Optimisation of dynamic, hybrid signal function networks

Functional Reactive Programming (FRP) is an approach to reactive programming where systems are structured as networks of functions operating on signals. FRP is based on the synchronous data-flow paradigm and supports both continuous-time and discrete-time signals (hybrid systems). What sets FRP apart from most other languages for similar applications is its support for systems with dynamic structure and for higher-order data-flow constructs. This raises a range of implementation challenges. This paper contributes towards advancing the state of the art of FRP implementation by studying the notion of signal change and change propagation in a setting of hybrid signal function networks with dynamic structure. To sidestep some problems of certain previous FRP implementations that are structured using arrows, we suggest working with a notion of composable, multi-input and multi-output signal functions. A clear conceptual distinction is also made between continuous-time and discrete-time signals. We then show how establishing change-related properties of the signal functions in a network allows such networks to be simplified (static optimisation) and can help reducing the amount of computation needed for executing the networks (dynamic optimisation). Interestingly, distinguishing between continuous-time and discrete-time signals allows us to characterise the change-related properties of signal functions more precisely than what we otherwise would have been able to, which is helpful for optimisation

Quantum-dot thermometry

We present a method for the measurement of a temperature differential across a single quantum dot that has transmission resonances that are separated in energy by much more than the thermal energy. We determine numerically that the method is accurate to within a few percent across a wide range of parameters. The proposed method measures the temperature of the electrons that enter the quantum dot and will be useful in experiments that aim to test theory which predicts quantum dots are highly-efficient thermoelectrics.Comment: 3 pages, 4 Figure

Electronic properties of graphene multilayers

We study the effects of disorder in the electronic properties of graphene multilayers, with special focus on the bilayer and the infinite stack. At low energies and long wavelengths, the electronic self-energies and density of states exhibit behavior with divergences near half-filling. As a consequence, the spectral functions and conductivities do not follow Landau's Fermi liquid theory. In particular, we show that the quasiparticle decay rate has a minimum as a function of energy, there is a universal minimum value for the in-plane conductivity of order e^2/h per plane and, unexpectedly, the c-axis conductivity is enhanced by disorder at low doping, leading to an enormous conductivity anisotropy at low temperatures.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure. Reference to exciting new ARPES results on graphite added (we thank A. Lanzara for sharing the paper prior to its publication

The Low-level Spectrum of the W3W_3 String

We investigate the spectrum of physical states in the $W_3$ string theory, up to level 2 for a multi-scalar string, and up to level 4 for the two-scalar string. The (open) $W_3$ string has a photon as its only massless state. By using screening charges to study the null physical states in the two-scalar $W_3$ string, we are able to learn about the gauge symmetries of the states in the multi-scalar $W_3$ string.Comment: 31 pages, Plain Tex, CTP TAMU-70/92, Goteborg ITP 92-43, Imperial/TP/91-92/22, KCL-TH-92-

Levitated droplet dye laser

We present the first observation, to our knowledge, of lasing from a levitated, dye droplet. The levitated droplets are created by computer controlled pico-liter dispensing into one of the nodes of a standing ultrasonic wave (100 kHz), where the droplet is trapped. The free hanging droplet forms a high quality optical resonator. Our 750 nL lasing droplets consist of Rhodamine 6G dissolved in ethylene glycol, at a concentration of 0.02 M. The droplets are optically pumped at 532 nm light from a pulsed, frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser, and the dye laser emission is analyzed by a fixed grating spectrometer. With this setup we have achieved reproducible lasing spectra in the visible wavelength range from 610 nm to 650 nm. The levitated droplet technique has previously successfully been applied for a variety of bio-analytical applications at single cell level. In combination with the lasing droplets, the capability of this high precision setup has potential applications within highly sensitive intra-cavity absorbance detection.Comment: 6 pages including 3 figure

Correlation-induced conductance suppression at level degeneracy in a quantum dot

The large, level-dependent g-factors in an InSb nanowire quantum dot allow for the occurrence of a variety of level crossings in the dot. While we observe the standard conductance enhancement in the Coulomb blockade region for aligned levels with different spins due to the Kondo effect, a vanishing of the conductance is found at the alignment of levels with equal spins. This conductance suppression appears as a canyon cutting through the web of direct tunneling lines and an enclosed Coulomb blockade region. In the center of the Coulomb blockade region, we observe the predicted correlation-induced resonance, which now turns out to be part of a larger scenario. Our findings are supported by numerical and analytical calculations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Transmission through a biased graphene bilayer barrier

We study the electronic transmission through a graphene bilayer in the presence of an applied bias between layers. We consider different geometries involving interfaces between both a monolayer and a bilayer and between two bilayers. The applied bias opens a sizable gap in the spectrum inside the bilayer barrier region, thus leading to large changes in the transmission probability and electronic conductance that are controlled by the applied bias.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, extended versio

The diving beetles of the Kuril Archipelago in the Far East of Russia (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae).

Nach Literaturangaben sowie Untersuchungen von Museumsmaterial und Ausbeuten der in den letzten Jahren durchgeführten Expeditionen sind die Schwimmkäfer (Dytiscidae) auf den Kurilen im Nordwest-Pazifik mit 24 Arten vertreten. Über die 357 adulten und 50 larvalen Dytisciden, die während der gemeinsamen amerikanisch-japanisch-russischen Expedition 1994 und 1995 auf den südlichen und mittleren Kurilen gesammelt wurden, wird detailliert berichtet. Die folgenden fünf Arten werden erstmals für die Kurilen nachgewiesen: Hydroporus uenoi Nakane, Platambus pictipennis (Sharp), Agabus japonicus Sharp, Ilybius nakanei Nilsson, und Graphoderus zonatus (Hoppe). Die Zahl der auf den einzelnen Inseln festgestellten Arten lag zwischen 1 und 11; den höchsten Artenreichtum zeigen die größten Inseln auf beiden Seiten des Großen Kurilen-Kamms. Auf den südlichen Kurilen dominieren die ussurisch-japanischen Arten, die auch von Sakhalin und Hokkaido bekannt sind, während sich die Fauna der nördlichen Kurilen durch einen hohen Anteil holarktischer und paläarktischer Arten auszeichnet, die auch in Kamtschatka vorkommen.The species of predaceous diving beetles (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae) ocurring in the Kuril Archipelago in the northwest Pacific are reviewed. Based on literature records, the study of museum collections, and material from recent expeditions 24 species are known from the archipelago. A detailed report is given on the 357 adult and 50 larval specimens collected in the South and Mid Kuril Islands by the joint American-Japanese-Russian expeditions in 1994 and 1995. The following five species are here recorded from the Kurils for the first time: Hydroporus uenoi Nakane, Platambus pictipennis (Sharp), Agabus japonicus Sharp, Ilybius nakanei Nilsson, and Graphoderus zonatus (Hoppe). The number of species recorded on individual islands ranged from 1 to 11, with the largest islands at either end of the Greater Kuril Ridge being the most diverse. The South Kurils are dominated by Ussurian-Japanese species known also from Sakhalin and Hokkaido, whereas the North Kuril fauna includes a high proportion of Holarctic or Palearctic species known also from Kamchatka

Development of a cometosheath at comet 67P/Churuyumov-Gerasimenko: A case study comparison of Rosetta observations

Context: The ionosphere of a comet is known to deflect the solar wind through mass loading, but the interaction is dependent on cometary activity. We investigate the details of this process at comet 67P using the Rosetta Ion Composition Analyzer. Aims: This study aims to compare the interaction of the solar wind and cometary ions during two different time periods in the Rosetta mission. Methods: We compared both the integrated ion moments (density, velocity, and momentum flux) and the velocity distribution functions for two days, four months apart. The velocity distribution functions were projected into a coordinate system dependent on the magnetic field direction and averaged over three hours. Results: The first case shows highly scattered H+ in both ion moments and velocity distribution function. The He2+ ions are somewhat scattered, but less so, and appear more like those of H2O+ pickup ions. The second case shows characteristic evidence of mass-loading, where the solar wind species are deflected, but the velocity distribution function is not significantly changed. Conclusions: The distributions of H+ in the first case, when compared to He2+ and H2O+ pickup ions, are indicative of a narrow cometosheath on the scale of the H+ gyroradius. Thus, He2+ and H2O+, with larger gyroradii, are largely able to pass through this cometosheath. An examination of the momentum flux tensor suggests that all species in the first case have a significant non-gyrotropic momentum flux component that is higher than that of the second mass-loaded case. Mass loading is not a sufficient explanation for the distribution functions and momentum flux tensor in the first case, and so we assume this is evidence of bow shock formation.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables, 2 video

Towards an eficient atomic frequency comb quantum memory

We present an efficient photon-echo experiment based on atomic frequency combs [Phys. Rev. A 79, 052329 (2009)]. Echoes containing an energy of up to 35% of that of the input pulse are observed in a Pr3+-doped Y2SiO5 crystal. This material allows for the precise spectral holeburning needed to make a sharp and highly absorbing comb structure. We compare our results with a simple theoretical model with satisfactory agreement. Our results show that atomic frequency combs has the potential for high-efficiency storage of single photons as required in future long-distance communication based on quantum repeaters.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure