Soil moisture retrieval through a merging of multi-temporal L-band SAR data and hydrologic modelling

The objective of the study is to investigate the potential of retrieving superficial soil moisture content (m(v)) from multi-temporal L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and hydrologic modelling. The study focuses on assessing the performances of an L-band SAR retrieval algorithm intended for agricultural areas and for watershed spatial scales (e. g. from 100 to 10 000 km(2)). The algorithm transforms temporal series of L-band SAR data into soil moisture contents by using a constrained minimization technique integrating a priori information on soil parameters. The rationale of the approach consists of exploiting soil moisture predictions, obtained at coarse spatial resolution ( e. g. 1530 km2) by point scale hydrologic models ( or by simplified estimators), as a priori information for the SAR retrieval algorithm that provides soil moisture maps at high spatial resolution (e. g. 0.01 km(2)). In the present form, the retrieval algorithm applies to cereal fields and has been assessed on simulated and experimental data. The latter were acquired by the airborne E-SAR system during the AgriSAR campaign carried out over the Demmin site (Northern Germany) in 2006. Results indicate that the retrieval algorithm always improves the a priori information on soil moisture content though the improvement may be marginal when the accuracy of prior mv estimates is better than 5%

Comparison of charge modulations in La1.875_{1.875}Ba0.125_{0.125}CuO4_4 and YBa2_2Cu3_3O6.6_{6.6}

A charge modulation has recently been reported in (Y,Nd)Ba$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$ [Ghiringhelli {\em et al.} Science 337, 821 (2013)]. Here we report Cu $L_3$ edge soft x-ray scattering studies comparing the lattice modulation associated with the charge modulation in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.6}$ with that associated with the well known charge and spin stripe order in La$_{1.875}$Ba$_{0.125}$CuO$_4$. We find that the correlation length in the CuO$_2$ plane is isotropic in both cases, and is $259 \pm 9$ \AA for La$_{1.875}$Ba$_{0.125}$CuO$_4$ and $55 \pm 15$ \AA for YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.6}$. Assuming weak inter-planar correlations of the charge ordering in both compounds, we conclude that the order parameters of the lattice modulations in La$_{1.875}$Ba$_{0.125}$CuO$_4$ and YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.6}$ are of the same order of magnitude.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figure

Superconducting Superstructure for the TESLA Collider

We discuss the new layout of a cavity chain (superstructure) allowing, we hope, significant cost reduction of the RF system of both linacs of the TESLA linear collider. The proposed scheme increases the fill factor and thus makes an effective gradient of an accelerator higher. We present mainly computations we have performed up to now and which encouraged us to order the copper model of the scheme, still keeping in mind that experiments with a beam will be necessary to prove if the proposed solution can be used for the acceleration.Comment: 11 page

Predicted and Measured Modal Sound Power Levels for a Fan Ingesting Distorted Inflow

Refinements have been made to a method for estimating the modal sound power levels of a ducted fan ingesting distorted inflow. By assuming that each propagating circumferential mode consists only of a single radial mode (the one with the highest cut-off ratio), circumferential mode sound power levels can be computed for a variety of inflow distortion patterns and operating speeds. Predictions from the refined theory have been compared to data from an experiment conducted in the Advanced Noise Control Fan at NASA Glenn Research Center. The inflow to the fan was distorted by inserting cylindrical rods radially into the inlet duct. The rods were placed at an axial location one rotor chord length upstream of the fan and arranged in both regular and irregular circumferential patterns. The fan was operated at 2000, 1800, and 1400 rpm. Acoustic pressure levels were measured in the fan inlet and exhaust ducts using the Rotating Rake fan mode measurement system. Far field sound pressure levels were also measured. It is shown that predicted trends in circumferential mode sound power levels closely match the experimental data for all operating speeds and distortion configurations tested. Insight gained through this work is being used to develop more advanced tools for predicting fan inflow distortion tone noise levels

Momentum-dependent charge correlations in YBa2_2Cu3_3O6+δ_{6+\delta} superconductors probed by resonant x-ray scattering: Evidence for three competing phases

We have used resonant x-ray scattering to determine the momentum dependent charge correlations in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.55}$ samples with highly ordered chain arrays of oxygen acceptors (ortho-II structure). The results reveal nearly critical, biaxial charge density wave (CDW) correlations at in-plane wave vectors (0.315, 0) and (0, 0.325). The corresponding scattering intensity exhibits a strong uniaxial anisotropy. The CDW amplitude and correlation length are enhanced as superconductivity is weakened by an external magnetic field. Analogous experiments were carried out on a YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.6}$ crystal with a dilute concentration of spinless (Zn) impurities, which had earlier been shown to nucleate incommensurate magnetic order. Compared to pristine crystals with the same doping level, the CDW amplitude and correlation length were found to be strongly reduced. These results indicate a three-phase competition between spin-modulated, charge-modulated, and superconducting states in underdoped YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+\delta}$.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures revised version, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let