5,467 research outputs found
Performance of charge-injection-device infrared detector arrays at low and moderate backgrounds
Three 2 x 64 element charge injection device infrared detector arrays were tested at low and moderate background to evaluate their usefulness for space based astronomical observations. Testing was conducted both in the laboratory and in ground based telescope observations. The devices showed an average readout noise level below 200 equivalent electrons, a peak responsivity of 4 A/W, and a noise equivalent power of 3x10 sq root of W/Hz. Array well capacity was measured to be significantly smaller than predicted. The measured sensitivity, which compares well with that of nonintegrating discrete extrinsic silicon photoconductors, shows these arrays to be useful for certain astronomical observations. However, the measured readout efficiency and frequency response represent serious limitations in low background applications
Godel-type space-time metrics
A simple group theoretic derivation is given of the family of space-time
metrics with isometry group SO(2,1) X SO(2) X R first described by Godel, of
which the Godel stationary cosmological solution is the member with a
perfect-fluid stress-energy tensor. Other members of the family are shown to be
interpretable as cosmological solutions with a electrically charged perfect
fluid and a magnetic field.Comment: Heavly rewritten respect to the orginal version, corrected some typos
due to files transfer in the last submitted versio
Joint Spectral Radius and Path-Complete Graph Lyapunov Functions
We introduce the framework of path-complete graph Lyapunov functions for
approximation of the joint spectral radius. The approach is based on the
analysis of the underlying switched system via inequalities imposed among
multiple Lyapunov functions associated to a labeled directed graph. Inspired by
concepts in automata theory and symbolic dynamics, we define a class of graphs
called path-complete graphs, and show that any such graph gives rise to a
method for proving stability of the switched system. This enables us to derive
several asymptotically tight hierarchies of semidefinite programming
relaxations that unify and generalize many existing techniques such as common
quadratic, common sum of squares, and maximum/minimum-of-quadratics Lyapunov
functions. We compare the quality of approximation obtained by certain classes
of path-complete graphs including a family of dual graphs and all path-complete
graphs with two nodes on an alphabet of two matrices. We provide approximation
guarantees for several families of path-complete graphs, such as the De Bruijn
graphs, establishing as a byproduct a constructive converse Lyapunov theorem
for maximum/minimum-of-quadratics Lyapunov functions.Comment: To appear in SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization. Version 2 has
gone through two major rounds of revision. In particular, a section on the
performance of our algorithm on application-motivated problems has been added
and a more comprehensive literature review is presente
Towards Physical Hybrid Systems
Some hybrid systems models are unsafe for mathematically correct but
physically unrealistic reasons. For example, mathematical models can classify a
system as being unsafe on a set that is too small to have physical importance.
In particular, differences in measure zero sets in models of cyber-physical
systems (CPS) have significant mathematical impact on the mathematical safety
of these models even though differences on measure zero sets have no tangible
physical effect in a real system. We develop the concept of "physical hybrid
systems" (PHS) to help reunite mathematical models with physical reality. We
modify a hybrid systems logic (differential temporal dynamic logic) by adding a
first-class operator to elide distinctions on measure zero sets of time within
CPS models. This approach facilitates modeling since it admits the verification
of a wider class of models, including some physically realistic models that
would otherwise be classified as mathematically unsafe. We also develop a proof
calculus to help with the verification of PHS.Comment: CADE 201
Design and Preliminary Testing Plan of Electronegative Ion Thruster
Electronegative ion thrusters are a new iteration of existing gridded ion thruster technology differentiated by their ability to produce and accelerate both positive and negative ions. The primary motivations for electronegative ion thruster development include the elimination of lifetime-limiting cathodes from a thruster system and the ability to generate appreciable thrust through the acceleration of both positive or negative-charged ions. Proof-of-concept testing of the PEGASES (Plasma Propulsion with Electronegative GASES) thruster demonstrated the production of positively and negatively-charged ions (argon and sulfur hexafluoride, respectively) in an RF discharge and the subsequent acceleration of each charge species through the application of a time-varying electric field to a pair of metallic grids similar to those found in gridded ion thrusters. Leveraging the knowledge gained through experiments with the PEGASES I and II prototypes, the MINT (Marshall's Ion-ioN Thruster) is being developed to provide a platform for additional electronegative thruster proof-of-concept validation testing including direct thrust measurements. The design criteria used in designing the MINT are outlined and the planned tests that will be used to characterize the performance of the prototype are described
Study of the performance and capability of the new ultra-fast 2 GSample/s FADC data acquisition system of the MAGIC telescope
In February 2007 the MAGIC Air Cherenkov Telescope for gamma-ray astronomy
was fully upgraded with an ultra fast 2 GSamples/s digitization system. Since
the Cherenkov light flashes are very short, a fast readout can minimize the
influence of the background from the light of the night sky. Also, the time
structure of the event is an additional parameter to reduce the background from
unwanted hadronic showers. An overview of the performance of the new system and
its impact on the sensitivity of the MAGIC instrument will be presented.Comment: Contribution to the 30th ICRC, Merida Mexico, July 2007 on behalf of
the MAGIC Collaboratio
Effect of remobinant granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on leukopenia in AIDS
Long term monitoring of bright TeV Blazars with the MAGIC telescope
The MAGIC telescope has performed long term monitoring observations of the
bright TeV Blazars Mrk421, Mrk501 and 1ES1959+650. Up to 40 observations, 30 to
60 minutes each have been performed for each source evenly distributed over the
observable period of the year. The sensitivity of MAGIC is sufficient to
establish a flux level of 25% of the Crab flux for each measurement. These
observations are well suited to trigger multiwavelength ToO observations and
the overall collected data allow an unbiased study of the flaring statistics of
the observed AGNs.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the 30th
International Cosmic Ray Conference, Merida, July 200
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