A two-dimensional mixing length theory of convective transport

The helioseismic observations of the internal rotation profile of the Sun raise questions about the two-dimensional (2D) nature of the transport of angular momentum in stars. Here we derive a convective prescription for axisymmetric (2D) stellar evolution models. We describe the small scale motions by a spectrum of unstable linear modes in a Boussinesq fluid. Our saturation prescription makes use of the angular dependence of the linear dispersion relation to estimate the anisotropy of convective velocities. We are then able to provide closed form expressions for the thermal and angular momentum fluxes with only one free parameter, the mixing length. We illustrate our prescription for slow rotation, to first order in the rotation rate. In this limit, the thermodynamical variables are spherically symetric, while the angular momentum depends both on radius and latitude. We obtain a closed set of equations for stellar evolution, with a self-consistent description for the transport of angular momentum in convective regions. We derive the linear coefficients which link the angular momentum flux to the rotation rate ($\Lambda$- effect) and its gradient ($\alpha$-effect). We compare our results to former relevant numerical work.Comment: MNRAS accepted, 10 pages, 1 figure, version prior to language editio

Zero-bias peaks in spin-orbit coupled superconducting wires with and without Majorana end-states

One of the simplest proposed experimental probes of a Majorana bound-state is a quantized (2e^2/h) value of zero-bias tunneling conductance. When temperature is somewhat larger than the intrinsic width of the Majorana peak, conductance is no longer quantized, but a zero-bias peak can remain. Such a non-quantized zero-bias peak has been recently reported for semiconducting nanowires with proximity induced superconductivity. In this paper we analyze the relation of the zero-bias peak to the presence of Majorana end-states, by simulating the tunneling conductance for multi-band wires with realistic amounts of disorder. We show that this system generically exhibits a (non-quantized) zero-bias peak even when the wire is topologically trivial and does not possess Majorana end-states. We make comparisons to recent experiments, and discuss the necessary requirements for confirming the existence of a Majorana state.Comment: 5 pages, 4 Figure

Development and application of computer software techniques to human factors task data handling problems Final report, 21 Jun. 1965 - 21 Jun. 1966

Computer software techniques applied to human factors task data handling problem

A study of the relative effectiveness and cost of computerized information retrieval in the interactive mode

Results of a number of experiments to illuminate the relative effectiveness and costs of computerized information retrieval in the interactive mode are reported. It was found that for equal time spent in preparing the search strategy, the batch and interactive modes gave approximately equal recall and relevance. The interactive mode however encourages the searcher to devote more time to the task and therefore usually yields improved output. Engineering costs as a result are higher in this mode. Estimates of associated hardware costs also indicate that operation in this mode is more expensive. Skilled RECON users like the rapid feedback and additional features offered by this mode if they are not constrained by considerations of cost

TDRSS momentum unload planning

A knowledge-based system is described which monitors TDRSS telemetry for problems in the momentum unload procedure. The system displays TDRSS telemetry and commands in real time via X-windows. The system constructs a momentum unload plan which agrees with the preferences of the attitude control specialists and the momentum growth characteristics of the individual spacecraft. During the execution of the plan, the system monitors the progress of the procedure and watches for unexpected problems

Thermal-radiation-induced nonequilibrium carriers in an intrinsic graphene

We examine an intrinsic graphene connected to the phonon thermostat at temperature T under irradiation of thermal photons with temperature T_r, other than T. The distribution of nonequilibrium electron-hole pairs was obtained for the cases of low and high concentration of carriers. For the case when the interparticle scattering is unessential, the distribution function is determined by the interplay of intraband relaxation of energy due to acoustic phonons and interband radiative transitions caused by the thermal radiation. When the Coulomb scattering dominates, then the quasi-equilibrium distribution with effective temperature and non-equilibrium concentration, determined through balance equations, is realized. Due to the effect of thermal radiation with temperature $T_r\neq T$ concentration and conductivity of carriers in graphene modify essentially. It is demonstrated, that at $T_r>T$ the negative interband absorption, caused by the inversion of carriers distribution, can occur, i.e. graphene can be unstable under thermal irradiation.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Performance tests of signature extension algorithms

Comparative tests were performed on seven signature extension algorithms to evaluate their effectiveness in correcting for changes in atmospheric haze and sun angle in a LANDSAT scene. Four of the algorithms were cluster matching, and two were maximum likelihood algorithms. The seventh algorithm determined the haze level in both training and recognition segments and used a set of tables calculated from an atmospheric model to determine the affine transformation that corrects the training signatures for changes in sun angle and haze level. Three of the algorithms were tested on a simulated data set, and all of the algorithms were tested on consecutive-day data

Sodium and potassium in the lunar atmosphere

The discovery that sodium and potassium vapor can be observed in the lunar atmosphere using ground-based telescopes has opened up a field of investigation that was closed after the last Apollo mission to the Moon. Sodium has been detected at altitudes up to 1500 km above the surface. This implies a high effective temperature for sodium, of the order of 1000 K. However, there is some evidence for two populations of sodium and potassium, one at temperatures corresponding to the surface, and another corresponding to high temperatures. The sources for the lunar atmosphere are not understood. Meteoric bombardment of the surface, solar wind sputtering of the surface, and photo-sputtering of the surface have all been suggested as possible sources for the lunar atmosphere. One of the objectives of the current research is to test different hypotheses by measurements of the atmosphere under different conditions of solar illumination and shielding from the solar wind by the Earth

Evolution of the Radio Remnant of Supernova 1987A: Morphological Changes from Day 7000

We present radio imaging observations of supernova remnant 1987A at 9 GHz, taken with the Australia Telescope Compact Array over 21 years from 1992 to 2013. By employing a Fourier modeling technique to fit the visibility data, we show that the remnant structure has evolved significantly since day 7000 (mid-2006): the emission latitude has gradually decreased, such that the overall geometry has become more similar to a ring structure. Around the same time, we find a decreasing trend in the east-west asymmetry of the surface emissivity. These results could reflect the increasing interaction of the forward shock with material around the circumstellar ring, and the relative weakening of the interaction with the lower-density material at higher latitudes. The morphological evolution caused an apparent break in the remnant expansion measured with a torus model, from a velocity of 4600+150-200 km/s between day 4000 and 7000 to 2400+100-200 km/s after day 7000. However, we emphasize that there is no conclusive evidence for a physical slowing of the shock at any given latitude in the expanding remnant, and that a change of radio morphology alone appears to dominate the evolution. This is supported by our ring-only fits which show a constant expansion of 3890+/-50 km/s without deceleration between days 4000 and 9000. We suggest that once the emission latitude no longer decreases, the expansion velocity obtained from the torus model should return to the same value as that measured with the ring model.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ, Figure 1 has been scaled dow