1,157 research outputs found
Imaging the Near Field
In an earlier paper we introduced the concept of the perfect lens which
focuses both near and far electromagnetic fields, hence attaining perfect
resolution. Here we consider refinements of the original prescription designed
to overcome the limitations of imperfect materials. In particular we show that
a multi-layer stack of positive and negative refractive media is less sensitive
to imperfections. It has the novel property of behaving like a fibre-optic
bundle but one that acts on the near field, not just the radiative component.
The effects of retardation are included and minimized by making the slabs
thinner. Absorption then dominates image resolution in the near-field. The
deleterious effects of absorption in the metal are reduced for thinner layers.Comment: RevTeX, (9 pages, 8 figures
Observational Cosmology in Macroscopic Gravity
We discuss the construction of cosmological models within the framework of
Macroscopic Gravity (MG), which is a theory that models the effects of
averaging the geometry of space-time on large scales. We find new exact
spatially homogeneous and isotropic FLRW solutions to the MG field equations,
and investigate large-scale perturbations around them. We find that any
inhomogeneous perturbations to the averaged geometry are severely restricted,
but that possible anisotropies in the correlation tensor can have dramatic
consequences for the measurement of distances. These calculations are a first
step within the MG approach toward developing averaged cosmological models to a
point where they can be used to interpret real cosmological data, and hence to
provide a working alternative to the "concordance" LCDM model.Comment: 22 page
A DC magnetic metamaterial
Electromagnetic metamaterials are a class of materials which have been
artificially structured on a subwavelength scale. They are currently the focus
of a great deal of interest because they allow access to previously
unrealisable properties like a negative refractive index. Most metamaterial
designs have so far been based on resonant elements, like split rings, and
research has concentrated on microwave frequencies and above. In this work, we
present the first experimental realisation of a non-resonant metamaterial
designed to operate at zero frequency. Our samples are based on a
recently-proposed template for an anisotropic magnetic metamaterial consisting
of an array of superconducting plates. Magnetometry experiments show a strong,
adjustable diamagnetic response when a field is applied perpendicular to the
plates. We have calculated the corresponding effective permeability, which
agrees well with theoretical predictions. Applications for this metamaterial
may include non-intrusive screening of weak DC magnetic fields.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure
Spectral fingerprinting for specific algal groups on sediments in situ: a new sensor
Currently it is still extremely difficult to adequately sample populations of microalgae on sediments for large-scale biomass determination. We have now devised a prototype of a new benthic sensor (BenthoFluor) for the quantitative and qualitative assessment of microphytobenthos populations in situ. This sensor enables a high spatial and temporal resolution and a rapid evaluation of the community structure and distribution. These determinations are based on the concept that five spectral excitation ranges can be used to differentiate groups of microalgae, in situ, within a few seconds. In addition, because sediments contain a lot of yellow substances, which can affect the fluorescence and optical differentiation of the algae, the device was equipped with a UV-LED for yellow substances correction. The device was calibrated against HPLC with cultures and tested in the field. Our real-time approach can be used to monitor algal assemblage composition on sediments and is an ideal tool for investigations on the large-scale spatial and temporal variation of algal populations in sediments. Apart from the differentiation of algal populations, the BenthoFluor allows instantaneous monitoring of the chlorophyll concentrations and determination of which algae are responsible for this on the uppermost surface of sediments in the field and in experimental set-ups
Charged Dilaton Black Holes with a Cosmological Constant
The properties of static spherically symmetric black holes, which are either
electrically or magnetically charged, and which are coupled to the dilaton in
the presence of a cosmological constant, are considered. It is shown that such
solutions do not exist if the cosmological constant is positive (in arbitrary
spacetime dimension >= 4). However, asymptotically anti-de Sitter black hole
solutions with a single horizon do exist if the cosmological constant is
negative. These solutions are studied numerically in four dimensions and the
thermodynamic properties of the solutions are derived. The extreme solutions
are found to have zero entropy and infinite temperature for all non-zero values
of the dilaton coupling constant.Comment: 12 pages, epsf, phyzzx, 4 in-text figures incl. (minor typos fixed, 1
reference added
The algicidal bacterium Kordia algicida shapes a natural plankton community
Plankton communities consist of complex microbial consortia that change over time. These fluctuations can be only partially explained by limiting resources. Biotic factors such as herbivores and pathogens also contribute to the control of algal blooms. Here we address the effects of algicidal bacteria on a natural plankton community in an indoor enclosure experiment. The algicidal bacteria, introduced into plankton taken directly from the North Sea during a diatom bloom, caused the rapid decline of the bloom-forming Chaetoceros socialis within only 1 day. The haptophyte Phaeocystis, in contrast, is resistant to the lytic bacteria and could benefit from the removal of the competitor, as indicated by an onset of a bloom in the treated enclosures. This cascading effect caused by the bacterial pathogen accelerated the succession of Phaeocystis, which bloomed with a delay of only several weeks in the in situ waters at Helgoland Roads in the North Sea. The algicidal bacteria can thus modulate the community within the limits of the abiotic and biotic conditions of the local environment. Implications of our findings for plankton ecosystem functioning are discussed. IMPORTANCE Plankton communities change on a seasonal basis in temperate systems, with distinct succession patterns; this is mainly due to algal species that have their optimal timing relative to environmental conditions. We know that bacterial populations are also instrumental in the decay and termination of phytoplankton blooms. Here, we describe algicidal bacteria as modulators of this important species succession. Upon treatment of a natural plankton consortium with an algicidal bacterium, we observed a strong shift in the phytoplankton community structure, compared to controls, resulting in formation of a succeeding Phaeocystis bloom. Blooms of this alga have a substantial impact on global biogeochemical and ecological cycles, as they are responsible for a substantial proportion of primary production during spring in the North Sea. We propose that one of the key factors influencing such community shifts may be algicidal bacteria
Direct measurement of diurnal polar motion by ring laser gyroscopes
We report the first direct measurements of the very small effect of forced
diurnal polar motion, successfully observed on three of our large ring lasers,
which now measure the instantaneous direction of Earth's rotation axis to a
precision of 1 part in 10^8 when averaged over a time interval of several
hours. Ring laser gyroscopes provide a new viable technique for directly and
continuously measuring the position of the instantaneous rotation axis of the
Earth and the amplitudes of the Oppolzer modes. In contrast, the space geodetic
techniques (VLBI, SLR, GPS, etc.) contain no information about the position of
the instantaneous axis of rotation of the Earth, but are sensitive to the
complete transformation matrix between the Earth-fixed and inertial reference
frame. Further improvements of gyroscopes will provide a powerful new tool for
studying the Earth's interior.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, agu2001.cl
Composite metamaterials with dual-band magnetic resonances in the terahertz frequency regime
Composite metamaterials(CMMs) combining a subwavelength metallic hole array
(i.e. one-layer fishnet structure) and an array of split-ring resonators(SRRs)
on the same board are fabricated with gold films on silicon wafer. Transmission
measurements of the CMMs in the terahertz range have been performed. Dual-band
magnetic resonances, namely, a LC resonance at 4.40 THz and an additional
magnetic resonance at 8.64 THz originating from the antiparallel current in
wire pairs in the CMMs are observed when the electrical field polarization of
the incident light is parallel to the gap of the component SRR. The numerical
simulations agree well with the experimental results and further clarify the
nature of the dual-band magnetic resonances.Comment: 4 figures, 14 page
Noise performance of magneto-inductive cables
Magneto-inductive (MI) waveguides are metamaterial structures based on periodic arrangements of inductively coupled resonant magnetic elements. They are of interest for power transfer, communications and sensing, and can be realised in a flexible cable format. Signal-to-noise ratio is extremely important in applications involving signals. Here, we present the first experimental measurements of the noise performance of metamaterial cables. We focus on an application involving radiofrequency signal transmission in internal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), where the subdivision of the metamaterial cable provides intrinsic patient safety. We consider MI cables suitable for use at 300 MHz during 1H MRI at 7 T, and find noise figures of 2.3â2.8âdB/m, together with losses of 3.0â3.9âdB/m, in good agreement with model calculations. These values are high compared to conventional cables, but become acceptable when (as here) the environment precludes the use of continuous conductors. To understand this behaviour, we present arguments for the fundamental performance limitations of these cables
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