Dynamic behavior of driven interfaces in models with two absorbing states

We study the dynamics of an interface (active domain) between different absorbing regions in models with two absorbing states in one dimension; probabilistic cellular automata models and interacting monomer-dimer models. These models exhibit a continuous transition from an active phase into an absorbing phase, which belongs to the directed Ising (DI) universality class. In the active phase, the interface spreads ballistically into the absorbing regions and the interface width diverges linearly in time. Approaching the critical point, the spreading velocity of the interface vanishes algebraically with a DI critical exponent. Introducing a symmetry-breaking field $h$ that prefers one absorbing state over the other drives the interface to move asymmetrically toward the unpreferred absorbing region. In Monte Carlo simulations, we find that the spreading velocity of this driven interface shows a discontinuous jump at criticality. We explain that this unusual behavior is due to a finite relaxation time in the absorbing phase. The crossover behavior from the symmetric case (DI class) to the asymmetric case (directed percolation class) is also studied. We find the scaling dimension of the symmetry-breaking field $y_h = 1.21(5)$.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, Revte

Application of information theory to the design of line-scan imaging systems

Information theory is used to formulate a single figure of merit for assessing the performance of line scan imaging systems as a function of their spatial response (point spread function or modulation transfer function), sensitivity, sampling and quantization intervals, and the statistical properties of a random radiance field. Computational results for the information density and efficiency (i.e., the ratio of information density to data density) are intuitively satisfying and compare well with experimental and theoretical results obtained by earlier investigators concerned with the performance of TV systems

Aliased noise in radiometric measurements

The magnitude of aliased noise that degrades the accuracy of continuous reconstructions of discrete radiometric measurements was evaluated as a function of the spatial response and sampling intervals of the radiometer, and of the resolution of the reconstructed measurements. A Wiener spectrum, representative of a wide range of scenes, was used to characterize the radiance fluctuations

Scratching the Bose surface

This is a `News and Views' article discussing recent proposals for ground states of many boson systems which are neither superfluids nor Mott insulators.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Magnetic phenomena at and near nu =1/2 and 1/4: theory, experiment and interpretation

I show that the hamiltonian theory of Composite Fermions (CF) is capable of yielding a unified description in fair agreement with recent experiments on polarization P and relaxation rate 1/T_1 in quantum Hall states at filling nu = p/(2ps+1), at and near nu = 1/2 and 1/4, at zero and nonzero temperatures. I show how rotational invariance and two dimensionality can make the underlying interacting theory behave like a free one in a limited context.Comment: Latex 4 pages, 2 figure

Preliminary assessment of the microwave landing system requirements for STOL operations

The results of an investigation made to assess the Microwave Landing System (MLS) Requirements for use by civil STOL aircraft are described. The principal MLS characteristics investigated in the report were signal accuracy and volume of coverage. The study utilized a nonlinear six-degree-of-freedom digital simulation of a De Havilland Buffalo C-8A aircraft. Fully automatic control of timed curve flight down to touchdown was simulated. Selected MLS accuracy and coverage parameters for the azimuth, primary elevation, flare evelation and DME signals were varied. The resulting STOL aircraft system performance in following a representative curved flight path was statistically determined. Coverage requirements for STOL aircraft operating in the terminal area environment were also investigated