Numerical investigation on buffer performance based on acoustic excitation by stimulated Brillouin scattering in an As2Se3 fiber

Buffer performance of a 2.5 Gb/s bit stream with non-return-to-zero format is investigated based on acoustic excitation by stimulated Brillouin scattering in an As₂Se₃ fiber. The storage process and the retrieval process of the bit stream are separately controlled by a “Write” pulse and a “Read” pulse. The research results show that the output signal-to-noise ratio and the readout efficiency of the buffer are agreeable, and the pulse distortion is low, if both the “Write” and the “Read” pulses are with high enough peak power and spectrum wider than that of the signal pulse. Buffering of a consecutive 10-bit-long 2.5 Gb/s NRZ bit stream has also been demonstrated in the As₂Se₃ fiber with length of only 0.5 m. The storage of a long bit stream, such as the data packet containing about 1000 bits in the telecommunications, is limited by the high loss in the As₂Se₃ fiber. However, the development of the special optical fiber with high Brillouin gain coefficient, long acoustic lifetime and low loss can make this technology applicable for all-optical buffering in high speed optical networks.     

A perturbation method for computing the simplest normal forms of dynamical systems

A previously developed perturbation method is generalized for computing the simplest normal form (at each level of computation, the minimum number of terms are retained) of general n-dimensional differential equations. This “direct” approach, combining the normal form theory with center manifold theory in one unified procedure, can be used to systematically compute the simplest (or unique) normal form. Two particular singularities of the Jacobian of the system are considered in this paper: the first one is associated with one pair of purely imaginary eigenvalues (Hopf-type singularity), and the other corresponds to a simple zero and a pair of purely imaginary eigenvalues (Hopf-zero-type singularity). The approach can be easily formulated and implemented using a computer algebra system. Maple programs have been developed in this paper which can be “automatically” executed by a user without the knowledge of computer algebra. A physical oscillator model is studied in detail to show the computational efficiency of the “direct” method, and the advantage of using the simplest normal form, which greatly simplifies the analysis on dynamical systems, in particular, for bifurcations and stability.     

Missing ordinal patterns in correlated noises

Recent research aiming at the distinction between deterministic or stochastic behavior in observational time series has looked into the properties of the “ordinal patterns” [C. Bandt, B. Pompe, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88 (2002) 174102]. In particular, new insight has been obtained considering the emergence of the so-called “forbidden ordinal patterns” [J.M. Amigó, S. Zambrano, M.A. F Sanjuán, Europhys. Lett. 79 (2007) 50001]. It was shown that deterministic one-dimensional maps always have forbidden ordinal patterns, in contrast with time series generated by an unconstrained stochastic process in which all the patterns appear with probability one. Techniques based on the comparison of this property in an observational time series and in white Gaussian noise were implemented. However, the comparison with correlated stochastic processes was not considered. In this paper we used the concept of “missing ordinal patterns” to study their decay rate as a function of the time series length in three stochastic processes with different degrees of correlation: fractional Brownian motion, fractional Gaussian noise and, noises with f^−k power spectrum. We show that the decay rate of “missing ordinal patterns” in these processes depend on their correlation structures. We finally discuss the implications of the present results for the use of these properties as a tool for distinguishing deterministic from stochastic processes.     

Switching behavior of a nonlinear Mach-Zehnder interferometer: Saturating nonlinearity

This paper uses the Beam Propagation Method to investigate numerically the switching behavior of a Nonlinear Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (NMZI). A saturating-type nonlinearity has been considered for the present investigations. It is shown that the input versus output characteristics change drastically when a Kerr type nonlinear medium is replaced by a saturating type nonlinear medium. In contrast to an NMZI with Kerr nonlinearity, where only quantitative behavior changes with NMZI length, quantitative as well as qualitative behaviors change in the case of a saturating nonlinearity. We propose an all-optical stabilizer and MZI with stable “ON” and “OFF” states on the basis of our investigation.     

The evaluation of binaural playback systems for virtual sound fields

By means of virtual acoustics technologies the impulse response in a location of a real enclosure can be used to create a virtual room. Also in this virtual space, typically implemented in a dead room, an impulse response can be measured. From both “real” and respective “virtual” impulse response a group of room-acoustical parameters can be calculated. The match of the two groups of indicators mostly depends on the layout of the playback system and on the implemented processing. In this paper a procedure of virtual measurement in a dead room is developed and some typical layouts of playback systems employing two loudspeakers are compared. Based on the consistency of the room-acoustical indicators derived from “real” and “virtual” impulse responses can be investigated. It is shown how the performance depends on the angular separation of loudspeakers and the efficiency of the cross-talk is also tested and discussed. Finally, a set-up which is suitable for psychoacoustics tests is indicated.     

A power transmissibility method for assessing the performance of vibration isolation of building services equipment

Force transmissibility is commonly adopted in building services engineering to assess the performance of vibration isolation. However, it neglects the effect of floor mobility on structure-borne sound power transmitted from a vibratory machine to the floor/roof and the interactions among several contact points between the vibratory machine and the floor/roof. The problem that motivated this study is the occasional occurrence of unsatisfactory performance of vibration isolators observed in building services engineering. This problem may be due to the over-simplification of the vibratory problem in the usual definition of the un-damped force transmissibility or isolation efficiency commonly used in engineering practice. In this paper, use of a “power transmissibility”, which includes the effect of floor mobility and the interaction of all dynamic forces transmitted to the floor through the vibration isolators, is proposed.     

A study of extended optimization of U-type rod for LED projectors

The paper proposes a new U-type integral rod for a miniature DLP projector's optical engine with a high-power LED source and L-type optics in order to minimize volumetric size of optical engine. In addition, Taguchi method is applied in this research in order to extendedly optimize the performance of optical engine after initial optimization by damped least square (DLS). A miniature optical engine with LED light source has the advantages of good power consumption, useable projected image, reasonable brightness and uniformity, compactness in volumetric size and decent performance specifically for high spatial frequencies. However, there are still rooms for development with regard to light efficiency and uniformity due to non-uniformity of LED light distribution. Two critical design methods are proposed in this research. Firstly, a “U-type integrator” working with high-power LED which not only causes rays to make a “U-turn” in order to minimize volumetric size of optical engine but also, after optimization, controls output uniformity well after extended optimization by Taguchi method. With regard to gain of optical efficiency, we also consider the factors of a U-type integrator: shape and length with a Taguchi optimizer. It is concluded that the newly developed design achieves good results for the performance and volumetric size of the module. Extended optimized parameter design is able to improve the luminous flux by 4.84%, the illumination uniformity 5.62% and the packing size by 12%.     

New aspects on pulsed laser deposition of aligned carbon nanotubes

We have grown carbon nanotubes (CNT) by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) at 1000 °C in Ar atmosphere. A Nd/YAG laser was used for irradiation of a graphite target containing Ni and Co rods. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that “closed” carbon nanotubes were grown between clusters of metallic particles, so that the individual nanotubes were arranged in parallel to each other forming a shape of “Rope-Bridge”. The nanotubes structure was analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and their type was found to be of MWNT, containing about five SWNT. Total diameter was 5-20 nm and their length was about 1 μm. High homogeneous distribution carbon nanotubes were grown and different structures were observed such as well-aligned carbon nanotubes, bamboo-like and Y-junction carbon nanotubes.     

Research on adaptive temperature control in sound field induced by self-focused concave spherical transducer

Temperature control of hyperthermia treatments is generally implemented with multipoint feedback system comprised of phased-array transducer, which is complicated and high cost. Our simulations to the acoustic field induced by a self-focused concave spherical transducer (0.5 MHz, 9 cm aperture width, 8.0 cm focal length) show that the distribution of temperature can keep the same “cigar shape” in the focal region during ultrasound insonation. Based on the characteristic of the temperature change, a two-dimensional model of a “cigar shape” tumor is designed and tested through numerical simulation. One single-point on the border of the “cigar shape” tumor is selected as the control target and is controlled at the temperature of 43 °C by using a self-tuning regulator (STR). Considering the nonlinear effects of biological medium, an accurate state-space model obtained via the finite Fourier integral transformation to the bioheat equation is presented and used for calculating temperature. Computer simulations were performed with the perfusion rates of 2.0 kg/(m³ s) and 4.5 kg/(m³ s) to the different targets, it was found that the temperatures on the border of the “cigar shape” tumor can achieve the desired temperature of 43 °C by control of one single-point. A larger perfusion rate requires a higher power output to obtain the same temperature elevation under the same insonation time and needs a higher cost for compensating the energy loss carried away by blood flow after steady state. The power output increases with the controlled region while achieving the same temperature at the same time. Especially, there is no overshoot during temperature elevation and no oscillation after steady state. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach may offers a way for obtaining a single-point, low-cost hyperthermia system.     

EFFECTS OF POSTURE AND VIBRATION MAGNITUDE ON APPARENT MASS AND PELVIS ROTATION DURING EXPOSURE TO WHOLE-BODY VERTICAL VIBRATION

The effect of variations in posture and vibration magnitude on apparent mass and seat-to-pelvis pitch transmissibility have been studied with vertical random vibration over the frequency range 1·0-20 Hz. Each of 12 subjects was exposed to 27 combinations of three vibration magnitudes (0·2, 1·0 and 2·0m/s² r.m.s.) and nine sitting postures (“upright”, “anterior lean”, “posterior lean”, “kyphotic”, “back-on”, “pelvis support”, “inverted SIT-BAR” (increased pressure beneath ischial tuberosities), “bead cushion” (decreased pressure beneath ischial tuberosities) and “belt” (wearing an elasticated belt)).Peaks in the apparent masses were observed at about 5 and 10 Hz, and in the seat-to-pelvis pitch transmissibilities at about 12 Hz. In all postures, the resonance frequencies in the apparent mass and transmissibility decreased with increased vibration magnitude, indicating a non-linear softening system. There were only small changes in apparent mass or transmissibility with posture, although peaks were lower for the apparent mass in the “kyphotic” posture and were lower for the transmissibility in the “belt” posture. The changes in apparent mass and transmissibility caused by changes in vibration magnitude were greater than the changes caused by variation in posture.     

Saturation field direction dependence of domain structures in NiFe elements

The domain structures in NiFe elements were studied by magnetic force microscopy measurement and micromagnetic modeling. The remanent states in the elements were dependent on the direction of the saturation field. The “S” and “U” states were observed at remanence by applying the saturation field at different directions. The “S” and “U” states are metastable: magnetic force microscopy tip field-induced switching from the “S” and “U” states to the flux closure configuration was observed.     

A comment on the paper “Stochastic feedback, nonlinear families of Markov processes, and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations” by T.D. Frank

The purpose of this comment is to correct mistaken assumptions and claims made in the paper “Stochastic feedback, nonlinear families of Markov processes, and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations” by T. D. Frank [T.D. Frank, Stochastic feedback, non-linear families of Markov processes, and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations, Physica A 331 (2004) 391]. Our comment centers on the claims of a “non-linear Markov process” and a “non-linear Fokker-Planck equation.” First, memory in transition densities is misidentified as a Markov process. Second, the paper assumes that one can derive a Fokker-Planck equation from a Chapman-Kolmogorov equation, but no proof was offered that a Chapman-Kolmogorov equation exists for the memory-dependent processes considered. A “non-linear Markov process” is claimed on the basis of a non-linear diffusion pde for a 1-point probability density. We show that, regardless of which initial value problem one may solve for the 1-point density, the resulting stochastic process, defined necessarily by the conditional probabilities (the transition probabilities), is either an ordinary linearly generated Markovian one, or else is a linearly generated non-Markovian process with memory. We provide explicit examples of diffusion coefficients that reflect both the Markovian and the memory-dependent cases. So there is neither a “non-linear Markov process”, nor a “non-linear Fokker-Planck equation” for a conditional probability density. The confusion rampant in the literature arises in part from labeling a non-linear diffusion equation for a 1-point probability density as “non-linear Fokker-Planck,” whereas neither a 1-point density nor an equation of motion for a 1-point density can define a stochastic process. In a closely related context, we point out that Borland misidentified a translation invariant 1-point probability density derived from a non-linear diffusion equation as a conditional probability density. Finally, in the Appendix A we present the theory of Fokker-Planck pdes and Chapman-Kolmogorov equations for stochastic processes with finite memory.     

The generalized uncertainty principle in (A)dS space and the modification of Hawking temperature from the minimal length

Recently, the Heisenberg's uncertainty principle has been extended to incorporate the existence of a large (cut-off) length scale in de Sitter or anti-de Sitter space, and the Hawking temperatures of the Schwarzshild–(anti) de Sitter black holes have been reproduced by using the extended uncertainty principle. I generalize the extended uncertainty to the case with an absolute minimum length and compute its modification to the Hawking temperature. I obtain a general trend that the generalized uncertainty principle due to the absolute minimum length “always” increases the Hawking temperature, implying “faster” decay, which is in conformity with the result in the asymptotically flat space. I also revisit the black hole-string phase transition, in the context of the generalized uncertainty principle.     

A Timoshenko-beam-on-Pasternak-foundation analogy for cylindrical shells

A Timoshenko-beam-on-Pasternak-foundation model is developed for the analysis of thin elastic cylindrical shells. This model aims to bridge the gap between the Love-Kirchhoff theory and the approximate beam-on-elastic-foundation model of Vlasov (“long-wave” model), which accounts for only longitudinal stretching and circumferential bending. The new model improves on the assumptions of the “long-wave” model by accounting for the effects of two additional actions, namely, in-plane shearing and twist. The model is used to derive “explicit” design formulae for (1) the fundamental natural frequencies for vibration of a uniform cylindrical shell having six sets of end restraints, and (2) the circumferential modenumbers associated with the fundamental mode. A comprehensive comparative study of the predictions of both models against available results in the literature and results obtained by the finite-element method has shown that the proposed model significantly extends the limits of the validity of the “long-wave” model.     

In situ Video-STM study of the potential-induced (1 × 1) → “hex” transition on Au(1 0 0) electrode surfaces in Cl containing solution

The potential-induced (1 × 1) → “hex” transition on Au(1 0 0) electrodes in 0.01 M Na₂SO₄ + 1 mM HCl was studied by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy at high time resolution (Video-STM). According to these observations the elementary units of the “hex” surface reconstruction, hexagonally-ordered strings in the Au surface layer, are highly dynamic nanoscale objects. Isolated “hex” strings exhibit dynamic fluctuations in structure and position on the millisecond timescale. These fluctuations exceed the mobility of multistring “hex” domains by several orders of magnitude and can be explained by collective dynamic processes within the strings. Furthermore, the observations reveal a novel 1D mass transport mechanism along the strings, details on the nucleation and growth of “hex” strings and complex string restructuring processes, facilitating “hex” domain ripening.     

Thomas-Fermi model for quasi one-dimensional finite crystals

The model presented here applies a self-consistent method to electrons in crystals, thus enabling the calculation of the effective inner potential field. For this purpose, a Thomas-Fermi (TF) type model was developed, using a “qausi” one-dimensional finite crystal—a set of equidistant infinite thin plates representing the ionic planes, spread perpendicularly to a length axis. The model is applied to a finite crystal with no external fields. This application of a “multi-centered” TF model to an entire crystal is carried out for the first time in this work; the TF model was widely used in the past for atomic and molecular calculations, but in crystals it was limited to local use such as impurities. Poisson's (non-linear) differential equation describing the problem is solved using the highly efficient Relaxation Method. A pattern of almost periodical peaks (except near the boundaries) residing at the ionic sites is obtained for the potential, as well as for the electronic local density (indicating the electrons' tendency to pack mainly near the ions).     

Effect of viscous damping on power transmissibility for the vibration isolation of building services equipment

Vibration isolation plays an important role in both the vibration and noise control of building services equipment. To evaluate vibration isolation performance, the force transmissibility method is commonly adopted. However, increasing the damping effect in the force transmissibility method reduces both the resonance peak value and the isolation performance in the “isolation region”. The limitation of the method is that the transmitted displacement of a floor structure and the interaction of mounting points are neglected. To include the floor displacement and the interaction of mounting points, Mak and Su recently proposed the power transmissibility method to assess the performance of vibration isolation. In this paper, the effect of viscous damping on power transmissibility is investigated. A practical procedure for experimentally determining the damping ratio is also given.     

Piezonuclear reactions - do they really exist?

In a number of recent articles in this journal F. Cardone and collaborators have claimed the observation of several striking nuclear phenomena which they attribute to “piezonuclear reactions”. One such claim [F. Cardone, R. Mignani, A. Petrucci, Phys. Lett. A 373 (2009) 1956] is that subjecting a solution of ²²⁸Th to cavitation leads to a “transformation” of thorium nuclei that is 10⁴ times faster than the normal nuclear decay for this isotope. In a “Comment” [G. Ericsson, S. Pomp, H. Sjöstrand, E. Traneus, Phys. Lett. A 373 (2009) 3795] to the thorium work, we have criticized the evidence provided for this claim. In a “Reply” [F. Cardone, R. Mignani, A. Petrucci, Phys. Lett. A 373 (2009) 3797] Cardone et al. answer only some minor points but avoid addressing the real issue. The information provided in their Reply displays a worrying lack of control of their experimental situation and the data they put forward as evidence for their claims. We point out several shortcomings and errors in the described experimental preparations, set-up and reporting, as well as in the data analysis. We conclude that the evidence presented by Cardone et al. is insufficient to justify their claims of accelerated thorium decay (by “piezonuclear reactions” or otherwise).     

Structural modal excitation using travelling impulses—force frequency shifting

A review of existing hardware and methods for vibration testing of large structures is given by Koss and has shown that the size of inertial vibration shakers, to achieve a specific displacement, has to increase, as a structure becomes larger. In previous papers the concept of “force frequency shifting (ffs) for structural excitation”, was introduced to develop a more compact structural vibration exciter than is presently available for low frequencies. An ffs shaker operates at a frequency much greater than the natural frequency of the structure under test but generates a modal force at the lower frequency of the structure. This effect is accomplished by moving a vibrating force back and forth across the structure while the force is applied normally to its surface. For example, the generalized force generated by an ffs shaker at the fundamental structural frequency for a simply supported beam is given by 1.65Pr/l where P is the high frequency out of balance force, r is the throw amplitude and l is the beam length. The term that reduces the efficiency of force transfer from high to low frequencies is “r/l” as, usually, the length of a structure is much greater than the throw of the force. This paper introduces another force frequency shifting approach that allows r/l to be large. This is accomplished by placing force exciters along a structure-spatial array, spaced a distance ΔX apart, and each force exciter is activated for a short period of time to simulate a travelling force traversing the structure forwards and backwards. The “force throw r “can thus be made large. Results of simulations and experiments verify that force frequency shifting can be accomplished using travelling impulses and modal identification can be achieved.     

Emergent gravity in two dimensions

We explore models with emergent gravity and metric by means of numerical simulations. A particular type of two-dimensional non-linear sigma-model is regularized and discretized on a quadratic lattice. It is characterized by lattice diffeomorphism invariance which ensures in the continuum limit the symmetry of general coordinate transformations. We observe a collective order parameter with properties of a metric, showing Minkowski or Euclidean signature. The correlation functions of the metric reveal an interesting long-distance behavior with power-like decay. This universal critical behavior occurs without tuning of parameters and thus constitutes an example of “self-tuned criticality” for this type of sigma-models. We also find a non-vanishing expectation value of a “zweibein” related to the “internal” degrees of freedom of the scalar field, again with long-range correlations. The metric is well described as a composite of the zweibein. A scalar condensate breaks Euclidean rotation symmetry.