A study of theKπ system in the reactionK^ - p \to \bar K^0 \pi ^ - p at 8.25 GeV/c

The production ofK ^* resonances has been studied in the reaction \(K^ - p \to \bar K^0 \pi ^ - p\) at 8.25 GeV/c. The data comes from a high statistics bubble chamber experiment (180 events/μb). Masses, widths and production cross-sections have been determined for the first threeK ^*'s. The contributions from natural and unnatural parity exchange have been obtained for theK ^*(890) and theK ^*(1420). A partial wave analysis of theK π system from threshold to 1.9 GeV provides evidence for a 0⁺ enhancement near 1.4 GeV which could be interpreted as the κ(1350).     

Reliability improvement of a sound quality index for a vehicle HVAC system using a regression and neural network model

The reduction of vehicle interior noise has long been the main interest of noise and vibration harshness (NVH) engineers. A driver’s perception of vehicle noise is largely affected by psychoacoustic noise characteristics and SPL. Among the various types of vehicle interior noise, the sound of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is a source of distraction for drivers. HVAC noise is not as loud as the overall noise level; however, it affects a driver’s subjective perception and may lead to feelings of nervousness or annoyance. Therefore, vehicle engineers work not only to reduce noise, but also to improve sound quality. In this paper, HVAC noise samples were taken from many types of vehicles. Objective and subjective sound quality (SQ) evaluations were obtained, simple and multiple regression models were generated, and these were used with the Semantic Differential Method (SDM) to determine what characteristics trigger a “pleasant” response from listeners. The regression analysis produced diagnostic statistics and regression estimates. In addition, neural network (NN) models were created using three objective numerical inputs (loudness, sharpness, and roughness) of the SQ metrics and one subjective output (“pleasant”). The NN model was used primarily because human perceptions are very complex and often hard to estimate. The estimation models were compared via correlations between SQ output indices and hearing test results. Results demonstrated that the NN model is most highly correlated with SQ indices, which led to determination of suggested methods for SQ metrics prediction.     

Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction of ZnSe shells for ZnO nanowire-based dye-sensitized solar cells

Thin ZnSe layers were deposited on ZnO nanowires by a novel successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique in order to solve recombination problems in ZnO nanowire-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Cell efficiency increased from 0.1 to 1.3–1.4% with the deposition of a 9- to13-nm-thick ZnSe shell on ZnO nanowires due to a large increase in J_SC. The dramatic increase in J_SC and cell efficiency is due to the facilitation of electron transfer related to ambipolar diffusion by the formation of a type II band alignment and the suppression of recombination in the presence of the ZnSe shell.     

Nickel-induced microwheel-like surface morphological evolution of ZnO thin films by spray pyrolysis

Nickel?Czinc oxide (Ni?CZnO) thin films were deposited onto glass and tin-doped indium oxide-coated glass substrates by using a pneumatic spray pyrolysis technique at 450?°C from aqueous solutions of zinc acetate and nickel acetate precursors. The effect of nickel doping on structural, morphological and optical properties of the ZnO thin films has been studied. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the films having hexagonal crystal structure. Ni?CZnO films with appropriate nickel doping revealed the occurrence of novel wheel-like surface morphology. The absorption edge of the Ni?CZnO films showed a red shift, meaning that the optical band gap energy decreases as the nickel doping concentration increases. A growth model is developed and proposed for the novel wheel-like morphology. All the thin films exhibited room-temperature photoluminescence. Pure ZnO and Ni?CZnO thin films were tested for their photoelectrochemical performance in 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte solution. The values of fill factor and open circuit voltage were improved for the Ni?CZnO thin films.     

Nonadditive quantum error-correcting code

We report the first nonadditive quantum error-correcting code, namely, a ((9, 12, 3)) code which is a 12-dimensional subspace within a 9-qubit Hilbert space, that outperforms the optimal stabilizer code of the same length by encoding more levels while correcting arbitrary single-qubit errors. Taking advantage of the graph states, we construct explicitly a complete encoding-decoding circuit for the proposed nonadditive error-correcting code.     

High-sensitivity detection of CH radicals in flames by use of a diode-laser-based near-ultraviolet light source

CH radical distributions in ethylene-air and methane-air diffusion flames are mapped by wavelength-modulation absorption spectroscopy (WMS). Tunable, wavelength-modulated 426-nm light is generated by frequency doubling of a modulated 852-nm distributed Bragg reflector diode laser. Absorbances of 5x10(-5) are measured with second-harmonic (2f) WMS with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1 in a 3-Hz measurement bandwidth. The feasibility of simultaneous line-of-sight absorption and spatially resolved laser-induced-fluorescence detection with a single excitation beam is also demonstrated. This near-UV source is suitable for microgravity drop-tower experiments and other applications in which compact, rugged, energy-efficient instrumentation is required.