22,334 research outputs found
Gain spectroscopy of a type-II VECSEL chip
Using optical pump-white light probe spectroscopy the gain dynamics is
investigated for a VECSEL chip which is based on a type-II heterostructure. The
active region the chip consists of a GaAs/(GaIn)As/Ga(AsSb)/(GaIn)As/GaAs
multiple quantum well. For this structure, a fully microscopic theory predicts
a modal room temperature gain at a wavelength of 1170 nm, which is confirmed by
experimental spectra. The results show a gain buildup on the type-II chip which
is delayed relative to that of a type-I chip. This slower gain dynamics is
attributed to a diminished cooling rate arising from reduced electron-hole
scattering.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Observations on the Overwintering Potential of the Striped Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Southern Minnesota
The striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is an important pest of cucurbit crops. However, the overwinter- ing capacity of this pest in temperate regions is poorly understood. In this study, the in-field survival of A. vittatum was examined during three consecutive winters. In addition, the supercooling points of A. vittatum were determined as an index of cold hardiness for adults. During each winter, the survival of adults decreased significantly through time, with no individuals surviving until spring. By comparing the supercooling points and in-field survival of adults to soil temperatures, it appears that winter temperatures in Minnesota are cold enough to induce freezing of the beetles. Moreover, a considerable amount of mortality occurred before minimum monthly soil temperatures dropped below the supercooling point of overwintering individuals, suggesting the occurrence of prefreeze mortality. An improved understanding of the response of A. vittatum to winter temperatures in temperate regions may aid in early season management of this pest
Excitation Induced Dephasing in Semiconductor Quantum Dots
A quantum kinetic theory is used to compute excitation induced dephasing in
semiconductor quantum dots due to the Coulomb interaction with a continuum of
states, such as a quantum well or a wetting layer. It is shown that a frequency
dependent broadening together with nonlinear resonance shifts are needed for a
microscopic explanation of the excitation induced dephasing in such a system,
and that excitation induced dephasing for a quantum-dot excitonic resonance is
different from quantum-well and bulk excitons.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Extensively revised text, two figures change
General approach for studying first-order phase transitions at low temperatures
By combining different ideas, a general and efficient protocol to deal with
discontinuous phase transitions at low temperatures is proposed. For small
's, it is possible to derive a generic analytic expression for appropriate
order parameters, whose coefficients are obtained from simple simulations. Once
in such regimes simulations by standard algorithms are not reliable, an
enhanced tempering method, the parallel tempering -- accurate for small and
intermediate system sizes with rather low computational cost -- is used.
Finally, from finite size analysis, one can obtain the thermodynamic limit. The
procedure is illustrated for four distinct models, demonstrating its power,
e.g., to locate coexistence lines and the phases density at the coexistence.Comment: 5 page
Energy efficient engine: Preliminary design and integration studies
Parametric design and mission evaluations of advanced turbofan configurations were conducted for future transport aircraft application. Economics, environmental suitability and fuel efficiency were investigated and compared with goals set by NASA. Of the candidate engines which included mixed- and separate-flow, direct-drive and geared configurations, an advanced mixed-flow direct-drive configuration was selected for further design and evaluation. All goals were judged to have been met except the acoustic goal. Also conducted was a performance risk analysis and a preliminary aerodynamic design of the 10 stage 23:1 pressure ratio compressor used in the study engines
Forage Management for Extending the Grazing Season
Studies were conducted to determine ways to extend grazing season with forages adequate to meet the needs of grazing animals and to reduce the cost of livestock production. Perennial grasses were swathed, windrowed and left in the field until they were winter-grazed with bred heifers. Corn (Zea mays L.) was stockpiled for winter grazing with lambs and ewes. Windrowed grasses increased in acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) compared with stored hay, but crude protein content, heifer weight gain and body condition change was similar for both forages. An economic value of 75 ha-1. Leaving windrows of perennial grasses in the field and stockpiling corn for winter grazing have potential for reducing reliance on stored forages
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