1,086 research outputs found
Tagging single muons and other long-flying relativistic charged particles by ultra-fast timing in air Cherenkov telescopes
Atmospheric air Cherenkov telescopes are successfully used for ground-based,
very high-energy (VHE) gamma ray astronomy. Triggers from the so-called single
muon and other long-flying relativistic charged particle events are an unwanted
background for the Cherenkov telescope. Because of low rate at TeV energies the
muon background is unimportant. It is much more intense for telescopes with
high photon sensitivity and low energy threshold. Below a few hundred GeV
energy, the so-called muon background becomes so intense, that it can
deteriorate the sensitivity of telescopes (the so-called muon-wall problem).
From general considerations it can be anticipated that the signature of these
particles should be a light pulse with a narrow time structure. In fact,
simulations show that the pulses from muons have a very narrow time profile
that is well below the time resolutions of nearly all currently operating
telescopes. In this report we elaborate on the time profile of Cherenkov light
from the so-called single muons and show that a telescope with ultra-fast time
response can open a new dimension allowing one to tag and to reject those
events.Comment: Accepted by Astroparticle Physic
Geosynchronous inclined orbits for high-latitude communications
We present and discuss a solution to the growing demand for satellite telecommunication coverage in the high-latitude geographical regions (beyond 55◦N), where the signal from geostationary satellites is limited or unavailable. We focus on the dynamical issues associated to the design, the coverage, the maintenance and the disposal of a set of orbits selected for the purpose. Specifically, we identify a group of highly inclined, moderately eccentric geosynchronous orbits derived from the Tundra orbit (geosynchronous, eccentric and critically inclined). Continuous coverage can be guaranteed by a constellation of three satellites in equally spaced planes and suitably phased. By means of a highprecision model of the terrestrial gravity field and the relevant environmental perturbations, we study the evolution of these orbits. The effects of the different perturbations on the ground track (which is more important for coverage than the orbital elements themselves) are isolated and analyzed. The physical model and the numerical setup are optimized with respect to computing time and accuracy. We show that, in order to maintain the ground track unchanged, the key parameters are the orbital period and the argument of perigee. Furthermore, corrections to the right ascension of the ascending node are needed in order to preserve the relative orientation of the orbital planes. A station-keeping strategy that minimizes propellant consumption is then devised, and comparisons are made between the cost of a solution based on impulsive maneuvers and one with continuous thrust. Finally, the issue of end-of-life disposal is discussed
Vorticity Budget of Weak Thermal Convection in Keplerian disks
By employing the equations of mean-square vorticity (enstrophy) fluctuations
in strong shear flows, we demonstrate that unlike energy production of
turbulent vorticity in nonrotating shear flows, the turbulent vorticity of weak
convection in Keplerian disks cannot gain energy from vortex stretching/tilting
by background shear unless the asscoiated Reynolds stresses are negative. This
is because the epicyclic motion is an energy sink of the radial component of
mean-square turbulent vorticity in Keplerian disks when Reynolds stresses are
positive. Consequently, weak convection cannot be self-sustained in Keplerian
flows. This agrees with the results implied from the equations of mean-square
velocity fluctuations in strong shear flows. Our analysis also sheds light on
the explanation of the simulation result in which positive kinetic helicity is
produced by the Balbus-Hawley instability in a vertically stratified Keplerian
disk. We also comment on the possibility of outward angular momentum transport
by strong convection based on azimuthal pressure perturbations and directions
of energy cascade.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, emulateapj.sty, revised version in response to
referee's comments, accepted by Ap
Surface permeability of natural and engineered porous building materials
Characterization of surface gas permeability measurements on a variety of natural and engineered building materials using two relatively new, non-destructive surface permeameters is presented. Surface gas permeability measurements were consistent for both laboratory and field applications and correlated well with bulk gas permeability measurements. This research indicates that surface permeability measurements could provide reliable estimates of bulk gas permeability; and due to the non-destructive nature and relative sampling ease of both surface gas permeability tools, it is possible to quantify the range of the spatial autocorrelation, heterogeneity, and anisotropy in porous building materials and their degree of degradation from weathering
Sistematización diagnóstica de las laxitudes crónicas de la rodilla
Se expone la sistemática llevada a cabo en nuestro Servicio de Patología del Aparato Locomotor para la clasificación y estudio de las laxitudes crónicas de la rodilla, dividiéndolas en dos grandes grupos: moderadas y graves, y dentro de ellos las distintas modalidades de predominio medial lateral y combinadas, para poder efectuar un correcto planteamiento de la táctica quirúrgica de reparación a seguir, tema que es objeto de otro trabajo
Removal of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid from aqueous medium by electrochemical oxidation with a BDD anode: mineralization, kinetics and oxidation products
The degradation of 100 mL of solutions containing 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in 0.050 M Na2SO4 at pH 3.0 has been performed by anodic oxidation with electrogenerated H2O2 (AO-H2O2) using a stirred tank reactor equipped with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and an air-diffusion cathode. An almost total mineralization with 95.5% total organic carbon (TOC) removal was achieved for a 1.03 mM substrate solution at 100 mA cm-2. The effect of current density between 16.7 and 100 mA cm-2 and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid content between 0.21 and 2.06 mM was examined. Greater current efficiency with lower specific energy consumption and smaller mineralization was found at low current density and high substrate concentration. The TOC abatement as well as the 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid concentration decay obeyed a pseudo-first-order kinetics. The oxidation role of hydroxyl radical formed from water discharge at the BDD anode is explained on the basis of its electrogeneration rate and competitive wasting reactions. 4-Hydroxybenzenemethanol and its derivative 4-hydroxybenzenealdehyde were identified as primary aromatic by-products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Ion-exclusion HPLC allowed the detection of low amounts of the persistent oxalic acid during the AO-H2O2 process. The remaining TOC in final electrolyzed solutions is related to the presence of a large proportion of unidentified by-products that are even more recalcitrant than common short-linear aliphatic carboxylic acids
Spectrum and Variability of Mrk501 as observed by the CAT Imaging Telescope
The CAT Imaging Telescope has observed the BL Lac object Markarian 501
between March and August 1997. We report here on the variability over this time
including several large flares. We present also preliminary spectra for all
these data, for the low emission state, and for the largest flare.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, Late
Observation of the Crab Nebula Gamma-Ray Emission Above 220 Gev by the Cat Cherenkov Imaging Telescope
The CAT imaging telescope, recently built on the site of the former solar
plant Themis (French Pyrenees), observed gamma-rays from the Crab nebula from
October 1996 to March 1997. This steady source, often considered as the
standard candle of very-high-energy gamma-ray astronomy, is used as a test-beam
to probe the performances of the new telescope, particularly its energy
threshold (220 GeV at 20 degrees zenith angle) and the stability of its
response. Due to the fine-grain camera, an accurate analysis of the
longitudinal profiles of shower images is performed, yielding the source
position in two dimensions for each individual shower.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Tex, contribution to 25th ICRC Durba
Detection of Vhe Gamma-Rays from MRK 501 with the Cat Imaging Telescope
The CAT imaging telescope on the site on the former solar plant Themis has
been observing gamma-rays from Mrk501 above 220 GeV in March and April 1997.
This source is shown to be highly variable and the light curve is presented.
The detected gamma-ray rate for the most intense flare is in excess of 10 per
minute.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, Tex, contribution to 25th ICRC Durba
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