Another characterization of homogeneous Poisson processes

For a general renewal process N (allowing delay, defect and multiple simultaneous arrivals) the independence of the first renewal epochs of the marked processes got from N by Bernoulli 0/1 thinning is characterized. This independence is well-known to hold true in the case of homogeneous Poisson processes; by way of corollary one obtains the interesting observation that, when coupled with some minimal extra conditions, it in fact already identifies them. The proof is analytic in character.     

Experimental validation of corrections factors for γ–γ and γ–X coincidence summing of 133Ba, 152Eu,and 125Sb in volume sources

True coincidence summing correction factors for ¹³³Ba, ¹⁵²Eu and ¹²⁵Sb were determined experimentally for a small volume source and compared with correction factors obtained with three softwares (EFFTRAN-X, GESPECOR and VGSL). The radionuclides investigated have a relatively challenging decay scheme and their spectra are known to suffer from losses due to summation (γ–γ, γ–X and X–X) when measured at close distances on a HPGe detector sensitive to low energy photons. This study shows that the softwares were in good agreement with each other and the experimental data and the calculated activity was consistent with the activity in the volume source.

     

Quantum dynamics of a driven correlated system coupled to phonons

Nonequilibrium interplay between charge, spin, and lattice degrees of freedom on a square lattice is studied for a single charge carrier doped in the t-J-Holstein model. In the presence of a static electric field we calculate the quasistationary state. With increasing electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling the carrier mobility decreases; however, we find increased steady state current due to e-ph coupling in the regime of negative differential resistance. We explore the distribution of absorbed energy between the spin and the phonon subsystem. For model parameters as relevant for cuprates, the majority of the gained energy flows into the spin subsystem.     

Dynamical tunneling in mushroom billiards

We study the fundamental question of dynamical tunneling in generic two-dimensional Hamiltonian systems by considering regular-to-chaotic tunneling rates. Experimentally, we use microwave spectra to investigate a mushroom billiard with adjustable foot height. Numerically, we obtain tunneling rates from high precision eigenvalues using the improved method of particular solutions. Analytically, a prediction is given by extending an approach using a fictitious integrable system to billiards. In contrast to previous approaches for billiards, we find agreement with experimental and numerical data without any free parameter.     

The effects of Coulomb friction on the performance of centrifugal pendulum vibration absorbers

We investigate analytically and experimentally the effects of Coulomb friction on the performance of centrifugal pendulum vibration absorbers (CPVAs), which are used to reduce torsional vibrations in rotating machinery. The analysis is based on perturbation methods applied to the nonlinear equations of motion for a rotor subjected to an engine order applied torque and equipped with a circular path CPVA with viscous and Coulomb damping. The experimental work is based on quantifying parameters for the damping model using free vibration measurements with a viscous and Coulomb damping identification scheme that is enhanced to better handle measurement noise, and running tests for steady-state operation under a range of loading conditions. The level of Coulomb damping is varied by adjusting the friction of the absorber connection bearing. Good agreement is found between the analytical predictions and the experimental data. It is shown that the absorber sticks up to a level of excitation that allows it to release, after which the Coulomb damping acts in the expected manner, resulting in lowered response amplitudes. The results obtained are of general use in assessing absorber performance when dry friction is present in absorber suspensions.     

Diversity of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanopowders’ characteristics relevant to toxicity testing

In this study, the physicochemical properties of several commercial ultrafine TiO₂ powders and their behaviour in the as-received form and colloidal suspensions were analysed. Besides the particle size, the morphology and agglomeration state of the dry powders, dispersibility, ζ-potential and sedimentation in water and in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were studied. Also, leaching of ions from the powders during ageing in physiological solution and the ability of the photoactivated powders to decompose organic substances were evaluated. The examined TiO₂ powders revealed diversified characteristics when dispersed in water. In general, while in dry conditions the particle size appeared in the nano-range (down to 32 nm), the particles were agglomerated in aqueous suspensions at pH ~7 and only a minor amount showed dimensions below 200 nm, but none below 100 nm. The inherent pH of the 3 % suspensions varies from 3.7 to 7.5 and the surface charge at these pH values varied from highly positive to highly negative values. In PBS, the surface charge is negative and relatively low for all the samples, which resulted in agglomeration. Five out of six powders exhibited significant photocatalytic activity when exposed to UV irradiation. This also includes one cosmetic-grade powder. Furthermore, during the immersion in aqueous media at physiological temperature, the powders released foreign ions, which might also contribute to the results of cytotoxicity tests. The results revealed the major role of the particle surface charge and its impact on particle dispersion or agglomeration. Due to the high ionic strength in the liquids relevant for cell-surface interaction tests, for all the examined titania powders the nanoparticulate character was lost. However, the presence of impurities and photocatalysis might further contribute to the results of cytotoxicity tests.     

Experiments on 40 Gb/s Transmission with Wavelength Conversion: Results from the IST ATLAS Project

In this article we report the main experimental results obtained in the framework of the IST ATLAS project regarding the transmission at 40 Gb/s over long terrestrial links, including the frequency conversion of a signal. We report the single-channel 40 Gb/s transmission over a link 500 km long with an amplifier spacing of 100 km, both with G.652 fibers and G.653 fibers by periodically compensating the chromatic dispersion with dispersion-compensating fibers. We report the single-channel transmission at 40 Gb/s, also, after the wavelength conversion of a channel with both PPLN and semiconductor optical amplifier devices. In particular, 500 km distances are obtained with PPLN wavelength conversion and 300 km distances with semiconductor optical amplifiers. Some results have been reported for electronic devices operating at 40 Gb/s.     

Some modifications to Sima’s model for total efficiency calculation of well-type detectors

Some modifications are presented to Sima’s simple analytical model for the calculation of the total detection efficiency of a well-type γ-ray detector, aiming at improving its accuracy and broadening its applicability. The modifications pertain to some general improvements in the photon transmission probabilities through absorbing materials and implementation of specific equations for solid angle and mean path length through materials that describe the case of eccentrically positioned sources as well as volume sources. In particular, some improvement is achieved by implementing a contribution from elastic scattering effects.     

Improving the reliability of peak-evaluation results in gamma-ray spectrometry

In gamma-ray spectrometry the activities present in the samples are calculated from the areas of the peaks occurring in the spectra. Therefore, the utmost reliability of these input data must be maintained. To avoid systematic manual checks of the peak areas, the spectrum is analyzed consecutively by three peak-analysis programs. A comparative study was performed in which these peak-evaluation programs were tested to determine whether they yielded unbiased results. Only these programs can be used in a combined application. A consistency test of peak areas calculated by use of the three programs, for the same peak, was performed. Outlying results were discarded and the uncertainty of the best estimate for the area of a peak was calculated taking into account the dispersion of the peak-area results for this peak. The reliability of the computerized procedure has made manual checks of the peak areas unnecessary.