MGB, combination-sensitive responses to second and third harmonic CF sonar signals (60-63 and 90-94 kHz) occurred in adjacent regions. In the rostral one-third, combination-sensitive responses to second, third, and fourth harmonic FM frequency bands predominated. These FM-FM neurons, thought to be selective for delay between an emitted pulse and echo, showed some organization of delay selectivity. The organization of frequency sensitivity in the MGB suggests a major rewiring of the output of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus, by which collicular neurons tuned to the bat's FM sonar signals mostly project to the dorsal, not the ventral, division. Because physiological differences between collicular and MGB neurons are minor, a major role of the tecto-thalamic projection in the mustached bat may be the reorganization of responses to provide for cortical representations of sonar target features.

Tuning carrier mobility without spin transport degrading in copper-phthalocyanine

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

Jiang, S. W.; Wang, P.; Chen, B. B.

2015-07-27

We demonstrate more than one order of magnitude of carrier mobility tuning for the copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) without spin transport degrading in organic spin valve devices. Depending on the preparation conditions, organic spin valves with the CuPc film mobility of 5.78 × 10{sup −3} and 1.11 × 10{sup −4} cm{sup 2}/V s are obtained for polycrystalline and amorphous CuPc, respectively. Strikingly, the spin diffusion lengths are almost the same regardless of their mobilities that are ∼50 times different, which is in sharp contrast with previous prediction. These findings directly support that the spin relaxation in CuPc is dominated by the spin-orbit coupling.

Magnon Polarons in the Spin Seebeck Effect.

PubMed

Kikkawa, Takashi; Shen, Ka; Flebus, Benedetta; Duine, Rembert A; Uchida, Ken-Ichi; Qiu, Zhiyong; Bauer, Gerrit E W; Saitoh, Eiji

2016-11-11

Sharp structures in the magnetic field-dependent spin Seebeck effect (SSE) voltages of Pt/Y_{3}Fe_{5}O_{12} at low temperatures are attributed to the magnon-phonon interaction. Experimental results are well reproduced by a Boltzmann theory that includes magnetoelastic coupling. The SSE anomalies coincide with magnetic fields tuned to the threshold of magnon-polaron formation. The effect gives insight into the relative quality of the lattice and magnetization dynamics.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation changes response selectivity of neurons in the visual cortex

PubMed Central

Kim, Taekjun; Allen, Elena A.; Pasley, Brian N.; Freeman, Ralph D.

2015-01-01

Background Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used to selectively alter neuronal activity of specific regions in the cerebral cortex. TMS is reported to induce either transient disruption or enhancement of different neural functions. However, its effects on tuning properties of sensory neurons have not been studied quantitatively. Objective/Hypothesis Here, we use specific TMS application parameters to determine how they may alter tuning characteristics (orientation, spatial frequency, and contrast sensitivity) of single neurons in the cat’s visual cortex. Methods Single unit spikes were recorded with tungsten microelectrodes from the visual cortex of anesthetized and paralyzed cats (12 males). Repetitive TMS (4Hz, 4sec) was delivered with a 70mm figure-8 coil. We quantified basic tuning parameters of individual neurons for each pre- and post-TMS condition. The statistical significance of changes for each tuning parameter between the two conditions was evaluated with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results We generally find long-lasting suppression which persists well beyond the stimulation period. Pre- and post-TMS orientation tuning curves show constant peak values. However, strong suppression at non-preferred orientations tends to narrow the widths of tuning curves. Spatial frequency tuning exhibits an asymmetric change in overall shape, which results in an emphasis on higher frequencies. Contrast tuning curves show nonlinear changes consistent with a gain control mechanism. Conclusions These findings suggest that TMS causes extended interruption of the balance between sub-cortical and intra-cortical inputs. PMID:25862599

Development of an automatic frequency control system for an X-band (=9300 MHz) RF electron linear accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cha, Sungsu; Kim, Yujong; Lee, Byung Cheol; Park, Hyung Dal; Lee, Seung Hyun; Buaphad, Pikad

2017-05-01

KAERI is developing a 6 MeV X-band radio frequency (RF) electron linear accelerator for medical purposes. The proposed X-band accelerator consists of an e-gun, an accelerating structure, two solenoid magnets, two steering magnets, a magnetron, a modulator, and an automatic frequency control (AFC) system. The accelerating structure of the component consists of oxygen-free high-conductivity copper (OFHC). Therefore, the ambient temperature changes the volume, and the resonance frequency of the accelerating structure also changes. If the RF frequency of a 9300 MHz magnetron and the resonance frequency of the accelerating structure do not match, it can degrade the performance. That is, it will decrease the output power, lower the beam current, decrease the X-ray dose rate, increase the reflection power, and result in unstable operation of the accelerator. Accelerator operation should be possible at any time during all four seasons. To prevent humans from being exposed to radiation when it is operated, the accelerator should also be operable through remote monitoring and remote control. Therefore, the AFC system is designed to meet these requirements; it is configured based on the concept of a phase-locked loop (PLL) model, which includes an RF section, an intermediate frequency (IF) [1-3] section, and a local oscillator (LO) section. Some resonance frequency controllers use a DC motor, chain, and potentiometer to store the position and tune the frequency [4,5]. Our AFC system uses a step motor to tune the RF frequency of the magnetron. The maximum tuning turn number of our magnetron frequency tuning shaft is ten. Since the RF frequency of our magnetron is 9300±25 MHz, it gives 5 MHz (∵±25 MHz/10 turns → 50 MHz/10 turns =5 MHz/turn) frequency tuning per turn. The rotation angle of our step motor is 0.72° per step and the total step number per one rotation is 360°/0.72°=500 steps. Therefore, the tuning range per step is 10 kHz/step (=5 MHz per turn/500 steps per turn). The developed system is a more compact new resonance frequency control system. In addition, a frequency measuring part is included and it can measure the real-time resonance frequency from the magnetron. We have succeeded in the stable provisioning of RF power by recording the results of a 0.01% frequency deviation in the AFC during an RF test. Accordingly, in this paper, the detailed design, fabrication, and a high power test of the AFC system for the X-band linac are presented.

Tonotopic tuning in a sound localization circuit.

PubMed

Slee, Sean J; Higgs, Matthew H; Fairhall, Adrienne L; Spain, William J

2010-05-01

Nucleus laminaris (NL) neurons encode interaural time difference (ITD), the cue used to localize low-frequency sounds. A physiologically based model of NL input suggests that ITD information is contained in narrow frequency bands around harmonics of the sound frequency. This suggested a theory, which predicts that, for each tone frequency, there is an optimal time course for synaptic inputs to NL that will elicit the largest modulation of NL firing rate as a function of ITD. The theory also suggested that neurons in different tonotopic regions of NL require specialized tuning to take advantage of the input gradient. Tonotopic tuning in NL was investigated in brain slices by separating the nucleus into three regions based on its anatomical tonotopic map. Patch-clamp recordings in each region were used to measure both the synaptic and the intrinsic electrical properties. The data revealed a tonotopic gradient of synaptic time course that closely matched the theoretical predictions. We also found postsynaptic band-pass filtering. Analysis of the combined synaptic and postsynaptic filters revealed a frequency-dependent gradient of gain for the transformation of tone amplitude to NL firing rate modulation. Models constructed from the experimental data for each tonotopic region demonstrate that the tonotopic tuning measured in NL can improve ITD encoding across sound frequencies.

Double Brillouin frequency spaced multiwavelength Brillouin-erbium fiber laser with 50 nm tuning range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, J. F.; Liao, T. Q.; Zhang, C.; Zhang, R. X.; Miao, C. Y.; Tong, Z. R.

2012-09-01

A 50 nm tuning range multiwavelength Brillouin-erbium fiber laser (MWBEFL) with double Brillouin frequency spacing is presented. Two separated gain blocks with symmetrical architecture, consisted by erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) and Brillouin gain media, are used to generate double Brillouin frequency spacing. The wider tuning range is realized by eliminating the self-lasing cavity modes existing in conventional MWBEFLs because of the absence of the physical mirrors at the ends of the linear cavity. The Brillouin pump (BP) is preamplified by the EDFA before entering the single-mode fiber (SMF), which leads to the reduction of threshold power and the generation enhancement of Brillouin Stokes (BS) signals. Four channels with 0.176 nm spacing are achieved at 2 mW BP power and 280 mW 980 nm pump power which can be tuned from 1525 to 1575 nm.

Super-focusing of center-covered engineered microsphere.

PubMed

Wu, Mengxue; Chen, Rui; Soh, Jiahao; Shen, Yue; Jiao, Lishi; Wu, Jianfeng; Chen, Xudong; Ji, Rong; Hong, Minghui

2016-08-16

Engineered microsphere possesses the advantage of strong light manipulation at sub-wavelength scale and emerges as a promising candidate to shrink the focal spot size. Here we demonstrated a center-covered engineered microsphere which can adjust the transverse component of the incident beam and achieve a sharp photonic nanojet. Modification of the beam width and working distance of the photonic nanojet were achieved by tuning the cover ratio of the engineered microsphere, leading to a sharp spot size which exceeded the optical diffraction limit. At a wavelength of 633 nm, a focal spot of 245 nm (0.387 λ) was achieved experimentally under plane wave illumination. Strong localized field with Bessel-like distribution was demonstrated by employing the linearly polarized beam and a center-covered mask being engineered on the microsphere.

Super-focusing of center-covered engineered microsphere

PubMed Central

Wu, Mengxue; Chen, Rui; Soh, Jiahao; Shen, Yue; Jiao, Lishi; Wu, Jianfeng; Chen, Xudong; Ji, Rong; Hong, Minghui

2016-01-01

Engineered microsphere possesses the advantage of strong light manipulation at sub-wavelength scale and emerges as a promising candidate to shrink the focal spot size. Here we demonstrated a center-covered engineered microsphere which can adjust the transverse component of the incident beam and achieve a sharp photonic nanojet. Modification of the beam width and working distance of the photonic nanojet were achieved by tuning the cover ratio of the engineered microsphere, leading to a sharp spot size which exceeded the optical diffraction limit. At a wavelength of 633 nm, a focal spot of 245 nm (0.387 λ) was achieved experimentally under plane wave illumination. Strong localized field with Bessel-like distribution was demonstrated by employing the linearly polarized beam and a center-covered mask being engineered on the microsphere. PMID:27528093

Internally resonating lattices for bandgap generation and low-frequency vibration control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baravelli, Emanuele; Ruzzene, Massimo

2013-12-01

The paper reports on a structural concept for high stiffness and high damping performance. A stiff external frame and an internal resonating lattice are combined in a beam-like assembly which is characterized by high frequency bandgaps and tuned vibration attenuation at low frequencies. The resonating lattice consists of an elastomeric material arranged according to a chiral topology which is designed to resonate at selected frequencies. The concept achieves high damping performance by combining the frequency-selective properties of internally resonating structures, with the energy dissipation characteristics of their constituent material. The flexible ligaments, the circular nodes and the non-central interactions of the chiral topology lead to dynamic deformation patterns which are beneficial to energy dissipation. Furthermore, tuning and grading of the elements of the lattice allows for tailoring of the resonating properties so that vibration attenuation is obtained over desired frequency ranges. Numerical and experimental results demonstrate the tuning flexibility of this concept and suggest its potential application for load-carrying structural members parts of vibration and shock prone systems.

Neural tuning matches frequency-dependent time differences between the ears

PubMed Central

Benichoux, Victor; Fontaine, Bertrand; Franken, Tom P; Karino, Shotaro; Joris, Philip X; Brette, Romain

2015-01-01

The time it takes a sound to travel from source to ear differs between the ears and creates an interaural delay. It varies systematically with spatial direction and is generally modeled as a pure time delay, independent of frequency. In acoustical recordings, we found that interaural delay varies with frequency at a fine scale. In physiological recordings of midbrain neurons sensitive to interaural delay, we found that preferred delay also varies with sound frequency. Similar observations reported earlier were not incorporated in a functional framework. We find that the frequency dependence of acoustical and physiological interaural delays are matched in key respects. This suggests that binaural neurons are tuned to acoustical features of ecological environments, rather than to fixed interaural delays. Using recordings from the nerve and brainstem we show that this tuning may emerge from neurons detecting coincidences between input fibers that are mistuned in frequency. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06072.001 PMID:25915620

Orientation Tuning in the Visual Cortex of 3-Month-old Human Infants

PubMed Central

Baker, Thomas J.; Norcia, Anthony M.; Candy, T. Rowan

2016-01-01

Sensitivity to orientation is critical for making a whole and complete picture of the world. We measured the orientation tuning of mechanisms inthe visual cortex of typically developing 3-month-olds and adults using a nonlinear analysis of the two-input steady-state visually evoked potential (VEP). Two gratings, one a fixed test and the other a variable orientation masker were tagged with distinct temporal frequencies and the corresponding evoked responses were measured at the harmonics of the test and masker frequencies and at a frequency equal to the sum of the two stimulus frequencies. The magnitude of the sum frequency component depended strongly on the relative orientation of the test and masker in both infants and adults. The VEP tuning bandwidths of the 3-month-olds measured at the sum frequency were similar to those of adults, suggesting that behavioral immaturities in functions such as orientation discrimination and contour integration may result from other immaturities in long-range lateral projections or feedback mechanisms. PMID:21236289

Frequency tuning allows flow direction control in microfluidic networks with passive features.

PubMed

Jain, Rahil; Lutz, Barry

2017-05-02

Frequency tuning has emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional pumping techniques in microfluidics. Oscillating (AC) flow driven through a passive valve can be rectified to create steady (DC) flow, and tuning the excitation frequency to the characteristic (resonance) frequency of the underlying microfluidic network allows control of flow magnitude using simple hardware, such as an on-chip piezo buzzer. In this paper, we report that frequency tuning can also be used to control the direction (forward or backward) of the rectified DC flow in a single device. Initially, we observed that certain devices provided DC flow in the "forward" direction expected from previous work with a similar valve geometry, and the maximum DC flow occurred at the same frequency as a prominent peak in the AC flow magnitude, as expected. However, devices of a slightly different geometry provided the DC flow in the opposite direction and at a frequency well below the peak AC flow. Using an equivalent electrical circuit model, we found that the "forward" DC flow occurred at the series resonance frequency (with large AC flow peak), while the "backward" DC flow occurred at a less obvious parallel resonance (a valley in AC flow magnitude). We also observed that the DC flow occurred only when there was a measurable differential in the AC flow magnitude across the valve, and the DC flow direction was from the channel with large AC flow magnitude to that with small AC flow magnitude. Using these observations and the AC flow predictions from the equivalent circuit model, we designed a device with an AC flowrate frequency profile that was expected to allow the DC flow in opposite directions at two distinct frequencies. The fabricated device showed the expected flow reversal at the expected frequencies. This approach expands the flow control toolkit to include both magnitude and direction control in frequency-tuned microfluidic pumps. The work also raises interesting questions about the origin of flow reversal behavior that may be addressed by the further study of the circuit model behavior or dynamic modeling of the fluid-solid mechanics of the valve under the AC flow.

Practical design of a 4 Tesla double-tuned RF surface coil for interleaved 1H and 23Na MRI of rat brain.

PubMed

Alecci, M; Romanzetti, S; Kaffanke, J; Celik, A; Wegener, H P; Shah, N J

2006-08-01

MRI is proving to be a very useful tool for sodium quantification in animal models of stroke, ischemia, and cancer. In this work, we present the practical design of a dual-frequency RF surface coil that provides (1)H and (23)Na images of the rat head at 4 T. The dual-frequency RF surface coil comprised of a large loop tuned to the (1)H frequency and a smaller co-planar loop tuned to the (23)Na frequency. The mutual coupling between the two loops was eliminated by the use of a trap circuit inserted in the smaller coil. This independent-loop design was versatile since it enabled a separate optimisation of the sensitivity and RF field distributions of the two coils. To allow for an easy extension of this simple double-tuned coil design to other frequencies (nuclei) and dimensions, we describe in detail the practical aspects of the workbench design and MRI testing using a phantom that mimics in vivo conditions. A comparison between our independent-loop, double-tuned coil and a single-tuned (23)Na coil of equal size obtained with a phantom matching in vivo conditions, showed a reduction of the (23)Na sensitivity (about 28 %) because of signal losses in the trap inductance. Typical congruent (1)H and (23)Na rat brain images showing good SNR ((23)Na: brain 7, ventricular cerebrospinal fluid 11) and spatial resolution ((23)Na: 1.25 x 1.25 x 5mm(3)) are also reported. The in vivo SNR values obtained with this coil were comparable to, if not better than, other contemporary designs in the literature.

Practical design of a 4 Tesla double-tuned RF surface coil for interleaved 1H and 23Na MRI of rat brain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alecci, M.; Romanzetti, S.; Kaffanke, J.; Celik, A.; Wegener, H. P.; Shah, N. J.

2006-08-01

MRI is proving to be a very useful tool for sodium quantification in animal models of stroke, ischemia, and cancer. In this work, we present the practical design of a dual-frequency RF surface coil that provides 1H and 23Na images of the rat head at 4 T. The dual-frequency RF surface coil comprised of a large loop tuned to the 1H frequency and a smaller co-planar loop tuned to the 23Na frequency. The mutual coupling between the two loops was eliminated by the use of a trap circuit inserted in the smaller coil. This independent-loop design was versatile since it enabled a separate optimisation of the sensitivity and RF field distributions of the two coils. To allow for an easy extension of this simple double-tuned coil design to other frequencies (nuclei) and dimensions, we describe in detail the practical aspects of the workbench design and MRI testing using a phantom that mimics in vivo conditions. A comparison between our independent-loop, double-tuned coil and a single-tuned 23Na coil of equal size obtained with a phantom matching in vivo conditions, showed a reduction of the 23Na sensitivity (about 28 %) because of signal losses in the trap inductance. Typical congruent 1H and 23Na rat brain images showing good SNR ( 23Na: brain 7, ventricular cerebrospinal fluid 11) and spatial resolution ( 23Na: 1.25 × 1.25 × 5 mm 3) are also reported. The in vivo SNR values obtained with this coil were comparable to, if not better than, other contemporary designs in the literature.

Prestin Regulation and Function in Residual Outer Hair Cells after Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

PubMed Central

Xia, Anping; Song, Yohan; Wang, Rosalie; Gao, Simon S.; Clifton, Will; Raphael, Patrick; Chao, Sung-il; Pereira, Fred A.; Groves, Andrew K.; Oghalai, John S.

2013-01-01

The outer hair cell (OHC) motor protein prestin is necessary for electromotility, which drives cochlear amplification and produces exquisitely sharp frequency tuning. TectaC1509G transgenic mice have hearing loss, and surprisingly have increased OHC prestin levels. We hypothesized, therefore, that prestin up-regulation may represent a generalized response to compensate for a state of hearing loss. In the present study, we sought to determine the effects of noise-induced hearing loss on prestin expression. After noise exposure, we performed cytocochleograms and observed OHC loss only in the basal region of the cochlea. Next, we patch clamped OHCs from the apical turn (9–12 kHz region), where no OHCs were lost, in noise-exposed and age-matched control mice. The non-linear capacitance was significantly higher in noise-exposed mice, consistent with higher functional prestin levels. We then measured prestin protein and mRNA levels in whole-cochlea specimens. Both Western blot and qPCR studies demonstrated increased prestin expression after noise exposure. Finally, we examined the effect of the prestin increase in vivo following noise damage. Immediately after noise exposure, ABR and DPOAE thresholds were elevated by 30–40 dB. While most of the temporary threshold shifts recovered within 3 days, there were additional improvements over the next month. However, DPOAE magnitudes, basilar membrane vibration, and CAP tuning curve measurements from the 9–12 kHz cochlear region demonstrated no differences between noise-exposed mice and control mice. Taken together, these data indicate that prestin is up-regulated by 32–58% in residual OHCs after noise exposure and that the prestin is functional. These findings are consistent with the notion that prestin increases in an attempt to partially compensate for reduced force production because of missing OHCs. However, in regions where there is no OHC loss, the cochlea is able to compensate for the excess prestin in order to maintain stable auditory thresholds and frequency discrimination. PMID:24376553

Does Face Inversion Change Spatial Frequency Tuning?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Willenbockel, Verena; Fiset, Daniel; Chauvin, Alan; Blais, Caroline; Arguin, Martin; Tanaka, James W.; Bub, Daniel N.; Gosselin, Frederic

2010-01-01

The authors examined spatial frequency (SF) tuning of upright and inverted face identification using an SF variant of the Bubbles technique (F. Gosselin & P. G. Schyns, 2001). In Experiment 1, they validated the SF Bubbles technique in a plaid detection task. In Experiments 2a-c, the SFs used for identifying upright and inverted inner facial…

Linewidth and tuning characteristics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers.

PubMed

Barkan, A; Tittel, F K; Mittleman, D M; Dengler, R; Siegel, P H; Scalari, G; Ajili, L; Faist, J; Beere, H E; Linfield, E H; Davies, A G; Ritchie, D A

2004-03-15

We have measured the spectral linewidths of three continuous-wave quantum cascade lasers operating at terahertz frequencies by heterodyning the free-running quantum cascade laser with two far-infrared gas lasers. Beat notes are detected with a GaAs diode mixer and a microwave spectrum analyzer, permitting very precise frequency measurements and giving instantaneous linewidths of less than -30 kHz. Characteristics are also reported for frequency tuning as the injection current is varied.

Quartz tuning-fork oscillations in He II and drag coefficient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gritsenko, I. A.; Zadorozhko, A. A.; Neoneta, A. S.; Chagovets, V. K.; Sheshin, G. A.

2011-07-01

The temperature dependencies of drag coefficient for quartz tuning forks of various geometric dimensions, immersed in the He II, were determined experimentally in the temperature range 0.1-3 K. It is identified, that these dependencies are similar, but the values of drag coefficient are different for tuning forks with different geometric dimensions. It is shown, that the obtained specific drag coefficient depends only on the temperature and frequency of vibrations, when the value of drag coefficient is normalized to the surface area of moving tuning-fork prong. The temperature dependencies of normalized drag coefficient for the tuning forks of various dimensions, wire, and microsphere, oscillating in the Не II, are compared. It is shown, that in the ballistic regime of scattering of quasiparticles, these dependencies are identical and have a slope proportional to T4, which is determined by the density of thermal excitations. In the hydrodynamic regime at T > 0.5 K, the behavior of the temperature dependence of specific drag coefficient is affected by the size and frequency of vibrating body. The empirical relation, which allows to describe the behavior of specific drag coefficient for vibrating tuning forks, microsphere, and wire everywhere over the temperature region and at various frequencies, is proposed.

Representation of pitch chroma by multi-peak spectral tuning in human auditory cortex

PubMed Central

Moerel, Michelle; De Martino, Federico; Santoro, Roberta; Yacoub, Essa; Formisano, Elia

2015-01-01

Musical notes played at octave intervals (i.e., having the same pitch chroma) are perceived as similar. This well-known perceptual phenomenon lays at the foundation of melody recognition and music perception, yet its neural underpinnings remain largely unknown to date. Using fMRI with high sensitivity and spatial resolution, we examined the contribution of multi-peak spectral tuning to the neural representation of pitch chroma in human auditory cortex in two experiments. In experiment 1, our estimation of population spectral tuning curves from the responses to natural sounds confirmed—with new data—our recent results on the existence of cortical ensemble responses finely tuned to multiple frequencies at one octave distance (Moerel et al., 2013). In experiment 2, we fitted a mathematical model consisting of a pitch chroma and height component to explain the measured fMRI responses to piano notes. This analysis revealed that the octave-tuned populations—but not other cortical populations—harbored a neural representation of musical notes according to their pitch chroma. These results indicate that responses of auditory cortical populations selectively tuned to multiple frequencies at one octave distance predict well the perceptual similarity of musical notes with the same chroma, beyond the physical (frequency) distance of notes. PMID:25479020

Representation of pitch chroma by multi-peak spectral tuning in human auditory cortex.

PubMed

Moerel, Michelle; De Martino, Federico; Santoro, Roberta; Yacoub, Essa; Formisano, Elia

2015-02-01

Musical notes played at octave intervals (i.e., having the same pitch chroma) are perceived as similar. This well-known perceptual phenomenon lays at the foundation of melody recognition and music perception, yet its neural underpinnings remain largely unknown to date. Using fMRI with high sensitivity and spatial resolution, we examined the contribution of multi-peak spectral tuning to the neural representation of pitch chroma in human auditory cortex in two experiments. In experiment 1, our estimation of population spectral tuning curves from the responses to natural sounds confirmed--with new data--our recent results on the existence of cortical ensemble responses finely tuned to multiple frequencies at one octave distance (Moerel et al., 2013). In experiment 2, we fitted a mathematical model consisting of a pitch chroma and height component to explain the measured fMRI responses to piano notes. This analysis revealed that the octave-tuned populations-but not other cortical populations-harbored a neural representation of musical notes according to their pitch chroma. These results indicate that responses of auditory cortical populations selectively tuned to multiple frequencies at one octave distance predict well the perceptual similarity of musical notes with the same chroma, beyond the physical (frequency) distance of notes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A dynamic and ultrafast group delay tuning mechanism in two microcavities side-coupled with a waveguide system

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

Wang, Boyun; Wang, Tao, E-mail: wangtao@hust.edu.cn; Tang, Jian

2014-10-07

We theoretically propose a dynamic and ultrafast group delay tuning mechanism in two microcavities side-coupled to a waveguide system through external optical pump beams. The optical Kerr effect modulation method is applied to improve tuning rate with response time of subpicoseconds or even femtoseconds. The group delay of an all-optical analog to electromagnetically induced transparency effect can be controlled by tuning either the frequency of photonic crystal microcavities or the propagation phase of line waveguide. Group delay is controlled between 5.88 and 70.98 ps by dynamically tuning resonant frequencies of the microcavities. Alternatively, the group delay is controlled between 1.86more » and 12.08 ps by dynamically tuning the propagation phase of line waveguide. All observed schemes are analyzed rigorously through finite-difference time-domain simulations and coupled-mode formalism. Results show a new direction toward microstructure integration optical pulse trapping and all-optical dynamical storage of light devices in optical communication and quantum information processing.« less

Frequency pulling in a low-voltage medium-power gyrotron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2018-04-01

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

Enhanced Sensitivity of Magnetoelectric Sensors by Tuning the Resonant Frequency

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

charge without requiring any operating power. ME sensors consist of layers or plates of at least two components, a magneto- strictive layer, such as...Metglas, and a piezoelectric layer, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT). These plates or lami- nates are mechanically coupled by nonconductive epoxy. The...applications and the growing energy har- vesting field, it is desirable to tune the resonant frequency to match an input frequency that may vary in time.8

Frequency-specific adaptation and its underlying circuit model in the auditory midbrain.

PubMed

Shen, Li; Zhao, Lingyun; Hong, Bo

2015-01-01

Receptive fields of sensory neurons are considered to be dynamic and depend on the stimulus history. In the auditory system, evidence of dynamic frequency-receptive fields has been found following stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA). However, the underlying mechanism and circuitry of SSA have not been fully elucidated. Here, we studied how frequency-receptive fields of neurons in rat inferior colliculus (IC) changed when exposed to a biased tone sequence. Pure tone with one specific frequency (adaptor) was presented markedly more often than others. The adapted tuning was compared with the original tuning measured with an unbiased sequence. We found inhomogeneous changes in frequency tuning in IC, exhibiting a center-surround pattern with respect to the neuron's best frequency. Central adaptors elicited strong suppressive and repulsive changes while flank adaptors induced facilitative and attractive changes. Moreover, we proposed a two-layer model of the underlying network, which not only reproduced the adaptive changes in the receptive fields but also predicted novelty responses to oddball sequences. These results suggest that frequency-specific adaptation in auditory midbrain can be accounted for by an adapted frequency channel and its lateral spreading of adaptation, which shed light on the organization of the underlying circuitry.

Frequency-specific adaptation and its underlying circuit model in the auditory midbrain

PubMed Central

Shen, Li; Zhao, Lingyun; Hong, Bo

2015-01-01

Receptive fields of sensory neurons are considered to be dynamic and depend on the stimulus history. In the auditory system, evidence of dynamic frequency-receptive fields has been found following stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA). However, the underlying mechanism and circuitry of SSA have not been fully elucidated. Here, we studied how frequency-receptive fields of neurons in rat inferior colliculus (IC) changed when exposed to a biased tone sequence. Pure tone with one specific frequency (adaptor) was presented markedly more often than others. The adapted tuning was compared with the original tuning measured with an unbiased sequence. We found inhomogeneous changes in frequency tuning in IC, exhibiting a center-surround pattern with respect to the neuron's best frequency. Central adaptors elicited strong suppressive and repulsive changes while flank adaptors induced facilitative and attractive changes. Moreover, we proposed a two-layer model of the underlying network, which not only reproduced the adaptive changes in the receptive fields but also predicted novelty responses to oddball sequences. These results suggest that frequency-specific adaptation in auditory midbrain can be accounted for by an adapted frequency channel and its lateral spreading of adaptation, which shed light on the organization of the underlying circuitry. PMID:26483641

Application of bias voltage to tune the resonant frequency of membrane-based electroactive polymer energy harvesters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Lin; Grissom, Michael; Fisher, Frank T.

2016-05-01

Vibration-based energy harvesting has been widely investigated to as a means to generate low levels of electrical energy for applications such as wireless sensor networks. However, for optimal performance it is necessary to ensure that resonant frequencies of the device match the ambient vibration frequencies for maximum energy harvested. Here a novel resonant frequency tuning approach is proposed by applying a bias voltage to a pre-stretched electroactive polymer (EAP) membrane, such that the resulting changes in membrane tension can tune the device to match the environmental vibration source. First, a material model which accounts for the change in properties due to the pre-stretch of a VHB 4910 EAP membrane is presented. The effect of the bias voltage on the EAP membrane, which induces an electrostatic pressure and corresponding reduction in membrane thickness, are then determined. The FEM results from ANSYS agree well with an analytical hyperelastic model of the activation response of the EAP membrane. Lastly, through a mass-loaded circular membrane vibration model, the effective resonant frequency of the energy harvester can be determined as a function of changes in membrane tension due to the applied bias voltage. In the case of an EAP membrane, pre-stretch contributes to the pre-stretch stiffness of the system while the applied bias voltage contributes to a change in bias voltage stiffness of the membrane. Preliminary experiments verified the resonant frequencies corresponding to the bias voltages predicted from the appropriate models. The proposed bias voltage tuning approach for the EAP membrane may provide a novel tuning strategy to enable energy harvesting from various ambient vibration sources in various application environments.

Active noise control using noise source having adaptive resonant frequency tuning through variable ring loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rajiyah, Harindra (Inventor); Pla, Frederic G. (Inventor); Hedeen, Robert A. (Inventor); Renshaw, Anthony A. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A noise source for an aircraft engine active noise cancellation system in which the resonant frequency of noise radiating structure is tuned to permit noise cancellation over a wide range of frequencies. The resonant frequency of the noise radiating structure is tuned by a plurality of drivers arranged to contact the noise radiating structure. Excitation of the drivers causes expansion or contraction of the drivers, thereby varying the edge loading applied to the noise radiating structure. The drivers are actuated by a controller which receives input of a feedback signal proportional to displacement of the noise radiating element and a signal corresponding to the blade passage frequency of the engine's fan. In response, the controller determines a control signal which is sent to the drivers, causing them to expand or contract. The noise radiating structure may be either the outer shroud of the engine or a ring mounted flush with an inner wall of the shroud or disposed in the interior of the shroud.

Active noise control using noise source having adaptive resonant frequency tuning through stress variation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pla, Frederic G. (Inventor); Renshaw, Anthony A. (Inventor); Rajiyah, Harindra (Inventor); Hedeen, Robert A. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A noise source for an aircraft engine active noise cancellation system in which the resonant frequency of a noise radiating element is tuned to permit noise cancellation over a wide range of frequencies. The resonant frequency of the noise radiating element is tuned by an expandable ring embedded in the noise radiating element. Excitation of the ring causes expansion or contraction of the ring, thereby varying the stress in the noise radiating element. The ring is actuated by a controller which receives input of a feedback signal proportional to displacement of the noise radiating element and a signal corresponding to the blade passage frequency of the engine's fan. In response, the controller determines a control signal which is sent to the ring, causing the ring to expand or contract. Instead of a single ring embedded in the noise radiating panel, a first expandable ring can be bonded to one side of the noise radiating element, and a second expandable ring can be bonded to the other side.

Precision and broadband frequency swept laser source based on high-order modulation-sideband injection-locking.

PubMed

Wei, Fang; Lu, Bin; Wang, Jian; Xu, Dan; Pan, Zhengqing; Chen, Dijun; Cai, Haiwen; Qu, Ronghui

2015-02-23

A precision and broadband laser frequency swept technique is experimentally demonstrated. Using synchronous current compensation, a slave diode laser is dynamically injection-locked to a specific high-order modulation-sideband of a narrow-linewidth master laser modulated by an electro-optic modulator (EOM), whose driven radio frequency (RF) signal can be agilely, precisely controlled by a frequency synthesizer, and the high-order modulation-sideband enables multiplied sweep range and tuning rate. By using 5th order sideband injection-locking, the original tuning range of 3 GHz and tuning rate of 0.5 THz/s is multiplied by 5 times to 15 GHz and 2.5 THz/s respectively. The slave laser has a 3 dB-linewidth of 2.5 kHz which is the same to the master laser. The settling time response of a 10 MHz frequency switching is 2.5 µs. By using higher-order modulation-sideband and optimized experiment parameters, an extended sweep range and rate could be expected.

Aircraft interior noise reduction by alternate resonance tuning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bliss, Donald B.; Gottwald, James A.; Srinivasan, Ramakrishna; Gustaveson, Mark B.

1990-01-01

Existing interior noise reduction techniques for aircraft fuselages perform reasonably well at higher frequencies, but are inadequate at lower frequencies, particularly with respect to the low blade passage harmonics with high forcing levels found in propeller aircraft. A method is being studied which considers aircraft fuselage lined with panels alternately tuned to frequencies above and below the frequency that must be attenuated. Adjacent panels would oscillate at equal amplitude, to give equal source strength, but with opposite phase. Provided these adjacent panels are acoustically compact, the resulting cancellation causes the interior acoustic modes to become cutoff, and therefore be non-propagating and evanescent. This interior noise reduction method, called Alternate Resonance Tuning (ART), is currently being investigated both theoretically and experimentally. This new concept has potential application to reducing interior noise due to the propellers in advanced turboprop aircraft as well as for existing aircraft configurations.

Frequency doubling of a tunable ytterbium-doped fibre laser in KTP crystals phase-matched in the XY and YZ planes

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

Akulov, V A; Kablukov, S I; Babin, Sergei A

2012-02-28

This paper presents an experimental study of frequency doubling of a tunable ytterbium-doped fibre laser in KTP crystals phase-matched in the XY and YZ planes. In the XY plane, we obtained continuous tuning in the range 528 - 540 nm through intracavity frequency doubling. The second-harmonic power reached 450 mW for 18 W of multimode diode pump power, which was five times higher in comparison with single-pass frequency doubling. In a single-pass configuration in the YZ plane, we obtained a wide tuning range (527 - 551 nm) in the green spectral region and a second-harmonic power of {approx}10 mW. Themore » tuning range was only limited by the mechanical performance of the fibre Bragg grating and can potentially be extended to the entire lasing range of the ytterbium-doped fibre laser.« less

Dual-pump Kerr Micro-cavity Optical Frequency Comb with varying FSR spacing

PubMed Central

Wang, Weiqiang; Chu, Sai T.; Little, Brent E.; Pasquazi, Alessia; Wang, Yishan; Wang, Leiran; Zhang, Wenfu; Wang, Lei; Hu, Xiaohong; Wang, Guoxi; Hu, Hui; Su, Yulong; Li, Feitao; Liu, Yuanshan; Zhao, Wei

2016-01-01

In this paper, we demonstrate a novel dual-pump approach to generate robust optical frequency comb with varying free spectral range (FSR) spacing in a CMOS-compatible high-Q micro-ring resonator (MRR). The frequency spacing of the comb can be tuned by an integer number FSR of the MRR freely in our dual-pump scheme. The dual pumps are self-oscillated in the laser cavity loop and their wavelengths can be tuned flexibly by programming the tunable filter embedded in the cavity. By tuning the pump wavelength, broadband OFC with the bandwidth of >180 nm and the frequency-spacing varying from 6 to 46-fold FSRs is realized at a low pump power. This approach could find potential and practical applications in many areas, such as optical metrology, optical communication, and signal processing systems, for its excellent flexibility and robustness. PMID:27338250

Tunable Non-Thermal Distribution of Hot Electrons in a Semiconductor Injected from a Plasmonic Gold Nanostructure.

PubMed

Cushing, Scott Kevin; Chen, Chih-Jung; Dong, Chung Li; Kong, Xiang-Tian; Govorov, Alexander O; Liu, Ru-Shi; Wu, Nianqiang

2018-06-26

For semiconductors photosensitized with organic dyes or quantum dots, transferred electrons are usually considered thermalized at the conduction band edge. This study suggests that the electrons injected from a plasmonic metal into a thin semiconductor shell can be non-thermal with energy up to the plasmon frequency. In other words, the electrons injected into the semiconductor are still hot carriers. Photomodulated x-ray absorption measurements of the Ti L 2,3 edge are compared before and after excitation of the plasmon in Au@TiO 2 core shell nanoparticles. Comparison with theoretical predictions of the x-ray absorption, which include the heating and state-filling effects from injected hot carriers, suggest that the electrons transferred from the plasmon remain non-thermal in the ~10 nm TiO 2 shell, due in part to a slow trapping in defect states. By repeating the measurements for spherical, rod-like, and star-like metal nanoparticles, the magnitude of the non-thermal distribution, peak energy, and number of injected hot electrons are confirmed to be tuned by the plasmon frequency and the sharp corners of the plasmonic nanostructure. The results suggest that plasmonic photosensitizers can not only extend the sunlight absorption spectral range of semiconductor-based devices, but could also result in increased open circuit voltages and elevated thermodynamic driving forces for solar fuel generation in photoelectrochemical cells.

Enhancement tuning and control for high dynamic range images in multi-scale locally adaptive contrast enhancement algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cvetkovic, Sascha D.; Schirris, Johan; de With, Peter H. N.

2009-01-01

For real-time imaging in surveillance applications, visibility of details is of primary importance to ensure customer confidence. If we display High Dynamic-Range (HDR) scenes whose contrast spans four or more orders of magnitude on a conventional monitor without additional processing, results are unacceptable. Compression of the dynamic range is therefore a compulsory part of any high-end video processing chain because standard monitors are inherently Low- Dynamic Range (LDR) devices with maximally two orders of display dynamic range. In real-time camera processing, many complex scenes are improved with local contrast enhancements, bringing details to the best possible visibility. In this paper, we show how a multi-scale high-frequency enhancement scheme, in which gain is a non-linear function of the detail energy, can be used for the dynamic range compression of HDR real-time video camera signals. We also show the connection of our enhancement scheme to the processing way of the Human Visual System (HVS). Our algorithm simultaneously controls perceived sharpness, ringing ("halo") artifacts (contrast) and noise, resulting in a good balance between visibility of details and non-disturbance of artifacts. The overall quality enhancement, suitable for both HDR and LDR scenes, is based on a careful selection of the filter types for the multi-band decomposition and a detailed analysis of the signal per frequency band.

Superfluidity of 4He in dense aerogel studied using quartz tuning fork

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsumoto, K.; Okamoto, R.; Nakajima, A.; Abe, S.

2018-03-01

Superfluid 4He in aerogel is of interest because it has a normal component coupling to gel strand due to viscosity and a superfluid component with zero viscosity. Superfluid helium in aerogel has two sound modes, a slow critical mode and a fast one. In this study, quartz tuning fork was used in order to study acoustic properties of liquid 4He in aerogel with 90% porosity. Two pieces of aerogel were glued on both prongs of quartz tuning fork that had a resonance frequency of 33 kHz. The tuning fork was immersed in liquid 4He from 2 to 20 bar. The resonance frequency increased in the superfluid phase due to decrease in loaded mass. Temperature variation of resonance frequency was explained by that of superfluid density. Superfluid transition in aerogel was 2 mK lower than that without gel. Additional dissipation was observed in the temperature range between 1 K and transition temperature.

0.5 V 5.8 GHz highly linear current-reuse voltage-controlled oscillator with back-gate tuning technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikeda, Sho; Lee, Sang-Yeop; Ito, Hiroyuki; Ishihara, Noboru; Masu, Kazuya

2015-04-01

In this paper, we present a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), which achieves highly linear frequency tuning under a low supply voltage of 0.5 V. To obtain the linear frequency tuning of a VCO, the high linearity of the threshold voltage of a varactor versus its back-gate voltage is utilized. This enables the linear capacitance tuning of the varactor; thus, a highly linear VCO can be achieved. In addition, to decrease the power consumption of the VCO, a current-reuse structure is employed as a cross-coupled pair. The proposed VCO was fabricated using a 65 nm Si complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. It shows the ratio of the maximum VCO gain (KVCO) to the minimum one to be 1.28. The dc power consumption is 0.33 mW at a supply voltage of 0.5 V. The measured phase noise at 10 MHz offset is -123 dBc/Hz at an output frequency of 5.8 GHz.

Sharp Injuries Among Medical Students.

PubMed

Ghasemzadeh, Iman; Kazerooni, Mitra; Davoodian, Parivash; Hamedi, Yaghoob; Sadeghi, Payam

2015-03-30

Sharp injuries threaten the health of healthcare employees. They cause the transmission of many diseases such as hepatitis B and C, AIDS, etc., which can increase the associated costs associated with them. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of sharp injuries among the students of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional study was conducted during 2012-2013 in Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, IR Iran. The target population consisted of the medical, nursing, midwifery, operating room technician, and medical laboratory students in the 2012-2013 academic year. Census sampling was conducted, and accordingly, 500 students participated in the study Data was collected using modified questionnaire of the University of San Diego's injury report form. The collected data were entered into SPSS V.19 and analyzed using descriptive statistical tests. Finally 377 students (75.4%) returned the questionnaire. Among the studied students, 184 students (39.3%) had had sharp injuries. The frequency of damaging Vein puncture was the most common mechanism of injury The prevalence of sharp injuries is high among students which can increase the risk of disease and its subsequent risks, and thus, increase the cost and stress among students. It seems that holding workshops and increasing students' awareness and skills to face these risks can be effective in mitigating them.

Multiple adaptable mechanisms early in the primate visual pathway

PubMed Central

Dhruv, Neel T.; Tailby, Chris; Sokol, Sach H.; Lennie, Peter

2011-01-01

We describe experiments that isolate and characterize multiple adaptable mechanisms that influence responses of orientation-selective neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) of anesthetized macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The results suggest that three adaptable stages of machinery shape neural responses in V1: a broadly-tuned early stage and a spatio-temporally tuned later stage, both of which provide excitatory input, and a normalization pool that is also broadly tuned. The early stage and the normalization pool are revealed by adapting gratings that themselves fail to evoke a response from the neuron: either low temporal frequency gratings at the null orientation or gratings of any orientation drifting at high temporal frequencies. When effective, adapting stimuli that altered the sensitivity of these two mechanisms caused reductions of contrast gain and often brought about a paradoxical increase in response gain due to a relatively greater desensitization of the normalization pool. The tuned mechanism is desensitized only by stimuli well-matched to a neuron’s receptive field. We could thus infer desensitization of the tuned mechanism by comparing effects obtained with adapting gratings of preferred and null orientation modulated at low temporal frequencies. PMID:22016535

Sharp plasma pinnacle structure based on shockwave for an improved laser wakefield accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Ming; Zhang, Zhijun; Wang, Wentao; Liu, Jiansheng; Li, Ruxin

2018-07-01

We created a sharp plasma pinnacle structure for localized electron injection and controlled acceleration in a laser wakefield accelerator. The formation of this shockwave-based pinnacle structure was investigated using aerodynamic theory. Details and scaling laws for the shockwave angle, shock position, shock width, and density ratio were experimentally and theoretically presented. Such work is crucial to yielding an expected plasma density distribution in a laser–plasma experiment but has had little discussion in the literature. Compared with the commonly used shock downramp structure, the particle-in-cell simulations demonstrated that the e beam injected in the created pinnacle structure could be accelerated to higher energy with much smaller root-mean-square relative energy spread. Moreover, this study indicated that the beam charge and transverse emittance can be tuned by the shock angle.

Three Dimensional Speckle Imaging Employing a Frequency-Locked Tunable Diode Laser

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

Cannon, Bret D.; Bernacki, Bruce E.; Schiffern, John T.

2015-09-01

We describe a high accuracy frequency stepping method for a tunable diode laser to improve a three dimensional (3D) imaging approach based upon interferometric speckle imaging. The approach, modeled after Takeda, exploits tuning an illumination laser in frequency as speckle interferograms of the object (specklegrams) are acquired at each frequency in a Michelson interferometer. The resulting 3D hypercube of specklegrams encode spatial information in the x-y plane of each image with laser tuning arrayed along its z-axis. We present laboratory data of before and after results showing enhanced 3D imaging resulting from precise laser frequency control.

Two-state and two-state plus continuum problems associated with the interaction of intense laser pulses with atoms

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

Choi, C. W.; Payne, M. G.

1977-02-01

Two mathematical methods are utilized (one a form of adiabatic approximation, and the other closely related to the Zener method from collision theory) in order to calculate the probability of three-photon ionization when strong counter propagating pulses are tuned very near a two-photon resonant state. In this case the inverted populations predicted by Grischkowsky and Loy for smooth laser pulses lead to larger ionization probabilities than would be obtained for a square pulse of equal peak power and energy per pulse. The line shape of the ionization probability is also quite unusual in this problem. A sharp onset in themore » ionization probability occurs as the lasers are tuned through the exact unperturbed two-photon resonance. Under proper conditions, the change can be from a very small value to one near unity. It occurs in a very small frequency range determined by the larger of the residual Doppler effect and the reciprocal duration of the pulse. Thus, the line shape retains a Doppler-free aspect even at power levels such that power broadening would dwarf even the full Doppler effect in the case of a square pulse of equal energy and peak power. The same mathematical methods have been used to calculate line shapes for the two-photon excitation of fluorescence when the atoms see a pulsed field due to their time of passage across a tightly focused cw laser beam. Thus,the mathematical methods used above permitted accurate analytical calculations under a set of very interesting conditions.« less

[Relation between frequency modulation direction selectivity and forward masking of inferior collicular neurons: a study on in vivo intracellular recording in mice].

PubMed

Fu, Zi-Ying; Zeng, Hong; Tang, Jia; Li, Jie; Li, Juan; Chen, Qi-Cai

2013-06-25

It has been reported that the frequency modulation (FM) or FM direction sensitivity and forward masking of central auditory neurons are related with the neural inhibition, but there are some arguments, because no direct evidence of inhibitory synaptic input was obtained in previous studies using extracellular recording. In the present study, we studied the relation between FM direction sensitivity and forward masking of the inferior collicular (IC) neurons using in vivo intracellular recordings in 20 Mus musculus Km mice. Thirty seven with complete data among 93 neurons were analyzed and discussed. There was an inhibitory area which consisted of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSP) at high frequency side of frequency tuning of up-sweep FM (FMU) sensitive neurons (n = 12) and at low frequency side of frequency tuning of down-sweep FM (FMD) selective neurons (n = 8), while there was no any inhibitory area at both sides of frequency tuning of non-FM sweep direction (FMN) sensitive neurons (n = 17). Therefore, these results show that the inhibitory area at low or high frequency side of frequency tuning is one of the mechanisms for forming FM sweep direction sensitivity of IC neurons. By comparison of forward masking produced by FMU and FMD sound stimuli in FMU, FMD and FMN neurons, the selective FM sounds could produce stronger forward masking than the non-selective in FMU and FMD neurons, while there was no forward masking difference between FMU and FMD stimuli in the FMN neurons. We suggest that the post-action potential IPSP is a potential mechanism for producing stronger forward masking in FMU and FMD neurons.

Hydrogen maser frequency standard computer model for automatic cavity tuning servo simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Potter, P. D.; Finnie, C.

1978-01-01

A computer model of the JPL hydrogen maser frequency standard was developed. This model allows frequency stability data to be generated, as a function of various maser parameters, many orders of magnitude faster than these data can be obtained by experimental test. In particular, the maser performance as a function of the various automatic tuning servo parameters may be readily determined. Areas of discussion include noise sources, first-order autotuner loop, second-order autotuner loop, and a comparison of the loops.

Variable frequency matching to a radiofrequency source immersed in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charles, C.; Boswell, R. W.; Bish, A.

2013-09-01

A low-weight (0.12 kg) low-volume fixed ceramic capacitor impedance matching system is developed for frequency agile tuning of a radiofrequency (rf) Helicon plasma thruster. Three fixed groups of capacitors are directly mounted onto a two loop rf antenna with the thruster immersed in a vacuum chamber. Optimum plasma tuning at the resonance frequency is demonstrated via measurements of the load impedance, power transfer efficiency and plasma density versus driving frequency in the 12.882-14.238 MHz range. The resonance frequency with the plasma on is higher than the resonance frequency in vacuum. The minimum rf power necessary for ignition decreases when the ignition frequency is shifted downwards from the resonance frequency. This development has direct applications in space qualification and space use of rf plasma thrusters.

Sharp at any Age: Moho boundary thickness estimates along a trans-sect through 2 Ga of tectonic history.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Servali, A.; Levin, V. L.; VanTongeren, J. A.

2015-12-01

In this study we evaluate crustal thickness and Moho sharpness beneath seismic stations in three different tectonic units of the North American continent: the Archean Superior Province, the Proterozoic Grenville Province, and the Paleozoic Appalachian Orogen. Our analysis involves two steps. First, for each site, we produce P-to-S receiver functions (RFs) organized by backazimuth and epicentral distance, and use them to identify the phase most likely representing a conversion from the Moho. Second, we construct averaged RFs for groups of telesismic events located in a similar geographic region, which we employ to examine shapes of Moho P-to-S converted phases in time series with maximum frequencies increasing from 0.25Hz to 2-3 Hz. At some sites we observe a progressive narrowing of a simple Moho converted phase with an increase in frequency, typical of a vertically instantaneous boundary, while at others the converted phase becomes progressively more complex, typical of a diffuse Moho. Thus, we adopt this difference in converted wave shape dependence on increasing frequency as a measure of Moho thickness. Our estimates of Moho thickness range from less than 300 m to over 2 km, with some locations showing evidence for multiple converting boundaries in the 35-50 km depth range. In this study we define "sharp" Moho at those sites where its vertical thickness is less than 1 km. Our results show that sharp Moho is universal in the Archean terranes regardless of surface lithology, likely due to higher Moho temperatures facilitating wide-spread delamination of dense lower crustal rocks. While a sharp Moho is not unique to the Superior Province, all Grenville and Appalachians sites where we find sharp Moho are in regions of granitic plutonism, suggesting a possible general association with reworking and density sorting of the crustal material (e.g. volcanic arc).

Coupling and tuning of modal frequencies in direct current biased microelectromechanical systems arrays

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

Kambali, Prashant N.; Swain, Gyanadutta; Pandey, Ashok Kumar, E-mail: ashok@iith.ac.in

2015-08-10

Understanding the coupling of different modal frequencies and their tuning mechanisms has become essential to design multi-frequency MEMS devices. In this work, we fabricate a MEMS beam with fixed boundaries separated from two side electrodes and a bottom electrode. Subsequently, we perform experiments to obtain the frequency variation of in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical modes of the microbeam with respect to both DC bias and laser heating. We show that the frequencies of the two modes coincide at a certain DC bias, which in turn can also be varied due to temperature. Subsequently, we develop a theoretical model to predict themore » variation of the two modes and their coupling due to a variable gap between the microbeam and electrodes, initial tension, and fringing field coefficients. Finally, we discuss the influence of frequency tuning parameters in arrays of 3, 33, and 40 microbeams, respectively. It is also found that the frequency bandwidth of a microbeam array can be increased to as high as 25 kHz for a 40 microbeam array with a DC bias of 80 V.« less

VCO PLL Frequency Synthesizers for Spacecraft Transponders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Scott; Mysoor, Narayan; Lux, James; Cook, Brian

2007-01-01

Two documents discuss a breadboard version of advanced transponders that, when fully developed, would be installed on future spacecraft to fly in deep space. These transponders will be required to be capable of operation on any deepspace- communications uplink frequency channel between 7,145 and 7,235 MHz, and any downlink frequency channel between 8,400 and 8,500 MHz. The document focuses on the design and operation of frequency synthesizers for the receiver and transmitter. Heretofore, frequency synthesizers in deep-space transponders have been based on dielectric resonator oscillators (DROs), which do not have the wide tuning bandwidth necessary to tune over all channels in the uplink or downlink frequency bands. To satisfy the requirement for tuning bandwidth, the present frequency synthesizers are based on voltage-controlled-oscillator (VCO) phase-locked loops (PLLs) implemented by use of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) implemented using inGaP heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology. MMIC VCO PLL frequency synthesizers similar to the present ones have been used in commercial and military applications but, until now, have exhibited too much phase noise for use in deep-space transponders. The present frequency synthesizers contain advanced MMIC VCOs, which use HBT technology and have lower levels of flicker (1/f) phase noise. When these MMIC VCOs are used with high-speed MMIC frequency dividers, it becomes possible to obtain the required combination of frequency agility and low phase noise.

Four-part choral synthesis system for investigating intonation in a cappella choral singing.

PubMed

Howard, David M; Daffern, Helena; Brereton, Jude

2013-10-01

Accurate tuning is an important aspect of singing in harmony in the context of a choir or vocal ensemble. Tuning and 'pitch drift' are concerning factors in performance for even the most accomplished professional choirs when singing a cappella (unaccompanied). In less experienced choirs tuning often lacks precision, typically because individual singers have not developed appropriate listening skills. In order to investigate accuracy of tuning in ensemble singing situations, a chorally appropriate reference is required against which frequency measurements can be made. Since most basic choral singing involves chords in four parts, a four-part reference template is used in which the fundamental frequencies of the notes in each chord can be accurately set. This template can now be used in experiments where three of the reference parts are tuned in any musical temperament (tuning system), in this case equal and just temperaments, and played over headphones to a singer to allow her/his tuning strategy to be investigated. This paper describes a practical implementation of a four-part choral synthesis system in Pure Data (Pd) and its use in an investigation of tuning of notes by individual singers using an exercise originally written to explore pitch drift in a cappella choral singing.

Aircraft interior noise reduction by alternate resonance tuning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gottwald, James A.; Bliss, Donald B.

1990-01-01

The focus is on a noise control method which considers aircraft fuselages lined with panels alternately tuned to frequencies above and below the frequency that must be attenuated. An interior noise reduction called alternate resonance tuning (ART) is described both theoretically and experimentally. Problems dealing with tuning single paneled wall structures for optimum noise reduction using the ART methodology are presented, and three theoretical problems are analyzed. The first analysis is a three dimensional, full acoustic solution for tuning a panel wall composed of repeating sections with four different panel tunings within that section, where the panels are modeled as idealized spring-mass-damper systems. The second analysis is a two dimensional, full acoustic solution for a panel geometry influenced by the effect of a propagating external pressure field such as that which might be associated with propeller passage by a fuselage. To reduce the analysis complexity, idealized spring-mass-damper panels are again employed. The final theoretical analysis presents the general four panel problem with real panel sections, where the effect of higher structural modes is discussed. Results from an experimental program highlight real applications of the ART concept and show the effectiveness of the tuning on real structures.

The electrical properties of auditory hair cells in the frog amphibian papilla.

PubMed

Smotherman, M S; Narins, P M

1999-07-01

The amphibian papilla (AP) is the principal auditory organ of the frog. Anatomical and neurophysiological evidence suggests that this hearing organ utilizes both mechanical and electrical (hair cell-based) frequency tuning mechanisms, yet relatively little is known about the electrophysiology of AP hair cells. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we have investigated the electrical properties and ionic currents of isolated hair cells along the rostrocaudal axis of the AP. Electrical resonances were observed in the voltage response of hair cells harvested from the rostral and medial, but not caudal, regions of the AP. Two ionic currents, ICa and IK(Ca), were observed in every hair cell; however, their amplitudes varied substantially along the epithelium. Only rostral hair cells exhibited an inactivating potassium current (IA), whereas an inwardly rectifying potassium current (IK1) was identified only in caudal AP hair cells. Electrically tuned hair cells exhibited resonant frequencies from 50 to 375 Hz, which correlated well with hair cell position and the tonotopic organization of the papilla. Variations in the kinetics of the outward current contribute substantially to the determination of resonant frequency. ICa and IK(Ca) amplitudes increased with resonant frequency, reducing the membrane time constant with increasing resonant frequency. We conclude that a tonotopically organized hair cell substrate exists to support electrical tuning in the rostromedial region of the frog amphibian papilla and that the cellular mechanisms for frequency determination are very similar to those reported for another electrically tuned auditory organ, the turtle basilar papilla.

Differential Resonant Ring YIG Tuned Oscillator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parrott, Ronald A.

2010-01-01

A differential SiGe oscillator circuit uses a resonant ring-oscillator topology in order to electronically tune the oscillator over multi-octave bandwidths. The oscillator s tuning is extremely linear, because the oscillator s frequency depends on the magnetic tuning of a YIG sphere, whose resonant frequency is equal to a fundamental constant times the DC magnetic field. This extremely simple circuit topology uses two coupling loops connecting a differential pair of SiGe bipolar transistors into a feedback configuration using a YIG tuned filter creating a closed-loop ring oscillator. SiGe device technology is used for this oscillator in order to keep the transistor s 1/f noise to an absolute minimum in order to achieve minimum RF phase noise. The single-end resonant ring oscillator currently has an advantage in fewer parts, but when the oscillation frequency is greater than 16 GHz, the package s parasitic behavior couples energy to the sphere and causes holes and poor phase noise performance. This is because the coupling to the YIG is extremely low, so that the oscillator operates at near the unloaded Q. With the differential resonant ring oscillator, the oscillation currents are just in the YIG coupling mechanisms. The phase noise is even better, and the physical size can be reduced to permit monolithic microwave integrated circuit oscillators. This invention is a YIG tuned oscillator circuit making use of a differential topology to simultaneously achieve an extremely broadband electronic tuning range and ultra-low phase noise. As a natural result of its differential circuit topology, all reactive elements, such as tuning stubs, which limit tuning bandwidth by contributing excessive open loop phase shift, have been eliminated. The differential oscillator s open-loop phase shift is associated with completely non-dispersive circuit elements such as the physical angle of the coupling loops, a differential loop crossover, and the high-frequency phase shift of the n-p-n transistors. At the input of the oscillator s feedback loop is a pair of differentially connected n-p-n SiGe transistors that provides extremely high gain, and because they are bulk-effect devices, extremely low 1/f noise (leading to ultralow RF phase noise). The 1/f corner frequency for n-p-n SiGe transistors is approximately 500 Hz. The RF energy from the transistor s collector output is connected directly to the top-coupling loop (the excitation loop) of a single-sphere YIG tuned filter. A uniform magnetic field to bias the YIG must be at a right angle to any vector associated with an RF current in a coupling loop in order for the precession to interact with the RF currents.

Measurements of Thermal Effects on Acoustic Screech in a Choked Circular Jet Emanating from a Sharp-Edged Orifice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kandula, Max

2012-01-01

Experiments are performed in a 24.4 mm diameter choked circular hot and cold jets issuing from a sharp-edged orifice at a fully expanded jet Mach number of 1.85. The stagnation temperature of the hot and the cold jets are 319 K and 299 K respectively. The results suggest that temperature effects on the screech amplitude and frequency are manifested for the fundamental, with a reduced amplitude and increased frequency for hot jet relative to the cold jet. Temperature effects on the second harmonic are also observed.

An Independent Investigation into the Psychometric Properties of the Adult Scale of Hostility and Aggression (A-SHARP)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rojahn, Johannes; Rick-Betancourt, Brittney; Barnard-Brak, Lucy; Moore, Linda

2017-01-01

Background: The Adult Scale of Hostility and Aggression (A-SHARP) rating scale assesses the frequency/severity (problem scale) and the reactive-proactive motivation (provocation scale) of aggressive behaviors in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Items are assigned to five subscales (Verbal Aggression, Physical Aggression, Hostile Affect,…

Modifying the Genetic Regulation of Bone and Cartilage Cells and Associated Tissue by EMF Stimulation Fields and Uses Thereof

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodwin, Thomas J. (Inventor); Shackelford, Linda C. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

An apparatus and method to modify the genetic regulation of mammalian tissue, bone, or any combination. The method may be comprised of the steps of tuning at least one predetermined profile associated with at least one time-varying stimulation field thereby resulting in at least one tuned time-varying stimulation field comprised of at least one tuned predetermined profile, wherein said at least one tuned predetermined profile is comprised of a plurality of tuned predetermined figures of merit and is controllable through at least one of said plurality of tuned predetermined figures of merit, wherein said plurality of predetermined tuned figures of merit is comprised of a tuned B-Field magnitude, tuned rising slew rate, tuned rise time, tuned falling slew rate, tuned fall time, tuned frequency, tuned wavelength, and tuned duty cycle; and exposing mammalian chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, nucleus pulposus, associated tissue, or any combination to said at least one tuned time-varying stimulation field comprised of said at least one tuned predetermined profile for a predetermined tuned exposure time or plurality of tuned exposure time sequences.

Light shift effects in the Rb-87 maser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Busca, G.; Tetu, M.; Vanier, J.

1973-01-01

Previous work has shown the possibility to overcome the dependence of the Rb-87 maser frequency on light intensity by tuning the cavity at a proper setting. The conditions for this setting, called the light-independent frequency setting (LIFS), are carefully investigated. The results presented prove the existence of the LIFS and provide a new criterion for an automatic cavity tuning of the Rb maser.

Optimized Wavelength-Tuned Nonlinear Frequency Conversion Using a Liquid Crystal Clad Waveguide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stephen, Mark A. (Inventor)

2018-01-01

An optimized wavelength-tuned nonlinear frequency conversion process using a liquid crystal clad waveguide. The process includes implanting ions on a top surface of a lithium niobate crystal to form an ion implanted lithium niobate layer. The process also includes utilizing a tunable refractive index of a liquid crystal to rapidly change an effective index of the lithium niobate crystal.

Tunable Superconducting Split Ring Resonators

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-19

microwave field-strength distortion and quality- factor dependence on tuning. Feedback for changes in design and fabrication, (4) design and fabrication...elements. For many applications tuning of the resonance frequency of the SRR is needed. Classically this is done by varactor diodes. Their capacitance ... capacitance of the gap to form a resonator circuit. The advantage of such a circuit is its quite low resonance frequency compared to other structures

Robust, frequency-stable and accurate mid-IR laser spectrometer based on frequency comb metrology of quantum cascade lasers up-converted in orientation-patterned GaAs.

PubMed

Hansen, Michael G; Ernsting, Ingo; Vasilyev, Sergey V; Grisard, Arnaud; Lallier, Eric; Gérard, Bruno; Schiller, Stephan

2013-11-04

We demonstrate a robust and simple method for measurement, stabilization and tuning of the frequency of cw mid-infrared (MIR) lasers, in particular of quantum cascade lasers. The proof of principle is performed with a quantum cascade laser at 5.4 µm, which is upconverted to 1.2 µm by sum-frequency generation in orientation-patterned GaAs with the output of a standard high-power cw 1.5 µm fiber laser. Both the 1.2 µm and the 1.5 µm waves are measured by a standard Er:fiber frequency comb. Frequency measurement at the 100 kHz-level, stabilization to sub-10 kHz level, controlled frequency tuning and long-term stability are demonstrated.

Early visuomotor representations revealed from evoked local field potentials in motor and premotor cortical areas.

PubMed

O'Leary, John G; Hatsopoulos, Nicholas G

2006-09-01

Local field potentials (LFPs) recorded from primary motor cortex (MI) have been shown to be tuned to the direction of visually guided reaching movements, but MI LFPs have not been shown to be tuned to the direction of an upcoming movement during the delay period that precedes movement in an instructed-delay reaching task. Also, LFPs in dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) have not been investigated in this context. We therefore recorded LFPs from MI and PMd of monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and investigated whether these LFPs were tuned to the direction of the upcoming movement during the delay period. In three frequency bands we identified LFP activity that was phase-locked to the onset of the instruction stimulus that specified the direction of the upcoming reach. The amplitude of this activity was often tuned to target direction with tuning widths that varied across different electrodes and frequency bands. Single-trial decoding of LFPs demonstrated that prediction of target direction from this activity was possible well before the actual movement is initiated. Decoding performance was significantly better in the slowest-frequency band compared with that in the other two higher-frequency bands. Although these results demonstrate that task-related information is available in the local field potentials, correlations among these signals recorded from a densely packed array of electrodes suggests that adequate decoding performance for neural prosthesis applications may be limited as the number of simultaneous electrode recordings is increased.

Fast, precise, and widely tunable frequency control of an optical parametric oscillator referenced to a frequency comb.

PubMed

Prehn, Alexander; Glöckner, Rosa; Rempe, Gerhard; Zeppenfeld, Martin

2017-03-01

Optical frequency combs (OFCs) provide a convenient reference for the frequency stabilization of continuous-wave lasers. We demonstrate a frequency control method relying on tracking over a wide range and stabilizing the beat note between the laser and the OFC. The approach combines fast frequency ramps on a millisecond timescale in the entire mode-hop free tuning range of the laser and precise stabilization to single frequencies. We apply it to a commercially available optical parametric oscillator (OPO) and demonstrate tuning over more than 60 GHz with a ramping speed up to 3 GHz/ms. Frequency ramps spanning 15 GHz are performed in less than 10 ms, with the OPO instantly relocked to the OFC after the ramp at any desired frequency. The developed control hardware and software are able to stabilize the OPO to sub-MHz precision and to perform sequences of fast frequency ramps automatically.

Cochlear-implant spatial selectivity with monopolar, bipolar and tripolar stimulation.

PubMed

Zhu, Ziyan; Tang, Qing; Zeng, Fan-Gang; Guan, Tian; Ye, Datian

2012-01-01

Sharp spatial selectivity is critical to auditory performance, particularly in pitch-related tasks. Most contemporary cochlear implants have employed monopolar stimulation that produces broad electric fields, which presumably contribute to poor pitch and pitch-related performance by implant users. Bipolar or tripolar stimulation can generate focused electric fields but requires higher current to reach threshold and, more interestingly, has not produced any apparent improvement in cochlear-implant performance. The present study addressed this dilemma by measuring psychophysical and physiological spatial selectivity with both broad and focused stimulations in the same cohort of subjects. Different current levels were adjusted by systematically measuring loudness growth for each stimulus, each stimulation mode, and in each subject. Both psychophysical and physiological measures showed that, although focused stimulation produced significantly sharper spatial tuning than monopolar stimulation, it could shift the tuning position or even split the tuning tips. The altered tuning with focused stimulation is interpreted as a result of poor electrode-to-neuron interface in the cochlea, and is suggested to be mainly responsible for the lack of consistent improvement in implant performance. A linear model could satisfactorily quantify the psychophysical and physiological data and derive the tuning width. Significant correlation was found between the individual physiological and psychophysical tuning widths, and the correlation was improved by log-linearly transforming the physiological data to predict the psychophysical data. Because the physiological measure took only one-tenth of the time of the psychophysical measure, the present model is of high clinical significance in terms of predicting and improving cochlear-implant performance. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cochlear Implant Spatial Selectivity with Monopolar, Bipolar and Tripolar Stimulation

PubMed Central

Zhu, Ziyan; Tang, Qing; Zeng, Fan-Gang; Guan, Tian; Ye, Datian

2011-01-01

Sharp spatial selectivity is critical to auditory performance, particularly in pitch related tasks. Most contemporary cochlear implants have employed monopolar stimulation that produces broad electric fields, which presumably contribute to poor pitch and pitch-related performance by implant users. Bipolar or tripolar stimulation can generate focused electric fields but requires higher current to reach threshold and, more interestingly, has not produced any apparent improvement in cochlear implant performance. The present study addressed this dilemma by measuring psychophysical and physiological spatial selectivity with both broad and focused stimulations in the same cohort of subjects. Different current levels were adjusted by systematically measuring loudness growth for each stimulus, each stimulation mode, and in each subject. Both psychophysical and physiological measures showed that, although focused stimulation produced significantly sharper spatial tuning than monopolar stimulation, it could shift the tuning position or even split the tuning tips. The altered tuning with focused stimulation is interpreted as a result of poor electrode-to-neuron interface in the cochlea, and is suggested to be mainly responsible for the lack of consistent improvement in implant performance. A linear model could satisfactorily quantify the psychophysical and physiological data and derive the tuning width. Significant correlation was found between the individual physiological and psychophysical tuning widths, and the correlation was improved by log-linearly transforming the physiological data to predict the psychophysical data. Because the physiological measure took only one-tenth of the time of the psychophysical measure, the present model is of high clinical significance in terms of predicting and improving cochlear implant performance. PMID:22138630

Cosine Directional Tuning of Theta Cell Burst Frequencies: Evidence for Spatial Coding by Oscillatory Interference

PubMed Central

Welday, Adam C.; Shlifer, I. Gary; Bloom, Matthew L.; Zhang, Kechen

2011-01-01

The rodent septohippocampal system contains “theta cells,” which burst rhythmically at 4–12 Hz, but the functional significance of this rhythm remains poorly understood (Buzsáki, 2006). Theta rhythm commonly modulates the spike trains of spatially tuned neurons such as place (O'Keefe and Dostrovsky, 1971), head direction (Tsanov et al., 2011a), grid (Hafting et al., 2005), and border cells (Savelli et al., 2008; Solstad et al., 2008). An “oscillatory interference” theory has hypothesized that some of these spatially tuned neurons may derive their positional firing from phase interference among theta oscillations with frequencies that are modulated by the speed and direction of translational movements (Burgess et al., 2005, 2007). This theory is supported by studies reporting modulation of theta frequency by movement speed (Rivas et al., 1996; Geisler et al., 2007; Jeewajee et al., 2008a), but modulation of theta frequency by movement direction has never been observed. Here we recorded theta cells from hippocampus, medial septum, and anterior thalamus of freely behaving rats. Theta cell burst frequencies varied as the cosine of the rat's movement direction, and this directional tuning was influenced by landmark cues, in agreement with predictions of the oscillatory interference theory. Computer simulations and mathematical analysis demonstrated how a postsynaptic neuron can detect location-dependent synchrony among inputs from such theta cells, and thereby mimic the spatial tuning properties of place, grid, or border cells. These results suggest that theta cells may serve a high-level computational function by encoding a basis set of oscillatory signals that interfere with one another to synthesize spatial memory representations. PMID:22072668

A combined radio and GeV γ-ray view of the 2012 and 2013 flares of Mrk 421

DOE PAGES

Hovatta, Talvikki; Petropoulou, M.; Richards, J. L.; ...

2015-03-09

In 2012 Markarian 421 underwent the largest flare ever observed in this blazar at radio frequencies. In the present study, we start exploring this unique event and compare it to a less extreme event in 2013. We use 15 GHz radio data obtained with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory 40-m telescope, 95 GHz millimetre data from the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-Wave Astronomy, and GeV γ-ray data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Here, the radio light curves during the flaring periods in 2012 and 2013 have very different appearances, in both shape and peak flux density. Assuming thatmore » the radio and γ-ray flares are physically connected, we attempt to model the most prominent sub-flares of the 2012 and 2013 activity periods by using the simplest possible theoretical framework. We first fit a one-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model to the less extreme 2013 flare and estimate parameters describing the emission region. We then model the major γ-ray and radio flares of 2012 using the same framework. The 2012 γ-ray flare shows two distinct spikes of similar amplitude, so we examine scenarios associating the radio flare with each spike in turn. In the first scenario, we cannot explain the sharp radio flare with a simple SSC model, but we can accommodate this by adding plausible time variations to the Doppler beaming factor. In the second scenario, a varying Doppler factor is not needed, but the SSC model parameters require fine-tuning. Both alternatives indicate that the sharp radio flare, if physically connected to the preceding γ-ray flares, can be reproduced only for a very specific choice of parameters.« less

Adaptation Shifts Preferred Orientation of Tuning Curve in the Mouse Visual Cortex

PubMed Central

Jeyabalaratnam, Jeyadarshan; Bharmauria, Vishal; Bachatene, Lyes; Cattan, Sarah; Angers, Annie; Molotchnikoff, Stéphane

2013-01-01

In frontalized mammals it has been demonstrated that adaptation produces shift of the peak of the orientation tuning curve of neuron following frequent or lengthier presentation of a non-preferred stimulus. Depending on the duration of adaptation the shift is attractive (toward the adapter) or repulsive (away from the adapter). Mouse exhibits a salt-and-pepper cortical organization of orientation maps, hence this species may respond differently to adaptation. To examine this question, we determined the effect of twelve minutes of adaptation to one particular orientation on neuronal orientation tuning curves in V1 of anesthetized mice. Multi-unit activity of neurons in V1 was recorded in a conventional fashion. Cells were stimulated with sine-wave drifting gratings whose orientation tilted in steps. Results revealed that similarly to cats and monkeys, majority of cells shifted their optimal orientation in the direction of the adapter while a small proportion exhibited a repulsive shift. Moreover, initially untuned cells showing poor tuning curves reacted to adaptation by displaying sharp orientation selectivity. It seems that modification of the cellular property following adaptation is a general phenomenon observed in all mammals in spite of the different organization pattern of the visual cortex. This study is of pertinence to comprehend the mechanistic pathways of brain plasticity. PMID:23717586

Active noise control using noise source having adaptive resonant frequency tuning through stiffness variation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rajiyah, Harindra (Inventor); Hedeen, Robert A. (Inventor); Pla, Frederic G. (Inventor); Renshaw, Anthony A. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A noise source for an aircraft engine active noise cancellation system in which the resonant frequency of a noise radiating element is tuned to permit noise cancellation over a wide range of frequencies. The resonant frequency of the noise radiating element is tuned by a plurality of force transmitting mechanisms which contact the noise radiating element. Each one of the force transmitting mechanisms includes an expandable element and a spring in contact with the noise radiating element so that excitation of the element varies the spring force applied to the noise radiating element. The elements are actuated by a controller which receives input of a signal proportional to displacement of the noise radiating element and a signal corresponding to the blade passage frequency of the engine's fan. In response, the controller determines a control signal which is sent to the elements and causes the spring force applied to the noise radiating element to be varied. The force transmitting mechanisms can be arranged to either produce bending or linear stiffness variations in the noise radiating element.

Tuning characteristics of narrowband THz radiation generated via optical rectification in periodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Weiss, C; Torosyan, G; Meyn, J P; Wallenstein, R; Beigang, R; Avetisyan, Y

2001-04-23

The tuning properties of pulsed narrowband THz radiation generated via optical rectification in periodically poled lithium niobate have been investigated. Using a disk-shaped periodically poled crystal tuning was easily accomplished by rotating the crystal around its axis and observing the generated THz radiation in forward direction. In this way no beam deflection during tuning was observed. The total tuning range extended from 180 GHz up to 830 GHz and was limited by the poling period of 127 microm which determines the maximum THz frequency in forward direction.

Tuning the frequency of ultrashort laser pulses by a cross-phase-modulation-induced shift in a photonic crystal fiber.

PubMed

Konorov, S O; Akimov, D A; Zheltikov, A M; Ivanov, A A; Alfimov, M V; Scalora, M

2005-06-15

Femtosecond pulses of fundamental Cr:forsterite laser radiation are used as a pump field to tune the frequency of copropagating second-harmonic pulses of the same laser through cross-phase modulation in a photonic crystal fiber. Sub-100-kW femtosecond pump pulses coupled into a photonic crystal fiber with an appropriate dispersion profile can shift the central frequency of the probe field by more than 100 nm, suggesting a convenient way to control propagation and spectral transformations of ultrashort laser pulses.

Portable receiver for radar detection

DOEpatents

Lopes, Christopher D.; Kotter, Dale K.

2008-10-14

Various embodiments are described relating to a portable antenna-equipped device for multi-band radar detection. The detection device includes a plurality of antennas on a flexible substrate, a detection-and-control circuit, an indicator and a power source. The antenna may include one or more planar lithographic antennas that may be fabricated on a thin-film substrate. Each antenna may be tuned to a different selection frequency or band. The antennas may include a bolometer for radar detection. Each antenna may include a frequency selective surface for tuning to the selection frequency.

Frequency Tunable Wire Lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hu, Qing (Inventor)

2013-01-01

The present invention provides frequency tunable solid-state radiation-generating devices, such as lasers and amplifiers, whose active medium has a size in at least one transverse dimension (e.g., its width) that is much smaller than the wavelength of radiation generated and/or amplified within the active medium. In such devices, a fraction of radiation travels as an evanescent propagating mode outside the active medium. It has been discovered that in such devices the radiation frequency can be tuned by the interaction of a tuning mechanism with the propagating evanescent mode.

Multi-frequency klystron designed for high efficiency

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

Jensen, Aaron

A multi-frequency klystron has an electron gun which generates a beam, a circuit of bunch-align-collect (BAC) tuned cavities that bunch the beam and amplify an RF signal, a collector where the beam is collected and dumped, and a standard output cavity and waveguide coupled to a window to output RF power at a fundamental mode to an external load. In addition, the klystron has additional bunch-align-collect (BAC) cavities tuned to a higher harmonic frequency, and a harmonic output cavity and waveguide coupled via a window to an additional external load.

The Role of Organ of Corti Mass in Passive Cochlear Tuning

PubMed Central

de La Rochefoucauld, Ombeline; Olson, Elizabeth S.

2007-01-01

The mechanism for passive cochlear tuning remains unsettled. Early models considered the organ of Corti complex (OCC) as a succession of spring-mass resonators. Later, traveling wave models showed that passive tuning could arise through the interaction of cochlear fluid mass and OCC stiffness without local resonators. However, including enough OCC mass to produce local resonance enhanced the tuning by slowing and thereby growing the traveling wave as it approached its resonant segment. To decide whether the OCC mass plays a role in tuning, the frequency variation of the wavenumber of the cochlear traveling wave was measured (in vivo, passive cochleae) and compared to theoretical predictions. The experimental wavenumber was found by taking the phase difference of basilar membrane motion between two longitudinally spaced locations and dividing by the distance between them. The theoretical wavenumber was a solution of the dispersion relation of a three-dimensional cochlear model with OCC mass and stiffness as the free parameters. The experimental data were only well fit by a model that included OCC mass. However, as the measurement position moved from a best-frequency place of 40 to 12 kHz, the role of mass was diminished. The notion of local resonance seems to only apply in the very high-frequency region of the cochlea. PMID:17905841

Non-Uniform Bias Enhancement of a Varactor-Tuned FSS used with a Low Profile 2.4 GHz Dipole Antenna

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cure, David; Weller, Thomas M.; Miranda, Felix A.

2012-01-01

In this paper a low profile antenna using a nonuniformly biased varactor-tuned frequency selective surface (FSS) is presented. The tunable FSS avoids the use of vias and has a simplified DC bias network. The voltages to the DC bias ports can be varied independently allowing adjustment in the frequency response and enhanced radiation properties. The measured data demonstrate tunability from 2.15 GHz to 2.63 GHz with peak efficiencies that range from 50% to 90% and instantaneous bandwidths of 50 MHz to 280 MHz within the tuning range. The total antenna thickness is approximately lambda/45.

Simple, low-noise piezo driver with feed-forward for broad tuning of external cavity diode lasers.

PubMed

Doret, S Charles

2018-02-01

We present an inexpensive, low-noise (<260 μV rms , 0.1 Hz-100 kHz) design for a piezo driver suitable for frequency tuning of external-cavity diode lasers. This simple driver improves upon many commercially available drivers by incorporating circuitry to produce a "feed-forward" signal appropriate for making simultaneous adjustments to the piezo voltage and laser current, enabling dramatic improvements in a mode-hop-free laser frequency tuning range. We present the theory behind our driver's operation, characterize its output noise, and demonstrate its use in absorption spectroscopy on the rubidium D 1 line.

Survey of Current Practice in the Fitting and Fine-Tuning of Common Signal-Processing Features in Hearing Aids for Adults.

PubMed

Anderson, Melinda C; Arehart, Kathryn H; Souza, Pamela E

2018-02-01

Current guidelines for adult hearing aid fittings recommend the use of a prescriptive fitting rationale with real-ear verification that considers the audiogram for the determination of frequency-specific gain and ratios for wide dynamic range compression. However, the guidelines lack recommendations for how other common signal-processing features (e.g., noise reduction, frequency lowering, directional microphones) should be considered during the provision of hearing aid fittings and fine-tunings for adult patients. The purpose of this survey was to identify how audiologists make clinical decisions regarding common signal-processing features for hearing aid provision in adults. An online survey was sent to audiologists across the United States. The 22 survey questions addressed four primary topics including demographics of the responding audiologists, factors affecting selection of hearing aid devices, the approaches used in the fitting of signal-processing features, and the strategies used in the fine-tuning of these features. A total of 251 audiologists who provide hearing aid fittings to adults completed the electronically distributed survey. The respondents worked in a variety of settings including private practice, physician offices, university clinics, and hospitals/medical centers. Data analysis was based on a qualitative analysis of the question responses. The survey results for each of the four topic areas (demographics, device selection, hearing aid fitting, and hearing aid fine-tuning) are summarized descriptively. Survey responses indicate that audiologists vary in the procedures they use in fitting and fine-tuning based on the specific feature, such that the approaches used for the fitting of frequency-specific gain differ from other types of features (i.e., compression time constants, frequency lowering parameters, noise reduction strength, directional microphones, feedback management). Audiologists commonly rely on prescriptive fitting formulas and probe microphone measures for the fitting of frequency-specific gain and rely on manufacturers' default settings and recommendations for both the initial fitting and the fine-tuning of signal-processing features other than frequency-specific gain. The survey results are consistent with a lack of published protocols and guidelines for fitting and adjusting signal-processing features beyond frequency-specific gain. To streamline current practice, a transparent evidence-based tool that enables clinicians to prescribe the setting of other features from individual patient characteristics would be desirable. American Academy of Audiology

Wavelength adjustability of frequency conversion light of Yb-doped fiber laser based on FBGs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dobashi, Kazuma; Tomihari, Yasuhiro; Imai, Koichi; Hirohashi, Junji; Makio, Satoshi

2018-02-01

We focused on wavelength conversion of simple and compact CW Yb-Doped fiber laser based on FBGs with wavelength adjustable function. By controlling temperatures of FBGs in fiber laser, it was possible to tune oscillated wavelength from 1064.101 nm to 1064.414 nm with more than 20 W in CW operation mode. Based on this fundamental light, frequency converted light (SHG and THG) were generated by utilizing two PP:Mg-SLT devises. We obtained more than 3 W of SHG light with tuning range of 150 pm and more than 35 mW of THG with tuning range of 100 pm. By selecting FBG grating and QPM grating properly, we can realize adjustable wavelength laser with the same scheme from 1040 nm to 1090 nm and their SHG/THG. With this combination of FBG based fiber laser and QPM devices, it is possible to tune the wavelength just by temperature tuning without any changes of beam shape and beam pointing.

Improvement in perception of image sharpness through the addition of noise and its relationship with memory texture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Xiazi; Kobayashi, Hiroyuki; Aoki, Naokazu

2015-03-01

In a preceding study, we investigated the effects of image noise on the perception of image sharpness using white noise, and one- and two-dimensional single-frequency sinusoidal patterns as stimuli. This study extends our preceding study by evaluating natural color images, rather than black-and-white patterns. The results showed that the effect of noise in improving image sharpness perception is more evident in blurred images than in sharp images. This is consistent with the results of the preceding study. In another preceding study, we proposed "memory texture" to explain the preferred granularity of images, as a concept similar to "memory color" for preferred color reproduction. We observed individual differences in type of memory texture for each object, that is, white or 1/f noise. This study discusses the relationship between improvement of sharpness perception by adding noise, and the memory texture, following its individual differences. We found that memory texture is one of the elements that affect sharpness perception.

Displacement sensor based on intra-cavity tuning of dual-frequency gas laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Haisha; Niu, Yanxiong; Liu, Ning; Li, Jiyang

2018-01-01

A nanometer-resolution displacement measurement instrument based on tunable cavity frequency-splitting method is presented. One beam is split into two orthogonally polarized beams when anisotropic element inserted in the cavity. The two beams with fixed frequency difference are modulated by the movement of the reflection mirror. The changing law of the power tuning curves between the total output and the two orthogonally polarized beams is researched, and a method splitting one tuning cycle to four equal parts is proposed based on the changing law, each part corresponds to one-eighth wavelength of displacement. A laser feedback interferometer (LFI) and piezoelectric ceramic are series connected to the sensor head to calibrate the displacement that less than one-eighth wavelength. The displacement sensor achieves to afford measurement range of 20mm with resolution of 6.93nm.

Integrated optoelectronic oscillator.

PubMed

Tang, Jian; Hao, Tengfei; Li, Wei; Domenech, David; Baños, Rocio; Muñoz, Pascual; Zhu, Ninghua; Capmany, José; Li, Ming

2018-04-30

With the rapid development of the modern communication systems, radar and wireless services, microwave signal with high-frequency, high-spectral-purity and frequency tunability as well as microwave generator with light weight, compact size, power-efficient and low cost are increasingly demanded. Integrated microwave photonics (IMWP) is regarded as a prospective way to meet these demands by hybridizing the microwave circuits and the photonics circuits on chip. In this article, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an integrated optoelectronic oscillator (IOEO). All of the devices needed in the optoelectronic oscillation loop circuit are monolithically integrated on chip within size of 5×6cm 2 . By tuning the injection current to 44 mA, the output frequency of the proposed IOEO is located at 7.30 GHz with phase noise value of -91 dBc/Hz@1MHz. When the injection current is increased to 65 mA, the output frequency can be changed to 8.87 GHz with phase noise value of -92 dBc/Hz@1MHz. Both of the oscillation frequency can be slightly tuned within 20 MHz around the center oscillation frequency by tuning the injection current. The method about improving the performance of IOEO is carefully discussed at the end of in this article.

Tuning the metamagnetism in a metallic helical antiferromagnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, S. C.; Liu, K.; Ma, C. C.; Ge, Q.; Zhang, J. T.; Hu, Y. F.; Liu, E. K.; Zhong, Z. C.

2017-12-01

The antiferromagnetic (AFM)-ferromagnetic (FM) conversion in martensite was observed in Mn/Ni-substitution upon FM elements, such as Fe or Co, in MnNiGe helical antiferromagnets. Here, we report an AFM-FM conversion and consequently a sharp magnetic-field-driven metamagnetic martensitic transformation from paramagnetic (PM) austenite to FM martensite in the Ni- and Mn-substituted MnNiGe alloys with indium, a non-magnetic and large-sized main group element. Accordingly, a giant magnetocaloric effect such that a twofold increase of the magnetic entropy change in MnNi0.92GeIn0.08 and even a nearly threefold increase in the Mn0.92NiGeIn0.08 alloy is obtained with respect to the MnNiGe0.95In0.05 alloy. The origin of AFM-FM conversion and resultantly sharp magnetic-field-induced PM-FM metamagnetic transformation is discussed based on the first-principles calculations and X-ray absorption spectroscopic results.

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

Nigro, Valentina, E-mail: nigro@fis.uniroma3.it; Bruni, Fabio; Ricci, Maria Antonietta

The temperature dependence of the local intra-particle structure of colloidal microgel particles, composed of interpenetrated polymer networks, has been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering at different pH and concentrations, in the range (299÷315) K, where a volume phase transition from a swollen to a shrunken state takes place. Data are well described by a theoretical model that takes into account the presence of both interpenetrated polymer networks and cross-linkers. Two different behaviors are found across the volume phase transition. At neutral pH and T ≈ 307 K, a sharp change of the local structure from a water rich open inhomogeneousmore » interpenetrated polymer network to a homogeneous porous solid-like structure after expelling water is observed. Differently, at acidic pH, the local structure changes almost continuously. These findings demonstrate that a fine control of the pH of the system allows to tune the sharpness of the volume-phase transition.« less

Tuning the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of soft magnetic film by patterned permalloy micro-stripes with stripe-domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Lining; Xie, Hongkang; Cheng, Xiaohong; Zhao, Chenbo; Feng, Hongmei; Cao, Derang; Wang, Jianbo; Liu, Qingfang

2018-07-01

Periodic micro-stripes arrays with stripe domains structures upon continuous permalloy (Py) film were fabricated by sputtering, photolithography and ion beam etching technology. These samples display in-plane magnetic anisotropy, and stripe domains structure is observed by the magnetic force microscopy (MFM) in the area of the micro-stripes. The periodic micro-stripes show an effective impact on static and dynamic magnetic properties of Py continuous film. In the case of dynamic magnetic properties, the resonance frequency fr of these samples can be tuned by periodic micro-stripes arrays. Compared to continuous film with resonance frequency fr of 0.64 GHz, the fr of composite structures can be tuned by the separation gap of periodic micro-stripes arrays from 0.8 GHz to 2.3 GHz at zero-field. At the same time, the fr could be also tuned by rotating the samples within the plane. This attributes to the competition of shape anisotropy induced by micro-stripes and the dynamic anisotropy originating by stripe domains structure.

Growth and characterization of InAs sub-monolayer quantum dots with varying fractional coverage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, S.; Pradhan, A.; Mukherje, S.; Maitra, T.; Sengupta, S.; Chakrabarti, S.; Nayak, A.; Bhunia, S.

2018-04-01

We have studied the optical properties of InAs sub monolayer (SML) quantum dots in GaAs quantum well with InAs average deposition below one monolayer (ML) [0.3 - 0.8 ML] in Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) growth system. The samples have exhibited sharp photoluminescence peak at low temperature (3.3 K) which could be tuned in the near infrared (NIR) region (1.42 eV-1.47 eV) by controlling the InAs SML coverage.

Spatial cue reliability drives frequency tuning in the barn Owl's midbrain

PubMed Central

Cazettes, Fanny; Fischer, Brian J; Pena, Jose L

2014-01-01

The robust representation of the environment from unreliable sensory cues is vital for the efficient function of the brain. However, how the neural processing captures the most reliable cues is unknown. The interaural time difference (ITD) is the primary cue to localize sound in horizontal space. ITD is encoded in the firing rate of neurons that detect interaural phase difference (IPD). Due to the filtering effect of the head, IPD for a given location varies depending on the environmental context. We found that, in barn owls, at each location there is a frequency range where the head filtering yields the most reliable IPDs across contexts. Remarkably, the frequency tuning of space-specific neurons in the owl's midbrain varies with their preferred sound location, matching the range that carries the most reliable IPD. Thus, frequency tuning in the owl's space-specific neurons reflects a higher-order feature of the code that captures cue reliability. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04854.001 PMID:25531067

Tunable High Q Superconducting Microwave Resonator for Hybrid System with ^87Rb atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Zaeill; Voigt, K. D.; Lee, Jongmin; Hoffman, J. E.; Grover, J. A.; Ravets, S.; Zaretskey, V.; Palmer, B. S.; Hafezi, M.; Taylor, J. M.; Anderson, J. R.; Dragt, A. J.; Lobb, C. J.; Orozco, L. A.; Rolston, S. L.; Wellstood, F. C.

2012-02-01

We have developed a frequency tuning system for a ``lumped-element'' thin-film superconducting Al microwave resonator [1] on sapphire intended for coupling to hyperfine ground states of cold trapped ^87Rb atoms, which are separated by about fRb=6.83 GHz. At T=12 mK and on resonance at 6.81 GHz, the loaded quality factor was 120,000. By moving a carefully machined Al pin towards the inductor of the resonator using a piezo stage, we were able to tune the resonance frequency over a range of 35 MHz and within a few kHz of fRb. While measuring the power dependent response of the resonator at each tuned frequency, we observed anomalous decreases in the quality factor at several frequencies. These drops were more pronounced at lower power. We discuss our results, which suggest these resonances are attributable to discrete two-level systems.[4pt] [1] Z. Kim et al., AIP ADVANCES 1, 042107 (2011).

Little Known Facts about the Common Tuning Fork.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ong, P. P.

2002-01-01

Explains the physical principles of the tuning fork which has a common use in teaching laboratories. Includes information on its vibration, frequency of vibration, elasticity, and reasons for having two prongs. (YDS)

Frequency tuning characteristics of a Q-switched Co:MgF2 laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lovold, S.; Moulton, P. F.; Killinger, D. K.; Menyuk, N.

1985-01-01

A tunable Q-switched Co:MgF2 laser has been developed for atmospheric remote sensing applications. Frequency tuning is provided by a quartz etalon and a specially designed three-element birefringent filter covering the whole gain bandwidth of the Co:MgF2 laser. The laser has good temporal and spectral characteristics, with an emission linewidth of approximately 3 GHz (0.1 per cm).

Wide-field motion tuning in nocturnal hawkmoths

PubMed Central

Theobald, Jamie C.; Warrant, Eric J.; O'Carroll, David C.

2010-01-01

Nocturnal hawkmoths are known for impressive visually guided behaviours in dim light, such as hovering while feeding from nectar-bearing flowers. This requires tight visual feedback to estimate and counter relative motion. Discrimination of low velocities, as required for stable hovering flight, is fundamentally limited by spatial resolution, yet in the evolution of eyes for nocturnal vision, maintenance of high spatial acuity compromises absolute sensitivity. To investigate these trade-offs, we compared responses of wide-field motion-sensitive neurons in three species of hawkmoth: Manduca sexta (a crepuscular hoverer), Deilephila elpenor (a fully nocturnal hoverer) and Acherontia atropos (a fully nocturnal hawkmoth that does not hover as it feeds uniquely from honey in bees' nests). We show that despite smaller eyes, the motion pathway of D. elpenor is tuned to higher spatial frequencies and lower temporal frequencies than A. atropos, consistent with D. elpenor's need to detect low velocities for hovering. Acherontia atropos, however, presumably evolved low-light sensitivity without sacrificing temporal acuity. Manduca sexta, active at higher light levels, is tuned to the highest spatial frequencies of the three and temporal frequencies comparable with A. atropos. This yields similar tuning to low velocities as in D. elpenor, but with the advantage of shorter neural delays in processing motion. PMID:19906663

Broadened population-level frequency tuning in the auditory cortex of tinnitus patients.

PubMed

Sekiya, Kenichi; Takahashi, Mariko; Murakami, Shingo; Kakigi, Ryusuke; Okamoto, Hidehiko

2017-03-01

Tinnitus is a phantom auditory perception without an external sound source and is one of the most common public health concerns that impair the quality of life of many individuals. However, its neural mechanisms remain unclear. We herein examined population-level frequency tuning in the auditory cortex of unilateral tinnitus patients with similar hearing levels in both ears using magnetoencephalography. We compared auditory-evoked neural activities elicited by a stimulation to the tinnitus and nontinnitus ears. Objective magnetoencephalographic data suggested that population-level frequency tuning corresponding to the tinnitus ear was significantly broader than that corresponding to the nontinnitus ear in the human auditory cortex. The results obtained support the hypothesis that pathological alterations in inhibitory neural networks play an important role in the perception of subjective tinnitus. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Although subjective tinnitus is one of the most common public health concerns that impair the quality of life of many individuals, no standard treatment or objective diagnostic method currently exists. We herein revealed that population-level frequency tuning was significantly broader in the tinnitus ear than in the nontinnitus ear. The results of the present study provide an insight into the development of an objective diagnostic method for subjective tinnitus. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

Diode-end-pumped continuously tunable single frequency Tm, Ho:LLF laser at 2.06 μm.

PubMed

Zhang, Xinlu; Zhang, Su; Xiao, Nana; Cui, Jinhui; Zhao, Jiaqun; Li, Li

2014-03-10

We report on a laser diode-end-pumped continuously tunable single frequency Tm, Ho:LLF laser near room temperature. For transmission of 5%, the maximum single frequency output power of 221 mW at 2064.4 nm was obtained by using two uncoated etalons. The single frequency Tm, Ho:LLF laser operated on the fundamental transverse mode with an M2 factor of 1.13, and the output frequency could be tuned continuously near 1.5 GHz by angle tuning only of the 1 mm thick etalon. Furthermore, the influence of output coupler transmission on the laser performance was also investigated. The single frequency laser can be used as a seed laser for coherent Doppler lidar and differential absorption lidar systems.

Frequency-reconfigurable water antenna of circular polarization

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

Zou, Meng; Pan, Jin; Shen, Zhongxiang, E-mail: ezxshen@ntu.edu.sg

A circularly polarized frequency-reconfigurable water antenna with high radiation efficiency is proposed based on the design concept of combining a frequency-reconfigurable radiating structure with a frequency-independent feeding structure. In this letter, a resonator made of distilled water and an Archimedean spiral slot are employed as the radiating and feeding structures, respectively. The operating frequency of the antenna can be continuously tuned over a very wide range while maintaining good impendence matching and circular polarization by changing the dimensions of the water resonator. A prototype antenna is designed, fabricated, and measured. Simulated and measured results demonstrate that the designed antenna exhibitsmore » a wide tuning frequency range from 155 MHz to 400 MHz with an average radiation efficiency of about 90% and good circular polarization.« less

Dynamic frequency tuning of electric and magnetic metamaterial response

DOEpatents

O'Hara, John F; Averitt, Richard; Padilla, Willie; Chen, Hou-Tong

2014-09-16

A geometrically modifiable resonator is comprised of a resonator disposed on a substrate, and a means for geometrically modifying the resonator. The geometrically modifiable resonator can achieve active optical and/or electronic control of the frequency response in metamaterials and/or frequency selective surfaces, potentially with sub-picosecond response times. Additionally, the methods taught here can be applied to discrete geometrically modifiable circuit components such as inductors and capacitors. Principally, controlled conductivity regions, using either reversible photodoping or voltage induced depletion activation, are used to modify the geometries of circuit components, thus allowing frequency tuning of resonators without otherwise affecting the bulk substrate electrical properties. The concept is valid over any frequency range in which metamaterials are designed to operate.

An OKQPSK modem incorporating numerically controlled carrier synthesis

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

Oetken, R.E.

1988-04-04

The feasibility of incorporating numerically controlled oscillators (NCO) in communication related applications is evaluated. NCO generation of sinusoids may prove useful in systems requiring precise frequency control, tuning linearity, and orthogonality versus frequency. An OKQPSK modem operating at a data rate of 200 kb/s was fabricated. The modem operates in a back to back hardwired channel and thus does not incorporate carrier or symbol timing recovery. Spectra of the NCO generated sinusoids are presented along with waveforms from the modulation and demodulation process. Generation of sinusoids in the digital domain is a viable alternative to analog oscillators. Implementation of anmore » NCO should be considered when frequency allocation, tuning bandwidth, or frequency hopped transmission requires precise frequency synthesis. 24 figs.« less

Critical band masking reveals the effects of optical distortions on the channel mediating letter identification.

PubMed

Young, Laura K; Smithson, Hannah E

2014-01-01

There is evidence that letter identification is mediated by only a narrow band of spatial frequencies and that the center frequency of the neural channel thought to underlie this selectivity is related to the size of the letters. When letters are spatially filtered (at a fixed size) the channel tuning characteristics change according to the properties of the spatial filter (Majaj et al., 2002). Optical aberrations in the eye act to spatially filter the image formed on the retina-their effect is generally to attenuate high frequencies more than low frequencies but often in a non-monotonic way. We might expect the change in the spatial frequency spectrum caused by the aberration to predict the shift in channel tuning observed for aberrated letters. We show that this is not the case. We used critical-band masking to estimate channel-tuning in the presence of three types of aberration-defocus, coma and secondary astigmatism. We found that the maximum masking was shifted to lower frequencies in the presence of an aberration and that this result was not simply predicted by the spatial-frequency-dependent degradation in image quality, assessed via metrics that have previously been shown to correlate well with performance loss in the presence of an aberration. We show that if image quality effects are taken into account (using visual Strehl metrics), the neural channel required to model the data is shifted to lower frequencies compared to the control (no-aberration) condition. Additionally, we show that when spurious resolution (caused by π phase shifts in the optical transfer function) in the image is masked, the channel tuning properties for aberrated letters are affected, suggesting that there may be interference between visual channels. Even in the presence of simulated aberrations, whose properties change from trial-to-trial, observers exhibit flexibility in selecting the spatial frequencies that support letter identification.

Vegetation engineers marsh morphology through multiple competing stable states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marani, Marco; Da Lio, Cristina; D'Alpaos, Andrea

2013-02-01

Marshes display impressive biogeomorphic features, such as zonation, a mosaic of extensive vegetation patches of rather uniform composition, exhibiting sharp transitions in the presence of extremely small topographic gradients. Although generally associated with the accretion processes necessary for marshes to keep up with relative sea level rise, competing environmental constraints, and ecologic controls, zonation is still poorly understood in terms of the underlying biogeomorphic mechanisms. Here we find, through observations and modeling interpretation, that zonation is the result of coupled geomorphological-biological dynamics and that it stems from the ability of vegetation to actively engineer the landscape by tuning soil elevation within preferential ranges of optimal adaptation. We find multiple peaks in the frequency distribution of observed topographic elevation and identify them as the signature of biologic controls on geomorphodynamics through competing stable states modulated by the interplay of inorganic and organic deposition. Interestingly, the stable biogeomorphic equilibria correspond to suboptimal rates of biomass production, a result coherent with recent observations. The emerging biogeomorphic structures may display varying degrees of robustness to changes in the rate of sea level rise and sediment availability, with implications for the overall resilience of marsh ecosystems to climatic changes.

Vegetation engineers marsh morphology through multiple competing stable states

PubMed Central

Marani, Marco; Da Lio, Cristina; D’Alpaos, Andrea

2013-01-01

Marshes display impressive biogeomorphic features, such as zonation, a mosaic of extensive vegetation patches of rather uniform composition, exhibiting sharp transitions in the presence of extremely small topographic gradients. Although generally associated with the accretion processes necessary for marshes to keep up with relative sea level rise, competing environmental constraints, and ecologic controls, zonation is still poorly understood in terms of the underlying biogeomorphic mechanisms. Here we find, through observations and modeling interpretation, that zonation is the result of coupled geomorphological–biological dynamics and that it stems from the ability of vegetation to actively engineer the landscape by tuning soil elevation within preferential ranges of optimal adaptation. We find multiple peaks in the frequency distribution of observed topographic elevation and identify them as the signature of biologic controls on geomorphodynamics through competing stable states modulated by the interplay of inorganic and organic deposition. Interestingly, the stable biogeomorphic equilibria correspond to suboptimal rates of biomass production, a result coherent with recent observations. The emerging biogeomorphic structures may display varying degrees of robustness to changes in the rate of sea level rise and sediment availability, with implications for the overall resilience of marsh ecosystems to climatic changes. PMID:23401529

A model of anuran auditory periphery reveals frequency-dependent adaptation to be a contributing mechanism for two-tone suppression and amplitude modulation coding.

PubMed

Wotton, J M; Ferragamo, M J

2011-10-01

Anuran auditory nerve fibers (ANF) tuned to low frequencies display unusual frequency-dependent adaptation which results in a more phasic response to signals above best frequency (BF) and a more tonic response to signals below. A network model of the first two layers of the anuran auditory system was used to test the contribution of this dynamic peripheral adaptation on two-tone suppression and amplitude modulation (AM) tuning. The model included a peripheral sandwich component, leaky-integrate-and-fire cells and adaptation was implemented by means of a non-linear increase in threshold weighted by the signal frequency. The results of simulations showed that frequency-dependent adaptation was both necessary and sufficient to produce high-frequency-side two-tone suppression for the ANF and cells of the dorsal medullary nucleus (DMN). It seems likely that both suppression and this dynamic adaptation share a common mechanism. The response of ANFs to AM signals was influenced by adaptation and carrier frequency. Vector strength synchronization to an AM signal improved with increased adaptation. The spike rate response to a carrier at BF was the expected flat function with AM rate. However, for non-BF carrier frequencies the response showed a weak band-pass pattern due to the influence of signal sidebands and adaptation. The DMN received inputs from three ANFs and when the frequency tuning of inputs was near the carrier, then the rate response was a low-pass or all-pass shape. When most of the inputs were biased above or below the carrier, then band-pass responses were observed. Frequency-dependent adaptation enhanced the band-pass tuning for AM rate, particularly when the response of the inputs was predominantly phasic for a given carrier. Different combinations of inputs can therefore bias a DMN cell to be especially well suited to detect specific ranges of AM rates for a particular carrier frequency. Such selection of inputs would clearly be advantageous to the frog in recognizing distinct spectral and temporal parameters in communication calls. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simulation of Dual-Electrode Capacitively Coupled Plasma Discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Yijia; Ji, Linhong; Cheng, Jia

2016-12-01

Dual-electrode capacitively coupled plasma discharges are investigated here to lower the non-uniformity of plasma density. The dual-electrode structure proposed by Jung splits the electrode region and increases the flexibility of fine tuning non-uniformity. Different RF voltages, frequencies, phase-shifts and electrode areas are simulated and the influences are discussed. RF voltage and electrode area have a non-monotonic effect on non-uniformity, while frequency has a monotonic effect. Phase-shift has a cyclical influence on non-uniformity. A special combination of 224 V voltage and 11% area ratio with 10 MHz lowers the non-uniformity of the original set (200 V voltage and 0% area ratio with 10 MHz) by 46.5%. The position of the plasma density peak at the probe line has been tracked and properly tuning the phase-shift can obtain the same trace as tuning frequency or voltage. supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51405261)

In-plane inertial coupling in tuned and severely mistuned bladed disks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crawley, E. F.

1982-01-01

A model has been developed and verified for blade-disk-shaft coupling in rotors due to the in-plane rigid body modes of the disk. An analytic model has been developed which couples the in-plane rigid body modes of the disk on an elastic shaft with the blade bending modes. Bench resonance test were carried out on the M.I.T. Compressor Rotor, typical of research rotors with flexible blades and a thick rigid disk. When the rotor was carefully tuned, the structural coupling of the blades by the disks was confined to zero and one nodal diameter modes, whose modal frequencies were greater than the blade cantilever frequency. In the case of the tuned rotor, and in two cases where severe mistuning was intentionally introduced, agreement between the predicted and observed natural frequencies is excellent. The analytic model was then extended to include the effects of constant angular rotation of the disk.

Effect of Weight on the Resonant Tuning of Energy Harvesting Devices Using Giant Magnetostrictive Materials.

PubMed

Mori, Kotaro; Horibe, Tadashi; Ishikawa, Shigekazu

2018-04-10

This study deals with the numerical and experimental study of the effect of weight on the resonant tuning and energy harvesting characteristics of energy harvesting devices using giant magnetostrictive materials. The energy harvesting device is made in a cantilever shape using a thin Terfenol-D layer, stainless steel (SUS) layer and a movable proof mass, among other things. In this study, two types of movable proof mass were prepared, and the device was designed to adjust its own resonant frequency automatically to match external vibration frequency in real time. Three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) was performed, and the resonant frequency, tip displacement, and output voltage in the devices were predicted and measured, and the simulation and experiment results were compared. The effects of the weight of the proof mass on self-tuning ability and time-varying behavior were then considered in particular.

Dynamically tunable implementation of electromagnetically induced transparency with two coupling graphene-nanostrips in terahertz region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shu, Chang; Chen, Qing-Guo; Mei, Jin-Shuo; Yin, Jing-Hua

2018-03-01

In this paper, we numerically demonstrated a dynamically tunable implementation of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) response with two coupling graphene-nanostrips in terahertz region. Compared to the metal-based structures or separated graphene structures, the Fermi energies of proposed two coupling graphene-nanostrips can be independently tuned by changing bias voltage between the metallic pads and substrate, the EIT window which appears from the near-field coupling between two resonators can be dynamically tuned without reoptimizing and refabricating the structures. As a result, the EIT window has a significant tunable capacity which can realize a higher frequency modulation depth and control the amplitude of transmission peak at a fixed frequency; moreover, the group delay of transmission peak at a fixed frequency with the amplitude of over 0.95 could be dynamically tuned. These results would exhibit potential applications in modulators and tunable slow light devices.

Comparison of healing rate in diabetes-related foot ulcers with low frequency ultrasonic debridement versus non-surgical sharps debridement: a randomised trial protocol

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Foot ulceration has been reported as the leading cause of hospital admission and amputation in individuals with diabetes. Diabetes-related foot ulcers require multidisciplinary management and best practice care, including debridement, offloading, dressings, management of infection, modified footwear and management of extrinsic factors. Ulcer debridement is a commonly applied management approach involving removal of non-viable tissue from the ulcer bed. Different methods of debridement have been reported in the literature including autolytic debridement via moist wound healing, mechanical debridement utilising wet to dry dressings, theatre based sharps debridement, biological debridement, non-surgical sharps debridement and newer technology such as low frequency ultrasonic debridement. Methods People with diabetes and a foot ulcer, referred to and treated by the Podiatry Department at Monash Health and who meet the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in this randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomly and equally allocated to either the non-surgical sharps debridement (control) or low frequency ultrasonic debridement (intervention) group (n = 322 ulcers/n = 108 participants). Where participants have more than one ulcer, only the participant will be randomised, not the ulcer. An investigator not involved in participant recruitment or assessment will be responsible for preparing the random allocation sequence and envelopes. Each participant will receive weekly treatment for six months including best practice podiatric management. Each ulcer will be measured on a weekly basis by calculating total area in centimetres squared. Measurement will be undertaken by a trained research assistant to ensure outcomes are blinded from the treating podiatrist. Another member of the research team will assess the final primary outcome. Discussion The primary aim of this study is to compare healing rates for diabetes-related foot ulcers using non-surgical sharps debridement versus low frequency ultrasonic debridement over a six month period. The primary outcome measure for this study is the proportion of ulcers healed by the six month follow-up period. Secondary outcomes will include a quality of life measure, assessment of pain and health care resource use between the two treatment modalities. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12612000490875. PMID:24423411

Exploring Moho sharpness in Northeastern North China Craton with frequency-dependence analysis of Ps receiver function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, P.; Yao, H.; Chen, L.; WANG, X.; Fang, L.

2017-12-01

The North China Craton (NCC), one of the oldest cratons in the world, has attracted wide attention in Earth Science for decades because of the unusual Mesozoic destruction of its cratonic lithosphere. Understanding the deep processes and mechanism of this craton destruction demands detailed knowledge about the deep structure of this region. In this study, we calculate P-wave receiver functions (RFs) with two-year teleseismic records from the North China Seismic Array ( 200 stations) deployed in the northeastern NCC. We observe both diffused and concentered PpPs signals from the Moho in RF waveforms, which indicates heterogeneous Moho sharpness variations in the study region. Synthetic Ps phases generated from broad positive velocity gradients at the depth of the Moho (referred as Pms) show a clear frequency dependence nature, which in turn is required to constrain the sharpness of the velocity gradient. Practically, characterizing such a frequency dependence feature in real data is challenging, because of low signal-to-noise ratio, contaminations by multiples generated from shallow structure, distorted signal stacking especially in double-peak Pms signals, etc. We attempt to address these issues by, firstly, utilizing a high-resolution Moho depth model of this region to predict theoretical delay times of Pms that facilitate more accurate Pms identifications. The Moho depth model is derived by wave-equation based poststack depth migration on both Ps phase and surface-reflected multiples in RFs in our previous study (Zhang et al., submitted to JGR). Second, we select data from a major back azimuth range of 100° - 220° that includes 70% teleseismic events due to the uneven data coverage and to avoid azimuthal influence as well. Finally, we apply an adaptive cross-correlation stacking of Pms signals in RFs for each station within different frequency bands. High-quality Pms signals at different frequencies will be selected after careful visual inspection and adaptive cross-correlation stacking. At last, we will model the stacked Pms signals within different frequency bands to obtain the final sharpness of crust-mantle boundary, which may shed new lights on understanding the mechanism of cratonic reactivation and destruction in the NCC.

Tailoring the negative-refractive-index metamaterials composed of semiconductor-metal-semiconductor gold ring/disk cavity heptamers to support strong Fano resonances in the visible spectrum.

PubMed

Ahmadivand, Arash; Pala, Nezih

2015-02-01

In this study, we investigated numerically the plasmon response of a planar negative-index metamaterial composed of symmetric molecular orientations of Au ring/disk nanocavities in a heptamer cluster. Using the plasmon hybridization theory and considering the optical response of an individual nanocluster, we determined the accurate geometrical sizes for a ring/disk nanocavity heptamer. It is shown that the proposed well-organized nanocluster can be tailored to support strong and sharp Fano resonances in the visible spectrum. Surrounding and filling the heptamer clusters by various metasurfaces with different chemical characteristics, and illuminating the structure with an incident light source, we proved that this configuration reflects low losses and isotropic features, including a pronounced Fano dip in the visible spectrum. Technically, employing numerical methods and tuning the geometrical sizes of the structure, we tuned and induced the Fano dip in the visible range, while the dark and bright plasmon resonance extremes are blueshifted to shorter wavelengths dramatically. Considering the calculated transmission window, we quantified the effective refractive index for the structure, while the substance of the substrate material was varied. Using Si, GaP, and InP semiconductors as substrate materials, we calculated and compared the corresponding figure of merit (FOM) for different regimes. The highest possible FOM was obtained for the GaP-Au-GaP negative-refractive-index metamaterial composed of ring/disk nanocavity heptamers as 62.4 at λ∼690  nm (arounnd the position of the Fano dip). Despite the outstanding symmetric nature of the suggested heptamer array, we provided sharp Fano dips by the appropriate tuning of the geometrical and chemical parameters. This study yields a method to employ ring/disk nanocavity heptamers as a negative-refractive-index metamaterial in designing highly accurate localization of surface plasmon resonance sensing devices and biochemical sensors.

Atomic resolution ultrafast scanning tunneling microscope with scan rate breaking the resonant frequency of a quartz tuning fork resonator.

PubMed

Li, Quanfeng; Lu, Qingyou

2011-05-01

We present an ultra-fast scanning tunneling microscope with atomic resolution at 26 kHz scan rate which surpasses the resonant frequency of the quartz tuning fork resonator used as the fast scan actuator. The main improvements employed in achieving this new record are (1) fully low voltage design (2) independent scan control and data acquisition, where the tuning fork (carrying a tip) is blindly driven to scan by a function generator with the scan voltage and tunneling current (I(T)) being measured as image data (this is unlike the traditional point-by-point move and measure method where data acquisition and scan control are switched many times).

Model-Based Self-Tuning Multiscale Method for Combustion Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le, Dzu, K.; DeLaat, John C.; Chang, Clarence T.; Vrnak, Daniel R.

2006-01-01

A multi-scale representation of the combustor dynamics was used to create a self-tuning, scalable controller to suppress multiple instability modes in a liquid-fueled aero engine-derived combustor operating at engine-like conditions. Its self-tuning features designed to handle the uncertainties in the combustor dynamics and time-delays are essential for control performance and robustness. The controller was implemented to modulate a high-frequency fuel valve with feedback from dynamic pressure sensors. This scalable algorithm suppressed pressure oscillations of different instability modes by as much as 90 percent without the peak-splitting effect. The self-tuning logic guided the adjustment of controller parameters and converged quickly toward phase-lock for optimal suppression of the instabilities. The forced-response characteristics of the control model compare well with those of the test rig on both the frequency-domain and the time-domain.

Earthquake Damping Device for Steel Frame

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zamri Ramli, Mohd; Delfy, Dezoura; Adnan, Azlan; Torman, Zaida

2018-04-01

Structures such as buildings, bridges and towers are prone to collapse when natural phenomena like earthquake occurred. Therefore, many design codes are reviewed and new technologies are introduced to resist earthquake energy especially on building to avoid collapse. The tuned mass damper is one of the earthquake reduction products introduced on structures to minimise the earthquake effect. This study aims to analyse the effectiveness of tuned mass damper by experimental works and finite element modelling. The comparisons are made between these two models under harmonic excitation. Based on the result, it is proven that installing tuned mass damper will reduce the dynamic response of the frame but only in several input frequencies. At the highest input frequency applied, the tuned mass damper failed to reduce the responses. In conclusion, in order to use a proper design of damper, detailed analysis must be carried out to have sufficient design based on the location of the structures with specific ground accelerations.

Electronic frequency tuning of the acousto-optic mode-locking device of a laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magdich, L. N.; Balakshy, V. I.; Mantsevich, S. N.

2017-11-01

The effect of the electronic tuning of the acoustic resonances in an acousto-optic mode-locking device of a laser is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The problem of the excitation of a Fabry-Perot acoustic resonator by a plate-like piezoelectric transducer (PET) is solved in the approximation of plane acoustic waves taking into consideration the actual parameters of an RF generator and the elements for matching the PET to the generator. Resonances are tuned by changing the matching inductance that was connected in parallel to the transducer of the acousto-optic cell. The cell used in the experiment was manufactured from fused silica and included a lithium niobate PET. Changes in the matching inductance in the range of 0.025 to 0.2 μH provided the acoustic-resonance frequency tuning by 0.19 MHz, which exceeds the acoustic- resonance half-width.

Frequency-agile terahertz-wave parametric oscillator in a ring-cavity configuration.

PubMed

Minamide, Hiroaki; Ikari, Tomofumi; Ito, Hiromasa

2009-12-01

We demonstrate a frequency-agile terahertz wave parametric oscillator (TPO) in a ring-cavity configuration (ring-TPO). The TPO consists of three mirrors and a MgO:LiNbO(3) crystal under noncollinear phase-matching conditions. A novel, fast frequency-tuning method was realized by controlling a mirror of the three-mirror ring cavity. The wide tuning range between 0.93 and 2.7 THz was accomplished. For first demonstration using the ring-TPO, terahertz spectroscopy was performed as the verification of the frequency-agile performance, measuring the transmission spectrum of the monosaccharide glucose. The spectrum was obtained within about 8 s in good comparison to those of Fourier transform infrared spectrometer.

OPO performance with a long pulse length, single frequency Nd:YAG laser pump. [Optical Parametric Oscillators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kozlovsky, W. J.; Gustafson, E. K.; Eckardt, R. C.; Byer, R. L.

1988-01-01

With the advent of new nonlinear materials and single-frequency pump sources, there is renewed interest in optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). A single-mode diode-laser-pumped monolithic Nd:YAG nonplanar ring laser that is both amplified and frequency doubled is used to pump a monolithic MgO:LiNbO3 pulsed singly resonant OPO. The OPO signal output was temperature tuned from 834 to 958 nm, producing an idler tuning from 1.47 to 1.2 microns. Efforts toward a CW all-solid-state doubly resonant OPO are also described.

Optimization under uncertainty of parallel nonlinear energy sinks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boroson, Ethan; Missoum, Samy; Mattei, Pierre-Olivier; Vergez, Christophe

2017-04-01

Nonlinear Energy Sinks (NESs) are a promising technique for passively reducing the amplitude of vibrations. Through nonlinear stiffness properties, a NES is able to passively and irreversibly absorb energy. Unlike the traditional Tuned Mass Damper (TMD), NESs do not require a specific tuning and absorb energy over a wider range of frequencies. Nevertheless, they are still only efficient over a limited range of excitations. In order to mitigate this limitation and maximize the efficiency range, this work investigates the optimization of multiple NESs configured in parallel. It is well known that the efficiency of a NES is extremely sensitive to small perturbations in loading conditions or design parameters. In fact, the efficiency of a NES has been shown to be nearly discontinuous in the neighborhood of its activation threshold. For this reason, uncertainties must be taken into account in the design optimization of NESs. In addition, the discontinuities require a specific treatment during the optimization process. In this work, the objective of the optimization is to maximize the expected value of the efficiency of NESs in parallel. The optimization algorithm is able to tackle design variables with uncertainty (e.g., nonlinear stiffness coefficients) as well as aleatory variables such as the initial velocity of the main system. The optimal design of several parallel NES configurations for maximum mean efficiency is investigated. Specifically, NES nonlinear stiffness properties, considered random design variables, are optimized for cases with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 NESs in parallel. The distributions of efficiency for the optimal parallel configurations are compared to distributions of efficiencies of non-optimized NESs. It is observed that the optimization enables a sharp increase in the mean value of efficiency while reducing the corresponding variance, thus leading to more robust NES designs.

A Pole-Zero Filter Cascade Provides Good Fits to Human Masking Data and to Basilar Membrane and Neural Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyon, Richard F.

2011-11-01

A cascade of two-pole-two-zero filters with level-dependent pole and zero dampings, with few parameters, can provide a good match to human psychophysical and physiological data. The model has been fitted to data on detection threshold for tones in notched-noise masking, including bandwidth and filter shape changes over a wide range of levels, and has been shown to provide better fits with fewer parameters compared to other auditory filter models such as gammachirps. Originally motivated as an efficient machine implementation of auditory filtering related to the WKB analysis method of cochlear wave propagation, such filter cascades also provide good fits to mechanical basilar membrane data, and to auditory nerve data, including linear low-frequency tail response, level-dependent peak gain, sharp tuning curves, nonlinear compression curves, level-independent zero-crossing times in the impulse response, realistic instantaneous frequency glides, and appropriate level-dependent group delay even with minimum-phase response. As part of exploring different level-dependent parameterizations of such filter cascades, we have identified a simple sufficient condition for stable zero-crossing times, based on the shifting property of the Laplace transform: simply move all the s-domain poles and zeros by equal amounts in the real-s direction. Such pole-zero filter cascades are efficient front ends for machine hearing applications, such as music information retrieval, content identification, speech recognition, and sound indexing.

Membrane-less variable focus liquid lens with manual actuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patra, Roshan; Agarwal, Shivam; Kondaraju, Sasidhar; Bahga, Supreet Singh

2017-04-01

We present a tunable, membrane-less, mechanical-wetting liquid lens that can be actuated manually using a linear actuator such as screw or piston. The operation of the liquid lens is based on deforming the interface separating two immiscible liquids with different refractive indices, while pinning the three-phase contact line at the sharp edge of lens aperture. Our lens design improves upon the existing designs of mechanical-wetting lenses by eliminating the use of complex actuation mechanisms, without compromising on the optical performance. We demonstrate the operation of the liquid lens by tuning its power back and forth from negative to positive by simple rotation of a screw. We also present an analytical description of the focal length of the lens and validate it with detailed experimental measurements. Our experiments show that the focal length of the liquid lens can be tuned repeatably without any adverse effects of hysteresis and gravity.

Influence of frequency tuning and double-frequency heating on ions extracted from an electron cyclotron resonance ion source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maimone, F.; Celona, L.; Lang, R.; Mäder, J.; Roßbach, J.; Spädtke, P.; Tinschert, K.

2011-12-01

The electromagnetic field within the plasma chamber of an electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) and the properties of the plasma waves affect the plasma properties and ion beam production. We have experimentally investigated the "frequency tuning effect" and "double frequency heating" on the CAPRICE ECRIS device. A traveling wave tube amplifier, two microwave sweep generators, and a dedicated experimental set-up were used to carry out experiments in the 12.5-16.5 GHz frequency range. During the frequency sweeps the evolution of the intensity and shape of the extracted argon beam were measured together with the microwave reflection coefficient. A range of different ion source parameter settings was used. Here we describe these experiments and the resultant improved understanding of these operational modes of the ECR ion source.

Vanadium dioxide based frequency tunable metasurface filters for realizing reconfigurable terahertz optical phase and polarization control.

PubMed

Nouman, M Tayyab; Hwang, Ji Hyun; Faiyaz, Mohd; Lee, Kye-Jeong; Noh, Do-Young; Jang, Jae-Hyung

2018-05-14

Metasurfaces are two dimensional arrays of artificial subwavelength resonators, which can manipulate the amplitude and phase profile of incident electromagnetic fields. To date, limited progress has been achieved in realizing reconfigurable phase control of incident waves using metasurfaces. Here, an active metasurface is presented, whose resonance frequency can be tuned by employing insulator to metal transition in vanadium dioxide. By virtue of the phase jump accompanied by the resonance frequency tuning, the proposed metasurface acts as a phase shifter at THz frequency. It is further demonstrated that by appropriately tailoring the anisotropy of the metasurface, the observed phase shift can be used to switch the transmitted polarization from circular to approximately linear. This work thus shows potential for reconfigurable phase and polarization control at THz frequencies using vanadium dioxide based frequency tunable metasurfaces.

Influence of frequency tuning and double-frequency heating on ions extracted from an electron cyclotron resonance ion source.

PubMed

Maimone, F; Celona, L; Lang, R; Mäder, J; Rossbach, J; Spädtke, P; Tinschert, K

2011-12-01

The electromagnetic field within the plasma chamber of an electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) and the properties of the plasma waves affect the plasma properties and ion beam production. We have experimentally investigated the "frequency tuning effect" and "double frequency heating" on the CAPRICE ECRIS device. A traveling wave tube amplifier, two microwave sweep generators, and a dedicated experimental set-up were used to carry out experiments in the 12.5-16.5 GHz frequency range. During the frequency sweeps the evolution of the intensity and shape of the extracted argon beam were measured together with the microwave reflection coefficient. A range of different ion source parameter settings was used. Here we describe these experiments and the resultant improved understanding of these operational modes of the ECR ion source.

Model of human visual-motion sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watson, A. B.; Ahumada, A. J., Jr.

1985-01-01

A model of how humans sense the velocity of moving images is proposed. The model exploits constraints provided by human psychophysics, notably that motion-sensing elements appear tuned for two-dimensional spatial frequency, and by the frequency spectrum of a moving image, namely, that its support lies in the plane in which the temporal frequency equals the dot product of the spatial frequency and the image velocity. The first stage of the model is a set of spatial-frequency-tuned, direction-selective linear sensors. The temporal frequency of the response of each sensor is shown to encode the component of the image velocity in the sensor direction. At the second stage, these components are resolved in order to measure the velocity of image motion at each of a number of spatial locations and spatial frequencies. The model has been applied to several illustrative examples, including apparent motion, coherent gratings, and natural image sequences. The model agrees qualitatively with human perception.

Driving working memory with frequency-tuned noninvasive brain stimulation.

PubMed

Albouy, Philippe; Baillet, Sylvain; Zatorre, Robert J

2018-04-29

Frequency-tuned noninvasive brain stimulation is a recent approach in cognitive neuroscience that involves matching the frequency of transcranially applied electromagnetic fields to that of specific oscillatory components of the underlying neurophysiology. The objective of this method is to modulate ongoing/intrinsic brain oscillations, which correspond to rhythmic fluctuations of neural excitability, to causally change behavior. We review the impact of frequency-tuned noninvasive brain stimulation on the research field of human working memory. We argue that this is a powerful method to probe and understand the mechanisms of memory functions, targeting specifically task-related oscillatory dynamics, neuronal representations, and brain networks. We report the main behavioral and neurophysiological outcomes published to date, in particular, how functionally relevant oscillatory signatures in signal power and interregional connectivity yield causal changes of working memory abilities. We also present recent developments of the technique that aim to modulate cross-frequency coupling in polyrhythmic neural activity. Overall, the method has led to significant advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of systems neuroscience, and the role of brain oscillations in cognition and behavior. We also emphasize the translational impact of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques in the development of therapeutic approaches. © 2018 New York Academy of Sciences.

Flying in tune: sexual recognition in mosquitoes.

PubMed

Gibson, Gabriella; Russell, Ian

2006-07-11

Mosquitoes hear with their antennae, which in most species are sexually dimorphic. Johnston, who discovered the mosquito auditory organ at the base of the antenna 150 years ago, speculated that audition was involved with mating behaviour. Indeed, male mosquitoes are attracted to female flight tones. The male auditory organ has been proposed to act as an acoustic filter for female flight tones, but female auditory behavior is unknown. We show, for the first time, interactive auditory behavior between males and females that leads to sexual recognition. Individual males and females both respond to pure tones by altering wing-beat frequency. Behavioral auditory tuning curves, based on minimum threshold sound levels that elicit a change in wing-beat frequency to pure tones, are sharper than the mechanical tuning of the antennae, with males being more sensitive than females. We flew opposite-sex pairs of tethered Toxorhynchites brevipalpis and found that each mosquito alters its wing-beat frequency in response to the flight tone of the other, so that within seconds their flight-tone frequencies are closely matched, if not completely synchronized. The flight tones of same-sex pairs may converge in frequency but eventually diverge dramatically.

Frequency-tuning characteristics of cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials induced by air-conducted tone bursts.

PubMed

Park, Hong Ju; Lee, In-Sik; Shin, Jung Eun; Lee, Yeo Jin; Park, Mun Su

2010-01-01

To better characterize both ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) responses at different frequencies of sound in 20 normal subjects. Cervical and ocular VEMPs were recorded. The intensities of sound stimulation decreased from the maximal intensity, until no responses were evoked. Thresholds, amplitudes, latencies and interaural amplitude difference ratio (IADR) at the maximal stimulation were calculated. Both tests showed the similar frequency tuning, with the lowest threshold and highest amplitude for 500-Hz tone-burst stimuli. Sound stimulation at 500Hz showed the response rates of 100% in both tests. Cervical VEMPs showed higher incidence than ocular VEMPs. Ocular VEMP thresholds were significantly higher than those of cervical VEMP. Cervical VEMP amplitudes were significantly higher than ocular VEMP amplitudes. IADRs of ocular and cervical VEMPs did not differ significantly. Ocular VEMP showed the similar frequency tuning to cervical VEMP. Cervical VEMP responses showed higher incidence, lower thresholds and larger amplitudes than ocular VEMP. Cervical VEMP is a more reliable measure than ocular VEMP, though the results of both tests will be complementary. Five hundred Hertz is the optimal frequency to use. Copyright 2009 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

An enhanced low-frequency vibration ZnO nanorod-based tuning fork piezoelectric nanogenerator.

PubMed

Deng, Weili; Jin, Long; Chen, Yueqi; Chu, Wenjun; Zhang, Binbin; Sun, Huan; Xiong, Da; Lv, Zekai; Zhu, Minhao; Yang, Weiqing

2018-01-03

In this paper, a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) based on a tuning fork-shaped cantilever was designed and fabricated, aiming at harvesting low frequency vibration energy in the environment. In the PENG, a tuning fork-shaped elastic beam combined with ZnO nanorods (NRs), instead of conventional rectangular cantilever beams, was adopted to extract vibration energy. Benefiting from the high flexibility and the controllable shape of the substrate, this PENG was extremely sensitive to vibration and can harvest weak vibration energy at a low frequency. Moreover, a series of simulation models were established to compare the performance of the PENG with that of different shapes. On this basis, the experimental results further verify that this designed energy harvester could operate at a low frequency which was about 13 Hz. The peak output voltage and current could respectively reach about 160 mV and 11 nA, and a maximum instantaneous peak power of 0.92 μW cm -3 across a matched load of 9 MΩ was obtained. Evidently, this newly designed PENG could harvest vibration energy at a lower frequency, which will contribute to broaden the application range of the PENG in energy harvesting and self-powered systems.

Cochlear partition tuning within the 2nd apical turn of the intact gerbil cochlea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Wei; Xia, Anping; Puria, Sunil; Applegate, Brian E.; Oghalai, John S.

2018-05-01

Our understanding of cochlear amplification has been mainly informed by observations of the high-frequency basal region. Results from the few existing in vivo studies from the low-frequency apical region have suggested that cochlear amplification may be more broadly tuned and not as nonlinear as in the base. The current study explored micromechanics via sound evoked vibrations of the cochlear partition, including the organ of Corti (OoC), the basilar membrane (BM) and the tectorial membrane (TM), within the 2nd apical turn, corresponding to the 2.5 kHz best frequency region, of the gerbil cochlea using volumetric optical coherence tomography vibrometry (VOCTV), imaged non-invasively through the otic capsule bone in vivo. Sound induced radial displacements below 4 kHz showed similarities and differences to the well-established BM transverse responses at high-frequency basal region. Responses showed broader tuning, but similar gains at the best frequency and similar phase accumulation. The distinct difference found was the presence of compressive nonlinear growth with SPL below the best frequency down to 0.1 kHz observed at the outer hair cell (OHC) and reticular laminar (RL) locations but not in the BM or inner hair cell regions. These relative motions provide further insight on how OHC somatic forces are distributed within the cochlear partition.

Frequency-tuning radiofrequency plasma source operated in inductively-coupled mode under a low magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Kazunori; Nakano, Yudai; Ando, Akira

2017-07-01

A radiofrequency (rf) inductively-coupled plasma source is operated with a frequency-tuning impedance matching system, where the rf frequency is variable in the range of 20-50 MHz and the maximum power is 100 W. The source consists of a 45 mm-diameter pyrex glass tube wound by an rf antenna and a solenoid providing a magnetic field strength in the range of 0-200 Gauss. A reflected rf power for no plasma case is minimized at the frequency of ˜25 MHz, whereas the frequency giving the minimum reflection with the high density plasma is about 28 MHz, where the density jump is observed when minimizing the reflection. A high density argon plasma above 1× {{10}12} cm-3 is successfully obtained in the source for the rf power of 50-100 W, where it is observed that an external magnetic field of a few tens of Gauss yields the highest plasma density in the present configuration. The frequency-tuning plasma source is applied to a compact and high-speed silicon etcher in an Ar-SF6 plasma; then the etching rate of 8~μ m min-1 is obtained for no bias voltage to the silicon wafer, i.e. for the case that a physical ion etching process is eliminated.

[The mechanism and function of hippocampal neural oscillation].

PubMed

Lu, Ning; Xing, Dan-Qin; Sheng, Tao; Lu, Wei

2017-10-25

Neural oscillation is rhythmic or repetitive neural activity in the central nervous system that is usually generated by oscillatory activity of neuronal ensembles, reflecting regular and synchronized activities within these cell populations. According to several oscillatory bands covering frequencies from approximately 0.5 Hz to >100 Hz, neural oscillations are usually classified as delta oscillation (0.5-3 Hz), theta oscillation (4-12 Hz), beta oscillation (12-30 Hz), gamma oscillation (30-100 Hz) and sharp-wave ripples (>100 Hz ripples superimposed on 0.01-3 Hz sharp waves). Neural oscillation in different frequencies can be detected in different brain regions of human and animal during perception, motion and sleep, and plays an essential role in cognition, learning and memory process. In this review, we summarize recent findings on neural oscillations in hippocampus, as well as the mechanism and function of hippocampal theta oscillation, gamma oscillation and sharp-wave ripples. This review may yield new insights into the functions of neural oscillation in general.

Series-Coupled Pairs of Silica Microresonators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Savchenkov, Anatoliy; Iltchenko, Vladimir; Maleki, Lute; Handley, Tim

2009-01-01

Series-coupled pairs of whispering-gallery-mode optical microresonators have been demonstrated as prototypes of stable, narrow-band-pass photonic filters. Characteristics that are generally considered desirable in a photonic or other narrow-band-pass filter include response as nearly flat as possible across the pass band, sharp roll-off, and high rejection of signals outside the pass band. A single microresonator exhibits a Lorentzian filter function: its peak response cannot be made flatter and its roll-off cannot be made sharper. However, as a matter of basic principle applicable to resonators in general, it is possible to (1) use multiple resonators, operating in series or parallel, to obtain a roll-off sharper, and out-of-band rejection greater, relative to those of a Lorentzian filter function and (2) to make the peak response (the response within the pass band) flatter by tuning the resonators to slightly different resonance frequencies that span the pass band. The first of the two microresonators in each series-coupled pair was a microtorus made of germania-doped silica (containing about 19 mole percent germania), which is a material used for the cores of some optical fibers. The reasons for choosing this material is that exposing it to ultraviolet light causes it to undergo a chemical change that changes its index of refraction and thereby changes the resonance frequency. Hence, this material affords the means to effect the desired slight relative detuning of the two resonators. The second microresonator in each pair was a microsphere of pure silica. The advantage of making one of the resonators a torus instead of a sphere is that its spectrum of whispering-gallery-mode resonances is sparser, as needed to obtain a frequency separation of at least 100 GHz between resonances of the filter as a whole.

A basic study on universal design of auditory signals in automobiles.

PubMed

Yamauchi, Katsuya; Choi, Jong-dae; Maiguma, Ryo; Takada, Masayuki; Iwamiya, Shin-ichiro

2004-11-01

In this paper, the impression of various kinds of auditory signals currently used in automobiles and a comprehensive evaluation were measured by a semantic differential method. The desirable acoustic characteristic was examined for each type of auditory signal. Sharp sounds with dominant high-frequency components were not suitable for auditory signals in automobiles. This trend is expedient for the aged whose auditory sensitivity in the high frequency region is lower. When intermittent sounds were used, a longer OFF time was suitable. Generally, "dull (not sharp)" and "calm" sounds were appropriate for auditory signals. Furthermore, the comparison between the frequency spectrum of interior noise in automobiles and that of suitable sounds for various auditory signals indicates that the suitable sounds are not easily masked. The suitable auditory signals for various purposes is a good solution from the viewpoint of universal design.

Online tuning of impedance matching circuit for long pulse inductively coupled plasma source operation—An alternate approach

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

Sudhir, Dass; Bandyopadhyay, M., E-mail: mainak@ter-india.org; Chakraborty, A.

2014-01-15

Impedance matching circuit between radio frequency (RF) generator and the plasma load, placed between them, determines the RF power transfer from RF generator to the plasma load. The impedance of plasma load depends on the plasma parameters through skin depth and plasma conductivity or resistivity. Therefore, for long pulse operation of inductively coupled plasmas, particularly for high power (∼100 kW or more) where plasma load condition may vary due to different reasons (e.g., pressure, power, and thermal), online tuning of impedance matching circuit is necessary through feedback. In fusion grade ion source operation, such online methodology through feedback is notmore » present but offline remote tuning by adjusting the matching circuit capacitors and tuning the driving frequency of the RF generator between the ion source operation pulses is envisaged. The present model is an approach for remote impedance tuning methodology for long pulse operation and corresponding online impedance matching algorithm based on RF coil antenna current measurement or coil antenna calorimetric measurement may be useful in this regard.« less

An algorithm for the design and tuning of RF accelerating structures with variable cell lengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lal, Shankar; Pant, K. K.

2018-05-01

An algorithm is proposed for the design of a π mode standing wave buncher structure with variable cell lengths. It employs a two-parameter, multi-step approach for the design of the structure with desired resonant frequency and field flatness. The algorithm, along with analytical scaling laws for the design of the RF power coupling slot, makes it possible to accurately design the structure employing a freely available electromagnetic code like SUPERFISH. To compensate for machining errors, a tuning method has been devised to achieve desired RF parameters for the structure, which has been qualified by the successful tuning of a 7-cell buncher to π mode frequency of 2856 MHz with field flatness <3% and RF coupling coefficient close to unity. The proposed design algorithm and tuning method have demonstrated the feasibility of developing an S-band accelerating structure for desired RF parameters with a relatively relaxed machining tolerance of ∼ 25 μm. This paper discusses the algorithm for the design and tuning of an RF accelerating structure with variable cell lengths.

The representation of sound localization cues in the barn owl's inferior colliculus

PubMed Central

Singheiser, Martin; Gutfreund, Yoram; Wagner, Hermann

2012-01-01

The barn owl is a well-known model system for studying auditory processing and sound localization. This article reviews the morphological and functional organization, as well as the role of the underlying microcircuits, of the barn owl's inferior colliculus (IC). We focus on the processing of frequency and interaural time (ITD) and level differences (ILD). We first summarize the morphology of the sub-nuclei belonging to the IC and their differentiation by antero- and retrograde labeling and by staining with various antibodies. We then focus on the response properties of neurons in the three major sub-nuclei of IC [core of the central nucleus of the IC (ICCc), lateral shell of the central nucleus of the IC (ICCls), and the external nucleus of the IC (ICX)]. ICCc projects to ICCls, which in turn sends its information to ICX. The responses of neurons in ICCc are sensitive to changes in ITD but not to changes in ILD. The distribution of ITD sensitivity with frequency in ICCc can only partly be explained by optimal coding. We continue with the tuning properties of ICCls neurons, the first station in the midbrain where the ITD and ILD pathways merge after they have split at the level of the cochlear nucleus. The ICCc and ICCls share similar ITD and frequency tuning. By contrast, ICCls shows sigmoidal ILD tuning which is absent in ICCc. Both ICCc and ICCls project to the forebrain, and ICCls also projects to ICX, where space-specific neurons are found. Space-specific neurons exhibit side peak suppression in ITD tuning, bell-shaped ILD tuning, and are broadly tuned to frequency. These neurons respond only to restricted positions of auditory space and form a map of two-dimensional auditory space. Finally, we briefly review major IC features, including multiplication-like computations, correlates of echo suppression, plasticity, and adaptation. PMID:22798945

a Signal-Tuned Gabor Transform with Application to Eeg Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torreão, José R. A.; Victer, Silvia M. C.; Fernandes, João L.

2013-04-01

We introduce a time-frequency transform based on Gabor functions whose parameters are given by the Fourier transform of the analyzed signal. At any given frequency, the width and the phase of the Gabor function are obtained, respectively, from the magnitude and the phase of the signal's corresponding Fourier component, yielding an analyzing kernel which is a representation of the signal's content at that particular frequency. The resulting Gabor transform tunes itself to the input signal, allowing the accurate detection of time and frequency events, even in situations where the traditional Gabor and S-transform approaches tend to fail. This is the case, for instance, when considering the time-frequency representation of electroencephalogram traces (EEG) of epileptic subjects, as illustrated by the experimental study presented here.

SPECIAL ISSUE DEVOTED TO THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF S.A. AKHMANOV: Selective generation of a higher harmonic in plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulagin, I. A.; Usmanov, T.

2009-07-01

It is shown for the first time that the use of autoionisation states for phase matching leads to the efficient selection of a single harmonic generated in a plateau region in plasma. The selected harmonic frequency can be tuned by changing the relative concentration of plasma components and tuning the fundamental radiation frequency. It is shown that the contrast of the selected harmonic can exceed 104.

Silent emergency alarm system for schools and the like

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Read, W. S.; Roberts, V. W. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

An emergency alert system is described. In a school each classroom (or other area) is instrumented with a hidden microphone and receiver tuned to a non-audible frequency. The receivers' outputs are connected to a central display unit in the school's administrative office. Each instructor is provided with a small concealable transmitter which, when hand activated by the instructor upon the occurrance of any emergency, generates a non-audible signal at the receiver's tuned frequency.

Modification of response functions of cat visual cortical cells by spatially congruent perturbing stimuli.

PubMed

Kabara, J F; Bonds, A B

2001-12-01

Responses of cat striate cortical cells to a drifting sinusoidal grating were modified by the superimposition of a second, perturbing grating (PG) that did not excite the cell when presented alone. One consequence of the presence of a PG was a shift in the tuning curves. The orientation tuning of all 41 cells exposed to a PG and the spatial frequency tuning of 83% of the 23 cells exposed to a PG showed statistically significant dislocations of both the response function peak and center of mass from their single grating values. As found in earlier reports, the presence of PGs suppressed responsiveness. However, reductions measured at the single grating optimum orientation or spatial frequency were on average 1.3 times greater than the suppression found at the peak of the response function modified by the presence of the PG. Much of the loss in response seen at the single grating optimum is thus a result of a shift in the tuning function rather than outright suppression. On average orientation shifts were repulsive and proportional (approximately 0.10 deg/deg) to the angle between the perturbing stimulus and the optimum single grating orientation. Shifts in the spatial frequency response function were both attractive and repulsive, resulting in an overall average of zero. For both simple and complex cells, PGs generally broadened orientation response function bandwidths. Similarly, complex cell spatial frequency response function bandwidths broadened. Simple cell spatial frequency response functions usually did not change, and those that did broadened only 4% on average. These data support the hypothesis that additional sinusoidal components in compound stimuli retune cells' response functions for orientation and spatial frequency.

An L-band transit-time oscillator with mechanical frequency tunability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Lili; He, Juntao; Ling, Junpu; Cao, Yibing

2017-02-01

An L-band coaxial Transit-time Oscillator (TTO) with mechanical frequency tunability is introduced in this paper. Particle-in-cell simulations have been done. The output power efficiency has been improved at least 20% under a 10.2 GW input power and with a tunable range from 1.57 GHz to 1.90 GHz by modulating the outer conductor. It is worth to note that the efficiency can reach as high as 41% at 1.75 GHz. The mechanical engineering method is also detailed in this work. The frequency tuning range of the coaxial TTO is 22.6% of the central frequency. On the other hand, the frequency can be tuned from 1.6 GHz to 1.85 GHz by modulating the inner conductor. The author highlights a hollow structure of the L-band coaxial TTO which can work from 1.03 GHz to 1.31 GHz via modulating the outer conductor in the rest of the article. The frequency tuning range of the hollow TTO is 21.4% of the central frequency. More importantly, the hollow TTO can be easily achieved after the inner conductor is removed from the coaxial TTO. The electric field distributions of the coaxial and hollow TTOs are analyzed, resulting in that the longitudinal and transverse working modes are TM01 and π mode, respectively. The same working mode from these two structures implies the stability of the TTOs mentioned above.

The Early Personality Context of Adolescent Dysthymia: A Prospective Study of Gender Differences.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gjerde, Per F.; Block, Jack

Adolescence has been identified as a period when appreciable gender differences begin to occur in the nature and frequency of depressive symptoms. Following puberty there is a sharp increase in the frequency of depression among girls and an apparent decrease in the frequency of depression in boys. The Block and Block longitudinally-followed sample…

An adjustable RF tuning element for microwave, millimeter wave, and submillimeter wave integrated circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lubecke, Victor M.; Mcgrath, William R.; Rutledge, David B.

1991-01-01

Planar RF circuits are used in a wide range of applications from 1 GHz to 300 GHz, including radar, communications, commercial RF test instruments, and remote sensing radiometers. These circuits, however, provide only fixed tuning elements. This lack of adjustability puts severe demands on circuit design procedures and materials parameters. We have developed a novel tuning element which can be incorporated into the design of a planar circuit in order to allow active, post-fabrication tuning by varying the electrical length of a coplanar strip transmission line. It consists of a series of thin plates which can slide in unison along the transmission line, and the size and spacing of the plates are designed to provide a large reflection of RF power over a useful frequency bandwidth. Tests of this structure at 1 GHz to 3 Ghz showed that it produced a reflection coefficient greater than 0.90 over a 20 percent bandwidth. A 2 GHz circuit incorporating this tuning element was also tested to demonstrate practical tuning ranges. This structure can be fabricated for frequencies as high as 1000 GHz using existing micromachining techniques. Many commercial applications can benefit from this micromechanical RF tuning element, as it will aid in extending microwave integrated circuit technology into the high millimeter wave and submillimeter wave bands by easing constraints on circuit technology.

Axonal properties determine somatic firing in a model of in vitro CA1 hippocampal sharp wave/ripples and persistent gamma oscillations

PubMed Central

Traub, Roger D.; Schmitz, Dietmar; Maier, Nikolaus; Whittington, Miles A.; Draguhn, Andreas

2012-01-01

Evidence has been presented that CA1 pyramidal cells, during spontaneous in vitro sharp wave/ripple (SPW-R) complexes, generate somatic action potentials that originate in axons. ‘Participating’ (somatically firing) pyramidal cells fire (almost always) at most once during a particular SPW-R whereas non-participating cells virtually never fire during an SPW-R. Somatic spikelets were small or absent, while ripple-frequency EPSCs and IPSCs occurred during the SPW-R in pyramidal neurons. These experimental findings could be replicated with a network model in which electrical coupling was present between small pyramidal cell axonal branches. Here, we explore this model in more depth. Factors that influence somatic participation include: (i) the diameter of axonal branches that contain coupling sites to other axons, because firing in larger branches injects more current into the main axon, increasing antidromic firing probability; (ii) axonal K+ currents; and (iii) somatic hyperpolarization and shunting. We predict that portions of axons fire at high frequency during SPW-R, while somata fire much less. In the model, somatic firing can occur by occasional generation of full action potentials in proximal axonal branches, which are excited by high-frequency spikelets. When the network contains phasic synaptic inhibition, at the axonal gap junction site, gamma oscillations result, again with more frequent axonal firing than somatic firing. Combining the models, so as to generate gamma followed by sharp waves, leads to strong overlap between the population of cells firing during gamma the population of cells firing during a subsequent sharp wave, as observed in vivo. PMID:22697272

Rinne test: does the tuning fork position affect the sound amplitude at the ear?

PubMed

Butskiy, Oleksandr; Ng, Denny; Hodgson, Murray; Nunez, Desmond A

2016-03-24

Guidelines and text-book descriptions of the Rinne test advise orienting the tuning fork tines in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the external auditory canal (EAC), presumably to maximise the amplitude of the air conducted sound signal at the ear. Whether the orientation of the tuning fork tines affects the amplitude of the sound signal at the ear in clinical practice has not been previously reported. The present study had two goals: determine if (1) there is clinician variability in tuning fork placement when presenting the air-conduction stimulus during the Rinne test; (2) the orientation of the tuning fork tines, parallel versus perpendicular to the EAC, affects the sound amplitude at the ear. To assess the variability in performing the Rinne test, the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery members were surveyed. The amplitudes of the sound delivered to the tympanic membrane with the activated tuning fork tines held in parallel, and perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the EAC were measured using a Knowles Electronics Mannequin for Acoustic Research (KEMAR) with the microphone of a sound level meter inserted in the pinna insert. 47.4 and 44.8% of 116 survey responders reported placing the fork parallel and perpendicular to the EAC respectively. The sound intensity (sound-pressure level) recorded at the tympanic membrane with the 512 Hz tuning fork tines in parallel with as opposed to perpendicular to the EAC was louder by 2.5 dB (95% CI: 1.35, 3.65 dB; p < 0.0001) for the fundamental frequency (512 Hz), and by 4.94 dB (95% CI: 3.10, 6.78 dB; p < 0.0001) and 3.70 dB (95% CI: 1.62, 5.78 dB; p = .001) for the two harmonic (non-fundamental) frequencies (1 and 3.15 kHz), respectively. The 256 Hz tuning fork in parallel with the EAC as opposed to perpendicular to was louder by 0.83 dB (95% CI: -0.26, 1.93 dB; p = 0.14) for the fundamental frequency (256 Hz), and by 4.28 dB (95% CI: 2.65, 5.90 dB; p < 0.001) and 1.93 dB (95% CI: 0.26, 3.61 dB; p = .02) for the two harmonic frequencies (500 and 4 kHz) respectively. Clinicians vary in their orientation of the tuning fork tines in relation to the EAC when performing the Rinne test. Placement of the tuning fork tines in parallel as opposed to perpendicular to the EAC results in a higher sound amplitude at the level of the tympanic membrane.

A spherical model for orientation and spatial-frequency tuning in a cortical hypercolumn.

PubMed Central

Bressloff, Paul C; Cowan, Jack D

2003-01-01

A theory is presented of the way in which the hypercolumns in primary visual cortex (V1) are organized to detect important features of visual images, namely local orientation and spatial-frequency. Given the existence in V1 of dual maps for these features, both organized around orientation pinwheels, we constructed a model of a hypercolumn in which orientation and spatial-frequency preferences are represented by the two angular coordinates of a sphere. The two poles of this sphere are taken to correspond, respectively, to high and low spatial-frequency preferences. In Part I of the paper, we use mean-field methods to derive exact solutions for localized activity states on the sphere. We show how cortical amplification through recurrent interactions generates a sharply tuned, contrast-invariant population response to both local orientation and local spatial frequency, even in the case of a weakly biased input from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). A major prediction of our model is that this response is non-separable with respect to the local orientation and spatial frequency of a stimulus. That is, orientation tuning is weaker around the pinwheels, and there is a shift in spatial-frequency tuning towards that of the closest pinwheel at non-optimal orientations. In Part II of the paper, we demonstrate that a simple feed-forward model of spatial-frequency preference, unlike that for orientation preference, does not generate a faithful representation when amplified by recurrent interactions in V1. We then introduce the idea that cortico-geniculate feedback modulates LGN activity to generate a faithful representation, thus providing a new functional interpretation of the role of this feedback pathway. Using linear filter theory, we show that if the feedback from a cortical cell is taken to be approximately equal to the reciprocal of the corresponding feed-forward receptive field (in the two-dimensional Fourier domain), then the mismatch between the feed-forward and cortical frequency representations is eliminated. We therefore predict that cortico-geniculate feedback connections innervate the LGN in a pattern determined by the orientation and spatial-frequency biases of feed-forward receptive fields. Finally, we show how recurrent cortical interactions can generate cross-orientation suppression. PMID:14561324

Continuous-Wave Operation of a Frequency-Tunable 460-GHz Second-Harmonic Gyrotron for Enhanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

PubMed Central

Torrezan, Antonio C.; Han, Seong-Tae; Mastovsky, Ivan; Shapiro, Michael A.; Sirigiri, Jagadishwar R.; Temkin, Richard J.; Griffin, Robert G.; Barnes, Alexander B.

2012-01-01

The design, operation, and characterization of a continuous-wave (CW) tunable second-harmonic 460-GHz gyrotron are reported. The gyrotron is intended to be used as a submillimeter-wave source for 700-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance experiments with sensitivity enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization. The gyrotron operates in the whispering-gallery mode TE11,2 and has generated 16 W of output power with a 13-kV 100-mA electron beam. The start oscillation current measured over a range of magnetic field values is in good agreement with theoretical start currents obtained from linear theory for successive high-order axial modes TE11,2,q. The minimum start current is 27 mA. Power and frequency tuning measurements as a function of the electron cyclotron frequency have also been carried out. A smooth frequency tuning range of 1 GHz was obtained for the operating second-harmonic mode either by magnetic field tuning or beam voltage tuning. Long-term CW operation was evaluated during an uninterrupted period of 48 h, where the gyrotron output power and frequency were kept stable to within ±0.7% and ±6 ppm, respectively, by a computerized control system. Proper operation of an internal quasi-optical mode converter implemented to transform the operating whispering-gallery mode to a Gaussian-like beam was also verified. Based on the images of the gyrotron output beam taken with a pyroelectric camera, the Gaussian-like mode content of the output beam was computed to be 92% with an ellipticity of 12%. PMID:23761938

Continuous-Wave Operation of a Frequency-Tunable 460-GHz Second-Harmonic Gyrotron for Enhanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

PubMed Central

Torrezan, Antonio C.; Han, Seong-Tae; Mastovsky, Ivan; Shapiro, Michael A.; Sirigiri, Jagadishwar R.; Temkin, Richard J.; Barnes, Alexander B.; Griffin, Robert G.

2011-01-01

The design, operation, and characterization of a continuous-wave (CW) tunable second-harmonic 460-GHz gyrotron are reported. The gyrotron is intended to be used as a submillimeter-wave source for 700-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance experiments with sensitivity enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization. The gyrotron operates in the whispering-gallery mode TE11,2 and has generated 16 W of output power with a 13-kV 100-mA electron beam. The start oscillation current measured over a range of magnetic field values is in good agreement with theoretical start currents obtained from linear theory for successive high-order axial modes TE11,2,q. The minimum start current is 27 mA. Power and frequency tuning measurements as a function of the electron cyclotron frequency have also been carried out. A smooth frequency tuning range of 1 GHz was obtained for the operating second-harmonic mode either by magnetic field tuning or beam voltage tuning. Long-term CW operation was evaluated during an uninterrupted period of 48 h, where the gyrotron output power and frequency were kept stable to within ±0.7% and ±6 ppm, respectively, by a computerized control system. Proper operation of an internal quasi-optical mode converter implemented to transform the operating whispering-gallery mode to a Gaussian-like beam was also verified. Based on the images of the gyrotron output beam taken with a pyroelectric camera, the Gaussian-like mode content of the output beam was computed to be 92% with an ellipticity of 12%. PMID:21243088

Tunable cavity resonator including a plurality of MEMS beams

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

Peroulis, Dimitrios; Fruehling, Adam; Small, Joshua Azariah

A tunable cavity resonator includes a substrate, a cap structure, and a tuning assembly. The cap structure extends from the substrate, and at least one of the substrate and the cap structure defines a resonator cavity. The tuning assembly is positioned at least partially within the resonator cavity. The tuning assembly includes a plurality of fixed-fixed MEMS beams configured for controllable movement relative to the substrate between an activated position and a deactivated position in order to tune a resonant frequency of the tunable cavity resonator.

Spectrophone stabilized laser with line center offset frequency control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kavaya, M. J.; Menzies, R. T. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

Continuous offset tuning of a frequency stabilized CW gas laser is achieved by using a spectrophone filled with the same gas as the laser for sensing a dither modulation, detecting a first or second derivative of the spectrophone output with a lock-in amplifier, the detected output of which is integrated, and applying the integrator output as a correction signal through a circuit which adds to the dither signal from an oscillator a dc offset that is adjusted with a potentiometer to a frequency offset from the absorption line center of the gas, but within the spectral linewidth of the gas. Tuning about that offset frequency is achieved by adding a dc value to the detected output of the dither modulation before integration using a potentiometer.

Principles and Applications of the qPlus Sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giessibl, Franz J.

The concept of the atomic force microscope (AFM) is a very simple one: map the surface of a sample by a sharp probe that scans over the surface similar to the finger of a blind person that reads Braille characters. In AFM, the role of that finger is taken by the probe tip that senses the presence of the sample surface by detecting the force between the tip of the probe and a sample. The qPlus sensor is a self sensing cantilever based on a quartz tuning fork that supplements the traditional microfabricated cantilevers made of silicon. Quartz tuning forks are used in the watch industry in quantities of billions annually, with the positive effects on quality and perfection. Three properties of these quartz-based sensors simplify the AFM significantly: (1) the piezoelectricity of quartz allows simple self sensing, (2) the mechanical properties of quartz show very small variations with temperature, and (3) the given stiffness of many quartz tuning forks is close to the ideal stiffness of cantilevers. The key properties of the qPlus sensor are a large stiffness that allows small amplitude operation, the large size that allows to mount single-crystal probe tips, and the self-sensing piezoelectric detection mechanism.

Electrical control of flying spin precession in chiral 1D edge states

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

Nakajima, Takashi; Komiyama, Susumu; Lin, Kuan-Ting

2013-12-04

Electrical control and detection of spin precession are experimentally demonstrated by using spin-resolved edge states in the integer quantum Hall regime. Spin precession is triggered at a corner of a biased metal gate, where electron orbital motion makes a sharp turn leading to a nonadiabatic change in the effective magnetic field via spin-orbit interaction. The phase of precession is controlled by the group velocity of edge-state electrons tuned by gate bias voltage: Spin-FET-like coherent control of spin precession is thus realized by all-electrical means.

Lossless Brownian Information Engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paneru, Govind; Lee, Dong Yun; Tlusty, Tsvi; Pak, Hyuk Kyu

2018-01-01

We report on a lossless information engine that converts nearly all available information from an error-free feedback protocol into mechanical work. Combining high-precision detection at a resolution of 1 nm with ultrafast feedback control, the engine is tuned to extract the maximum work from information on the position of a Brownian particle. We show that the work produced by the engine achieves a bound set by a generalized second law of thermodynamics, demonstrating for the first time the sharpness of this bound. We validate a generalized Jarzynski equality for error-free feedback-controlled information engines.

Lossless Brownian Information Engine.

PubMed

Paneru, Govind; Lee, Dong Yun; Tlusty, Tsvi; Pak, Hyuk Kyu

2018-01-12

We report on a lossless information engine that converts nearly all available information from an error-free feedback protocol into mechanical work. Combining high-precision detection at a resolution of 1 nm with ultrafast feedback control, the engine is tuned to extract the maximum work from information on the position of a Brownian particle. We show that the work produced by the engine achieves a bound set by a generalized second law of thermodynamics, demonstrating for the first time the sharpness of this bound. We validate a generalized Jarzynski equality for error-free feedback-controlled information engines.

Controlling upconversion nanocrystals for emerging applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Bo; Shi, Bingyang; Jin, Dayong; Liu, Xiaogang

2015-11-01

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanocrystals enable anti-Stokes emission with pump intensities several orders of magnitude lower than required by conventional nonlinear optical techniques. Their exceptional properties, namely large anti-Stokes shifts, sharp emission spectra and long excited-state lifetimes, have led to a diversity of applications. Here, we review upconversion nanocrystals from the perspective of fundamental concepts and examine the technical challenges in relation to emission colour tuning and luminescence enhancement. In particular, we highlight the advances in functionalization strategies that enable the broad utility of upconversion nanocrystals for multimodal imaging, cancer therapy, volumetric displays and photonics.

Tuning the Pitch of a Wine Glass by Playing with the Liquid inside

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Courtois, Matthieu; Guirao, Boris; Fort, Emmanuel

2008-01-01

It is well known that the pitch of the sound produced by an excited glass shell can be tuned by adding some liquid in it. In this paper, it will be proved that the distribution of the liquid inside the shell plays a crucial role in this frequency shift. Thus it provides another way to tune the pitch of the sound by modifying the liquid…

Breath air measurement using wide-band frequency tuning IR laser photo-acoustic spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kistenev, Yury V.; Borisov, Alexey V.; Kuzmin, Dmitry A.; Bulanova, Anna A.; Boyko, Andrey A.; Kostyukova, Nadezhda Y.; Karapuzikov, Alexey A.

2016-03-01

The results of measuring of biomarkers in breath air of patients with broncho-pulmonary diseases using wide-band frequency tuning IR laser photo-acoustic spectroscopy and the methods of data mining are presented. We will discuss experimental equipment and various methods of intellectual analysis of the experimental spectra in context of above task. The work was carried out with partial financial support of the FCPIR contract No 14.578.21.0082 (ID RFMEFI57814X0082).

Electro-optically tunable microwave source based on composite-cavity microchip laser.

PubMed

Qiao, Yunfei; Zheng, Shilie; Chi, Hao; Jin, Xiaofeng; Zhang, Xianmin

2012-12-17

A compact and electric tuning microwave source based on a diode-pumped composite Nd:YAG-LiNbO(3) cavity microchip laser is demonstrated. The electro-optical element introduces an electric tuning intra-cavity birefringence which causes a tunable frequency difference between two spilt orthogonal polarization states of a longitude mode. Thus a continuously tunable microwave signal with frequency up to 14.12 GHz can be easily generated by beating the two polarization modes on a high speed photodetector.

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

Serkland, Darwin K.; So, Haley M.; Peake, Gregory M.

Here, we report on mode selection and tuning properties of vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) containing coupled semiconductor and external cavities of total length less than 1 mm. Our goal is to create narrowlinewidth (<1MHz) single-frequency VECSELs that operate near 850 nm on a single longitudinal cavity resonance and tune versus temperature without mode hops. We have designed, fabricated, and measured VECSELs with external-cavity lengths ranging from 25 to 800 μm. Lastly, we compare simulated and measured coupled-cavity mode frequencies and discuss criteria for single mode selection.

Design of a Wideband 900 GHz Balanced Frequency Tripler for Radioastronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tripon-Canseliet, Charlotte; Maestrini, Alain; Mehdi, Imran

2004-01-01

We report on the design of a fix-tuned split-block waveguide balanced frequency tripler working nominally at 900GHz. It uses a GaAs Schottky planar diode pair in a balanced configuration. The circuit will be fabricated with JPL membrane technology in order to minimize dielectric loading. The multiplier is bias-less to dramatically ease the mounting and the operating procedure. At room temperature, the expected output power is 50- 130 (micro)W in the band 800-970 GHz when the tripler is pumped with 4mW. By modifying the waveguide input and output matching circuit, the multiplier can be tuned to operate at lower frequencies.

The noseleaf of Rhinolophus formosae focuses the Frequency Modulated (FM) component of the calls

PubMed Central

Vanderelst, Dieter; Lee, Ya-Fu; Geipel, Inga; Kalko, Elisabeth K. V.; Kuo, Yen-Min; Peremans, Herbert

2013-01-01

Bats of the family Rhinolophidae emit their echolocation calls through their nostrils and feature elaborate noseleaves shaping the directionality of the emissions. The calls of these bats consist of a long constant-frequency component preceded and/or followed by short frequency-modulated sweeps. While Rhinolophidae are known for their physiological specializations for processing the constant frequency part of the calls, previous evidence suggests that the noseleaves of these animals are tuned to the frequencies in the frequency modulated components of the calls. In this paper, we seek further support for this hypothesis by simulating the emission beam pattern of the bat Rhinolophus formosae. Filling the furrows of lancet and removing the basal lappets (i.e., two flaps on the noseleaf) we find that these conspicuous features of the noseleaf focus the emitted energy mostly for frequencies in the frequency-modulated components. Based on the assumption that this component of the call is used by the bats for ranging, we develop a qualitative model to assess the increase in performance due to the furrows and/or the lappets. The model confirms that both structures decrease the ambiguity in selecting relevant targets for ranging. The lappets and the furrows shape the emission beam for different spatial regions and frequency ranges. Therefore, we conclude that the presented evidence is in line with the hypothesis that different parts of the noseleaves of Rhinolophidae are tuned to different frequency ranges with at least some of the most conspicuous ones being tuned to the frequency modulated components of the calls—thus yielding strong evidence for the sensory importance of the component. PMID:23882226

Operation of the CAPRICE electron cyclotron resonance ion source applying frequency tuning and double frequency heating.

PubMed

Maimone, F; Tinschert, K; Celona, L; Lang, R; Mäder, J; Rossbach, J; Spädtke, P

2012-02-01

The properties of the electromagnetic waves heating the electrons of the ECR ion sources (ECRIS) plasma affect the features of the extracted ion beams such as the emittance, the shape, and the current, in particular for higher charge states. The electron heating methods such as the frequency tuning effect and the double frequency heating are widely used for enhancing the performances of ECRIS or even for the routine operation during the beam production. In order to better investigate these effects the CAPRICE ECRIS has been operated using these techniques. The ion beam properties for highly charged ions have been measured with beam diagnostic tools. The reason of the observed variations of this performance can be related to the different electromagnetic field patterns, which are changing inside the plasma chamber when the frequency is varying.

Mitigating Oscillator Pulling Due To Magnetic Coupling in Monolithic Mixed-Signal Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits

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

Sobering, Ian David

2014-01-01

An analysis of frequency pulling in a varactor-tuned LC VCO under coupling from an on-chip PA is presented. The large-signal behavior of the VCO's inversion-mode MOS varactors is outlined, and the susceptibility of the VCO to frequency pulling from PA aggressor signals with various modulation schemes is discussed. We show that if the aggressor signal is aperiodic, band-limited, or amplitude-modulated, the varactor-tuned LC VCO will experience frequency pulling due to time-modulation of the varactor capacitance. However, if the aggressor signal has constant-envelope phase modulation, VCO pulling can be eliminated, even in the presence of coupling, through careful choice of VCOmore » frequency and divider ratio. Additional mitigation strategies, including new inductor topologies and system-level architectural choices, are also examined.« less

Frequency and phase effects on cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) to air-conducted sound.

PubMed

Govender, Sendhil; Dennis, Danielle L; Colebatch, James G

2016-09-01

Few previous studies of tuning using air-conducted (AC) stimuli and the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) have compensated for the effects of middle ear (ME) attenuation. Zhang et al. (Exp Brain Res 213:111-116, 2011a) who did allow for ME effects were able to show a secondary peak around 100 Hz for the ocular VEMP (oVEMP). Recently, it has become clear that the otolith afferents responsible for the cVEMP and oVEMP differ and thus the nature of tuning may be more related to the reflex studied determining which otolith receptors are activated rather than the properties of the stimulus. We wished to reinvestigate the tuning for the cVEMP using AC stimuli, to establish whether the low-frequency peak is specific for the oVEMP or a consequence of the stimulus modality itself. In response to recent evidence using a 500 Hz AC stimulus that there was no effect of stimulus phase, we also investigated whether phase (condensation or rarefaction) had an effect at any frequency. We measured corrected cVEMP amplitudes and latencies in response to stimuli between 50 and 1200 Hz in 10 normal volunteers using an AC stimulus adjusted for ME attenuation. We confirmed earlier reports of the similarity of the tuning for both the cVEMP and oVEMP reflexes but found no separate 100 Hz peak for the cVEMP. AC stimulus phase did not affect either amplitude or latency. Both the tuning pattern and the phase effects contrast with those previously reported for bone-conducted (BC) stimuli. Unlike BC stimulation, which shows tuning consistent with an action on the otolith membrane, AC stimuli are likely to act through a different mechanism, most likely directly at the hair cell level.

Adaptive Helmholtz resonators and passive vibration absorbers for cylinder interior noise control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Estève, Simon J.; Johnson, Marty E.

2005-12-01

This paper presents an adaptive-passive solution to control the broadband sound transmission into rocket payload fairings. The treatment is composed of passive distributed vibration absorbers (DVAs) and adaptive Helmholtz resonators (HR). Both the frequency domain and time-domain model of a simply supported cylinder excited by an external plane wave are developed. To tune vibration absorbers to tonal excitation, a tuning strategy, based on the phase information between the velocity of the absorber mass and the velocity of the host structure is used here in a new fashion to tune resonators to peaks in the broadband acoustic spectrum of a cavity. This tuning law, called the dot-product method, only uses two microphone signals local to each HR, which allows the adaptive Helmholtz resonator (AHR) to be manufactured as an autonomous device with power supply, sensor, actuator and controller integrated. Numerical simulations corresponding to a 2.8 m long 2.5 m diameter composite cylinder prototype demonstrate that, as long as the structure modes, which strongly couple to the acoustic cavity, are damped with a DVA treatment, the dot-product method tune multiple HRs to a near-optimal solution over a broad frequency range (40-160 Hz). An adaptive HR prototype with variable opening is built and characterized. Experiments conducted on the cylinder prototype with eight AHRs demonstrate the ability of resonators adapted with the dot-product method to converge to near-optimal noise attenuation in a frequency band including multiple resonances.

A Unified Dynamic Model for Learning, Replay, and Sharp-Wave/Ripples.

PubMed

Jahnke, Sven; Timme, Marc; Memmesheimer, Raoul-Martin

2015-12-09

Hippocampal activity is fundamental for episodic memory formation and consolidation. During phases of rest and sleep, it exhibits sharp-wave/ripple (SPW/R) complexes, which are short episodes of increased activity with superimposed high-frequency oscillations. Simultaneously, spike sequences reflecting previous behavior, such as traversed trajectories in space, are replayed. Whereas these phenomena are thought to be crucial for the formation and consolidation of episodic memory, their neurophysiological mechanisms are not well understood. Here we present a unified model showing how experience may be stored and thereafter replayed in association with SPW/Rs. We propose that replay and SPW/Rs are tightly interconnected as they mutually generate and support each other. The underlying mechanism is based on the nonlinear dendritic computation attributable to dendritic sodium spikes that have been prominently found in the hippocampal regions CA1 and CA3, where SPW/Rs and replay are also generated. Besides assigning SPW/Rs a crucial role for replay and thus memory processing, the proposed mechanism also explains their characteristic features, such as the oscillation frequency and the overall wave form. The results shed a new light on the dynamical aspects of hippocampal circuit learning. During phases of rest and sleep, the hippocampus, the "memory center" of the brain, generates intermittent patterns of strongly increased overall activity with high-frequency oscillations, the so-called sharp-wave/ripples. We investigate their role in learning and memory processing. They occur together with replay of activity sequences reflecting previous behavior. Developing a unifying computational model, we propose that both phenomena are tightly linked, by mutually generating and supporting each other. The underlying mechanism depends on nonlinear amplification of synchronous inputs that has been prominently found in the hippocampus. Besides assigning sharp-wave/ripples a crucial role for replay generation and thus memory processing, the proposed mechanism also explains their characteristic features, such as the oscillation frequency and the overall wave form. Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/3516236-23$15.00/0.

Multichannel X-Band Dielectric-Resonator Oscillator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mysoor, Narayan; Dennis, Matthew; Cook, Brian

2006-01-01

A multichannel dielectric-resonator oscillator (DRO), built as a prototype of a local oscillator for an X-band transmitter or receiver, is capable of being electrically tuned among and within 26 adjacent frequency channels, each 1.16 MHz wide, in a band ranging from 7,040 to 7,070 GHz. The tunability of this oscillator is what sets it apart from other DROs, making it possible to use mass-produced oscillator units of identical design in diverse X-band applications in which there are requirements to use different fixed frequencies or to switch among frequency channels. The oscillator (see figure) includes a custom-designed voltage-controlled-oscillator (VCO) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC), a dielectric resonator disk (puck), and two varactor-coupling circuits, all laid out on a 25-mil (0.635-mm)-thick alumina substrate having a length and width of 17.8 mm. The resonator disk has a diameter of 8.89 mm and a thickness of 4.01 mm. The oscillator is mounted in an 8.9-mm-deep cavity in a metal housing. The VCO MMIC incorporates a negative- resistance oscillator amplifier along with a buffer amplifier. The resonator disk is coupled to a microstrip transmission line connected to the negative-resistance port of the VCO MMIC. The two varactor-coupling circuits include microstrip lines, laid out orthogonally to each other, for coupling with the resonator disk. Each varactor microstrip line is DC-coupled to an external port via a microwave choke. One varactor is used for coarse tuning to select a channel; the other varactor is used (1) for fine tuning across the 1.16-MHz width of each channel and (2) as a feedback port for a phase-lock loop. The resonator disk is positioned to obtain (1) the most desirable bandwidth, (2) relatively tight coupling with the microstrip connected to the coarse-tuning varactor, and (3) relatively loose coupling with the microstrip connected to the fine-tuning varactor. Measurements of performance showed that the oscillator can be switched among any of the 26 channels and can be phase-locked to a nominal frequency in any channel. The degree of nonlinearity of tuning was found not to exceed 2.5 percent. The tuning sensitivity was found to be 6.15 MHz/V at a bias offset of -2 V on the phase-lock-loop varactor. The phase noise of the oscillator in free-running operation was found to be -107 dBc/Hz (where dBc signifies decibels relative to the carrier signal) at 100 kHz away from the carrier frequency.

Tunable Thin-Film Resonator Coupled to Two Qubits in a 3D Cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ballard, Cody; Dutta, S. K.; Budoyo, R. P.; Voigt, K. D.; Lobb, C. J.; Wellstood, F. C.

We present preliminary results on using a tunable, thin-film lumped element LC resonator to couple two transmon qubits in a 3D microwave cavity. The cavity, which is used for readout, is made of aluminum and has a TE101 mode at 6.3 GHz. The LC resonator has a base frequency of about 5 GHz and the inductor contains two loops, each having a single Josephson junction. Applying magnetic flux to the loops modulates the overall inductance of the resonator allowing tuning over a 500 MHz range. Two Al/AlOx/Al transmon qubits are fabricated on the same sapphire substrate as the resonator, and are designed to have a charging energy of 200 MHz and a frequency that falls within the tuning range of the resonator. Observing the perturbations of the resonant frequencies of the qubits and the cavity as the LC resonator is tuned allows us to determine the coupling strengths between each qubit and the LC resonator and between the LC resonator and the cavity.

Simulated electron affinity tuning in metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mistry, Kissan; Yavuz, Mustafa; Musselman, Kevin P.

2017-05-01

Metal-insulator-metal diodes for rectification applications must exhibit high asymmetry, nonlinearity, and responsivity. Traditional methods of improving these figures of merit have consisted of increasing insulator thickness, adding multiple insulator layers, and utilizing a variety of metal contact combinations. However, these methods have come with the price of increasing the diode resistance and ultimately limiting the operating frequency to well below the terahertz regime. In this work, an Airy Function Transfer Matrix simulation method was used to observe the effect of tuning the electron affinity of the insulator as a technique to decrease the diode resistance. It was shown that a small increase in electron affinity can result in a resistance decrease in upwards of five orders of magnitude, corresponding to an increase in operating frequency on the same order. Electron affinity tuning has a minimal effect on the diode figures of merit, where asymmetry improves or remains unaffected and slight decreases in nonlinearity and responsivity are likely to be greatly outweighed by the improved operating frequency of the diode.

Aircraft interior noise reduction by alternate resonance tuning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bliss, Donald B.; Gottwald, James A.; Gustaveson, Mark B.; Burton, James R., III; Castellino, Craig

1989-01-01

Existing interior noise reduction techniques for aircraft fuselages perform reasonably well at higher frequencies, but are inadequate at lower, particularly with respect to the low blade passage harmonics with high forcing levels found in propeller aircraft. A method is being studied which considers aircraft fuselages lines with panels alternately tuned to frequencies above and below the frequency to be attenuated. Adjacent panels would oscillate at equal amplitude, to give equal source strength, but with opposite phase. Provided these adjacent panels are acoustically compact, the resulting cancellation causes the interior acoustic modes to become cut off and therefore be non-propagating and evanescent. This interior noise reduction method, called Alternate Resonance Tuning (ART), is currently being investigated both theoretically and experimentally. This new concept has potential application to reducing interior noise due to the propellers in advanced turboprop aircraft as well as for existing aircraft configurations. This program summarizes the work carried out at Duke University during the third semester of a contract supported by the Structural Acoustics Branch at NASA Langley Research Center.

SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS 8.64-11.62 GHz CMOS VCO and divider in a zero-IF 802.11a/b/g WLAN and Bluetooth application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Sun; Niansong, Mei; Bo, Lu; Yumei, Huang; Zhiliang, Hong

2010-10-01

A fully integrated VCO and divider implemented in SMIC 0.13-μm RFCMOS 1P8M technology with a 1.2 V supply voltage is presented. The frequency of the VCO is tuning from 8.64 to 11.62 GHz while the quadrature LO signals for 802.11a WLAN in 5.8 GHz band or for 802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth in 2.4 GHz band can be obtained by a frequency division by 2 or 4, respectively. A 6 bit switched capacitor array is applied for precise tuning of all necessary frequency bands. The testing results show that the VCO has a phase noise of—113 dBc @ 1 MHz offset from the carrier of 5.5 GHz by dividing VCO output by two and the VCO core consumes 3.72 mW. The figure-of-merit for the tuning-range (FOMT) of the VCO is -192.6 dBc/Hz.

Output-Mirror-Tuning Terahertz-Wave Parametric Oscillator with an Asymmetrical Porro-Prism Resonator Configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ruiliang; Qu, Yanchen; Zhao, Weijiang; Liu, Chuang; Chen, Zhenlei

2017-06-01

We demonstrate a terahertz-wave parametric oscillator (TPO) with an asymmetrical porro-prism (PP) resonator configuration, consisting of a close PP corner reflector and a distant output mirror relative to the MgO:LiNbO3 crystal. Based on this cavity, frequency tuning of Stokes and the accompanied terahertz (THz) waves is realized just by rotating the plane mirror. Furthermore, THz output with high efficiency and wide tuning range is obtained. Compared with a conventional TPO employing a plane-parallel resonator of the same cavity length and output loss, the low end of the frequency tuning range is extended to 0.96 THz from 1.2 THz. The highest output obtained at 1.28 THz is enhanced by about 25%, and the oscillation threshold pump energy measured at 1.66 THz is reduced by about 4.5%. This resonator configuration also shows some potential to simplify the structure and application for intracavity TPOs.

Die Fledermaus: Regarding Optokinetic Contrast Sensitivity and Light-Adaptation, Chicks Are Mice with Wings

PubMed Central

Shi, Qing; Stell, William K.

2013-01-01

Background Through adaptation, animals can function visually under an extremely broad range of light intensities. Light adaptation starts in the retina, through shifts in photoreceptor sensitivity and kinetics plus modulation of visual processing in retinal circuits. Although considerable research has been conducted on retinal adaptation in nocturnal species with rod-dominated retinas, such as the mouse, little is known about how cone-dominated avian retinas adapt to changes in mean light intensity. Methodology/Principal Findings We used the optokinetic response to characterize contrast sensitivity (CS) in the chick retina as a function of spatial frequency and temporal frequency at different mean light intensities. We found that: 1) daytime, cone-driven CS was tuned to spatial frequency; 2) nighttime, presumably rod-driven CS was tuned to temporal frequency and spatial frequency; 3) daytime, presumably cone-driven CS at threshold intensity was invariant with temporal and spatial frequency; and 4) daytime photopic CS was invariant with clock time. Conclusion/Significance Light- and dark-adaptational changes in CS were investigated comprehensively for the first time in the cone-dominated retina of an avian, diurnal species. The chick retina, like the mouse retina, adapts by using a “day/night” or “cone/rod” switch in tuning preference during changes in lighting conditions. The chick optokinetic response is an attractive model for noninvasive, behavioral studies of adaptation in retinal circuitry in health and disease. PMID:24098693

Firing-rate resonances in the peripheral auditory system of the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus.

PubMed

Rau, Florian; Clemens, Jan; Naumov, Victor; Hennig, R Matthias; Schreiber, Susanne

2015-11-01

In many communication systems, information is encoded in the temporal pattern of signals. For rhythmic signals that carry information in specific frequency bands, a neuronal system may profit from tuning its inherent filtering properties towards a peak sensitivity in the respective frequency range. The cricket Gryllus bimaculatus evaluates acoustic communication signals of both conspecifics and predators. The song signals of conspecifics exhibit a characteristic pulse pattern that contains only a narrow range of modulation frequencies. We examined individual neurons (AN1, AN2, ON1) in the peripheral auditory system of the cricket for tuning towards specific modulation frequencies by assessing their firing-rate resonance. Acoustic stimuli with a swept-frequency envelope allowed an efficient characterization of the cells' modulation transfer functions. Some of the examined cells exhibited tuned band-pass properties. Using simple computational models, we demonstrate how different, cell-intrinsic or network-based mechanisms such as subthreshold resonances, spike-triggered adaptation, as well as an interplay of excitation and inhibition can account for the experimentally observed firing-rate resonances. Therefore, basic neuronal mechanisms that share negative feedback as a common theme may contribute to selectivity in the peripheral auditory pathway of crickets that is designed towards mate recognition and predator avoidance.

Analyzing the acoustic beat with mobile devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, Jochen; Vogt, Patrik; Hirth, Michael

2014-04-01

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

Using a sharp metal tip to control the polarization and direction of emission from a quantum dot.

PubMed

Ghimire, Anil; Shafran, Eyal; Gerton, Jordan M

2014-09-24

Optical antennas can be used to manipulate the direction and polarization of radiation from an emitter. Usually, these metallic nanostructures utilize localized plasmon resonances to generate highly directional and strongly polarized emission, which is determined predominantly by the antenna geometry alone, and is thus not easily tuned. Here we show experimentally that the emission polarization can be manipulated using a simple, nonresonant scanning probe consisting of the sharp metallic tip of an atomic force microscope; finite element simulations reveal that the emission simultaneously becomes highly directional. Together, the measurements and simulations demonstrate that interference between light emitted directly into the far field with that elastically scattered from the tip apex in the near field is responsible for this control over polarization and directionality. Due to the relatively weak emitter-tip coupling, the tip must be positioned very precisely near the emitter, but this weak coupling also leads to highly tunable emission properties with a similar degree of polarization and directionality compared to resonant antennas.

Ferromagnetic resonance in a single crystal of iron borate and magnetic field tuning of hybrid oscillations in a composite structure with a dielectric: Experiment and theory

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

Popov, M. A.; Zavislyak, I. V.; Chumak, H. L.

2015-07-07

The high-frequency properties of a composite resonator comprised single crystal iron borate (FeBO{sub 3}), a canted antiferromagnet with a weak ferromagnetic moment, and a polycrystalline dielectric were investigated at 9–10 GHz. Ferromagnetic resonance in this frequency range was observed in FeBO{sub 3} for bias magnetic fields of ∼250 Oe. In the composite resonator, the magnetic mode in iron borate and dielectric mode are found to hybridize strongly. It is shown that the hybrid mode can be tuned with a static magnetic field. Our studies indicate that coupling between the magnetic mode and the dielectric resonance can be altered from maximum hybridization tomore » a minimum by adjusting the position of resonator inside the waveguide. Magnetic field tuning of the resonance frequency by a maximum of 145 MHz and a change in the transmitted microwave power by as much as 16 dB have been observed for a bias field of 250 Oe. A model is discussed for the magnetic field tuning of the composite resonator and theoretical estimates are in reasonable agreement with the data. The composite resonator with a weak ferromagnet and a dielectric is of interest for application in frequency agile devices with electronically tunable electrodynamic characteristics for the mm and sub-mm wave bands.« less

Probing cochlear tuning and tonotopy in the tiger using otoacoustic emissions.

PubMed

Bergevin, Christopher; Walsh, Edward J; McGee, JoAnn; Shera, Christopher A

2012-08-01

Otoacoustic emissions (sound emitted from the ear) allow cochlear function to be probed noninvasively. The emissions evoked by pure tones, known as stimulus-frequency emissions (SFOAEs), have been shown to provide reliable estimates of peripheral frequency tuning in a variety of mammalian and non-mammalian species. Here, we apply the same methodology to explore peripheral auditory function in the largest member of the cat family, the tiger (Panthera tigris). We measured SFOAEs in 9 unique ears of 5 anesthetized tigers. The tigers, housed at the Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha, NE), were of both sexes and ranged in age from 3 to 10 years. SFOAE phase-gradient delays are significantly longer in tigers--by approximately a factor of two above 2 kHz and even more at lower frequencies--than in domestic cats (Felis catus), a species commonly used in auditory studies. Based on correlations between tuning and delay established in other species, our results imply that cochlear tuning in the tiger is significantly sharper than in domestic cat and appears comparable to that of humans. Furthermore, the SFOAE data indicate that tigers have a larger tonotopic mapping constant (mm/octave) than domestic cats. A larger mapping constant in tiger is consistent both with auditory brainstem response thresholds (that suggest a lower upper frequency limit of hearing for the tiger than domestic cat) and with measurements of basilar-membrane length (about 1.5 times longer in the tiger than domestic cat).

From Flexible and Stretchable Meta-Atom to Metamaterial: A Wearable Microwave Meta-Skin with Tunable Frequency Selective and Cloaking Effects

PubMed Central

Yang, Siming; Liu, Peng; Yang, Mingda; Wang, Qiugu; Song, Jiming; Dong, Liang

2016-01-01

This paper reports a flexible and stretchable metamaterial-based “skin” or meta-skin with tunable frequency selective and cloaking effects in microwave frequency regime. The meta-skin is composed of an array of liquid metallic split ring resonators (SRRs) embedded in a stretchable elastomer. When stretched, the meta-skin performs as a tunable frequency selective surface with a wide resonance frequency tuning range. When wrapped around a curved dielectric material, the meta-skin functions as a flexible “cloaking” surface to significantly suppress scattering from the surface of the dielectric material along different directions. We studied frequency responses of multilayer meta-skins to stretching in a planar direction and to changing the spacing between neighboring layers in vertical direction. We also investigated scattering suppression effect of the meta-skin coated on a finite-length dielectric rod in free space. This meta-skin technology will benefit many electromagnetic applications, such as frequency tuning, shielding, and scattering suppression. PMID:26902969

Control of Torsional Vibrations by Pendulum Masses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stieglitz, Albert

1942-01-01

Various versions of pendulum masses have been developed abroad within the past few years by means of which resonant vibrations of rotating shafts can be eliminated at a given tuning. They are already successfully employed on radial engines in the form of pendulous counterweights. Compared with the commonly known torsional vibration dampers, the pendulum masses have the advantage of being structurally very simple, requiring no internal damping and being capable of completely eliminating certain vibrations. Unexplained, so far, remains the problem of behavior of pendulum masses in other critical zones to which they are not tuned, their dynamic behavior at some tuning other than in resonance, and their effect within a compound vibration system and at simultaneous application of several differently tuned pendulous masses. These problems are analyzed in the present report. The results constitute an enlargement of the scope of application of pendulum masses, especially for in-line engines. Among other things it is found that the natural frequency of a system can be raised by means of a correspondingly tuned pendulum mass. The formulas necessary for the design of any practical version are developed, and a pendulum mass having two different natural frequencies simultaneously is described.

Analysis and design of negative resistance oscillators using surface transverse wave-based single port resonators.

PubMed

Avramov, Ivan D

2003-03-01

This practically oriented paper presents the fundamentals for analysis, optimization, and design of negative resistance oscillators (NRO) stabilized with surface transverse wave (STW)-based single-port resonators (SPR). Data on a variety of high-Q, low-loss SPR devices in the 900- to 2000-MHz range, suitable for NRO applications, are presented, and a simple method for SPR parameter extraction through Pi-circuit measurements is outlined. Negative resistance analysis, based on S-parameter data of the active device, is performed on a tuned-base, grounded collector transistor NRO, known for its good stability and tuning at microwave frequencies. By adding a SPR in the emitter network, the static transducer capacitance is absorbed by the circuit and is used to generate negative resistance only over the narrow bandwidth of the acoustic device, eliminating the risk of spurious oscillations. The analysis allows exact prediction of the oscillation frequency, tuning range, loaded Q, and excess gain. Simulation and experimental data on a 915-MHz fixed-frequency NRO and a wide tuning range, voltage-controlled STW oscillator, built and tested experimentally, are presented. Practical design aspects including the choice of transistor, negative feedback circuits, load coupling, and operation at the highest phase slope for minimum phase noise are discussed.

Consideration of vision and picture quality: psychological effects induced by picture sharpness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusaka, Hideo

1989-08-01

A psychological hierarchy model of human vision(1)(2) suggests that the visual signals are processed in a serial manner from lower to higher stages: that is "sensation" - "perception" - "emotion." For designing a future television system, it is important to find out what kinds of physical factors affect the "emotion" experienced by an observer in front of the display. This paper describes the psychological effects induced by the sharpness of the picture. The subjective picture quality was evaluated for the same pictures with five different levels of sharpness. The experiment was performed on two kinds of printed pictures: (A) a woman's face, and (B) a town corner. From these experiments, it was found that the amount of high-frequency peaking (physical value of the sharpness) which psychologically gives the best picture quality, differs between pictures (A) and (B). That is, the optimum picture sharpness differs depending on the picture content. From these results, we have concluded that the psychophysical sharpness of the picture is not only determined at the stage of "perception" (e.g., resolution or signal to noise ratio, which everyone can judge immediately), but also at the stage of "emotion" (e.g., sensation of reality or beauty).

Three-dimensional vibrations of cylindrical elastic solids with V-notches and sharp radial cracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGee, O. G.; Kim, J. W.

2010-02-01

This paper provides free vibration data for cylindrical elastic solids, specifically thick circular plates and cylinders with V-notches and sharp radial cracks, for which no extensive previously published database is known to exist. Bending moment and shear force singularities are known to exist at the sharp reentrant corner of a thick V-notched plate under transverse vibratory motion, and three-dimensional (3-D) normal and transverse shear stresses are known to exist at the sharp reentrant terminus edge of a V-notched cylindrical elastic solid under 3-D free vibration. A theoretical analysis is done in this work utilizing a variational Ritz procedure including these essential singularity effects. The procedure incorporates a complete set of admissible algebraic-trigonometric polynomials in conjunction with an admissible set of " edge functions" that explicitly model the 3-D stress singularities which exist along a reentrant terminus edge (i.e., α>180°) of the V-notch. The first set of polynomials guarantees convergence to exact frequencies, as sufficient terms are retained. The second set of edge functions—in addition to representing the corner stress singularities—substantially accelerates the convergence of frequency solutions. This is demonstrated through extensive convergence studies that have been carried out by the investigators. Numerical analysis has been carried out and the results have been given for cylindrical elastic solids with various V-notch angles and depths. The relative depth of the V-notch is defined as (1- c/ a), and the notch angle is defined as (360°- α). For a very small notch angle (1° or less), the notch may be regarded as a "sharp radial crack." Accurate (four significant figure) frequencies are presented for a wide spectrum of notch angles (360°- α), depths (1- c/ a), and thickness ratios ( a/ h for plates and h/ a for cylinders). An extended database of frequencies for completely free thick sectorial, semi-circular, and segmented plates and cylinders are also reported herein as interesting special cases. A generalization of the elasticity-based Ritz analysis and findings applicable here is an arbitrarily shaped V-notched cylindrical solid, being a surface traced out by a family of generatrix, which pass through the circumference of an arbitrarily shaped V-notched directrix curve, r( θ), several of which are described for future investigations and close extensions of this work.

Graphene Quantum Capacitors for High Frequency Tunable Analog Applications.

PubMed

Moldovan, Clara F; Vitale, Wolfgang A; Sharma, Pankaj; Tamagnone, Michele; Mosig, Juan R; Ionescu, Adrian M

2016-08-10

Graphene quantum capacitors (GQC) are demonstrated to be enablers of radio-frequency (RF) functions through voltage-tuning of their capacitance. We show that GQC complements MEMS and MOSFETs in terms of performance for high frequency analog applications and tunability. We propose a CMOS compatible fabrication process and report the first experimental assessment of their performance at microwaves frequencies (up to 10 GHz), demonstrating experimental GQCs in the pF range with a tuning ratio of 1.34:1 within 1.25 V, and Q-factors up to 12 at 1 GHz. The figures of merit of graphene variable capacitors are studied in detail from 150 to 350 K. Furthermore, we describe a systematic, graphene specific approach to optimize their performance and predict the figures of merit achieved if such a methodology is applied.

Development of SIS Mixers for 1 THz

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zmuidzinas, J.; Kooi, J.; Chattopadhyay, G.; Bumble, B.; LeDuc, H. G.; Stern, J. A.

1998-01-01

SIS heterodyne mixer technology based on niobium tunnel junctions has now been pushed to frequencies over 1 THz, clearly demonstrating that the SIS junctions are capable of mixing at frequencies up to twice the energy gap frequency (4 Delta/h). However, the performance degrades rapidly above the gap frequency of niobium (2 Delta/h approx. 700 GHz) due to substantial ohmic losses in the on-chip tuning circuit. To solve this problem, the tuning circuit should be fabricated using a superconducting film with a larger energy gap, such as NbN; unfortunately, NbN films often have a substantial excess surface resistance in the submillimeter band. In contrast, the SIS mixer measurements we present in this paper indicate that the losses for NbTiN thin films can be quite low.

Electronic sideband locking of a broadly tunable 318.6 nm ultraviolet laser to an ultra-stable optical cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Jiandong; Wang, Jieying; He, Jun; Wang, Junmin

2017-04-01

We demonstrate frequency stabilization of a tunable 318.6 nm ultraviolet (UV) laser system using electronic sideband locking. By indirectly changing the frequency of a broadband electro-optic phase modulator, the laser can be continuously tuned over 4 GHz, while a 637.2 nm laser is directly stabilized to a high-finesse ultra-stable optical cavity. The doubling cavity also remains locked to the 637.2 nm light. We show that the tuning range depends mainly on the gain-flattening region of the modulator and the piezo-tunable range of the seed laser. The frequency-stabilized tunable UV laser system is able to compensate for the offset between reference and target frequencies, and has potential applications in precision spectroscopy of cold atoms.

Assessment of using digital manipulation tools for diagnosing mandibular radiolucent lesions

PubMed Central

Raitz, R; Assunção Junior, JNR; Fenyo-Pereira, M; Correa, L; de Lima, LP

2012-01-01

Objective The purpose of this study was to analyse the use of digital tools for image enhancement of mandibular radiolucent lesions and the effects of this manipulation on the percentage of correct radiographic diagnoses. Methods 24 panoramic radiographs exhibiting radiolucent lesions were selected, digitized and evaluated by non-experts (undergraduate and newly graduated practitioners) and by professional experts in oral diagnosis. The percentages of correct and incorrect diagnoses, according to the use of brightness/contrast, sharpness, inversion, highlight and zoom tools, were compared. All dental professionals made their evaluations without (T1) and with (T2) a list of radiographic diagnostic parameters. Results Digital tools were used with low frequency mainly in T2. The most preferred tool was sharpness (45.2%). In the expert group, the percentage of correct diagnoses did not change when any of the digital tools were used. For the non-expert group, there was an increase in the frequency of correct diagnoses when brightness/contrast was used in T2 (p=0.008) and when brightness/contrast and sharpness were not used in T1 (p=0.027). The use or non-use of brightness/contrast, zoom and sharpness showed moderate agreement in the group of experts [kappa agreement coefficient (κ)=0.514, 0.425 and 0.335, respectively]. For the non-expert group there was slight agreement for all the tools used (κ≤0.237). Conclusions Consulting the list of radiographic parameters before image manipulation reduced the frequency of tool use in both groups of examiners. Consulting the radiographic parameters with the use of some digital tools was important for improving correct diagnosis only in the group of non-expert examiners. PMID:22116126

Assessment of using digital manipulation tools for diagnosing mandibular radiolucent lesions.

PubMed

Raitz, R; Assunção Junior, J N R; Fenyo-Pereira, M; Correa, L; de Lima, L P

2012-03-01

The purpose of this study was to analyse the use of digital tools for image enhancement of mandibular radiolucent lesions and the effects of this manipulation on the percentage of correct radiographic diagnoses. 24 panoramic radiographs exhibiting radiolucent lesions were selected, digitized and evaluated by non-experts (undergraduate and newly graduated practitioners) and by professional experts in oral diagnosis. The percentages of correct and incorrect diagnoses, according to the use of brightness/contrast, sharpness, inversion, highlight and zoom tools, were compared. All dental professionals made their evaluations without (T₁) and with (T₂) a list of radiographic diagnostic parameters. Digital tools were used with low frequency mainly in T₂. The most preferred tool was sharpness (45.2%). In the expert group, the percentage of correct diagnoses did not change when any of the digital tools were used. For the non-expert group, there was an increase in the frequency of correct diagnoses when brightness/contrast was used in T₂ (p=0.008) and when brightness/contrast and sharpness were not used in T₁ (p=0.027). The use or non-use of brightness/contrast, zoom and sharpness showed moderate agreement in the group of experts [kappa agreement coefficient (κ) = 0.514, 0.425 and 0.335, respectively]. For the non-expert group there was slight agreement for all the tools used (κ ≤ 0.237). Consulting the list of radiographic parameters before image manipulation reduced the frequency of tool use in both groups of examiners. Consulting the radiographic parameters with the use of some digital tools was important for improving correct diagnosis only in the group of non-expert examiners.

An initial evaluation of a proof-of-concept 128-Hz electronic tuning fork in the detection of peripheral neuropathy.

PubMed

O'Brien, Todd; Karem, Joseph

2014-03-01

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is an essential precursor leading to diabetic limb loss. Neurologic screening tests, including the 128-Hz tuning fork (TF), have long been used to identify and track the progression of DPN, thereby guiding the implementation of preventive strategies. Although a sensitive indicator of neuropathy, shortcomings of TF testing include the lack of standardization and quantification of clinical findings. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, a novel 128-Hz electronic TF (ETF) prototype has been developed that is capable of performing accurate timed vibration tests (TVTs). This study was designed to assess the ability of the ETF to detect sensory impairment compared with three established neurologic screening methods: the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, the biothesiometer, and the sharp/dull discrimination test. Fifty-five test patients were recruited from the primary author's practice and enrolled according to an approved protocol. The 10-g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test and the sharp/dull discrimination test were administered in standard fashion to the plantar aspects of digits 1 and 5 bilaterally. The ETF and the biothesiometer (25-V setting) were applied to the dorsal aspects of the distal phalanx of the hallux and fifth metatarsal head bilaterally. The sensitivity and specificity of neuropathy detection for the ETF were 0.953 and 0.761, respectively, using conventional tests as reference standards. Performance of TVTs with the ETF detected sensory impairment compared with three conventional neurologic screening methods. Given these findings, the ETF could facilitate the use of standardized TVTs as an indicator of DPN progression.

New auto-tuning technique for the hydrogen maser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sydnor, R. L.; Maleki, L.

1983-01-01

Auto-tuning of the maser cavity compensates for cavity pulling effect, and other sources of contribution to the long term frequency drift. Schemes previously proposed for the maser cavity auto-tuning can have adverse effects on the performance of the maser. A new scheme is proposed based on the phase relationship between the electric and the magnetic fields inside the cavity. This technique has the desired feature of auto-tuning the cavity with a very high sensitivity and without disturbing the maser performance. Some approaches for the implementation of this scheme and possible areas of difficulty are examined.

Widely Tunable Mode-Hop-Free External-Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wysocki, Gerard; Curl, Robert F.; Tittel, Frank K.

2010-01-01

The external-cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) system is based on an optical configuration of the Littrow type. It is a room-temperature, continuous wave, widely tunable, mode-hop-free, mid-infrared, EC-QCL spectroscopic source. It has a single-mode tuning range of 155 cm(exp -1) (approximately equal to 8% of the center wavelength) with a maximum power of 11.1 mW and 182 cm(exp -1) (approximately equal to 15% of the center wavelength), and a maximum power of 50 mW as demonstrated for 5.3 micron and 8.4 micron EC-QCLs, respectively. This technology is particularly suitable for high-resolution spectroscopic applications, multi-species tracegas detection, and spectroscopic measurements of broadband absorbers. Wavelength tuning of EC-QCL spectroscopic source can be implemented by varying three independent parameters of the laser: (1) the optical length of the gain medium (which, in this case, is equivalent to QCL injection current modulation), (2) the length of the EC (which can be independently varied in the Rice EC-QCL setup), and (3) the angle of beam incidence at the diffraction grating (frequency tuning related directly to angular dispersion of the grating). All three mechanisms of frequency tuning have been demonstrated and are required to obtain a true mode-hop-free laser frequency tuning. The precise frequency tuning characteristics of the EC-QCL output have been characterized using a variety of diagnostic tools available at Rice University (e.g., a monochromator, FTIR spectrometer, and a Fabry-Perot spectrometer). Spectroscopic results were compared with available databases (such as HITRAN, PNNL, EPA, and NIST). These enable precision verification of complete spectral parameters of the EC-QCL, such as wavelength, tuning range, tuning characteristics, and line width. The output power of the EC-QCL is determined by the performance of the QC laser chip, its operating conditions, and parameters of the QC laser cavity such as mirror reflectivity or intracavity losses. In order to maximize the output power, an analysis and optimization of the EC laser parameters has been performed. The parameters of the beam emitted from the gain medium, such as divergence angle, beam profile, and astigmatism, have been investigated. The gain medium has been fully characterized before and after each stage of modification. The main modification steps are coating one facet of the gain chip with a high reflectivity mirror and the other facet with an anti-reflection layer. Then the chip is mounted in the EC-QCL. The optomechanical design has been reviewed and improved to provide for precise collimation of the strongly divergent beam of the QCL and the tuning diffraction grating.

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

Maimone, F., E-mail: f.maimone@gsi.de; Tinschert, K.; Endermann, M.

In order to increase the intensity of the highly charged ions produced by the Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources (ECRISs), techniques like the frequency tuning and the afterglow mode have been developed and in this paper the effect on the ion production is shown for the first time when combining both techniques. Recent experimental results proved that the tuning of the operating frequency of the ECRIS is a promising technique to achieve higher ion currents of higher charge states. On the other hand, it is well known that the afterglow mode of the ECRIS operation can provide more intense pulsedmore » ion beams in comparison with the continuous wave (cw) operation. These two techniques can be combined by pulsing the variable frequency signal driving the traveling wave tube amplifier which provides the high microwave power to the ECRIS. In order to analyze the effect of these two combined techniques on the ion source performance, several experiments were carried out on the pulsed frequency tuned CAPRICE (Compacte source A Plusiers Résonances Ionisantes Cyclotron Electroniques)-type ECRIS. Different waveforms and pulse lengths have been investigated under different settings of the ion source. The results of the pulsed mode have been compared with those of cw operation.« less

Power and efficiency scaling of diode pumped Cr:LiSAF lasers: 770-1110 nm tuning range and frequency doubling to 387-463 nm.

PubMed

Demirbas, Umit; Baali, Ilyes

2015-10-15

We report significant average power and efficiency scaling of diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF lasers in continuous-wave (cw), cw frequency-doubled, and mode-locked regimes. Four single-emitter broad-area laser diodes around 660 nm were used as the pump source, which provided a total pump power of 7.2 W. To minimize thermal effects, a 20 mm long Cr:LiSAF sample with a relatively low Cr-concentration (0.8%) was used as the gain medium. In cw laser experiments, 2.4 W of output power, a slope efficiency of 50%, and a tuning range covering the 770-1110 nm region were achieved. Intracavity frequency doubling with beta-barium borate (BBO) crystals generated up to 1160 mW of blue power and a record tuning range in the 387-463 nm region. When mode locked with a saturable absorber mirror, the laser produced 195 fs pulses with 580 mW of average power around 820 nm at a 100.3 MHz repetition rate. The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of the system was 33% in cw, 16% in cw frequency-doubled, and 8% in cw mode-locked regimes.

Computer-aided design comparisons of monolithic and hybrid MEM-tunable VCSELs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ochoa, Edward M.; Nelson, Thomas R., Jr.; Blum-Spahn, Olga; Lott, James A.

2003-07-01

We report and use our micro-electro-mechanically tunable vertical cavity surface emitting laser (MEM-TVCSEL) computer-aided design methodology to investigate the resonant frequency design space for monolithic and hybrid MEM-TVCSELs. For various initial optical air gap thickness, we examine the sensitivity of monolithic or hybrid MEM-TVCSEL resonant frequency by simulating zero, two, and four percent variations in III-V material growth thickness. As expected, as initial optical airgap increases, tuning range decreases due to less coupling between the active region and the tuning mirror. However, each design has different resonant frequency sensitivity to variations in III-V growth parameters. In particular, since the monolithic design is comprised of III-V material, the shift in all growth thicknesses significantly shifts the resonant frequency response. However, for hybrid MEMTVCSELs, less shift results, since the lower reflector is an Au mirror with reflectivity independent of III-V growth variations. Finally, since the hybrid design is comprised of a MUMPS polysilicon mechanical actuator, pull-in voltage remains independent of the initial optical airgap between the tuning reflector and the III-V material. Conversely, as the initial airgap increases in the monolithic design, the pull-in voltage significantly increases.

A NARX damper model for virtual tuning of automotive suspension systems with high-frequency loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alghafir, M. N.; Dunne, J. F.

2012-02-01

A computationally efficient NARX-type neural network model is developed to characterise highly nonlinear frequency-dependent thermally sensitive hydraulic dampers for use in the virtual tuning of passive suspension systems with high-frequency loading. Three input variables are chosen to account for high-frequency kinematics and temperature variations arising from continuous vehicle operation over non-smooth surfaces such as stone-covered streets, rough or off-road conditions. Two additional input variables are chosen to represent tuneable valve parameters. To assist in the development of the NARX model, a highly accurate but computationally excessive physical damper model [originally proposed by S. Duym and K. Reybrouck, Physical characterization of non-linear shock absorber dynamics, Eur. J. Mech. Eng. M 43(4) (1998), pp. 181-188] is extended to allow for high-frequency input kinematics. Experimental verification of this extended version uses measured damper data obtained from an industrial damper test machine under near-isothermal conditions for fixed valve settings, with input kinematics corresponding to harmonic and random road profiles. The extended model is then used only for simulating data for training and testing the NARX model with specified temperature profiles and different valve parameters, both in isolation and within quarter-car vehicle simulations. A heat generation and dissipation model is also developed and experimentally verified for use within the simulations. Virtual tuning using the quarter-car simulation model then exploits the NARX damper to achieve a compromise between ride and handling under transient thermal conditions with harmonic and random road profiles. For quarter-car simulations, the paper shows that a single tuneable NARX damper makes virtual tuning computationally very attractive.

Interictal Epileptiform Discharges (IEDs) classification in EEG data of epilepsy patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puspita, J. W.; Soemarno, G.; Jaya, A. I.; Soewono, E.

2017-12-01

Interictal Epileptiform Dischargers (IEDs), which consists of spike waves and sharp waves, in human electroencephalogram (EEG) are characteristic signatures of epilepsy. Spike waves are characterized by a pointed peak with a duration of 20-70 ms, while sharp waves has a duration of 70-200 ms. The purpose of the study was to classify spike wave and sharp wave of EEG data of epilepsy patients using Backpropagation Neural Network. The proposed method consists of two main stages: feature extraction stage and classification stage. In the feature extraction stage, we use frequency, amplitude and statistical feature, such as mean, standard deviation, and median, of each wave. The frequency values of the IEDs are very sensitive to the selection of the wave baseline. The selected baseline must contain all data of rising and falling slopes of the IEDs. Thus, we have a feature that is able to represent the type of IEDs, appropriately. The results show that the proposed method achieves the best classification results with the recognition rate of 93.75 % for binary sigmoid activation function and learning rate of 0.1.

Electron Density Dropout Near Enceladus in the Context of Water-Vapor and Water-Ice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farrell, W. M.; Kurth, W. S.; Gurnett, D. A.; Johnson, R. E.; Kaiser, M. L.; Wahlund, J.-E.; Waite, J. H., Jr.

2009-01-01

On 12 March 2008, the Cassini spacecraft made a close encounter with the Saturnian moon Enceladus, passing within 52 km of the moon. The spacecraft trajectory was intentionally-oriented in a southerly direction to create a close alignment with the intense water-dominated plumes emitted from the south polar region. During the passage, the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave System (RPWS) detected two distinct radio signatures: 1) Impulses associated with small water-ice dust grain impacts and 2) an upper hybrid (UH) resonance emission that both intensified and displayed a sharp frequency decrease in the near-vicinity of the moon. The frequency decrease of the UH emission is associated with an unexpectedly sharp decrease in electron density from approximately 90 el/cubic cm to below 20 el/cubic cm that occurs on a time scale of a minute near the closest encounter with the moon. In this work, we consider a number of scenarios to explain this sharp electron dropout, but surmise that electron absorption by ice grains is the most likely process.

Ultra-wideband tunable resonator based on varactor-loaded complementary split-ring resonators on a substrate-integrated waveguide for microwave sensor applications.

PubMed

Sam, Somarith; Lim, Sungjoon

2013-04-01

This paper presents the modeling, design, fabrication, and measurement of an ultra-wideband tunable twoport resonator in which the substrate-integrated waveguide, complementary split-ring resonators (CSRRs), and varactors are embedded on the same planar platform. The tuning of the passband frequency is generated by a simple single dc voltage of 0 to 36 V, which is applied to each varactor on the CSRRs. Different capacitance values and resonant frequencies are produced while a nearly constant absolute bandwidth is maintained. The resonant frequency is varied between 0.83 and 1.58 GHz and has a wide tuning ratio of 90%.

Generation of tunable, high repetition rate optical frequency combs using on-chip silicon modulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagarjun, K. P.; Jeyaselvan, Vadivukarassi; Selvaraja, Shankar Kumar; Supradeepa, V. R.

2018-04-01

We experimentally demonstrate tunable, highly-stable frequency combs with high repetition-rates using a single, charge injection based silicon PN modulator. In this work, we demonstrate combs in the C-band with over 8 lines in a 20-dB bandwidth. We demonstrate continuous tuning of the center frequency in the C-band and tuning of the repetition-rate from 7.5GHz to 12.5GHz. We also demonstrate through simulations the potential for bandwidth scaling using an optimized silicon PIN modulator. We find that, the time varying free carrier absorption due to carrier injection, an undesirable effect in data modulators, assists here in enhancing flatness in the generated combs.

A novel frequency tuned wireless actuator with snake-like motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Kewei; Zhu, Qianke; Chai, Yuesheng

2016-07-01

In this work, we propose a novel wireless actuator which is composed of magnetostrictive material/copper bi-layer film. The actuator can be controlled to move like a snake bi-directionally along a pipe by tuning the frequency of external magnetic field near its first order resonant frequency. The governing equation for the actuator is established and the vibration mode shape function is derived. Theoretical analysis shows that motion of the actuator is achieved by asymmetric vibration mode shape, specific vibration bending deformation, and effective net total impacting force. The simulation and experimental results well confirm the theoretical analysis. This work provides contribution to the development of wireless micro robots and autonomous magnetostrictive sensors.

Improved Intrapulse Raman Scattering Control via Asymmetric Airy Pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yi; Tehranchi, Amirhossein; Wabnitz, Stefan; Kashyap, Raman; Chen, Zhigang; Morandotti, Roberto

2015-02-01

We experimentally demonstrate the possibility of tuning the frequency of a laser pulse via the use of an Airy pulse-seeded soliton self-frequency shift. The intrinsically asymmetric nature of Airy pulses, typically featured by either leading or trailing oscillatory tails (relatively to the main lobe), is revealed through the nonlinear generation of both a primary and a secondary Raman soliton self-frequency shift, a phenomenon which is driven by the soliton fission processes. The resulting frequency shift can be carefully controlled by using time-reversed Airy pulses or, alternatively, by applying an offset to the cubic phase modulation used to generate the pulses. When compared with the use of conventional chirped Gaussian pulses, our technique brings about unique advantages in terms of both efficient frequency tuning and feasibility, along with the generation and control of multicolor Raman solitons with enhanced tunability. Our theoretical analysis agrees well with our experimental observations.

Experimenting with musical intervals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lo Presto, Michael C.

2003-07-01

When two tuning forks of different frequency are sounded simultaneously the result is a complex wave with a repetition frequency that is the fundamental of the harmonic series to which both frequencies belong. The ear perceives this 'musical interval' as a single musical pitch with a sound quality produced by the harmonic spectrum responsible for the waveform. This waveform can be captured and displayed with data collection hardware and software. The fundamental frequency can then be calculated and compared with what would be expected from the frequencies of the tuning forks. Also, graphing software can be used to determine equations for the waveforms and predict their shapes. This experiment could be used in an introductory physics or musical acoustics course as a practical lesson in superposition of waves, basic Fourier series and the relationship between some of the ear's subjective perceptions of sound and the physical properties of the waves that cause them.

Mechanical characterisation of the TorPeDO: a low frequency gravitational force sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McManus, D. J.; Forsyth, P. W. F.; Yap, M. J.; Ward, R. L.; Shaddock, D. A.; McClelland, D. E.; Slagmolen, B. J. J.

2017-07-01

Newtonian noise is likely to be a future challenge at low frequencies for Advanced LIGO and other second generation gravitational wave detectors. We present the TorPeDO system: a dual torsion pendulum sensor designed to measure local gravitational forces to high precision. Gravitational forces induce a differential rotation between the two torsion beams, which is measured with an optical read-out. Both torsion pendulums have a common suspension point, tunable centre of mass, and resonant frequency. This produces a high level of mechanical common mode noise cancellation. We report on a controls prototype of the TorPeDO system, presenting the frequency response and tuning range of both pendulums. A noise budget and mechanical cross-coupling model for this system are also presented. We demonstrate frequency tuning of the two torsion pendulums to a difference of 4.3 μHz.

Induction heating using induction coils in series-parallel circuits

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

Matsen, Marc Rollo; Geren, William Preston; Miller, Robert James

A part is inductively heated by multiple, self-regulating induction coil circuits having susceptors, coupled together in parallel and in series with an AC power supply. Each of the circuits includes a tuning capacitor that tunes the circuit to resonate at the frequency of AC power supply.

Attention-driven auditory cortex short-term plasticity helps segregate relevant sounds from noise.

PubMed

Ahveninen, Jyrki; Hämäläinen, Matti; Jääskeläinen, Iiro P; Ahlfors, Seppo P; Huang, Samantha; Lin, Fa-Hsuan; Raij, Tommi; Sams, Mikko; Vasios, Christos E; Belliveau, John W

2011-03-08

How can we concentrate on relevant sounds in noisy environments? A "gain model" suggests that auditory attention simply amplifies relevant and suppresses irrelevant afferent inputs. However, it is unclear whether this suffices when attended and ignored features overlap to stimulate the same neuronal receptive fields. A "tuning model" suggests that, in addition to gain, attention modulates feature selectivity of auditory neurons. We recorded magnetoencephalography, EEG, and functional MRI (fMRI) while subjects attended to tones delivered to one ear and ignored opposite-ear inputs. The attended ear was switched every 30 s to quantify how quickly the effects evolve. To produce overlapping inputs, the tones were presented alone vs. during white-noise masking notch-filtered ±1/6 octaves around the tone center frequencies. Amplitude modulation (39 vs. 41 Hz in opposite ears) was applied for "frequency tagging" of attention effects on maskers. Noise masking reduced early (50-150 ms; N1) auditory responses to unattended tones. In support of the tuning model, selective attention canceled out this attenuating effect but did not modulate the gain of 50-150 ms activity to nonmasked tones or steady-state responses to the maskers themselves. These tuning effects originated at nonprimary auditory cortices, purportedly occupied by neurons that, without attention, have wider frequency tuning than ±1/6 octaves. The attentional tuning evolved rapidly, during the first few seconds after attention switching, and correlated with behavioral discrimination performance. In conclusion, a simple gain model alone cannot explain auditory selective attention. In nonprimary auditory cortices, attention-driven short-term plasticity retunes neurons to segregate relevant sounds from noise.

Scintillator high-gain avalanche rushing photoconductor active-matrix flat panel imager: Zero-spatial frequency x-ray imaging properties of the solid-state SHARP sensor structure

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

Wronski, M.; Zhao, W.; Tanioka, K.

Purpose: The authors are investigating the feasibility of a new type of solid-state x-ray imaging sensor with programmable avalanche gain: scintillator high-gain avalanche rushing photoconductor active matrix flat panel imager (SHARP-AMFPI). The purpose of the present work is to investigate the inherent x-ray detection properties of SHARP and demonstrate its wide dynamic range through programmable gain. Methods: A distributed resistive layer (DRL) was developed to maintain stable avalanche gain operation in a solid-state HARP. The signal and noise properties of the HARP-DRL for optical photon detection were investigated as a function of avalanche gain both theoretically and experimentally, and themore » results were compared with HARP tube (with electron beam readout) used in previous investigations of zero spatial frequency performance of SHARP. For this new investigation, a solid-state SHARP x-ray image sensor was formed by direct optical coupling of the HARP-DRL with a structured cesium iodide (CsI) scintillator. The x-ray sensitivity of this sensor was measured as a function of avalanche gain and the results were compared with the sensitivity of HARP-DRL measured optically. The dynamic range of HARP-DRL with variable avalanche gain was investigated for the entire exposure range encountered in radiography/fluoroscopy (R/F) applications. Results: The signal from HARP-DRL as a function of electric field showed stable avalanche gain, and the noise associated with the avalanche process agrees well with theory and previous measurements from a HARP tube. This result indicates that when coupled with CsI for x-ray detection, the additional noise associated with avalanche gain in HARP-DRL is negligible. The x-ray sensitivity measurements using the SHARP sensor produced identical avalanche gain dependence on electric field as the optical measurements with HARP-DRL. Adjusting the avalanche multiplication gain in HARP-DRL enabled a very wide dynamic range which encompassed all clinically relevant medical x-ray exposures. Conclusions: This work demonstrates that the HARP-DRL sensor enables the practical implementation of a SHARP solid-state x-ray sensor capable of quantum noise limited operation throughout the entire range of clinically relevant x-ray exposures. This is an important step toward the realization of a SHARP-AMFPI x-ray flat-panel imager.« less

A low-cost, tunable laser lock without laser frequency modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shea, Margaret E.; Baker, Paul M.; Gauthier, Daniel J.

2015-05-01

Many experiments in optical physics require laser frequency stabilization. This can be achieved by locking to an atomic reference using saturated absorption spectroscopy. Often, the laser frequency is modulated and phase sensitive detection used. This method, while well-proven and robust, relies on expensive components, can introduce an undesirable frequency modulation into the laser, and is not easily frequency tuned. Here, we report a simple locking scheme similar to those implemented previously. We modulate the atomic resonances in a saturated absorption setup with an AC magnetic field created by a single solenoid. The same coil applies a DC field that allows tuning of the lock point. We use an auto-balanced detector to make our scheme more robust against laser power fluctuations and stray magnetic fields. The coil, its driver, and the detector are home-built with simple, cheap components. Our technique is low-cost, simple to setup, tunable, introduces no laser frequency modulation, and only requires one laser. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the NSF through Grant # PHY-1206040.

Parametric Oscillation, Frequency Mixing, and Injection Locking of Strongly Coupled Nanomechanical Resonator Modes.

PubMed

Seitner, Maximilian J; Abdi, Mehdi; Ridolfo, Alessandro; Hartmann, Michael J; Weig, Eva M

2017-06-23

We study locking phenomena of two strongly coupled, high quality factor nanomechanical resonator modes to a common parametric drive at a single drive frequency in different parametric driving regimes. By controlled dielectric gradient forces we tune the resonance frequencies of the flexural in-plane and out-of-plane oscillation of the high stress silicon nitride string through their mutual avoided crossing. For the case of the strong common parametric drive signal-idler generation via nondegenerate parametric two-mode oscillation is observed. Broadband frequency tuning of the very narrow linewidth signal and idler resonances is demonstrated. When the resonance frequencies of the signal and idler get closer to each other, partial injection locking, injection pulling, and complete injection locking to half of the drive frequency occurs depending on the pump strength. Furthermore, satellite resonances, symmetrically offset from the signal and idler by their beat note, are observed, which can be attributed to degenerate four-wave mixing in the highly nonlinear mechanical oscillations.

Spin Testing for Durability Began on a Self-Tuning Impact Damper for Turbomachinery Blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duffy, Kirsten; Mehmed, Oral

2003-01-01

NASA and Pratt & Whitney will collaborate under a Space Act Agreement to perform spin testing of the impact damper to verify damping effectiveness and durability. Pratt & Whitney will provide the turbine blade and damper hardware for the tests. NASA will provide the facility and perform the tests. Effectiveness and durability will be investigated during and after sustained sweeps of rotor speed through resonance. Tests of a platform wedge damper are also planned to compare its effectiveness with that of the impact damper. Results from baseline tests without dampers will be used to measure damping effectiveness. The self-tuning impact damper combines two damping methods-the tuned mass damper and the impact damper. It consists of a ball located within a cavity in the blade. This ball rolls back and forth on a spherical trough under centrifugal load (tuned mass damper) and can strike the walls of the cavity (impact damper). The ball s rolling natural frequency is proportional to the rotor speed and can be designed to follow an engine-order line (integer multiple of rotor speed). Aerodynamic forcing frequencies typically follow these engineorder lines, and a damper tuned to the engine order will most effectively reduce blade vibrations when the resonant frequency equals the engine-order forcing frequency. This damper has been tested in flat plates and turbine blades in the Dynamic Spin Facility. During testing, a pair of plates or blades rotates in vacuum. Excitation is provided by one of three methods--eddy-current engine-order excitation (ECE), electromechanical shakers, and magnetic bearing excitation. The eddy-current system consists of magnets located circumferentially around the rotor. As a blade passes a magnet, a force is imparted on the blade. The number of magnets used can be varied to change the desired engine order of the excitation. The magnets are remotely raised or lowered to change the magnitude of the force on the blades. The other two methods apply force to the rotating shaft itself at frequencies independent of the rotor speed. During testing, blade vibration is monitored with strain gauges and laser displacement probes.

Low-noise submillimeter-wave NbTiN superconducting tunnel junction mixers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawamura, Jonathan; Chen, Jian; Miller, David; Kooi, Jacob; Zmuidzinas, Jonas; Bumble, Bruce; LeDuc, Henry G.; Stern, Jeff A.

1999-12-01

We have developed a low-noise 850 GHz superconductor-insulator-superconductor quasiparticle mixer with NbTiN thin-film microstrip tuning circuits and hybrid Nb/AlN/NbTiN tunnel junctions. The mixer uses a quasioptical configuration with a planar twin-slot antenna feeding a two-junction tuning circuit. At 798 GHz, we measured an uncorrected double-sideband receiver noise temperature of TRX=260 K at 4.2 K bath temperature. This mixer outperforms current Nb SIS mixers by a factor of nearly 2 near 800 GHz. The high-gap frequency and low loss at 800 GHz make NbTiN an attractive material with which to fabricate tuning circuits for SIS mixers. NbTiN mixers can potentially operate up to the gap frequency, 2Δ/h˜1.2 THz.

Wideband fixed-tuned SIS receiver for 200-GHz operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blundell, Raymond; Tong, Cheuk-Yu E.; Papa, D. Cosmo; Leombruno, R. Louie; Zhang, Xiaolei; Paine, Scott; Stern, Jeffrey A.; Leduc, Henry G.; Bumble, Bruce

1995-01-01

We report on the design and development of a heterodyne receiver, designed to cover the frequency range 176-256 GHz. This receiver incorporates a niobium superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction mixer, which, chiefly for reasons of reliability and ease of operation, is a fixed-tuned waveguide design. On-chip tuning is provided to resonate out the junction's geometric capacitance and produce a good match to the waveguide circuit. Laboratory measurements on the first test receiver indicate that the required input bandwidth (about 40%) is achieved with an average receiver noise temperature of below 50 K. Mixer conversion gain is observed at some frequencies, and the lowest measured receiver noise is less than 30 K. Furthermore, the SIS mixer used in this receiver is of simple construction, is easy to assemble and is therefore a good candidate for duplication.

Surface plasmon dispersion engineering via double-metallic AU/AG layers for nitride light-emitting diodes

DOEpatents

Tansu, Nelson; Zhao, Hongping; Zhang, Jing; Liu, Guangyu

2014-04-01

A double-metallic deposition process is used whereby adjacent layers of different metals are deposited on a substrate. The surface plasmon frequency of a base layer of a first metal is tuned by the surface plasmon frequency of a second layer of a second metal formed thereon. The amount of tuning is dependent upon the thickness of the metallic layers, and thus tuning can be achieved by varying the thicknesses of one or both of the metallic layers. In a preferred embodiment directed to enhanced LED technology in the green spectrum regime, a double-metallic Au/Ag layer comprising a base layer of gold (Au) followed by a second layer of silver (Ag) formed thereon is deposited on top of InGaN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) on a sapphire/GaN substrate.

Low-Noise Submillimeter-Wave NbTiN Superconducting Tunnel Junction Mixers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kawamura, J.; Chen, J.; Miller, D.; Kooi, J.; Zmuidzinas, J.; Bumble, B.; LeDuc, H. G.; Stern, J. A.

1999-01-01

We have developed a low-noise 850 GHz superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) quasi-particle mixer with NbTiN thin-film microstrip tuning circuits and hybrid Nb/AlN/NbTiN tunnel junctions. The mixer uses a quasioptical configuration with a planar twin-slot antenna feeding a two-junction tuning circuit. At 798 GHz, we measured an uncorrected double-sideband receiver noise temperature of T(sub RX) = 260 K at 4.2 K bath temperature. This mixer outperforms current Nb SIS mixers by a factor of nearly 2 near 800 GHz. The high gap frequency and low loss at 800 GHz make NbTiN an attractive material with which to fabricate tuning circuits for SIS mixers. NbTiN mixers can potentially operate up to the gap frequency, 2(delta)/h is approximately 1.2THz.

Discrete quantum dot like emitters in monolayer MoSe{sub 2}: Spatial mapping, magneto-optics, and charge tuning

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

Branny, Artur; Kumar, Santosh; Gerardot, Brian D., E-mail: b.d.gerardot@hw.ac.uk

Transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers such as MoSe{sub 2}, MoS{sub 2}, and WSe{sub 2} are direct bandgap semiconductors with original optoelectronic and spin-valley properties. Here we report on spectrally sharp, spatially localized emission in monolayer MoSe{sub 2}. We find this quantum dot-like emission in samples exfoliated onto gold substrates and also suspended flakes. Spatial mapping shows a correlation between the location of emitters and the existence of wrinkles (strained regions) in the flake. We tune the emission properties in magnetic and electric fields applied perpendicular to the monolayer plane. We extract an exciton g-factor of the discrete emitters close to −4,more » as for 2D excitons in this material. In a charge tunable sample, we record discrete jumps on the meV scale as charges are added to the emitter when changing the applied voltage.« less

Giant magnetoelectric effects achieved by tuning spin cone symmetry in Y-type hexaferrites

DOE PAGES

Zhai, Kun; Wu, Yan; Shen, Shipeng; ...

2017-09-12

Multiferroics materials, which exhibit coupled magnetic and ferroelectric properties, have attracted tremendous research interest because of their potential in constructing next-generation multifunctional devices. The application of single-phase multiferroics is currently limited by their usually small magnetoelectric effects. Here, we report the realization of giant magnetoelectric effects in a Y-type hexaferrite Ba 0.4Sr 1.6Mg 2Fe 12O 22 single crystal, which exhibits record-breaking direct and converse magnetoelectric coefficients and a large electric-field-reversed magnetization. We have uncovered the origin of the giant magnetoelectric effects by a systematic study in the Ba 2-x Sr x Mg 2Fe 12O 22 family with magnetization, ferroelectricity andmore » neutron diffraction measurements. With the transverse spin cone symmetry restricted to be two-fold, the one-step sharp magnetization reversal is realized and giant magnetoelectric coefficients are achieved. Our study reveals that tuning magnetic symmetry is an effective route to enhance the magnetoelectric effects also in multiferroic hexaferrites.« less

Training Humans to Categorize Monkey Calls: Auditory Feature- and Category-Selective Neural Tuning Changes.

PubMed

Jiang, Xiong; Chevillet, Mark A; Rauschecker, Josef P; Riesenhuber, Maximilian

2018-04-18

Grouping auditory stimuli into common categories is essential for a variety of auditory tasks, including speech recognition. We trained human participants to categorize auditory stimuli from a large novel set of morphed monkey vocalizations. Using fMRI-rapid adaptation (fMRI-RA) and multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) techniques, we gained evidence that categorization training results in two distinct sets of changes: sharpened tuning to monkey call features (without explicit category representation) in left auditory cortex and category selectivity for different types of calls in lateral prefrontal cortex. In addition, the sharpness of neural selectivity in left auditory cortex, as estimated with both fMRI-RA and MVPA, predicted the steepness of the categorical boundary, whereas categorical judgment correlated with release from adaptation in the left inferior frontal gyrus. These results support the theory that auditory category learning follows a two-stage model analogous to the visual domain, suggesting general principles of perceptual category learning in the human brain. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Giant magnetoelectric effects achieved by tuning spin cone symmetry in Y-type hexaferrites

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

Zhai, Kun; Wu, Yan; Shen, Shipeng

Multiferroics materials, which exhibit coupled magnetic and ferroelectric properties, have attracted tremendous research interest because of their potential in constructing next-generation multifunctional devices. The application of single-phase multiferroics is currently limited by their usually small magnetoelectric effects. Here, we report the realization of giant magnetoelectric effects in a Y-type hexaferrite Ba 0.4Sr 1.6Mg 2Fe 12O 22 single crystal, which exhibits record-breaking direct and converse magnetoelectric coefficients and a large electric-field-reversed magnetization. We have uncovered the origin of the giant magnetoelectric effects by a systematic study in the Ba 2-x Sr x Mg 2Fe 12O 22 family with magnetization, ferroelectricity andmore » neutron diffraction measurements. With the transverse spin cone symmetry restricted to be two-fold, the one-step sharp magnetization reversal is realized and giant magnetoelectric coefficients are achieved. Our study reveals that tuning magnetic symmetry is an effective route to enhance the magnetoelectric effects also in multiferroic hexaferrites.« less

Contralateral Occlusion Test: The effect of external ear canal occlusion on hearing thresholds.

PubMed

Reis, Luis Roque; Fernandes, Paulo; Escada, Pedro

Bedside testing with tuning forks may decrease turnaround time and improve decision making for a quick qualitative assessment of hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of ear canal occlusion on hearing, in order to decide which tuning fork frequency is more appropriate to use for quantifying hearing loss with the Contralateral Occlusion Test. Twenty normal-hearing adults (forty ears) underwent sound field pure tone audiometry with and without ear canal occlusion. Each ear was tested with the standard frequencies. The contralateral ear was suppressed with by masking. Ear occlusion was performed by two examiners. Participants aged between 21 and 30 years (25.6±3.03 years) showed an increase in hearing thresholds with increasing frequencies from 19.94dB (250Hz) to 39.25dB (2000Hz). The threshold difference between occluded and unoccluded conditions was statistically significant and increased from 10.69dB (250Hz) to 32.12dB (2000Hz). There were no statistically significant differences according to gender or between the examiners. The occlusion effect increased the hearing thresholds and became more evident with higher frequencies. The occlusion method as performed demonstrated reproducibility. In the Contralateral Occlusion Test, 256Hz or 512Hz tuning forks should be used for diagnosis of mild hearing loss, and a 2048Hz tuning fork should be used for moderate hearing loss. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello. All rights reserved.

Fast continuous tuning of terahertz quantum-cascade lasers by rear-facet illumination

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

Hempel, Martin, E-mail: hempel@pdi-berlin.de; Röben, Benjamin; Schrottke, Lutz

2016-05-09

GaAs-based terahertz quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) are continuously tuned in their emission frequency by illuminating the rear facet with a near-infrared, high-power diode laser. For QCLs emitting around 3.1 THz, the maximum tuning range amounts to 2.8 GHz for continuous-wave operation at a heat sink temperature of 55 K, while in pulsed mode 9.1 and 8.0 GHz are achieved at 35 and 55 K, respectively.

Frequency-modulated laser ranging sensor with closed-loop control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller, Fabian M.; Böttger, Gunnar; Janeczka, Christian; Arndt-Staufenbiel, Norbert; Schröder, Henning; Schneider-Ramelow, Martin

2018-02-01

Advances in autonomous driving and robotics are creating high demand for inexpensive and mass-producible distance sensors. A laser ranging system (Lidar), based on the frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) method is built in this work. The benefits of an FMCW Lidar system are the low-cost components and the performance in comparison to conventional time-of-flight Lidar systems. The basic system consists of a DFB laser diode (λ= 1308 nm) and an asymmetric fiber-coupled Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a fixed delay line in one arm. Linear tuning of the laser optical frequency via injection current modulation creates a beat signal at the interferometer output. The frequency of the beat signal is proportional to the optical path difference in the interferometer. Since the laser frequency-to-current response is non-linear, a closed-loop feed-back system is designed to improve the tuning linearity, and consequently the measurement resolution. For fast active control, an embedded system with FPGA is used, resulting in a nearly linear frequency tuning, realizing a narrow peak in the Fourier spectrum of the beat signal. For free-space measurements, a setup with two distinct interferometers is built. The fully fiber-coupled Mach-Zehnder reference interferometer is part of the feed-back loop system, while the other - a Michelson interferometer - has a free-space arm with collimator lens and reflective target. A resolution of 2:0 mm for a 560 mm distance is achieved. The results for varying target distances show high consistency and a linear relation to the measured beat-frequency.

Frequency specificity and left-ear advantage of medial olivocochlear efferent modulation: a study based on stimulus frequency otoacoustic emission.

PubMed

Xing, Dongjia; Gong, Qin

2017-09-06

The medial olivocochlear (MOC) bundle is an auditory nucleus that projects efferent nerve fibers to the outer hair cells (OHCs) for synaptic innervation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible existence of frequency and ear specificity in MOC efferent modulation, as well as how MOC activation influences cochlear tuning. Stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) were used to study MOC efferent modulation. Therefore, the current experiment was designed to compare the degree of SFOAE suppression in the both ears of 20 individuals at 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz. We also compared changes in Q10 values of SFOAE suppression tuning curves at 1, 2, and 4 kHz under contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS) and no-CAS conditions. We observed a significant reduction in SFOAE magnitude in the CAS condition compared with the no-CAS condition at 1 and 2 kHz in the left ear. A significant difference in CAS suppression was also found between the left and right ears at 1 and 2 kHz, with larger CAS suppression in the left ear. CAS further produced a statistically significant increase in the Q10 value at 1 kHz and a significant reduction in Q10 values at 2 and 4 kHz. These findings suggest a left-ear advantage in terms of CAS-induced MOC efferent SFOAE suppression, with larger MOC efferent modulation for lower frequencies, and cochlear tuning was sharpened by means of MOC activation at lower frequencies and broadened at higher frequencies.

A Bio-Realistic Analog CMOS Cochlea Filter With High Tunability and Ultra-Steep Roll-Off.

PubMed

Wang, Shiwei; Koickal, Thomas Jacob; Hamilton, Alister; Cheung, Rebecca; Smith, Leslie S

2015-06-01

This paper presents the design and experimental results of a cochlea filter in analog very large scale integration (VLSI) which highly resembles physiologically measured response of the mammalian cochlea. The filter consists of three specialized sub-filter stages which respectively provide passive response in low frequencies, actively tunable response in mid-band frequencies and ultra-steep roll-off at transition frequencies from pass-band to stop-band. The sub-filters are implemented in balanced ladder topology using floating active inductors. Measured results from the fabricated chip show that wide range of mid-band tuning including gain tuning of over 20 dB, Q factor tuning from 2 to 19 as well as the bio-realistic center frequency shift are achieved by adjusting only one circuit parameter. Besides, the filter has an ultra-steep roll-off reaching over 300 dB/dec. By changing biasing currents, the filter can be configured to operate with center frequencies from 31 Hz to 8 kHz. The filter is 9th order, consumes 59.5 ∼ 90.0 μW power and occupies 0.9 mm2 chip area. A parallel bank of the proposed filter can be used as the front-end in hearing prosthesis devices, speech processors as well as other bio-inspired auditory systems owing to its bio-realistic behavior, low power consumption and small size.

Attenuation of cryocooler induced vibration using multimodal tuned dynamic absorbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veprik, Alexander; Babitsky, Vladimir; Tuito, Avi

2017-05-01

Modern infrared imagers often rely on split Stirling linear cryocoolers comprising compressor and expander, the relative position of which is governed by the optical design and packaging constraints. A force couple generated by imbalanced reciprocation of moving components inside both compressor and expander result in cryocooler induced vibration comprising angular and translational tonal components manifesting itself in the form of line of sight jitter and dynamic defocusing. Since linear cryocooler is usually driven at a fixed and precisely adjustable frequency, a tuned dynamic absorber is a well suited tool for vibration control. It is traditionally made in the form of lightweight single degree of freedom undamped mechanical resonator, the frequency of which is essentially matched with the driving frequency or vice versa. Unfortunately, the performance of such a traditional approach is limited in terms of simultaneous attenuating translational and angular components of cooler induced vibration. The authors are enhancing the traditional concept and consider multimodal tuned dynamic absorber made in the form of weakly damped mechanical resonator, where the frequencies of useful dynamic modes are essentially matched with the driving frequency. Dynamic analysis and experimental testing show that the dynamic reactions (forces and moments) produced by such a device may simultaneously attenuate both translational and angular components of cryocoolerinduced vibration. The authors are considering different embodiments and their suitability for different packaging concepts. The outcomes of theoretical predictions are supported by full scale experimentation.

Measuring the critical band for speech.

PubMed

Healy, Eric W; Bacon, Sid P

2006-02-01

The current experiments were designed to measure the frequency resolution employed by listeners during the perception of everyday sentences. Speech bands having nearly vertical filter slopes and narrow bandwidths were sharply partitioned into various numbers of equal log- or ERBN-width subbands. The temporal envelope from each partition was used to amplitude modulate a corresponding band of low-noise noise, and the modulated carriers were combined and presented to normal-hearing listeners. Intelligibility increased and reached asymptote as the number of partitions increased. In the mid- and high-frequency regions of the speech spectrum, the partition bandwidth corresponding to asymptotic performance matched current estimates of psychophysical tuning across a number of conditions. These results indicate that, in these regions, the critical band for speech matches the critical band measured using traditional psychoacoustic methods and nonspeech stimuli. However, in the low-frequency region, partition bandwidths at asymptote were somewhat narrower than would be predicted based upon psychophysical tuning. It is concluded that, overall, current estimates of psychophysical tuning represent reasonably well the ability of listeners to extract spectral detail from running speech.

Integrated tuned vibration absorbers: a theoretical study.

PubMed

Gardonio, Paolo; Zilletti, Michele

2013-11-01

This article presents a simulation study on two integrated tuned vibration absorbers (TVAs) designed to control the global flexural vibration of lightly damped thin structures subject to broad frequency band disturbances. The first one consists of a single axial switching TVA composed by a seismic mass mounted on variable axial spring and damper elements so that the characteristic damping and natural frequency of the absorber can be switched iteratively to control the resonant response of three flexural modes of the hosting structure. The second one consists of a single three-axes TVA composed by a seismic mass mounted on axial and rotational springs and dampers, which are arranged in such a way that the suspended mass is characterized by uncoupled heave and pitch-rolling vibrations. In this case the three damping and natural frequency parameters of the absorber are tuned separately to control three flexural modes of the hosting structure. The simulation study shows that the proposed single-unit absorbers produce, respectively, 5.3 and 8.7 dB reductions of the global flexural vibration of a rectangular plate between 20 and 120 Hz.

Acoustic transmission and radiation analysis of adaptive shape-memory alloy reinforced laminated plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, C.; Rogers, C. A.; Fuller, C. R.

1991-02-01

A theoretical analysis of sound transmission/radiation of shape-memory alloy (SMA) hybrid composite panels is presented. Unlike other composite materials, SMA hybrid composite is dynamically tunable by electrical activation of the SMA fibers and has numerous active control capabilities. Two of the concepts that will be briefly described and utilized in this paper are referred to as active property tuning (APT) and active strain energy tuning (ASET). Tuning or activating the embedded shape-memory alloy fibers in conventional composite materials changes the overall stiffness of the SMA hybrid composite structure and consequently changes natural frequency and mode shapes. The sound transmission and radiation from a composite panel is related to its frequency and mode shapes. Because of the capability to change both the natural frequency and mode shapes, the acoustic characteristics of SMA hybrid composite plates can be changed as well. The directivity pattern, radiation efficiency, and transmission loss of laminated composite materials are investigated based on 'composite' mode shapes in order to derive a basic understanding of the nature and authority of acoustic control by use of SMA hybrid composites.

High-speed tunable microwave photonic notch filter based on phase modulator incorporated Lyot filter.

PubMed

Ge, Jia; Feng, Hanlin; Scott, Guy; Fok, Mable P

2015-01-01

A high-speed tunable microwave photonic notch filter with ultrahigh rejection ratio is presented, which is achieved by semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based single-sideband modulation and optical spectral filtering with a phase modulator-incorporated Lyot (PM-Lyot) filter. By varying the birefringence of the phase modulator through electro-optic effect, electrically tuning of the microwave photonic notch filter is experimentally achieved at tens of gigahertz speed. The use of SOA-polarizer based single-sideband modulation scheme provides good sideband suppression over a wide frequency range, resulting in an ultrahigh rejection ratio of the microwave photonic notch filter. Stable filter spectrum with bandstop rejection ratio over 60 dB is observed over a frequency tuning range from 1.8 to 10 GHz. Compare with standard interferometric notch filter, narrower bandwidth and sharper notch profile are achieved with the unique PM-Lyot filter, resulting in better filter selectivity. Moreover, bandwidth tuning is also achieved through polarization adjustment inside the PM-Lyot filter, that the 10-dB filter bandwidth is tuned from 0.81 to 1.85 GHz.

Passive wireless strain monitoring of tyres using capacitance and tuning frequency changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuzaki, Ryosuke; Todoroki, Akira

2005-08-01

In-service strain monitoring of tyres of automobiles is quite effective for improving the reliability of tyres and anti-lock braking systems (ABS). Conventional strain gauges have high stiffness and require lead wires. Therefore, they are cumbersome for tyre strain measurements. In a previous study, the authors proposed a new wireless strain monitoring method that adopts the tyre itself as a sensor, with an oscillating circuit. This method is very simple and useful, but it requires a battery to activate the oscillating circuit. In the present study, the previous method for wireless tyre monitoring is improved to produce a passive wireless sensor. A specimen made from a commercially available tyre is connected to a tuning circuit comprising an inductance and a capacitance as a condenser. The capacitance change of the tyre alters the tuning frequency. This change of the tuned radio wave facilitates wireless measurement of the applied strain of the specimen without any power supply. This passive wireless method is applied to a specimen and the static applied strain is measured. Experiments demonstrate that the method is effective for passive wireless strain monitoring of tyres.

Testing a simple control law to reduce broadband frequency harmonic vibrations using semi-active tuned mass dampers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moutinho, Carlos

2015-05-01

This paper is focused on the control problems related to semi-active tuned mass dampers (TMDs) used to reduce harmonic vibrations, specially involving civil structures. A simplified version of the phase control law is derived and its effectiveness is investigated and evaluated. The objective is to improve the functioning of control systems of this type by simplifying the measurement process and reducing the number of variables involved, making the control system more feasible and reliable. Because the control law is of ON/OFF type, combined with appropriate trigger conditions, the activity of the actuation system may be significantly reduced, which may be of few seconds a day in many practical cases, increasing the durability of the device and reducing its maintenance. Moreover, due to the ability of the control system to command the motion of the inertial mass, the semi-active TMD is relatively insensitive to its initial tuning, resulting in the capability of self-tuning and in the possibility of controlling several vibration modes of a structure over a significant broadband frequency.

A method of measuring micro-impulse with torsion pendulum based on multi-beam laser heterodyne

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yan-Chao; Wang, Chun-Hui

2012-02-01

In this paper, we propose a novel method of multi-beam laser heterodyne measurement for micro-impulse. The measurement of the micro-impulse, which is converted into the measurement of the small tuning angle of the torsion pendulum, is realized by considering the interaction between pulse laser and working medium. Based on Doppler effect and heterodyne technology, the information regarding the small tuning angle is loaded to the frequency difference of the multi-beam laser heterodyne signal by the frequency modulation of the oscillating mirror, thereby obtaining many values of the small tuning angle after the multi-beam laser heterodyne signal demodulation simultaneously. Processing these values by weighted-average, the small tuning angle can be obtained accurately and the value of the micro-impulse can eventually be calculated. Using Polyvinylchlorid+2%C as a working medium, this novel method is used to simulate the value of the micro-impulse by MATLAB which is generated by considering the interaction between the pulse laser and the working medium, the obtained result shows that the relative error of this method is just 0.5%.

The second filter’s second coming

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

Ramamoorthy, Sripriya; Jacques, Steven L.; Choudhoury, Niloy

We measured sound-evoked vibrations at the stereociliary side of inner and outer hair cells and their surrounding supporting cells, using optical coherence tomography interferometry in living anesthetized guinea pigs. Our measurements demonstrate a gradient in frequency tuning among different cell types, going from a high best frequency at the inner hair cells to a lower one at the Hensen cells. This causes the locus of maximum inner hair cell activation to be shifted toward the apex of the cochlea as compared to the outer hair cells. These observations show that additional processing and filtering of acoustic signals occurs within themore » organ of Corti prior to inner hair cell excitation, thus reinstating a transformed second filter as a mechanism contributing to cochlear frequency tuning.« less

The second filter's second coming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramamoorthy, Sripriya; Chen, Fangyi; Zha, Dingjun; Jacques, Steven L.; Wang, Ruikang; Choudhoury, Niloy; Nuttall, Alfred L.; Fridberger, Anders

2015-12-01

We measured sound-evoked vibrations at the stereociliary side of inner and outer hair cells and their surrounding supporting cells, using optical coherence tomography interferometry in living anesthetized guinea pigs. Our measurements demonstrate a gradient in frequency tuning among different cell types, going from a high best frequency at the inner hair cells to a lower one at the Hensen cells. This causes the locus of maximum inner hair cell activation to be shifted toward the apex of the cochlea as compared to the outer hair cells. These observations show that additional processing and filtering of acoustic signals occurs within the organ of Corti prior to inner hair cell excitation, thus reinstating a transformed second filter as a mechanism contributing to cochlear frequency tuning.

Ultra-light weight undamped tuned dynamic absorber for cryogenically cooled infrared electro-optic payload

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veprik, Alexander; Babitsky, Vladimir

2017-04-01

Attenuation of tonal cryocooler induced vibration in infrared electro-optical payloads may be achieved by using of Tuned Dynamic Absorber (TDA) which is, generally speaking, a passive, weakly damped mass-spring system the resonant frequency of which is precisely matched with the driving frequency. Added TDA results in a favorable modification of the frequency response functions of combined structure. In particular, a favorable antiresonant notch appears at the frequency of tonal excitation along with the adjacent secondary resonance, the width and depth of which along with its closeness to the secondary resonance are strongly dependent on the mass and damping ratios. Using heavier TDA favorably results in wider and deeper antiresonant notch along with increased gap between antiresonant and resonant frequencies. Lowering damping in TDA favorably results in deepening the antiresonant notch. The weight of TDA is usually subjected to tight design constrains. Use of lightweight TDA not only diminishes the attainable performance but also complicates the procedure of frequency matching. Along these lines, even minor frequency deviations may negate the TDA performance and even result in TDA failure in case of resonant build up. The authors are presenting theoretical and practical aspects of designing and constructing ultra-light weight TDA in application to vibration attenuation of electro-optical infrared payload relying on Split Stirling linear cryocooler, the driving frequency of which is fixed and may be accurately tuned and maintained using a digital controller over the entire range of working conditions and lifetime; the lack of mass ratio is compensated by minimizing the damping ratio. In one particular case, in excess of 100-fold vibration attenuation has been achieved by adding as little as 5% to the payload weight.

Fast Dynamical Coupling Enhances Frequency Adaptation of Oscillators for Robotic Locomotion Control

PubMed Central

Nachstedt, Timo; Tetzlaff, Christian; Manoonpong, Poramate

2017-01-01

Rhythmic neural signals serve as basis of many brain processes, in particular of locomotion control and generation of rhythmic movements. It has been found that specific neural circuits, named central pattern generators (CPGs), are able to autonomously produce such rhythmic activities. In order to tune, shape and coordinate the produced rhythmic activity, CPGs require sensory feedback, i.e., external signals. Nonlinear oscillators are a standard model of CPGs and are used in various robotic applications. A special class of nonlinear oscillators are adaptive frequency oscillators (AFOs). AFOs are able to adapt their frequency toward the frequency of an external periodic signal and to keep this learned frequency once the external signal vanishes. AFOs have been successfully used, for instance, for resonant tuning of robotic locomotion control. However, the choice of parameters for a standard AFO is characterized by a trade-off between the speed of the adaptation and its precision and, additionally, is strongly dependent on the range of frequencies the AFO is confronted with. As a result, AFOs are typically tuned such that they require a comparably long time for their adaptation. To overcome the problem, here, we improve the standard AFO by introducing a novel adaptation mechanism based on dynamical coupling strengths. The dynamical adaptation mechanism enhances both the speed and precision of the frequency adaptation. In contrast to standard AFOs, in this system, the interplay of dynamics on short and long time scales enables fast as well as precise adaptation of the oscillator for a wide range of frequencies. Amongst others, a very natural implementation of this mechanism is in terms of neural networks. The proposed system enables robotic applications which require fast retuning of locomotion control in order to react to environmental changes or conditions. PMID:28377710

High energy, widely tunable Si-prism-array coupled terahertz-wave parametric oscillator with a deformed pump and optimal crystal location for angle tuning.

PubMed

Zhang, Ruiliang; Qu, Yanchen; Zhao, Weijiang; Chen, Zhenlei

2017-03-20

A high energy, widely tunable Si-prism-array coupled terahertz-wave parametric oscillator (TPO) has been demonstrated by using a deformed pump. The deformed pump is cut from a beam spot of 2 mm in diameter by a 1-mm-wide slit. In comparison with a small pump spot (1-mm diameter), the THz-wave coupling area for the deformed pump is increased without limitation to the low-frequency end of the tuning range. Besides, the crystal location is specially designed to eliminate the alteration of the output position of the pump during angle tuning, so the initially adjusted nearest pumped region to the THz-wave exit surface is maintained throughout the tuning range. The tuning range is 0.58-2.5 THz for the deformed pump, while its low frequency end is limited at approximately 1.2 THz for the undeformed pump with 2 mm diameter. The highest THz-wave output of 2 μJ, which is 2.25 times as large as that from the pump of 1 mm in diameter, is obtained at 1.15 THz under 38 mJ (300  MW/cm²) pumping. The energy conversion efficiency is 5.3×10^-5.

The role of the interface in germanium quantum dots: when not only size matters for quantum confinement effects.

PubMed

Cosentino, S; Mio, A M; Barbagiovanni, E G; Raciti, R; Bahariqushchi, R; Miritello, M; Nicotra, G; Aydinli, A; Spinella, C; Terrasi, A; Mirabella, S

2015-07-14

Quantum confinement (QC) typically assumes a sharp interface between a nanostructure and its environment, leading to an abrupt change in the potential for confined electrons and holes. When the interface is not ideally sharp and clean, significant deviations from the QC rule appear and other parameters beyond the nanostructure size play a considerable role. In this work we elucidate the role of the interface on QC in Ge quantum dots (QDs) synthesized by rf-magnetron sputtering or plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Through a detailed electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis we investigated the structural and chemical properties of QD interfaces. PECVD QDs exhibit a sharper interface compared to sputter ones, which also evidences a larger contribution of mixed Ge-oxide states. Such a difference strongly modifies the QC strength, as experimentally verified by light absorption spectroscopy. A large size-tuning of the optical bandgap and an increase in the oscillator strength occur when the interface is sharp. A spatially dependent effective mass (SPDEM) model is employed to account for the interface difference between Ge QDs, pointing out a larger reduction in the exciton effective mass in the sharper interface case. These results add new insights into the role of interfaces on confined systems, and open the route for reliable exploitation of QC effects.

Slow wave structures integrated with ferromagnetic and ferro-electric thin films for smart RF applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, B. M. Farid

Modern communications systems are following a common trend to increase the operational frequency, level of integration and number of frequency bands. Although 90-95% components in a cell phone are passives which take 80% of the total board area. High performance RF passive components play limited role and are desired towards this technological advancement. Slow wave structure is one of the most promising candidates to design compact RF and mm-Wave passive components. Slow wave structures are the specially designed transmission line realized by placing the alternate narrow and wide signal conductors in order to reduce the physical size of the components. This dissertation reports multiband slow wave structures integrated with ferromagnetic and ferroelectric thin films and their RF applications. A comparative study on different types of coplanar wave-guide (CPW) slow wave structures (SWS) has been demonstrated for the first time. Slow wave structures with various shapes have been investigated and optimized with various signal conductor shapes, ground conductor shapes and pitch of the sections. Novel techniques i.e. the use of the defected ground structure and the different signal conductor length has been implemented to achieve higher slow wave effect with minimum loss. The measured results have shown the reduction of size over 43.47% and 37.54% in the expense of only 0.27dB and 0.102dB insertion loss respectively which can reduce the area of a designed branch line coupler by 68% and 61% accordingly. Permalloy (Py) is patterned on top of the developed SWS for the first time to further increase the slow wave effect and provide tunable inductance value. High frequency applications of Py are limited by its ferro-magnetic resonance frequency since the inductance value decreases beyond that. Sub-micrometer patterning of Py has increased FMR frequency until 6.3GHz and 3.2GHz by introducing the shape anisotropy. For the SWS with patterned Py, the size of the quarter wavelength has been reduced from 14.86mm to 4.7mm at 2GHz. DC current which is the most convenient and available tuning parameter in a practical circuit board has been used, the developed SWS can function as quarter wave transmission line from 2GHz to 1.80GHz (i.e. 10%). Lead Zirconium Titanate (PZT) is grown and patterned on top of the section with standard sol-gel method to increase capacitance value. The inter digit capacitor type structure along with PZT thin film has been adopted and results showed capacitance value increment by 36%. An electric field between signal and ground has been applied to change the polarization of the thin film which resulted in a tuning of center frequency by 15% (1.75GHz to 2GHz). In addition, a novel approach has been implemented by integrating both the ferromagnetic and the ferroelectric thin films simultaneously to achieve higher slow wave effect, wider tuning range and smaller variation in Characteristics Impedance. The size of the final structure for a quarter wavelengths has been reduced from 14.86mm to 3.98mm while the center frequency has been tuned from 2GHz to 1.5GHz (i.e. 25%). Tunable RF applications of the ferro-magnetic thin films are also demonstrated as a DC current band pass filter, tunable noise suppressor and meander line inductor. A well designed frequency tunable band pass filter (BPF) is implemented at 4GHz with patterned Permalloy. The pass band frequency of a band pass filter has been tuned from 4GHz to 4.02GHz by applying a DC current. The suppression frequency of the developed noise suppressor is tuned from 4.8GHz to 6GHz and 4GHz to 6GHz by changing the aspect ratio of the Py bars and the gap in between them. Moreover, a novel way of tuning the stop band frequency of the noise suppressor by using an external direct current changed the suppression frequency from 6GHz to 4.3GHz. A pass band loss of 1.5%, less than 2° transmitted signal phase distortion, and 3 dB extra return loss of the designed noise suppressor showed the promise the noise suppressors. The increase in the number of turns of a meander line inductor has increased the inductance density from 2565nH/m to 3396nH/m while application of the patterned Py has increased the inductance density from 2565nH/m to 3060nH/m. The tuning of the meander line inductor has been performed by applying DC current until the FMR frequency 4.51GHz.

Wave propagation in elastic and damped structures with stabilized negative-stiffness components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drugan, W. J.

2017-09-01

Effects on wave propagation achievable by introduction of a negative-stiffness component are investigated via perhaps the simplest discrete repeating element that can remain stable in the component's presence. When the system is elastic, appropriate tuning of the stabilized component's negative stiffness introduces a no-pass zone theoretically extending from zero to an arbitrarily high frequency, tunable by a mass ratio adjustment. When the negative-stiffness component is tuned to the system's stability limit and a mass ratio is sufficiently small, the system restricts propagation to waves of approximately a single arbitrary frequency, adjustable by tuning the stiffness ratio of the positive-stiffness components. The elastic system's general solutions are closed-form and transparent. When damping is added, the general solutions are still closed-form, but so complex that they do not clearly display how the negative stiffness component affects the system's response and how it should best be tuned to achieve desired effects. Approximate solutions having these features are obtained via four perturbation analyses: one for long wavelengths; one for small damping; and two for small mass ratios. The long-wavelengths solution shows that appropriate tuning of the negative-stiffness component can prevent propagation of long-wavelength waves. The small damping solution shows that the zero-damping low-frequency no-pass zone remains, while waves that do propagate are highly damped when a mass ratio is made small. Finally, very interesting effects are achievable at the full system's stability limit. For small mass ratios, the wavelength range of waves prohibited from propagation can be adjusted, from all to none, by tuning the system's damping: When one mass ratio is small, all waves with wavelengths larger than an arbitrary damping-adjusted value can be prohibited from propagation, while when the inverse of this mass ratio is small, all waves with wavelengths outside an arbitrary single adjustable value or range of values can be prohibited from propagation. All of the approximate solutions' analytically-transparent predictions are confirmed by the exact solution. The conclusions are that a stabilized tuned negative-stiffness component greatly enhances control of wave propagation in a purely elastic system, and when adjustable damping is added, even further control is facilitated.

Laser beat wave excitation of terahertz radiation in a plasma slab

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

Chauhan, Santosh; Parashar, Jetendra, E-mail: j.p.parashar@gmail.com

2014-10-15

Terahertz (THz) radiation generation by nonlinear mixing of lasers, obliquely incident on a plasma slab is investigated. Two cases are considered: (i) electron density profile is parabolic but density peak is below the critical density corresponding to the beat frequency, (ii) plasma boundaries are sharp and density is uniform. In both cases, nonlinearity arises through the ponderomotive force that gives rise to electron drift at the beat frequency. In the case of inhomogeneous plasma, non zero curl of the nonlinear current density gives rise to electromagnetic THz generation. In case of uniform plasma, the sharp density variation at the plasmamore » boundaries leads to radiation generation. In a slab width of less than a terahertz wavelength, plasma density one fourth of terahertz critical density, laser intensities ∼10{sup 17 }W/cm{sup 2} at 1 μm, one obtains the THz intensity ∼1 GW/cm{sup 2} at 3 THz radiation frequency.« less

A Compact Multiple Notched Ultra-Wide Band Antenna with an Analysis of the CSRR-TO-CSRR Coupling for Portable UWB Applications.

PubMed

Rahman, MuhibUr; Ko, Dong-Sik; Park, Jung-Dong

2017-09-25

We present a compact ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna integrated with sharp notches with a detailed analysis of the mutual coupling of the multiple notch resonators. By utilizing complementary split ring resonators (CSRR) on the radiating semi-circular patch, we achieve the sharp notch-filtering of various bands within the UWB band without increasing the antenna size. The notched frequency bands include WiMAX, INSAT, and lower and upper WLAN. In order to estimate the frequency shifts of the notch due to the coupling of the nearby CSRRs, an analysis of the coupling among the multiple notch resonators is carried out and we construct the lumped-circuit equivalent model. The time domain analysis of the proposed antenna is performed to show its validity on the UWB application. The measured frequency response of the input port corresponds quite well with the calculations and simulations. The radiation pattern of the implemented quad-notched UWB antenna is nearly omnidirectional in the passband.

A Compact Multiple Notched Ultra-Wide Band Antenna with an Analysis of the CSRR-TO-CSRR Coupling for Portable UWB Applications

PubMed Central

Ko, Dong-Sik

2017-01-01

We present a compact ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna integrated with sharp notches with a detailed analysis of the mutual coupling of the multiple notch resonators. By utilizing complementary split ring resonators (CSRR) on the radiating semi-circular patch, we achieve the sharp notch-filtering of various bands within the UWB band without increasing the antenna size. The notched frequency bands include WiMAX, INSAT, and lower and upper WLAN. In order to estimate the frequency shifts of the notch due to the coupling of the nearby CSRRs, an analysis of the coupling among the multiple notch resonators is carried out and we construct the lumped-circuit equivalent model. The time domain analysis of the proposed antenna is performed to show its validity on the UWB application. The measured frequency response of the input port corresponds quite well with the calculations and simulations. The radiation pattern of the implemented quad-notched UWB antenna is nearly omnidirectional in the passband. PMID:28946658

Neuroelectric Tuning of Cortical Oscillations by Apical Dendrites in Loop Circuits

PubMed Central

LaBerge, David; Kasevich, Ray S.

2017-01-01

Bundles of relatively long apical dendrites dominate the neurons that make up the thickness of the cerebral cortex. It is proposed that a major function of the apical dendrite is to produce sustained oscillations at a specific frequency that can serve as a common timing unit for the processing of information in circuits connected to that apical dendrite. Many layer 5 and 6 pyramidal neurons are connected to thalamic neurons in loop circuits. A model of the apical dendrites of these pyramidal neurons has been used to simulate the electric activity of the apical dendrite. The results of that simulation demonstrated that subthreshold electric pulses in these apical dendrites can be tuned to specific frequencies and also can be fine-tuned to narrow bandwidths of less than one Hertz (1 Hz). Synchronous pulse outputs from the circuit loops containing apical dendrites can tune subthreshold membrane oscillations of neurons they contact. When the pulse outputs are finely tuned, they function as a local “clock,” which enables the contacted neurons to synchronously communicate with each other. Thus, a shared tuning frequency can select neurons for membership in a circuit. Unlike layer 6 apical dendrites, layer 5 apical dendrites can produce burst firing in many of their neurons, which increases the amplitude of signals in the neurons they contact. This difference in amplitude of signals serves as basis of selecting a sub-circuit for specialized processing (e.g., sustained attention) within the typically larger layer 6-based circuit. After examining the sustaining of oscillations in loop circuits and the processing of spikes in network circuits, we propose that cortical functioning can be globally viewed as two systems: a loop system and a network system. The loop system oscillations influence the network system’s timing and amplitude of pulse signals, both of which can select circuits that are momentarily dominant in cortical activity. PMID:28659768

Neuroelectric Tuning of Cortical Oscillations by Apical Dendrites in Loop Circuits.

PubMed

LaBerge, David; Kasevich, Ray S

2017-01-01

Bundles of relatively long apical dendrites dominate the neurons that make up the thickness of the cerebral cortex. It is proposed that a major function of the apical dendrite is to produce sustained oscillations at a specific frequency that can serve as a common timing unit for the processing of information in circuits connected to that apical dendrite. Many layer 5 and 6 pyramidal neurons are connected to thalamic neurons in loop circuits. A model of the apical dendrites of these pyramidal neurons has been used to simulate the electric activity of the apical dendrite. The results of that simulation demonstrated that subthreshold electric pulses in these apical dendrites can be tuned to specific frequencies and also can be fine-tuned to narrow bandwidths of less than one Hertz (1 Hz). Synchronous pulse outputs from the circuit loops containing apical dendrites can tune subthreshold membrane oscillations of neurons they contact. When the pulse outputs are finely tuned, they function as a local "clock," which enables the contacted neurons to synchronously communicate with each other. Thus, a shared tuning frequency can select neurons for membership in a circuit. Unlike layer 6 apical dendrites, layer 5 apical dendrites can produce burst firing in many of their neurons, which increases the amplitude of signals in the neurons they contact. This difference in amplitude of signals serves as basis of selecting a sub-circuit for specialized processing (e.g., sustained attention) within the typically larger layer 6-based circuit. After examining the sustaining of oscillations in loop circuits and the processing of spikes in network circuits, we propose that cortical functioning can be globally viewed as two systems: a loop system and a network system. The loop system oscillations influence the network system's timing and amplitude of pulse signals, both of which can select circuits that are momentarily dominant in cortical activity.

Role of inhibition in the specification of orientation selectivity of cells in the cat striate cortex.

PubMed

Bonds, A B

1989-01-01

Mechanisms supporting orientation selectivity of cat striate cortical cells were studied by stimulation with two superimposed sine-wave gratings of different orientations. One grating (base) generated a discharge of known amplitude which could be modified by the second grating (mask). Masks presented at nonoptimal orientations usually reduced the base-generated response, but the degree of reduction varied widely between cells. Cells with narrow orientation tuning tended to be more susceptible to mask presence than broadly tuned cells; similarly, simple cells generally showed more response reduction than did complex cells. The base and mask stimuli were drifted at different temporal frequencies which, in simple cells, permitted the identification of individual response components from each stimulus. This revealed that the reduction of the base response by the mask usually did not vary regularly with mask orientation, although response facilitation from the mask was orientation selective. In some sharply tuned simple cells, response reduction had clear local maxima near the limits of the cell's orientation-tuning function. Response reduction resulted from a nearly pure rightward shift of the response versus log contrast function. The lowest mask contrast yielding reduction was within 0.1-0.3 log unit of the lowest contrast effective for excitation. The temporal-frequency bandpass of the response-reduction mechanism resembled that of most cortical cells. The spatial-frequency bandpass was much broader than is typical for single cortical cells, spanning essentially the entire visual range of the cat. These findings are compatible with a model in which weak intrinsic orientation-selective excitation is enhanced in two stages: (1) control of threshold by nonorientation-selective inhibition that is continuously dependent on stimulus contrast; and (2) in the more narrowly tuned cells, orientation-selective inhibition that has local maxima serving to increase the slope of the orientation-tuning function.

Wide Tuning Capability for Spacecraft Transponders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lux, James; Mysoor, Narayan; Shah, Biren; Cook, Brian; Smith, Scott

2007-01-01

A document presents additional information on the means of implementing a capability for wide tuning of microwave receiver and transmitter frequencies in the development reported in the immediately preceding article, VCO PLL Frequency Synthesizers for Spacecraft Transponders (NPO- 42909). The reference frequency for a PLL-based frequency synthesizer is derived from a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) implemented in digital logic, such that almost any reference frequency can be derived from a fixed crystal reference oscillator with microhertz precision. The frequency of the NCO is adjusted to track the received signal, then used to create another NCO frequency used to synthesize the transmitted signal coherent with, and at a specified frequency ratio to, the received signal. The frequencies can be changed, even during operation, through suitable digital programming. The NCOs and the related tracking loops and coherent turnaround logic are implemented in a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The interface between the analog microwave receiver and transmitter circuits and the FPGA includes analog-to-digital and digital-toanalog converters, the sampling rates of which are chosen to minimize spurious signals and otherwise optimize performance. Several mixers and filters are used to properly route various signals.

Optoelectronic frequency discriminated phase tuning technology and its applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Gong-Ru; Chang, Yung-Cheng

2000-07-01

By using a phase-tunable optoelectronic phase-locked loop, we are able to continuously change the phase as well as the delay-time of optically distributed microwave clock signals or optical pulse train. The advantages of the proposed technique include such as wide-band operation up to 20GHz, wide-range tuning up to 640 degrees, high tuning resolution of <6x10-2 degree/mV, ultra-low short-term phase fluctuation and drive of 4.7x10-2 degree and 3.4x10- 3 degree/min, good linearity with acceptable deviations, and frequency-independent transferred function with slope of nearly 90 degrees/volt, etc. The novel optoelectronic phase shifter is performed by using a DC-voltage controlled, optoelectronic-mixer-based, frequency-down-converted digital phase-locked-loop. The maximum delay-time is continuously tunable up to 3.9 ns for optical pulses repeated at 500 MHz from a gain-switched laser diode. This corresponds to a delay responsivity of about 0.54 ps/mV. The using of the OEPS as being an optoelectronic delay-time controller for optical pulses is demonstrated with temporal resolution of <0.2 ps. Electro-optic sampling of high-frequency microwave signals by using the in-situ delay-time-tunable pulsed laser as a novel optical probe is primarily reported.

Experiments on nonlinear acoustic landmine detection: Tuning curve studies of soil-mine and soil-mass oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korman, Murray S.; Witten, Thomas R.; Fenneman, Douglas J.

2004-10-01

Donskoy [SPIE Proc. 3392, 211-217 (1998); 3710, 239-246 (1999)] has suggested a nonlinear technique that is insensitive to relatively noncompliant targets that can detect an acoustically compliant buried mine. Airborne sound at two primary frequencies eventually causes interactions with the soil and mine generating combination frequencies that can affect the vibration velocity at the surface. In current experiments, f1 and f2 are closely spaced near a mine resonance and a laser Doppler vibrometer profiles the surface. In profiling, certain combination frequencies have a much greater contrast ratio than the linear profiles at f1 and f2-but off the mine some nonlinearity exists. Near resonance, the bending (a softening) of a family of tuning curves (over the mine) exhibits a linear relationship between peak velocity and corresponding frequency, which is characteristic of nonlinear mesoscopic elasticity effects that are observed in geomaterials like rocks or granular media. Results are presented for inert plastic VS 1.6, VS 2.2 and M14 mines buried 3.6 cm in loose soil. Tuning curves for a rigid mass plate resting on a soil layer exhibit similar results, suggesting that nonresonant conditions off the mine are desirable. [Work supported by U.S. Army RDECOM, CERDEC, NVESD, Fort Belvoir, VA.

Microwave photonic filter using multiwavelength Brillouin-erbium fiber laser with double-Brillouin-frequency shift

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

Loh, K. K.; Yeo, K. S.; Shee, Y. G.

2015-04-24

A microwave photonic filter based on double-Brillouin-frequency spaced multiwavelength Brillouin-erbium fiber laser (BEFL) is experimentally demonstrated. The filter selectivity can be easily adjusted by tuning and apodizing the optical taps generated from the multiwavelength BEFL. Reconfiguration of different frequency responses are demonstrated.

Dynamic actuation of single-crystal diamond nanobeams

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

Sohn, Young-Ik; Burek, Michael J.; Lončar, Marko, E-mail: loncar@seas.harvard.edu

2015-12-14

We show the dielectrophoretic actuation of single-crystal diamond nanomechanical devices. Gradient radio-frequency electromagnetic forces are used to achieve actuation of both cantilever and doubly clamped beam structures, with operation frequencies ranging from a few MHz to ∼50 MHz. Frequency tuning and parametric actuation are also studied.

Removing the depth-degeneracy in optical frequency domain imaging with frequency shifting

PubMed Central

Yun, S. H.; Tearney, G. J.; de Boer, J. F.; Bouma, B. E.

2009-01-01

A novel technique using an acousto-optic frequency shifter in optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) is presented. The frequency shift eliminates the ambiguity between positive and negative differential delays, effectively doubling the interferometric ranging depth while avoiding image cross-talk. A signal processing algorithm is demonstrated to accommodate nonlinearity in the tuning slope of the wavelength-swept OFDI laser source. PMID:19484034

Attention-driven auditory cortex short-term plasticity helps segregate relevant sounds from noise

PubMed Central

Ahveninen, Jyrki; Hämäläinen, Matti; Jääskeläinen, Iiro P.; Ahlfors, Seppo P.; Huang, Samantha; Raij, Tommi; Sams, Mikko; Vasios, Christos E.; Belliveau, John W.

2011-01-01

How can we concentrate on relevant sounds in noisy environments? A “gain model” suggests that auditory attention simply amplifies relevant and suppresses irrelevant afferent inputs. However, it is unclear whether this suffices when attended and ignored features overlap to stimulate the same neuronal receptive fields. A “tuning model” suggests that, in addition to gain, attention modulates feature selectivity of auditory neurons. We recorded magnetoencephalography, EEG, and functional MRI (fMRI) while subjects attended to tones delivered to one ear and ignored opposite-ear inputs. The attended ear was switched every 30 s to quantify how quickly the effects evolve. To produce overlapping inputs, the tones were presented alone vs. during white-noise masking notch-filtered ±1/6 octaves around the tone center frequencies. Amplitude modulation (39 vs. 41 Hz in opposite ears) was applied for “frequency tagging” of attention effects on maskers. Noise masking reduced early (50–150 ms; N1) auditory responses to unattended tones. In support of the tuning model, selective attention canceled out this attenuating effect but did not modulate the gain of 50–150 ms activity to nonmasked tones or steady-state responses to the maskers themselves. These tuning effects originated at nonprimary auditory cortices, purportedly occupied by neurons that, without attention, have wider frequency tuning than ±1/6 octaves. The attentional tuning evolved rapidly, during the first few seconds after attention switching, and correlated with behavioral discrimination performance. In conclusion, a simple gain model alone cannot explain auditory selective attention. In nonprimary auditory cortices, attention-driven short-term plasticity retunes neurons to segregate relevant sounds from noise. PMID:21368107

Enhanced sensitivity in a butterfly gyroscope with a hexagonal oblique beam

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

Xiao, Dingbang; Cao, Shijie; Hou, Zhanqiang, E-mail: houzhanqiang@nudt.edu.cn

2015-04-15

A new approach to improve the performance of a butterfly gyroscope is developed. The methodology provides a simple way to improve the gyroscope’s sensitivity and stability, by reducing the resonant frequency mismatch between the drive and sense modes. This method was verified by simulations and theoretical analysis. The size of the hexagonal section oblique beam is the major factor that influences the resonant frequency mismatch. A prototype, which has the appropriately sized oblique beam, was fabricated using precise, time-controlled multilayer pre-buried masks. The performance of this prototype was compared with a non-tuned gyroscope. The scale factor of the prototype reachesmore » 30.13 mV/ °/s, which is 15 times larger than that obtained from the non-tuned gyroscope. The bias stability of the prototype is 0.8 °/h, which is better than the 5.2 °/h of the non-tuned devices.« less

High power VCSEL devices for atomic clock applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watkins, L. S.; Ghosh, C.; Seurin, J.-F.; Zhou, D.; Xu, G.; Xu, B.; Miglo, A.

2015-09-01

We are developing VCSEL technology producing >100mW in single frequency at wavelengths 780nm, 795nm and 850nm. Small aperture VCSELs with few mW output have found major applications in atomic clock experiments. Using an external cavity three-mirror configuration we have been able to operate larger aperture VCSELs and obtain >70mW power in single frequency operation. The VCSEL has been mounted in a fiber pigtailed package with the external mirror mounted on a shear piezo. The package incorporates a miniature Rb cell locker to lock the VCSEL wavelength. This VCSEL operates in single frequency and is tuned by a combination of piezo actuator, temperature and current. Mode-hop free tuning over >30GHz frequency span is obtained. The VCSEL has been locked to the Rb D2 line and feedback control used to obtain line-widths of <100kHz.

Frequency modulation of high-order harmonic generation in an orthogonally polarized two-color laser field.

PubMed

Li, Guicun; Zheng, Yinghui; Ge, Xiaochun; Zeng, Zhinan; Li, Ruxin

2016-08-08

We have experimentally investigated the frequency modulation of high-order harmonics in an orthogonally polarized two-color laser field consisting of a mid-infrared 1800nm fundamental pulse and its second harmonic pulse. It is demonstrated that the high harmonic spectra can be fine-tuned as we slightly change the relative delay of the two-color laser pulses. By analyzing the relative frequency shift of each harmonic at different two-color delays, the nonadiabatic spectral shift induced by the rapid variation of the intensity-dependent intrinsic dipole phase can be distinguished from the blueshift induced by the change of the refractive index during self-phase modulation (SPM). Our comprehensive analysis shows that the frequency modulation pattern is a reflection of the average emission time of high-order harmonic generation (HHG), thus offering a simple method to fine-tune the spectra of the harmonics on a sub-cycle time scale.

Logic elements for reactor period meter

DOEpatents

McDowell, William P.; Bobis, James P.

1976-01-01

Logic elements are provided for a reactor period meter trip circuit. For one element, first and second inputs are applied to first and second chopper comparators, respectively. The output of each comparator is O if the input applied to it is greater than or equal to a trip level associated with each input and each output is a square wave of frequency f if the input applied to it is less than the associated trip level. The outputs of the comparators are algebraically summed and applied to a bandpass filter tuned to f. For another element, the output of each comparator is applied to a bandpass filter which is tuned to f to give a sine wave of frequency f. The outputs of the filters are multiplied by an analog multiplier whose output is 0 if either input is 0 and a sine wave of frequency 2f if both inputs are a frequency f.

Effect of echolocation behavior-related constant frequency-frequency modulation sound on the frequency tuning of inferior collicular neurons in Hipposideros armiger.

PubMed

Tang, Jia; Fu, Zi-Ying; Wei, Chen-Xue; Chen, Qi-Cai

2015-08-01

In constant frequency-frequency modulation (CF-FM) bats, the CF-FM echolocation signals include both CF and FM components, yet the role of such complex acoustic signals in frequency resolution by bats remains unknown. Using CF and CF-FM echolocation signals as acoustic stimuli, the responses of inferior collicular (IC) neurons of Hipposideros armiger were obtained by extracellular recordings. We tested the effect of preceding CF or CF-FM sounds on the shape of the frequency tuning curves (FTCs) of IC neurons. Results showed that both CF-FM and CF sounds reduced the number of FTCs with tailed lower-frequency-side of IC neurons. However, more IC neurons experienced such conversion after adding CF-FM sound compared with CF sound. We also found that the Q 20 value of the FTC of IC neurons experienced the largest increase with the addition of CF-FM sound. Moreover, only CF-FM sound could cause an increase in the slope of the neurons' FTCs, and such increase occurred mainly in the lower-frequency edge. These results suggested that CF-FM sound could increase the accuracy of frequency analysis of echo and cut-off low-frequency elements from the habitat of bats more than CF sound.

Fast effects of glucocorticoids on memory-related network oscillations in the mouse hippocampus.

PubMed

Weiss, E K; Krupka, N; Bähner, F; Both, M; Draguhn, A

2008-05-01

Transient or lasting increases in glucocorticoids accompany deficits in hippocampus-dependent memory formation. Recent data indicate that the formation and consolidation of declarative and spatial memory are mechanistically related to different patterns of hippocampal network oscillations. These include gamma oscillations during memory acquisition and the faster ripple oscillations (approximately 200 Hz) during subsequent memory consolidation. We therefore analysed the effects of acutely applied glucocorticoids on network activity in mouse hippocampal slices. Evoked field population spikes and paired-pulse responses were largely unaltered by corticosterone or cortisol, respectively, despite a slight increase in maximal population spike amplitude by 10 microm corticosterone. Several characteristics of sharp waves and superimposed ripple oscillations were affected by glucocorticoids, most prominently the frequency of spontaneously occurring sharp waves. At 0.1 microm, corticosterone increased this frequency, whereas maximal (10 microm) concentrations led to a reduction. In addition, gamma oscillations became slightly faster and less regular in the presence of high doses of corticosteroids. The present study describes acute effects of glucocorticoids on sharp wave-ripple complexes and gamma oscillations in mouse hippocampal slices, revealing a potential background for memory deficits in the presence of elevated levels of these hormones.

Deciphering the role of CA1 inhibitory circuits in sharp wave-ripple complexes.

PubMed

Cutsuridis, Vassilis; Taxidis, Jiannis

2013-01-01

Sharp wave-ripples (SWRs) are population oscillatory patterns in hippocampal LFPs during deep sleep and immobility, involved in the replay of memories acquired during wakefulness. SWRs have been extensively studied, but their exact generation mechanism is still unknown. A computational model has suggested that fast perisomatic inhibition may generate the high frequency ripples (~200 Hz). Another model showed how replay of memories can be controlled by various classes of inhibitory interneurons targeting specific parts of pyramidal cells (PC) and firing at particular SWR phases. Optogenetic studies revealed new roles for interneuronal classes and rich dynamic interplays between them, shedding new light in their potential role in SWRs. Here, we integrate these findings in a conceptual model of how dendritic and somatic inhibition may collectively contribute to the SWR generation. We suggest that sharp wave excitation and basket cell (BC) recurrent inhibition synchronises BC spiking in ripple frequencies. This rhythm is imposed on bistratified cells which prevent pyramidal bursting. Axo-axonic and stratum lacunosum/moleculare interneurons are silenced by inhibitory inputs originating in the medial septum. PCs receiving rippling inhibition in both dendritic and perisomatic areas and excitation in their apical dendrites, exhibit sparse ripple phase-locked spiking.

Tunable resonant sensing means to sense a particular frequency in a high energy charged particle beam and generate a frequency-domain signal in response

DOEpatents

Nakamura, Michiyuki; Nolan, Marvin L.

1988-01-01

A frequency domain sensing system is disclosed for sensing the position of a high energy beam of charged particles traveling within a housing which comprises a plurality of sensors positioned in the wall of the housing radially around the axis of the beam. Each of the sensors further comprises a first electrode of predetermined shape received in a bore in the housing to define a fixed capacitance and an inductance structure attached to the electrode to provide an inductance for the sensing means which will provide an LC circuit which will resonate at a predetermined frequency known to exist in the beam of charged particles. The sensors are further provided with tuning apparatus associated with the inductance structure to vary the amount of the inductance to thereby tune the sensors to the predetermined frequency prior to transmission of the signal to signal detection circuitry.

A novel approach for the fine tuning of resonance frequency of patch antenna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathur, Monika; Singh, Ghanshyam; Bhatnagar, S. K.

2013-01-01

When a patch antenna is fabricated, dimensions of the patch may be slightly different from the designed values due to tolerances in the fabrication process. This alters the resonance frequency of the antenna. To overcome this problem this paper presents a new design approach for fine tuning the resonance frequency by dielectric constant engineering. This approach is especially suited to low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) and similar processes where the antenna dielectric is composed of several layers. Composite dielectric constant of this multilayer structure is altered in such a way that the resonant frequency is set back to the designed value. It has been verified that for proposed micro strip antenna (MSA) design, the frequency-area curve follows a quadratic relation with a variable R (Ratio of cavity area to the patch area). This mathematical model is true up to R 1.27. After this saturation effects set in and the curve follows a straight line behavior.≡

Frequency-agile dual-comb spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Millot, Guy; Pitois, Stéphane; Yan, Ming; Hovhannisyan, Tatevik; Bendahmane, Abdelkrim; Hänsch, Theodor W.; Picqué, Nathalie

2016-01-01

Spectroscopic gas sensing and its applications to, for example, trace detection or chemical kinetics, require ever more demanding measurement times, acquisition rates, sensitivities, precisions and broad tuning ranges. Here, we propose a new approach to near-infrared molecular spectroscopy, utilizing advanced concepts of optical telecommunications and supercontinuum photonics. We generate, without mode-locked lasers, two frequency combs of slightly different repetition frequencies and moderate, but rapidly tunable, spectral span. The output of a frequency-agile continuous-wave laser is split and sent into two electro-optic intensity modulators. Flat-top low-noise frequency combs are produced by wave-breaking in a nonlinear optical fibre of normal dispersion. With a dual-comb spectrometer, we record Doppler-limited spectra spanning 60 GHz within 13 μs and an 80 kHz refresh rate, at a tuning speed of 10 nm s-1. The sensitivity for weak absorption is enhanced by a long gas-filled hollow-core fibre. New opportunities for real-time diagnostics may be opened up, even outside the laboratory.

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

Dontsova, E I; Kablukov, S I; Babin, Sergei A

A cladding-pumped ytterbium-doped fibre laser has been tuned to shorter emission wavelengths (from 1040 to 1017 nm). The laser output power obtained has been compared to calculation results. We have studied frequency doubling of the laser in a KTiOPO{sub 4} (KTP) crystal with type II phase matching in the XY plane and demonstrated wavelength tuning in the range 510 - 520 nm. (lasers)

Artificial Cochlea Design Using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-12-17

FIGURE 2-9 - BLOCK DIAGRAM OF THE KATE’S MODEL ................................................ 2-13 FIGURE 2-10 -- COCHLEAR TUNING CURVES FOR KATES MODEL...2-14 FIGURE 2-11 - TUNING CURVE OF A CAT’S COCHLEA .................................................... 2-15...FIGURE 2-12 - FREQUENCY RESPONSE CURVES OF THE VLSI IMPLEMENTATIONS OF THE AN A LO G CO CH LEA

High bandwidth on-chip capacitive tuning of microtoroid resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baker, Christopher G.; Bekker, Christiaan; McAuslan, David L.; Sheridan, Eoin; Bowen, Warwick P.

2016-09-01

We report on the design, fabrication and characterization of silica microtoroid based cavity opto-electromechanical systems (COEMS). Electrodes patterned onto the microtoroid resonators allow for rapid capacitive tuning of the optical whispering gallery mode resonances while maintaining their ultrahigh quality factor, enabling applications such as efficient radio to optical frequency conversion, optical routing and switching applications.

Dependence of NMR noise line shapes on tuning, matching, and transmission line properties

PubMed Central

Bendet-Taicher, Eli; Müller, Norbert; Jerschow, Alexej

2014-01-01

The tuning and matching conditions of rf circuits, as well as the properties of the transmission lines connecting these to the preamplifier, have direct consequences for NMR probe sensitivity and as for the optimum delivery of rf power to the sample. In addition, tuning/matching conditions influence radiation damping effects, which manifest themselves as fast signal flip-back and line broadening effects, and can lead to concentration-dependent frequency shifts. Previous studies have also shown that the appearance of spin-noise and absorbed circuit noise signals heavily depended on tuning settings. Consequently, all these phenomena are linked together. The mutual connections and interdependences of these effects are highlighted and reviewed here. PMID:25505374

Signal enhancement in protein NMR using the spin-noise tuning optimum

PubMed Central

Nausner, Martin; Goger, Michael; Bendet-Taicher, Eli; Schlagnitweit, Judith

2010-01-01

We have assessed the potential of an alternative probe tuning strategy based on the spin-noise response for application in common high-resolution multi-dimensional biomolecular NMR experiments with water signal suppression on aqueous and salty samples. The method requires the adjustment of the optimal tuning condition, which may be offset by several 100 kHz from the conventional tuning settings using the noise response of the water protons as an indicator. Although the radio frequency-pulse durations are typically longer under such conditions, signal-to-noise gains of up to 22% were achieved. At salt concentrations up to 100 mM a substantial sensitivity gain was observed. PMID:20924647

The effect of cavity tuning on oxygen beam currents of an A-ECR type 14 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion source

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

Tarvainen, O., E-mail: olli.tarvainen@jyu.fi; Orpana, J.; Kronholm, R.

2016-09-15

The efficiency of the microwave-plasma coupling plays a significant role in the production of highly charged ion beams with electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (ECRISs). The coupling properties are affected by the mechanical design of the ion source plasma chamber and microwave launching system, as well as damping of the microwave electric field by the plasma. Several experiments attempting to optimize the microwave-plasma coupling characteristics by fine-tuning the frequency of the injected microwaves have been conducted with varying degrees of success. The inherent difficulty in interpretation of the frequency tuning results is that the effects of microwave coupling system andmore » the cavity behavior of the plasma chamber cannot be separated. A preferable approach to study the effect of the cavity properties of the plasma chamber on extracted beam currents is to adjust the cavity dimensions. The results of such cavity tuning experiments conducted with the JYFL 14 GHz ECRIS are reported here. The cavity properties were adjusted by inserting a conducting tuner rod axially into the plasma chamber. The extracted beam currents of oxygen charge states O{sup 3+}–O{sup 7+} were recorded at various tuner positions and frequencies in the range of 14.00–14.15 GHz. It was observed that the tuner position affects the beam currents of high charge state ions up to several tens of percent. In particular, it was found that at some tuner position / frequency combinations the plasma exhibited “mode-hopping” between two operating regimes. The results improve the understanding of the role of plasma chamber cavity properties on ECRIS performances.« less

Optimal placement of tuning masses on truss structures by genetic algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ponslet, Eric; Haftka, Raphael T.; Cudney, Harley H.

1993-01-01

Optimal placement of tuning masses, actuators and other peripherals on large space structures is a combinatorial optimization problem. This paper surveys several techniques for solving this problem. The genetic algorithm approach to the solution of the placement problem is described in detail. An example of minimizing the difference between the two lowest frequencies of a laboratory truss by adding tuning masses is used for demonstrating some of the advantages of genetic algorithms. The relative efficiencies of different codings are compared using the results of a large number of optimization runs.

Optical frequency up-conversion by supercontinuum-free widely-tunable fiber-optic Cherenkov radiation

PubMed Central

Tu, Haohua; Boppart, Stephen A.

2010-01-01

Spectrally-isolated narrowband Cherenkov radiation from commercial nonlinear photonic crystal fibers is demonstrated as an ultrafast optical source with a visible tuning range of 485–690 nm, which complementarily extends the near-infrared tuning range of 690–1020 nm from the corresponding femtosecond Ti:sapphire pump laser. Pump-to-signal conversion efficiency routinely surpasses 10%, enabling multimilliwatt visible output across the entire tuning range. Appropriate selection of fiber parameters and pumping conditions efficiently suppresses the supercontinuum generation typically associated with Cherenkov radiation. PMID:19506636

Quartz tuning fork-based frequency modulation atomic force spectroscopy and microscopy with all digital phase-locked loop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, Sangmin; Hong, Mun-heon; Kim, Jongwoo; Kwon, Soyoung; Lee, Kunyoung; Lee, Manhee; Jhe, Wonho

2012-11-01

We present a platform for the quartz tuning fork (QTF)-based, frequency modulation atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM) system for quantitative study of the mechanical or topographical properties of nanoscale materials, such as the nano-sized water bridge formed between the quartz tip (˜100 nm curvature) and the mica substrate. A thermally stable, all digital phase-locked loop is used to detect the small frequency shift of the QTF signal resulting from the nanomaterial-mediated interactions. The proposed and demonstrated novel FM-AFM technique provides high experimental sensitivity in the measurement of the viscoelastic forces associated with the confined nano-water meniscus, short response time, and insensitivity to amplitude noise, which are essential for precision dynamic force spectroscopy and microscopy.

Quartz tuning fork-based frequency modulation atomic force spectroscopy and microscopy with all digital phase-locked loop.

PubMed

An, Sangmin; Hong, Mun-heon; Kim, Jongwoo; Kwon, Soyoung; Lee, Kunyoung; Lee, Manhee; Jhe, Wonho

2012-11-01

We present a platform for the quartz tuning fork (QTF)-based, frequency modulation atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM) system for quantitative study of the mechanical or topographical properties of nanoscale materials, such as the nano-sized water bridge formed between the quartz tip (~100 nm curvature) and the mica substrate. A thermally stable, all digital phase-locked loop is used to detect the small frequency shift of the QTF signal resulting from the nanomaterial-mediated interactions. The proposed and demonstrated novel FM-AFM technique provides high experimental sensitivity in the measurement of the viscoelastic forces associated with the confined nano-water meniscus, short response time, and insensitivity to amplitude noise, which are essential for precision dynamic force spectroscopy and microscopy.

High-energy terahertz wave parametric oscillator with a surface-emitted ring-cavity configuration.

PubMed

Yang, Zhen; Wang, Yuye; Xu, Degang; Xu, Wentao; Duan, Pan; Yan, Chao; Tang, Longhuang; Yao, Jianquan

2016-05-15

A surface-emitted ring-cavity terahertz (THz) wave parametric oscillator has been demonstrated for high-energy THz output and fast frequency tuning in a wide frequency range. Through the special optical design with a galvano-optical scanner and four-mirror ring-cavity structure, the maximum THz wave output energy of 12.9 μJ/pulse is achieved at 1.359 THz under the pump energy of 172.8 mJ. The fast THz frequency tuning in the range of 0.7-2.8 THz can be accessed with the step response of 600 μs. Moreover, the maximum THz wave output energy from this configuration is 3.29 times as large as that obtained from the conventional surface-emitted THz wave parametric oscillator with the same experimental conditions.

The use of acoustically tuned resonators to improve the sound transmission loss of double-panel partitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mason, J. M.; Fahy, F. J.

1988-07-01

Double-leaf partitions are often utilized in situations requiring low weight structures with high transmission loss, an example of current interest being the fuselage walls of propeller-driven aircraft. In this case, acoustic excitation is periodic and, if one of the frequencies of excitation lies in the region of the fundamental mass-air-mass frequency of the partition, insulation performance is considerably less than desired. The potential effectiveness of tuned Helmholtz resonators connected to the partition cavity is investigated as a method of improving transmission loss. This is demonstrated by a simple theoretical model and then experimentally verified. Results show that substantial improvements may be obtained at and around the mass-air-mass frequency for a total resonator volume 15 percent of the cavity volume.

How Sharp Does a "Knife Edge" Have to Be?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dietz, Eric R.; Gash, Philip W.

1994-01-01

Describes an experiment designed to help understand the effect of the curvature of the laboratory equipment support (cylindrical rod instead of knife-edge) on the frequency of oscillation of pendula. (ZWH)

Classification of epileptiform and wicket spike of EEG pattern using backpropagation neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puspita, Juni Wijayanti; Jaya, Agus Indra; Gunadharma, Suryani

2017-03-01

Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures that is resulted by permanent brain abnormalities. One of tools to support the diagnosis of epilepsy is Electroencephalograph (EEG), which describes the recording of brain electrical activity. Abnormal EEG patterns in epilepsy patients consist of Spike and Sharp waves. While both waves, there is a normal pattern that sometimes misinterpreted as epileptiform by electroenchepalographer (EEGer), namely Wicket Spike. The main difference of the three waves are on the time duration that related to the frequency. In this study, we proposed a method to classify a EEG wave into Sharp wave, Spike wave or Wicket spike group using Backpropagation Neural Network based on the frequency and amplitude of each wave. The results show that the proposed method can classifies the three group of waves with good accuracy.

Whistling Tea Kettles, Train Whistles, and Organ Pipes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greenslade, Thomas B., Jr.

2016-01-01

The object on the right-hand side of Fig. 1 is the whistling mechanism of an old-fashioned tea kettle. This started me thinking about similar devices in which a thin blade of air strikes a sharp wedge and a resonator is used to pick out specific frequencies. This note tells how I went about using the frequency spectrum application on a smartphone…

Design of High Performance Microstrip LPF with Analytical Transfer Function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mousavi, Seyed Mohammad Hadi; Raziani, Saeed; Falihi, Ali

2017-12-01

By exploiting butterfly and T-shaped resonators, a new design of microstrip lowpass filter (LPF) is proposed and analyzed. The LPF is investigated in four sections. Analyzing initial resonator and its equation in detail, providing a sharp skirt by using series configuration, suppressing in middle frequencies and suppressing in high frequencies are focused in each section, respectively. To present a theoretical design, LC equivalent circuit and transfer function are precisely calculated. The measured insertion loss of the LPF is less that 0.4 dB in frequency range from DC up to 1.25 GHz, and the return loss is better than 16 dB. A narrow transition band of 217 MHz and a roll-off rate of 170.5 dB /GHz are indicative of a sharp skirt. By utilizing T-shaped and modified T-shaped resonators in the third and fourth sections, respectively, a relative stopband bandwidth (RSB) of 166 % is obtained. Furthermore, the proposed LPF occupies a small circuit of 0.116{λ _g} × 0.141{λ _g}, where {λ _g} is the guided wavelength at cut-off frequency (1.495 GHz). Finally, the proposed LPF is fabricated and the measured results agree well with the simulated ones.

Tuning of successively scanned two monolithic Vernier-tuned lasers and selective data sampling in optical comb swept source optical coherence tomography

PubMed Central

Choi, Dong-hak; Yoshimura, Reiko; Ohbayashi, Kohji

2013-01-01

Monolithic Vernier tuned super-structure grating distributed Bragg reflector (SSG-DBR) lasers are expected to become one of the most promising sources for swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) with a long coherence length, reduced sensitivity roll-off, and potential capability for a very fast A-scan rate. However, previous implementations of the lasers suffer from four main problems: 1) frequencies deviate from the targeted values when scanned, 2) large amounts of noise appear associated with abrupt changes in injection currents, 3) optically aliased noise appears due to a long coherence length, and 4) the narrow wavelength coverage of a single chip limits resolution. We have developed a method of dynamical frequency tuning, a method of selective data sampling to eliminate current switching noise, an interferometer to reduce aliased noise, and an excess-noise-free connection of two serially scanned lasers to enhance resolution to solve these problems. An optical frequency comb SS-OCT system was achieved with a sensitivity of 124 dB and a dynamic range of 55-72 dB that depended on the depth at an A-scan rate of 3.1 kHz with a resolution of 15 μm by discretely scanning two SSG-DBR lasers, i.e., L-band (1.560-1.599 μm) and UL-band (1.598-1.640 μm). A few OCT images with excellent image penetration depth were obtained. PMID:24409394

Performance of a Single Liquid Column Damper for the Control of Dynamic Responses of a Tension Leg Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaksic, V.; Wright, C.; Chanayil, Afeef; Faruque Ali, Shaikh; Murphy, Jimmy; Pakrashi, Vikram

2015-07-01

Tuned liquid column dampers have been proved to be successful in mitigating the dynamic responses of civil infrastructure. There have been some recent applications of this concept on wind turbines and this passive control system can help to mitigate responses of offshore floating platforms and wave devices. The control of dynamic responses of these devices is important for reducing loads on structural elements and facilitating operations and maintenance (O&M) activities. This paper outlines the use of a tuned single liquid column damper for the control of a tension leg platform supported wind turbine. Theoretical studies were carried out and a scaled model was tested in a wave basin to assess the performance of the damper. The tests on the model presented in this paper correspond to a platform with a very low natural frequency for surge, sway and yaw motions. For practical purposes, it was not possible to tune the liquid damper exactly to this frequency. The consequent approach taken and the efficiency of such approach are presented in this paper. Responses to waves of a single frequency are investigated along with responses obtained from wave spectra characterising typical sea states. The extent of control is quantified using peak and root mean squared dynamic responses respectively. The tests present some guidelines and challenges for testing scaled devices in relation to including response control mechanisms. Additionally, the results provide a basis for dictating future research on tuned liquid column damper based control on floating platforms.

Performance Enhancement of Tunable Bandpass Filters Using Selective Etched Ferroelectric Thin Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miranda, Felix A.; Mueller, Carl H.; VanKeuls, Fred W.; Subramanyam, Guru; Vignesparamoorthy, Sivaruban

2003-01-01

The inclusion of voltage-tunable barium strontium titanate (BSTO) thin films into planar band pass filters offers tremendous potential to increase their versatility. The ability to tune the passband so as to correct for minor deviations in manufacturing tolerances, or to completely reconfigure the operating frequencies of a microwave communication system, are highly sought-after goals. However, use of ferroelectric films in these devices results in higher dielectric losses, which in turn increase the insertion loss and decrease the quality factors of the filters. This study explores the use of patterned ferroelectric layers to minimize dielectric losses without degrading tunability. Patterning the ferroelectric layers enables us to constrict the width of the ferroelectric layers between the coupled microstrip lines, and minimize losses due to ferroelectric layers. Coupled one-pole microstrip bandpass filters with fundamental resonances at approx. 7.2 GHz and well defined harmonic resonances at approx. 14.4 and approx. 21.6 GHz, were designed, simulated and tested. For one of the filters, experimental results verified that its center frequency was tunable by 528 MHz at a center frequency of 21.957 GHz, with insertion losses varying from 4.3 to 2.5 dB, at 0 and 3.5 V/micron, respectively. These data demonstrate that the tuning-to-loss figure of merit of tunable microstrip filters can be greatly improved using patterned ferroelectric thin films as the tuning element, and tuning can be controlled by engineering the ferroelectric constriction in the coupled sections.

Design of multiplier-less sharp transition width non-uniform filter banks using gravitational search algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bindiya T., S.; Elias, Elizabeth

2015-01-01

In this paper, multiplier-less near-perfect reconstruction tree-structured filter banks are proposed. Filters with sharp transition width are preferred in filter banks in order to reduce the aliasing between adjacent channels. When sharp transition width filters are designed as conventional finite impulse response filters, the order of the filters will become very high leading to increased complexity. The frequency response masking (FRM) method is known to result in linear-phase sharp transition width filters with low complexity. It is found that the proposed design method, which is based on FRM, gives better results compared to the earlier reported results, in terms of the number of multipliers when sharp transition width filter banks are needed. To further reduce the complexity and power consumption, the tree-structured filter bank is made totally multiplier-less by converting the continuous filter bank coefficients to finite precision coefficients in the signed power of two space. This may lead to performance degradation and calls for the use of a suitable optimisation technique. In this paper, gravitational search algorithm is proposed to be used in the design of the multiplier-less tree-structured uniform as well as non-uniform filter banks. This design method results in uniform and non-uniform filter banks which are simple, alias-free, linear phase and multiplier-less and have sharp transition width.

Robust interferometric frequency lock between cw lasers and optical frequency combs.

PubMed

Benkler, Erik; Rohde, Felix; Telle, Harald R

2013-02-15

A transfer interferometer is presented which establishes a versatile and robust optical frequency locking link between a tunable single frequency laser and an optical frequency comb. It enables agile and continuous tuning of the frequency difference between both lasers while fluctuations and drift effects of the transfer interferometer itself are widely eliminated via common mode rejection. Experimental results will be presented for a tunable extended-cavity 1.5 μm laser diode locked to an Er-fiber based frequency comb.

Model-based auralizations of violin sound trends accompanying plate-bridge tuning or holding.

PubMed

Bissinger, George; Mores, Robert

2015-04-01

To expose systematic trends in violin sound accompanying "tuning" only the plates or only the bridge, the first structural acoustics-based model auralizations of violin sound were created by passing a bowed-string driving force measured at the bridge of a solid body violin through the dynamic filter (DF) model radiativity profile "filter" RDF(f) (frequency-dependent pressure per unit driving force, free-free suspension, anechoic chamber). DF model auralizations for the more realistic case of a violin held/played in a reverberant auditorium reveal that holding the violin greatly diminishes its low frequency response, an effect only weakly compensated for by auditorium reverberation.

Orientation tuning of binocular summation: a comparison of colour to achromatic contrast

PubMed Central

Gheiratmand, Mina; Cherniawsky, Avital S.; Mullen, Kathy T.

2016-01-01

A key function of the primary visual cortex is to combine the input from the two eyes into a unified binocular percept. At low, near threshold, contrasts a process of summation occurs if the visual inputs from the two eyes are similar. Here we measure the orientation tuning of binocular summation for chromatic and equivalent achromatic contrast. We derive estimates of orientation tuning by measuring binocular summation as a function of the orientation difference between two sinusoidal gratings presented dichoptically to different eyes. We then use a model to estimate the orientation bandwidth of the neural detectors underlying the binocular combination. We find that orientation bandwidths are similar for chromatic and achromatic stimuli at both low (0.375 c/deg) and mid (1.5 c/deg) spatial frequencies, with an overall average of 29 ± 3 degs (HWHH, s.e.m). This effect occurs despite the overall greater binocular summation found for the low spatial frequency chromatic stimuli. These results suggest that similar, oriented processes underlie both chromatic and achromatic binocular contrast combination. The non-oriented detection process found in colour vision at low spatial frequencies under monocular viewing is not evident at the binocular combination stage. PMID:27168119

An Agile Beam Transmit Array Using Coupled Oscillator Phase Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pogorzelski, Ronald S.; Scaramastra, Rocco P.; Huang, John; Beckon, Robert J.; Petree, Steve M.; Chavez, Cosme

1993-01-01

A few years ago York and colleagues suggested that injection locking of voltage controlled oscillators could be used to implement beam steering in a phased array [I]. The scheme makes use of the fact that when an oscillator is injection locked to an external signal, the phase difference between the output of the oscillator and the injection signal is governed by the difference between the injection frequency and the free running frequency of the oscillator (the frequency to which the oscillator is tuned). Thus, if voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) are used, this phase difference is controlled by an applied voltage. Now, if a set of such oscillators are coupled to nearest neighbors, they can be made to mutually injection lock and oscillate as an ensemble. If they are all tuned to the same frequency, they will all oscillate in phase. Thus, if the outputs are connected to radiating elements forming a linear array, the antenna will radiate normal to the line of elements. Scanning is accomplished by antisymmetrically detuning the end oscillators in the array by application of a pair of appropriate voltages to their tuning ports. This results in a linear phase progression across the array which is just the phasing required to scan the beam. The scan angle is determined by the degree of detuning. We have constructed a seven element one dimensional agile beam array at S-band based on the above principle. Although, a few such arrays have been built in the past, this array possesses two unique features. First, the VCO MMICs have buffer amplifiers which isolate the output from the tuning circuit, and second, the oscillators are weakly coupled to each other at their resonant circuits rather than their outputs. This results in a convenient isolation between the oscillator array design and the radiating aperture design. An important parameter in the design is the so called coupling phase which determines the phase shift of the signals passing from one oscillator to its neighbors. Using this array, we have been able to verify the theoretical predictions concerning the effect of this phase on both the locking range and ensemble frequency of the array. However, the scan range achieved fell somewhat short of the theoretical value because of the amplitude variation of the oscillator outputs with tuning.

A multiple degree of freedom electromechanical Helmholtz resonator.

PubMed

Liu, Fei; Horowitz, Stephen; Nishida, Toshikazu; Cattafesta, Louis; Sheplak, Mark

2007-07-01

The development of a tunable, multiple degree of freedom (MDOF) electromechanical Helmholtz resonator (EMHR) is presented. An EMHR consists of an orifice, backing cavity, and a compliant piezoelectric composite diaphragm. Electromechanical tuning of the acoustic impedance is achieved via passive electrical networks shunted across the piezoceramic. For resistive and capacitive loads, the EMHR is a 2DOF system possessing one acoustic and one mechanical DOF. When inductive ladder networks are employed, multiple electrical DOF are added. The dynamics of the multi-energy domain system are modeled using lumped elements and are represented in an equivalent electrical circuit, which is used to analyze the tunable acoustic input impedance of the EMHR. The two-microphone method is used to measure the acoustic impedance of two EMHR designs with a variety of resistive, capacitive, and inductive shunts. For the first design, the data demonstrate that the tuning range of the second resonant frequency for an EMHR with non-inductive shunts is limited by short- and open-circuit conditions, while an inductive shunt results in a 3DOF system possessing an enhanced tuning range. The second design achieves stronger coupling between the Helmholtz resonator and the piezoelectric backplate, and both resonant frequencies can be tuned with different non-inductive loads.

Compact spectrometer for precision studies of multimode behavior in an extended-cavity diode laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roach, Timothy; Golemi, Josian; Krueger, Thomas

2016-05-01

We have built a compact, inexpensive, high-precision spectrometer and used it to investigate the tuning behavior of a grating stabilized extended-cavity diode laser (ECDL). A common ECDL design uses a laser chip with an uncoated (partially reflecting) front facet, and the laser output exhibits a complicated pattern of mode hops as the frequency is tuned, in some cases even showing chaotic dynamics. Our grating spectrometer (based on a design by White & Scholten) monitors a span of 4000 GHz (8 nm at 780 nm) with a linewidth of 3 GHz, which with line-splitting gives a precision of 0.02 GHz in determining the frequency of a laser mode. We have studied multimode operation of the ECDL, tracking two or three simultaneous chip cavity modes (spacing ~ 30 GHz) during tuning via current or piezo control of the external cavity. Simultaneous output on adjacent external cavity modes (spacing ~ 5 GHz) is monitored by measuring an increase in the spectral linewidth. Computer-control of the spectrometer (for line-fitting and averaging) and of the ECDL (electronic tuning) allows rapid collection of spectral data sets, which we will use to test mathematical simulation models of the non-linear laser cavity interactions.

Single-particle dynamics in a nonlinear accelerator lattice: attaining a large tune spread with octupoles in IOTA

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

Antipov, S. A.; Nagaitsev, S.; Valishev, A.

2017-04-01

Fermilab is constructing the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) as the centerpiece of the Accelerator R&D Program towards high-intensity circular machines. One of the factors limiting the beam intensity in present circular accelerators is collective instabilities, which can be suppressed by a spread of betatron frequencies (tunes) through the Landau damping mechanism or by an external damper, if the instability is slow enough. The spread is usually created by octupole magnets, which introduce the tune dependence on the amplitude and, in some cases, by a chromatic spread (tune dependence on particle's momentum). The introduction of octupoles usually lead to amore » resonant behavior and a reduction of the dynamic aperture. One of the goals of the IOTA research program is to achieve a high betatron tune spread, while retaining a large dynamic aperture using conventional octupole magnets in a special but realistic accelerator configuration. In this report, we present results of computer simulations of an electron beam in the IOTA by particle tracking and the Frequency Map Analysis. The results show that the ring's octupole magnets can be configured to provide a betatron tune shift of 0.08 (for particles at large amplitudes) with the dynamical aperture of over 20 beam sigma for a 150-MeV electron beam. The influence of the synchrotron motion, lattice errors, and magnet imperfections is insignificant for the parameters and levels of tolerances set by the design of the ring. The described octupole insert could be beneficial for suppression of space-charge induced instabilities in high intensity machines.« less

Anticorrelated Emission of High Harmonics and Fast Electron Beams From Plasma Mirrors.

PubMed

Bocoum, Maïmouna; Thévenet, Maxence; Böhle, Frederik; Beaurepaire, Benoît; Vernier, Aline; Jullien, Aurélie; Faure, Jérôme; Lopez-Martens, Rodrigo

2016-05-06

We report for the first time on the anticorrelated emission of high-order harmonics and energetic electron beams from a solid-density plasma with a sharp vacuum interface-plasma mirror-driven by an intense ultrashort laser pulse. We highlight the key role played by the nanoscale structure of the plasma surface during the interaction by measuring the spatial and spectral properties of harmonics and electron beams emitted by a plasma mirror. We show that the nanoscale behavior of the plasma mirror can be controlled by tuning the scale length of the electron density gradient, which is measured in situ using spatial-domain interferometry.

Manipulation of nanoparticles of different shapes inside a scanning electron microscope

PubMed Central

Polyakov, Boris; Dorogin, Leonid M; Butikova, Jelena; Antsov, Mikk; Oras, Sven; Lõhmus, Rünno; Kink, Ilmar

2014-01-01

Summary In this work polyhedron-like gold and sphere-like silver nanoparticles (NPs) were manipulated on an oxidized Si substrate to study the dependence of the static friction and the contact area on the particle geometry. Measurements were performed inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM) that was equipped with a high-precision XYZ-nanomanipulator. To register the occurring forces a quartz tuning fork (QTF) with a glued sharp probe was used. Contact areas and static friction forces were calculated by using different models and compared with the experimentally measured force. The effect of NP morphology on the nanoscale friction is discussed. PMID:24605279

Temporal-frequency tuning of cross-orientation suppression in the cat striate cortex.

PubMed

Allison, J D; Smith, K R; Bonds, A B

2001-01-01

A sinusoidal mask grating oriented orthogonally to and superimposed onto an optimally oriented base grating reduces a cortical neuron's response amplitude. The spatial selectivity of cross-orientation suppression (XOR) has been described, so for this paper we investigated the temporal properties of XOR. We recorded from single striate cortical neurons (n = 72) in anesthetized and paralyzed cats. After quantifying the spatial and temporal characteristics of each cell's excitatory response to a base grating, we measured the temporal-frequency tuning of XOR by systematically varying the temporal frequency of a mask grating placed at a null orientation outside of the cell's excitatory orientation domain. The average preferred temporal frequency of the excitatory response of the neurons in our sample was 3.8 (+/- 1.5 S.D.) Hz. The average cutoff frequency for the sample was 16.3 (+/- 1.7) Hz. The average preferred temporal frequency (7.0 +/- 2.6 Hz) and cutoff frequency (20.4 +/- 6.9 Hz) of the XOR were significantly higher. The differences averaged 1.1 (+/- 0.6) octaves for the peaks and 0.3 (+/- 0.4) octaves for the cutoffs. The XOR mechanism's preference for high temporal frequencies suggests a possible extrastriate origin for the effect and could help explain the low-pass temporal-frequency response profile displayed by most striate cortical neurons.

An experimental system for the study of active vibration control - Development and modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Batta, George R.; Chen, Anning

A modular rotational vibration system designed to facilitate the study of active control of vibrating systems is discussed. The model error associated with four common types of identification problems has been studied. The general multiplicative uncertainty shape for a vibration system is small in low frequencies, large at high frequencies. The frequency-domain error function has sharp peaks near the frequency of each mode. The inability to identify a high-frequency mode causes an increase of uncertainties at all frequencies. Missing a low-frequency mode causes the uncertainties to be much larger at all frequencies than missing a high-frequency mode. Hysteresis causes a small increase of uncertainty at low frequencies, but its overall effect is relatively small.

Multi-frequency modes in superconducting resonators: Bridging frequency gaps in off-resonant couplings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andersen, Christian Kraglund; Mølmer, Klaus

2015-03-01

A SQUID inserted in a superconducting waveguide resonator imposes current and voltage boundary conditions that makes it suitable as a tuning element for the resonator modes. If such a SQUID element is subject to a periodically varying magnetic flux, the resonator modes acquire frequency side bands. We calculate the multi-frequency eigenmodes and these can couple resonantly to physical systems with different transition frequencies and this makes the resonator an efficient quantum bus for state transfer and coherent quantum operations in hybrid quantum systems. As an example of the application, we determine their coupling to transmon qubits with different frequencies and we present a bi-chromatic scheme for entanglement and gate operations. In this calculation, we obtain a maximally entangled state with a fidelity F = 95 % . Our proposal is competitive with the achievements of other entanglement-gates with superconducting devices and it may offer some advantages: (i) There is no need for additional control lines and dephasing associated with the conventional frequency tuning of qubits. (ii) When our qubits are idle, they are far detuned with respect to each other and to the resonator, and hence they are immune to cross talk and Purcell-enhanced decay.

Nonlinear Acoustic Experiments Involving Landmine Detection: Connections with Mesoscopic Elasticity and Slow Dynamics in Geomaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korman, Murray S.; Sabatier, James M.

2006-05-01

The vibration interaction between the top-plate of a buried VS 2.2 plastic, anti-tank landmine and the soil above it appears to exhibit similar characteristics to the nonlinear mesoscopic/nanoscale effects that are observed in geomaterials like rocks or granular materials. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 116, 3354-3369 (2004)]. When airborne sound at two primary frequencies f1 and f2 (closely spaced near resonance) undergo acoustic-to-seismic coupling, (A/S), interactions with the mine and soil generate combination frequencies | n f1 ± m f2 | which affect the surface vibration velocity. Profiles at f1, f2, f1 -(f2 - f1) and f2 +(f2 - f1) exhibit single peaks whereas other combination frequencies may involve higher order modes. A family of increasing amplitude tuning curves, involving the surface vibration over the landmine, exhibits a linear relationship between the peak particle velocity and corresponding resonant frequency. Subsequent decreasing amplitude tuning curves exhibit hysteresis effects. New experiments for a buried VS 1.6 anti-tank landmine and a "plastic drum head" mine simulant behave similarly. Slow dynamics explains the amplitude difference in tuning curves for first sweeping upward and then downward through resonance, provided the soil modulus drops after periods of high strain. [Support by U.S. Army RDECOM CERDEC, NVESD, Fort Belvoir, VA.

A New Approach to Identify Optimal Properties of Shunting Elements for Maximum Damping of Structural Vibration Using Piezoelectric Patches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, Junhong; Palumbo, Daniel L.

2004-01-01

The use of shunted piezoelectric patches in reducing vibration and sound radiation of structures has several advantages over passive viscoelastic elements, e.g., lower weight with increased controllability. The performance of the piezoelectric patches depends on the shunting electronics that are designed to dissipate vibration energy through a resistive element. In past efforts most of the proposed tuning methods were based on modal properties of the structure. In these cases, the tuning applies only to one mode of interest and maximum tuning is limited to invariant points when based on den Hartog's invariant points concept. In this study, a design method based on the wave propagation approach is proposed. Optimal tuning is investigated depending on the dynamic and geometric properties that include effects from boundary conditions and position of the shunted piezoelectric patch relative to the structure. Active filters are proposed as shunting electronics to implement the tuning criteria. The developed tuning methods resulted in superior capabilities in minimizing structural vibration and noise radiation compared to other tuning methods. The tuned circuits are relatively insensitive to changes in modal properties and boundary conditions, and can applied to frequency ranges in which multiple modes have effects.

Modal analysis using a Fourier analyzer, curve-fitting, and modal tuning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Craig, R. R., Jr.; Chung, Y. T.

1981-01-01

The proposed modal test program differs from single-input methods in that preliminary data may be acquired using multiple inputs, and modal tuning procedures may be employed to define closely spaced frquency modes more accurately or to make use of frequency response functions (FRF's) which are based on several input locations. In some respects the proposed modal test proram resembles earlier sine-sweep and sine-dwell testing in that broadband FRF's are acquired using several input locations, and tuning is employed to refine the modal parameter estimates. The major tasks performed in the proposed modal test program are outlined. Data acquisition and FFT processing, curve fitting, and modal tuning phases are described and examples are given to illustrate and evaluate them.

Storage and on-demand release of microwaves using superconducting resonators with tunable coupling

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

Pierre, Mathieu, E-mail: mathieu.pierre@lncmi.cnrs.fr; Svensson, Ida-Maria; Raman Sathyamoorthy, Sankar

2014-06-09

We present a system which allows to tune the coupling between a superconducting resonator and a transmission line. This storage resonator is addressed through a second, coupling resonator, which is frequency-tunable and controlled by a magnetic flux applied to a superconducting quantum interference device. We experimentally demonstrate that the lifetime of the storage resonator can be tuned by more than three orders of magnitude. A field can be stored for 18 μs when the coupling resonator is tuned off resonance and it can be released in 14 ns when the coupling resonator is tuned on resonance. The device allows capture, storage, andmore » on-demand release of microwaves at a tunable rate.« less

Beam energy tracking system on Optima XEx high energy ion implanter

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

David, Jonathan; Satoh, Shu; Wu Xiangyang

2012-11-06

The Axcelis Optima XEx high energy implanter is an RF linac-based implanter with 12 RF resonators for beam acceleration. Even though each acceleration field is an alternating, sinusoidal RF field, the well known phase-focusing principle produces a beam with a sharp quasi-monoenergetic energy spectrum. A magnetic energy filter after the linac further attenuates the low energy continuum in the energy spectrum often associated with RF acceleration. The final beam energy is a function of the phase and amplitude of the 12 resonators in the linac. When tuning a beam, the magnetic energy filter is set to the desired energy, andmore » each linac parameter is tuned to maximize the transmission through the filter. Once a beam is set up, all the parameters are stored in a recipe, which can be easily tuned and has proven to be quite repeatable. The magnetic field setting of the energy filter selects the beam energy from the RF Linac accelerator, and in-situ verification of beam energy in addition to the magnetic energy filter setting has long been desired. An independent energy tracking system was developed for this purpose, using the existing electrostatic beam scanner as a deflector to construct an in-situ electrostatic energy analyzer. This paper will describe the system and performance of the beam energy tracking system.« less

Adiabatic passage of radio-frequency-assisted Förster resonances in Rydberg atoms for two-qubit gates and the generation of Bell states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beterov, I. I.; Hamzina, G. N.; Yakshina, E. A.; Tretyakov, D. B.; Entin, V. M.; Ryabtsev, I. I.

2018-03-01

High-fidelity entangled Bell states are of great interest in quantum physics. Entanglement of ultracold neutral atoms in two spatially separated optical dipole traps is promising for implementation of quantum computing and quantum simulation and for investigation of Bell states of material objects. We propose a method to entangle two atoms via long-range Rydberg-Rydberg interaction. Alternative to previous approaches, based on Rydberg blockade, we consider radio-frequency-assisted Stark-tuned Förster resonances in Rb Rydberg atoms. To reduce the sensitivity of the fidelity of Bell states to the fluctuations of interatomic distance, we propose to use the double adiabatic passage across the radio-frequency-assisted Stark-tuned Förster resonances, which results in a deterministic phase shift of the collective two-atom state.

Coherent detection of THz laser signals in optical fiber systems.

PubMed

Folland, Thomas G; Marshall, Owen P; Beere, Harvey E; Ritchie, David A; Chakraborty, Subhasish

2017-10-16

Terahertz (THz) coherent detectors are crucial for the stabilization and measurement of the properties of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). This paper describes the exploitation of intra-cavity sum frequency generation to up-convert the emission of a THz QCL to the near infrared for detection with fiber optic coupled components alone. Specifically, a low cost infrared photodiode is used to detect a radio frequency (RF) signal with a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 20dB, generated by beating the up-converted THz wave and a near infrared local oscillator. This RF beat note allows direct analysis of the THz QCL emission in time and frequency domains. The application of this technique for QCL characterization is demonstrated by analyzing the continuous tuning of the RF signal over 2 GHz, which arises from mode tuning across the QCL's operational current range.

Light trapping and circularly polarization at a Dirac point in 2D plasma photonic crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Qian; Hu, Lei; Mao, Qiuping; Jiang, Haiming; Hu, Zhijia; Xie, Kang; Wei, Zhang

2018-03-01

Light trapping at the Dirac point in 2D plasma photonic crystal has been obtained. The new localized mode, Dirac mode, is attributable to neither photonic bandgap nor total internal reflection. It exhibits a unique algebraic profile and possesses a high-Q factor resonator of about 105. The Dirac point could be modulated by tuning the filling factor, plasma frequency and plasma cyclotron frequency, respectively. When a magnetic field parallel to the wave vector is applied, Dirac modes for right circularly polarized and left circularly polarized waves could be obtained at different frequencies, and the Q factor could be tuned. This property will add more controllability and flexibility to the design and modulation of novel photonic devices. It is also valuable for the possibilities of Dirac modes in photonic crystal containing other kinds of metamaterials.

Microwave Comb Generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sigman, E. H.

1989-01-01

Stable reference tones aid testing and calibration of microwave receivers. Signal generator puts out stable tones in frequency range of 2 to 10 GHz at all multiples of reference input frequency, at any frequency up to 1 MHz. Called "comb generator" because spectral plot resembles comb. DC reverse-bias current switched on and off at 1 MHz to generate sharp pulses in step-recovery diode. Microwave components mounted on back of special connector containing built-in attenuator. Used in testing microwave and spread-spectrum wide-band receivers.

Temporal tuning in the bat auditory cortex is sharper when studied with natural echolocation sequences.

PubMed

Beetz, M Jerome; Hechavarría, Julio C; Kössl, Manfred

2016-06-30

Precise temporal coding is necessary for proper acoustic analysis. However, at cortical level, forward suppression appears to limit the ability of neurons to extract temporal information from natural sound sequences. Here we studied how temporal processing can be maintained in the bats' cortex in the presence of suppression evoked by natural echolocation streams that are relevant to the bats' behavior. We show that cortical neurons tuned to target-distance actually profit from forward suppression induced by natural echolocation sequences. These neurons can more precisely extract target distance information when they are stimulated with natural echolocation sequences than during stimulation with isolated call-echo pairs. We conclude that forward suppression does for time domain tuning what lateral inhibition does for selectivity forms such as auditory frequency tuning and visual orientation tuning. When talking about cortical processing, suppression should be seen as a mechanistic tool rather than a limiting element.

Tuning Metamaterials by using Amorphous Magnetic Microwires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez-Dominguez, Victor; Garcia, Miguel Angel; Marin, Pilar; Hernando, Antonio

Tuning the electromagnetic properties of metamaterials using external stimulus result appealing for both, fundamental and applied reasons. Little work has been developed in the tuning of the properties of a metamaterial by magnetic fields. The main reason relies on the fact that most magnetic materials tale off their response at the microwave band, or they are moderately active only at their Ferromagnetic Resonance, as it is the case of ferrites. These limitations can be overcome using Co-based Magnetic microwires with a quasi-zero magnetostriction that leads to a high permeability at microwave frequencies. The inclusion of magnetic microwires in a metamaterial type Split Ring Resonator array (SRR) allows tuning their electromagnetic properties with low magnetic fields. The results clearly show an effective tune of the S-coefficients up-to 8 dB using 100 microwires per SRR for DC fields between 0 and 20 Oe.

Tuning of active vibration controllers for ACTEX by genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwak, Moon K.; Denoyer, Keith K.

1999-06-01

This paper is concerned with the optimal tuning of digitally programmable analog controllers on the ACTEX-1 smart structures flight experiment. The programmable controllers for each channel include a third order Strain Rate Feedback (SRF) controller, a fifth order SRF controller, a second order Positive Position Feedback (PPF) controller, and a fourth order PPF controller. Optimal manual tuning of several control parameters can be a difficult task even though the closed-loop control characteristics of each controller are well known. Hence, the automatic tuning of individual control parameters using Genetic Algorithms is proposed in this paper. The optimal control parameters of each control law are obtained by imposing a constraint on the closed-loop frequency response functions using the ACTEX mathematical model. The tuned control parameters are then uploaded to the ACTEX electronic control electronics and experiments on the active vibration control are carried out in space. The experimental results on ACTEX will be presented.

[The morphological features of skin wounds inflicted by joinery hand saws designed for different types of sawing].

PubMed

Sarkisian, B A; Azarov, P A

2014-01-01

The objective of the present work was to study the morphological features of skin wounds inflicted by joinery hand saws designed for longitudinal, transverse, and mixed sawing. A total of 60 injuries to the thigh skin inflicted by the recurring and reciprocating saw movements were simulated. The hand saws had 5 mm high "sharp" and "blunt"-tipped teeth. The analysis of the morphological features of the wounds revealed differences in their length and depth, shape of edge cuts and defects, and the relief of the walls depending on the sawtooth sharpness and the mode of sawing. It is concluded that morphological features of the wounds may be used to determine the type of the saw, the sharpness of its teeth, the direction and frequency of its movements.

Overlapping double potential wells in a single optical microtube cavity with vernier-scale-like tuning effect

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

Madani, A.; Schmidt, O. G.; Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, Reichenhainer Str. 70, 09107 Chemnitz

2016-04-25

Spatially and temporally overlapping double potential wells are realized in a hybrid optical microtube cavity due to the coexistence of an aggregate of luminescent quantum dots embedded in the tube wall and the cone-shaped tube's geometry. The double potential wells produce two independent sets of optical modes with different sets of mode numbers, indicating phase velocity separation for the modes overlapping at the same frequency. The overlapping mode position can be tuned by modifying the tube cavity, where these mode sets shift with different magnitudes, allowing for a vernier-scale-like tuning effect.

A Hardware Platform for Tuning of MEMS Devices Using Closed-Loop Frequency Response

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferguson, Michael I.; MacDonald, Eric; Foor, David

2005-01-01

We report on the development of a hardware platform for integrated tuning and closed-loop operation of MEMS gyroscopes. The platform was developed and tested for the second generation JPL/Boeing Post-Resonator MEMS gyroscope. The control of this device is implemented through a digital design on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). A software interface allows the user to configure, calibrate, and tune the bias voltages on the micro-gyro. The interface easily transitions to an embedded solution that allows for the miniaturization of the system to a single chip.

Linking density functional and mode coupling models for supercooled liquids

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

Premkumar, Leishangthem; Bidhoodi, Neeta; Das, Shankar P.

2016-03-28

We compare predictions from two familiar models of the metastable supercooled liquid, respectively, constructed with thermodynamic and dynamic approaches. In the so called density functional theory the free energy F[ρ] of the liquid is a functional of the inhomogeneous density ρ(r). The metastable state is identified as a local minimum of F[ρ]. The sharp density profile characterizing ρ(r) is identified as a single particle oscillator, whose frequency is obtained from the parameters of the optimum density function. On the other hand, a dynamic approach to supercooled liquids is taken in the mode coupling theory (MCT) which predict a sharp ergodicity-non-ergodicitymore » transition at a critical density. The single particle dynamics in the non-ergodic state, treated approximately, represents a propagating mode whose characteristic frequency is computed from the corresponding memory function of the MCT. The mass localization parameters in the above two models (treated in their simplest forms) are obtained, respectively, in terms of the corresponding natural frequencies depicted and are shown to have comparable magnitudes.« less

Objective evaluation of interior noise booming in a passenger car based on sound metrics and artificial neural networks.

PubMed

Lee, Hyun-Ho; Lee, Sang-Kwon

2009-09-01

Booming sound is one of the important sounds in a passenger car. The aim of the paper is to develop the objective evaluation method of interior booming sound. The development method is based on the sound metrics and ANN (artificial neural network). The developed method is called the booming index. Previous work maintained that booming sound quality is related to loudness and sharpness--the sound metrics used in psychoacoustics--and that the booming index is developed by using the loudness and sharpness for a signal within whole frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. In the present paper, the booming sound quality was found to be effectively related to the loudness at frequencies below 200 Hz; thus the booming index is updated by using the loudness of the signal filtered by the low pass filter at frequency under 200 Hz. The relationship between the booming index and sound metric is identified by an ANN. The updated booming index has been successfully applied to the objective evaluation of the booming sound quality of mass-produced passenger cars.

Experimental and numerical investigation of development of disturbances in the boundary layer on sharp and blunted cone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borisov, S. P.; Bountin, D. A.; Gromyko, Yu. V.; Khotyanovsky, D. V.; Kudryavtsev, A. N.

2016-10-01

Development of disturbances in the supersonic boundary layer on sharp and blunted cones is studied both experimentally and theoretically. The experiments were conducted at the Transit-M hypersonic wind tunnel of the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. Linear stability calculations use the basic flow profiles provided by the numerical simulations performed by solving the Navier-Stokes equations with the ANSYS Fluent and the in-house CFS3D code. Both the global pseudospectral Chebyshev method and the local iteration procedure are employed to solve the eigenvalue problem and determine linear stability characteristics. The calculated amplification factors for disturbances of various frequencies are compared with the experimentally measured pressure fluctuation spectra at different streamwise positions. It is shown that the linear stability calculations predict quite accurately the frequency of the most amplified disturbances and enable us to estimate reasonably well their relative amplitudes.

Tuning transport properties on graphene multiterminal structures by mechanical deformations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latge, Andrea; Torres, Vanessa; Faria, Daiara

The realization of mechanical strain on graphene structures is viewed as a promise route to tune electronic and transport properties such as changing energy band-gaps and promoting localization of states. Using continuum models, mechanical deformations are described by effective gauge fields, mirrored as pseudomagnetic fields that may reach quite high values. Interesting symmetry features are developed due to out of plane deformations on graphene; lift sublattice symmetry was predicted and observed in centrosymmetric bumps and strained nanobubbles. Here we discuss the effects of Gaussian-like strain on a hexagonal graphene flake connected to three leads, modeled as perfect graphene nanoribbons. The Green function formalism is used within a tight-binding approximation. For this particular deformation sharp resonant states are achieved depending on the strained structure details. We also study a fold-strained structure in which the three leads are deformed extending up to the very center of the hexagonal flake. We show that conductance suppressions can be controlled by the strain intensity and important transport features are modeled by the electronic band structure of the leads.

Impact of isotopic disorders on thermal transport properties of nanotubes and nanowires

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

Sun, Tao; Kang, Wei; Wang, Jianxiang, E-mail: jxwang@pku.edu.cn

2015-01-21

We present a one-dimensional lattice model to describe thermal transport in isotopically doped nanotubes and nanowires. The thermal conductivities thus predicted, as a function of isotopic concentration, agree well with recent experiments and other simulations. Our results display that for any given concentration of isotopic atoms in a lattice without sharp atomic interfaces, the maximum thermal conductivity is attained when isotopic atoms are placed regularly with an equal space, whereas the minimum is achieved when they are randomly inserted with a uniform distribution. Non-uniformity of disorder can further tune the thermal conductivity between the two values. Moreover, the dependence ofmore » the thermal conductivity on the nanoscale feature size becomes weak at low temperature when disorder exists. In addition, when self-consistent thermal reservoirs are included to describe diffusive nanomaterials, the thermal conductivities predicted by our model are in line with the results of macroscopic theories with an interfacial effect. Our results suggest that the disorder provides an additional freedom to tune the thermal properties of nanomaterials in many technological applications including nanoelectronics, solid-state lighting, energy conservation, and conversion.« less

Specializations for aerial hawking in the echolocation system of Molossus molossus (Molossidae, Chiroptera).

PubMed

Mora, E C; Macías, S; Vater, M; Coro, F; Kössl, M

2004-07-01

While searching for prey, Molossus molossus broadcasts narrow-band calls of 11.42 ms organized in pairs of pulses that alternate in frequency. The first signal of the pair is at 34.5 kHz, the second at 39.6 kHz. Pairs of calls with changing frequencies were only emitted when the interpulse intervals were below 200 ms. Maximum duty cycles during search phase are close to 20%. Frequency alternation of search calls is interpreted as a mechanism for increasing duty cycle and thus the temporal continuity of scanning, as well as increasing the detection range. A neurophysiological correlate for the processing of search calls was found in the inferior colliculus. 64% of neurons respond to frequencies in the 30- to 40-kHz range and only in this frequency range were closed tuning curves found for levels below 40 dB SPL. In addition, 15% of the neurons have double-tuned frequency-threshold curves with best thresholds at 34 and 39 kHz. Differing from observations in other bats, approach calls of M. molossus are longer and of higher frequencies than search calls. Close to the roost, the call frequency is increased to 45.0-49.8 kHz and, in addition, extremely broadband signals are emitted. This demonstrates high plasticity of call design.

Moments of click-evoked otoacoustic emissions in human ears: group delay and spread, instantaneous frequency and bandwidth.

PubMed

Keefe, Douglas H

2012-11-01

A click-evoked otoacoustic emission (CEOAE) has group delay and spread as first- and second-order temporal moments varying over frequency, and instantaneous frequency and bandwidth as first- and second-order spectral moments varying over time. Energy-smoothed moments were calculated from a CEOAE database over 0.5-15 kHz bandwidth and 0.25-20 ms duration. Group delay and instantaneous frequency were calculated without phase unwrapping using a coherence synchrony measure that accurately classified ears with hearing loss. CEOAE moment measurements were repeatable in individual ears. Group delays were similar for CEOAEs and stimulus-frequency OAEs. Group spread is a frequency-specific measure of temporal spread in an emission, related to spatial spread across tonotopic generation sites along the cochlea. In normal ears, group delay and spread increased with frequency and decreased with level. A direct measure of cochlear tuning above 4 kHz was analyzed using instantaneous frequency and bandwidth. Synchronized spontaneous OAEs were present in most ears below 4 kHz, and confounded interpretation of moments. In ears with sensorineural hearing loss, group delay and spread varied with audiometric classification and amount of hearing loss; group delay differed between older males and females. CEOAE moments reveal clinically relevant information on cochlear tuning in ears with normal and impaired hearing.

Method and apparatus for powering an electrodeless lamp with reduced radio frequency interference

DOEpatents

Simpson, James E.

1999-01-01

An electrodeless lamp waveguide structure includes tuned absorbers for spurious RF signals. A lamp waveguide with an integral frequency selective attenuation includes resonant absorbers positioned within the waveguide to absorb spurious out-of-band RF energy. The absorbers have a negligible effect on energy at the selected frequency used to excite plasma in the lamp. In a first embodiment, one or more thin slabs of lossy magnetic material are affixed to the sidewalls of the waveguide at approximately one quarter wavelength of the spurious signal from an end wall of the waveguide. The positioning of the lossy material optimizes absorption of power from the spurious signal. In a second embodiment, one or more thin slabs of lossy magnetic material are used in conjunction with band rejection waveguide filter elements. In a third embodiment, one or more microstrip filter elements are tuned to the frequency of the spurious signal and positioned within the waveguide to couple and absorb the spurious signal's energy. All three embodiments absorb negligible energy at the selected frequency and so do not significantly diminish the energy efficiency of the lamp.

Method and apparatus for powering an electrodeless lamp with reduced radio frequency interference

DOEpatents

Simpson, J.E.

1999-06-08

An electrodeless lamp waveguide structure includes tuned absorbers for spurious RF signals. A lamp waveguide with an integral frequency selective attenuation includes resonant absorbers positioned within the waveguide to absorb spurious out-of-band RF energy. The absorbers have a negligible effect on energy at the selected frequency used to excite plasma in the lamp. In a first embodiment, one or more thin slabs of lossy magnetic material are affixed to the sidewalls of the waveguide at approximately one quarter wavelength of the spurious signal from an end wall of the waveguide. The positioning of the lossy material optimizes absorption of power from the spurious signal. In a second embodiment, one or more thin slabs of lossy magnetic material are used in conjunction with band rejection waveguide filter elements. In a third embodiment, one or more microstrip filter elements are tuned to the frequency of the spurious signal and positioned within the waveguide to couple and absorb the spurious signal's energy. All three embodiments absorb negligible energy at the selected frequency and so do not significantly diminish the energy efficiency of the lamp. 18 figs.

Arbitrary frequency tunable radio frequency bandpass filter based on nano-patterned Permalloy coplanar waveguide (invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tengxing; Rahman, B. M. Farid; Peng, Yujia; Xia, Tian; Wang, Guoan

2015-05-01

A well designed coplanar waveguide (CPW) based center frequency tunable bandpass filter (BPF) at 4 GHz enabled with patterned Permalloy (Py) thin film has been implemented. The operating frequency of BPF is tunable with only DC current without the use of any external magnetic field. Electromagnetic bandgap resonators structure is adopted in the BPF and thus external DC current can be applied between the input and output of the filter for tuning of Py permeability. Special configurations of resonators with multiple narrow parallel sections have been considered for larger inductance tenability; the tunability of CPW transmission lines of different widths with patterned Py thin film on the top of the signal lines is compared and measured. Py thin film patterned as bars is deposited on the top of the multiple narrow parallel sections of the designed filter. No extra area is required for the designed filter configuration. Filter is measured and results show that its center frequency could be tuned from 4 GHz to 4.02 GHz when the DC current is applied from 0 mA to 400 mA.

Monolithic all-fiber repetition-rate tunable gain-switched single-frequency Yb-doped fiber laser.

PubMed

Hou, Yubin; Zhang, Qian; Qi, Shuxian; Feng, Xian; Wang, Pu

2016-12-12

We report a monolithic gain-switched single-frequency Yb-doped fiber laser with widely tunable repetition rate. The single-frequency laser operation is realized by using an Yb-doped distributed Bragg reflection (DBR) fiber cavity, which is pumped by a commercial-available laser diode (LD) at 974 nm. The LD is electronically modulated by the driving current and the diode output contains both continuous wave (CW) and pulsed components. The CW component is set just below the threshold of the single-frequency fiber laser for reducing the requirement of the pump pulse energy. Above the threshold, the gain-switched oscillation is trigged by the pulsed component of the diode. Single-frequency pulsed laser output is achieved at 1.063 μm with a pulse duration of ~150 ns and a linewidth of 14 MHz. The repetition rate of the laser output can be tuned between 10 kHz and 400 kHz by tuning the electronic trigger signal. This kind of lasers shows potential for the applications in the area of coherent LIDAR etc.

Beam dynamics and electromagnetic studies of a 3 MeV, 325 MHz radio frequency quadrupole accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaur, Rahul; Kumar, Vinit

2018-05-01

We present the beam dynamics and electromagnetic studies of a 3 MeV, 325 MHz H- radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator for the proposed Indian Spallation Neutron Source project. We have followed a design approach, where the emittance growth and the losses are minimized by keeping the tune depression ratio larger than 0.5. The transverse cross-section of RFQ is designed at a frequency lower than the operating frequency, so that the tuners have their nominal position inside the RFQ cavity. This has resulted in an improvement of the tuning range, and the efficiency of tuners to correct the field errors in the RFQ. The vane-tip modulations have been modelled in CST-MWS code, and its effect on the field flatness and the resonant frequency has been studied. The deterioration in the field flatness due to vane-tip modulations is reduced to an acceptable level with the help of tuners. Details of the error study and the higher order mode study along with mode stabilization technique are also described in the paper.

Local field potential spectral tuning in motor cortex during reaching.

PubMed

Heldman, Dustin A; Wang, Wei; Chan, Sherwin S; Moran, Daniel W

2006-06-01

In this paper, intracortical local field potentials (LFPs) and single units were recorded from the motor cortices of monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) while they preformed a standard three-dimensional (3-D) center-out reaching task. During the center-out task, the subjects held their hands at the location of a central target and then reached to one of eight peripheral targets forming the corners of a virtual cube. The spectral amplitudes of the recorded LFPs were calculated, with the high-frequency LFP (HF-LFP) defined as the average spectral amplitude change from baseline from 60 to 200 Hz. A 3-D linear regression across the eight center-out targets revealed that approximately 6% of the beta LFPs (18-26 Hz) and 18% of the HF-LFPs were tuned for velocity (p-value < 0.05), while 10% of the beta LFPs and 15% of the HF-LFPs were tuned for position. These results suggest that a multidegree-of-freedom brain-machine interface is possible using high-frequency LFP recordings in motor cortex.

Optimum design of a novel pounding tuned mass damper under harmonic excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wenxi; Hua, Xugang; Wang, Xiuyong; Chen, Zhengqing; Song, Gangbing

2017-05-01

In this paper, a novel pounding tuned mass damper (PTMD) utilizing pounding damping is proposed to reduce structural vibration by increasing the damping ratio of a lightly damped structure. The pounding boundary covered by viscoelastic material is fixed right next to the tuned mass when the spring-mass system is in the equilibrium position. The dynamic properties of the proposed PTMD, including the natural frequency and the equivalent damping ratio, are derived theoretically. Moreover, the numerical simulation method by using an impact force model to study the PTMD is proposed and validated by pounding experiments. To minimize the maximum dynamic magnification factor under harmonic excitations, an optimum design of the PTMD is developed. Finally, the optimal PTMD is implemented to control a lightly damped frame structure. A comparison of experimental and simulated results reveals that the proposed impact force model can accurately model the pounding force. Furthermore, the proposed PTMD is effective to control the vibration in a wide frequency range, as demonstrated experimentally.

Tunable picosecond infrared pulses generated by stimulated electronic Raman scattering of a mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser in potassium vapor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohde, H.; Lin, S.; Minoh, A.; Shimizu, F. O.; Aono, M.; Suzuki, T.

1996-01-01

A down-conversion to the mid-infrared region by using Stimulated Electronic Raman Scattering (SERS) in potassium vapor is described. The pump radiation is a frequency-doubled regeneratively amplified Ti:Sapphire laser with a pulse duration of 2 ps, pulse energy of 0.2 mJ, and repetition rate of 10 Hz. With the pumping frequency tuned around the potassium 4 s-5 p transition, nearly transform-limited infrared radiation tunable between 2.2 and 3.4 μm has been generated with a peak infrared energy of 12 µJ, corresponding to a quantum efficiency of 17%, and with a pulse duration of 2 ps. The present tuning range could be extended by extending the tuning range of the pump laser. In comparison, intense infrared radiation of 90 µJ energy but with a very narrow tunability around 2.9 μm has also been generated by SERS in barium vapor.

Resonance Frequency Tuning of a Double Ring Resonator in GaInAsP/InP: Experiment and Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabus, Dominik Gerhard; Hamacher, Michael; Heidrich, Helmut

2002-02-01

A racetrack shaped double ring resonator (DRR) filter is demonstrated with radii of 200 μm. The double ring resonator contains two -3 dB multimode interference (MMI) couplers for I/O coupling and a -13 dB codirectional coupler in between the rings. A free spectral range of 50 GHz has been realized. A simulation model has been developed to describe the DRR. As fabrication tolerances do not allow the realization of two identical rings with required nm-circumference accuracy in the resonator, a frequency alignment of the resonator is indispensable. The resonance frequency tuning is performed thermally using platinum resistors which have been placed on top of the waveguides in both rings. An on-off ratio increase has been achieved of more than 3 dB, resulting in a total on-off ratio larger than 18 dB. The frequency alignment is inevitable in the case of multiple coupled micro ring resonators.

Helicopter vibration suppression using simple pendulum absorbers on the rotor blade

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pierce, G. A.; Hanouva, M. N. H.

1982-01-01

A comprehensive anaytical design procedure for the installation of simple pendulums on the blades of a helicopter rotor to suppress the root reactions is presented. A frequency response anaysis is conducted of typical rotor blades excited by a harmonic variation of spanwise airload distributions as well as a concentrated load at the tip. The results presented included the effect of pendulum tuning on the minimization of the hub reactions. It is found that a properly designed flapping pendulum attenuates the root out-of-plane force and moment whereas the optimum designed lead-lag pendulum attenuates the root in-plane reactions. For optimum pendulum tuning the parameters to be determined are the pendulum uncoupled natural frequency, the pendulum spanwise location and its mass. It is found that the optimum pendulum frequency is in the vicinity of the excitation frequency. For the optimum pendulum a parametric study is conducted. The parameters varied include prepitch, pretwist, precone and pendulum hinge offset.

Optically controlled dielectric properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes for terahertz wave applications.

PubMed

Smirnov, Serguei; Anoshkin, Ilya V; Demchenko, Petr; Gomon, Daniel; Lioubtchenko, Dmitri V; Khodzitsky, Mikhail; Oberhammer, Joachim

2018-06-21

Materials with tunable dielectric properties are valuable for a wide range of electronic devices, but are often lossy at terahertz frequencies. Here we experimentally report the tuning of the dielectric properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes under light illumination. The effect is demonstrated by measurements of impedance variations at low frequency as well as complex dielectric constant variations in the wide frequency range of 0.1-1 THz by time domain spectroscopy. We show that the dielectric constant is significantly modified for varying light intensities. The effect is also practically applied to phase shifters based on dielectric rod waveguides, loaded with carbon nanotube layers. The carbon nanotubes are used as tunable impedance surface controlled by light illumination, in the frequency range of 75-500 GHz. These results suggest that the effect of dielectric constant tuning with light, accompanied by low transmission losses of the carbon nanotube layer in such an ultra-wide band, may open up new directions for the design and fabrication of novel Terahertz and optoelectronic devices.

Low frequency cabin noise reduction based on the intrinsic structural tuning concept: The theory and the experimental results, phase 2. [jet aircraft noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sengupta, G.

1978-01-01

Low frequency cabin noise and sonically induced stresses in an aircraft fuselage may be reduced by intrinsic tuning of the various structural members such as the skin, stringers, and frames and then applying damping treatments on these members. The concept is also useful in identifying the key structural resonance mechanisms controlling the fuselage response to broadband random excitation and in developing suitable damping treatments for reducing the structural response in various frequency ranges. The mathematical proof of the concept and the results of some laboratory and field tests on a group of skin-stringer panels are described. In the so-called stiffness-controlled region, the noise transmission may actually be controlled by stiffener resonances, depending upon the relationship between the natural frequencies of the skin bay and the stiffeners. Therefore, cabin noise in the stiffness-controlled region may be effectively reduced by applying damping treatments on the stiffeners.

Towards Breath Gas Analysis Based on Millimeter-Wave Molecular Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rothbart, Nick; Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm; Schmalz, Klaus; Borngräber, Johannes; Kissinger, Dietmar

2018-03-01

Breath gas analysis is a promising non-invasive tool for medical diagnosis as there are thousands of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in human breath that can be used as health monitoring markers. Millimeter-wave/terahertz molecular spectroscopy is highly suitable for breath gas analysis due to unique fingerprint spectra of many VOCs in that frequency range. We present our recent work on sensor systems for gas spectroscopy based on integrated transmitters (TX) and receivers (RX) fabricated in IHP's 0.13 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology. For a single-band system, spectroscopic measurements and beam profiles are presented. The frequency is tuned by direct voltage-frequency tuning and by a fractional-n PLL, respectively. The spectroscopic system includes a folded gas absorption cell with gas pre-concentration abilities demonstrating the detection of a 50 ppm mixture of ethanol in ambient air corresponding to a minimum detectable concentration of 260 ppb. Finally, the design of a 3-band system covering frequencies from 225 to 273 GHz is introduced.

Coherent THz light source based on photo-mixing with a UTC-PD and ASE-free tunable diode laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuoka, D.; Muro, K.; Noda, K.

2016-02-01

A terahertz (THz) photo-mixing with a THz wave photo-mixer module using a uni-traveling-carrier photodiode (UTCPD) and home-built 1 μm-band ASE-free tunable external-cavity diode lasers (ECDLs) provides a narrow-band (40 MHz) wide range (up to 4.5 THz) coherent tunable THz light source system. Obtained THz-waves reach 100 nW at 0.9 THz and 100 pW at 4.0 THz. The difference frequency between mixing lights can be tuned over 20 THz, and the frequency tuning has a resettability and an accuracy corresponding to the estimation error of FSR 270 MHz hollow-core etalon as a frequency calibrator, around 1 MHz/THz. Some of dips in the frequency dependence of THz-waves caused by water vaper absorption reach a noise floor of this system, so the dynamic range of this system is demonstrated at least 40 dB in power ratio.

The Effects of Rate of Deviation and Musical Context on Intonation Perception in Homophonic Four-Part Chorales.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bell, Michael Stephen

Sixty-four trained musicians listened to four -bar excerpts of selected chorales by J. S. Bach, which were presented both in four-part texture (harmonic context) and as a single voice part (melodic context). These digitally synthesized examples were created by combining the first twelve partials, and all voice parts had the same generic timbre. A within-subjects design was used, so subjects heard each example in both contexts. Included in the thirty -two excerpts for each subject were four soprano, four alto, four tenor, and four bass parts as the target voices. The intonation of the target voice was varied such that the voice stayed in tune or changed by a half cent, two cents, or eight cents per second (a cent is 1/100 of a half step). Although direction of the deviation (sharp or flat) was not a significant factor in intonation perception, main effects for context (melodic vs. harmonic) and rate of deviation were highly significant, as was the interaction between rate of deviation and context. Specifically, selections that stayed in tune or changed only by half cents were not perceived differently; for larger deviations, the error was detected earlier and the intonation was judged to be worse in the harmonic contexts compared to the melodic contexts. Additionally, the direction of the error was correctly identified in the melodic context more often than the hamonic context only for the examples that mistuned at a rate of eight cents per second. Correct identification of the voice part that went out of tune in the four-part textures depended only on rate of deviation: the in tune excerpts (no voice going out of tune) and the eight cent deviations were correctly identified most often, the two cent deviations were next, and the half cent deviation excerpts were the least accurately identified.

Phase and frequency structure of superradiance pulses generated by relativistic Ka-band backward-wave oscillator

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

Rostov, V. V.; Romanchenko, I. V.; Elchaninov, A. A.

2016-08-15

Phase and frequency stability of electromagnetic oscillations in sub-gigawatt superradiance (SR) pulses generated by an extensive slow-wave structure of a relativistic Ka-band backward-wave oscillator were experimentally investigated. Data on the frequency tuning and radiation phase stability of SR pulses with a variation of the energy and current of electron beam were obtained.

Recent Developments in the Analysis of Couple Oscillator Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pogorzelski, Ronald J.

2000-01-01

This presentation considers linear arrays of coupled oscillators. Our purpose in coupling oscillators together is to achieve high radiated power through the spatial power combining which results when the oscillators are injection locked to each other. York, et. al. have shown that, left to themselves, the ensemble of injection locked oscillators oscillate at the average of the tuning frequencies of all the oscillators. Coupling these arrays achieves high radiated power through coherent spatial power combining. The coupled oscillators are usually designed to produce constant aperture phase. Oscillators are injection locked to each other or to a master oscillator to produce coherent radiation. Oscillators do not necessarily oscillate at their tuning frequency.

Ultra-broad gain quantum cascade lasers tunable from 6.5 to 10.4 μm.

PubMed

Xie, Feng; Caneau, C; Leblanc, H; Ho, M-T; Zah, C

2015-09-01

We present a quantum cascade laser structure with an ultra-broad gain profile that covers the wavelength range from 6.5 to 10.4 μm. In a grating-tuned external cavity, we demonstrated continuous tuning from 1027  cm(-1) to 1492  cm(-1) with this broad gain laser chip. We also fabricated distributed feedback quantum cascade laser arrays with this active region design and varied grating periods. We demonstrated single wavelength lasing from 962 (10.4) to 1542  cm(-1) (6.5 μm). The frequency coverage (580  cm(-1)) is about 46% of center frequency.

Binaural sensitivity changes between cortical on and off responses

PubMed Central

Dahmen, Johannes C.; King, Andrew J.; Schnupp, Jan W. H.

2011-01-01

Neurons exhibiting on and off responses with different frequency tuning have previously been described in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of anesthetized and awake animals, but it is unknown whether other tuning properties, including sensitivity to binaural localization cues, also differ between on and off responses. We measured the sensitivity of A1 neurons in anesthetized ferrets to 1) interaural level differences (ILDs), using unmodulated broadband noise with varying ILDs and average binaural levels, and 2) interaural time delays (ITDs), using sinusoidally amplitude-modulated broadband noise with varying envelope ITDs. We also assessed fine-structure ITD sensitivity and frequency tuning, using pure-tone stimuli. Neurons most commonly responded to stimulus onset only, but purely off responses and on-off responses were also recorded. Of the units exhibiting significant binaural sensitivity nearly one-quarter showed binaural sensitivity in both on and off responses, but in almost all (∼97%) of these units the binaural tuning of the on responses differed significantly from that seen in the off responses. Moreover, averaged, normalized ILD and ITD tuning curves calculated from all units showing significant sensitivity to binaural cues indicated that on and off responses displayed different sensitivity patterns across the population. A principal component analysis of ITD response functions suggested a continuous cortical distribution of binaural sensitivity, rather than discrete response classes. Rather than reflecting a release from inhibition without any functional significance, we propose that binaural off responses may be important to cortical encoding of sound-source location. PMID:21562191

Single-particle dynamics in a nonlinear accelerator lattice: attaining a large tune spread with octupoles in IOTA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antipov, S. A.; Nagaitsev, S.; Valishev, A.

2017-04-01

Fermilab is constructing the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) as the centerpiece of the Accelerator R&D Program towards high-intensity circular machines. One of the factors limiting the beam intensity in present circular accelerators is collective instabilities, which can be suppressed by a spread of betatron frequencies (tunes) through the Landau damping mechanism or by an external damper, if the instability is slow enough. The spread is usually created by octupole magnets, which introduce the tune dependence on the amplitude and, in some cases, by a chromatic spread (tune dependence on particle's momentum). The introduction of octupoles usually has both beneficial (improved Landau damping) and harmful properties, such as a resonant behavior and a reduction of the dynamic aperture. One of the research goals at the IOTA ring is to achieve a large betatron tune spread, while retaining a large dynamic aperture, using conventional octupole magnets in a special but realistic accelerator configuration. The configuration, although not integrable by design, approximates an autonomous 2D Hamiltonian system. In this paper, we present results of computer simulations of an electron beam in the IOTA by particle tracking and the Frequency Map Analysis. The results show that the ring's octupole magnets can be configured to provide a betatron tune shift of 0.08 (for particles at large amplitudes) with the dynamical aperture of over 20 beam sigma for a 150-MeV electron beam. The influence of the synchrotron motion, lattice errors, and magnet imperfections is insignificant for the parameters and levels of tolerances set by the design of the ring. The described octupole insert could be beneficial for enhancing Landau damping in high intensity machines.

Tuning and performance evaluation of PID controller for superheater steam temperature control of 200 MW boiler using gain phase assignment algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Begum, A. Yasmine; Gireesh, N.

2018-04-01

In superheater, steam temperature is controlled in a cascade control loop. The cascade control loop consists of PI and PID controllers. To improve the superheater steam temperature control the controller's gains in a cascade control loop has to be tuned efficiently. The mathematical model of the superheater is derived by sets of nonlinear partial differential equations. The tuning methods taken for study here are designed for delay plus first order transfer function model. Hence from the dynamical model of the superheater, a FOPTD model is derived using frequency response method. Then by using Chien-Hrones-Reswick Tuning Algorithm and Gain-Phase Assignment Algorithm optimum controller gains has been found out based on the least value of integral time weighted absolute error.

Remote double resonance coupling of radar energy to ionospheric irregularities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kennel, C. F.

1971-01-01

Experimental results indicate that low frequency modulation of a high power radar beam, tuned to one of the critical frequencies of the ionosphere, may produce field-aligned density irregularities when the modulation frequency matches an ionospheric eigenfrequency. By choosing the radar carrier frequency and polarization, a number of interaction layers were selected. The variety of possible excitations shows that the double resonance technique may be adaptable to a number of different objectives.

Skyrmion-based high-frequency signal generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Shijiang; Zhang, Yue; Shen, Maokang; Ou-Yang, Jun; Yan, Baiqian; Yang, Xiaofei; Chen, Shi; Zhu, Benpeng; You, Long

2017-03-01

Many concepts for skyrmion-based devices have been proposed, and most of their possible applications are based on the motion of skyrmions driven by a dc current in an area with a constricted geometry. However, skyrmion motion driven by a pulsed current has not been investigated so far. In this work, we propose a skyrmion-based high-frequency signal generator based on the pulsed-current-driven circular motion of skyrmions in a square-shaped film by micromagnetic simulation. The results indicate that skyrmions can move in a closed curve with central symmetry. The trajectory and cycle period can be adjusted by tuning the size of the film, the current density, the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction constant, and the local in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The period can be tuned from several nanoseconds to tens of nanoseconds, which offers the possibility to prepare high-frequency signal generator based on skyrmions.

Simple analytical model for low-frequency frequency-modulation noise of monolithic tunable lasers.

PubMed

Huynh, Tam N; Ó Dúill, Seán P; Nguyen, Lim; Rusch, Leslie A; Barry, Liam P

2014-02-10

We employ simple analytical models to construct the entire frequency-modulation (FM)-noise spectrum of tunable semiconductor lasers. Many contributions to the laser FM noise can be clearly identified from the FM-noise spectrum, such as standard Weiner FM noise incorporating laser relaxation oscillation, excess FM noise due to thermal fluctuations, and carrier-induced refractive index fluctuations from stochastic carrier generation in the passive tuning sections. The contribution of the latter effect is identified by noting a correlation between part of the FM-noise spectrum with the FM-modulation response of the passive sections. We pay particular attention to the case of widely tunable lasers with three independent tuning sections, mainly the sampled-grating distributed Bragg reflector laser, and compare with that of a distributed feedback laser. The theoretical model is confirmed with experimental measurements, with the calculations of the important phase-error variance demonstrating excellent agreement.

Atmospheric methane measurement instrument using a Zeeman-split He-Ne laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcmanus, J. Barry; Kebabian, Paul L.; Kolb, Charles E.

1989-01-01

The construction of an atmospheric methane measurement instrument based on a Zeeman-split IR He-Ne laser is reported. The laser has a tranverse magnetic field over about 2/3 of its gain length and can oscillate at an (unsplit) frequency (2947.91/cm) centered on a methane absorption line, or on either of two frequencies split by + or - 0.055/cm from the center, with low CH4 absorption. The laser is tuned to dwell sequentially at each frequency, giving two differential absorption measurements in each 46-ms tuning cycle. Atmospheric measurements are made using two multiple pass absorption cells, one with fast (0.75-s) and one with slow (5-s) flow response times. Fluctuations in ambient CH4 of about 20-ppb (rms, 1-s averaging) are detected, with interference fringe effects the dominant noise source. The instrument has operated in a field experiment (NASA GTE/ABLE-3A) in Alaska.

High-power microwave amplifier based on overcritical relativistic electron beam without external magnetic field

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

Kurkin, S. A., E-mail: KurkinSA@gmail.com; Koronovskii, A. A.; Saratov State Technical University, Politechnicheskaja 77, Saratov 410028

2015-04-13

The high-power scheme for the amplification of powerful microwave signals based on the overcritical electron beam with a virtual cathode (virtual cathode amplifier) has been proposed and investigated numerically. General output characteristics of the virtual cathode amplifier including the dependencies of the power gain on the input signal frequency and amplitude have been obtained and analyzed. The possibility of the geometrical working frequency tuning over the range about 8%–10% has been shown. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed virtual cathode amplifier scheme may be considered as the perspective high-power microwave amplifier with gain up to 18 dB, and with themore » following important advantages: the absence of external magnetic field, the simplicity of construction, the possibility of geometrical frequency tuning, and the amplification of relatively powerful microwave signals.« less

Tunable surface acoustic wave device based on acoustoelectric interaction in ZnO/GaN heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Rui; Reyes, Pavel I.; Ragavendiran, Sowmya; Shen, H.; Lu, Yicheng

2015-08-01

A tunable surface acoustic wave (SAW) device is developed on a multilayer structure which consists of an n-type semiconductor ZnO layer and a Ni-doped piezoelectric ZnO layer deposited on a GaN/c-Al2O3 substrate. The unique acoustic dispersion relationship between ZnO and GaN generates the multi-mode SAW response in this structure, facilitating high frequency operation. A dc bias voltage is applied to a Ti/Au gate layer deposited on the path of SAW delay line to modulate the electrical conductivity for tuning the acoustic velocity. For devices operating at 1.25 GHz, a maximum SAW velocity change of 0.9% is achieved, equivalent to the frequency change of 11.2 MHz. This voltage-controlled frequency tuning device has potential applications in resettable sensors, adaptive signal processing, and secure wireless communication.

Experimental Evaluation of Tuned Chamber Core Panels for Payload Fairing Noise Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schiller, Noah H.; Allen, Albert R.; Herlan, Jonathan W.; Rosenthal, Bruce N.

2015-01-01

Analytical models have been developed to predict the sound absorption and sound transmission loss of tuned chamber core panels. The panels are constructed of two facesheets sandwiching a corrugated core. When ports are introduced through one facesheet, the long chambers within the core can be used as an array of low-frequency acoustic resonators. To evaluate the accuracy of the analytical models, absorption and sound transmission loss tests were performed on flat panels. Measurements show that the acoustic resonators embedded in the panels improve both the absorption and transmission loss of the sandwich structure at frequencies near the natural frequency of the resonators. Analytical predictions for absorption closely match measured data. However, transmission loss predictions miss important features observed in the measurements. This suggests that higher-fidelity analytical or numerical models will be needed to supplement transmission loss predictions in the future.

Mid-infrared trace gas detection using continuous-wave difference frequency generation in periodically poled RbTiOAsO4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, W.; Mouret, G.; Boucher, D.; Tittel, F. K.

2001-01-01

A tunable mid-infrared continuous-wave (cw) spectroscopic source in the 3.4-4.5 micrometers region is reported, based on difference frequency generation (DFG) in a quasi-phase-matched periodically poled RbTiOAsO4 (PPRTA) crystal. DFG power levels of 10 microW were generated at approximately 4 micrometers in a 20-mm long PPRTA crystal by mixing two cw single-frequency Ti:Al2O3 lasers operating near 713 nm and 871 nm, respectively, using a laser pump power of 300 mW. A quasi-phase-matched infrared wavelength-tuning bandwidth (FWHM) of 12 cm-1 and a temperature tuning rate of 1.02 cm-1/degree C were achieved. Experimental details regarding the feasibility of trace gas detection based on absorption spectroscopy of CO2 in ambient air using this DFG radiation source are also described.

A tympanal insect ear exploits a critical oscillator for active amplification and tuning.

PubMed

Mhatre, Natasha; Robert, Daniel

2013-10-07

A dominant theme of acoustic communication is the partitioning of acoustic space into exclusive, species-specific niches to enable efficient information transfer. In insects, acoustic niche partitioning is achieved through auditory frequency filtering, brought about by the mechanical properties of their ears. The tuning of the antennal ears of mosquitoes and flies, however, arises from active amplification, a process similar to that at work in the mammalian cochlea. Yet, the presence of active amplification in the other type of insect ears--tympanal ears--has remained uncertain. Here we demonstrate the presence of active amplification and adaptive tuning in the tympanal ear of a phylogenetically basal insect, a tree cricket. We also show that the tree cricket exploits critical oscillator-like mechanics, enabling high auditory sensitivity and tuning to conspecific songs. These findings imply that sophisticated auditory mechanisms may have appeared even earlier in the evolution of hearing and acoustic communication than currently appreciated. Our findings also raise the possibility that frequency discrimination and directional hearing in tympanal systems may rely on physiological nonlinearities, in addition to mechanical properties, effectively lifting some of the physical constraints placed on insects by their small size [6] and prompting an extensive reexamination of invertebrate audition. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reading laterally: the cerebral hemispheric use of spatial frequencies in visual word recognition.

PubMed

Tadros, Karine; Dupuis-Roy, Nicolas; Fiset, Daniel; Arguin, Martin; Gosselin, Frédéric

2013-01-04

It is generally accepted that the left hemisphere (LH) is more capable for reading than the right hemisphere (RH). Left hemifield presentations (initially processed by the RH) lead to a globally higher error rate, slower word identification, and a significantly stronger word length effect (i.e., slower reaction times for longer words). Because the visuo-perceptual mechanisms of the brain for word recognition are primarily localized in the LH (Cohen et al., 2003), it is possible that this part of the brain possesses better spatial frequency (SF) tuning for processing the visual properties of words than the RH. The main objective of this study is to determine the SF tuning functions of the LH and RH for word recognition. Each word image was randomly sampled in the SF domain using the SF bubbles method (Willenbockel et al., 2010) and was presented laterally to the left or right visual hemifield. As expected, the LH requires less visual information than the RH to reach the same level of performance, illustrating the well-known LH advantage for word recognition. Globally, the SF tuning of both hemispheres is similar. However, these seemingly identical tuning functions hide important differences. Most importantly, we argue that the RH requires higher SFs to identify longer words because of crowding.

Visual receptive field properties of cells in the optic tectum of the archer fish.

PubMed

Ben-Tov, Mor; Kopilevich, Ivgeny; Donchin, Opher; Ben-Shahar, Ohad; Giladi, Chen; Segev, Ronen

2013-08-01

The archer fish is well known for its extreme visual behavior in shooting water jets at prey hanging on vegetation above water. This fish is a promising model in the study of visual system function because it can be trained to respond to artificial targets and thus to provide valuable psychophysical data. Although much behavioral data have indeed been collected over the past two decades, little is known about the functional organization of the main visual area supporting this visual behavior, namely, the fish optic tectum. In this article we focus on a fundamental aspect of this functional organization and provide a detailed analysis of receptive field properties of cells in the archer fish optic tectum. Using extracellular measurements to record activities of single cells, we first measure their retinotectal mapping. We then determine their receptive field properties such as size, selectivity for stimulus direction and orientation, tuning for spatial frequency, and tuning for temporal frequency. Finally, on the basis of all these measurements, we demonstrate that optic tectum cells can be classified into three categories: orientation-tuned cells, direction-tuned cells, and direction-agnostic cells. Our results provide an essential basis for future investigations of information processing in the archer fish visual system.

An Observation of Repeating Events at local asperities during a Laboratory Stick-slip Experiment of a Saw-cut Cylindrical Lucite Sample

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, C.; Mighani, S.; Prieto, G. A.; Mok, U.; Evans, J. B.; Hager, B. H.; Toksoz, M. N.

2017-12-01

Repeating earthquakes have been found in subduction zones and interpreted as repeated ruptures of small local asperities. Repeating earthquakes have also been found in oil/gas fields, interpreted as the reactivation of pre-existing faults due to fluid injection/extraction. To mimic the fault rupture of a fault with local asperities, we designed a "stick-slip" experiment using a saw-cut cylindrical Lucite sample, which had sharp localized ridges parallel to the strike of the fault plane. The sample was subjected to conventional triaxial loading with a constant confining pressure of 10 MPa. The axial load was then increased to 6 MPa at a constant rate of 0.12 MPa/sec until the sliding occurred along the fault plane. Ultrasonic acoustic emissions (AEs) were monitored with eight PZT sensors. Two cycles of AEs were detected with the occurrence rate that decreased from the beginning to the end of each cycle, while the relative magnitudes increased. Correlation analysis indicated that these AEs were clustered into two groups - those with frequency content between 200-300kHz and a second group with frequency content between 10-50kHz. The locations of the high-frequency events, with almost identical waveforms, show that these events are from the sharp localized ridges on the saw-cut plane. The locations of the low-frequency events show an approaching process to the high-frequency events for each cycle. In this single experiment, there was a correlation of the proximity of the low-frequency events with the subsequent triggering of large high-frequency repeating events.

Neurons in the inferior colliculus of the rat show stimulus-specific adaptation for frequency, but not for intensity

PubMed Central

Duque, Daniel; Wang, Xin; Nieto-Diego, Javier; Krumbholz, Katrin; Malmierca, Manuel S.

2016-01-01

Electrophysiological and psychophysical responses to a low-intensity probe sound tend to be suppressed by a preceding high-intensity adaptor sound. Nevertheless, rare low-intensity deviant sounds presented among frequent high-intensity standard sounds in an intensity oddball paradigm can elicit an electroencephalographic mismatch negativity (MMN) response. This has been taken to suggest that the MMN is a correlate of true change or “deviance” detection. A key question is where in the ascending auditory pathway true deviance sensitivity first emerges. Here, we addressed this question by measuring low-intensity deviant responses from single units in the inferior colliculus (IC) of anesthetized rats. If the IC exhibits true deviance sensitivity to intensity, IC neurons should show enhanced responses to low-intensity deviant sounds presented among high-intensity standards. Contrary to this prediction, deviant responses were only enhanced when the standards and deviants differed in frequency. The results could be explained with a model assuming that IC neurons integrate over multiple frequency-tuned channels and that adaptation occurs within each channel independently. We used an adaptation paradigm with multiple repeated adaptors to measure the tuning widths of these adaption channels in relation to the neurons’ overall tuning widths. PMID:27066835

Comparing spatial tuning curves, spectral ripple resolution, and speech perception in cochlear implant users.

PubMed

Anderson, Elizabeth S; Nelson, David A; Kreft, Heather; Nelson, Peggy B; Oxenham, Andrew J

2011-07-01

Spectral ripple discrimination thresholds were measured in 15 cochlear-implant users with broadband (350-5600 Hz) and octave-band noise stimuli. The results were compared with spatial tuning curve (STC) bandwidths previously obtained from the same subjects. Spatial tuning curve bandwidths did not correlate significantly with broadband spectral ripple discrimination thresholds but did correlate significantly with ripple discrimination thresholds when the rippled noise was confined to an octave-wide passband, centered on the STC's probe electrode frequency allocation. Ripple discrimination thresholds were also measured for octave-band stimuli in four contiguous octaves, with center frequencies from 500 Hz to 4000 Hz. Substantial variations in thresholds with center frequency were found in individuals, but no general trends of increasing or decreasing resolution from apex to base were observed in the pooled data. Neither ripple nor STC measures correlated consistently with speech measures in noise and quiet in the sample of subjects in this study. Overall, the results suggest that spectral ripple discrimination measures provide a reasonable measure of spectral resolution that correlates well with more direct, but more time-consuming, measures of spectral resolution, but that such measures do not always provide a clear and robust predictor of performance in speech perception tasks. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

Comparing spatial tuning curves, spectral ripple resolution, and speech perception in cochlear implant users

PubMed Central

Anderson, Elizabeth S.; Nelson, David A.; Kreft, Heather; Nelson, Peggy B.; Oxenham, Andrew J.

2011-01-01

Spectral ripple discrimination thresholds were measured in 15 cochlear-implant users with broadband (350–5600 Hz) and octave-band noise stimuli. The results were compared with spatial tuning curve (STC) bandwidths previously obtained from the same subjects. Spatial tuning curve bandwidths did not correlate significantly with broadband spectral ripple discrimination thresholds but did correlate significantly with ripple discrimination thresholds when the rippled noise was confined to an octave-wide passband, centered on the STC’s probe electrode frequency allocation. Ripple discrimination thresholds were also measured for octave-band stimuli in four contiguous octaves, with center frequencies from 500 Hz to 4000 Hz. Substantial variations in thresholds with center frequency were found in individuals, but no general trends of increasing or decreasing resolution from apex to base were observed in the pooled data. Neither ripple nor STC measures correlated consistently with speech measures in noise and quiet in the sample of subjects in this study. Overall, the results suggest that spectral ripple discrimination measures provide a reasonable measure of spectral resolution that correlates well with more direct, but more time-consuming, measures of spectral resolution, but that such measures do not always provide a clear and robust predictor of performance in speech perception tasks. PMID:21786905

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

Liu, C.; Kewisch, J.; Huang, H.

At RHIC, the spin polarization is preserved with a pair of Siberian snakes on the oppo- site sides in each ring. The polarized proton beam with finite spin tune spread might cross spin resonances multiple times in two cases, one is when beam going through strong spin intrinsic resonances during acceleration, the other is when sweeping spin flipper’ frequency across the spin tune to flip the direction of spin polarization. The consequence is loss of spin polarization in both cases. Therefore, a scheme of min- imizing the spin tune spread by matching the dispersion primes at the two snakes wasmore » introduced based on the fact that the spin tune spread is proportional to the difference of dispersion primes at the two snakes. The scheme was implemented at fixed energies for the spin flipper study and during beam acceleration for better spin polarization transmission efficiency. The effect of minimizing the spin tune spread by matching the dispersion primes was observed and confirmed experimentally. The principle of minimizing the spin tune spread by matching the dispersion primes, the impact on the beam optics, and the effect of a narrower spin tune spread are presented in this report.« less

Study on the characteristic and application of DFB semiconductor lasers under optical injection for microwave photonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pu, Tao; Wang, Wei wei

2018-01-01

In order to apply optical injection effect in Microwave Photonics system, The red-shift effect of the cavity mode of the DFB semiconductor laser under single-frequency optical injection is studied experimentally, and the red-shift curve of the cavity mode is measured. The wavelength-selective amplification property of the DFB semiconductor laser under multi-frequency optical injection is also investigated, and the gain curves for the injected signals in different injection ratios are measured in the experiment. A novel and simple structure to implement a single-passband MPF with wideband tunability based on the wavelength-selective amplification of a DFB semiconductor laser under optical injection is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. MPFs with center frequency tuned from 13 to 41 GHz are realized in the experiment. A wideband and frequency-tunable optoelectronic oscillator based on a directly modulated distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor laser under optical injection is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. By optical injection, the relaxation oscillation frequency of the DFB laser is enhanced and its high modulation efficiency makes the loop oscillate without the necessary of the electrical filter. An experiment is performed; microwave signals with frequency tuned from 5.98 to 15.22 GHz are generated by adjusting the injection ratio and frequency detuning between the master and slave lasers.

Two-tone suppression in the cricket, Eunemobius carolinus (Gryllidae, Nemobiinae)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farris, Hamilton E.; Hoy, Ronald R.

2002-03-01

Sounds with frequencies >15 kHz elicit an acoustic startle response (ASR) in flying crickets (Eunemobius carolinus). Although frequencies <15 kHz do not elicit the ASR when presented alone, when presented with ultrasound (40 kHz), low-frequency stimuli suppress the ultrasound-induced startle. Thus, using methods similar to those in masking experiments, we used two-tone suppression to assay sensitivity to frequencies in the audio band. Startle suppression was tuned to frequencies near 5 kHz, the frequency range of male calling songs. Similar to equal loudness contours measured in humans, however, equal suppression contours were not parallel, as the equivalent rectangular bandwidth of suppression tuning changed with increases in ultrasound intensity. Temporal integration of suppressor stimuli was measured using nonsimultaneous presentations of 5-ms pulses of 6 and 40 kHz. We found that no suppression occurs when the suppressing tone is >2 ms after and >5 ms before the ultrasound stimulus, suggesting that stimulus overlap is a requirement for suppression. When considered together with our finding that the intensity of low-frequency stimuli required for suppression is greater than that produced by singing males, the overlap requirement suggests that two-tone suppression functions to limit the ASR to sounds containing only ultrasound and not to broadband sounds that span the audio and ultrasound range.

THz frequency receiver instrumentation for Herschel's heterodyne instrument for far infrared (HIFI)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearson, John C.; Mehdi, Imran; Schlecht, Erich; Maiwald, Frank; Maestrini, Alain; Gill, John J.; Martin, Suzanne C.; Pukala, Dave; Ward, J.; Kawamura, Jonathan; McGrath, William R.; Hatch, William; Harding, Dennis G.; LeDuc, Henry G.; Stern, Jeffry A.; Bumble, Bruce; Samoska, Lorene A.; Gaier, Todd C.; Ferber, Robert; Miller, David; Karpov, Alexandre; Zmuidzinas, Jonas; Phillips, Thomas G.; Erickson, Neal R.; Swift, Jerry; Chung, Yun; Lai, Richard; Wang, Huei

2003-03-01

The Heterodyne Instrument for Far Infrared (HIFI) on ESA's Herschel Space Observatory is comprised of five SIS receiver channels covering 480-1250 GHz and two HEB receiver channels covering 1410-1910 GHz. Two fixed tuned local oscillator sub-bands are derived from a common synthesizer to provide the front-end frequency coverage for each channel. The local oscillator unti will be passively cooled while the focal plane unit is cooled by superfluid helium and cold helium vapors. HIFI employs W-band GaAs amplifiers, InP HEMT low noise IF amplifiers, fixed tuned broadband planar diode multipliers, and novel material systems in the SIS mixtures. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is managing the development of the highest frequency (1119-1250 GHz) SIS mixers, the highest frequency (1650-1910 GHz) HEB mixers, local oscillators for the three highest frequency receivers as well as W-band power amplifiers, varactor diode devices for all high frequency multipliers and InP HEMT components for all the receiver channels intermediate frequency amplifiers. The NASA developed components represent a significant advancement in the available performance. The current state of the art for each of these devices is presented along with a programmatic view of the development effort.