Picosecond pulse source for OTDM/WDM applications based on arrayed waveguide grating

A novel technique for high quality femtosecond pulse generation from a gain-switched laser diode by means of pulse compression and transformation in a compact nonlinear fiber device, based on a dispersion-imbalanced fiber loop mirror (DILM) is demonstrated. This source allows the generation of extremely high quality pulses as short as 270 fs on demand with strong suppression of pulse pedestals. Spectral filtering in arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) converts the device into a compact multiwavelength source of high-quality picosecond pulses for optical time division multiplexing/wavelength division multiplexing applications.

The effect of dopants on the twist elastic constant and the rotational viscosity coefficient for nematics

The twist elastic constant, K2, and the rotational viscosity coefficient, γ1, are of importance when the response lime for the in-plane switching mode is studied. Since adding dopants is one technique to improve the response characteristics, the effect of dopants on these physical properties is significant. The effect on K2 and γ1 of adding alkyl(alkoxy) phenylcyclopentenones and alkyl(alkoxy) cyanobiphenyls to the base mixture ZLI-4792 together with their temperature dependence have been investigated using different temperature scales. The reduced temperature scale showed the effect of these dopants on K2 is small. On the other hand, the temperature dependence of γ1 depends on both the absolute temperature scale and the reduced temperature scale. Therefore, it is clear that the choice of temperature scale with which to compare γ1 for different systems raises fundamental questions which way not have a unique answer. 2000 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) N.V. Published by license under the Gordon and Breach Science Publishers imprint.

The wave transmission coefficients and coupling loss factors of point connected structures

This analysis is concerned with the calculation of the elastic wave transmission coefficients and coupling loss factors between an arbitrary number of structural components that are coupled at a point. A general approach to the problem is presented and it is demonstrated that the resulting coupling loss factors satisfy reciprocity. A key aspect of the method is the consideration of cylindrical waves in two-dimensional components, and this builds upon recent results regarding the energetics of diffuse wavefields when expressed in cylindrical coordinates. Specific details of the method are given for beam and thin plate components, and a number of examples are presented. © 2002 Acoustical Society of America.

A new Lagrangian-Eulerian shell-fluid coupling algorithm based on level sets

We propose a computational method for the coupled simulation of a compressible flow interacting with a thin-shell structure undergoing large deformations. An Eulerian finite volume formulation is adopted for the fluid and a Lagrangian formulation based on subdivision finite elements is adopted for the shell response. The coupling between the fluid and the solid response is achieved via a novel approach based on level sets. The basic approach furnishes a general algorithm for coupling Lagrangian shell solvers with Cartesian grid based Eulerian fluid solvers. The efficiency and robustness of the proposed approach is demonstrated with a airbag deployment simulation. It bears emphasis that in the proposed approach the solid and the fluid components as well as their coupled interaction are considered in full detail and modeled with an equivalent level of fidelity without any oversimplifying assumptions or bias towards a particular physical aspect of the problem.

All optical wavelength conversion at 2.488GBits/s using the integrated multi grating cavity (MGC) laser

A novel integrated Multi-Wavelength Grating Cavity (MGC) laser has been used for multi-channel wavelength conversion at 2.488Gbits/s. Functions demonstrated include conversion to multiple wavelengths, WDM multiplexing and 1×4 space switching.

Physical properties of some novel nematic bimesogens for the flexoelectric effect

In a chiral nematic liquid crystal, the flexoelectric effect consists of a fast and linear coupling with an applied electric field. One difficulty to overcome is the unwinding of the helix that occurs at higher fields due to dielectric coupling. The use of bimesogens, which possess very low molecular dielectric anisotropy can improve flexoelectric characteristics. New bimesogen compounds have recently been synthesised that exhibit switching angles of 45° for applied fields of about 9 V.μm-1. In this paper, results from dielectric, electro-optic and dynamic light scattering measurements are reported for the new bimesogenic mixture. The dielectric anisotropy Δε changes sign with temperature and its values range between -0.2 and 0.3 for the temperature range studied. For Δε weakly positive, no electric field Freedericksz transition could be induced but Williams domains are observed instead. The large decrease in the bend elastic constant to viscosity coefficient ratio is attributed to a large increase in the bend viscosity coefficient. © 2001 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) N.V. Published by license under the Gordon and Breach Science Publishers imprint, a member of the Taylor & Francis Group.

Optical communication system performance using fibre Bragg grating dispersion compensators

Operating limits of a chirped fibre grating dispersion compensator are determined using a complete optical system model. A 10cm compensator extends the transmission range of an optimised 10Gbit/s MQW electroabsorption modulator from 80km to 425km.

Measurement of coefficient of consolidation during reconsolidation of liquefied sand

Saturated sands particularly at low relative density commonly exhibit rises in excess pore pressure when subjected to earthquake loading. The excess pore pressure can approach a maximum value, limited by the initial vertical effective stress. After the completion of earthquake shaking, these excess pore pressures dissipate according to the consolidation equation, which can be solved to produce a Fourier series solution. It will be shown by manipulation of this Fourier series that excess pore pressure traces provide a method for back-calculation of coefficient of consolidation Cv. This method is validated against dissipation curves generated using known values of C v and seen to be more accurate in the middle of the layer. The method is then applied to data recorded in centrifuge tests to evaluate Cv throughout the reconsolidation process following liquefaction conditions. C v is seen to fit better as a function of excess pore pressure ratio than effective stress for the stress levels considered. For the soil investigated, Cv is about three times smaller at excess pore pressure ratio of 0.9 compared to excess pore pressure ratio of 0. Copyright © 1996-2011 ASTM.

Simplifying mooring analysis for deepwater systems using truncation

Over recent years academia and industry have engaged with the challenge of model testing deepwater structures at conventional scales. One approach to the limited depth problem has been to truncate the lines. This concept will be introduced, highlighting the need to better understand line dynamic processes. The type of line truncation developed here models the upper sections of each line in detail, capturing wave action and all coupling effects with the vessel, terminating to an approximate analytical model that aims to simulate the remainder of the line. A rationale for this is that in deep water transverse elastic waves of a line are likely to decay before they are reflected at the seabed because of nonlinear hydrodynamic drag forces. The first part of this paper is centered on verification of this rationale. A simplified model of a mooring line that describes the transverse dynamics in wave frequency is used, adopting the equation of motion of an inextensible taut string. The line is submerged in still water, one end fixed at the bottom the other assumed to follow the vessel response, which can be harmonic or random. A dimensional analysis, supported by exact benchmark numerical solutions, has shown that it is possible to produce a universal curve for the decay of transverse vibrations along the line, which is suitable for any kind of line with any top motion. This has a significant engineering benefit, allowing for a rapid assessment of line dynamics - it can be useful in deciding whether a truncated line model is appropriate, and if so, at which point truncation might be applied. This is followed by developing a truncation mechanism, formulating an end approximation that can reproduce the correct impedance, had the line been continuous to full depth. It has been found that below a certain length criterion, which is also universal, the transverse vibrational characteristics for each line are inertia driven. As such the truncated model can assume a linear damper whose coefficient depends on the line properties and frequency of vibration. Copyright © 2011 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).

A model for diffusive and displacive phase transitions: Thermo-chemo-mechanical coupling effects

A diffuse interface phase field model is proposed for the unified analysis of diffusive and displacive phase transitions under nonisothermal conditions. Two order parameters are used for the description of the phenomena: one is related to the solute mass fraction and the other to the strain. The model governing equations come from the balance of linear momentum, the solute mass balance (which will lead to the Cahn-Hilliard equation) and the balance of internal energy. Thermodynamic restrictions allow to define constitutive relations for the thermodynamic forces and for the mechanical and chemical dissipations. Numerical tests carried out at different values of the initial temperature show that the model is able to describe the main features of both the displacive and the diffusive phase transitions, as well as their effect on the temperature. © 2010, Advanced Engineering Solutions.

Re-examination of the coefficient of determination (r2) using road materials engineering case studies

The analysis of scientific data is integral to materials engineering and science. The correlation between measured variables is often quantified by estimating the coefficient of determination or the r2 value. This is the recognised procedure for determining linear relationships. The authors review the derivation of the r2 value and derive an associated quantity, termed the relative deviation (RD), which is the ratio of the root mean square of the deviations about the fitted line to the root mean square of the deviations about the y bar line expressed as a percentage. The relative deviation has an advantage over the coefficient of determination in that it has greater numerical sensitivity to changes in the spread of data about the fitted line, especially when the scatter is small. In addition, the relative deviation is able to define, in percentage terms, the reduction in scatter when different independent variables are correlated with a common dependent variable. Four case studies in the materials field (aggregate crushing value, Atterberg limits, permeability and creep of asphalt) from work carried out at the Queensland Main Roads Department are presented to show the use of the new parameter RD.

Magnetophonon resonance in graphite: High-field Raman measurements and electron-phonon coupling contributions

We perform Raman scattering experiments on natural graphite in magnetic fields up to 45 T, observing a series of peaks due to interband electronic excitations over a much broader magnetic field range than previously reported. We also explore electron-phonon coupling in graphite via magnetophonon resonances. The Raman G peak shifts and splits as a function of magnetic field, due to the magnetically tuned coupling of the E 2g optical phonons with the K- and H-point inter-Landau-level excitations. The analysis of the observed anticrossing behavior allows us to determine the electron-phonon coupling for both K- and H-point carriers. In the highest field range (>35 T) the G peak narrows due to suppression of electron-phonon interaction. © 2012 American Physical Society.