4,200 research outputs found

    Machine learning applications in search algorithms for gravitational waves from compact binary mergers

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    Gravitational waves from compact binary mergers are now routinely observed by Earth-bound detectors. These observations enable exciting new science, as they have opened a new window to the Universe. However, extracting gravitational-wave signals from the noisy detector data is a challenging problem. The most sensitive search algorithms for compact binary mergers use matched filtering, an algorithm that compares the data with a set of expected template signals. As detectors are upgraded and more sophisticated signal models become available, the number of required templates will increase, which can make some sources computationally prohibitive to search for. The computational cost is of particular concern when low-latency alerts should be issued to maximize the time for electromagnetic follow-up observations. One potential solution to reduce computational requirements that has started to be explored in the last decade is machine learning. However, different proposed deep learning searches target varying parameter spaces and use metrics that are not always comparable to existing literature. Consequently, a clear picture of the capabilities of machine learning searches has been sorely missing. In this thesis, we closely examine the sensitivity of various deep learning gravitational-wave search algorithms and introduce new methods to detect signals from binary black hole and binary neutron star mergers at previously untested statistical confidence levels. By using the sensitive distance as our core metric, we allow for a direct comparison of our algorithms to state-of-the-art search pipelines. As part of this thesis, we organized a global mock data challenge to create a benchmark for machine learning search algorithms targeting compact binaries. This way, the tools developed in this thesis are made available to the greater community by publishing them as open source software. Our studies show that, depending on the parameter space, deep learning gravitational-wave search algorithms are already competitive with current production search pipelines. We also find that strategies developed for traditional searches can be effectively adapted to their machine learning counterparts. In regions where matched filtering becomes computationally expensive, available deep learning algorithms are also limited in their capability. We find reduced sensitivity to long duration signals compared to the excellent results for short-duration binary black hole signals

    High-Speed Scanning Tunneling Microscopy on Thin Oxide Film Systems

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    Dünne Silizium- und Germaniumdioxidfilme auf Ru(0001)-Kristallen werden hinsichtlich dynamischer Prozesse untersucht. Zwischen Oxidfilm und Substrat befinden sich Sauerstoffatome, die eine ent-scheidende Rolle in diesen Systemen spielen. Zunächst werden diese Sauerstofflagen auf Ru(0001) mittels Hochgeschwindigkeits-Rastertunnelmikroskopie (STM) analysiert. Daraufhin wird die GeO2-Monolage auf Ru(0001) bei hohen Bildraten mit einer selbstentwickelten halbautomatischen Netz-werkdetektion untersucht. Schließlich wird die SiO2-Bilage auf Ru(0001) mit konventionellen sowie mit schnellen STM-Messungen bei Raumtemperatur und bei 600 K abgebildet. Um schnelle Messungen bei hohen Temperaturen zu realisieren, wird ein Hochgeschwindigkeits-STM konstruiert, welches bei unterschiedlichen Temperaturen betrieben werden kann. Unkon-ventionelle Spiralgeometrien ermöglichen verzerrungsfreie Bilder in weniger als 10 ms aufzunehmen. Die adsorbierten Sauerstofflagen werden erstmals bei hohen Bildraten untersucht. Die experimen-tellen Ergebnisse werden durch extern durchgeführte Dichtefunktionaltheorie-Berechnungen ergänzt. In den auf Ru(0001) bei Raumtemperatur stabilen Sauerstofflagen O(2×2), O(2×1) und 3O(2×2) werden dynamische Prozesse beobachtet. Die Besetzung des Zwischenzustandes entlang des Diffusionspfades und schnelle "Umklapp"-Prozesse eindimensionaler Linien werden auf atomarer Ebene aufgelöst. Komplexe Domänengrenzen in der GeO2-Monolage auf Ru(0001) werden mit Hochgeschwindigkeits-STM abgebildet. Die Messungen an der SiO2-Bilage auf Ru(0001) zeigen dynamische Änderungen des Abbildungskontrasts, die mit den mobilen Sauertsoffatomen an der Grenzfläche zusammenhängen können. Messungen bei hohen Temperaturen zeigen dynamische Kontraständerungen von mesoskopischen Strukturen. Diese Messungen stellen die ersten schnellen Hochtemperatur-STM-Aufnahmen des Siliziumdioxidfilms dar und bilden die Grundlage für künftige Studien zu dynamischen Veränderungen in dünnen Oxidschichtsystemen.Dynamics related to thin silicon- and germanium dioxide films that are grown on Ru(0001) crystals are investigated. Between the film and the metal support oxygen species are present that play a crucial role for these film systems. First, these oxygen adlayers on Ru(0001) are analyzed by high-speed scan-ning tunneling microscopy (STM) with the focus on dynamic processes. In a next step, the monolayer of germanium dioxide (germania) supported on Ru(0001) is studied at elevated frame rates and with a self-designed semi-automated network detection. Finally, the bilayer of silicon dioxide (silica) on Ru(0001) is studied by conventional and by high-speed STM both at room temperature and at 600 K. To realize fast STM measurements at elevated temperatures, a high-speed STM is designed that can operate at variable temperatures. Images are acquired in less than 10 ms with unconventional spiral scan patterns. The dynamics in oxygen adlayers are investigated for the first time at elevated frame rates. Experimental results are supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed externally. Dynamic events are observed in the oxygen adlayers that are stable on Ru(0001) at room temperature, namely O(2×2), O(2×1), and 3O(2×2). The occupation of an intermediate state along the oxygen diffusion pathway and fast "flipping" events of atomic one-dimensional stripe patterns are observed. On the germania monolayer on Ru(0001), complex domain boundary structures are resolved with high-speed STM. In high-speed scans on the silica bilayer on Ru(0001), dynamic changes of the imaging contrast are observed that may relate to the mobile species in the oxygen interfacial layer. Measurements at elevated temperature reveal dynamic contrast changes of mesoscopic features. These measurements constitute the first high-speed STM scans on the silica film at elevated temperatures and form the basis for future studies with the focus on dynamic processes in thin oxide film systems

    Laser Technologies for Applications in Quantum Information Science

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    Scientific progress in experimental physics is inevitably dependent on continuing advances in the underlying technologies. Laser technologies enable controlled coherent and dissipative atom-light interactions and micro-optical technologies allow for the implementation of versatile optical systems not accessible with standard optics. This thesis reports on important advances in both technologies with targeted applications ranging from Rydberg-state mediated quantum simulation and computation with individual atoms in arrays of optical tweezers to high-resolution spectroscopy of highly-charged ions. A wide range of advances in laser technologies are reported: The long-term stability and maintainability of external-cavity diode laser systems is improved significantly by introducing a mechanically adjustable lens mount. Tapered-amplifier modules based on a similar lens mount are developed. The diode laser systems are complemented by digital controllers for laser frequency and intensity stabilisation. The controllers offer a bandwidth of up to 1.25 MHz and a noise performance set by the commercial STEMlab platform. In addition, shot-noise limited photodetectors optimised for intensity stabilisation and Pound-Drever-Hall frequency stabilisation as well as a fiber based detector for beat notes in the MHz-regime are developed. The capabilities of the presented techniques are demonstrated by analysing the performance of a laser system used for laser cooling of Rb85 at a wavelength of 780 nm. A reference laser system is stabilised to a spectroscopic reference provided by modulation transfer spectroscopy. This spectroscopy scheme is analysed finding optimal operation at high modulation indices. A suitable signal is generated with a compact and cost-efficient module. A scheme for laser offset-frequency stabilisation based on an optical phase-locked loop is realised. All frequency locks derived from the reference laser system offer a Lorentzian linewidth of 60 kHz (FWHM) in combination with a long-term stability of 130 kHz peak-to-peak within 10 days. Intensity stabilisation based on acousto-optic modulators in combination with the digital controller allows for real-time intensity control on microsecond time scales complemented by a sample and hold feature with a response time of 150 ns. High demands on the spectral properties of the laser systems are put forward for the coherent excitation of quantum states. In this thesis, the performance of active frequency stabilisation is enhanced by introducing a novel current modulation technique for diode lasers. A flat response from DC to 100 MHz and a phase lag below 90° up to 25 MHz are achieved extending the bandwidth available for laserfrequency stabilisation. Applying this technique in combination with a fast proportional-derivative controller, two laser fields with a relative phase noise of 42 mrad for driving rubidium ground state transitions are realised. A laser system for coherent Rydberg excitation via a two-photon scheme provides light at 780 nm and at 480 nm via frequency-doubling from 960 nm. An output power of 0.6 W at 480 nm from a single-mode optical fiber is obtained . The frequencies of both laser systems are stabilised to a high-finesse reference cavity resulting in a linewidth of 1.02 kHz (FWHM) at 960 nm. Numerical simulations quantify the effect of the finite linewidth on the coherence of Rydberg Rabi-oscillations. A laser system similar to the 480 nm Rydberg system is developed for spectroscopy on highly charged bismuth. Advanced optical technologies are also at the heart of the micro-optical generation of tweezer arrays that offer unprecedented scalability of the system size. By using an optimised lens system in combination with an automatic evaluation routine, a tweezer array with several thousand sites and trap waists below 1 μm is demonstrated. A similar performance is achieved with a microlens array produced in an additive manufacturing process. The microlens design is optimised for the manufacturing process. Furthermore, scattering rates in dipole traps due to suppressed resonant light are analysed proving the feasibility of dipole trap generation using tapered amplifier systems

    Microcredentials to support PBL

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    Nanofluids with optimised thermal properties based on metal chalcogenides with different morphology

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    Over the last decades, the interest around renewable energies has increased considerably because of the growing energy demand and the environmental problems derived from fossil fuels combustion. In this scenario, concentrating solar power (CSP) is a renewable energy with a high potential to cover the global energy demand. However, improving the efficiency and reducing the cost of technologies based on this type of energy to make it more competitive is still a work in progress. One of the current lines of research is the replacement of the heat transfer fluid used in the absorber tube of parabolic trough collectors with nano-colloidal suspensions of nanomaterials in a base fluid, typically named nanofluids. Nanofluids are considered as a new generation of heat transfer fluids since they exhibit thermophysical properties improvements compared with conventional heat transfer fluids. But there are still some barriers to overcome for the implementation of nanofluids. For example, obtaining nanofluids with high stability is a priority challenge for this kind of system. Also ensuring that nanoparticles will not clog pipes or cause pressure drops. In this Doctoral Thesis, the use of transition metal dichalcogenide-based nanofluids as a heat transfer fluid in solar power plants has been investigated for the first time. Specifically, nanofluids based on one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional MoS2 , WS2 and WSe2 nanostructures have been researched. The base fluid used in the preparation of these nanofluids is the eutectic mixture of biphenyl and diphenyl oxide typically employed as heat transfer fluid in concentrating solar power plants. Mainly two preparation methods have been explored: the liquid phase exfoliation method, and the solvothermal synthesis of the nanomaterial and its subsequent dispersion in the thermal oil by ultrasound. Experimental parameters such as surfactant concentration, time and sonication frequency for preparation of nanofluids have also been analysed. The nanofluids have been subjected to an extensive characterisation which includes the study of colloidal stability over time, characterisation of thermal properties such as isobaric specific heat or thermal conductivity, rheological properties and optical properties. The results have revealed that nanofluids based on 1D and 2D nanostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides are colloidally stable over time and exhibit improved thermal properties compared to the typical thermal fluid used in solar power plants. The most promising nanofluids are those based on MoS 2 nanosheets and those based on WSe 2 nanosheets with heat transfer coefficient improvements of 36.2% and 34.1% respectively with respect to thermal oil. Furthermore, the dramatic role of WSe2 nanosheets in enhancing optical extinction of the thermal oil suggests the use of these nanofluids in direct absorption solar collectors. In conclusion, the present work demonstrates the feasibility of using nanofluids based on transition metal dichalcogenide nanostructures as heat transfer fluids in concentrating solar power plants based on parabolic trough collectors.En las últimas décadas, el interés en torno a las energías renovables ha aumentado considerablemente debido a la creciente demanda energética y a los problemas medioambientales derivados de la combustión de combustibles fósiles. En este escenario, la energía solar de concentración (CSP) es una energía renovable con un alto potencial para cubrir la demanda energética mundial. Sin embargo, es necesario trabajar para mejorar la eficiencia y reducir el coste de las tecnologías basadas en este tipo de energía con el objetivo de hacerla más competitiva. Una de las líneas de investigación actuales es la sustitución del fluido caloportador utilizado en el tubo absorbedor de los colectores cilindroparabólicos por suspensiones nanocoloidales de nanomateriales en un fluido base, típicamente denominados nanofluidos. Los nanofluidos se consideran una nueva generación de fluidos de transferencia de calor, ya que presentan mejoras en sus propiedades termofísicas en comparación con los fluidos de transferencia de calor convencionales. Pero aún quedan algunos obstáculos por superar para la aplicación de los nanofluidos. Por ejemplo, obtener nanofluidos con alta estabilidad es un reto prioritario en este tipo de sistemas. También garantizar que las nanopartículas no obstruyan las tuberías ni provoquen caídas de presión. En esta Tesis Doctoral se ha investigado por primera vez el uso de nanofluidos basados en dicalcogenuros de metales de transición como fluido caloportador en centrales solares. En concreto, se han investigado nanofluidos basados en nanoestructuras unidimensionales, bidimensionales y tridimensionales de MoS2, WS2 y WSe2. El fluido base utilizado en la preparación de estos nanofluidos es la mezcla eutéctica de bifenilo y óxido de difenilo empleada habitualmente como fluido de transferencia de calor en las centrales de concentración de energía solar. Se han explorado principalmente dos métodos de preparación: el método de exfoliación en fase líquida y la síntesis solvotermal del nanomaterial y su posterior dispersión en el aceite térmico mediante ultrasonidos. También se han analizado parámetros experimentales como la concentración de surfactante, el tiempo y la frecuencia de sonicación para la preparación de los nanofluidos. Los nanofluidos han sido sometidos a una extensa caracterización que incluye el estudio de la estabilidad coloidal a lo largo del tiempo, la caracterización de propiedades térmicas como el calor específico isobárico o la conductividad térmica, propiedades reológicas y propiedades ópticas. Los resultados han revelado que los nanofluidos basados en nanoestructuras 1D y 2D de dicalcogenuros de metales de transición son coloidalmente estables en el tiempo y presentan propiedades térmicas mejoradas en comparación con el fluido térmico típico utilizado en las centrales solares. Los nanofluidos más prometedores son los basados en nanoláminas de MoS2 y los basados en nanoláminas de WSe2, con mejoras del coeficiente de transferencia térmica del 36,2% y el 34,1%, respectivamente, con respecto al aceite térmico. Además, el espectacular papel de las nanoláminas de WSe2 en la mejora de la extinción óptica del aceite térmico sugiere el uso de estos nanofluidos en colectores solares de absorción directa. En conclusión, el presente trabajo demuestra la viabilidad del uso de nanofluidos basados en nanoestructuras de dicalcogenuros de metales de transición como fluidos de transferencia de calor en centrales solares de concentración basadas en colectores cilindro-parabólicos

    Beam scanning by liquid-crystal biasing in a modified SIW structure

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    A fixed-frequency beam-scanning 1D antenna based on Liquid Crystals (LCs) is designed for application in 2D scanning with lateral alignment. The 2D array environment imposes full decoupling of adjacent 1D antennas, which often conflicts with the LC requirement of DC biasing: the proposed design accommodates both. The LC medium is placed inside a Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) modified to work as a Groove Gap Waveguide, with radiating slots etched on the upper broad wall, that radiates as a Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA). This allows effective application of the DC bias voltage needed for tuning the LCs. At the same time, the RF field remains laterally confined, enabling the possibility to lay several antennas in parallel and achieve 2D beam scanning. The design is validated by simulation employing the actual properties of a commercial LC medium

    Marine Data Fusion for Analyzing Spatio-Temporal Ocean Region Connectivity

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    This thesis develops methods to automate and objectify the connectivity analysis between ocean regions. Existing methods for connectivity analysis often rely on manual integration of expert knowledge, which renders the processing of large amounts of data tedious. This thesis presents a new framework for Data Fusion that provides several approaches for automation and objectification of the entire analysis process. It identifies different complexities of connectivity analysis and shows how the Data Fusion framework can be applied and adapted to them. The framework is used in this thesis to analyze geo-referenced trajectories of fish larvae in the western Mediterranean Sea, to trace the spreading pathways of newly formed water in the subpolar North Atlantic based on their hydrographic properties, and to gauge their temporal change. These examples introduce a new, and highly relevant field of application for the established Data Science methods that were used and innovatively combined in the framework. New directions for further development of these methods are opened up which go beyond optimization of existing methods. The Marine Science, more precisely Physical Oceanography, benefits from the new possibilities to analyze large amounts of data quickly and objectively for its exact research questions. This thesis is a foray into the new field of Marine Data Science. It practically and theoretically explores the possibilities of combining Data Science and the Marine Sciences advantageously for both sides. The example of automating and objectifying connectivity analysis between marine regions in this thesis shows the added value of combining Data Science and Marine Science. This thesis also presents initial insights and ideas on how researchers from both disciplines can position themselves to thrive as Marine Data Scientists and simultaneously advance our understanding of the ocean

    Discrete Element Modelling of Damage and Fracture of Brittle Materials

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    Concretes are widely used in civil engineering, such as bridges, roads, and water dams. However, damage occurs as the service age of the infrastructure increases. Investigations into the damage process can elucidate the fracture mechanisms and help to reduce the damage. Despite the fact that much research has been conducted on this topic, concrete fracture mechanisms remain unclear. Directly collecting microscale and/or meso-scale information (e.g., crack population, size, strength, and stress distribution) through laboratory experiments is challenging, However, this information is necessary for understanding the fracture process. Numerical simulation serves as a promising alternative as it can dynamically trace microcracking events and evaluate the spatial and temporal variations of stress in materials. Among the many numerical models, the discrete element method (DEM) is exceptionally successful in studying rocks and rock-like materials. Nevertheless, further improvements to DEM models are required to more accurately characterise materials' mechanical and fracture behaviours. To address the aforementioned problems, the present study developed superior discrete element models, including both homogeneous and heterogeneous models. The models were validated against finite element solutions and experiments, revealing that they can capture numerous behaviours of rock-like materials. The models were then used to study the mechanical and fracture behaviours of concretes under different loading conditions. The results indicate that the inhomogeneity of concrete strongly affects its fracture behaviours. Crack growth and stress distribution dynamically influence each other. Moreover, the crack population decreased exponentially with the crack length in the pre-peak stage. Crack proliferation usually initiated from the interior and grew outwards until the concrete disintegrated. The final disintegration of concrete usually resulted from the growth of several long-length cracks. The change in concrete strength was a consequence of the trade-off between strengthening aggregates and weakening ITZs. Furthermore, the introduction of vibration-assisted cutting mitigated crack growth in concretes and reduced spiking forces in the chipping process

    Development of a new silicon pixel detector with 10 ps time resolution for high luminosity future experiments

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    In this thesis work the results of the characterizations of the 3D-trench TimeSPOT silicon sensors with minimum ionizing particles are described. Such devices have been developed to satisfy the requirements of the LHCb VErtex LOcator detector for the Upgrade II, planned to face the high luminosity conditions. These requirements are a time resolution better than 50 ps per hit, a spatial resolution of the order of 10–20 μm and a radiation hardness up to 6·10^16 1 MeV n_eq/cm^2. In this thesis the characterizations performed both in the laboratory with a 90Sr source and in several test beam campaigns are illustrated. The main measurements done are the time resolution and the detection efficiency before and after the irradiation up to 2.5·10^16 1 MeV n_eq/cm^2
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