39,319 research outputs found
Can a time-stratigraphic classification system be developed for Venus?
Magellan radar images reveal that Venus' exposed geologic record covers a relatively short and recent time span, as indicated by the low density of impact craters across the planet. Therefore, because impact cratering in itself will not be a useful tool to define geologic ages on Venus, it was questioned whether a useful stratigraphic scheme can be developed for the planet. We believe that a venusian stratigraphy is possible and that it can be based on the following: (1) an examination of the rationale and methods that have been used to develop such schemes for the other planets; and (2) what can be gleaned from Magellan and other datasets of Venus
Martian sample sites: Examples based on a global geologic perspective
Ten areas were selected that each include several rock units of varying lithology and age. These areas were chosen to optimize the geologic and chronologic data return from Mars. Geologic mapping and stratigraphic studies identify stratigraphic ages, rock types, and information on Martian geologic history that samples of a given site may yield. Volcanic rocks occur over much of the planet and in virtually all stratigraphic positions, and they are amenable to radioisotopic dating. Therefore, a reasonable and essential goal for a sample return mission is to return datable rocks from widely varying strata. Generally, about three or four major geologic units can be sampled at any of the given sites, most of which can probably be dated. The Mars Observer mission will aid greatly in interpreting lithology and defining contacts at the high resolution required to actually pinpoint good sample acquisition sites within these areas
Free energy of cluster formation and a new scaling relation for the nucleation rate
Recent very large molecular dynamics simulations of homogeneous nucleation
with Lennard-Jones atoms [Diemand et al. J. Chem. Phys. {\bf
139}, 074309 (2013)] allow us to accurately determine the formation free energy
of clusters over a wide range of cluster sizes. This is now possible because
such large simulations allow for very precise measurements of the cluster size
distribution in the steady state nucleation regime. The peaks of the free
energy curves give critical cluster sizes, which agree well with independent
estimates based on the nucleation theorem. Using these results, we derive an
analytical formula and a new scaling relation for nucleation rates: is scaled by , where the supersaturation ratio is ,
is the dimensionless surface energy, and is a dimensionless
nucleation rate. This relation can be derived using the free energy of cluster
formation at equilibrium which corresponds to the surface energy required to
form the vapor-liquid interface. At low temperatures (below the triple point),
we find that the surface energy divided by that of the classical nucleation
theory does not depend on temperature, which leads to the scaling relation and
implies a constant, positive Tolman length equal to half of the mean
inter-particle separation in the liquid phase.Comment: 7 figure
Laboratory Experiment of Checkerboard Pupil Mask Coronagraph
We present the results of the first laboratory experiment of checkerboard
shaped pupil binary mask coronagraphs using visible light, in the context of
the R&D activities for future mid-infrared space missions such as the 3.5 m
SPICA telescope. The primary aim of this work is to demonstrate the
coronagraphic performance of checkerboard masks down to a
peak-to-peak contrast, which is required to detect self-luminous extra-solar
planets in the mid-infrared region. Two masks, consisting of aluminum films on
a glass substrates, were manufactured using nano-fabrication techniques with
electron beam lithography: one mask was optimized for a pupil with a 30%
central obstruction and the other was for a pupil without obstruction. The
theoretical contrast for both masks was and no adaptive optics system
was employed. For both masks, the observed point spread functions were quite
consistent with the theoretical ones. The average contrast measured within the
dark regions was and . The
coronagraphic performance significantly outperformed the requirement
and almost reached the theoretical limit determined by the mask designs. We
discuss the potential application of checkerboard masks for mid-infrared
coronagraphy, and conclude that binary masks are promising for future
high-contrast space telescopes.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure
Space charge and charge trapping characteristics of cross-linked polyethylene subjected to ac electric stresses
This paper reports on the result of space charge evolution in cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) planar samples of approximately 220 ?m thick. The space charge measurement technique used in this study is the PEA method. There are two phases to this experiment. In the first phase, the samples were subjected to dc 30 kVdc/mm and ac (sinusoidal) electric stress level of 30 kVpk/mm at frequencies of 1 Hz, 10 Hz and 50 Hz ac. In addition, ac space charge under 30 kVrms/mm and 60 kVpk/mm electric stress at 50 Hz was also investigated. The volts off results showed that the amount of charge trapped in XLPE sample under dc electric stress is significantly bigger than samples under ac stress even when the applied ac stresses are substantially higher. The second phase of the experiment involves studying the dc space charge evolution in samples that were tested under ac stress during the first phase of the experiment. Ac ageing causes positive charge to become more dominant over negative charge. It was also discovered that ac ageing creates deeper traps, particularly for negative charge. This paper also gave a brief overview of the data processing methods used to analyse space charge under ac electric stress
Detection of high k turbulence using two dimensional phase contrast imaging on LHD
High k turbulence, up to 30 cm(-1), can be measured using the two dimensional COā laser phase contrast imaging system on LHD. Recent hardware improvements and experimental results are presented. Precise control over the lens positions in the detection system is necessary because of the short depth of focus for high k modes. Remote controllable motors to move optical elements were installed, which, combined with measurements of the response to ultrasound injection, allowed experimental verification and shot-to-shot adjustment of the object plane. Strong high k signals are observed within the first 100-200 ms after the initial electron cyclotron heating (ECH) breakdown, in agreement with gyrotron scattering. During later times in the discharge, the entire k spectrum shifts to lower values (although the total amplitude does not change significantly), and the weaker high k signals are obscured by leakage of low k components at low frequency, and detector noise, at high frequency
Renormalization group approach to vibrational energy transfer in protein
Renormalization group method is applied to the study of vibrational energy
transfer in protein molecule. An effective Lagrangian and associated equations
of motion to describe the resonant energy transfer are analyzed in terms of the
first-order perturbative renormalization group theory that has been developed
as a unified tool for global asymptotic analysis. After the elimination of
singular terms associated with the Fermi resonance, amplitude equations to
describe the slow dynamics of vibrational energy transfer are derived, which
recover the result obtained by a technique developed in nonlinear optics [S.J.
Lade, Y.S. Kivshar, Phys. Lett. A 372 (2008) 1077].Comment: 11 page
DNA in nanopore-counterion condensation and coion depletion
Molecular dynamics simulations are used to study the equilibrium distribution
of monovalent ions in a nanopore connecting two water reservoirs separated by a
membrane, both for the empty pore and that with a single stranded DNA molecule
inside. In the presence of DNA, the counterions condense on the stretched
macromolecule effectively neutralizing it, and nearly complete depletion of
coions from the pore is observed. The implications of our results for
experiments on DNA translocation through alpha-hemolysin nanopores are
discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure
Non-Universal Critical Behaviour of Two-Dimensional Ising Systems
Two conditions are derived for Ising models to show non-universal critical
behaviour, namely conditions concerning 1) logarithmic singularity of the
specific heat and 2) degeneracy of the ground state. These conditions are
satisfied with the eight-vertex model, the Ashkin-Teller model, some Ising
models with short- or long-range interactions and even Ising systems without
the translational or the rotational invariance.Comment: 17 page
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