Infinite impulse response modal filtering in visible adaptive optics

Diffraction limited resolution adaptive optics (AO) correction in visible wavelengths requires a high performance control. In this paper we investigate infinite impulse response filters that optimize the wavefront correction: we tested these algorithms through full numerical simulations of a single-conjugate AO system comprising an adaptive secondary mirror with 1127 actuators and a pyramid wavefront sensor (WFS). The actual practicability of the algorithms depends on both robustness and knowledge of the real system: errors in the system model may even worsen the performance. In particular we checked the robustness of the algorithms in different conditions, proving that the proposed method can reject both disturbance and calibration errors

Three-dimensional Dirac oscillator in a thermal bath

The thermal properties of the three-dimensional Dirac oscillator are considered. The canonical partition function is determined, and the high-temperature limit is assessed. The degeneracy of energy levels and their physical implications on the main thermodynamic functions are analyzed, revealing that these functions assume values greater than the one-dimensional case. So that at high temperatures, the limit value of the specific heat is three times bigger.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. Text improved, references added. Revised to match accepted version in Europhysics Letters

Synchronization of Kuramoto Oscillators in Scale-Free Networks

In this work, we study the synchronization of coupled phase oscillators on the underlying topology of scale-free networks. In particular, we assume that each network's component is an oscillator and that each interacts with the others following the Kuramoto model. We then study the onset of global phase synchronization and fully characterize the system's dynamics. We also found that the resynchronization time of a perturbed node decays as a power law of its connectivity, providing a simple analytical explanation to this interesting behavior.Comment: 7 pages and 4 eps figures, the text has been slightly modified and new references have been included. Final version to appear in Europhysics Letter

Transport properties of graphene quantum dots

In this work we present a theoretical study of transport properties of a double crossbar junction composed by segments of graphene ribbons with different widths forming a graphene quantum dot structure. The systems are described by a single-band tight binding Hamiltonian and the Green's function formalism using real space renormalization techniques. We show calculations of the local density of states, linear conductance and I-V characteristics. Our results depict a resonant behavior of the conductance in the quantum dot structures which can be controlled by changing geometrical parameters such as the nanoribbon segments widths and relative distance between them. By applying a gate voltage on determined regions of the structure, it is possible to modulate the transport response of the systems. We show that negative differential resistance can be obtained for low values of gate and bias voltages applied.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, accepted to Phys. Rev.

Expected Coalescence Rate of Double Neutron Stars for Ground Based Interferometers

In this paper we present new estimates of the coalescence rate of neutron star binaries in the local universe and we discuss its consequences for the first generations of ground based interferometers. Our approach based on both evolutionary and statistical methods gives a galactic merging rate of 1.7 10$^{-5}$ yr$^{-1}$, in the range of previous estimates 10$^{-6}$ - 10$^{-4}$ yr$^{-1}$. The local rate which includes the contribution of elliptical galaxies is two times higher, in the order of 3.4 10$^{-5}$ yr$^{-1}$. We predict one detection every 148 and 125 years with initial VIRGO and LIGO, and up to 6 events per year with their advanced configuration. Our recent detection rate estimates from investigations on VIRGO future improvements are quoted.Comment: talk given at the GWDAW9 (Annecy, 2004) to be published in CQ

Quark core formation in spinning-down pulsars

Pulsars spin-down due to magnetic torque reducing its radius and increasing the central energy density. Some pulsar which are born with central densities close to the critical value of quark deconfinement may undergo a phase transition and structural re-arrengement. This process may excite oscillation modes and emmit gravitational waves. We determine the rate of quark core formation in neutron stars using a realistic population synthesis code.Comment: Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Astronomy and Relativistic Astrophysics, to appear in IJMP