2,169 research outputs found
Viriato: a Fourier-Hermite spectral code for strongly magnetised fluid-kinetic plasma dynamics
We report on the algorithms and numerical methods used in Viriato, a novel
fluid-kinetic code that solves two distinct sets of equations: (i) the Kinetic
Reduced Electron Heating Model (KREHM) equations [Zocco & Schekochihin, Phys.
Plasmas 18, 102309 (2011)] (which reduce to the standard Reduced-MHD equations
in the appropriate limit) and (ii) the kinetic reduced MHD (KRMHD) equations
[Schekochihin et al., Astrophys. J. Suppl. 182:310 (2009)]. Two main
applications of these equations are magnetised (Alfvenic) plasma turbulence and
magnetic reconnection. Viriato uses operator splitting (Strang or Godunov) to
separate the dynamics parallel and perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field
(assumed strong). Along the magnetic field, Viriato allows for either a
second-order accurate MacCormack method or, for higher accuracy, a
spectral-like scheme composed of the combination of a total variation
diminishing (TVD) third order Runge-Kutta method for the time derivative with a
7th order upwind scheme for the fluxes. Perpendicular to the field Viriato is
pseudo-spectral, and the time integration is performed by means of an iterative
predictor-corrector scheme. In addition, a distinctive feature of Viriato is
its spectral representation of the parallel velocity-space dependence, achieved
by means of a Hermite representation of the perturbed distribution function. A
series of linear and nonlinear benchmarks and tests are presented, including a
detailed analysis of 2D and 3D Orszag-Tang-type decaying turbulence, both in
fluid and kinetic regimes.Comment: 42 pages, 15 figures, submitted to J. Comp. Phy
A Calibrated Time Domain Envelope Measurement System for the Behavioral Modeling of Power Amplifiers
This paper presents a set-up which enables the generation and the calibrated time domain measurements of complex envelopes of modulated signals at both ports of non linear microwave power amplifiers. The architecture of the characterization tool is given. Examples of error corrected time domain envelopes at the input / output RF ports of a 36 dBm output power â 30dB power gain L-band SSPA are shown. Futhermore, the use of this characterization tool and a suitable processing of measurement data are applied to a novel measurement based behavioral modeling approach of non linear devices accounting for memory effects
Kondo decoherence: finding the right spin model for iron impurities in gold and silver
We exploit the decoherence of electrons due to magnetic impurities, studied
via weak localization, to resolve a longstanding question concerning the
classic Kondo systems of Fe impurities in the noble metals gold and silver:
which Kondo-type model yields a realistic description of the relevant multiple
bands, spin and orbital degrees of freedom? Previous studies suggest a fully
screened spin Kondo model, but the value of remained ambiguous. We
perform density functional theory calculations that suggest . We also
compare previous and new measurements of both the resistivity and decoherence
rate in quasi 1-dimensional wires to numerical renormalization group
predictions for and 3/2, finding excellent agreement for .Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, shortened for PR
Using Spontaneous Emission of a Qubit as a Resource for Feedback Control
Persistent control of a transmon qubit is performed by a feedback protocol
based on continuous heterodyne measurement of its fluorescence. By driving the
qubit and cavity with microwave signals whose amplitudes depend linearly on the
instantaneous values of the quadratures of the measured fluorescence field, we
show that it is possible to stabilize permanently the qubit in any targeted
state. Using a Josephson mixer as a phase-preserving amplifier, it was possible
to reach a total measurement efficiency =35%, leading to a maximum of 59%
of excitation and 44% of coherence for the stabilized states. The experiment
demonstrates multiple-input multiple-output analog Markovian feedback in the
quantum regime.Comment: Supplementary material can be found as an ancillary objec
No effect of subthalamic deep brain stimulation on metacognition in Parkinsonâs disease
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is a powerful treatment in Parkinsonâs disease (PD), which provides a positive effect on motor symptoms although the way it operates on high cognitive processes such as metacognition remains unclear. To address this issue, we recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) of PD patients treated with STN-DBS that performed a reversal learning (RL) paradigm endowed with metacognitive self-assessment. We considered two stimulation conditions, namely DBS-ON (stimulation on) and DBS-OFF (stimulation off), and focused our EEG-analysis on the frontal brain region due to its involvement on high cognitive processes. We found a trend towards a significant difference in RL ability between stimulation conditions. STN-DBS showed no effect on metacognition, although a significant association between accuracy and decision confidence level held for DBS OFF, but not in the case of DBS ON. In summary, our study revealed no significant effect of STN-DBS on RL or metacognition
Scaling of the low temperature dephasing rate in Kondo systems
We present phase coherence time measurements in quasi-one-dimensional Ag
wires doped with Fe Kondo impurities of different concentrations . Due to
the relatively high Kondo temperature of this system, we
are able to explore a temperature range from above down to below . We show that the magnetic contribution to the dephasing rate
per impurity is described by a single, universal curve when plotted as a
function of . For , the dephasing rate is remarkably well
described by recent numerical results for spin impurities. At lower
temperature, we observe deviations from this theory. Based on a comparison with
theoretical calculations for , we discuss possible explanations for the
observed deviations.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let
Characterization of nanometer-sized, mechanically exfoliated graphene on the H-passivated Si(100) surface using scanning tunnelling microscopy
We have developed a method for depositing graphene monolayers and bilayers
with minimum lateral dimensions of 2-10 nm by the mechanical exfoliation of
graphite onto the Si(100)-2x1:H surface. Room temperature, ultra-high vacuum
(UHV) tunnelling spectroscopy measurements of nanometer-sized single-layer
graphene reveal a size dependent energy gap ranging from 0.1-1 eV. Furthermore,
the number of graphene layers can be directly determined from scanning
tunnelling microscopy (STM) topographic contours. This atomistic study provides
an experimental basis for probing the electronic structure of nanometer-sized
graphene which can assist the development of graphene-based nanoelectronics.Comment: Accepted for publication in Nanotechnolog
Strongly quadrature-dependent noise in superconducting micro-resonators measured at the vacuum-noise limit
We measure frequency- and dissipation-quadrature noise in superconducting
lithographed microwave resonators with sensitivity near the vacuum noise level
using a Josephson parametric amplifier. At an excitation power of 100~nW, these
resonators show significant frequency noise caused by two-level systems. No
excess dissipation-quadrature noise (above the vacuum noise) is observed to our
measurement sensitivity. These measurements demonstrate that the excess
dissipation-quadrature noise is negligible compared to vacuum fluctuations, at
typical readout powers used in micro-resonator applications. Our results have
important implications for resonant readout of various devices such as
detectors, qubits and nano-mechanical oscillators.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure
GOHTAM: a website for âGenomic Origin of Horizontal Transfers, Alignment and Metagenomicsâ
Motivation: This website allows the detection of horizontal transfers based on a combination of parametric methods and proposes an origin by researching neighbors in a bank of genomic signatures. This bank is also used to research an origin to DNA fragments from metagenomics studies
On the properties of aluminium doped zinc oxide thin films deposited on plastic substrates from ceramic targets
We report on the deposition of Al doped ZnO (AZO) thin films on unheated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique using a UV excimer laser and Al2O3:ZnO ceramic targets (1.5 and 2 wt% Al2O3). The deposited AZO films have been investigated by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and optical spectrophotometry. Films present excellent optical and electrical properties (transmission in the visible range T > 85%; resistivity at room temperature rho = 1.3 x 10(-3) Omega cm) as electrodes for plastic solar cells. A good correlation was found between deposition conditions (laser fluence) and structural, morphological, optical and electrical propertie
- âŠ