93,983 research outputs found
Constrained LQR Using Online Decomposition Techniques
This paper presents an algorithm to solve the infinite horizon constrained
linear quadratic regulator (CLQR) problem using operator splitting methods.
First, the CLQR problem is reformulated as a (finite-time) model predictive
control (MPC) problem without terminal constraints. Second, the MPC problem is
decomposed into smaller subproblems of fixed dimension independent of the
horizon length. Third, using the fast alternating minimization algorithm to
solve the subproblems, the horizon length is estimated online, by adding or
removing subproblems based on a periodic check on the state of the last
subproblem to determine whether it belongs to a given control invariant set. We
show that the estimated horizon length is bounded and that the control sequence
computed using the proposed algorithm is an optimal solution of the CLQR
problem. Compared to state-of-the-art algorithms proposed to solve the CLQR
problem, our design solves at each iteration only unconstrained least-squares
problems and simple gradient calculations. Furthermore, our technique allows
the horizon length to decrease online (a useful feature if the initial guess on
the horizon is too conservative). Numerical results on a planar system show the
potential of our algorithm.Comment: This technical report is an extended version of the paper titled
"Constrained LQR Using Online Decomposition Techniques" submitted to the 2016
Conference on Decision and Contro
Study of Resistive Micromegas in a Mixed Neutron and Photon Radiation Field
The Muon ATLAS Micromegas Activity (MAMMA) focuses on the development and
testing of large-area muon detectors based on the bulk-Micromegas technology.
These detectors are candidates for the upgrade of the ATLAS Muon System in view
of the luminosity upgrade of Large Hadron Collider at CERN (sLHC). They will
combine trigger and precision measurement capability in a single device. A
novel protection scheme using resistive strips above the readout electrode has
been developed. The response and sparking properties of resistive Micromegas
detectors were successfully tested in a mixed (neutron and gamma) high
radiation field supplied by the Tandem accelerator, at the N.C.S.R. Demokritos
in Athens. Monte-Carlo studies have been employed to study the effect of 5.5
MeV neutrons impinging on Micromegas detectors. The response of the Micromegas
detectors on the photons originating from the inevitable neutron inelastic
scattering on the surrounding materials of the experimental facility was also
studied
A language comparison for scientific computing on MIMD architectures
Choleski's method for solving banded symmetric, positive definite systems is implemented on a multiprocessor computer using three FORTRAN based parallel programming languages, the Force, PISCES and Concurrent FORTRAN. The capabilities of the language for expressing parallelism and their user friendliness are discussed, including readability of the code, debugging assistance offered, and expressiveness of the languages. The performance of the different implementations is compared. It is argued that PISCES, using the Force for medium-grained parallelism, is the appropriate choice for programming Choleski's method on the multiprocessor computer, Flex/32
Some Aspects of the use of Aluminium in Substitution for other Materials
A STRIKING development of modern industrial societies is the way in which traditional materials are progressively being replaced by new ones, such as aluminium. There are several reasons why aluminium is now contemplated or actually preferred for applications which formerly were the province of steel, copper, lead, zinc and other long-established materials. The chief reasons are availability, price and technical suitability
Geothermal probabilistic cost study
A tool is presented to quantify the risks of geothermal projects, the Geothermal Probabilistic Cost Model (GPCM). The GPCM model was used to evaluate a geothermal reservoir for a binary-cycle electric plant at Heber, California. Three institutional aspects of the geothermal risk which can shift the risk among different agents was analyzed. The leasing of geothermal land, contracting between the producer and the user of the geothermal heat, and insurance against faulty performance were examined
Gluino Contribution to the 3-loop QCD beta function in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model
We deduce the gluino contribution to the three-loop QCD \beta function within
the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) from its standard QCD
expression. The result is a first step in the computation of the full MSSM
three-loop \beta function. In addition, in the case of a light gluino it
provides the strong three-loop SUSY correction to the extrapolation of the
strong coupling constant from the low energy regime to the Z region and up to
the squark threshold.Comment: 11 pages, RevTex, 4 Postscript figur
The Density Spike in Cosmic-Ray-Modified Shocks: Formation, Evolution, and Instability
We examine the formation and evolution of the density enhancement (density
spike) that appears downstream of strong, cosmic-ray-modified shocks. This
feature results from temporary overcompression of the flow by the combined
cosmic-ray shock precursor/gas subshock. Formation of the density spike is
expected whenever shock modification by cosmic-ray pressure increases strongly.
That occurence may be anticipated for newly generated strong shocks or for
cosmic-ray-modified shocks encountering a region of higher external density,
for example. The predicted mass density within the spike increases with the
shock Mach number and with shocks more dominated by cosmic-ray pressure. We
find this spike to be linearly unstable under a modified Rayleigh-Taylor
instability criterion at the early stage of its formation. We confirm this
instability numerically using two independent codes based on the two-fluid
model for cosmic-ray transport. These two-dimensional simulations show that the
instability grows impulsively at early stages and then slows down as the
gradients of total pressure and gas density decrease. Observational discovery
of this unstable density spike behind shocks, possibly through radio emission
enhanced by the amplified magnetic fields would provide evidence for the
existence of strongly cosmic-ray modified shock structures.Comment: 26 pages in Latex and 6 figures. Accepted to Ap
Single microwave photon detection in the micromaser
High efficiency single photon detection is an interesting problem for many
areas of physics, including low temperature measurement, quantum information
science and particle physics. For optical photons, there are many examples of
devices capable of detecting single photons with high efficiency. However
reliable single photon detection of microwaves is very difficult, principally
due to their low energy. In this paper we present the theory of a cascade
amplifier operating in the microwave regime that has an optimal quantum
efficiency of 93%. The device uses a microwave photon to trigger the stimulated
emission of a sequence of atoms where the energy transition is readily
detectable. A detailed description of the detector's operation and some
discussion of the potential limitations of the detector are presented.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Effect of hyperon bulk viscosity on neutron-star r-modes
Neutron stars are expected to contain a significant number of hyperons in
addition to protons and neutrons in the highest density portions of their
cores. Following the work of Jones, we calculate the coefficient of bulk
viscosity due to nonleptonic weak interactions involving hyperons in
neutron-star cores, including new relativistic and superfluid effects. We
evaluate the influence of this new bulk viscosity on the gravitational
radiation driven instability in the r-modes. We find that the instability is
completely suppressed in stars with cores cooler than a few times 10^9 K, but
that stars rotating more rapidly than 10-30% of maximum are unstable for
temperatures around 10^10 K. Since neutron-star cores are expected to cool to a
few times 10^9 K within seconds (much shorter than the r-mode instability
growth time) due to direct Urca processes, we conclude that the gravitational
radiation instability will be suppressed in young neutron stars before it can
significantly change the angular momentum of the star.Comment: final PRD version, minor typos etc correcte
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