Power-independent technique to extract the dispersion parameters of an optical fiber using four wave mixing

Conventional methods which extract dispersion parameters of an optical fiber using four wave mixing rely on the measurement of optical power in the generated wavelengths, and hence are prone to measurement errors. We propose and demonstrate a power-independent method to extract the dispersion curve of a fiber using four wave mixing (FWM). The analytical equations that have been traditionally used to estimate the phase mismatch in FWM are modified to cater to low-dispersion fibers, and are verified. Experiments to obtain the dispersion curve of a low-dispersion and highly nonlinear fiber are discussed and the results are analyzed. Limitations of any FWM-based method to extract the dispersion curve of a fiber are presented for the first time.     

Calculation of temporal, angular, and intensity characteristics of the sound field in a coastal area with an arbitrary bottom relief and a constant sound speed in the medium

Computational algorithms and some computed data are presented for the total sound field in a waveguide whose depth arbitrarily depends on two horizontal coordinates. The sound speed is supposed to be constant, and the bottom slopes are considered as small. The algorithm involves three steps. First, horizontal rays, i.e., horizontal projections of the real rays multiply bottom-and surface-reflected, are calculated. Second, the horizontal rays are set up to a point. Third, the real rays are set up to a point. The computational accuracy is analyzed for a homogeneous wedge lying on a halfspace. Calculations are carried out for a coastal region of the ocean.     

Vibrations of initially stressed thick,rectangular, orthotropic plates

Equations of motion for antisymmetric cross-ply laminates in a general state of non-uniform initial stress, where the effects of transverse shear and rotary inertia are included, are derived by the virtual work theorem. The equations are adjusted to a generic expression by using proper transformations. Then, the vibrational behaviors of the laminates subjected to a state of uniform tensile or compressive stress plus a uniform bening stress are examined. By considering the transformations, introducing the generalized parameters, and employing a similarity parameter, comprehensive solutions are found to this problem; hence, the curves presented in the text are generic rather than specific. The frequency behavior prior to buckling, undergoes a transition for various mode shape numbers is also investigated.     

Properties of planar Nb/α-Si/Nb Josephson junctions with various degrees of doping of the α-Si layer

The properties of Nb/??-Si/Nb planar Josephson junctions with various degrees of doping of the amorphous silicon layer are experimentally studied. Tungsten is used as a doping impurity. The properties of the Josephson junctions are shown to change substantially when the degree of doping of the ??-Si layer changes: a current transport mechanism and the shape of the current-voltage characteristic of the junctions change. Josephson junctions with SNS-type conduction are formed in the case of a fully degenerate ??-Si layer. The properties of such junctions are described by a classical resistive model. Josephson junctions with a resonance mechanism of current transport through impurity centers are formed at a lower degree of doping of the ??-Si layer. The high-frequency properties of such junctions are shown to change. The experimental results demonstrate that these junctions are close to SINIS-type Josephson junctions.     

NON-LINEAR BEAM OSCILLATIONS EXCITED BY LATERAL FORCE AT COMBINATION RESONANCE

Non-linear oscillations of a beam subjected to a periodic force at a combination resonance are considered. Using the Galerkin method, a partial differential equation of oscillations is reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations with a small parameter. A system of three autonomous differential equations is derived, the multiple scales method being used. Qualitative properties of trajectories are analyzed. The Naimark-Sacker bifurcations at the combination resonance are analyzed by the center manifold method. Almost-periodic oscillations of a beam arise due to these bifurcations. These oscillations are investigated qualitatively and numerically.     

Frequency-division multiplexing of optical-fibre sensors using a frequency-modulated source

Three basic configurations, namely, (i) parallel with a common reference, (ii) parallel with separate references and (iii) series, are studied for a multiplexed system of optical-fibre sensors. With a frequency-modulated laser source, each sensor of a different predetermined path imbalance results in a different beat frequency at the detector and signals are multiplexed in the frequency domain. The cross-term problem arising from undesired interference associated with more than one sensor is described. A series configuration has more cross terms than a parallel configuration if there are four sensors or more and, consequently, suffers more signal power reduction if there are seven sensors or more. Several schemes are presented, which ensures the separation of cross terms from desired signals. In a parallel system with a common reference, signals and cross terms are allocated in the lower and in the higher region, respectively, or to every other line in the frequency domain. In a parallel system with separate references, sensors are made incoherent to each other to produce no cross terms. In a series system, more elaborate schemes are necessary. The estimated maximum number of sensors indicates that a parallel configuration should be used if there are 10 sensors or more to be multiplexed.     

Feasibility of controlling speed-dependent low-frequency brake vibration amplification by modulating actuation pressure

In this article, a feasibility study of controlling the low frequency torque response of a disc brake system with modulated actuation pressure (in the open loop mode) is conducted. First, a quasi-linear model of the torsional system is introduced, and analytical solutions are proposed to incorporate the modulation effect. Tractable expressions for three different modulation schemes are obtained, and conditions that would lead to a reduction in the oscillatory amplitudes are identified. Second, these conditions are evaluated with a numerical model of the torsional system with clearance nonlinearity, and analytical solutions are verified in terms of the trends observed. Finally, a laboratory experiment with a solenoid valve is built to modulate actuation pressure with a constant duty cycle, and time–frequency domain data are acquired. Measurements are utilized to assess analytical observations, and all methods show that the speed-dependent brake torque amplitudes can be altered with an appropriate modulation of actuation pressure.     

Turbulent vortex wake: Classification principles,gauge equivalence,examples, and applications

The paper proposes a system of second-order ordinary differential equations with solutions interpreted as trajectories of a turbulent vortex wake. The trajectories are modeled by complexes of geodesic lines in non-Euclidean geometries and are analyzed to select a proper geometry by choosing a particular gauge for modeling the whole class of turbulent vortex wake trajectories. Examples are given of geodesic and partially geodesic gauges to model a particular complex of linear vortex wake trajectories, and possible ways are suggested to apply the theory to turbulence mesodynamics in cosmic plasma.     

Radar cross sections of a random medium layer

Analytic expressions are derived for the normalized radar cross sections (NRCS) of a random medium layer. These are calculated from the first-order solutions for diffuse intensities which are based on a multiple-scattering wave theoretical analysis. The permittivity fluctuations are assumed to be small and to obey stationary Gaussian statistics. On studying the expressions for the NRCS, some of their characteristics are pointed out. Three different correlation functions are considered and expressions for the coherent propagation constants are provided. Numerical examples are used to verify theoretical results and highlight some interesting characteristics of NRCS.     

Flexible polyurethane foam modelling and identification of viscoelastic parameters for automotive seating applications

A hereditary model and a fractional derivative model for the dynamic properties of flexible polyurethane foams used in automotive seat cushions are presented. Non-linear elastic and linear viscoelastic properties are incorporated into these two models. A polynomial function of compression is used to represent the non-linear elastic behavior. The viscoelastic property is modelled by a hereditary integral with a relaxation kernel consisting of two exponential terms in the hereditary model and by a fractional derivative term in the fractional derivative model. The foam is used as the only viscoelastic component in a foam-mass system undergoing uniaxial compression. One-term harmonic balance solutions are developed to approximate the steady state response of the foam-mass system to the harmonic base excitation. System identification procedures based on the direct non-linear optimization and a sub-optimal method are formulated to estimate the material parameters. The effects of the choice of the cost function, frequency resolution of data and imperfections in experiments are discussed. The system identification procedures are also applied to experimental data from a foam-mass system. The performances of the two models for data at different compression and input excitation levels are compared, and modifications to the structure of the fractional derivative model are briefly explored. The role of the viscous damping term in both types of model is discussed.     

Fourier transform and theory of fractal multilayer mirrors

A new type of non periodic interferential mirrors are proposed. These mirrors, built according to the pattern of a Cantor set, are autosimilar and are characterized by a fractional Hausdorff dimension. It is shown that such mirrors are able to reflect different radiations whose wavelengths are not harmonic.     

Kuramoto model of coupled oscillators with positive and negative coupling parameters: an example of conformist and contrarian oscillators

We consider a generalization of the Kuramoto model in which the oscillators are coupled to the mean field with random signs. Oscillators with positive coupling are "conformists"; they are attracted to the mean field and tend to synchronize with it. Oscillators with negative coupling are "contrarians"; they are repelled by the mean field and prefer a phase diametrically opposed to it. The model is simple and exactly solvable, yet some of its behavior is surprising. Along with the stationary states one might have expected (a desynchronized state, and a partially-synchronized state, with conformists and contrarians locked in antiphase), it also displays a traveling wave, in which the mean field oscillates at a frequency different from the population's mean natural frequency.     

Technique for "tuning" vocal tract area functions based on acoustic sensitivity functions

A technique for modifying vocal tract area functions is developed by using sum and difference combinations of acoustic sensitivity functions to perturb an initial vocal tract configuration. First, sensitivity functions [e.g., Fant and Pauli, Proc. Speech Comm. Sem. 74, 1975] are calculated for a given area function, at its specific formant frequencies. The sensitivity functions are then multiplied by scaling coefficients that are determined from the difference between a desired set of formant frequencies and those supported by the current area function. The scaled sensitivity functions are then summed together to generate a perturbation of the area function. This produces a new area function whose associated formant frequencies are closer to the desired values than the previous one. This process is repeated iteratively until the coefficients are equal to zero or are below a threshold value.     

Radial motion of a solid spherical body in a magnetic field

The object of the present paper is to investigate the radial motion of a solid spherical body, assumed to be homogeneous, isotropic and elastic, in presence of a magnetic field in the azimuthal direction. The body is assumed to be in a state of initial stress which is hydrostatic in nature. This theory of radial motion of a solid spherical body in a magnetic field has been utilised to find the small radial motion of a solid Earth assumed to be homogeneous isotropic elastic sphere in presence of a magnetic field in the azimuthal direction. Considering the effect of gravity and the initial stress produced by slow process of creep due to extra masses over the surface of the Earth, the fundamental equations of motion are derived which are non-linear in character and are solved. The times of a desired radial displacement are calculated in presence of a magnetic field only and in presence of the same magnetic field, initial stress and gravitational field, which are compared and exhibited numerically.     

Effect of the fiber orientation on the microcrack formation in a fibrous polymer composite during friction

Triboluminescence is used to study the microcrack formation during dry sliding friction on steel of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and a composite material consisting of a PPS matrix reinforced with a carbon fiber fabric. It is found that, when fabric layers are parallel to the slip plane, the number and linear sizes of microcracks are larger than those in PPS. In contrast, when fabric layers are normal to the slip plane, the number and linear sizes of microcracks are smaller than those in PPS. These effects are explained by the formation of boundary layers in the matrix in which molecules are oriented parallel to the axis of fibers in the fabric.     

Phase diagram of a traffic roundabout

We propose a simple cellular automaton model to study the traffic dynamics in a roundabout. Both numerical and analytical results are presented. We are able to obtain exact solutions in the full parameter space. Exact phase diagrams are derived. When the traffic from two directions mixed, there are only five distinct phases. Some of the combinations from naive intuition are strictly forbidden. We also compare the results to a signaled intersection.     

Acoustic wave propagation in a binary mixture of inviscid fluids

Linearized equations governing the thermo-mechanical behaviour of a binary mixture of inviscid fluids are derived. Restrictions which are sufficient for the equations to have a unique solution are imposed on some of the material constants. The propagation of plane harmonic waves of small amplitude in the mixture is examined and the inequalities are shown to ensure a physically reasonable response. As an application of the theory properties of acoustic waves in a binary mixture of ideal gases are evaluated numerically.     

Finite-bandwidth effects on the causal prediction of ultrasonic attenuation of the power-law form

Kramers-Kronig (K-K) relations exist as a consequence of causality, placing nonlocal constraints on the relationship between dispersion and absorption. The finite-bandwidth method of applying these relations is examined where the K-K integrals are restricted to the spectrum of the experimental data. These finite-bandwidth K-K relations are known to work with resonant-type data and here are applied to dispersion data consistent with a power-law attenuation coefficient (exponent from 1 to 2). Bandwidth-restricted forms of the zero and once-subtracted K-K relations are used to determine the attenuation coefficient from phase velocity. Analytically, it is shown that these transforms produce the proper power-law form of the attenuation coefficient as a stand-alone term summed with artifacts that are dependent on the integration limits. Calculations are performed to demonstrate how these finite-bandwidth artifacts affect the K-K predictions under a variety of conditions. The predictions are studied in a local context as a function of subtraction frequency, bandwidth, and power-law exponent. The K-K predictions of the power-law exponent within various decades of the spectrum are also examined. In general, the agreement between finite-bandwidth K-K predictions and exact values grows as the power-law exponent approaches 1 and with increasing bandwidth.     

Three-mode coupling in a passive dielectric waveguide with index modulation

The characteristics of a three-mode coupling in a passive dielectric waveguide are investigated for the case of even TE modes. The index is assumed to have a doubly periodic harmonic variation in the propagation direction. By a singular perturbation procedure using multiple space scales, the coupled-mode equations governing the Bragg interactions are systematically deduced. The three-mode coupling causes a stop band in frequency and the characteristics of the resulting evanescent mode are analyzed. For a periodic dielectric waveguide of finite length, the three coupled-mode equations are solved subject to suitable boundary conditions to obtain the reflection and the transmission coefficients. The frequency response of the reflection and the transmission coefficients are investigated and compared with the results of the pair of corresponding two-mode couplings. Representative numerical results are presented to illustrate the characteristics of the interaction of the three modes.