Figure of merit for spectrometers for EDXRF

How should one select the best detector for a particular measurement in energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF)? How should one select the optimum system configuration, i.e. the best shaping time and beam current? Manufacturers provide a variety of specifications, such as energy resolution and maximum count rate, but these are indirectly related to the end use of an EDXRF instrument, the measurement and detection limit of the measured elemental concentrations. We suggest in this paper using the time required to achieve a given statistical uncertainty as a figure of merit. We derive scaling rules for this figure of merit based on conventional specifications, including energy resolution, peaking time, maximum count rate, detector area, and intrinsic efficiency. These scaling rules also include the peak to background ratio of a photopeak and the number of overlapping peaks. We then show how this figure of merit can be used to select the optimum detector and spectrometer configuration for specific applications and compare the results to data obtained with typical systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Considerations for Maintenance of Postural Alignment for Voice Production

There is general agreement that postural alignment is important in optimizing voice function. A number of articles have illuminated the way in which posture, particularly of the cervical spine, is directly related to vocal resonance and pitch control. Despite frequent involvement in muscle training, few speech pathologists have the background in exercise physiology necessary to appreciate the contribution of muscular length-tension relationships to postural alignment. The purpose of this article is to provide voice therapists with information to help them formulate appropriate recommendations for improving postural alignment. This article synthesizes information from the literature regarding the role of muscular length-tension balance in the attainment and maintenance of postural alignment. Important considerations in the assessment of muscle tension and weakness are presented along with advice regarding application to the treatment of voice-disordered patients. Concepts detailed include agonist/antagonist relationships, the biomechanics of stretching, postural assessment, and the relationship between muscle tension and muscle weakness. The role of both stretching and strength-based training is discussed. Specific exercises with emphasis on altering the alignment of the cervical and thoracic spine are presented with suggestions for their use in the clinic. There is growing understanding of the physiology behind recommendations of voice teachers and therapists to maintain optimal alignment. To effectively mediate postural misalignment, clinicians must have knowledge of the length-tension relationships between muscles. This understanding will lead to better interventions for postural alignment.     

Development of techniques for characterisation of scintillation materials for cryogenic application

The multi-photon counting (MPC) technique was designed to record photon emission of scintillators and, as a very powerful method of material characterisation, is enjoying increasing popularity. The technique is especially advantageous for the analysis of slow scintillation processes and the investigation of temperature-dependent scintillator properties. The paper describes the latest development of the technique aiming to improve performance and widen the scope of applications. The results from characterising MgF₂ are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the MPC technique.     

Method for breaking chains of equations for green's functions

This article presents a new method for closing infinite systems of equations for Green's functions. Its basis is a procedure for simultaneously splitting two higher-order Green's functions. There is a particular relationship between the three Green's functions that result. These Green's functions are self-consistent. Known Green's functions are used to reconstruct the corresponding correlation functions. An example is provided by the problem of magnetization for a spin system in the Heisenberg model with first-and secondorder approximations in the spin-spin interaction. The first-order approximation corresponds to the molecular-field approximation. The second-order computation corresponds to obtaining general relations determining the magnetization of a system. V. I. Lenin Moscow State Pedagogical University. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 8, pp. 42–47, August, 1996.     

Prospects for Boiling of Subcooled Dielectric Liquids for Supercomputer Cooling

It is shown experimentally that using forced-convection boiling of dielectric coolants of the Novec 649 Refrigerant subcooled relative to the saturation temperature makes possible removing heat flow rates up to 100 W/cm² from modern supercomputer chip interface. This fact creates prerequisites for the application of dielectric liquids in cooling systems of modern supercomputers with increased requirements for their operating reliability.     

Methods for creating the self-regulating mechanisms of passive systems for ensuring thermal regime of devices for space application

The passive systems for ensuring the thermal regime of space objects, which are in current use, can preserve the temperature at the same level only under a certain orientation of spacecraft and at a constant heat release of the equipment. At a variable orientation of the space object, its temperature may vary due to a possible illumination of the radiator-emitter of the system for ensuring the thermal regime by the solar or planet radiation. At a variable heat release the object temperature changes due to an off-design regime of the radiator operation. To compensate for the given effects the active elements are used — the heaters and coolers. This reduces the reliability of thermal regulation system and, consequently, the reliability of the entire spacecraft. The solutions are proposed, which create in the absence of active elements in the thermal regulation system the internal mechanisms enabling a compensation of the variability of heat fluxes both at a reorientation of the spacecraft and at a variation of the internal heat release.     

Use of plasma polymerisation process for fabrication of bio-MEMS for micro-fluidic devices

Using a plasma polymerisation process with optical lithography, wet and dry etching techniques we have fabricated an organic micro-fluidic device (OMDF) on silicon/glass substrate. An asymmetric electrode array used in micro-fluidic device (MFD) with small electrode (4 μm wide) separated from the large electrode (20 μm wide) by 20 μm and 6 μm gaps in both sides respectively. In this study we have found that plasma polymerisation process is not only important for changing the surface chemical and physical properties but also has advantage in bonding of these micro devices at low temperature (∼100 °C) due to low T_g of polymeric material. The fluidic velocity measurement shows a maximum of about 450 μm/s in a 150 μm channel width of organic micro-fluidic devices after plasma surface modification.     

一种铁磁材料探伤的方法

介绍一种利用LC振荡电路的磁回路探测材料表面和内部伤痕的方法．实验证明,该方法能应用于高压容器的深层探伤,且效果很好．     

Method for absolute calibration of reference plates for interferometric inspection of surfaces

A method for absolute calibration of reference plates of interferometers for measuring surface profiles of optical elements is described. It is based on the solution of the inverse problem of reconstruction of a surface profile from the data of relative measurements of three plates by way of minimizing the goal function. The method takes into account the gravitational sagging of the reference plate and allows one to obtain its profile with an accuracy of ～λ/1000 for λ=6328 Å. The calibration algorithm as well as theoretical calculations and experimental results are presented.     

Comparison of models for the Gaunt factor for free-free absorption

Within the dipole approximation to the radiation field for the free-free Gaunt factor, we compare various models of the electron-atom (ion) collisional process. These models range in sophistication from the static-exchange to the simple Born, point-charge representation. We also consider a number of local potential models such as the Thomas-Fermi and Free-Electron-Gas. The Born approximation is shown to be singularly unreliable for electron and photon energies between 10 and 100 eV. Of the local potential models, the FEG gives the most accurate results.     

一种实用的X型靶标亚像素角点提取方法

为了提取亚像素角点和实现高精度的标定,提出了一种基于Harris算子和空间矩的亚像素角点提取方法。利用Harris算子,在优化后的范围内提取像素级角点;运用改进后的梯度模板提取像素级角点周围部分边界点,并利用空间矩的方法得到边界点的亚像素级坐标;将亚像素边界点进行直线拟合,并将交点的平均值作为该角点的亚像素坐标。实际测试证明:利用该方法提取到的角点精度可以达到0.1pixel,可满足实际的公差要求,为X型靶标的角点提取提供了一种新的思路,目前已经将该方法应用到了嵌入式机器视觉工业现场。     

Properties of the difference method for searching for anisotropy of primary cosmic rays

Methodical properties and features of the original difference method for searching for the anisotropy in the knee region of the primary cosmic ray energy spectrum are analyzed. It is shown that the method in which properties of particle fluxes, rather than intensities, are studied is stable to randomexperimental errors andmakes it possible to separate anomalies associatedwith the laboratory coordinate system from anomalies in the celestial coordinates. The method uses multiple scattering of charged particles in galactic magnetic fields for studying the entire celestial sphere, including sky regions beyond the installation line of sight.     

高考设计性实验题解题策略举隅

针对近两年物理高考实验题的转变,笔者对近几年高考题进行了分析,试图从实验仪器、实验原理、误差分析、信息获取等几个方面找出规律,探究解决此类型问题的策略.     

THz辐射电光探测原理分析新方法

采用线性电光效应耦合波理论，得到一种全新简便的基于线性电光效应的THz辐射电光探测 原理的分析方法.这种方法不仅适用于一切各向同性晶体，也适用于探测光沿光轴传播的单 轴晶体.它可以方便地描述在探测光偏振状态和THz辐射电场方向都任意的情况下探测器的行 为，并可以得到探测器的优化设计方案.同时此方法不需要复杂的坐标变换，计算方便简洁 ，而且得到一些在其他理论中没有得到的结论，有望给电光探测器设计者提供有益的参考 . 关键词： 电光探测器 THz 线性电光效应耦合波理论