Theoretical detection ranges for acoustic based manatee avoidance technology

The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) has become endangered partly because of watercraft collisions in Florida's coastal waterways. To reduce the number of collisions, warning systems based upon detecting manatee vocalizations have been proposed. One aspect of the feasibility of an acoustically based warning system relies upon the distance at which a manatee vocalization is detectable. Assuming a mixed spreading model, this paper presents a theoretical analysis of the system detection capabilities operating within various background and watercraft noise conditions. This study combines measured source levels of manatee vocalizations with the modeled acoustic properties of manatee habitats to develop a method for determining the detection range and hydrophone spacing requirements for acoustic based manatee avoidance technologies. In quiet environments (background noise approximately 70 dB) it was estimated that manatee vocalizations are detectable at approximately 250 m, with a 6 dB detection threshold, In louder environments (background noise approximately 100dB) the detection range drops to 2.5 m. In a habitat with 90 dB of background noise, a passing boat with a maximum noise floor of 120 dB would be the limiting factor when it is within approximately 100 m of a hydrophone. The detection range was also found to be strongly dependent on the manatee vocalization source level.     

Detection of chemical warfare agents based on quantum cascade laser cavity ring-down spectroscopy

Chemical warfare agents(CWAs) are recognized as serious threats of terrorist acts against the civilian population.Minimizing the impact of these threats requires early detection of the presence of CWAs.Cavity ring-down spectroscopy(CRDS) is an exquisitely sensitive technique for the detection of trace gaseous species.In this letter,the CRDS technique is employed using a pulsed quantum cascade laser for the detection of dimethyl methylphosphonate(DMMP).A limit of DMMP detection of approximately 77 ppb is achieved.The best achievable sensitivity that corresponds to noise-equivalent absorption is approximately 2×10-7cm 1.     

Temperature response of 129Xe depolarization transfer and its application for ultrasensitive NMR detection

Trapping xenon in functionalized cryptophane cages makes the sensitivity of hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe available for specific NMR detection of biomolecules. Here, we study the signal transfer onto a reservoir of unbound HP xenon by gating the residence time of the nuclei in the cage through the temperature-dependant exchange rate. Temperature changes larger than approximately 0.6 K are detectable as an altered reservoir signal. The temperature response is adjustable with lower concentrations of caged xenon providing more sensitivity at higher temperatures. Ultrasensitive detection of functionalized cryptophane at 310 K is demonstrated with a concentration of 10 nM, corresponding to a approximately 4000-fold sensitivity enhancement compared to conventional detection. This makes HPNMR capable of detecting such constructs in concentrations far below the detection limit of benchtop uv-visible light absorbance.     

Balanced differential phase-shift keying detector performance: an analytical study

A simple explanation of the observed approximately 3 dB advantage of differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) balanced detection over the intensity-modulated directly detected (IM-DD) type detection that can be easily used for system engineering purposes is presented. A Gaussian approximation is used to describe the tails of the detected noisy random signals leading to an analytical explanation of the observed approximately 3 dB advantage of DPSK balanced detection over the IM-DD type detection.     

Constraining nuclear equations of state using gravitational waves from hypermassive neutron stars

Latest general relativistic simulations for the merger of binary neutron stars with realistic equations of states (EOSs) show that a hypermassive neutron star of an ellipsoidal figure is formed after the merger if the total mass is smaller than a threshold value which depends on the EOSs. The effective amplitude of quasiperiodic gravitational waves from such hypermassive neutron stars is approximately 6-7 x 10(-21) at a distance of 50 Mpc, which may be large enough for detection by advanced laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors although the frequency is high, approximately 3 kHz. We point out that the detection of such signals may lead to constraining the EOSs for neutron stars.     

Transmittance and phase measurement via self-calibrated balanced heterodyne detection

It is rare for a conventional direct detection method to measure the transmittance uniformity of mirrors with rigorous standards, especially to meet the requirement of transmittance/reflectance and phase detection simultaneously. In this study, a new method of self-calibrated balanced heterodyne detection(SCBHD) is proposed. It can be self-calibrated by a two-channel structure to overcome the environmental effects in large optics scanning detection by employing highly accurate heterodyne interference. A typical transmittance measurement experiment was performed at 1053 nm wavelength via SCBHD. A standard deviation(SD) of 0.038% was achieved in the preliminary experiment. The experimental results prove to reduce the SD by approximately two orders of magnitude compared with the conventional direct detection method in the same condition. The proposed method was verified as being promising not only for its wider dynamic measurement range and its higher accuracy but also for its simultaneous transmittance and phase detection ability.     

Sample Input Modulation and Lock-in-Amplifier Detection for Signal-to-Noise Ratio Improvement in Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

The effect of modulation of the sample atomization, accomplished by pulsing the nebulizer pump, and lock-in-amplifier (LIA) detection of the modulated output signal of an ICP atomic emission spectrometer is studied. The time constant of the nebulizer spray chamber allows a maximum modulation frequency of approximately 2 Hz, but optimum performance for this system is found at a modulation frequency of approximately 1 Hz. A signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio improvement approaching a factor of three is found for the arrangement employed. It is proposed that more rapid modulation, achievable through the use of a nebulization system with a shorter time constant, should lead to even greater improvement in the SNR than was accomplished in this study. The dynamic range is improved, relative to the unmodulated system, as the detection limit is lowered without any loss of linearity at high concentrations. A linear dynamic range of greater than 4 orders of magnitude is found for the modulated system.     

In vivo dark-field reflection-mode photoacoustic microscopy

Reflection-mode photoacoustic microscopy with dark-field laser pulse illumination and high-numerical-aperture ultrasonic detection is designed and implemented in noninvasively imaged blood vessels in the skin in vivo. Dark-field optical illumination minimizes the interference caused by strong photoacoustic signals from superficial structures. A high-numerical-aperture acoustic lens provides high lateral resolution, 45-120 microm in this system. A broadband ultrasonic detection system provides high axial resolution, estimated to be approximately 15 microm. The optical illumination and ultrasonic detection are in a coaxial confocal configuration for optimal image quality. The system is capable of imaging optical-absorption contrast as deep as 3 mm in biological tissue.     

High-resolution line-scanning optical coherence microscopy

An optical coherence microscopy system based on line illumination and detection is demonstrated. The system uses a Linnik-type interferometer illuminated by a broadband Ti:sapphire laser and detected by a high-speed, line-scan CCD camera. This approach is less sensitive to incoherent scattering and sample motion than full-field imaging. Spatial resolutions of approximately 2 microm x approximately 3 microm(transverse x axial) are achieved. The sensitivity of the system is 93 dB with averaging over 30 line scans. En face real time, cellular-level imaging of biological tissues is demonstrated at approximately 2 frames/s.     

High-energy neutrinos from gamma ray bursts

We treat high-energy neutrino production in gamma ray bursts (GRBs). Detailed calculations of photomeson neutrino production are presented for the collapsar model, where internal nonthermal synchrotron radiation is the primary target photon field, and the supranova model, where external pulsar-wind synchrotron radiation provides important additional target photons. Detection of greater, similar 10 TeV neutrinos from GRBs with Doppler factors > or approximately 200, inferred from gamma-ray observations, would support the supranova model. Detection of < or approximately 10 TeV neutrinos is possible for neutrinos formed from nuclear production. Only the most powerful bursts at fluence levels > or approximately 3 x 10(-4) erg cm(-2) offer a realistic prospect for detection of nu(mu).     

应用于软X射线成像探测的Angel型龙虾眼光学系统研究

龙虾眼光学聚焦系统是一种模仿龙虾视觉的光学系统,适用于卫星平台上的软X射线成像探测.根据掠入射原理,分析和计算了Angel型龙虾眼光学系统采用不同金属镀膜时光子能量和全反射临界角、反射率的定量关系;提出一种计算龙虾眼光学系统有效探测面积的方法,推导了相关的理论计算公式并进行了蒙特卡罗仿真试验,理论计算值与蒙特卡罗仿真结果吻合很好,龙虾眼X射线光学系统在110keV能段的有效面积与光子能量近似呈负指数关系,具体的参量与镀膜的粗糙度有关.     

光外差-磁旋转-浓度调制光谱技术

介绍了一种针对瞬态分子光谱测量的新技术:光外差磁旋转浓度调制光谱技术,这种光谱技术具有很高的灵敏度,综合了光外差探测技术、磁旋转光谱技术和浓度调制光谱技术的特点,利用浓度调制光谱技术针对寿命很短的瞬态分子和激发态分子的光谱进行测量,利用光外差探测技术可以消除来自光源的幅度涨落噪声,实现散粒噪声的测量极限,利用磁旋转光谱技术可以对顺磁性分子进行选择性的测量,并且进一步提高探测灵敏度。详细讨论了这种光谱技术的工作原理,并用这种技术对O2分子的b1Σg+-X3Σg-三重禁戒跃迁光谱进行测量,获得了很好的测量信噪比。并对该技术的灵敏度作了详细的分析,估计最小相对吸收度可达1.9×10-9以及O2分子三重禁戒跃迁的吸收截面为σ=2.4×10-24cm2。     

Acoustic detection of manatee vocalizations

The West Indian manatee (trichechus manatus latirostris) has become endangered partly because of a growing number of collisions with boats. A system to warn boaters of the presence of manatees, that can signal to boaters that manatees are present in the immediate vicinity, could potentially reduce these boat collisions. In order to identify the presence of manatees, acoustic methods are employed. Within this paper, three different detection algorithms are used to detect the calls of the West Indian manatee. The detection systems are tested in the laboratory using simulated manatee vocalizations from an audio compact disk. The detection method that provides the best overall performance is able to correctly identify approximately 96% of the manatee vocalizations. However, the system also results in a false alarm rate of approximately 16%. The results of this work may ultimately lead to the development of a manatee warning system that can warn boaters of the presence of manatees.     

Extended focus depth for Fourier domain optical coherence microscopy

We report on a new detection scheme for Fourier domain optical coherence microscopy that exhibits high transverse resolution along an axially extended focal range. Nearly constant transverse resolution of approximately 1.5 microm along a focal range of 200 microm is experimentally verified with a maximum sensitivity of 105 dB. A broad-bandwidth Ti:sapphire laser allowed for an axial resolution of 3 microm in air.     

Integrated mechano-optical hydrogen gas sensor using cantilever bending readout with a Si3N4 grated waveguide

We demonstrate a proof of concept of a novel and compact integrated mechano-optical sensor for H(2) detection based on a microcantilever suspended above a Si(3)N(4) grated waveguide. The fabricated devices are mechanically and optically modeled and characterized. Sensing operation of the sensor is demonstrated with 1% H(2) in N(2). The error in detection of the cantilever bending induced by absorption of H(2) is estimated to be approximately 10 nm. Significantly improved sensitivity (down to ～33 pm) is expected for reduced initial bending of the microcantilever. The simulation and experimental results are in good agreement and provide a good guideline for further optimization of the sensor.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of isolated single liposome by magnetic resonance force microscopy

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is very useful spectroscopy to visualize a three-dimensional (3D) real structure inside the sample without physical destruction. The spatial resolution of the readily available MRI spectrometer is, however, limited by a few ten to hundreds of microns due to a technological boundary of generating larger magnetic field gradient and to the insensitivity inherent to the inductive signal detection. Magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) is new alternative MRI spectroscopy which is anticipated to significantly surpass the conventional MRI in both resolution and sensitivity. We report two imaging experiments on our MRFM spectrometer operated at room temperature and in vacuum approximately 10(-3)Pa. One is for approximately 20 microm liposome membrane labeled entirely by a nitroxide imaging agent and the other for approximately 15 microm DPPH particles, both are nearly the same size as that of human cell. The reconstructed images at spatial resolution approximately 1 microm were in satisfactory agreement with the scanning electron microscope images. The potential capability of visualizing intrinsic radicals in the cell is suggested to investigate redox process from a microscopic point of view.     

苹果花期冠层光谱探测的规范化技术方法探讨

2008年和2009年,针对苹果花期冠层光谱进行了不同天气条件、不同探测时间、不同探头高度、不同探测角度条件下的冠层反射光谱探测试验,分析其对苹果花期冠层光谱特性的影响,探索规范化的光谱探测技术方法。结果表明,苹果花期冠层在不同条件下的反射光谱响应呈现出一定的规律性,特别是在760～1 350 nm近红外波段表现尤为明显。研究发现,随着光照强度的减弱,冠层光谱反射率降低,在晴天和少云时探测冠层光谱较理想;风速在2级以下时,冠层光谱较稳定;在10:00～15:00测定冠层光谱差异较小;探测高度以整个苹果树冠层充满光谱仪探头视场时光谱曲线较稳定;探头以垂直或近似垂直观测为最佳。在此基础上,提出了苹果花期冠层光谱探测的规范化技术方法,为苹果冠层光谱探测及信息提取提供了科学依据。     

Highly sensitive differential tomographic technique for real-time ultrashort pulse characterization

We demonstrate a highly sensitive real-time optical pulse characterization technique based on differential chronocyclic tomography. The spectral intensity and phase of the pulse under test are reconstructed analytically from two experimental traces measured simultaneously in the spectral domain. The high sensitivity and accuracy are made possible by lock-in detection of the differential spectra in the simplified chronocyclic tomography. An accuracy of approximately 0.04 rad of spectral phase recovery is achieved with a 10-Hz refresh rate and 10-microW sensitivity. We also show that the measurement technique is applicable to pulses as short as approximately 100 fs.     

Large nuclear overhauser fields detected in vertically coupled double quantum dots

We report the electrical induction and detection of dynamic nuclear polarization in the spin-blockade regime of double GaAs vertical quantum dots. The nuclear Overhauser field measurement relies on bias voltage control of the interdot spin exchange coupling and measurement of dc current at variable external magnetic fields. The largest Overhauser field observed was about 4 T, corresponding to a nuclear polarization approximately 40% for the electronic g factor typical of these devices, |g*| approximately 0.25. A phenomenological model is proposed to explain these observations.     

Lateral flow immunoassay using magnetoresistive sensors

Magnetic particles have been adapted for use as labels in biochemical lateral flow strip tests. Standard gold particle lateral flow assays are generally qualitative; however, with magnetic particles, quantitative results can be obtained by using electronic detection systems with giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors. As described here, these small integrated sensor chips can detect the presence of magnetic labels in capture spots whose volume is approximately 150 μm×150 μm×150 μm. The range of linear detection is better than two orders of magnitude; the total range is up to four orders of magnitude. The system was demonstrated with both indirect and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for protein detection of rabbit IgG and interferon-γ, respectively, achieving detection of 12 pg/ml protein. Ultimately, the goal is for the detector to be fully integrated into the lateral flow strip backing to form a single consumable item that is interrogated by a handheld electronic reader.