Distribution of auditory-filter bandwidths at 2 kHz in young normal listeners

Auditory-filter shapes at 2 kHz were estimated for 95 young normally hearing subjects using a notched-noise masker with spectrum level of 45 dB. Excluding two subjects with a recent history of noise exposure, the equivalent rectangular bandwidths (ERBs) of the filters were approximately normally distributed but the distribution had a slight positive skew. The mean ERB was 308 Hz and the standard deviation was 32 Hz. The two noise-exposed subjects had ERBs of 404 and 497 Hz.     

Comparison of ultrasonic degradation rates constants of methylene blue at 22.8 kHz, 127 kHz, and 490 kHz

Techniques such as solvent extraction, incineration, chemical dehalogenation, and biodegradation have been investigated for the degradation of hazardous organic compounds. We found ultrasound to be an attractive technology for the degradation of hazardous organic compounds in water. However, the effects of ultrasonic frequency on degradation rate constants were not investigated quantitatively. In this study, the degradation process of a model for hazardous organic compound methylene blue was investigated using ultrasonic irradiation. The study focused on the effects of ultrasonic frequency and ultrasonic power on the degradation rate constant. The apparent degradation rate constants were estimated based on time dependence of methylene blue concentration assuming pseudo-first-order kinetics for the decomposition. A linear relationship between the apparent degradation rate constant and ultrasonic power was identified. In addition, the apparent degradation rate constants at frequencies of 127 and 490 kHz were much larger than those at 22.8 kHz. A relationship between the apparent degradation rate constant and the sonochemical efficiency value (SE value) was also found. Based on these results, a simple model for estimating the apparent degradation rate constant of methylene blue based on the ultrasonic power and the SE value is proposed in this study.     

0.2-TW laser system at 1kHz

We have developed a 1-kHz repetition-rate Ti:sapphire laser system that can simultaneously generate high peak and average powers of 0.2TW and 4W, respectively. The laser system generates 4-mJ energy pulses with a 20-fs pulse width. We eliminated thermal lensing in the system by cooling the Ti:sapphire crystal to 125K. The output 20-fs pulses were fully characterized by use of the new technique of transient-grating frequency-resolved optical gating. We demonstrate experimentally that the pulse duration at the output is limited only by fifth-order dispersion.     

13C-separation by a continuous discharge CO2 laser q-switched at 10 kHz

Compared to atmospheric pressure pulsed CO₂ (TEA) lasers, continuous-discharge CO₂ lasers can deliver photons at much lower costs. By a Q-switched version of such a laser we demonstrated by multiphoton dissociation of CHClF₂ the production of 1 g of C₂F₄ enriched to 50% ¹³C. This is a larger quantity of high enrichment than has been produced so far using TEA lasers. The process is already automated to a large extent. Scaling up seems feasible. These results have been achieved, although the process turned out to be much more nonlinear for our pulses (length 200 ns) than for TEA laser pulses. This difference is attributed to intensity effects, caused by direct multiphoton transitions in the excitation ladder. To avoid that selectivity breaks down, the gas has to be exchanged more than once per pulse. The required speed is much less, if ~250 mbar of Ar are added to the working gas.     

Magnetic resonance imaging at frequencies below 1 kHz

Within the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) community the trend is going to higher and higher magnetic fields, ranging from 1.5 T to 7 T, corresponding to Larmor frequencies of 63.8–298 MHz. Since for high-field MRI the magnetization increases with the applied magnetic field, the signal-to-noise-ratio increases as well, thus enabling higher image resolutions. On the other hand, MRI is possible also at ultra-low magnetic fields, as was shown by different groups. The goal of our development was to reach a Larmor frequency range of the low-field MRI system corresponding to the frequency range of human brain activities ranging from near zero-frequency (near-DC) to over 1 kHz. Here, first 2D MRI images of phantoms taken at Larmor frequencies of 100 Hz and 731 Hz will be shown and discussed. These frequencies are examples of brain activity triggered by electrostimulation of the median nerve. The method will allow the magnetic fields of the brain currents to influence the magnetic resonance image, and thus lead to a direct functional imaging modality of neuronal currents.     

Large field permittivity of TGS at 20 kHz

The paper gives the results of complex permittivity measurements of triglycine sulphate at large electric field amplitudes (36.6 V/m–386 kV/m) and a frequency of 20 kHz in a temperature range including the Curie temperature (22–53°C). An experimental arrangement for measuring by means of the pulse method is described which was used in order to prevent heating of the sample due to dielectric losses. The relations established between the permittivity and the amplitude of the electric field and temperature are in good qualitative agreement with the corresponding results obtained by calculation in the paper of J. Fousek [J. Appl. Phys. 36 (1965), 588].The authors are indebted to Dr. Z. Málek, Dr. J. Fousek, Ing. J. Janta, M. Marvan, Ing. J. Mastner and J. Fiala for valuable discussions and comments, to Ing. Z. Vojta for his help in realizing the electronic apparatus and to K. Müller for the careful preparation of the figures for publication.     

Auditory filter shapes at 8 and 10 kHz

Auditory filter shapes were derived from notched-noise masking data at center frequencies of 8 kHz (for three spectrum levels, N0 = 20, 35, and 50 dB) and 10 kHz (N0 = 50 dB). In order to minimize variability due to earphone placement, insert earphones (Etymotic Research ER2) were used and individual earmolds were made for each subject. These earphones were designed to give a flat frequency response at the eardrum for frequencies up to 14 kHz. The filter shapes were derived under the assumption that a frequency-dependent attenuation was applied to all stimuli before reaching the filter; this attenuation function was estimated from the variation of absolute threshold with frequency for the three youngest normally hearing subjects in our experiments. At 8 kHz, the mean equivalent rectangular bandwidths (ERBs) of the filters derived from the individual data for three subjects were 677, 637, and 1011 Hz for N0 = 20, 35, and 50 dB, respectively. The filters at N0 = 50 dB were roughly symmetrical, while, at the lower spectrum levels, the low-frequency skirt was steeper than the high-frequency skirt. The mean ERB at 10 kHz was 957 Hz. At this frequency, the filters for two subjects were steeper on the high-frequency side than the low-frequency side, while the third subject showed a slight asymmetry in the opposite direction.     

Backscatter from a limestone seafloor at 2-3.5 kHz: measurements and modeling

Physics-based interface scattering models for the seafloor [H.-H. Essen, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 95, 1299-1310 (1994); Gragg et al., ibid. 110, 2878-2901 (2001)] exhibit features in their predicted grazing angle dependence. These features have a strong dependence on the assumed composition and roughness of the bottom. Verifying such predictions requires data that cover a wide range of grazing angles and involve minimal sub-bottom penetration. Such measurements were performed in the frequency band 2-3.5 kHz over an exposed limestone bottom off the Carolina coast during the second Littoral Warfare Advanced Development Focused Technology Experiment of 1996 (LWAD FTE 96-2). Direct-path bottom scattering strengths were obtained in shallow water (198-310 m deep) for grazing angles from 8 degrees to 75 degrees using data fusion from multiple experimental geometries coupled with careful signal processing. The processing included corrections for the surface-reflected path, other multipaths, and characteristics of the reverberation decay observed over the pulse duration at higher grazing angles. The resulting frequency and grazing-angle dependences exhibit trends consistent with theoretical predictions, and geoacoustic parameters obtained by inversion are consistent with values expected for limestone.     

The mid-difference hump in forward-masked intensity discrimination

Forward-masked intensity-difference limens (DLs) for pure-tone standards presented at low, medium, and high levels were obtained for a wide range of masker-standard level differences. At a standard level of 25 dB SPL, the masker had a significant effect on intensity resolution, and the data showed a mid-difference hump: The DL elevation was greater at intermediate than at large masker-standard level differences. These results support the hypothesis that the effect of a forward masker on intensity resolution is modulated by the similarity between the masker and the standard. For a given masker-standard level difference, the effect of the masker on the DL was larger for a 55-dB SPL than for the 25-dB SPL standard, providing new support for a midlevel hump. To examine whether the masker-induced DL elevations are related to masker-induced loudness changes [R. P. Carlyon and H. A. Beveridge, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 93, 2886-2895 (1993)], the effect of the masker on target loudness was measured for the same listeners. Loudness enhancement followed a mid-difference hump pattern at both the low and the intermediate target level. The correlation between loudness changes and DL elevations was significant, but several aspects of the data are incompatible with the predicted one-on-one relation between the two effects.     

10 kHz detection of CO2 at 4.5 microm by using tunable diode-laser-based difference-frequency generation

A compact, high-speed tunable, diode-laser-based mid-infrared (MIR) laser source has been developed for absorption spectroscopy of CO2 at rates up to 10 kHz. Radiation at 4.5 microm with a mode-hop-free tuning range of 80 GHz is generated by difference-frequency mixing the 860 nm output of a distributed-feedback diode laser with the 1064 nm output of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser in a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. MIR absorption spectroscopy of CO2 with a detection limit of 44 ppm m at 10 kHz is demonstrated in a C2H4-air laminar diffusion flame and in the exhaust of a liquid-fueled model gas-turbine combustor.     

Non-contact electrodynamic measurement on metallic vibrators at 20kHz

Measurement of vibration amplitude on metallic rods by a contactless electrodynamic method is described. The sensitivity of a typical pick-up is investigated     

Cavitation damage on metallic plate surfaces oscillating at 20 kHz

Plates of aluminium (UNI 4507) of about 2.55 cm2 and 1.0 mm thick, of different shapes, vibrating in a liquid at a frequency of about 20 kHz and subjected to strong cavitation damage on their central parts exhibit, on the zone near the edge, a reduction of cavitative effect up to inhibition. We named this phenomenon, the "border effect". Evidence is reported which demonstrates that the border effect, depending on the plate velocity, is related to the angle between the plate surface and its direction displacement, that is to the value of the component of the liquid velocity tangent to the plate.     

Comparison of ultrasound effects in different reactors at 20 kHz

To compare the performances of three power ultrasonic devices at 20 kHz: a horn, a cup horn and a tube, the local intensity distributions of local effects of cavitation have been investigated. The sensor is an electrochemical probe, measuring the solid-liquid mass transfer rate, related to the cavitation intensity. The axial and radial profiles of mass transfer coefficients have been investigated in three devices, at various power inputs. In all these equipments very strong heterogeneities have been characterized, whether a standing wave appears or not.     

QUantitative Cross-Polarization at magic-angle spinning frequency of about 20 kHz

We study the QUantitative Cross-Polarization (QU-CP) method proposed by Hou et al. (Chem. Phys. Lett. 421 (2006) 356) under the moderate MAS speed of 23 kHz, re-examining its two building blocks, namely, the CP polarization transfer from (1)H to (13)C, and the thermal equalization of the (13)C magnetizations. We show that the nuclear-integrated cross-polarization (NI-CP) scheme is conveniently used for (1)H-(13)C polarization transfer, because of its simplicity, robustness to rf-mismatch, and compatibility with fast sample spinning. In the mixing part, in addition to dipolar-assisted rotational-resonance (DARR) recoupling, we examine the Phase-Alternated Recoupling Irradiation Schemes (PARIS and PARIS(xy)), and Second-order Hamiltonian among Analogous Nuclei Generated by Hetero-nuclear Assistance Irradiation (SHANGHAI) sequences, and show that SHANGHAI gives the best performances in equalizing the (13)C magnetizations.     

10kHz腔倒空锁模皮秒激光器研究

将半导体可饱和吸收体(SESAM)锁模技术与腔倒空技术结合,采用半导体端面抽运方式实现了具有高重复频率、大单脉冲能量的皮秒激光器的运转.从理论上分析了腔倒空锁模输出的机理,建立起腔倒空锁模激光器运行的物理图像,并对影响激光器倒空率的一些因素进行了研究.实验上,实现端面抽运Nd:YVO4晶体的SESAM连续锁模后,在锁模...     

Characterization of an acoustic cavitation bubble structure at 230 kHz

A generic bubble structure in a 230 kHz ultrasonic field is observed in a partly developed standing wave field in water. It is characterized by high-speed imaging, sonoluminescence recordings, and surface cleaning tests. The structure has two distinct bubble populations. Bigger bubbles (much larger than linear resonance size) group on rings in planes parallel to the transducer surface, apparently in locations of driving pressure minima. They slowly rise in a jittering, but synchronous way, and they can have smaller satellite bubbles, thus resembling the arrays of bubbles observed by Miller [D. Miller, Stable arrays of resonant bubbles in a 1-MHz standing-wave acoustic field, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 62 (1977) 12]. Smaller bubbles (below and near linear resonance size) show a fast "streamer" motion perpendicular to and away from the transducer surface. While the bigger bubbles do not emit light, the smaller bubbles in the streamers show sonoluminescence when they pass the planes of high driving pressure. Both bubble populations exhibit cleaning potential with respect to micro-particles attached to a glass substrate. The respective mechanisms of particle removal, though, might be different.     

Powder pattern recoupling at 10 kHz spinning speed applied to cellulose

Effective powder pattern recoupling by pi-pulses at spinning speeds up to 10kHz has been introduced. In a 2D experiment, the static chemical shift spectra of the indirect dimension were separated by the isotropic values of the direct dimension. Sufficient high spinning speeds ensured optimal exploitation of spectral intensities. This experiment was used to extract the 13C chemical shift tensor values of native Cellulose I and regenerated Cellulose II.     

kHz激光器在武汉卫星观测站的测距实验

高重复频率激光器是kHz卫星激光测距系统的重要组成部分,提高激光发射频率可以有效地获得更多的观测数据,这是当今卫星激光测距领域的发展方向。针对武汉卫星观测站进行的kHz激光测距实验,介绍了kHz激光器的工作过程和原理,分析了影响高重复频率回波探测的因素。实验结果表明：对实验过程中所观测到的中低轨卫星,观测数据量提高了1～2个数量级,观测精度也有所提高。     

kHz激光器在武汉卫星观测站的测距实验

高重复频率激光器是kHz卫星激光测距系统的重要组成部分,提高激光发射频率可以有效地获得更多的观测数据,这是当今卫星激光测距领域的发展方向.针对武汉卫星观测站进行的kHz激光测距实验,介绍了kHz激光器的工作过程和原理,分析了影响高重复频率回波探测的因素.实验结果表明:对实验过程中所观测到的中低轨卫星,观测数据量提高了1...     

A 1kHz Fe:ZnSe Laser Gain-Switched by a ZnGeP_2 Optical Parametric Oscillator at 77 K

We demonstrate a Fe:ZnSe laser gain-switched by a 2.9 m ZnGeP_2 optical parametric oscillator under pulse repetition frequency of 1 kHz at liquid nitrogen temperature of 77 K. The maximum output power is 63 m W with pulse duration of 34.4 ns. The wavelength covers 3686.6–4088.6 nm and centers at 3897.7 nm. The output power decreases with increasing the temperature of the crystal in 77–222 K.