4,411 research outputs found
A Deficiency Problem of the Least Squares Finite Element Method for Solving Radiative Transfer in Strongly Inhomogeneous Media
The accuracy and stability of the least squares finite element method (LSFEM)
and the Galerkin finite element method (GFEM) for solving radiative transfer in
homogeneous and inhomogeneous media are studied theoretically via a frequency
domain technique. The theoretical result confirms the traditional understanding
of the superior stability of the LSFEM as compared to the GFEM. However, it is
demonstrated numerically and proved theoretically that the LSFEM will suffer a
deficiency problem for solving radiative transfer in media with strong
inhomogeneity. This deficiency problem of the LSFEM will cause a severe
accuracy degradation, which compromises too much of the performance of the
LSFEM and makes it not a good choice to solve radiative transfer in strongly
inhomogeneous media. It is also theoretically proved that the LSFEM is
equivalent to a second order form of radiative transfer equation discretized by
the central difference scheme
Argon annealing of the oxygen-isotope exchanged manganite La_{0.8}Ca_{0.2}MnO_{3+y}
We have resolved a controversial issue concerning the oxygen-isotope shift of
the ferromagnetic transition temperature T_{C} in the manganite
La_{0.8}Ca_{0.2}MnO_{3+y}. We show that the giant oxygen-isotope shift of T_C
observed in the normal oxygen-isotope exchanged samples is indeed intrinsic,
while a much smaller shift observed in the argon annealed samples is an
artifact. The argon annealing causes the 18O sample to partially exchange back
to the 16O isotope due to a small 16O contamination in the Ar gas. Such a
contamination is commonly caused by the oxygen outgas that is trapped in the
tubes, connectors and valves. The present results thus umambiguously
demonstrate that the observed large oxygen isotope effect is an intrinsic
property of manganites, and places an important constraint on the basic physics
of these materials.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PR
On the Derivation of Vector Radiative Transfer Equation for Polarized Radiative Transport in Graded Index Media
Light transport in graded index media follows a curved trajectory determined
by the Fermat's principle. Besides the effect of variation of the refractive
index on the transport of radiative intensity, the curved ray trajectory will
induce geometrical effects on the transport of polarization ellipse. This paper
presents a complete derivation of vector radiative transfer equation for
polarized radiation transport in absorption, emission and scattering graded
index media. The derivation is based on the analysis of the conserved
quantities for polarized light transport along curved trajectory and a novel
approach. The obtained transfer equation can be considered as a generalization
of the classic vector radiative transfer equation that is only valid for
uniform refractive index media. Several variant forms of the transport equation
are also presented, which include the form for Stokes parameters defined with a
fixed reference and the Eulerian forms in the ray coordinate and in several
common orthogonal coordinate systems.Comment: This paper has been submitted to JQSR
Time--Distance Helioseismology Data Analysis Pipeline for Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager onboard Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO/HMI) and Its Initial Results
The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory
(SDO/HMI) provides continuous full-disk observations of solar oscillations. We
develop a data-analysis pipeline based on the time-distance helioseismology
method to measure acoustic travel times using HMI Doppler-shift observations,
and infer solar interior properties by inverting these measurements. The
pipeline is used for routine production of near-real-time full-disk maps of
subsurface wave-speed perturbations and horizontal flow velocities for depths
ranging from 0 to 20 Mm, every eight hours. In addition, Carrington synoptic
maps for the subsurface properties are made from these full-disk maps. The
pipeline can also be used for selected target areas and time periods. We
explain details of the pipeline organization and procedures, including
processing of the HMI Doppler observations, measurements of the travel times,
inversions, and constructions of the full-disk and synoptic maps. Some initial
results from the pipeline, including full-disk flow maps, sunspot subsurface
flow fields, and the interior rotation and meridional flow speeds, are
presented.Comment: Accepted by Solar Physics topical issue 'Solar Dynamics Observatory
Mastering Nano-Objects with Photoswitchable Molecules for Nanotechnology Applications
Advance in the fabrication of nano-objects becomes more important for the development of new nanodevices with local properties leading to new functional devices. In this direction, the assembly of nanometer-scaled building objects into device configurations and functionalization is a promising investigated research field in nanotechnology. Optical recording and photofabrication techniques that exploit changes in material properties have gained importance, and there is a requirement for a decrease of the dimensions of the recording and processing surfaces. Photochromic materials leading to submicron structures responding to stimuli and in particular light are the best materials that exhibit multifunctional behaviors. Photomechanical properties of azopolymers show the perfect performance in photoinduced nanopatterning and reshaping by tailored light fields. Azopolymer nanostructures are then recognized as an excellent choice for a broad range of fundamental and applied research in modern nanotechnology. This chapter shows how polymer nanofilms, nanotubes, nanospheres, or nanowires containing azobenzene can be controlled by light for new photonics applications. Spatially confined excitation of unidirectional motions could make possible the local control of mechanical properties of the material and its structuration. The unprecedented flexibility of the reported photofluidization lithography with this material allows producing well-defined structures as lines, ellipsoids, rectangles, and circles at azopolymer surface with several tenth nanometers structural features
Comparison of Volatile Compounds in Two Brandies Using HS-SPME Coupled with GC-O, GC-MS and Sensory Evaluation
The aim of this study was to compare the volatile compounds between Changyu XO and Hennessy XO. Sensoryevaluation was performed by a panel of tasters. Qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis was achieved byheadspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME), coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS)and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). A total of 160 volatile compounds were identified in the twobrands of brandy. Of these, 118 compounds were common to both Changyu XO and Hennessy XO; 18 compoundswere specific to Changyu XO and 24 were specific to Hennessy XO. A total of 85 aroma compounds responsiblefor brandy flavour were identified by GC-O, of which 68 were common to both brands, while seven and tenwere specific to Changyu XO and Hennessy XO, respectively. The study provided detailed information aboutthe compounds responsible for the characteristic flavour of specific brandies. According to statistical analysis,significant differences were recorded between Changyu XO and Hennessy XO. Most volatile compounds inChangyu XO occurred at lower concentrations than those in Hennessy XO. Based on sensory evaluation analysis,the floral, alcohol and rancid aroma descriptors achieved higher scores in Changyu XO and Hennessy XO, whilethe lime aroma seemed specific to Hennessy XO. Herb and almond aromas were specific to Changyu XO
The development of visually guided stepping
Adults use vision during stepping and walking to fine-tune foot placement. However, the developmental profile of visually guided stepping is unclear. We asked (1) whether children use online vision to fine-tune precise steps and (2) whether preci- sion stepping develops as part of broader visuomotor development, alongside other fundamental motor skills like reaching. With 6-(N = 11), 7-(N = 11), 8-(N = 11)-year-olds and adults (N = 15), we manipulated visual input during steps and reaches. Using motion capture, we measured step and reach error, and postural stability. We expected (1) both steps and reaches would be visually guided (2) with similar developmental profiles (3) foot placement biases that promote stability, and (4) correlations between postural stability and step error. Children used vision to fine-tune both steps and reaches. At all ages, foot placement was biased (albeit not in the predicted directions). Contrary to our predictions, step error was not correlated with postural stability. By 8 years, children’s step and reach error were adult-like. Despite similar visual control mechanisms, stepping and reaching had different developmental profiles: step error reduced with age whilst reach error was lower and stable with age. We argue that the development of both visually guided and non-visually guided action is limb-specific
Drinfeld Twists and Algebraic Bethe Ansatz of the Supersymmetric t-J Model
We construct the Drinfeld twists (factorizing -matrices) for the
supersymmetric t-J model. Working in the basis provided by the -matrix (i.e.
the so-called -basis), we obtain completely symmetric representations of the
monodromy matrix and the pseudo-particle creation operators of the model. These
enable us to resolve the hierarchy of the nested Bethe vectors for the
invariant t-J model.Comment: 23 pages, no figure, Latex file, minor misprints are correcte
Magnetoresistance Effect in Spin-Polarized Junctions of Ferromagnetically Contacting Multiple Conductive Paths: Applications to Atomic Wires and Carbon Nanotubes
For spin-polarized junctions of ferromagnetically contacting multiple
conductive paths, such as ferromagnet (FM)/atomic wires/FM and FM/carbon
nanotubes/FM junctions, we theoretically investigate spin-dependent transport
to elucidate the intrinsic relation between the number of paths and conduction,
and to enhance the magnetoresistance (MR) ratio. When many paths are randomly
located between the two FMs, electronic wave interference between the FMs
appears, and then the MR ratio increases with increasing number of paths.
Furthermore, at each number of paths, the MR ratio for carbon nanotubes becomes
larger than that for atomic wires, reflecting the characteristic shape of
points in contact with the FM.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Design of an asymmetrical rotor for easy assembly and repair of field windings in synchronous machines
This paper introduces a new asymmetrical rotor design for easy assembly and repair of field windings in synchronous machines. A new rotor geometry is adopted in order to simplify the manufacture and maintenance process of installing the rotor windings. The asymmetrical rotor design is simulated by the 2-D finite element analysis (FEA), and verified by experimental tests on a 27.5 kVA prototype machine. The proposed topology can drive down the maintenance and repair costs of the machine without impacting on the machine’s electro-magnetic performance. This design will have significant economic implications for machine design and repair industry, especially for mass production markets such as wind turbines and engine-generators
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