Uncertainty-based experimental validation of nonlinear reduced order models

This paper presents the first results of a combined experimental–computational investigation focused on the validation of reduced order models of geometrically nonlinear structures in the presence of uncertainty. The validation approach considered here is based on the premise that the model is valid if the experimental results can be considered as random sample responses of the stochastic system of which the reduced order model is the mean. For the situation considered here, the power spectra of the experiments should lie within the 2nd and 98th percentiles of the response (forming the uncertainty band) of the stochastic model. Nominally clamped–clamped beams are considered to demonstrate the entire process. The construction of two mean reduced order models and their stochastic counterparts are first performed. Then, the validation effort is carried out by comparing experimentally obtained power spectra and their corresponding computational uncertainty bands. This process leads, for both reduced order models, to a very good representation of the important upper envelope (98th percentile) of the experimental data but a less good fit of the lower envelope (2nd percentile).     

Diode-pumped Q-switched and mode-locked Nd:Gd0.3Lu0.33Y0.37VO4 laser with EO modulator and single-walled carbon nanotube

By using both the single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber (SWCNT-SA) and the electro-optic (EO) modulator, the stably doubly Q-switched and mode-locked (QML) operation of Nd:Gd_0.3Lu_0.33Y_0.37VO₄ laser has been demonstrated. The QML laser characteristics such as the pulse width, single-pulse energy, etc., have been measured for different modulation frequencies of the EO modulator (f_e) and reflectivity (R) of output coupler. In comparison with the solely passively QML laser with SWCNT-SA, the experimental results show that the doubly QML laser can generate more stable and shorter pulses with higher pulse energy. At 9.24 W pump power, f_e=1 kHz and R=93.5%, the doubly QML laser has compressed the Q-switched envelope pulse width 88% and improved the mode-locked pulsed energy 55 times.     

Generation of dual-wavelength domain-wall rectangular-shape pulses in HNLF-based fiber ring laser

The generation of dual-wavelength domain-wall rectangular-shape pulses in a highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF)-based fiber ring laser is experimentally demonstrated. The dual-wavelength lasing operation is realized by employing the intracavity birefringence-induced spectral filtering effect. An 85 m long HNLF is introduced into the fiber ring laser to enhance the nonlinear effect, which is favorable for the cross coupling between the two lasing beams. Experimentally, it was found that the interval of two domain walls in the time domain could be adjusted by simply tuning the linear cavity phase delay, which results in the achievement of different output pulse shapes. By properly rotating the polarization controller (PC), the dual-wavelength rectangular-shape pulses could be efficiently obtained. The proposed fiber laser provides a simple and efficient way to generate rectangular-shape pulse.     

Simultaneous strain and temperature measurement with a single fiber Bragg grating based on the polarization properties analysis

In this paper, a new technique for discrimination of temperature and strain exploiting the polarization properties of a single normal fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is firstly proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The spectral characterization of the differential group delay (DGD) of the FBG is studied. The evolution of the DGD response of the FBG as a function of temperature and strain is analyzed. The numerical simulations and experimental results suggest that implementing two independent measurements of the resonance wavelength shift and the changes of the DGD can discriminate the temperature and strain effects.     

Average capacity for non-Kolmogorov turbulent slant optical links with beam wander corrected and pointing errors

The effects of beam wander corrected and pointing errors on the average capacity of a non-Kolmogorov turbulent atmosphere communication channel are studied. The gamma–gamma irradiance probability density function model has been considered to include the effects of non-Kolmogorov turbulence. An expression for the average capacity under beam wander corrected, pointing errors and the spectral index of refractive-index fluctuation. Simulation results for effects of circular detection aperture of radius, atmosphere turbulence strength and wavelength on average capacity are presented. Our results show that the average capacity has an oscillation in the case of short propagation distance, but in the case of long propagation distance, it has gradually reduced curves. And the turbulence strength has a strong influence on average capacity. In general, turbulence reduces the average capacity; it can reduce average capacity by increasing of the power law α. We can ignore the little effects of wavelength increases on the average capacity.     

Temperature independent leakage current in Au/TbMnO3/Y Ba2Cu3O7−x capacitors

Au/TbMnO₃/Y Ba₂Cu₃O_7?x capacitors were fabricated on LaAlO₃ substrates and electrical characteristics were studied in the temperature range from 300 to 25 K. When temperature is higher than 225 K, Ohmic conduction is observed in the capacitors. Non-linear current–voltage characteristics are exhibited at low temperatures. Moreover, temperature-independent leakage currents are found at temperatures lower than 150 K. These electrical characteristics can be explained in terms of conduction transition originated from a thermal activation between 225 and 150 K, and the temperature-independent leakage currents are governed by the Poole–Frenkel emission and minor trap ionization energies.     

Structure of Na2O·MO·SiO2·CaF2 (M=Mg,Ca) oxyfluoride glasses

(9−x)CaO·xMgO·15Na₂O·60SiO₂·16CaF₂(x=0, 2, 4, 6, and 9) oxyfluoride glasses were prepared. Utilizing the Raman scattering technique together with ²⁹Si and ¹⁹F MAS NMR, the effect of alkaline metal oxides on the Q species of glass was characterized. Raman results show that as magnesia is added at the expense of calcium oxide, the disproportional reaction Q³→Q⁴+Q² (Qⁿ is a SiO₄ tetrahedron with n bridging oxygens) prompted due to the high ionic field strength of magnesia, magnesium oxide entered into the silicate network as tetrahedral MgO₄, and removed other modifying ions for charge compensation. This reaction was confirmed by ²⁹Si MAS NMR. ¹⁹F MAS NMR results show that fluorine exists in the form of mixed calcium sodium fluoride species in all glasses and no Si–F bonds were formed. As CaO is gradually replaced by MgO (x=6, 9), a proportion of the magnesium ions combines with fluorine to form the MgF⁺ species. Meanwhile, some part of Na⁺ ions complex F⁻ in the form of F–Na(6).     

Study on the relations of sensitivity with energy properties for HMX and HMX-based PBXs by molecular dynamics simulation

Molecular dynamics simulation was applied to study the structure and energy properties of β-HMX (β-cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine) crystal and its composite PBXs (polymer-bonded explosives) with F₂₃₁₁ as a polymer binder under different temperatures and F₂₃₁₁ concentrations. The interface interaction energy of HMX and F₂₃₁₁, the interaction energy E_N–N between N atoms in N–NO₂ trigger bond in HMX molecules, and the cohesive energy density (CED) are presented and analyzed. A meaningful finding is that there exists correlation between E_N–N and the sensitivity of β-HMX and its composites, i.e. the less the E_N–N is, the larger the sensitivity is. Additionally, molecular interactions are inherently disclosed by using pair correlation function (PCF) to analyze the interfacial structure between (1 0 0)HMX crystal surface and F₂₃₁₁ molecular chain.     

Stereochemical analysis of ferrocene and the uncertainty of fluorescence XAFS data

Methods for the quantification of statistically valid measures of the uncertainties associated with X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data obtained from dilute solutions using fluorescence measurements are developed. Experimental data obtained from 10 mM solutions of the organometallic compound ferrocene, Fe(C₅H₅)₂, are analysed within this framework and, following correction for various electronic and geometrical factors, give robust estimates of the standard errors of the individual measurements. The reliability of the refinement statistics of standard current XAFS structure approaches that do not include propagation of experimental uncertainties to assess subtle structural distortions is assessed in terms of refinements obtained for the staggered and eclipsed conformations of the C₅H₅ rings of ferrocene. Standard approaches (XFIT, IFEFFIT) give refinement statistics that appear to show strong, but opposite, preferences for the different conformations. Incorporation of experimental uncertainties into an IFEFFIT‐like analysis yield refinement statistics for the staggered and eclipsed forms of ferrocene which show a far more realistic preference for the eclipsed form which accurately reflects the reliability of the analysis. Moreover, the more strongly founded estimates of the refined parameter uncertainties allow more direct comparison with those obtained by other techniques. These XAFS‐based estimates of the bond distances have accuracies comparable with those obtained using single‐crystal diffraction techniques and are superior in terms of their use in comparisons of experimental and computed structures.