25 research outputs found
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in a quenched ferromagnetic spinor Bose condensate
A central goal in condensed matter and modern atomic physics is the
exploration of many-body quantum phases and the universal characteristics of
quantum phase transitions in so far as they differ from those established for
thermal phase transitions. Compared with condensed-matter systems, atomic gases
are more precisely constructed and also provide the unique opportunity to
explore quantum dynamics far from equilibrium. Here we identify a second-order
quantum phase transition in a gaseous spinor Bose-Einstein condensate, a
quantum fluid in which superfluidity and magnetism, both associated with
symmetry breaking, are simultaneously realized. Rb spinor condensates
were rapidly quenched across this transition to a ferromagnetic state and
probed using in-situ magnetization imaging to observe spontaneous symmetry
breaking through the formation of spin textures, ferromagnetic domains and
domain walls. The observation of topological defects produced by this symmetry
breaking, identified as polar-core spin-vortices containing non-zero spin
current but no net mass current, represents the first phase-sensitive in-situ
detection of vortices in a gaseous superfluid.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Ultrasound evaluation in combination with finger extension force measurements of the forearm musculus extensor digitorum communis in healthy subjects
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of an ultrasound-based method of examining extensor muscle architecture, especially the parameters important for force development. This paper presents the combination of two non-invasive methods for studying the extensor muscle architecture using ultrasound simultaneously with finger extension force measurements.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>M. extensor digitorum communis (EDC) was examined in 40 healthy subjects, 20 women and 20 men, aged 35–73 years. Ultrasound measurements were made in a relaxed position of the hand as well as in full contraction. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), pennation angle and contraction patterns were measured with ultrasound, and muscle volume and fascicle length were also estimated. Finger extension force was measured using a newly developed finger force measurement device.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The following muscle parameters were determined: CSA, circumference, thickness, pennation angles and changes in shape of the muscle CSA. The mean EDC volume in men was 28.3 cm<sup>3 </sup>and in women 16.6 cm<sup>3</sup>. The mean CSA was 2.54 cm<sup>2 </sup>for men and 1.84 cm<sup>2 </sup>for women. The mean pennation angle for men was 6.5° and for women 5.5°. The mean muscle thickness for men was 1.2 cm and for women 0.76 cm. The mean fascicle length for men was 7.3 cm and for women 5.0 cm. Significant differences were found between men and women regarding EDC volume (p < 0.001), CSA (p < 0.001), pennation angle (p < 0.05), muscle thickness (p < 0.001), fascicle length (p < 0.001) and finger force (p < 0.001). Changes in the shape of muscle architecture during contraction were more pronounced in men than women (p < 0.01). The mean finger extension force for men was 96.7 N and for women 39.6 N. Muscle parameters related to the extension force differed between men and women. For men the muscle volume and muscle CSA were related to extension force, while for women muscle thickness was related to the extension force.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Ultrasound is a useful tool for studying muscle architectures in EDC. Muscle parameters of importance for force development were identified. Knowledge concerning the correlation between muscle dynamics and force is of importance for the development of new hand training programmes and rehabilitation after surgery.</p
GNSS Satellite Transmit Power and its Impact on Orbit Determination
Antenna thrust is a small acceleration acting
on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites
caused by the transmission of radio navigation signals.
Knowledge about the transmit power and the mass
of the satellites is required for the computation of this
effect. The actual transmit power can be obtained from
measurements with a high-gain antenna and knowledge
about the properties of the transmit and receive antennas
as well as losses along the propagation path. Transmit
power measurements for different types of GPS,
GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou-2 satellites were conducted
with a 30m dish antenna of the German Aerospace
Center (DLR) located at its ground station in
Weilheim.
For GPS, total L-band transmit power levels of 50 to
240W were obtained, 20 to 135W for GLONASS, 95 to
265W for Galileo, and 130 to 185W for BeiDou-2. The
transmit power differs usually only slightly for individual
spacecraft within one satellite block. An exception
are the GLONASS-M satellites where six subgroups
with different transmit power levels could be identified.
Considering the antenna thrust in precise orbit determination of GNSS satellites decreases the orbital radius by 1 to 27mm depending on the transmit power, the
satellite mass, and the orbital period