Emission characteristics and dynamics of species in a TEA-CO2 laser-produced CaO plasma

IBER2015, Aveiro, Portugal, 6th to 9th September of 2015; http://iber2015.web.ua.pt/Laser-produced plasmas (LPPs) are nowadays a topic of great interest in fundamental and applied areas of Physics such as the manufacture of thin films by pulsed laser deposition, spectrochemical analysis through laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) [1-3], production of nanoparticles, etc. Laser-target interaction involves complex processes and the analysis of LPPs can be very difficult considering its transient nature as well as large variations in plasma properties with space and time. In this work, we investigated the optical emission and imaging features of plasmas produced by a high-power laser [transversely excited atmospheric (TEA) CO2 and Nd: YAG] pulses on calcium oxide, CaO (Fig. 1). The analyzed plasma emission shows electronically excited neutral Ca and O atoms, ionized Ca+, Ca2+, O+, O2+ and O3+ species and molecular bands of CaOH (A2Π-X2Σ+, B2Σ+-X2Σ+ and D2Σ+- A2Π) (Fig. 2). We focus our attention on the dynamics of the CaO LPP species expanding into vacuum. In conventional one dimensional optical emission spectroscopy (OES) studies (Fig. 3), various plasma-plume segments were selected along the plume expansion axis and averaged over line-of-sight. The temporal evolution of spectral atomic and ionic line intensities at a constant distance from the target has been used to build optical timeof-flight profiles (TOF) (Fig. 4a). The velocity distributions that are derived from these TOF distributions are shown in Fig. 4b. Fig. 5 gives the time evolution of electron density and its first derivative with respect to time by setting the gate width of the intensifier at 0.1 μs. This setup was easily transformed to a two-dimensional (2D) OES setup by inserting a Dove prism between the focusing and collimating lenses (Fig. 1). Time and space-resolved 2D OES plasma profiles (Figs. 6 and 7) were recorded as a function of emitted wavelength and distance from the target. Fast side-on views of the plume expansion were made by recording overall visible emission from the plasma (Fig. 8). Emission intensities of axial area at 0.1 Pa as a function of the delay are given in Fig. 9a. The dynamic of the plume front was compared with the shock wave expansion model (Fig. 9b).Peer Reviewe

Using travertine deformations to characterize paleoseismic activity along an active oblique-slip fault: the Alhama de Murcia fault (Betic Cordillera, Spain)

A preliminary paleoseismic study of trave rtine deposits cut by an active oblique-slip fault is presented. The Alhama de Murcia fault affects late Pleistocene and Holocene travertine deposits along the Lorca-Totana segment. Travertines along oblique-slip (reverse-sinistral) active faults have not been reported. On the Alhama de Murcia fault, CaCO3 rich springs are linked to an extensional step-ove rand to releasing fault junctions in a reverse-sinistral fault zone. The sampling methodology for U/Th dating employed to avoid contamination (by choosing material from a geochemical closed system) is described. A petrographic analysis is necessary to ensure the quality of the samples. Terrace-mound, fissure-ridge, eroded sheets and range-front trave rtine deposits occur in the Alhama de Murcia fault zone. At Carraclaca a 15 m amplitude monocline fold was formed by the reverse movement of this fault which has been active since the late Pleistocene. The first available absolute ages for deformed and undeformed travertines yield a vertical slip rate of 0.08mm/yr. It is possible to estimate 4818 yr of recurrence time for the northern branch given the slip per event on alluvial deposits in the southern branch of the Alhama de Murcia fault

Reducción de los movimientos del buque de guerra basándose en wavelets

In seakeeping terminology, the Quiescent Period is known as the period of calm in rough waters to allow the ship to perform operations such as landing aircrafts and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aswell as the entry of landing crafts in the basin. Quiescence refers to the interval of time where all ship motions are within acceptable limits to perform a desired activity. Among the key issues for Quiescent Period Prediction is to be able to measure waves from a suitable distance and predict ship motions in response to waves encountered; both aspects are crucial and must be taken into account. Many of the opearations performed at sea are carried under severe weather conditions, as a result of this situation there is a need to determine this called “window of opportunity” that allows carrying them out. The paper aims to explain from the point of view of Quiescent Period Prediction, the most promising wave measurement systems, which are currently based on radar, but the main question is that if we want predictions a few seconds ahead, it will be appropriate to measure waves at a distance of some hundreds of meters, describing the new mathematical model based on wavelets in determining the spread of the waves from their initial measurement until they reach the vessel.Dentro del ámbito del comportamiento en la mar, se denomina Periodo Quiescente a aquellos periodos de calma que se producen en un estado de mala mar que permiten al buque llevar a cabo operaciones como pueden ser el aterrizaje de plataformas aéreas, vehículos aéreos no tripulados (UAVs) o la entrada de lanchas en el dique. El término quiescente hace referencia al intervalo de tiempo durante el cual los movimientos del buque se encuentran dentro de los límites aceptables para llevar a cabo una actividad determinada. Las claves para llegar a predecir los Periodos Quiescentes están en ser capaz de llegar a medir las olas desde una distancia adecuada, y ser capaz de llegar a predecir los movimientos que dichas olas inducirán en el buque una vez le alcance; ambos aspectos son cruciales y deberán ser tenidos en cuenta. Muchas de las operaciones que se realizan en la mar se llevan a cabo bajo condiciones climatológicas adversas, y es en estos casos donde surge la necesidad de determinar una “ventana de oportunidad” que nos permita llevarlas a cabo. El artículo trata de explicar desde el punto de vista de la predicción de periodos quiescentes los sistemas de medida de oleaje más prometedores, actualmente basados en radar, pero la inquietud principal es que si queremos una predicción de varios segundos en adelanto es necesario medir las olas a una distancia de cientos de metros, para ello se describirá el nuevo desarrollo matemático basado en “wavelets” que se ha empleado para determinar la deformación que sufren las olas desde su medida inicial hasta que alcanzan la plataforma

Tectónica activa de la Falla de Alhama de Murcia, Cordillera Bética, España

We present an overview of the knowledge of the structure and the seismic behavior of the Alhama de Murcia Fault (AMF). We utilize a fault traces map created from a LIDAR DEM combined with the geodynamic setting, the analysis of the morphology, the distribution of seismicity, the geological information from E 1:50000 geological maps and the available paleoseismic data to describe the recent activity of the AMF. We discuss the importance of uncertainties regarding the structure and kinematics of the AMF applied to the interpretation and spatial correlation of the paleoseismic data. In particular, we discuss the nature of the faults dipping to the SE (antithetic to the main faults of the AMF) in several segments that have been studied in the previous paleoseismic works. A special chapter is dedicated to the analysis of the tectonic source of the Lorca 2011 earthquake that took place in between two large segments of the fault.En este estudio se presenta una revisión del conocimiento que hasta la actualidad se tiene de la estructura y comportamiento sismogenético de la Falla de Alhama de Murcia (AMF). Se utiliza un nuevo mapa de la traza de la AMF realizado a partir de un modelo digital del terreno de alta resolución a partir de datos LIDAR, combinado con el análisis del marco geodinámico, la geomorforlogía, la distribución espaciotemporal de la sismicidad, la información geológica de trabajos previos y los datos paleosísmicos existentes, para describir la actividad reciente de la AMF. Se discute la importancia de las incertidumbres que se mantienen en relación con la estructura y la cinemática de la AMF para la correcta interpretación y correlación espacio-temporal de los datos paleosísmicos obtenidos hasta ahora. En particular, se discute la naturaleza de las fallas con buzamiento SE en superficie (antitéticas con las fallas principales de la AMF que bordean las sierras) en varios segmentos que han sido estudiados en análisis paleosismológicos previos. Se dedica un capítulo especial al análisis de la fuente geológica del terremoto de Lorca de 2011 que tuvo lugar en la zona de intersegmento que separa dos de los segmentos de mayor longitud de la AMF

An effective lagrangian description of charged Higgs decays H^+ -> Wg, WZ and Wh

Charged Higgs decays are discussed within an effective lagrangian extension of the two-higgs doublet model, assuming new physics appearing in the Higgs sector of this model. Low energy constrains are used to imposse bounds on certain dimension -six operators that describe the modified charged Higgs interactions. These bounds are used then to study the decays H^+ -> Wg, WZ and Wh, which can have branching ratios of order 10^-5, 10^-1 and O(1), respectively; thse modes are thus sensitive probes of the symmetries of the Higgs sector that could be tested at future colliders.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

Fundamentos de Control Automático de Sistemas Continuos y Muestreados

La Ingeniería de Control versa sobre el diseño de leyes matemáticas que gobiernen sistemas físicos conforme a una serie de especificaciones. Esta disciplina es, por tanto, esencial para la automatización de sistemas o procesos industriales. Este manual presenta, en un primer gran bloque, los métodos tradicionales de análisis y diseño de controladores de sistemas continuos (o analógicos). La segunda parte describe las mismas herramientas para sistemas muestreados (o digitales)

Time- and space-resolved spectroscopic characterization of laser-induced swine muscle tissue plasma

10 págs.; 12 figs.; 1 tab.The spatial-temporal evolution of muscle tissue sample plasma induced by a high-power transversely excited atmospheric (TEA) CO2 pulsed laser at vacuum conditions (0.1–0.01 Pa) has been investigated using high-resolution optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and imaging methods. The induced plasma shows mainly electronically excited neutral Na, K, C, Mg, H, Ca, N and O atoms, ionized C+, C2 +, C3 +, Mg+, Mg2 +, N+, N2 +, Ca+, O+ and O2 + species and molecular band systems of CN(B2Σ+–X2Σ+), C2(d3Πg–a3Πu), CH(B2Σ−–X2Π; A2Δ–X2Π), NH(A3Π–X3Σ−), OH(A2Σ+–X2 Σ+), and CaOH(B2Σ+–X2Σ+; A2Π–X2Σ+). Time-resolved two-dimensional emission spectroscopy is used to study the expanded distribution of different species ejected during ablation. Spatial and temporal variations of different atoms and ionic excited species are reported. Plasma parameters such as electron density and temperature were measured from the spatio-temporal analysis of different species. Average velocities of some plasma species were estimated. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.We gratefully acknowledge the support received in part by the DGICYT (Spain) Project MICINN: CTQ2013-43086-P for this research. The authors wish to thank the Geomaterials2 Program (S2013/MIT 2914) supported by the Comunidad de Madrid and EU structural and cohesion funds (FSE and FEDER).Peer reviewe

Evidence for coseismic events of recurrent prehistoric deformation along the Alhama de Murcia fault, southeastern Spain

The Alhama de Murcia fault is a 85 km long oblique-slip fault, and is related to historical and instrumental seismic activity. A paleoseismic analysis of the Lorca-Totana sector of the fault containing MSK I=VIII historical earthquakes was made in order to identify and quantify its seismic potential. We present 1) the results of the neotectonic, structural and geomorphological analyses and, 2) the results of trenching. In the study area, the Alhama de Murcia fault forms a depressed corridor between two strands, the northwestern fault with morphological and structural features of a reverse component of slip, bounding the La Tercia range to the South, and the southeastern fault strand with evidence of sinistral oblique strike-slip movement. The offset along this latter fault trapped the sediments in transit from the La Tercia range towards the Guadalentín depression. The most recent of these sediments are arranged in three generations of alluvial fans and terraces. The first two trenches were dug in the most recent sediments across the southeastern fault strand. The results indicate a coseismic reverse fault deformation that involved the sedimentary sequence up to the intermediate alluvial fan and the Holocene terrace deposits. The sedimentary evolution observed in the trenches suggests an event of temporary damming of the Colmenar creek drainage to the South due to uplifting of the hanging wall during coseismic activation of the fault. Trench, structural and sedimentological features provide evidence of at least three coseismic events, which occurred after 125,000yr. The minimum vertical slip rate along the fault is 0.06mm/yr and the average recurrence period should not exceed 40,000yr in  accordance with the results obtained by fan topographic profiling. Further absolute dating is ongoing to constrain these estimates.

Changes induced by glucose in the plasma membrane properties of pancreatic islets

Partially purified membranes obtained from rat pancreatic isolated islets preincubated for 3 min with 3.3 and 16.6 mM glucose were labelled with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene to study fluorescence polarization. Other islets, incubated for 5 min with the same glucose concentration, were extracted and phospholipids separated by thin-layer chromatography. The composition of phospholipids of fatty acids was then studied by gas-liquid chromatography. Arrhenius plots of the microviscosity in membranes obtained from islets exhibited two components, a steeper slope below 18 degrees C and a gentler slope above 18 degrees C, indicating greater flow activation energy at temperatures below the transition point. Exposure of islets to 16.6 mM glucose significantly increased the flow activation energy (delta E), below and above the transition point. Islets incubated for 5 min with 16.6 mM glucose showed an increase in the percentage composition of 12:0 and 18:2 together with a decrease in the 20:2 W6 and 22:3 W3 fatty acids esterified to phospholipids. Regardless of these changes, no significant alterations occurred in the proportion of saturated fatty acids or in the double bond index; these measurements therefore did not account for the effects of glucose concentration in flow activation energy. The thermotropic changes reported here might be the consequence of some degree of disorder induced by glucose upon the membrane structure. This order alteration could either favor the membrane fusion which occurs during the emiocytosis or only reflects the consequence of such a process

Aplicación del método SPH al estudio hidráulico de estructuras. Análisis hidrodinámico del aliviadero en pozo de la presa de Nagore (Navarra)

ResumenSon muchos los trabajos de calibración realizados que avalan la validez del método de hidrodinámica suavizada de partículas (SPH) para el análisis de flujos turbulentos en lámina libre. Sin embargo, sus altos requerimientos computacionales no permitían su empleo en trabajos reales. El desarrollo de las técnicas de supercomputación en unidades de procesamiento gráfico (GPU) ha modificado esta situación y está permitiendo su utilización como herramienta de diseño.CEDEX ha desarrollado el modelo SPHERIMENTAL basado en esta tecnología con el fin de apoyar los experimentos realizados con modelación física. Esto ha permitido calibrar el modelo y emplearlo en el estudio de fenómenos complejos.Se presentan los trabajos realizados para la comprobación hidrodinámica de flujos en lámina libre del aliviadero en pozo de la presa de Nagore (Navarra), describiendo tanto los trabajos de calibración previos como los resultados obtenidos.AbstractMany calibration works have been performed to support the validity of the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method for studying turbulent-free surface flows. However, its high computational requirements made it difficult to use in real cases. The development of techniques for supercomputing graphics processing units (GPU) has changed this situation, and is allowing its use as a design tool.CEDEX has developed a model based on this technology, SPHERIMENTAL, in order to support studies on physical modelling. This has enabled the model to be calibrated in order to study complex phenomena.This paper shows the works done to check the hydrodynamics free surface flows in the Nagore dam morning glory spillway, describing both the previous calibration works and the results obtained