Conditional linearization in nonlinear random vibration

In this paper, an improved probabilistic linearization approach is developed to study the response of nonlinear single degree of freedom (SDOF) systems under narrow-band inputs. An integral equation for the probability density function (PDF) of the envelope is derived. This equation is solved using an iterative scheme. The technique is applied to study the hardening type Duffing's oscillator under narrow-band excitation. The results compare favorably with those obtained using numerical simulation. In particular, the bimodal nature of the PDF for the response envelope for certain parameter ranges is brought out.

Mean-field theory of charge ordering and phase transitions in the colossal-magnetoresistive manganites

We study phase transitions in the colossal-magnetoresistive manganites by using a mean-field theory both at zero and non-zero temperatures. Our Hamiltonian includes double-exchange, superexchange, and Hubbard terms with on-site and nearest-neighbour Coulomb interaction, with the parameters estimated from earlier density-functional calculations. The phase diagrams show magnetic and charge-ordered (or charge-disordered) phases as a result of the competition between the double-exchange, superexchange, and Hubbard terms, the relative effects of which are sensitively dependent on parameters such as doping, bandwidth, and temperature. In accord with the experimental observations, several important features are reproduced from our model, namely, (i) a phase transition from an insulating, charge-ordered antiferromagnetic to a metallic, charge-disordered ferromagnetic state near dopant concentration x = 1/2, (ii) the reduction of the transition temperature TAF-->F by the application of a magnetic field, (iii) melting of the charge order by a magnetic field, and (iv) phase coexistence for certain values of temperature and doping. An important feature, not reproduced in our model, is the antiferromagnetism in the electron-doped systems, e.g., La1-xCaxMnO3 over the entire range of 0.5 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1, and we suggest that a multi-band model which includes the unoccupied t(2g) orbitals might be an important ingredient for describing this feature.

Comparison of AM-FM Based Features For Robust Speech Recognition

Effective feature extraction for robust speech recognition is a widely addressed topic and currently there is much effort to invoke non-stationary signal models instead of quasi-stationary signal models leading to standard features such as LPC or MFCC. Joint amplitude modulation and frequency modulation (AM-FM) is a classical non-parametric approach to non-stationary signal modeling and recently new feature sets for automatic speech recognition (ASR) have been derived based on a multi-band AM-FM representation of the signal. We consider several of these representations and compare their performances for robust speech recognition in noise, using the AURORA-2 database. We show that FEPSTRUM representation proposed is more effective than others. We also propose an improvement to FEPSTRUM based on the Teager energy operator (TEO) and show that it can selectively outperform even FEPSTRUM

Upconversion luminescence and optical power limiting effect based on two- and three-photon absorption processes of ZnO crystal

Near-infrared to UV and visible upconversion luminescence was observed in single-crystalline ZnO under an 800 nm infrared femtosecond laser irradiation. The optical properties of the crystal reveal that the UV and VIS emission band are due to the exciton transition (D0X) bound to neutral donors and the deep luminescent centers in ZnO, respectively. The relationship between the upconversion luminescence intensity and the pump power of the femtosecond laser reveals that the UV emission belongs to three-photon sequential band-to-band excitation and the VIS emission belongs to two-photon simultaneous defect-absorption induced luminescence. A saturation phenomenon and polarization-dependent effect are also observed in the upconversion process of ZnO. A very good optical power limiting performance at 800 nm has been demonstrated. The two- and three-photon absorption coefficients of ZnO crystal were measured to be 0.2018 cm GW(-1) and 7.102 x 10(-3) cm(3) GW(-2), respectively. The two- and three-photon cross sections were calculated to be 1.189 x 10(-51) cm(4) s and 1.040 x 10(-80) cm(6) s(2), respectively. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

X-ray spectra induced by slow highly charged Arq+ ions in collision with Nb surface

The X-ray spectra of Nb surface induced by Arq+ (q = 16,17) ions with the energy range from 10 to 20 keV/q were studied by the optical spectrum technology. The experimental results indicate that the multi-electron excitation occurred as a highly charged Ar16+ ion was neutralized below the metal surface. The K shell electron of Ar16+ was excited and then de-excited cascadly to emit K X-ray. The intensity of the X-ray emitted from K shell of the hollow Ar atom decreased with the increase of projectile kinetic energy. The intensity of the X-ray emitted from L shell of the target atom Nb increased with the increase of projectile kinetic energy. The X-ray yield of Ar17+ is three magnitude orders larger than that of Ar16+.

X-ray spectra produced by interaction of Ar16+ and Ar17+ with Zr

The 10-20 qkeV Ar16+ and Ar17+ ions produced by SECRAL enter on metallic surface of Zr. In this interaction, the multi-electron excitation possibly occurred in the neutralization of the highly charged Ar16+ ions, which produced vacancy in the K shell. Electron of the high n state de-excited to K vacancy gives off X-ray. The experimental results show that X-ray intensities for the Ar hollow atom decrease with increase of incidence energy, and L beta X-ray intensities of target atom Zr increase with increasing incidence energy. K alpha X-ray yield per ion for Ar17+ was five orders of magnitude greater than that for Ar16+

X-ray spectra induced in highly charged Ar-40(q+) interacting with Au surface

By use of optical spectrum technology, the spectra of X-ray induced by highly charged Ar-40(q+) ions interacting with Au surface have been studied. The results show that the argon K alpha X-ray were emitted from the hollow atoms formed below the surface. There is a process of multi-electron exciting in neutralization of the Ar16+ ion, with electronic configuration 1s(2) in its ground state below the solid surface. The yield of the projectile K alpha X-ray is related to its initial electronic configuration, and the yield of the target X-ray is related to the projectile kinetic energy.

X-ray emission produced by interaction of highly ionized Arq+ ions with metallic targets

This paper studies the X-ray spectra produced by the interaction of highly charged ions of Arq+ (q = 16, 17, 18) with metallic surface of Be, Al, Ni, Mo and Au respectively. The experimental results show that the K alpha X-ray emerges from under the surface of solid in the interaction of ions with targets. The multi-electron excitation occurred in the process neutralization of the Ar16+ in electronic configuration of 1s(2) in metallic surfaces, which produces vacancy in the K shell. Electron from high n state transition to K vacancy gives off X-ray. We find that there is no obvious relation between the shape of X-ray spectra and the different targets. The X-ray yield of incident ions are associated with initial electronic configuration. The X-ray yield of target is related to the kinetic energy of the incident ions.

A pll based frequency synthesizer in 0.13 um sige bicmos for mb-ofdm uwb systems

With the growing demand for high-speed and high-quality short-range communication, multi-band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing ultra-wide band (MB-OFDM UWB) systems have recently garnered considerable interest in industry and in academia. To achieve a low-cost solution, highly integrated transceivers with small die area and minimum power consumption are required. The key building block of the transceiver is the frequency synthesizer. A frequency synthesizer comprised of two PLLs and one multiplexer is presented in this thesis. Ring oscillators are adopted for PLL implementation in order to drastically reduce the die area of the frequency synthesizer. The poor spectral purity appearing in the frequency synthesizers involving mixers is greatly improved in this design. Based on the specifications derived from application standards, a design methodology is presented to obtain the parameters of building blocks. As well, the simulation results are provided to verify the performance of proposed design.

Micro-Satellite Structure Fracture Investigation techniques

Mounting accuracy of satellite payload and
ADCS (attitude determination and control subsystem) seats
is one of the requirements to achieve the satellite mission
with satisfactory performance. Deviation of the position of
the mounting seat for Multi-Band-Earth-Imager (MBEI) is
caused by cracks in the plate of the basis unit and bracket
for attachment of MBEI. These cracks were detected during
inspection of the satellite strength mock-up after vibration
testing for air transportation phase. Most probable reason of
the cracking is fatigue damage as strength mock-up
structure was subjected to prolonged vibration loading
during various loading cases. Total vibration duration
during testing is about 56 hours. In order to study the
cracking reasons, finite element modeling of the structural
parts of the basis unit including MBEI bracket and
instrument MBEI is subjected to harmonic response to
simulate vibration loading for the case of air transportation.
Numerical results are compared with the experimental ones,
and mechanical design of the basis-plate unit is modified

Ultracold fluorine production via Doppler cooled BeF

Large parts of the periodic table cannot be cooled by current laser-based methods. We investigate whether zero energy fragmentation of laser cooled fluorides is a potential source of ultracold fluorine atoms. We report new ab initio calculations on the lowest electronic states of the BeF diatomic molecule including spin-orbit coupling, the calculated minima for the valence electronic states being within 1 pm of the spectroscopic values. A four colour cooling scheme based on the A2? ? X2S+ transition is shown to be feasible for this molecule. Multi-Reference Configuration Interaction (MRCI) potentials of the lowest energy Rydberg states are reported for the first time and found to be in good agreement with experimental data. A series of multi-pulse excitation schemes from a single rovibrational level of the cooled molecule are proposed to produce cold fluorine atoms.

Resolution theory, and static and frequency-dependent cross-talk in piezoresponse force microscopy

Probing the functionality of materials locally by means of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) requires a reliable framework for identifying the target signal and separating it from the effects of surface morphology and instrument non-idealities, e.g. instrumental and topographical cross-talk. Here we develop a linear resolution theory framework in order to describe the cross-talk effects, and apply it for elucidation of frequency-dependent cross-talk mechanisms in piezoresponse force microscopy. The use of a band excitation method allows electromechanical/electrical and mechanical/topographic signals to be unambiguously separated. The applicability of a functional fit approach and multivariate statistical analysis methods for identification of data in band excitation SPM is explored.

Nonlinear phenomena in multiferroic nanocapacitors:joule heating and electromechanical effects

We demonstrate an approach for probing nonlinear electromechanical responses in BiFeO(3) thin film nanocapacitors using half-harmonic band excitation piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Nonlinear PFM images of nanocapacitor arrays show clearly visible clusters of capacitors associated with variations of local leakage current through the BiFeO(3) film. Strain spectroscopy measurements and finite element modeling point to significance of the Joule heating and show that the thermal effects caused by the Joule heating can provide nontrivial contributions to the nonlinear electromechanical responses in ferroic nanostructures. This approach can be further extended to unambiguous mapping of electrostatic signal contributions to PFM and related techniques.

Toward Characterization Of The Type IIP Supernova Progenitor Population: A Statistical Sample Of Light Curves From Pan-STARRS1

In recent years, wide-field sky surveys providing deep multi-band imaging have presented a new path for indirectly characterizing the progenitor populations of core-collapse supernovae (SN): systematic light curve studies. We assemble a set of 76 grizy-band Type IIP SN light curves from Pan-STARRS1, obtained over a constant survey program of 4 years and classified using both spectroscopy and machine learning-based photometric techniques. We develop and apply a new Bayesian model for the full multi-band evolution of each light curve in the sample. We find no evidence of a sub-population of fast-declining explosions (historically referred to as "Type IIL" SNe). However, we identify a highly significant relation between the plateau phase decay rate and peak luminosity among our SNe IIP. These results argue in favor of a single parameter, likely determined by initial stellar mass, predominantly controlling the explosions of red supergiants. This relation could also be applied for supernova cosmology, offering a standardizable candle good to an intrinsic scatter of 0.2 mag. We compare each light curve to physical models from hydrodynamic simulations to estimate progenitor initial masses and other properties of the Pan-STARRS1 Type IIP SN sample. We show that correction of systematic discrepancies between modeled and observed SN IIP light curve properties and an expanded grid of progenitor properties, are needed to enable robust progenitor inferences from multi-band light curve samples of this kind. This work will serve as a pathfinder for photometric studies of core-collapse SNe to be conducted through future wide field transient searches.

Hydrogen-Poor Superluminous Supernovae and Long-Duration Gamma-Ray Bursts Have Similar Host Galaxies

We present optical spectroscopy and optical/near-IR photometry of 31 host galaxies of hydrogen-poor superluminous supernovae (SLSNe), including 15 events from the Pan-STARRS1 Medium Deep Survey. Our sample spans the redshift range 0.1 ≲ z ≲ 1.6, and is the first comprehensive host galaxy study of this specific subclass of cosmic explosions. Combining the multi-band photometry and emission-line measurements, we determine the luminosities, stellar masses, star formation rates, and metallicities. We find that, as a whole, the hosts of SLSNe are a low-luminosity (〈M_B 〉 ≈ -17.3 mag), low stellar mass (〈M〉 ≈ 2 × 10⁸ M_⊙) population, with a high median specific star formation rate (〈sSFR〉 ≈ 2 Gyr^-1). The median metallicity of our spectroscopic sample is low, 12 + log (O/H) ≈ 8.35 ≈ 0.45 Z_⊙, although at least one host galaxy has solar metallicity. The host galaxies of H-poor SLSNe are statistically distinct from the hosts of GOODS core-collapse SNe (which cover a similar redshift range), but resemble the host galaxies of long-duration gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) in terms of stellar mass, SFR, sSFR, and metallicity. This result indicates that the environmental causes leading to massive stars forming either SLSNe or LGRBs are similar, and in particular that SLSNe are more effectively formed in low metallicity environments. We speculate that the key ingredient is large core angular momentum, leading to a rapidly spinning magnetar in SLSNe and an accreting black hole in LGRBs.