1,516 research outputs found
Development of the fast neutron imaging telescope
We report on the development of a next generation neutron telescope, with imaging and energy measurement capabilities, sensitive to neutrons in the 2-20 MeV energy range. The Fast Neutron Imaging Telescope (FNIT) was initially conceived to study solar neutrons as a candidate instrument for the Inner Heliosphere Sentinels (IHS) program under formulation at NASA. This detector is now being adapted to locate Special Nuclear Material (SNM) for homeland security purposes by detecting fission neutrons and reconstructing the image of their source. In either case, the detection principle is based on multiple elastic neutron-proton scatterings in organic scintillator. By reconstructing the scattering coordinates and measuring the recoil proton energy, the direction and energy of each neutron can be determined and discrete neutron sources identified. We describe the performance of the FNIT prototype, report on the current status of R&D efforts and present the results of recent laboratory measurements
Evolution of ground state and upper critical field in R(1-x)GdxNi2B2C (R = Lu, Y): Coexistence of superconductivity and spin-glass state
We report effects of local magnetic moment, Gd3+, doping (x =< 0.3) on
superconducting and magnetic properties of the closely related Lu(1-x)GdxNi2B2C
and Y(1-x)GdxNi2B2C series. The superconducting transition temperature
decreases and the heat capacity jump associated with it drops rapidly with
Gd-doping; qualitative changes with doping are also observed in the
temperature-dependent upper critical field behavior, and a region of
coexistence of superconductivity and spin-glass state is delineated on the x -
T phase diagram. The evolution of superconducting properties can be understood
within Abrikosov-Gor'kov theory of magnetic impurities in superconductors
taking into account the paramagnetic effect on upper critical field with
additional contributions particular for the family under study
Design optimization and performance capabilities of the fast neutron imaging telescope (FNIT)
We describe the design optimization process and performance characterization of a next generation neutron telescope, with imaging and energy measurement capabilities, sensitive to neutrons in the 1-20 MeV energy range. The response of the Fast Neutron Imaging Telescope (FNIT), its efficiency in neutron detection, energy resolution and imaging capabilities were characterized through a combination of lab tests and Monte Carlo simulations. Monte Carlo simulations, together with experimental data, are also being used in the development and testing of the image reconstruction algorithm. FNIT was initially conceived to study solar neutrons as a candidate instrument for the Inner Heliosphere Sentinel (IHS) spacecraft. However, the design of this detector was eventually adapted to locate Special Nuclear Material (SNM) sources for homeland security purposes, by detecting fission neutrons. In either case, the detection principle is based on multiple elastic neutron-proton scatterings in organic scintillator. By reconstructing event locations and measuring the recoil proton energies, the direction and energy spectrum of the primary neutron flux can be determined and neutron sources identified. This paper presents the most recent results arising from our efforts and outlines the performance of the FNIT detector
19-element vertical cavity surface emitting laser arrays with inter-vertical cavity surface emitting laser ridge connectors
We achieve record concurrent combinations of bandwidth (18 GHz), optical output power (150 mW), and wall plug efficiency (30%) with a unique arrangement of 19-element, electrically parallel 980 nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays. We use a new two-dimensional, quasi honeycomb geometry with inter-VCSEL ridge connectorsâmade nonconducting by selective thermal oxidationâto improve heat dissipation and facilitate a single top surface anode contact. Via on-wafer probing we perform static and dynamic measurements over the wide temperature range of 23 °C to 85 °C and extract, report, and discuss key array figures-of-merit.DFG, 43659573, SFB 787: Halbleiter - Nanophotonik: Materialien, Modelle, Bauelement
Quadratic Volume Preserving Maps
We study quadratic, volume preserving diffeomorphisms whose inverse is also
quadratic. Such maps generalize the Henon area preserving map and the family of
symplectic quadratic maps studied by Moser. In particular, we investigate a
family of quadratic volume preserving maps in three space for which we find a
normal form and study invariant sets. We also give an alternative proof of a
theorem by Moser classifying quadratic symplectic maps.Comment: Ams LaTeX file with 4 figures (figure 2 is gif, the others are ps
Molecular structure and free energy landscape for electron transport in the decahaem cytochrome MtrF
The L&E of Intellectual Property â Do we get maximum innovation with the current regime?
Innovation is crucial to economic growth â the essential path for lifting much of the world population out of dire poverty and for maintaining the living standard of those who already have. To stimulate innovation, the legal system has to support the means through which innovators seek to get rewarded for their efforts. Amongst these means, some, such as the first mover advantage or 'lead time,' are not directly legal; but secrets and intellectual property rights are legal institutions supported for the specific purpose of stimulating innovation. Whilst the protection of secrets has not changed very much over recent years, intellectual property (or IP) has. IP borrows some features from ordinary property rights, but is also distinct, in that, unlike physical goods, information, the object of IP, is not inherently scarce; indeed as information and communication technologies expand, the creation and distribution of information is becoming ever cheaper and in many circumstances abundant, so that selection is of the essence ('on the internet, point of view is everything'). Where rights on information extend too far, their monopolising effect may hamper innovation.
The paper investigates the underlying structure of IP rights and surveys what we know empirically about the incentive effects of IP as about industries that flourish without formal IP
A perspective on using experiment and theory to identify design principles in dye-sensitized solar cells
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have been the subject of wide-ranging studies for many
years because of their potential for large-scale manufacturing using roll-to-roll processing
allied to their use of earth abundant raw materials. Two main challenges exist for DSC
devices to achieve this goal; uplifting device efficiency from the 12 to 14% currently
achieved for laboratory-scale âheroâ cells and replacement of the widely-used liquid
electrolytes which can limit device lifetimes. To increase device efficiency requires optimized
dye injection and regeneration, most likely from multiple dyes while replacement
of liquid electrolytes requires solid charge transporters (most likely hole transport materials
â HTMs). While theoretical and experimental work have both been widely applied to
different aspects of DSC research, these approaches are most effective when working in
tandem. In this context, this perspective paper considers the key parameters which
influence electron transfer processes in DSC devices using one or more dye molecules
and how modelling and experimental approaches can work together to optimize electron
injection and dye regeneration.
This paper provides a perspective that theory and experiment are best used in tandem to study
DSC device
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