Probing the excitation spectrum of nonresonantly pumped polariton condensates

We propose a four wave mixing experiment to probe the elementary excitation spectrum of a non-equilibrium Bose-Einstein condensate of exciton-polaritons under non-resonant pumping. Analytical calculations based on mean-field theory show that this method is able to reveal the characteristic negative energy feature of the Bogoliubov dispersion. Numerical simulations including the finite spatial profile of the excitation laser spot and a weak disorder confirm the practical utility of the method for realistic condensates.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Wave function Monte Carlo method for polariton condensates

We present a quantum jump approach to describe coupled quantum and classical systems in the context of Bose-Einstein condensation in the solid state. In our formalism, the excitonic gain medium is described by classical rate equations, while the polariton modes are described fully quantum mechanically. We show the equivalence of our method with a master equation approach. As an application, we compute the linewidth of a single mode polariton condensate. Both the line broadening due to the interactions between polaritons and the interactions with the reservoir excitons is taken into account.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure

From single particle to superfuid excitations in a dissipative polariton gas

Using angle-resolved heterodyne four-wave-mixing technique, we probe the low momentum excitation spectrum of a coherent polariton gas. The experimental results are well captured by the Bogoliubov transformation which describes the transition from single particle excitations of a normal fluid to sound-wave-like excitations of a superfluid. In a dense coherent polariton gas, we find all the characteristics of a Bogoliubov transformation, i.e. the positive and negative energy branch with respect to the polariton gas energy at rest, sound-wave-like shapes for the excitations dispersion, intensity and linewidth ratio between the two branches in agreement with the theory. The influence of the non-equilibrium character of the polariton gas is shown by a careful analysis of its dispersion.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Identification and in vivo characterization of a brain-penetrating nanobody

BACKGROUND: Preclinical models to determine blood to brain transport ability of therapeutics are often ambiguous. In this study a method is developed that relies on CNS target-engagement and is able to rank brain-penetrating capacities. This method led to the discovery of an anti-transferrin receptor nanobody that is able to deliver a biologically active peptide to the brain via receptor-mediated transcytosis. METHODS: Various nanobodies against the mouse transferrin receptor were fused to neurotensin and injected peripherally in mice. Neurotensin is a neuropeptide that causes hypothermia when present in the brain but is unable to reach the brain from the periphery. Continuous body temperature measurements were used as a readout for brain penetration of nanobody-neurotensin fusions after its peripheral administration. Full temperature curves were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with Dunnett multiple comparisons tests. RESULTS: One anti-transferrin receptor nanobody coupled to neurotensin elicited a drop in body temperature following intravenous injection. Epitope binning indicated that this nanobody bound a distinct transferrin receptor epitope compared to the non-crossing nanobodies. This brain-penetrating nanobody was used to characterize the in vivo hypothermia model. The hypothermic effect caused by neurotensin is dose-dependent and could be used to directly compare peripheral administration routes and various nanobodies in terms of brain exposure. CONCLUSION: This method led to the discovery of an anti-transferrin receptor nanobody that can reach the brain via receptor-mediated transcytosis after peripheral administration. This method could be used to assess novel proteins for brain-penetrating capabilities using a target-engaging readout

Relation between convective rainfall properties and antecedent soil moisture heterogeneity conditions in North Africa

Recent observational studies have demonstrated the relevance of soil moisture heterogeneity and the associated thermally-induced circulation on deep convection and rainfall triggering. However, whether this dynamical mechanism further influences rainfall propertiessuch as rain volume or timinghas yet to be confirmed by observational data. Here, we analyze 10 years of satellite-based sub-daily soil moisture and precipitation records and explore the potential of strong spatial gradients in morning soil moisture to influence the properties of afternoon rainfall in the North African region, at the 100-km scale. We find that the convective rain systems that form over locally drier soils and anomalously strong soil moisture gradients have a tendency to initiate earlier in the afternoon; they also yield lower volumes of rain, weaker intensity and lower spatial variability. The strongest sensitivity to antecedent soil conditions is identified for the timing of the rain onset; it is found to be correlated with the magnitude of the soil moisture gradient. Further analysis shows that the early initiation of rainfall over dry soils and strong surface gradients yet requires the presence of a very moist boundary layer on that day. Our findings agree well with the expected effects of thermally-induced circulation on rainfall properties suggested by theoretical studies and point to the potential of locally drier and heterogeneous soils to influence convective rainfall development. The systematic nature of the identified effect of soil moisture state on the onset time of rainstorms in the region is of particular relevance and may help foster research on rainfall predictability

Power cable joint model : based on lumped components and cascaded transmission line approach

Models in high frequency range for underground power cable connections are essential for the interpretation of partial discharge (PD) signals arising e.g. diagnostic techniques. This paper focuses on modeling of power cable joints. A lumped parameter odel and a cascaded transmission line model are proposed based on scattering parameters (S -parameters) measurement on a 10 kV oil-filled PILC-PILC straight cable joint in the frequency range of 300 kHz-800 MHz. It is shown that the lumped model is suitable for up to 10 MHz while the transmission line model can cover the whole frequency range. The cascaded transmission line model is applied to simulate the reflection on a 150 kV single core XLPE straight joint. Comparison between measurement and simulation indicates that the model parameters (characteristic impedance and propagation coefficient) can be matched to predict the joint’s propagation characteristics

Detection limitation of high frequency signal travelling along underground power cable

The detection of the high frequency signal propagating along underground power cables is part of many monitoring techniques, e.g. partial discharge (PD) based diagnostics. On one hand, higher frequency corresponds to better spatial resolution, which means more accurate PD location. On the other hand, signal attenuation increases with frequency. Apart from the signal itself, noise level and detection equipment also play a role in the signal detection process. This paper focuses on the detection limitation of high frequency components in PD signals travelling along an underground power cable considering effects of signal attenuation, noise level and applied equipment. The attenuation coefficient is based on measurements from 10kV three-core XLPE cables. Though the attenuation coefficients for other types of cables differ, the measured value for this particular cable provides a practical parameter value, and it can be altered to match other cable types. The detected analog signal is digitized through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and may be averaged before being digitally stored. In addition, an amplifier and/or filter can be applied before the analog to digital (AD) conversion. The vertical resolution and the vertical sensitivity of the ADC are crucial for signal detection. Effect of noise is considered in this paper by analyzing Gaussian noise and typical noise characteristics obtained from field measured. Sinusoidal wave and Gaussian pulse shapes are applied as input signals for the cable. Firstly, the relationship between maximum cable length and detectable frequency components for a specific set of detection equipment conditions is analyzed without averaging. This is the limitation from ADC. Secondly, the merits and limits of averaging are studied. The required averaging time for different frequencies as a function of PD signal propagation length is studied. Finally, the effect of averaging and analog filtering is demonstrated with test measurements

Reversible catastrophic oxidation of a 38Fe-34Ni-25Cr alloy induced by sodium sulphate at low oxygen potential atmospheres

International audienceThe chromia-forming nickel-based alloy Haynes (R) HR-120 was oxidised with and without Na2SO4 deposit in a CO/H-2/CO2 (45/45/10%vol.) simulated process atmosphere at 900 degrees C for 96 h. During the first hours of oxidation, samples covered by sodium sulphate exhibit higher oxidation rate than non-covered ones. However, after 24 h both sulphate-covered and uncovered specimens follow the same linear kinetics. In this very low oxygen partial pressure environment (10(-18) atm), the presence of Na2SO4 promotes the growth of localized iron-rich oxide nodules leading to the observed accelerated oxidation. The development of these nodules is discussed to be the result of the chromia dissolution induced by a basic fluxing mechanism. As soon as the salt is evaporated, slower kinetics are observed and the nodules disappear. In these specific conditions, the oxidation could be considered as a self-healing process