Global controllability tests for geometric hybrid control systems

Hybrid systems are characterized by having an interaction between continuous dynamics and discrete events. The contribution of this paper is to provide hybrid systems with a novel geometric formulation so that controls can be added. Using this framework we describe some new global controllability tests for hybrid control systems exploiting the geometry and the topology of the set of jump points, where the instantaneous change of dynamics take place. Controllability is understood as the existence of a feasible trajectory for the system joining any two given points. As a result we describe examples where none of the continuous control systems are controllable, but the associated hybrid system is controllable because of the characteristics of the jump set.Comment: 27 pages, 5 figure

Characterization of new hybrid pixel module concepts for the ATLAS Insertable B-Layer upgrade

The ATLAS Insertable B-Layer (IBL) collaboration plans to insert a fourth pixel layer inside the present Pixel Detector to recover from eventual failures in the current pixel system, especially the b-layer. Additionally the IBL will ensure excellent tracking, vertexing and b-tagging performance during the LHC phase I and add robustness in tracking with high luminosity pile-up. The expected peak luminosity for IBL is 2 to 3centerdot1034 cm-2s-1 and IBL is designed for an integrated luminosity of 700 fb-1. This corresponds to an expected fluence of 5centerdot1015 1 MeV neqcm-2 and a total ionizing dose of 250 MRad. In order to cope with these requirements, two new module concepts are under investigation, both based on a new front end IC, called FE-I4. This IC was designed as readout chip for future ATLAS Pixel Detectors and its first application will be the IBL. The planar pixel sensor (PPS) based module concept benefits from its well understood design, which is kept as similar as possible to the design of the current ATLAS Pixel Detector sensor. The second approach of the new three dimensional (3D) silicon sensor technology benefits from the shorter charge carrier drift distance to the electrodes, which completely penetrate the sensor bulk. Prototype modules of both sensor concepts have been build and tested in laboratory and test beam environment before and after irradiation. Both concepts show very high performance even after irradiation to 5centerdot1015 1 MeV neqcm-2 and meet the IBL specifications in terms of hit efficiency being larger than 97%. Lowest operational threshold studies have been effected and prove independent of the used sensor concept the excellent performance of FE-I4 based module concepts in terms of noise hit occupancy at low thresholds.Comment: Part of 9th International Conference on Position Sensitive Detectors (PSD9

Numerical modelling of ground-tunnel support interaction using bedded-beam-spring model with fuzzy parameters

The study of the ground-tunnel interaction by introducing a predetermined degree of variation (fuzziness) in some parameters of the chosen model is presented and discussed. This research comes from the consideration that tunnel model parameters and geometry are usually affected by a degree of uncertainty, mainly due to construction imprecision and the great variability of rock mass properties. The research has been developed by using the fuzzy set theory assuming that three model parameters are affected by a certain amount of uncertainty (defined by the so-called membership functions). The response of the numerical model is calculated by solving the fuzzy equations for different shapes of the membership functions. In order to investigate the effects of some model parameters, and to provide a simple procedure and tool for the designers, a study on the effect of tunnel boundary conditions, based on a fuzzy model, has been carried out using a simple but well known and widely used design method such as the bedded-beam-spring model

Design and Performance of the CMS Pixel Detector Readout Chip

The readout chip for the CMS pixel detector has to deal with an enormous data rate. On-chip zero suppression is inevitable and hit data must be buffered locally during the latency of the first level trigger. Dead-time must be kept at a minimum. It is dominated by contributions coming from the readout. To keep it low an analog readout scheme has been adopted where pixel addresses are analog coded. We present the architecture of the final CMS pixel detector readout chip with special emphasis on the analog readout chain. Measurements of its performance are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 11 figures. Contribution to the Proceedings of the Pixel2005 Workshop, Bonn, German

SO(4,C)-covariant Ashtekar-Barbero gravity and the Immirzi parameter

An so(4,C)-covariant hamiltonian formulation of a family of generalized Hilbert-Palatini actions depending on a parameter (the so called Immirzi parameter) is developed. It encompasses the Ashtekar-Barbero gravity which serves as a basis of quantum loop gravity. Dirac quantization of this system is constructed. Next we study dependence of the quantum system on the Immirzi parameter. The path integral quantization shows no dependence on it. A way to modify the loop approach in the accordance with the formalism developed here is briefly outlined.Comment: 14 pages, LATEX; minor changes; misprints corrected; commutator of two secondary second class constraints correcte

BF Actions for the Husain-Kuchar Model

We show that the Husain-Kuchar model can be described in the framework of BF theories. This is a first step towards its quantization by standard perturbative QFT techniques or the spin-foam formalism introduced in the space-time description of General Relativity and other diff-invariant theories. The actions that we will consider are similar to the ones describing the BF-Yang-Mills model and some mass generating mechanisms for gauge fields. We will also discuss the role of diffeomorphisms in the new formulations that we propose.Comment: 21 pages (in DIN A4 format), minor typos corrected; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Creation of the universe with a stealth scalar field

The stealth scalar field is a non-trivial configuration without any back-reaction to geometry, which is characteristic for non-minimally coupled scalar fields. Studying the creation probability of the de Sitter universe with a stealth scalar field by the Hartle and Hawking's semi-classical method, we show that the effect of the stealth field can be significant. For the class of scalar fields we consider, creation with a stealth field is possible for a discrete value of the coupling constant and its creation probability is always less than that with a trivial scalar field. However, those creation rates can be almost the same depending on the parameters of the theory.Comment: 7 pages; v2, references added; v3, creation of the open universe adde

Room-temperature structural phase transition in the quasi-2D spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet Cu(pz)2_2(ClO4_4)2_2

Cu(pz)$_2$(ClO$_4$)$_2$ (with pz denoting pyrazine C$_4$H$_4$N$_2$) is a two-dimensional spin-1/2 square-lattice antiferromagnet with $T_{\mathrm{N}}$ = 4.24 K. Due to a persisting focus on the low-temperature magnetic properties, its room-temperature structural and physical properties caught no attention up to now. Here we report a study of the structural features of Cu(pz)$_2$(ClO$_4$)$_2$ in the paramagnetic phase, up to 330 K. By employing magnetization, specific heat, $^{35}$Cl nuclear magnetic resonance, and neutron diffraction measurements, we provide evidence of a second-order phase transition at $T^{\star}$ = 294 K, not reported before. The absence of a magnetic ordering across $T^{\star}$ in the magnetization data, yet the presence of a sizable anomaly in the specific heat, suggest a structural order-to-disorder type transition. NMR and neutron-diffraction data corroborate our conjecture, by revealing subtle angular distortions of the pyrazine rings and of ClO$^-_4$ counteranion tetrahedra, shown to adopt a configuration of higher symmetry above the transition temperature.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figure