2,032 research outputs found
Optimal Alignment Sensing of a Readout Mode Cleaner Cavity
Critically coupled resonant optical cavities are often used as mode cleaners
in optical systems to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a signal that
is encoded as an amplitude modulation of a laser beam. Achieving the best SNR
requires maintaining the alignment of the mode cleaner relative to the laser
beam on which the signal is encoded. An automatic alignment system which is
primarily sensitive to the carrier field component of the beam will not, in
general, provide optimal SNR. We present an approach that modifies traditional
dither alignment sensing by applying a large amplitude modulation on the signal
field, thereby producing error signals that are sensitive to the signal
sideband field alignment. When used in conjunction with alignment actuators,
this approach can improve the detected SNR; we demonstrate a factor of 3
improvement in the SNR of a kilometer-scale detector of the Laser
Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory. This approach can be generalized
to other types of alignment sensors
Cryogenic and room temperature strength of sapphire jointed by hydroxide-catalysis bonding
Hydroxide-catalysis bonding is a precision technique used for jointing components in opto-mechanical systems and has been implemented in the construction of quasi-monolithic silica suspensions in gravitational wave detectors. Future detectors are likely to operate at cryogenic temperatures which will lead to a change in test mass and suspension material. One candidate material is mono-crystalline sapphire. Here results are presented showing the influence of various bonding solutions on the strength of the hydroxide-catalysis bonds formed between sapphire samples, measured both at room temperature and at 77 K, and it is demonstrated that sodium silicate solution is the most promising in terms of strength, producing bonds with a mean strength of 63 MPa. In addition the results show that the strengths of bonds were undiminished when tested at cryogenic temperatures
Error analysis of discontinuous Galerkin discretizations of a class of linear wave-type problems
In this paper we consider central fluxes discontinuous Galerkin space discretizations of a general class of wave-type equations of Friedrichs’ type. This class includes important examples such as Maxwell’s equations and wave equations. We prove an optimal error bound which holds under suitable regularity assumptions on the solution. Our analysis is performed in a framework of evolution equations on a Hilbert space and thus allows for the combination with various time integration schemes
Photon pressure induced test mass deformation in gravitational-wave detectors
A widely used assumption within the gravitational-wave community has so far
been that a test mass acts like a rigid body for frequencies in the detection
band, i.e. for frequencies far below the first internal resonance. In this
article we demonstrate that localized forces, applied for example by a photon
pressure actuator, can result in a non-negligible elastic deformation of the
test masses. For a photon pressure actuator setup used in the gravitational
wave detector GEO600 we measured that this effect modifies the standard
response function by 10% at 1 kHz and about 100% at 2.5 kHz
Platinum recycling going green via induced surface potential alteration enabling fast and efficient dissolution
The recycling of precious metals, for example, platinum, is an essential aspect of sustainability for the modern industry and energy sectors. However, due to its resistance to corrosion, platinum-leaching techniques rely on high reagent consumption and hazardous processes, for example, boiling aqua regia; a mixture of concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acid. Here we demonstrate that complete dissolution of metallic platinum can be achieved by induced surface potential alteration, an 'electrode-less' process utilizing alternatively oxidative and reductive gases. This concept for platinum recycling exploits the so-called transient dissolution mechanism, triggered by a repetitive change in platinum surface oxidation state, without using any external electric current or electrodes. The effective performance in non-toxic low-concentrated acid and at room temperature is a strong benefit of this approach, potentially rendering recycling of industrial catalysts, including but not limited to platinum-based systems, more sustainable
Influence of total sugar intake on metabolic blood markers at 8 years of age in the Childhood Obesity Project
PURPOSE We aimed to characterize the association of dietary sugar intake with blood lipids and glucose-related markers in childhood. METHODS Data from the multicentric European Childhood Obesity Project Trial were used. Three-day weighed dietary records were obtained at 8~years of age along with serum concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose, and insulin. Total sugar intake comprised all mono- and disaccharides; different sugar sources were defined. Linear regression models were applied to investigate the cross-sectional association of total sugar intake with blood lipids and glucose-related markers with adjustment for total energy intake using the residual method. RESULTS Data were available for 325 children. Children consumed on average 332~kcal (SD 110) and 21% (SD 6) of energy from total sugar. In an energy-adjusted model, an increase of 100~kcal from total sugar per day was significantly associated with a z score HDL-C decrease (-~0.14; 95% CI -~0.01, -~0.27; p value = 0.031). Concerning different food groups of total sugar intake, 100~kcal total sugar from sweetened beverages was negatively associated with z score HDL-C (-~1.67; 95% CI -~0.42, -~2.91; p value = 0.009), while total sugar from milk products was positively related to z score HDL-C (1.38, 95% CI 0.03, 2.72; p value = 0.045). None of the other blood lipids or glucose-related markers showed a significant relationship with total sugar intake. CONCLUSION Increasing dietary total sugar intake in children, especially from sweetened beverages, was associated with unfavorable effects on HDL-C, which might increase the long-term risk for dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00338689; Registered: June 19, 2006. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00338689?term=NCT00338689&rank=1
GEO 600 and the GEO-HF upgrade program: successes and challenges
The German-British laser-interferometric gravitational wave detector GEO 600
is in its 14th year of operation since its first lock in 2001. After GEO 600
participated in science runs with other first-generation detectors, a program
known as GEO-HF began in 2009. The goal was to improve the detector sensitivity
at high frequencies, around 1 kHz and above, with technologically advanced yet
minimally invasive upgrades. Simultaneously, the detector would record science
quality data in between commissioning activities. As of early 2014, all of the
planned upgrades have been carried out and sensitivity improvements of up to a
factor of four at the high-frequency end of the observation band have been
achieved. Besides science data collection, an experimental program is ongoing
with the goal to further improve the sensitivity and evaluate future detector
technologies. We summarize the results of the GEO-HF program to date and
discuss its successes and challenges
Non-Markovian Configurational Diffusion and Reaction Coordinates for Protein Folding
The non-Markovian nature of polymer motions is accounted for in folding
kinetics, using frequency-dependent friction. Folding, like many other problems
in the physics of disordered systems, involves barrier crossing on a correlated
energy landscape. A variational transition state theory (VTST) that reduces to
the usual Bryngelson-Wolynes Kramers approach when the non-Markovian aspects
are neglected is used to obtain the rate, without making any assumptions
regarding the size of the barrier, or the memory time of the friction. The
transformation to collective variables dependent on the dynamics of the system
allows the theory to address the controversial issue of what are ``good''
reaction coordinates for folding.Comment: 9 pages RevTeX, 3 eps-figures included, submitted to PR
Engaging Women Who Are Depressed and Economically Disadvantaged in Mental Health Treatment
Women disadvantaged by poverty, as well as racial or ethnic minority status, are more likely to experience depression than the rest of the U.S. population. At the same time, they are less likely to seek or remain in treatment for depression in traditional mental health settings. This article explores a therapeutic, psychosocial engagement strategy developed to address the barriers to treatment engagement and the application of this strategy to a special population—women of color and white women who are depressed and living on low incomes. The conceptual foundations of this intervention—ethnographic and motivational interviewing—as well as its key techniques and structure are reviewed. Finally, a case example description and promising pilot data demonstrate the usefulness of this strategy
Feasibility of measuring the Shapiro time delay over meter-scale distances
The time delay of light as it passes by a massive object, first calculated by
Shapiro in 1964, is a hallmark of the curvature of space-time. To date, all
measurements of the Shapiro time delay have been made over solar-system
distance scales. We show that the new generation of kilometer-scale laser
interferometers being constructed as gravitational wave detectors, in
particular Advanced LIGO, will in principle be sensitive enough to measure
variations in the Shapiro time delay produced by a suitably designed rotating
object placed near the laser beam. We show that such an apparatus is feasible
(though not easy) to construct, present an example design, and calculate the
signal that would be detectable by Advanced LIGO. This offers the first
opportunity to measure space-time curvature effects on a laboratory distance
scale.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures; v3 has updated instrumental noise curves plus a
few text edits; resubmitted to Classical and Quantum Gravit
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