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View-based approaches to spatial representation in human vision
In an immersive virtual environment, observers fail to notice the expansion of a room around them and consequently make gross errors when comparing the size of objects. This result is difficult to explain if the visual system continuously generates a 3-D model of the scene based on known baseline information from interocular separation or proprioception as the observer walks. An alternative is that observers use view-based methods to guide their actions and to represent the spatial layout of the scene. In this case, they may have an expectation of the images they will receive but be insensitive to the rate at which images arrive as they walk. We describe the way in which the eye movement strategy of animals simplifies motion processing if their goal is to move towards a desired image and discuss dorsal and ventral stream processing of moving images in that context. Although many questions about view-based approaches to scene representation remain unanswered, the solutions are likely to be highly relevant to understanding biological 3-D vision
Pump linewidth requirement for optical parametric oscillators
Pumping laser bandwidth requirement for optical parametric oscillator
Hawking radiation in an electro-magnetic wave-guide?
It is demonstrated that the propagation of electro-magnetic waves in an
appropriately designed wave-guide is (for large wave-lengths) analogous to that
within a curved space-time -- such as around a black hole. As electro-magnetic
radiation (e.g., micro-weaves) can be controlled, amplified, and detected (with
present-day technology) much easier than sound, for example, we propose a
set-up for the experimental verification of the Hawking effect. Apart from
experimentally testing this striking prediction, this would facilitate the
investigation of the trans-Planckian problem. PACS: 04.70.Dy, 04.80.-y,
42.50.-p, 84.40.Az.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX, 1 figur
Nonlinear Competition Between Small and Large Hexagonal Patterns
Recent experiments by Kudrolli, Pier and Gollub on surface waves,
parametrically excited by two-frequency forcing, show a transition from a small
hexagonal standing wave pattern to a triangular ``superlattice'' pattern. We
show that generically the hexagons and the superlattice wave patterns bifurcate
simultaneously from the flat surface state as the forcing amplitude is
increased, and that the experimentally-observed transition can be described by
considering a low-dimensional bifurcation problem. A number of predictions come
out of this general analysis.Comment: 4 pages, RevTex, revised, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Probing the Evaporation Dynamics of Ethanol/Gasoline Biofuel Blends Using Single Droplet Manipulation Techniques
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Amplitude equations and pattern selection in Faraday waves
We present a systematic nonlinear theory of pattern selection for parametric
surface waves (Faraday waves), not restricted to fluids of low viscosity. A
standing wave amplitude equation is derived from the Navier-Stokes equations
that is of gradient form. The associated Lyapunov function is calculated for
different regular patterns to determine the selected pattern near threshold.
For fluids of large viscosity, the selected wave pattern consists of parallel
stripes. At lower viscosity, patterns of square symmetry are obtained in the
capillary regime (large frequencies). At lower frequencies (the mixed
gravity-capillary regime), a sequence of six-fold (hexagonal), eight-fold, ...
patterns are predicted. The regions of stability of the various patterns are in
quantitative agreement with recent experiments conducted in large aspect ratio
systems.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure, Revte
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