Phase determination in holographic Moiré in presence of nonsinusoidal waveforms and random noise

This paper proposes a subspace parameter estimation method which besides allowing for accommodating multiple PZTs in an optical interferometer permits for extracting in real time values of phase shifts between data frames at each pixel point. The technique enables to freely choose values of phase shifts between 0 and π. A generalized phase measurement algorithm allows for computing multiple phase information present in the interferometer. The method facilitates the use of spherical beams, addresses errors arising from the miscalibration of the phase shifting devices, and is capable of handling nonsinusoidal waveforms in an effective manner. Numerical simulations demonstrate that phase distributions can be measured with high accuracy even in the presence of noise.     

High-resolution frequency estimation technique for recovering phase distribution in interferometers

An integral approach to phase measurement is presented. First, the use of a high-resolution technique for the pixelwise detection of phase steps is proposed. Next, the robustness of the algorithm that is developed is improved by incorporation of a denoising procedure during spectral estimation. The pixelwise knowledge of phase steps is then applied to the Vandermonde system of equations for retrieval of phase values at each pixel point. Conceptually, our proposal involves the design of an annihilating filter that has zeros at the frequencies associated with the polynomial that describes the fringe intensity. The parametric estimation of this annihilating filter yields the desired spectral information embedded in the signal, which in our case represents the phase steps. The proposed method offers the advantage of extracting the interference phase of nonsinusoidal waveforms in the presence of miscalibration error of the piezoelectric transducer. In addition, in contrast to previously reported methods, this method does not require the application of selective phase steps between data frames for nonsinusoidal waveforms.     

Four-channel coarse WDM for inter- and intra-satellite optical communications

A polymer volume grating-based four-channel coarse wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) for inter- and intra-satellite optical communication application is reported for the first time. This compact four-channel WDM device working at 0.83, 1.06, 1.34 and 1.55 μm is designed to build a complete optical link between two satellites, where wavelengths of 0.83 and 1.55 μm are used for data stream channels, 1.06 and 1.34 μm are used for inter- and intra-satellite connection. It is for the first time reported that a WDM device can cover such a large wavelength range in a single substrate. For transverse electric (TE) wave, the channel efficiencies at 0.83, 1.06, 1.34 and 1.55 μm are 55%, 40%, 35% and 45%, respectively. Channel efficiencies for transverse magnetic (TM) waves are 20% lower than those of TE waves on average. Wavelength shifts due to Doppler effect, temperature variations and radiation effects in space can be adequately accommodated.     

Formation energies and swelling of uranium dioxide by point defects

Hybrid density functional theory is used to study the stability and behavior of rare gases in uranium dioxide. Three insertion sites are considered: the octahedral interstitial position and the oxygen and uranium substitution sites. The optimized lattice constant, the volume variation induced by gaseous atom incorporation, and the defect formation energy are studied for each rare gas. Both lattice constants and formation energies increase with increase in radii of the rare gases. The octahedral interstitial position is the most favorable occupation site. The formation energy is found to be negative only for He at an interstitial site.     

Investigation of Noise-Induced Escape Rate: A Quantum Mechanical Approach

A quantum system coupled to a heat-bath in non-equilibrium environment is considered to study the problem of noise-induced escape rate from a metastable state in the moderate to strong friction limit (Kramers’ regime). It is known that starting from an initial coherent state representation of bath oscillators, one can derive a c-number generalized quantum Langevin equation where the quantum correction terms appear as a coupled infinite set of hierarchy of equations. For practical purpose, one should truncate these equations after a certain order. In our present development, we calculate the quantum correction terms in a closed analytical form based on a systematic perturbation technique and then derive the lowest order quantum correction factor exactly in the case of an Ohmic dissipative bath. Finally, to demonstrate its applicability, the effective equation of motions has been used to study the barrier crossing dynamics which incorporates the quantum correction factors.     

The mass hierarchy with atmospheric neutrinos at INO

We study the neutrino mass hierarchy at the magnetized Iron CALorimeter (ICAL) detector at India-based Neutrino Observatory with atmospheric neutrino events generated by the Monte Carlo event generator Nuance. We judicially choose the observables so that the possible systematic uncertainties can be reduced. The resolution as a function of both energy and zenith angle simultaneously is obtained for neutrinos and anti-neutrinos separately from thousand years un-oscillated atmospheric neutrino events at ICAL to migrate number of events from neutrino energy and zenith angle bins to muon energy and zenith angle bins. The resonance ranges in terms of directly measurable quantities like muon energy and zenith angle are found using this resolution function at different input values of θ₁₃${\theta }_{13}$. Then, the marginalized χ²s${\chi }^2\mathrm{s}$ are studied for different input values of θ₁₃${\theta }_{13}$ with its resonance ranges taking input data in muon energy and zenith angle bins. Finally, we find that the mass hierarchy can be explored up to a lower value of θ₁₃≈5°${\theta }_{13}\approx 5°$ with confidence level >95% in this set up.     

On the scattering of torsional elastic waves from axisymmetric defects in coated pipes

Long range ultrasonic testing is now a well established method for examining in-service degradation in pipelines. In order to protect pipelines from the surrounding environment it is common for viscoelastic coatings to be applied to the outer surface. These coatings are, however, known to impact on the ability of long range ultrasonic techniques to locate degradation, or defects, within a coated pipe. The coating dissipates sound energy travelling along the pipe, attenuating both the incident and reflected signals making responses from defects difficult to detect. This article aims to investigate the influence of a viscoelastic coating on the ability of long range ultrasonic testing to detect a defect in an axisymmetric pipe. The article focuses on understanding the behaviour of the fundamental torsional mode and quantifying the effect of bitumen coatings on reflection coefficients generated by axisymmetric defects. Reflection coefficients are measured experimentally for coated and uncoated pipes and compared to theoretical predictions generated using numerical mode matching and a hybrid finite element technique. Good agreement between prediction and measurement is observed for uncoated pipes, and it is shown that the theoretical methods presented here are fast and efficient making them suitable for studying long pipe runs. However, when studying coated pipes agreement between theory and prediction is observed to be poor for predictions based on those bulk acoustic properties currently reported in the literature for bitumen. Good agreement is observed only after conducting a parametric study to identify more appropriate values for the bulk acoustic properties. Furthermore, the reflection coefficients obtained for the fundamental torsional mode in a coated pipe show that significant sound attenuation is present over relatively short lengths of coating, thus quantifying those problems commonly encountered with the use of long range ultrasonic testing on coated pipes in the field.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of the mineral penkvilksite Na 2TiSi 4O 11·2H 2O – a mineral used for the uptake of radionuclides

We have used vibrational spectroscopy to study the formula and molecular structure of the mineral penkvilksite Na ₂TiSi ₄O ₁₁·2H ₂O. Penkvilksite is a mineral which may be used in the uptake of radioactive elements. Both Raman and infrared spectroscopies identify a band at ～3638 cm^?1 attributed to an OH-stretching vibration of hydroxyl units. The inference is that OH units are involved in the structure of penkvilksite. The formula may be well written as Na ₂TiSi ₄O ₁₀(OH)₂·H ₂O. The mineral is characterised by a very intense Raman band at 1085 cm^?1 and a broad infrared band at 1080 cm^?1 assigned to SiO-stretching vibrations. Raman bands at 620, 667 and 711 cm^?1 are attributed to SiO and TiO chain bonds. Water-stretching vibrations are observed as Raman bands at 3197, 3265, 3425 and 3565 cm^?1. Vibrational spectroscopy enables aspects of the molecular structure of the mineral penkvilksite to be ascertained. Penkvilksite is a mineral which can incorporate actinides and lanthanides from radioactive waste.     

OH sensor based on ultraviolet, continuous-wave absorption spectroscopy utilizing a frequency-quadrupled, fiber-amplified external-cavity diode laser

The development of an all-solid-state cw laser system for optical absorption measurements of the OH radical in the UV spectral range is described. The tunable output of a 1064-nm external-cavity diode laser is amplified by use of a Nd:doped, double-clad fiber amplifier. The amplified near-IR radiation is frequency doubled by a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal and then quadrupled in a beta-barium borate crystal. The design and operation of the system and measurements of OH absorption in the (2, 0) band of the A(2)?(+)- X(2)? electronic transition are discussed.