540 research outputs found
A Comparison between Position-Based and Image-Based Dynamic Visual Servoings in the Control of a Translating Parallel Manipulator
Two different visual servoing controls have been developed to govern a translating parallel manipulator with an eye-in-hand configuration, That is, a position-based and an image-based controller. The robot must be able to reach and grasp a target randomly positioned in the workspace; the control must be adaptive to compensate motions of the target in the 3D space. The trajectory planning strategy ensures the continuity of the velocity vector for both PBVS and IBVS controls, whereas a replanning event is needed. A comparison between the two approaches is given in terms of accuracy, fastness, and stability in relation to the robot peculiar characteristics
Search for distortions in the spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Radiation
We present preliminary results of TRIS, an experiment dedicated to the search
of deviations from a pure planckian distribution in the spectrum of the Cosmic
Microwave Background at frequencies close to 1 GHzComment: 9 pages, in press on the Proc. of the 3rd Sakharov Conf. - Moscow
200
Absolute calibration and beam reconstruction of MITO (a ground-based instrument in the millimetric region)
An efficient sky data reconstruction derives from a precise characterization
of the observing instrument. Here we describe the reconstruction of
performances of a single-pixel 4-band photometer installed at MITO (Millimeter
and Infrared Testagrigia Observatory) focal plane. The strategy of differential
sky observations at millimeter wavelengths, by scanning the field of view at
constant elevation wobbling the subreflector, induces a good knowledge of beam
profile and beam-throw amplitude, allowing efficient data recovery. The
problems that arise estimating the detectors throughput by drift scanning on
planets are shown. Atmospheric transmission, monitored by skydip technique, is
considered for deriving final responsivities for the 4 channels using planets
as primary calibrators.Comment: 14 pages, 6 fiugres, accepted for pubblication by New Astronomy (25
March
Triple Experiment Spectrum of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect in the Coma Cluster: H_0
The Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) effect was previously measured in the Coma cluster
by the Owens Valley Radio Observatory and Millimeter and IR Testa Grigia
Observatory experiments and recently also with the Wilkinson Microwave
Anisotropy Probe satellite. We assess the consistency of these results and
their implications on the feasibility of high-frequency SZ work with
ground-based telescopes. The unique data set from the combined measurements at
six frequency bands is jointly analyzed, resulting in a best-fit value for the
Thomson optical depth at the cluster center, tau_{0}=(5.35 \pm 0.67) 10^{-3}.
The combined X-ray and SZ determined properties of the gas are used to
determine the Hubble constant. For isothermal gas with a \beta density profile
we derive H_0 = 84 \pm 26 km/(s\cdot Mpc); the (1\sigma) error includes only
observational SZ and X-ray uncertainties.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figur
MAD-4-MITO, a Multi Array of Detectors for ground-based mm/submm SZ observations
The last few years have seen a large development of mm technology and
ultra-sensitive detectors devoted to microwave astronomy and astrophysics. The
possibility to deal with large numbers of these detectors assembled into
multi--pixel imaging systems has greatly improved the performance of microwave
observations, even from ground--based stations, especially combining the power
of multi--band detectors with their new imaging capabilities. Hereafter, we
will present the development of a multi--pixel solution devoted to
Sunyaev--Zel'dovich observations from ground--based telescopes, that is going
to be operated from the Millimetre and Infrared Testagrigia Observatory.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, to be published in th eProceedings of the 2K1BC
Workshop, July 9-13, 2001 - Breuil-Cervini
Cosmic Microwave Background Temperature at Galaxy Clusters
We have deduced the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature in the Coma
cluster (A1656, ), and in A2163 () from spectral
measurements of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect over four passbands at radio
and microwave frequencies. The resulting temperatures at these redshifts are
K and K, respectively. These values confirm the expected
relation , where K is the value
measured by the COBE/FIRAS experiment. Alternative scaling relations that are
conjectured in non-standard cosmologies can be constrained by the data; for
example, if or , then
and (at 95% confidence). We
briefly discuss future prospects for more precise SZ measurements of at
higher redshifts.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure, ApJL accepted for publicatio
Kinetic Inductance Detectors for the OLIMPO experiment: design and pre-flight characterization
We designed, fabricated, and characterized four arrays of horn--coupled,
lumped element kinetic inductance detectors (LEKIDs), optimized to work in the
spectral bands of the balloon-borne OLIMPO experiment. OLIMPO is a 2.6 m
aperture telescope, aimed at spectroscopic measurements of the
Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect. OLIMPO will also validate the LEKID technology
in a representative space environment. The corrected focal plane is filled with
diffraction limited horn-coupled KID arrays, with 19, 37, 23, 41 active pixels
respectively at 150, 250, 350, and 460GHz. Here we report on the full
electrical and optical characterization performed on these detector arrays
before the flight. In a dark laboratory cryostat, we measured the resonator
electrical parameters, such as the quality factors and the electrical
responsivities, at a base temperature of 300mK. The measured average
resonator s are 1.7, 7.0, 1.0, and
1.0 for the 150, 250, 350, and 460GHz arrays, respectively.
The average electrical phase responsivities on resonance are 1.4rad/pW,
1.5rad/pW, 2.1rad/pW, and 2.1rad/pW; the electrical noise
equivalent powers are 45, 160,
80, and 140, at 12 Hz. In the OLIMPO
cryostat, we measured the optical properties, such as the noise equivalent
temperatures (NET) and the spectral responses. The measured NETs are
, , ,
and , at 12 Hz; under 78, 88, 92, and 90 mK
Rayleigh-Jeans blackbody load changes respectively for the 150, 250, 350, and
460 GHz arrays. The spectral responses were characterized with the OLIMPO
differential Fourier transform spectrometer (DFTS) up to THz frequencies, with
a resolution of 1.8 GHz.Comment: Published on JCA
CALDER - Neutrinoless double-beta decay identification in TeO bolometers with kinetic inductance detectors
Next-generation experiments searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay must
be sensitive to a Majorana neutrino mass as low as 10 meV. CUORE, an array of
988 TeO bolometers being commissioned at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran
Sasso in Italy, features an expected sensitivity of 50-130 meV at 90% C.L, that
can be improved by removing the background from radioactivity. This is
possible if, in coincidence with the heat release in a bolometer, the Cherenkov
light emitted by the signal is detected. The amount of light detected
is so far limited to only 100 eV, requiring low-noise cryogenic light
detectors. The CALDER project (Cryogenic wide-Area Light Detectors with
Excellent Resolution) aims at developing a small prototype experiment
consisting of TeO bolometers coupled to new light detectors based on
kinetic inductance detectors. The R&D is focused on the light detectors that
could be implemented in a next-generation neutrinoless double-beta decay
experiment.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, added reference to first result
The Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect in superclusters of galaxies using gasdynamical simulations: the case of Corona Borealis
[Abridged] We study the thermal and kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect
associated with superclusters of galaxies using the MareNostrum Universe SPH
simulation. We consider superclusters similar to the Corona Borealis
Supercluster (CrB-SC). This paper is motivated by the detection at 33GHz of a
strong temperature decrement in the CMB towards the core of this supercluster.
Multifrequency observations with VSA and MITO suggest the existence of a
thermal SZ effect component in the spectrum of this cold spot, which would
account for roughly 25% of the total observed decrement. We identify nine
regions containing superclusters similar to CrB-SC, obtain the associated SZ
maps and calculate the probability of finding such SZ signals arising from hot
gas within the supercluster. Our results show that WHIM produces a thermal SZ
effect much smaller than the observed value. Neither can summing the
contribution of small clusters and galaxy groups in the region explain the
amplitude of the SZ signal. When we take into account the actual posterior
distribution from the observations, the probability that WHIM can cause a
thermal SZ signal like the one observed is <1%, rising up to a 3.2% when the
contribution of small clusters and galaxy groups is included. If the
simulations provide a suitable description of the gas physics, then we conclude
that the thermal SZ component of the CrB spot most probably arises from an
unknown galaxy cluster along the line of sight. The simulations also show that
the kinetic SZ signal associated with the supercluster cannot provide an
explanation for the remaining 75% of the observed cold spot in CrB.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 14 pages, 9 figure
- …