7,014 research outputs found
A Fractional Variational Approach for Modelling Dissipative Mechanical Systems: Continuous and Discrete Settings
Employing a phase space which includes the (Riemann-Liouville) fractional
derivative of curves evolving on real space, we develop a restricted
variational principle for Lagrangian systems yielding the so-called restricted
fractional Euler-Lagrange equations (both in the continuous and discrete
settings), which, as we show, are invariant under linear change of variables.
This principle relies on a particular restriction upon the admissible variation
of the curves. In the case of the half-derivative and mechanical Lagrangians,
i.e. kinetic minus potential energy, the restricted fractional Euler-Lagrange
equations model a dissipative system in both directions of time, summing up to
a set of equations that is invariant under time reversal. Finally, we show that
the discrete equations are a meaningful discretisation of the continuous ones.Comment: Key words: Variational analysis, Mechanical systems, Lagrangian
mechanics, Damping, Fractional derivatives, Discretisation, Variational
integrators. 13 pages, no figures. Contributed paper to 6th IFAC Workshop on
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Methods for Nonlinear Contro
Two-photon finite-pulse model for resonant transitions in attosecond experiments
We present an analytical model capable of describing two-photon ionization of
atoms with attosecond pulses in the presence of intermediate and final isolated
autoionizing states. The model is based on the finite-pulse formulation of
second-order time-dependent perturbation theory. It approximates the
intermediate and final states with Fano's theory for resonant continua, and it
depends on a small set of atomic parameters that can either be obtained from
separate \emph{ab initio} calculations, or be extracted from few selected
experiments. We use the model to compute the two-photon resonant photoelectron
spectrum of helium below the N=2 threshold for the RABITT (Reconstruction of
Attosecond Beating by Interference of Two-photon Transitions) pump-probe
scheme, in which an XUV attosecond pulse train is used in association to a weak
IR probe, obtaining results in quantitative agreement with those from accurate
\emph{ab initio} simulations. In particular, we show that: i) Use of finite
pulses results in a homogeneous red shift of the RABITT beating frequency, as
well as a resonant modulation of the beating frequency in proximity of
intermediate autoionizing states; ii) The phase of resonant two-photon
amplitudes generally experiences a continuous excursion as a function of the
intermediate detuning, with either zero or overall variation.Comment: 23 pages, 13 figure
Motion-Based Design of Passive Damping Devices to Mitigate Wind-Induced Vibrations in Stay Cables
Wind action can induce large amplitude vibrations in the stay cables of bridges. To reduce
the vibration level of these structural elements, different types of passive damping devices are
usually installed. In this paper, a motion-based design method is proposed and implemented in
order to achieve the optimum design of different passive damping devices for stay cables under
wind action. According to this method, the design problem is transformed into an optimization
problem. Thus, its main aim is to minimize the different terms of a multi-objective function,
considering as design variables the characteristic parameters of each considered passive damping
device. The multi-objective function is defined in terms of the scaled characteristic parameters,
one single-function for each parameter, and an additional function that checks the compliance of
the considered design criterion. Genetic algorithms are considered as a global optimization method.
Three passive damping devices have been studied herein: viscous, elastomeric and friction dampers.
As a benchmark structure, the Alamillo bridge (Seville, Spain), is considered in order to validate
the performance of the proposed method. Finally, the parameters of the damping devices designed
according to this proposal are successfully compared with the results provided by a conventional
design method
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