17,840 research outputs found
Post-Band Merge Utilities Applied to Spitzer Pleiades Data
Band merging extracted point sources observed in multiple wavelength bands is generally done purely on the basis of positional information in order to avoid photometric biases. Automated merge decisions can be more optimal with better position estimation and more realistic modeling of positional estimation errors. Unfortunately, extraction software often does not provide the most accurate positional information possible, and so post-band merge utilities have been developed and implemented to refine both the source positions and the error modeling. Subsequent band merging of the refined detections improves the completeness and reliability of the multi-band source catalog. Application to Spitzer Space Telescope mapping observations of the Pleiades star cluster demonstrates some aspects of the improved band merging
Continuing Progress on a Lattice QCD Software Infrastructure
We report on the progress of the software effort in the QCD Application Area
of SciDAC. In particular, we discuss how the software developed under SciDAC
enabled the aggressive exploitation of leadership computers, and we report on
progress in the area of QCD software for multi-core architectures.Comment: 5 Pages, to appear in the Proceedings of SciDAC 2008 conference,
(Seattle, July 13-17, 2008), Conference Poster Presentation Proceeding
Infrared ground-based astronomy with the Hughes 256 X 256 PtSi array
It is shown that large format PtSi Schottky diode infrared arrays, the Hughes 256 X 256 hybrid Schottky array in particular, are competitive alternatives to the smaller format photovoltaic arrays for ground-based astronomy. The modest quantum efficiency of the PtSi compared to the photovoltaic devices is more than compensated for by the larger format. The use of hybrid technology yields effective fill factors of nearly 100 percent, and the low dark current, noise, excellent imaging characteristics, cost, and solid nitrogen operating temperature add to the effectiveness of this array for ground-based imaging. In addition to discussing the characteristics of this array, researchers present laboratory test data and astronomical results achieved at Kitt Peak
Investigation of electro-optical techniques for controlling the direction of a laser beam. Part one - Beam deflector devices. Part two - Beam deflector systems Interim report
Piezoelectrically powered laser beam waveguide for electro-optical acquisition and trackin
On the Nature of Precursors in the Radio Pulsar Profiles
In the average profiles of several radio pulsars, the main pulse is
accompanied by the preceding component. This so called precursor is known for
its distinctive polarization, spectral, and fluctuation properties. Recent
single-pulse observations hint that the sporadic activity at the extreme
leading edge of the pulse may be prevalent in pulsars. We for the first time
propose a physical mechanism of this phenomenon. It is based on the induced
scattering of the main pulse radiation into the background. We show that the
scattered component is directed approximately along the ambient magnetic field
and, because of rotational aberration in the scattering region, appears in the
pulse profile as a precursor to the main pulse. Our model naturally explains
high linear polarization of the precursor emission, its spectral and
fluctuation peculiarities as well as suggests a specific connection between the
precursor and the main pulse at widely spaced frequencies. This is believed to
stimulate multifrequency single-pulse studies of intensity modulation in
different pulsars.Comment: 5 pages, no figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS Letter
Transient energy excitation in shortcuts to adiabaticity for the time dependent harmonic oscillator
There is recently a surge of interest to cut down the time it takes to change
the state of a quantum system adiabatically. We study for the time-dependent
harmonic oscillator the transient energy excitation in speed-up processes
designed to reproduce the initial populations at some predetermined final
frequency and time, providing lower bounds and examples. Implications for the
limits imposed to the process times and for the principle of unattainability of
the absolute zero, in a single expansion or in quantum refrigerator cycles, are
drawn.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
A cold cathode ion source mass spectrometer employing ion counting techniques
Design and construction of mass spectrometer using cold cathode source of ions, quadrupole mass analyzer, and ion counting detector
Estimation of the geophysical properties of the ocean surface using aircraft microwave measurements
An improved model of the effects of sea state on microwave signature has been developed which incorporates the different effects of whitecaps and streaks to define the response of microwave channels to wind speed. This model has been demonstrated to agree with recent measurements. An approximation model has also been incorporated to describe the effects of precipitation on microwave radiation through a computationally rapid routine. The use of these models and a new technique to allow the selection of the most climatologically appropriate D-matrix is demonstrated in the inversion of data collected over the bering Sea. Surface wind speed agrees very well with observations while good results are obtained for integrated water vapor, and liquid water
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