Bistability in sine-Gordon: the ideal switch

The sine-Gordon equation, used as the representative nonlinear wave equation, presents a bistable behavior resulting from nonlinearity and generating hysteresis properties. We show that the process can be understood in a comprehensive analytical formulation and that it is a generic property of nonlinear systems possessing a natural band gap. The approach allows to discover that sine-Gordon can work as an it ideal switch by reaching a transmissive regime with vanishing driving amplitude.Comment: Phys. Rev. E, (to be published, May 2005

Experimental realization of a relativistic fluxon ratchet

We report the observation of the ratchet effect for a relativistic flux quantum trapped in an annular Josephson junction embedded in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. In such a solid state system mechanical quantities are proportional to electrical quantities, so that the ratchet effect represents the realization of a relativistic-flux-quantum-based diode. Mean static voltage response, equivalent to directed fluxon motion, is experimentally demonstrated in such a diode for deterministic current forcing both in the overdamped and in the underdamped dynamical regime. In the underdamped regime, the recently predicted phenomenon of current reversal is also recovered in our fluxon ratchet.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures. To appear in PHYSICA

Coupling of Josephson flux-flow oscillators to an external RC load

We investigate by numerical simulations the behavior of the power dissipated in a resistive load capacitively coupled to a Josephson flux flow oscillator and compare the results to those obtained for a d.c. coupled purely resistive load. Assuming realistic values for the parameters R and C, both in the high- and in the low-Tc case the power is large enough to allow the operation of such a device in applications.Comment: uuencoded, gzipped tar archive containing 11 pages of REVTeX text + 4 PostScript figures. To appear in Supercond. Sci. Techno

New Antenna Deployment, Pointing and Supporting Mechanism

On ITALSAT Flight 2, the Italian telecommunications satellite, the two L-Ka antennas (Tx and Rx) use two large deployable reflectors (2000-mm diameter), whose deployment and fine pointing functions are accomplished by means of an innovative mechanism concept. The Antenna Deployment & Pointing Mechanism and Supporting Structure (ADPMSS) is based on a new configuration solution, where the reflector and mechanisms are conceived as an integrated, self-contained assembly. This approach is different from the traditional configuration solution. Typically, a rigid arm is used to deploy and then support the reflector in the operating position, and an Antenna Pointing Mechanism (APM) is normally interposed between the reflector and the arm for steering operation. The main characteristics of the ADPMSS are: combined implementation of deployment, pointing, and reflector support; optimum integration of active components and interface matching with the satellite platform; structural link distribution to avoid hyperstatic connections; very light weight and; high performance in terms of deployment torque margin and pointing range/accuracy. After having successfully been subjected to all component-level qualification and system-level acceptance tests, two flight ADPMSS mechanisms (one for each antenna) are now integrated on ITALSAT F2 and are ready for launch. This paper deals with the design concept, development, and testing program performed to qualify the ADPMSS mechanism

A Human-centric AI-driven Framework for Exploring Large and Complex Datasets

Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HCAI) is a new frontier of research at the intersection between HCI and AI. It fosters an innovative vision of human-centred intelligent systems, which are systems that take advantage of computer features, such as powerful algorithms, big data management, advanced sensors and that are useful and usable for people, providing high levels of automation and enabling high levels of human control. This position paper presents our ongoing research aiming to extend the HCAI framework for better supporting designers in creating AI-based systems

Observation of progressive motion of ac-driven solitons

We report the first experimental observation of phase-locked motion of a topological soliton at a nonzero average velocity in a periodically modulated lossy medium, under the action of an ac force with no dc component [the effect was predicted by G. Filatrella, B.A. Malomed, and R.D. Parmentier, Phys. Lett. A 198, 43 (1995)]. The velocity is related by a resonant condition to the driving frequency. The observation is made in terms of the current-voltage, I(V), characteristics for a fluxon trapped in an annular Josephson junction placed into dc magnetic field. Large zero-crossing constant-voltage steps, exactly corresponding to the resonantly locked soliton motion at different orders of the resonance, are found on the experimental I(V) curves. A measured dependence of the size of the steps vs. the external magnetic field is in good agreement with predictions of an analytical model based on the balance equation for the fluxon's energy. The effect has a potential application as a low-frequency voltage standard. The work was supported by a grant from the German-Israeli Foundation.Comment: Physical Review B, in press (Rapid Communication