Estimation of the absorption coefficients of the surfaces of classrooms

Measurements of early-decay time and multivariable linear-regression techniques were used to estimate the 125-8000-Hz octave-band absorption coefficients of eight types of surfaces in university classrooms. The eight types were ‘hard surfaces’, ‘paneled surfaces’ (including hard seats and windows), ‘glued-on acoustical tiles’, ‘suspended acoustical ceilings’, ‘carpeted surfaces’, ‘upholstered seats’, ‘porous absorbers’ and ‘Helmholtz-resonator absorbers’. In general, resulting estimates were statistically significant, physically realistic and in good agreement with previous results. Values for suspended acoustical ceilings were significantly lower than published data.     

A theory of cosmic rays

We present a theory of non-solar cosmic rays (CRs) in which the bulk of their observed flux is due to a single type of CR source at all energies. The total luminosity of the Galaxy, the broken power-law spectra with their observed slopes, the position of the ‘knee(s)’ and ‘ankle’, and the CR composition and its variation with energy are all predicted in terms of very simple and completely ‘standard’ physics. The source of CRs is extremely ‘economical’: it has only one parameter to be fitted to the ensemble of all of the mentioned data. All other inputs are ‘priors’, that is, theoretical or observational items of information independent of the properties of the source of CRs, and chosen to lie in their pre-established ranges. The theory is part of a ‘unified view of high-energy astrophysics’ — based on the ‘Cannonball’ model of the relativistic ejecta of accreting black holes and neutron stars. The model has been extremely successful in predicting all the novel properties of Gamma Ray Bursts recently observed with the help of the Swift satellite. If correct, this model is only lacking a satisfactory theoretical understanding of the ‘cannon’ that emits the cannonballs in catastrophic processes of accretion.     

Risk evaluation with enhanced covariance matrix

We propose a route for the evaluation of risk based on a transformation of the covariance matrix. The approach uses a ‘potential’ or ‘objective’ function. This allows us to rescale data from different assets (or sources) such that each data set then has similar statistical properties in terms of their probability distributions. The method is tested using historical data from both the New York and Warsaw stock exchanges.     

Ray-tracing evaluation of empirical models for predicting noise in industrial workshops

To evaluate the accuracy of empirical models for predicting steady-state noise levels and reverberation times in typical industrial workshops, predictions by these models were compared with predictions by a ray-tracing model, nominally using the same input data. Comparisons were made for three workshops—‘long’, ‘flat’ and ‘quasi-cubic’ in shape—with reflective and absorbent ceilings, when empty and with four densities of fittings. In the case of the ‘long’ room, noise levels were predicted along both the long and short major horizontal axes. In ‘long’ and ‘flat’ workshops, steady-state prediction by the empirical models often agreed with ray-tracing prediction within 2 dB. This result suggests that the empirical models are fundamentally valid. However, agreement was worse at large source/receiver distances, and at 500 Hz. Empirical reverberation-time prediction generally agreed less well with ray tracing, possibly indicating that the empirical reverberation-time prediction models are less valid. Strong disagreement occurred between the models in the case of steady-state prediction in the ‘quasi-cubic’ workshop, indicating that the empirical steady-state models are invalid in this case. Agreement for reverberation time was good with a non-absorbent ceiling, but poor with an absorbent ceiling.     

A quantitative criterion validating coupling power proportionality in statistical energy analysis

The response of two general spring-coupled elements is investigated to develop a unifying approach to the weak coupling criterion in Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA). First, the coupled deterministic equations of motion are expressed in the bases given by the uncoupled elements’ eigenmodes. Then, an iterative solution is expressed as a succession of exchanges between elements, where uncoupled motion provides the start approximation, converging if the ‘coupling eigenvalue’ is less than unity, in which case coupling is said to be weak. This definition is related to whether response is ‘local’ or ‘global’, encompassing a number of previously defined coupling strength definitions, applying for deterministically described structures. A stochastic ensemble is defined by that its members are equal to the investigated structure but the elements have random frequencies. It is required that the coupling eigenvalue be less than unity for all members of the ensemble. This requirement generates the title subject of the article: ‘the modal interaction strength’. It is similar to the previously defined coupling strength criterion characterising the ensemble average energy flow in uni-dimensional waveguides. Finally, SEA models are formulated in terms of the uncoupled elements’ modal data.     

Collimation testing using wedge plate lateral shearing interferometry and Fourier fringe analysis

For checking the collimation of an optical beam Fourier fringe analysis has been incorporated into the wedge plate interferometric setup. Typical interferograms corresponding to ‘in-focus’, ‘at-focus’ and ‘out-of-focus’ positions of an optical beam have been recorded. As per the testing procedure, FFT of the recorded interferometer is computed digitally, and necessary processing for direct determination of phase is undertaken. Finally, the phase data is unwrapped and plotted as a function of pixel position along the direction perpendicular to the shear. The slope of the phase provides the information regarding collimation position of the collimator. As the collimation position is detected by the direct measurement of the phase over the whole area of the interferogram, high accuracy, reliability and precision are achieved.     

A novel method of developing all-optical frequency encoded memory unit exploiting nonlinear switching character of semiconductor optical amplifier

The very fast running optical memory and optical logic gates are the basic building blocks for any optical computing data processing system. Realization of a very fast memory-cell in the optical domain is very challenging. In the last two decades many methods of implementing all-optical flip-flops have been proposed. Most of these suffer from speed limitation because of low switching response of the active devices. In our present communication the authors propose a method of developing a frequency encoded memory unit based on the switching action of semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Nonlinear polarization rotation characters of SOA and ‘SOA based Mach-Zehnder Interferometer’ switch, i.e. ‘SOA-MZI’ switch, are exploited for the purpose of some switching action with least switching power (<−3 dB_m) and high switching contrast ratio (20 dB). Here two logic states (‘0’ state and ‘1’ state) of the memory is encoded by two different frequencies, which will remain unchanged throughout the data communication irrespective of loss of light energy due to reflection, refraction, attenuation, etc. Though the SOA based switch runs with the operational speed 100 Gb/s, still due to the presence of the other optical components in the memory unit, the overall speed of the proposed system will come down to 10 Gb/s.     

A method of implementation of frequency encoded all optical encryption decryption using four wave mixing

All optical encryption decryption method using frequency encoding is proposed based on semiconductor optical amplifiers. The plain text and key are encoded in frequency encoding format i.e. the states of information ‘0’ and ‘1’ are represented by two different frequencies in the c-band. The ultra fast speed of operation of the devices used for the implementation of this system makes it very attractive for future all optical secure communication network. A simple method of conversion of frequency encoded data stream and intensity encoded data stream is also described, which enables us to use same technology of production and detection of intensity encoded data signals until new techniques based on frequency encoding comes out.     

A nanoindentation analysis of the influence of lattice mismatch on some wide band gap semiconductor films

Nanoindentation studies are carried out on epitaxial ZnO and GaN thin films on (0 0 0 1) sapphire and silicon substrates, respectively. A single discontinuity (‘pop-in’) in the load-indentation depth curve is observed for ZnO and GaN films at a specific depths of 13-16 and 23-26 nm, respectively. The physical mechanism responsible for the ‘pop-in’ event in these epitaxial films may be due to the interaction behavior of the indenter tip with the pre-existing threading dislocations present in the films during mechanical deformation. It is observed that the ‘pop-in’ depth is dependent on lattice mismatch of the epitaxial thin film with the substrate, the higher the lattice mismatch the shallower the critical ‘pop-in’ depth.     

Results on ππ-interaction in the reaction πp → ππn at 8 GeV/c

We compare published ππ-phase shifts with results from an analysis of the reaction π⁻p→π^oπ^on. The ‘up’-solution as well as the ‘in-between’ -solution for the I = 0 s-wave ππ-scattering are ruled out. The only set of s-wave phase shifts consistent with our data is the ‘up-down’-solution with a rapid rise of σ₀⁰ near the KK?-threshold.     

‘Superluminal paradox’ in wave packet propagation and its quantum mechanical resolution

We analyse in detail the reshaping mechanism leading to apparently ‘superluminal’ advancement of a wave packet traversing a classically forbidden region. In the coordinate representation, a barrier is shown to act as an effective beamsplitter, recombining envelopes of the freely propagating pulse with various spacial shifts. Causality ensures that none of the constituent envelopes are advanced with respect to free propagation, yet the resulting pulse is advanced due to a peculiar interference effect, similar to the one responsible for ‘anomalous’ values which occur in Aharonov’s ‘weak measurements’. In the momentum space, the effect is understood as a bandwidth phenomenon, where the incident pulse probes local, rather than global, analytical properties of the transmission amplitude T(p)$T\left(p\right)$. The advancement is achieved when T(p)$T\left(p\right)$ mimics locally an exponential behaviour, similar to the one occurring in Berry’s ‘superoscillations’. Seen in a broader quantum mechanical context, the ‘paradox’ is but a consequence of an attempt to obtain ‘which way?’ information without destroying the interference between the pathways of interest. This explains, to a large extent, the failure to adequately describe tunnelling in terms of a single ‘tunnelling time’.     

A systematic experimental study of squeal initiation

A large-scale systematic experimental investigation into friction-induced vibration is described. A specially designed ‘pin-on-disc’ test rig is used, with dynamical properties which can be altered to allow different aspects of theoretically predicted behaviour to be probed. These dynamical properties have been carefully characterised, including an assessment of uncertainty in each parameter. A large volume of ‘squeal’ data has been generated, involving a sequence of different test conditions repeated over many days. The results were post-processed to extract the growth phase of instabilities and automatically assess their quality in terms of linearity and time-invariance, providing a rich source of high-quality data for several thousands of initiation events. A variety of ways to present the measured results is explored, highlighting trends and assessing repeatability. The experimental test rig exhibits a wide range of squeal behaviour, at frequencies ranging from tens of Hz to tens of kHz. At first glance the results are unrepeatable and twitchy, but the large quantity of data allows significant underlying structure to be demonstrated, shedding light on the roles of symmetry, pre-load, speed and structural perturbations, and also improving understanding of ‘repeatability’ in the context of squeal.     

Evaluation of acoustical and non-acoustical properties of sound absorbing materials made of polyester fibres of various cross-sectional shapes

Four types of fibrous material samples made of polyester fibres of various cross-sections, i.e. circle, hollow, flat and triangle, have been prepared. The surface impedance and the non-acoustical parameters of them have been measured.The effect of the variation in the cross-sections on the acoustical properties and the non-acoustical parameters of the polyester fibre samples have been examined. The effects of the ‘circle’ and the ‘hollow’ samples are almost the same. However, for the ‘flat’ and the ‘triangle’ samples, the effects different from the ‘circle’ sample are found in the measured flow resistivity and the two characteristic lengths. This paper also discusses the equivalent diameters of the materials made of non-circular cross-sections.     

Vibrational spectra and rotational isomerism of allyl amine

The infrared spectra of allyl amine in the vapour, liquid and solid phases have been measured from 250 to 4000 cm⁻¹. The laser-Raman spectrum in the liquid state has also been recorded photoelectrically and qualitative depolarization measurements have been made. The interpretation of the spectral data suggests the presence of two rotational isomers (‘cis and trans”, and ‘ganche and trans’) in the vapour and liquid phases whereas the form having asymmetrical structure (‘gauche and trans’, C₁ symmetry) gets stabilized in the solid state at low temperature.     

Towards a novel simulation approach for the transport of atomic states through polarized photons

A novel approach for transferring logic states from one quantum node to other is proposed. Logic states ‘0’ and ‘1’ are represented by two subspaces of the hyperfine states space of rubidium atom (⁸⁷Rb). The atom, placed at the center of a two-mode cavity, is excited by simultaneous application of two laser beams, one for each subspace. Based on the logic state of the atom, it makes a transition to a higher energy level within the corresponding subspace. When the atom relaxes back to a lower state within the subspace, a left- or right-circularly polarized photon is emitted depending on whether the initial state was logic ‘0’ or logic ‘1’. The polarized photon leaks out of the cavity, reaches the receive node and gets detected therein. Simulation results show the efficacy of the approach.     

Method of implementing frequency encoded multiplexer and demultiplexer systems using nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers

Multiplexing and demultiplexing are the essential parts of any communication network. In case of optical multiplexing and demultiplexing the coding of the data as well as the coding of control signals are most important issues. Many encoding/decoding mechanisms have already been developed in optical communication technology. Recently frequency encoding technique has drawn some special interest to the scientific communities. The advantage of frequency encoding technique over any other techniques is that as the frequency is fundamental character of any signal so it remains unaltered in reflection, refraction, absorption, etc. during transmission of the signal and therefore the system will execute the operation with reliability. On the other hand, the switching speed of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) is sufficiently high with property of best on/off contrast ratio. In our present communication we propose a method of implementing a ‘4-to-1’ multiplexer (MUX) and a ‘1-to-4’ demultiplexer (DEMUX) exploiting the switching character of nonlinear SOA with the use of frequency encoded control signals. To implement the ‘4-to-1’ MUX and ‘1-to-4’ DEMUX system, the frequency selection by multiquantum well (MQW)-grating filter-based SOA has been used for frequency routing purpose. At the same time, the polarization rotation character of SOA has also been exploited to get the desired purpose. Here the fast switching action of SOA with reliable frequency encoded control input signals, it is possible to achieve a faithful MUX/DEMUX service at tera-Hz operational speed.     

Examination of multi-dimensional vibration isolation measures and their correlation to sound radiation over a broad frequency range

This article examines alternate vibration isolation measures for a multi-dimensional system. The isolator and receiver are modelled by the continuous system theory. The source is assumed to be rigid and both force and moment excitations are considered. Our analysis is limited to a linear time-invariant system, and the mobility synthesis method is adopted to describe the overall system behavior. Inverted ‘L’ beam and plate receivers are employed here to incorporate the contribution of their in-plane motions to vibration powers and radiated sound. Multi-dimensional transmissibilities and effectivenesses are comparatively evaluated along with power-based measures for the inverted ‘L’ beam receiver and selected source configurations. Further, sound pressures radiated from the inverted ‘L’ beam receiver are calculated and correlated with power transmitted to the receiver. Interactions within the ‘L’ beam receiver are also analyzed and measures that could identify dominant transfer paths within a system are examined. Sound measurements and predictions for the inverted ‘L’ plate receiver demonstrate that a rank order based on free field sound pressures, at one or more locations, may be regarded as a measure of isolation performance. Measured insertion losses for sound pressure match well with those based on computed results although further study is needed in relation to some discrepancies shown in the results. Finally, several emerging research topics are identified.     

Thermodynamics of relation-based systems with applications in econophysics,sociophysics, and music

A methodology was developed to analyze relation-based systems evolving in time by using the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics. The behavior of such systems can be tracked from the scattering matrix which is actually a network of directed vectors (or pathways) connecting subsequent values, which characterize an event, such as the index values in stock markets. A system behaves in a rigid (elastic) way to an external effect and resists permanent deformation, or it behaves in a viscous (or soft) way and deforms in an irreversible way. It was shown in the past that a formula derived using the slope of paths gives a measure about the extent of viscoelastic behavior of relation-based systems Gündüz (2009) [5] Gündüz and Gündüz (2010) [6]. In this research the ‘work’ associated with ‘elastic’ component, and ‘heat’ associated with ‘viscous’ component were discussed and elaborated. In a simple two subsequent pathway system in a scattering diagram the first vector represents ‘the cause’ and the second ‘the effect’. By using work and heat energy relations that involve force and also storage and loss modulus terms, respectively, one can calculate the energy involved in relation-based systems. The modulus values can be found from the parallel and vertical components of the second vector with respect to the first vector. Once work-like and heat-like terms were determined the internal energy is also easily found from their summation. The parallel and vertical components can also be used to calculate the magnitude of torque and torque energy in the system. Three cases, (i) the behavior of the NASDAQ-100 index, (ii) a social revolt, and (iii) the structure of a melody were analyzed for their ‘work-like’, ‘heat-like’, and ‘torque-like’ energies in the course of their evolution. NASDAQ-100 exhibits highly dissipative behavior, and its work terms are very small but heat terms are of large magnitude. Its internal energy highly fluctuates in time. In the social revolt studied work and heat terms are of comparable magnitude. The melody depicts highly organized structure, and usually has larger work terms than heat terms, but at some intervals heat terms burst out and attain very large magnitudes. Torque terms reach high values when the system is recovering from a minimum value.     

Multidimensional magnesium oxide nanostructures with cone-shaped branching

Branching structures in nanometer level are of great importance in developing nanoscale science and functional electrical devices. In this letter, multidimensional magnesium oxide structures with cone-shaped branching have been mass-produced using a simple chemical vapor deposition method. The dominant structures in the product include two-dimensional ‘+’, ‘T’, or ‘Γ’ assemblies, and three-dimensional complex configurations. The results presented here enrich the nanoscale community with new basic materials for the fabrication of functional electrical and chemical sensing devices.     

Pair-wise comparison experiment on subjective annoyance rating of noise samples with different frequency spectrums but same A-weighted level

A pair-wise comparison experiment on subjective annoyance rating of nine different noise samples is the focus of this paper. These noise samples collected from some associated facilities in urban residential areas are classified into three different types according to their frequency characteristics, and their A-weighted levels are equalized at 65 dBA. Based on the assessment of judging errors and statistical validity analysis of each testee’s evaluating matrix, invalid data are eliminated. The results show that the percentage of testees who chose noise samples containing more low frequency components had an obvious downside trend with the descending degree of annoyance from ‘the most annoyed’ to ‘the least annoyed’. The result indicates that noise which has low frequency characteristic is more annoying than noise of other frequencies when their A-weighted level are the same. Therefore, A-weighted level cannot scientifically assess noise annoyance which contains low frequency components mostly.