1,571 research outputs found
Comparison of stray-light and diffraction-caused crosstalk in free-space optical interconnects
In this paper we investigate for the first time the effect of the crosstalk introduced due to laser beam imaging in a free-space optical interconnect (FSOI) system. Due to the overfill of the transmitter microlens array by the vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) beam, one part of the signal is imaged by the adjacent microlens to another channel, possibly far from the intended one. Even though this causes increase in interchannel and intersymbol interference, to our knowledge this issue has been neglected so far. The numerical simulation has been performed using a combination of exact ray tracing and the beam propagation methods. The results show that some characteristics of stray-light crosstalk are similar to that of diffraction-caused crosstalk, where it is strongly dependent on the fill factor of the microlens, array pitch, and the channel density of the system. Despite the similarities, the stray-light crosstalk does not affect by an increase in the interconnection distance. As simulation models for optical crosstalk are numerically intensive, we propose here a crosstalk behavioural model as a useful tool for optimisation and design of FSOIs. We show that this simple model compares favourably with the numerical simulation models
Radial Columns in Cortical Architecture: It Is the Composition That Counts
The function of any brain structure depends on its neuronal composition and on the pattern of its extrinsic and intrinsic excitatory and inhibitory synaptic connectivity. In this issue of Cerebral Cortex, 3 related papers provide the most comprehensive analysis to date of the cellular and synaptic relationships of a standard cortical column in the somatosensory cortex of the Wistar rat. It is hoped that understanding normal composition of this archetypical cortical column may help to explain its functional operations, expose subtle pathological changes that could cause abnormal sensory and cognitive functions, and provide insight into evolution of the cerebral cortex
The Effect of the Higher Order Modes on the Optical Crosstalk in Free-Space Optical Interconnect
In this paper we investigate the effect of the crosstalk introduced due to laser beam imaging in a free-space optical interconnect (FSOI) system. Due to the overfill of the transmitter microlens array by the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) beam, one part of the signal is imaged by the adjacent microlens to another channel, possibly far from the intended one. Furthermore, it is known that in practice, VCSELs tend to operate in several transverse modes simultaneously. This will cause even more increase in the interchannel and intersymbol interference, to our knowledge this issue has been neglected so far. The numerical simulation has been performed using a combination of exact ray tracing and the beam propagation methods. The results show that the stray-light crosstalk will increase significantly with either greater system density or higher order modes. The diffraction-caused crosstalk is mainly affected primarily by interconnection distance, channel density
The mechanism of caesium intercalation of graphene
Properties of many layered materials, including copper- and iron-based
superconductors, topological insulators, graphite and epitaxial graphene can be
manipulated by inclusion of different atomic and molecular species between the
layers via a process known as intercalation. For example, intercalation in
graphite can lead to superconductivity and is crucial in the working cycle of
modern batteries and supercapacitors. Intercalation involves complex diffusion
processes along and across the layers, but the microscopic mechanisms and
dynamics of these processes are not well understood. Here we report on a novel
mechanism for intercalation and entrapment of alkali-atoms under epitaxial
graphene. We find that the intercalation is adjusted by the van der Waals
interaction, with the dynamics governed by defects anchored to graphene
wrinkles. Our findings are relevant for the future design and application of
graphene-based nano-structures. Similar mechanisms can also play a role for
intercalation of layered materials.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures in published form, supplementary information
availabl
Sustainable cooling method for machining titanium alloy
Hard to machine materials such as Titanium Alloy TI-6AI-4V Grade 5 are notoriously known to generate high temperatures and adverse reactions between the workpiece and the tool tip materials. These conditions all contribute to an increase in the wear mechanisms, reducing tool life. Titanium Alloy, for example always requires coolant to be used during machining. However, traditional flood cooling needs to be replaced due to environmental issues, and an alternative cooling method found that has minimum impact on the environment. For true sustainable cooling of the tool it is necessary to account for all energy used in the cooling process, including the energy involved in producing the coolant. Previous research has established that efficient cooling of the tool interface improves the tool life and cutting action. The objective of this research is to determine the most appropriate sustainable cooling method that can also reduce the rate of wear at the tool interface
Spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry of AGN: from observations to modelling
Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are one of the most luminous objects in the
Universe, emitting powerful continuum and line emission across all wavelength
bands. They represent an important link in the investigations of the galaxy
evolution and cosmology. The resolving of the AGN inner structure is still a
difficult task with current instruments, therefore the spectroscopy and
spectropolarimetry are crucial tools to investigate these objects and their
components, such as the properties of the supermassive black hole, the broad
line region, and the dusty torus. In this review, we present the results of the
project "Astrophysical spectroscopy of extragalactic objects", from the
observations, data processing and analysis, to the modelling of different
regions in AGN.Comment: Proceedings of the Serbian Astronomical Conference 201
A flare in the optical spotted in the changing-look Seyfert NGC 3516
We present observations from the short-term intensive optical campaign (from
Sep2019 to Jan2020) of the changing-look Seyfert NGC 3516. This active galactic
nucleus is known to have strong optical variability and has changed its type in
the past. It has been in the low-activity state in the optical since 2013, with
some rebrightening from the end of 2015 to the beginning of 2016, after which
it remained dormant. We aim to study the photometric and spectral variability
of NGC 3516 from the new observations in U- and B-bands and examine the
profiles of the optical broad emission lines in order to demonstrate that this
object may be entering a new state of activity. NGC 3516 has been monitored
intensively for the past 4 months with an automated telescope in U and B
filters, enabling accurate photometry of 0.01 precision. Spectral observations
were triggered when an increase in brightness was spotted. We support our
analysis of past-episodes of violent variability with the UV and X-ray
long-term light curves constructed from the archival Swift data. An increase of
the photometric magnitude is seen in both U and B filters to a maximum
amplitude of 0.25mag and 0.1 mag, respectively. During the flare, we observe
stronger forbidden high-ionization iron lines than reported before, as well as
the complex broad Ha and Hb lines. This is especially seen in Ha which appears
to be double-peaked. It seems that a very broad component of ~10,000 km/s in
width in the Balmer lines is appearing. The trends in the optical, UV, and
X-ray light curves are similar, with the amplitudes of variability being
significantly larger in the case of UV and X-ray bands. The increase of the
continuum emission, the variability of the coronal lines, and the very broad
component in the Balmer lines may indicate that the AGN of NGC 3516 is finally
leaving the low-activity state in which it has been for the last ~3 years.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, accepted in A&A (corrected after receiving
comments from the language editor
Modeling the optical constants of solids using acceptance-probability-controlled simulated annealing with an adaptive move generation procedure
The acceptance-probability-controlled simulated annealing with an adaptive move generation procedure, an optimization technique derived from the simulated annealing algorithm, is presented. The adaptive move generation procedure was compared against the random move generation procedure on seven multiminima test functions, as well as on the synthetic data, resembling the optical constants of a metal. In all cases the algorithm proved to have faster convergence and superior escaping from local minima. This algorithm was then applied to fit the model dielectric function to data for platinum and aluminum
- …