Polarization and Extent of Maser Emission from Late-Type Stars: Support for a Plasma Turbulence Model of Maser Production

The integrated spectrum of OH emission from late-type stars is often circularly polarized, by as much as 50% in some cases. While the spectra are partially polarized, the individual maser components revealed by VLBI are much more so. Using VLBI observations of late-type stars from the literature, we show that the difference in circular polarization between main lines correlates with a difference in angular extent for a given object. This is a natural result if turbulent magnetic fields are causing the masers to be polarized via the Cook mechanism, and might serve as a good diagnostic for determining which objects should be investigated in the search for magnetic fields around evolved stars.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figs ApJL, accepte

Real-time detection of individual atoms falling through a high-finesse optical cavity

The enhanced coupling between atoms and photons inside a high-finesse optical cavity provides a novel basis for optical measurements that continuously monitor atomic degrees of freedom. We describe an experiment in which cavity quantum-electrodynamic effects are utilized for real-time detection of individual atoms falling through an optical cavity after being dropped from a magneto-optical trap. Our technique permits experiments that are triggered by the presence of a single optimally coupled atom within the cavity mode volume

Ray theory for high-Péclet-number convection-diffusion

Asymptotic methods based on those of geometrical optics are applied to some steady convection-diffusion streamed flows at a high Péclet number. Even with the assumption of inviscid, irrotational flow past a body with uniform ambient conditions, the rays from which the solution is constructed can only be found after local analyses have been carried out near the stagnation points. In simple cases, the temperature away from the body is the sum of contributions from each stagnation point

On the theory of complex rays

The article surveys the application of complex-ray theory to the scalar Helmholtz equation in two dimensions. The first objective is to motivate a framework within which complex rays may be used to make predictions about wavefields in a wide variety of geometrical configurations. A crucial ingredient in this framework is the role played by Sp{} in determining the regions of existence of complex rays. The identification of the Stokes surfaces emerges as a key step in the approximation procedure, and this leads to the consideration of the many characterizations of Stokes surfaces, including the adaptation and application of recent developments in exponential asymptotics to the complex Wentzel--Kramers--Brilbuin expansion of these wavefields

Equivalent beam modeling using numerical reduction techniques

Numerical procedures that can accomplish model reductions for space trusses were developed. Three techniques are presented that can be implemented using current capabilities within NASTRAN. The proposed techniques accomplish their model reductions numerically through use of NASTRAN structural analyses and as such are termed numerical in contrast to the previously developed analytical techniques. Numerical procedures are developed that permit reductions of large truss models containing full modeling detail of the truss and its joints. Three techniques are presented that accomplish these model reductions with various levels of structural accuracy. These numerical techniques are designated as equivalent beam, truss element reduction, and post-assembly reduction methods. These techniques are discussed in detail

Laser absorption phenomena in flowing gas devices

A theoretical and experimental investigation is presented of inverse Bremsstrahlung absorption of CW CO2 laser radiation in flowing gases seeded with alkali metals. In order to motivate this development, some simple models are described of several space missions which could use laser powered rocket vehicles. Design considerations are given for a test call to be used with a welding laser, using a diamond window for admission of laser radiation at power levels in excess of 10 kW. A detailed analysis of absorption conditions in the test cell is included. The experimental apparatus and test setup are described and the results of experiments presented. Injection of alkali seedant and steady state absorption of the laser radiation were successfully demonstrated, but problems with the durability of the diamond windows at higher powers prevented operation of the test cell as an effective laser powered thruster

Servo-controlled intravital microscope system

A microscope system is described for viewing an area of a living body tissue that is rapidly moving, by maintaining the same area in the field-of-view and in focus. A focus sensing portion of the system includes two video cameras at which the viewed image is projected, one camera being slightly in front of the image plane and the other slightly behind it. A focus sensing circuit for each camera differentiates certain high frequency components of the video signal and then detects them and passes them through a low pass filter, to provide dc focus signal whose magnitudes represent the degree of focus. An error signal equal to the difference between the focus signals, drives a servo that moves the microscope objective so that an in-focus view is delivered to an image viewing/recording camera

Automatically-focusing microscope system for live tissue observation

System includes focus-sensing arrangement which controls servo to keep microscope constantly focused on target. Microscope objective is moved along optical axis. System includes two video cameras that are used as transducers for sensing focus. Incoming visual image is split by beam splitter so that one-half of information is fed to each camera

Real-time cavity QED with single atoms

We report the first measurement of the real-time evolution of the complex field amplitude brought on by single atom transits. We show the variation in time of both quadrature amplitudes (simultaneously recorded) of the light transmitted through the cavity, as well the resultant optical phase for a single atom transit event. In this particular measurement, the cavity and laser were both detuned by 10 MHz from the Cs resonance

Ground test experience with large composite structures for commercial transports

The initial ground test of each component resulted in structural failure at less than ultimate design loads. While such failures represent major program delays, the investigation and analysis of each failure revealed significant lessons for effective utilization of composites in primary structure. Foremost among these are secondary loads that produce through-the-thickness forces which may lead to serious weaknesses in an otherwise sound structural design. The sources, magnitude, and effects of secondary loads need to be thoroughly understood and accounted for by the designers of composite primary aircraft structures