2,152 research outputs found
Studies of a Terawatt X-Ray Free-Electron Laser
The possibility of constructing terawatt (TW) x-ray free-electron lasers
(FELs) has been discussed using novel superconducting helical undulators [5].
In this paper, we consider the conditions necessary for achieving powers in
excess of 1 TW in a 1.5 {\AA} FEL using simulations with the MINERVA simulation
code [7]. Steady-state simulations have been conducted using a variety of
undulator and focusing configurations. In particular, strong focusing using
FODO lattices is compared with the natural, weak focusing inherent in helical
undulators. It is found that the most important requirement to reach TW powers
is extreme transverse compression of the electron beam in a strong FODO
lattice. The importance of extreme focusing of the electron beam in the
production of TW power levels means that the undulator is not the prime driver
for a TW FEL, and simulations are also described using planar undulators that
reach near-TW power levels. In addition, TW power levels can be reached using
pure self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) or with novel self-seeding
configurations when such extreme focusing of the electron beam is applied.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figure
Boundary effect on CDW: Friedel oscillations, STM image
We study the effect of open boundary condition on charge density waves (CDW).
The electron density oscillates rapidly close to the boundary, and additional
non-oscillating terms (~ln(r)) appear. The Friedel oscillations survive beyond
the CDW coherence length (v_F/Delta), but their amplitude gets heavily
suppressed. The scanning tunneling microscopy image (STM) of CDW shows clear
features of the boundary. The local tunneling conductance becomes asymmetric
with respect to the Fermi energy, and considerable amount of spectral weight is
transferred to the lower gap edge. Also it exhibits additional zeros reflecting
the influence of the boundary.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
Using ultra-short pulses to determine particle size and density distributions
We analyze the time dependent response of strongly scattering media (SSM) to
ultra-short pulses of light. A random walk technique is used to model the
optical scattering of ultra-short pulses of light propagating through media
with random shapes and various packing densities. The pulse spreading was found
to be strongly dependent on the average particle size, particle size
distribution, and the packing fraction. We also show that the intensity as a
function of time-delay can be used to analyze the particle size distribution
and packing fraction of an optically thick sample independently of the presence
of absorption features. Finally, we propose an all new way to measure the shape
of ultra-short pulses that have propagated through a SSM.Comment: 15 pages, 29 figures, accepted for publication in Optics Express will
update with full reference when it is availabl
Surface acoustic waves for acousto-optic modulation in buried silicon nitride waveguides
We theoretically investigate the use of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves
(SAWs) for refractive index modulation in optical waveguides consisting of
amorphous dielectrics. Considering low-loss SiN waveguides with a
standard core cross section of 4.40.03 m size, buried 8 m
deep in a SiO cladding we compare surface acoustic wave generation in
various different geometries via a piezo-active, lead zirconate titanate film
placed on top of the surface and driven via an interdigitized transducer (IDT).
Using numerical solutions of the acoustic and optical wave equations, we
determine the strain distribution of the SAW under resonant excitation. From
the overlap of the acoustic strain field with the optical mode field we
calculate and maximize the attainable amplitude of index modulation in the
waveguide. For the example of a near-infrared wavelength of 840 nm, a maximum
shift in relative effective refractive index of 0.7x10 was obtained for
TE polarized light, using an IDT period of 30 - 35 m, a film thickness of
2.5 - 3.5 m, and an IDT voltage of 10 V. For these parameters, the
resonant frequency is in the range 70 - 85 MHz. The maximum shift increases to
1.2x10, with a corresponding resonant frequency of 87 MHz, when the
height of the cladding above the core is reduced to 3 m. The relative
index change is about 300-times higher than in previous work based on
non-resonant proximity piezo-actuation, and the modulation frequency is about
200-times higher. Exploiting the maximum relative index change of
1.210 in a low-loss balanced Mach-Zehnder modulator should allow
full-contrast modulation in devices as short as 120 m (half-wave voltage
length product = 0.24 Vcm).Comment: 19 pages, 8 figure
Controlled Nanoparticle Formation by Diffusion Limited Coalescence
Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have a great application potential in science
and technology. Their functionality strongly depends on their size. We present
a theory for the size of NPs formed by precipitation of polymers into a bad
solvent in the presence of a stabilizing surfactant. The analytical theory is
based upon diffusion-limited coalescence kinetics of the polymers.
Two relevant time scales, a mixing and a coalescence time, are identified and
their ratio is shown to determine the final NP diameter. The size is found to
scale in a universal manner and is predominantly sensitive to the mixing time
and the polymer concentration if the surfactant concentration is sufficiently
high. The model predictions are in good agreement with experimental data. Hence
the theory provides a solid framework for tailoring nanoparticles with a priori
determined size.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Habitual physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with cerebral palsy
2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) are known to participate in reduced levels of total physical activity. There is no information available however, regarding levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in this population. Reduced participation in MVPA is associated with several cardiometabolic risk factors. The purpose of this study was firstly to compare levels of sedentary, light, MVPA and total activity in adults with CP to adults without CP. Secondly, the objective was to investigate the association between physical activity components, sedentary behavior and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with CP. Adults with CP (n = 41) age 18–62 yr (mean ± SD = 36.5 ± 12.5 yr), classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System level I (n = 13), II (n = 18) and III (n = 10) participated in this study. Physical activity was measured by accelerometry in adults with CP and in age- and sex-matched adults without CP over 7 days. Anthropometric indicators of obesity, blood pressure and several biomarkers of cardiometabolic disease were also measured in adults with CP. Adults with CP spent less time in light, moderate, vigorous and total activity, and more time in sedentary activity than adults without CP (p < 0.01 for all). Moderate physical activity was associated with waist-height ratio when adjusted for age and sex (β = −0.314, p < 0.05). When further adjustment was made for total activity, moderate activity was associated with waist-height ratio (β = −0.538, p < 0.05), waist circumference (β = −0.518, p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (β = −0.592, p < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (β = −0.636, p < 0.05). Sedentary activity was not associated with any risk factor. The findings provide evidence that relatively young adults with CP participate in reduced levels of MVPA and spend increased time in sedentary behavior, potentially increasing their risk of developing cardiometabolic disease
A gain-coefficient switched Alexandrite laser
We report on a gain-coefficient switched Alexandrite laser. An electro-optic
modulator is used to switch between high and low gain states by making use of
the polarization dependent gain of Alexandrite. In gain-coefficient switched
mode, the laser produces 85 ns pulses with a pulse energy of 240 mJ at a
repetition rate of 5 Hz.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
One-dimensional conduction in Charge-Density Wave nanowires
We report a systematic study of the transport properties of coupled
one-dimensional metallic chains as a function of the number of parallel chains.
When the number of parallel chains is less than 2000, the transport properties
show power-law behavior on temperature and voltage, characteristic for
one-dimensional systems.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let
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