406 research outputs found
Statistical Properties of Strain and Rotation Tensors in Geodetic Network
This article deals with the characteristics of deformation of a body or a figure represented by discrete points of geodetic network. In each point of geodetic network kinematic quantities are considered normal strain, shear strain, and rotation. They are computed from strain and rotation tensors represented by displacement gradient matrix on the basis of known point displacement vector. Deformation analysis requires the appropriate treatment of kinematic quantities. Thus statistical properties of each quantity in a single point of geodetic network have to be known. Empirical results have shown that statistical properties are strongly related to the orientation in single point and local geometry of the geodetic network. Based on the known probability distribution of kinematic quantities the confidence areas for each quantity in a certain point can be defined. Based on this we can carry out appropriate statistical testing and decide whether the deformation of network in each point is statistically significant or not. On the other hand, we are able to ascertain the quality of the geometry of the geodetic network. The known characteristics of the probability distributions of two strain parameters and rotation in each point can serve as useful tools in the procedures of optimizing the geometry of the geodetic networks
A Scalable, Self-Analyzing Digital Locking System for use on Quantum Optics Experiments
Digital control of optics experiments has many advantages over analog control
systems, specifically in terms of scalability, cost, flexibility, and the
integration of system information into one location. We present a digital
control system, freely available for download online, specifically designed for
quantum optics experiments that allows for automatic and sequential re-locking
of optical components. We show how the inbuilt locking analysis tools,
including a white-noise network analyzer, can be used to help optimize
individual locks, and verify the long term stability of the digital system.
Finally, we present an example of the benefits of digital locking for quantum
optics by applying the code to a specific experiment used to characterize
optical Schrodinger cat states.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
Photon number discrimination without a photon counter and its application to reconstructing non-Gaussian states
The non-linearity of a conditional photon-counting measurement can be used to
`de-Gaussify' a Gaussian state of light. Here we present and experimentally
demonstrate a technique for photon number resolution using only homodyne
detection. We then apply this technique to inform a conditional measurement;
unambiguously reconstructing the statistics of the non-Gaussian one and two
photon subtracted squeezed vacuum states. Although our photon number
measurement relies on ensemble averages and cannot be used to prepare
non-Gaussian states of light, its high efficiency, photon number resolving
capabilities, and compatibility with the telecommunications band make it
suitable for quantum information tasks relying on the outcomes of mean values.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Theory section expanded in response to referee
comment
Micro-scale surface-patterning influences biofilm formation
The formation of biofilms on indwelling/implanted medical devices is a common problem. One of the approaches used to prevent biofilm formation on medical devices is to inhibit bacterial attachment by modification of the synthetic polymers used to fabricate the device. In this work, we assessed how micro-scale features (patterns) imprinted onto the surface of silicone elastomer similar to that used for medical applications influenced biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Patterns were transferred from a multi-patterned oxidized silicon-wafer master-template to silicone elastomer. Features consisted of bars, squares, and circles each extending 0.51 µm above the surface. Feature sizes ranged between 1.78 and 22.25 µm. Distances separating features ranged between 0.26 and 17.35 µm. Bacterial biofilm formation on discs cut from imprinted silicone elastomer was assessed by direct microscopic observation and quantified as the surface area covered by biofilm. Unpatterned silicone elastomer served as a control. Several of the micro-scale patterns imprinted into the silicone elastomer significantly reduced biofilm formation by each bacterium and interrupted biofilm continuity. Although there were differences in detail among strains, bacteria tended to attach in the area between features more than to the surface of the feature itself
Charged black holes: Wave equations for gravitational and electromagnetic perturbations
A pair of wave equations for the electromagnetic and gravitational
perturbations of the charged Kerr black hole are derived. The perturbed
Einstein-Maxwell equations in a new gauge are employed in the derivation. The
wave equations refer to the perturbed Maxwell spinor and to the shear
of a principal null direction of the Weyl curvature. The whole
construction rests on the tripod of three distinct derivatives of the first
curvature of a principal null direction.Comment: 12 pages, to appear in Ap.
Estudo da aplicação de estações totais para a determinação de deslocamentos relativos em laboratório
Photon-number discrimination without a photon counter and its application to reconstructing non-Gaussian states
The nonlinearity of a conditional photon-counting measurement can be used to "de-Gaussify" a Gaussian state of light. Here we present and experimentally demonstrate a technique for photon-number resolution using only homodyne detection. We then apply this technique to inform a conditional measurement, unambiguously reconstructing the statistics of the non-Gaussian one- and two-photon-subtracted squeezed vacuum states. Although our photon-number measurement relies on ensemble averages and cannot be used to prepare non-Gaussian states of light, its high efficiency, photon-number- resolving capabilities, and compatibility with the telecommunications band make it suitable for quantum-information tasks relying on the outcomes of mean values
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Engineering design of the National Spherical Torus Experiment
NSTX is a proof-of-principle experiment aimed at exploring the physics of the ``spherical torus'' (ST) configuration, which is predicted to exhibit more efficient magnetic confinement than conventional large aspect ratio tokamaks, amongst other advantages. The low aspect ratio (R/a, typically 1.2--2 in ST designs compared to 4--5 in conventional tokamaks) decreases the available cross sectional area through the center of the torus for toroidal and poloidal field coil conductors, vacuum vessel wall, plasma facing components, etc., thus increasing the need to deploy all components within the so-called ``center stack'' in the most efficient manner possible. Several unique design features have been developed for the NSTX center stack, and careful engineering of this region of the machine, utilizing materials up to their engineering allowables, has been key to meeting the desired objectives. The design and construction of the machine has been accomplished in a rapid and cost effective manner thanks to the availability of extensive facilities, a strong experience base from the TFTR era, and good cooperation between institutions
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National Strategic Challenges and the Role of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
The end of the Cold War was a water-shed event in history--an event that calls for re-evaluation of the basic assumptions and priorities of US national security that have gone essentially unchallenged for nearly 50 years. Central to this re-evaluation are the changing needs for federal Science and Technology (S and T) investment to underpin national and economic security and the role of the Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories in fulfilling those needs. The three nuclear weapons laboratories-Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and Sandia National Laboratory (SNL)-are major constituents of DOE`s national laboratory system. They helped win the Cold War, and will undoubtedly continue to support US security S and T requirements. This paper discusses of the role these three laboratories, and LLNL in particular, can play in supporting the nation`s S and T priorities. The paper also highlights some of the changes that are necessary for the laboratories to effectively support the national S and T and economic competitiveness agenda. These issues are important to DOE and laboratory managers responsible for the development of strategic direction and implementation plans
Second order gauge invariant gravitational perturbations of a Kerr black hole
We investigate higher than the first order gravitational perturbations in the
Newman-Penrose formalism. Equations for the Weyl scalar representing
outgoing gravitational radiation, can be uncoupled into a single wave equation
to any perturbative order. For second order perturbations about a Kerr black
hole, we prove the existence of a first and second order gauge (coordinates)
and tetrad invariant waveform, , by explicit construction. This
waveform is formed by the second order piece of plus a term, quadratic
in first order perturbations, chosen to make totally invariant and to
have the appropriate behavior in an asymptotically flat gauge.
fulfills a single wave equation of the form where is the same wave operator as for first order perturbations and is a
source term build up out of (known to this level) first order perturbations. We
discuss the issues of imposition of initial data to this equation, computation
of the energy and momentum radiated and wave extraction for direct comparison
with full numerical approaches to solve Einstein equations.Comment: 19 pages, REVTEX. Some misprints corrected and changes to improve
presentation. Version to appear in PR
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