3,102 research outputs found
Exact bidirectional X-wave solutions in fiber Bragg gratings
We find exact solutions describing bidirectional pulses propagating in fiber
Bragg gratings. They are derived by solving the coupled-mode theory equations
and are expressed in terms of products of modified Bessel functions with
algebraic functions. Depending on the values of the two free parameters the
general bidirectional X-wave solution can also take the form of a
unidirectional pulse. We analyze the symmetries and the asymptotic properties
of the solutions and also discuss about additional waveforms that are obtained
by interference of more than one solutions. Depending on their parameters such
pulses can create a sharp focus with high contrast
Master of Science
thesisGlass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites offer several advantages over welded steel plate connections when used in the connection of vertical joints between concrete wall panels. These advantages include resistance to corrosion, higher tensile strength, and ability to conform to uneven surfaces. In the present research, push-off tests and wall tests were carried out to understand the behavior of GFRP composite connections between concrete elements. Push-off tests were performed to understand direct shear transfer capability when using different concrete surface preparation methods. Wall tests were performed to understand the behavior of different GFRP composite connections under simulated seismic loads, or cyclic shear. Ultimately, the GFRP composite connections displayed little ductility, but demonstrated outstanding displacement and load capacity. Push-off tests were performed for a GFRP composite connection between two L-shaped concrete elements. Each of the six groups of surface preparation included three specimens each, resulting in eighteen push-off specimens. A compressive load at the top and bottom of the specimen introduced direct shear in the GFRP composite connections. Specimens with concrete surface preparation using only a high-pressure wash demonstrated superior load and displacement capacities. Wall tests were performed for GFRP composite connections between two concrete panels, with the connection only applied on one side of the joint. A lateral load was applied at the top of the wall pair, while restraining the horizontal movement at the base and the vertical movement of each panel, inducing shear in the connection. Tests from group one (using unidirectional lamina) included eight specimens and concluded that the use of application pressure and CFRP anchors significantly increased load, displacement, and shear capacity of the GFRP composite connection. Also, fewer layers and CFRP anchor use increased the amount of energy dissipated during simulated seismic loads. Tests from group two (using bidirectional lamina) included six specimens and concluded that the use of GFRP anchors significantly increased load, displacement, and shear capacity of the GFRP composite connection. Also, the use of epoxy-putty adhesive had a significant effect on the load capacity; and full seam coverage and GFRP anchor use increased the amount of energy dissipated during simulated seismic loads
Positive effective Q12 electrostrictive coefficient in perovskites
It is demonstrated that for classical perovskites such as BaTiO3, SrTiO3 and
PbTiO3 electrostrictive strain induced by an electric field may not obey
traditionally considered "extension along the field, contraction perpendicular
to it" behavior if a sample is cut obliquely to the cubic crystallographic
directions
Optimal configuration of microstructure in ferroelectric materials by stochastic optimization
An optimization procedure determining the ideal configuration at the
microstructural level of ferroelectric (FE) materials is applied to maximize
piezoelectricity. Piezoelectricity in ceramic FEs differ significantly from
that of single crystals because of the presence of crystallites (grains)
possessing crystallographic axes aligned imperfectly. The piezoelectric
properties of a polycrystalline (ceramic) FE is inextricably related to the
grain orientation distribution (texture). The set of combination of variables,
known as solution space, which dictates the texture of a ceramic is unlimited
and hence the choice of the optimal solution which maximizes the
piezoelectricity is complicated. Thus a stochastic global optimization combined
with homogenization is employed for the identification of the optimal granular
configuration of the FE ceramic microstructure with optimum piezoelectric
properties. The macroscopic equilibrium piezoelectric properties of
polycrystalline FE is calculated using mathematical homogenization at each
iteration step. The configuration of grains characterised by its orientations
at each iteration is generated using a randomly selected set of orientation
distribution parameters. Apparent enhancement of piezoelectric coefficient
is observed in an optimally oriented BaTiO single crystal. A
configuration of crystallites, simultaneously constraining the orientation
distribution of the c-axis (polar axis) while incorporating ab-plane
randomness, which would multiply the overall piezoelectricity in ceramic
BaTiO is also identified. The orientation distribution of the c-axes is
found to be a narrow Gaussian distribution centred around . The
piezoelectric coefficient in such a ceramic is found to be nearly three times
as that of the single crystal.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure
Profiling is Politically \u27Correct\u27: Agent-Based Modeling of Ethno-Political Conflict
A holy grail for military, diplomatic, and intelligence analysis is a valid set of software agent models that act as the desired ethno-political factions so that one can test the effects that may arise from alternative courses of action in different lands. This article enumerates the challenges of such a testbed and describes best-of-breed leader and follower profiling models implemented to improve the realism and validity of the agent. Realistic, \u27descriptive\u27 agents are contrasted to rational actor theory in terms of the different equilibria one would expect to emerge in conflict games. These predictions are examined in two real world cases (Iraq and SE Asia) where the agent models are subjected to validity tests and a policy experiment is then run. We conclude by arguing that substantial effort on game realism, best-of-breed social science models, and agent validation efforts is essential if analytic experiments are to effectively explore conflicts and alternative ways to influence outcomes. Such efforts are likely to improve behavioral game theory as well
Spatio-temporal vortex beams and angular momentum
We present a space-time generalization of the known spatial (monochromatic)
wave vortex beams carrying intrinsic orbital angular momentum (OAM) along the
propagation direction. Generic spatio-temporal vortex beams are polychromatic
and can carry intrinsic OAM at an arbitrary angle to the mean momentum.
Applying either (i) a transverse wave-vector shift or (ii) a Lorentz boost to a
monochromatic Bessel beam, we construct a family of either (i) time-diffracting
or (ii) non-diffracting spatio-temporal Bessel beams, which are exact solutions
of the Klein-Gordon wave equations. The proposed spatio-temporal OAM states are
able to describe either photon or electron vortex states (both relativistic and
nonrelativistic), and can find applications in particle collisions, optics of
moving media, quantum communications, and astrophysics.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.
The modalities of Iranian soft power: from cultural diplomacy to soft war
Through exploring Iran's public diplomacy at the international level, this article demonstrates how the Islamic Republic's motives should not only be contextualised within the oft-sensationalised, material or ‘hard’ aspects of its foreign policy, but also within the desire to project its cultural reach through ‘softer’ means. Iran's utilisation of culturally defined foreign policy objectives and actions demonstrates its understanding of soft power's potentialities. This article explores the ways in which Iran's public diplomacy is used to promote its soft power and craft its, at times, shifting image on the world stage
Modeling Factions for \u27Effects Based Operations\u27: Part II Behavioral Game Theory
Military, diplomatic, and intelligence analysts are increasingly interested in having a valid system of models that span the social sciences and interoperate so that one can determine the effects that may arise from alternative operations (courses of action) in different lands. Part I of this article concentrated on internal validity of the components of such a synthetic framework – a world diplomacy game as well as the agent architecture for modeling leaders and followers in different conflicts. But how valid are such model collections once they are integrated together and used out-of-sample (see Section 1)? Section 2 compares these realistic, descriptive agents to normative rational actor theory and offers equilibria insights for conflict games. Sections 3 and 4 offer two real world cases (Iraq and SE Asia) where the agent models are subjected to validity tests and an EBO experiment is then run for each case. We conclude by arguing that substantial effort on game realism, best-of-breed social science models, and agent validation efforts is essential if analytic experiments are to effectively explore conflicts and alternative ways to influence outcomes. Such efforts are likely to improve behavioral game theory as well
Modeling Factions for \u27Effects Based Operations\u27: Part I Leader and Follower Behaviors
This paper presents a synthetic approach for generating role playing simulation games intended to support analysts (and trainees) interested in testing alternative competing courses of action (operations) and discovering what effects they are likely to precipitate in potential ethno-political conflict situations. Simulated leaders and followers capable of playing these games are implemented in a cognitive modeling framework, called PMFserv, which covers value systems, personality and cultural factors, emotions, relationships, perception, stress/coping style and decision making. Of direct interest, as Sect. 1.1 explains, is mathematical representation and synthesis of best-of-breed behavioral science models within this framework to reduce dimensionality and to improve the realism and internal validity of the agent implementations. Sections 2 and 3 present this for leader profiling instruments and group membership decision-making, respectively. Section 4 serves as an existence proof that the framework has generated several training and analysis tools, and Sect. 5 concludes with lessons learned. Part II turns to the question of assessment of the synthesis and its usage in course of action studies
Quasiharmonic elastic constants corrected for deviatoric thermal stresses
The quasiharmonic approximation (QHA), in its simplest form also called the
statically constrained (SC) QHA, has been shown to be a straightforward method
to compute thermoelastic properties of crystals. Recently we showed that for
non-cubic solids SC-QHA calculations develop deviatoric thermal stresses at
high temperatures. Relaxation of these stresses leads to a series of
corrections to the free energy that may be taken to any desired order, up to
self-consistency. Here we show how to correct the elastic constants obtained
using the SC-QHA. We exemplify the procedure by correcting to first order the
elastic constants of MgSiO-perovskite and MgSiO-post-perovskite, the
major phases of the Earth's lower mantle. We show that this first order
correction is quite satisfactory for obtaining the aggregated elastic averages
of these minerals and their velocities in the lower mantle. This type of
correction is also shown to be applicable to experimental measurements of
elastic constants in situations where deviatoric stresses can develop, such as
in diamond anvil cells.Comment: 4 figures, 1 table, submitted to Phys. Rev. B, July 200
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