8,320 research outputs found
Studies of satellite support to weather modification in the western US region
The applications of meteorological satellite data to both summer and winter weather modification programs are addressed. Appraisals of the capability of satellites to assess seedability, to provide real-time operational support, and to assist in the post-experiment analysis of a seeding experiment led to the incorporation of satellite observing systems as a major component in the Bureau of Reclamations weather modification activities. Satellite observations are an integral part of the South Park Area cumulus experiment (SPACE) which aims to formulate a quantitative hypothesis for enhancing precipitation from orographically induced summertime mesoscale convective systems (orogenic mesoscale systems). Progress is reported in using satellite observations to assist in classifying the important mesoscale systems, and in defining their frequency and coverage, and potential area of effect. Satellite studies of severe storms are also covered
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement of valence-band offsets for Mg-based semiconductor compounds
We have used x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to measure the valence-band offsets for the lattice matched MgSe/Cd0.54Zn0.46Se and MgTe/Cd0.88Zn0.12Te heterojunctions grown by molecular beam epitaxy. By measuring core level to valence-band maxima and core level to core level binding energy separations, we obtain values of 0.56+/-0.07 eV and 0.43+/-0.11 eV for the valence-band offsets of MgSe/Cd0.54Zn0.46Se and MgTe/Cd0.88Zn0.12Te, respectively. Both of these values deviate from the common anion rule, as may be expected given the unoccupied cation d orbitals in Mg. Application of our results to the design of current II-VI wide band-gap light emitters is discussed
Advanced high temperature static strain sensor development
An examination was made into various techniques to be used to measure static strain in gas turbine liners at temperatures up to 1150 K (1600 F). The methods evaluated included thin film and wire resistive devices, optical fibers, surface acoustic waves, the laser speckle technique with a heterodyne readout, optical surface image and reflective approaches and capacitive devices. A preliminary experimental program to develop a thin film capacitive device was dropped because calculations showed that it would be too sensitive to thermal gradients. In a final evaluation program, the laser speckle technique appeared to work well up to 1150 K when it was used through a relatively stagnant air path. The surface guided acoustic wave approach appeared to be interesting but to require too much development effort for the funds available. Efforts to develop a FeCrAl resistive strain gage system were only partially successful and this part of the effort was finally reduced to a characterization study of the properties of the 25 micron diameter FeCrAl (Kanthal A-1) wire. It was concluded that this particular alloy was not suitable for use as the resistive element in a strain gage above about 1000 K
Satellite laser ranging work at the Goddard Space Flight Center
Laser ranging systems, their range and accuracy capabilities, and planned improvements for future systems are discussed, the systems include one fixed and two mobile lasers ranging systems. They have demonstrated better than 10 cm accuracy both on a carefully surveyed ground range and in regular satellite ranging operations. They are capable of ranging to all currently launched retroreflector equipped satellites with the exception of Timation III. A third mobile system is discussed which will be accurate to better than 5 cm and will be capable of ranging to distant satellites such as Timation III and LAGEOS
Systematics of the Neotropical Genus \u3cem\u3eLeptodactylus\u3c/em\u3e Fitzinger, 1826 (Anura: Leptodactylidae): Phylogeny, the Relevance of Non-molecular Evidence, and Species Accounts
A phylogeny of the species-rich clade of the Neotropical frog genus Leptodactylus sensu stricto is presented on the basis of a total evidence analysis of molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear markers) and non-molecular (adult and larval morphological and behavioral characters) sampled from \u3e 80% of the 75 currently recognized species. Our results support the monophyly of Leptodactylus sensu stricto, with Hydrolaetare placed as its sister group. The reciprocal monophyly of Hydrolaetare and Leptodactylus sensu stricto does not require that we consider Hydrolaetare as either a subgenus or synonym of Leptodactylus sensu lato. We recognize Leptodactylus sensu stricto, Hydrolaetare, Adenomera, and Lithodytes as valid monophyletic genera. Our results generally support the traditionally recognized Leptodactylus species groups, with exceptions involving only a few species that are easily accommodated without proposing new groups or significantly altering contents. The four groups form a pectinate tree, with the Leptodactylus fuscus group diverging first, followed by the L. pentadactylus group, which is sister to the L. latrans and L. melanonotus groups. To evaluate the impact of non-molecular evidence on our results, we compared our total evidence results with results obtained from analyses using only molecular data. Although non-molecular evidence comprised only 3.5% of the total evidence matrix, it had a strong impact on our total evidence results. Only one species group was monophyletic in the molecular-only analysis, and support differed in 86% of the 54 Leptodactylus clades that are shared by the results of the two analyses. Even though no non-molecular evidence was included for Hydrolaetare, exclusion of that data partition resulted in that genus being nested within Leptodactylus, demonstrating that the inclusion of a small amount of non-molecular evidence for a subset of species can alter not only the placement of those species, but also species that were not scored for those data. The evolution of several natural history and reproductive traits is considered in the light of our phylogenic framework. Invasion of rocky outcrops, larval oophagy, and use of underground reproductive chambers are restricted to species of the Leptodactylus fuscus and L. pentadactylus groups. In contrast, larval schooling, larval attendance, and more complex parental care are restricted to the L. latrans and L. melanonotus groups. Construction of foam nests is plesiomorphic in Leptodactylus but their placement varies extensively (e.g., underground chambers, surface of waterbodies, natural or excavated basins). Information on species synonymy, etymology, adult and larval morphology, advertisement call, and geographic distribution is summarized in species accounts for the 30 species of the Leptodactylus fuscus group, 17 species of the L. pentadactylus group, eight species of the L. latrans group, and 17 species of the L. melanonotus group, as well as the three species that are currently unassigned to any species group
Calculation of the two-photon decay rates of hydrogen-like ions by using B-polynomials
A new approach is laid out to investigate the two photon atomic transitions.
It is based on application of the finite basis solutions constructed from the
Bernstein Polynomial (B-Polynomial) sets. We show that such an approach
provides a very promising route for the relativistic second- (and even
higher-order) calculations since it allows for analytical evaluation of the
involved matrices elements. In order to illustrate possible applications of the
method and to verify its accuracy, detailed calculations are performed for the
2s_{1/2}-1s_{1/2} transition in neutral hydrogen and hydrogen-like ions, and
are compared with the theoretical predictions based on the well-established
B-spline-basis-set approach
Magnetic anisotropies and general on--site Coulomb interactions in the cuprates
This paper derives the anisotropic superexchange interactions from a Hubbard
model for excitations within the copper 3d band and the oxygen 2p band of the
undoped insulating cuprates. We extend the recent calculation of Yildirim et
al. [Phys. Rev. B {\bf VV}, pp, 1995] in order to include the most general
on--site Coulomb interactions (including those which involve more than two
orbitals) when two holes occupy the same site. Our general results apply when
the oxygen ions surrounding the copper ions form an octahedron which has
tetragonal symmetry (but may be rotated as in lanthanum cuprate). For the
tetragonal cuprates we obtain an easy--plane anisotropy in good agreement with
experimental values. We predict the magnitude of the small in--plane anisoComment: 25 pages, revte
Recurrence relation for relativistic atomic matrix elements
Recurrence formulae for arbitrary hydrogenic radial matrix elements are
obtained in the Dirac form of relativistic quantum mechanics. Our approach is
inspired on the relativistic extension of the second hypervirial method that
has been succesfully employed to deduce an analogous relationship in non
relativistic quantum mechanics. We obtain first the relativistic extension of
the second hypervirial and then the relativistic recurrence relation.
Furthermore, we use such relation to deduce relativistic versions of the
Pasternack-Sternheimer rule and of the virial theorem.Comment: 10 pages, no figure
Relativistically extended Blanchard recurrence relation for hydrogenic matrix elements
General recurrence relations for arbitrary non-diagonal, radial hydrogenic
matrix elements are derived in Dirac relativistic quantum mechanics. Our
approach is based on a generalization of the second hypervirial method
previously employed in the non-relativistic Schr\"odinger case. A relativistic
version of the Pasternack-Sternheimer relation is thence obtained in the
diagonal (i.e. total angular momentum and parity the same) case, from such
relation an expression for the relativistic virial theorem is deduced. To
contribute to the utility of the relations, explicit expressions for the radial
matrix elements of functions of the form and
---where is a Dirac matrix--- are presented.Comment: 21 pages, to be published in J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. in Apri
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