445 research outputs found
Methodology for Implementing Fracture Mechanics in Global Structural Design of Aircraft
The analysis and design criteria of fracture mechanics are investigated for implementation with the Automated Structural Optimization System (ASTROS) global optimization design tool. The main focus is the optimal design of aircraft wing panels by applying fracture mechanics design criteria within the global finite element model. This effort consists of four main phases: investigation of fracture mechanics analysis methods and design criteria, formulation of a computational technique for damage tolerance design consistent with global optimization requirements, integration of the technique into the ASTROS design tool, and demonstration of the results
Karyotype analysis and sex determination in Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami)
Sexual differentiation across taxa may be due to genetic sex determination (GSD) and/or temperature sex determination (TSD). In many mammals, males are heterogametic (XY); whereas females are homogametic (XX). In most birds, the opposite is the case with females being heterogametic (ZW) and males the homogametic sex (ZZ). Many reptile spe- cies lack sex chromosomes, and instead, sexual differentiation is influenced by temperature with specific temperatures promoting males or females varying across species possessing this form of sexual differentiation, although TSD has recently been shown to override GSD in Australian central beaded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). There has been speculation that Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami) exhibit TSD alone and/or in combination with GSD. Thus, we sought to determine if this species possesses sex chromosomes. Blood was collected from one sexually mature female and two sexually mature males residing at Sylvan Heights Bird Park (SHBP) and shipped for karyotype analysis. Karyotype analysis revealed that contrary to speculation, Australian Brush-turkeys possess the classic avian ZW/ZZ sex chromosomes. It remains a possibility that a biased primary sex ratio of Austra- lian Brush-turkeys might be influenced by maternal condition prior to ovulation that result in her laying predominantly Z- or W-bearing eggs and/or sex-biased mortality due to higher sensitivity of one sex in environmental conditions. A better understanding of how maternal and extrinsic factors might differentially modulate ovulation of Z- or W-bearing eggs and hatching of developing chicks possessing ZW or ZZ sex chromosomes could be essential in conservation strategies used to save endangered members of Megapodiidae
Numerical Modeling of Radiation-Dominated and QED-Strong Regimes of Laser-Plasma Interaction
Ultra-strong laser pulses can be so intense that an electron in the focused
beam loses significant energy due to gamma-photon emission while its motion
deviates via the radiation back-reaction. Numerical methods and tools designed
to simulate radiation-dominated and QED-strong laser-plasma interactions are
summarized here.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure
Multiple colliding electromagnetic pulses: a way to lower the threshold of pair production from vacuum
The scheme of simultaneous multiple pulse focusing on one spot naturally
arises from the structural features of projected new laser systems, such as ELI
and HiPER. It is shown that the multiple pulse configuration is beneficial for
observing pair production from vacuum under the action of sufficiently
strong electromagnetic fields. The field of the focused pulses is described
using a realistic three-dimensional model based on an exact solution of the
Maxwell equations. The pair production threshold in terms of
electromagnetic field energy can be substantially lowered if, instead of one or
even two colliding pulses, multiple pulses focused on one spot are used. The
multiple pulse interaction geometry gives rise to subwavelength field features
in the focal region. These features result in the production of extremely short
bunches.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
Characterization of flowing liquid films as a regenerating plasma mirror for high repetition-rate laser contrast enhancement
In this paper, we characterize a high repetition-rate regenerating plasma mirror produced by the thin film of liquid formed when two laminar streams collide. The use of a flowing liquid film is inexpensive and the interaction surface refreshes automatically, avoiding buildup of on-target debris. The composition of the liquid material and the relative angle of the film-generating nozzles was optimized for this application. Spectra measured in reflection from a water-based plasma mirror showed a blue shift but an optical reflectivity of up to 30%. The thickness of the film was found to be of the order of 2 m, and the stability of the reflected spot was mrad. The reflected beam profile was highly distorted but stable. Further optimization of the nozzles to affect the fluid flow should enable significant improvements in control of the fluid films and increase in the reflectivity of these mirrors
Updated Report Acceleration of Polarized Protons to 120-150 GeV/c at Fermilab
The SPIN@FERMI collaboration has updated its 1991-95 Reports on the
acceleration of polarized protons in Fermilab's Main Injector, which was
commissioned by Fermilab. This Updated Report summarizes some updated Physics
Goals for a 120-150 GeV/c polarized proton beam. It also contains an updated
discussion of the Modifications and Hardware needed for a polarized beam in the
Main Injector, along with an updated Schedule and Budget.Comment: 30 pages, 12 figure
High repetition-rate neutron generation by several-mJ, 35 fs pulses interacting with free-flowing D2O
Using several-mJ energy pulses from a high-repetition rate (1/2 kHz), ultrashort (35 fs) pulsed laser interacting with a 10 lm diameter stream of free-flowing heavy water (D2O), we demonstrate a 2.45 MeV neutron flux of 105/s. Operating at high intensity (of order 1019W/cm2), laser pulse energy is efficiently absorbed in the pre-plasma, generating energetic deuterons. These collide with deuterium nuclei in both the bulk target and the large volume of low density D2O vapor surrounding the target to generate neutrons through dðd; nÞ3 He reactions. The neutron flux, as measured by a calibrated neutron bubble detector, increases as the laser pulse energy is increased from 6 mJ to 12 mJ. A quantitative comparison between the measured flux and the results derived from 2D-particle-in-cell simulations shows comparable neutron fluxes for laser characteristics similar to the experiment. The simulations reveal that there are two groups of deuterons. Forward moving deuterons generate deuterium–deuterium fusion reactions in the D2O stream and act as a point source of neutrons, while backward moving deuterons propagate through the low-density D2O vapor filled chamber and yield a volumetric source of neutrons
Muon pair creation from positronium in a circularly polarized laser field
We study elementary particle reactions that result from the interaction of an
atomic system with a very intense laser wave of circular polarization. As a
specific example, we calculate the rate for the laser-driven reaction , where the electron and positron originate from a positronium
atom or, alternatively, from a nonrelativistic plasma. We distinguish
accordingly between the coherent and incoherent channels of the process. Apart
from numerical calculations, we derive by analytical means compact formulas for
the corresponding reaction rates. The rate for the coherent channel in a laser
field of circular polarization is shown to be damped because of the destructive
interference of the partial waves that constitute the positronium ground-state
wave packet. Conditions for the observation of the process via the dominant
incoherent channel in a circularly polarized field are pointed out
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