Rhythm analysis of orthogonal signals from human walking

In physical terms, periodic movements of a human body resulting from walking produce a pulse sequence with repetition time T(1) (instant cadence frequency, 1/T(1)) and duration time T(2). Footstep forces generate periodic T(1) broadband seismic and sound signals due to the dynamic forces between the foot and the ground/floor with duration time T(2), which is equal to the time interval for a single footstep from heel strike to toe slap and weight transfer. In a human gait study (for normal speeds of walking), T(1) was detected as 0.5-0.69 s and double limb support takes up about 12% of the gait cycle (2T(1)), so T(2) is greater than 0.12-0.17 s. Short range (of about 50 m) signatures for 30 humans were recorded simultaneously by four orthogonal sensor types at two locations. The sensor types were active Doppler sonar/radar and passive seismic/acoustics. Analysis of signals from these four sensors collected for walking humans showed temporal synchronization and stability of the cadence frequencies, and the cadence frequency from each sensor was equivalent. The time delay between signals from these sensors due to the differences in speeds of propagation for seismic, sound, and electromagnetic waves allows calculation of the distance from a walker to the sensor suite.     

Efficient algorithm for optimizing adaptive quantum metrology processes

Quantum-enhanced metrology infers an unknown quantity with accuracy beyond the standard quantum limit (SQL). Feedback-based metrological techniques are promising for beating the SQL but devising the feedback procedures is difficult and inefficient. Here we introduce an efficient self-learning swarm-intelligence algorithm for devising feedback-based quantum metrological procedures. Our algorithm can be trained with simulated or real-world trials and accommodates experimental imperfections, losses, and decoherence.     

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy of Ni/W(110): bcc and fcc properties in the second atomic layer

Nickel islands are grown on W(110) at elevated temperatures. Islands with a thickness of two layers are investigated with scanning tunneling microscopy. Spectroscopic measurements reveal that nanometer sized areas of the islands exhibit distinctly different apparent heights and dI/dVspectra. Spin polarized and paramagnetic band structure calculations indicate that the spectral features are due to fcc(111) and bcc(110) orientations of the Ni film, respectively.     

Conical harmonic generation in isotropic materials

A novel class of nonlinear optical processes is described in which radiation at the nth harmonic is generated through the use of a (2n+1)-order nonlinearity. Utilizing an odd-order nonlinearity, this process allows for the generation and amplification of both odd- and even-order harmonics in isotropic materials. Additionally, this process can always be phase matched in normal-dispersion materials without the use of birefringence. Experimental results are presented in which conical third-harmonic emission is generated from a sapphire sample.     

Determination of hyperfine tensor components from nuclear frequencies at canonical orientations of the g-tensor

The analytical procedure for the determination of all components of the symmetric hyperfine tensor of the I=1/2 nucleus in the g-tensor coordinate system is described, assuming that nuclear frequencies corresponding to the principal directions of the g-tensor and exact values of the external magnetic field (or nuclear Zeeman frequencies) are experimentally available.     

Spinful fermionic ladders at incommensurate filling: Phase diagram,local perturbations,and ionic potentials

We study the effect of external potential on transport properties of the fermionic two-leg ladder model. The response of the system to a local perturbation is strongly dependent on the ground state properties of the system and especially on the dominant correlations. We categorize all phases and transitions in the model (for incommensurate filling) and introduce “hopping-driven transitions” that the system undergoes as the inter-chain hopping is increased from zero. We also describe the response of the system to an ionic potential. The physics of this effect is similar to that of the single impurity, except that the ionic potential can affect the bulk properties of the system and in particular induce true long range order.     

A novel monochromator for experiments with ultrashort X‐ray pulses

Aiming at advancing storage‐ring‐based ultrafast X‐ray science, over the past few years many upgrades have been undertaken to continue improving beamline performance and photon flux at the Femtoslicing facility at BESSY II. In this article the particular design upgrade of one of the key optical components, the zone‐plate monochromator (ZPM) beamline, is reported. The beamline is devoted to optical pump/soft X‐ray probe applications with 100 fs (FWHM) X‐ray pulses in the soft X‐ray range at variable polarization. A novel approach consisting of an array of nine off‐axis reflection zone plates is used for a gapless coverage of the spectral range between 410 and 1333 eV at a designed resolution of E/ΔE = 500 and a pulse elongation of only 30 fs. With the upgrade of the ZPM the following was achieved: a smaller focus, an improved spectral resolution and bandwidth as well as excellent long‐term stability. The beamline will enable a new class of ultrafast applications with variable optical excitation wavelength and variable polarization.     

Propagation of extremely short pulses in a graphene–boron nitride bilayer

In this study we investigate the propagation of extremely short optical pulses in a thin film formed by a graphene grown on a boron nitride substrate. Conduction electrons of the system are described on the basis of the long-wavelength effective Hamiltonian in the case of low temperatures; the electromagnetic field being taken into account within the framework of the classical Maxwell equations. The time evolution of the pulse?s shape for different speeds and maximum amplitudes of an extremely short pulse is analyzed.