31,433 research outputs found
A linear theory for control of non-linear stochastic systems
We address the role of noise and the issue of efficient computation in
stochastic optimal control problems. We consider a class of non-linear control
problems that can be formulated as a path integral and where the noise plays
the role of temperature. The path integral displays symmetry breaking and there
exist a critical noise value that separates regimes where optimal control
yields qualitatively different solutions. The path integral can be computed
efficiently by Monte Carlo integration or by Laplace approximation, and can
therefore be used to solve high dimensional stochastic control problems.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Accepted to PR
Semi-Classical Description of Antiproton Capture on Atomic Helium
A semi-classical, many-body atomic model incorporating a momentum-dependent
Heisenberg core to stabilize atomic electrons is used to study antiproton
capture on Helium. Details of the antiproton collisions leading to eventual
capture are presented, including the energy and angular momentum states of
incident antiprotons which result in capture via single or double electron
ionization, i.e. into [He or He], and the
distribution of energy and angular momentum states following the Auger cascade.
These final states are discussed in light of recently reported, anomalously
long-lived antiproton states observed in liquid He.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures may be obtained from authors, Revte
The effect of the quasar H1821+643 on the surrounding intracluster medium: revealing the underlying cooling flow
We present a detailed study of the thermodynamic properties of the
intracluster medium of the only low redshift galaxy cluster to contain a highly
luminous quasar, H1821+643. The cluster is a highly massive, strong cool core
cluster. We find that the ICM entropy around the quasar is significantly lower
than that of other similarly massive strong cool core clusters within the
central 80 kpc, and that the entropy lies significantly below the extrapolated
baseline entropy profile from hierarchical structure formation. By comparing
the scaled temperature profile with those of other strong cool core clusters of
similar total mass, we see that the entropy deficiency is due to the central
temperature being significantly lower. This suggests that the presence of the
quasar in the core of H1821+643 has had a dramatic cooling effect on the
intracluster medium around it. We find that, if the quasar was brighter in the
past, Compton cooling by radiation from the quasar may have caused the low
entropy and temperature levels in the ICM around the quasar. Curiously, the
gradients of the steep central temperature and entropy decline are in
reasonable agreement with the profiles expected for a constant pressure cooling
flow. It is possible that the system has been locked into a Compton cooled
feedback cycle which prevents energy release from the black hole heating the
gas sufficiently to switch it off, leading to the formation of a huge (~3x10^10
solar mass) supermassive black hole.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Results of the Mariner 6 and 7 Mars occultation experiments
Final profiles of temperature, pressure, and electron density on Mars were obtained for the Mariner 6 and 7 entry and exit cases, and results are presented for both the lower atmosphere and ionosphere. The results of an analysis of the systematic and formal errors introduced at each stage of the data-reduction process are also included. At all four occulation points, the lapse rate of temperature was subdadiabatic up to altitudes in excess of 20 km. A pronounced temperature inversion was present above the surface at the Mariner 6 exit point. All four profiles exhibit a sharp, superadiabatic drop in temperature at high altitudes, with temperatures falling below the frost point of CO2. These results give a strong indication of frozen CO2 in the middle atmosphere of Mars
Multi-mode photonic crystal fibers for VCSEL based data transmission
Quasi error-free 10 Gbit/s data transmission is demonstrated over a novel
type of 50 micron core diameter photonic crystal fiber with as much as 100 m
length. Combined with 850$ nm VCSEL sources, this fiber is an attractive
alternative to graded-index multi-mode fibers for datacom applications. A
comparison to numerical simulations suggests that the high bit-rate may be
partly explained by inter-modal diffusion.Comment: Accepted for Optics Expres
A comparison of single-cycle versus multiple-cycle proof testing strategies
An evaluation of single-cycle and multiple-cycle proof testing (MCPT) strategies for SSME components is described. Data for initial sizes and shapes of actual SSME hardware defects are analyzed statistically. Closed-form estimates of the J-integral for surface flaws are derived with a modified reference stress method. The results of load- and displacement-controlled stable crack growth tests on thin IN-718 plates with deep surface flaws are summarized. A J-resistance curve for the surface-cracked configuration is developed and compared with data from thick compact tension specimens. The potential for further crack growth during large unload/reload cycles is discussed, highlighting conflicting data in the literature. A simple model for ductile crack growth during MCPT based on the J-resistance curve is used to study the potential effects of key variables. The projected changes in the crack size distribution during MCPT depend on the interactions between several key parameters, including the number of proof cycles, the nature of the resistance curve, the initial crack size distribution, the component boundary conditions (load vs. displacement control), and the magnitude of the applied load or displacement. The relative advantages of single-cycle and multiple-cycle proof testing appear to be specific, therefore, to individual component geometry, material, and loading
Bidirectional communication between cumulus cells and the oocyte: old hands and new players?
Abstract not availableDarryl L. Russell, Robert B. Gilchrist, Hannah M. Browna, Jeremy G. Thompso
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