Fluctuation superconductivity limited noise in a transition-edge sensor

In order to investigate the origin of the until now unaccounted excess noise and to minimize the uncontrollable phenomena at the transition in X-ray microcalorimeters we have developed superconducting transition-edge sensors into an edgeless geometry, the so-called Corbino disk (CorTES), with superconducting contacts in the centre and at the outer perimeter. The measured rms current noise and its spectral density can be modeled as resistance noise resulting from fluctuations near the equilibrium superconductor-normal metal boundaryComment: 9 pages, 4 figures.; Corrections to text and equations; replaced the affected figures. Added reference [12

Haptic pop-out in a hand sweep

Plaisier M, Bergmann Tiest WM, Kappers AML. Haptic pop-out in a hand sweep. Acta Psychologica. 2008;128(2):368-377

Haptic pop-out in a hand sweep

Plaisier M, Bergmann Tiest WM, Kappers AML. Haptic pop-out in a hand sweep. Acta Psychologica. 2008;128(2):368-377

Haptic search for spheres and cubes

If you have multiple objects in your pocket, some are easy to find among the other ones, for instance, when they differ much in material properties or shape. Information on which haptic features stand out among others is valuable for research into the haptic system in general, but also for haptic interface design. In this research we focussed on saliency of shape, by letting subjects search for cubes or spheres. Response times were measured as a function of the number of items. We found that search for a cube among spheres is more efficient than search for a sphere among cubes and that the dynamics of the sliding of the shapes along each other play an important role in haptic search

The role of item fixation in haptic search

Plaisier M, Kuling IA, Bergmann Tiest WM, Kappers AML. The role of item fixation in haptic search. In: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, ed. Third Joint EuroHaptics Conference and Symposium on Haptic Interfaces for Virtual Environment and Teleoperator Systems. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE; 2009: 417-421

Proportion of correct responses as a function of the probe condition. Error bars indicate standard errors.

<p>Proportion of correct responses as a function of the probe condition. Error bars indicate standard errors.</p