Piezoelectrically actuated time-averaged atomic microtraps

We present a scheme for creating tight and adiabatic time-averaged atom-traps through the piezoelectric actuation of nanomagnetic structures. We show that potentials formed by the circular translation of magnetic structures have several advantages over conventional rotating-field techniques, particularly for high trap frequencies. As the magnitude of the actuation is changed, the trapping potential can be changed adiabatically between harmonic 3D confinement and a toroidal trap

An impact penetrometer for a landing spacecraft

The design, development and calibration of an impact force transducer or penetrometer, for use on the Huygens spacecraft scheduled to land on the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, is described, The thumb-sized transducer employs a piezoelectric sensing element and is capable of working at cryogenic temperatures. Use of the sensor on a spacecraft imposes several reliability and safety constraints, as well as the desire to minimize mass (the sensor mass is 15 g). The impact force profile, measured at 10 kHz by the sensor, allows estimation of the density and cohesion of the surface material, and its particle size distribution. Sample profiles for terrestrial materials (sand, gravel and clay) are given