4,317 research outputs found
The new servo-spill power converter of the CERN SPS machine
The so-called servo-spill system of the SPS machine requires a very specific power converter to be used as the power actuator of the system. Due to this particular function, the main performance required, for this power converter, is an unusual large signal current bandwidth of up to 1.5 kHz. The procurement is based on a similar industrial product using switch mode technology. This paper describes the main power part as well as the control approach chosen to fulfil the specific requirements of this power converter. Final operational results are also presented
Gemini Planet Imager Observational Calibrations III: Empirical Measurement Methods and Applications of High-Resolution Microlens PSFs
The newly commissioned Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) combines extreme adaptive
optics, an advanced coronagraph, precision wavefront control and a
lenslet-based integral field spectrograph (IFS) to measure the spectra of young
extrasolar giant planets between 0.9-2.5 um. Each GPI detector image, when in
spectral model, consists of ~37,000 microspectra which are under or critically
sampled in the spatial direction. This paper demonstrates how to obtain
high-resolution microlens PSFs and discusses their use in enhancing the
wavelength calibration, flexure compensation and spectral extraction. This
method is generally applicable to any lenslet-based integral field spectrograph
including proposed future instrument concepts for space missions.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. Proceedings of the SPIE, 9147-282 v2: reference
adde
Fermi Edge Singularities in Transport through Quantum Dots
We study the Fermi-edge singularity appearing in the current-voltage
characteristics for resonant tunneling through a localized level at finite
temperature. An explicit expression for the current at low temperature and near
the threshold for the tunneling process is presented which allows to coalesce
data taken at different temperatures to a single curve. Based on this scaling
function for the current we analyze experimental data from a GaAs-AlAs-GaAs
tunneling device with embedded InAs quantum dots obtained at low temperatures
in high magnetic fields.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure
Comment on "On the -Anomaly in Betaine Calcium Chloride Dihydrate"
Recently, Hlinka and Ishibashi [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 67, 495 (1998)] discussed
the -anomaly in betaine calcium chloride dihydrate (BCCD) in a Landau-type
approach. We comment on the shortcomings of this approach and discuss the
-anomaly in the framework of a microscopical pseudo spin model based on a
realistic description of BCCD in terms of symmetry-adapted local modes.Comment: 2 pages, RevTex, submitted to J. Phys. Soc. Jp
Search for cool giant exoplanets around young and nearby stars - VLT/NaCo near-infrared phase-coronagraphic and differential imaging
[Abridged] Context. Spectral differential imaging (SDI) is part of the
observing strategy of current and future high-contrast imaging instruments. It
aims to reduce the stellar speckles that prevent the detection of cool planets
by using in/out methane-band images. It attenuates the signature of off-axis
companions to the star, such as angular differential imaging (ADI). However,
this attenuation depends on the spectral properties of the low-mass companions
we are searching for. The implications of this particularity on estimating the
detection limits have been poorly explored so far. Aims. We perform an imaging
survey to search for cool (Teff<1000-1300 K) giant planets at separations as
close as 5-10 AU. We also aim to assess the sensitivity limits in SDI data
taking the photometric bias into account. This will lead to a better view of
the SDI performance. Methods. We observed a selected sample of 16 stars (age <
200 Myr, d < 25 pc) with the phase-mask coronagraph, SDI, and ADI modes of
VLT/NaCo. Results. We do not detect any companions. As for the sensitivity
limits, we argue that the SDI residual noise cannot be converted into mass
limits because it represents a differential flux, unlike the case of
single-band images. This results in degeneracies for the mass limits, which may
be removed with the use of single-band constraints. We instead employ a method
of directly determining the mass limits. The survey is sensitive to cool giant
planets beyond 10 AU for 65% and 30 AU for 100% of the sample. Conclusions. For
close-in separations, the optimal regime for SDI corresponds to SDI flux ratios
>2. According to the BT-Settl model, this translates into Teff<800 K. The
methods described here can be applied to the data interpretation of SPHERE. We
expect better performance with the dual-band imager IRDIS, thanks to more
suitable filter characteristics and better image quality.Comment: 19 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in A&A, version
including language editin
Search for cool extrasolar giant planets combining coronagraphy, spectral and angular differential imaging
Spectral differential imaging (SDI) is part of the observing strategy of
current and on-going high-contrast imaging instruments on ground-based
telescopes. Although it improves the star light rejection, SDI attenuates the
signature of off-axis companions to the star, just like angular differential
imaging (ADI). However, the attenuation due to SDI has the peculiarity of being
dependent on the spectral properties of the companions. To date, no study has
investigated these effects. Our team is addressing this problem based on data
from a direct imaging survey of 16 stars combining the phase-mask coronagraph,
the SDI and the ADI modes of VLT/NaCo. The objective of the survey is to search
for cool (Teff<1000-1300 K) giant planets at separations of 5-10 AU orbiting
young, nearby stars (<200 Myr, <25 pc). The data analysis did not yield any
detections. As for the estimation of the sensitivity limits of SDI-processed
images, we show that it requires a different analysis than that used in
ADI-based surveys. Based on a method using the flux predictions of evolutionary
models and avoiding the estimation of contrast, we determine directly the mass
sensitivity limits of the survey for the ADI processing alone and with the
combination of SDI and ADI. We show that SDI does not systematically improve
the sensitivity due to the spectral properties and self-subtraction of point
sources.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
Measurement of the electron drift velocity for directional dark matter detectors
Three-dimensional track reconstruction is a key issue for directional Dark
Matter detection. It requires a precise knowledge of the electron drift
velocity. Magboltz simulations are known to give a good evaluation of this
parameter. However, large TPC operated underground on long time scale may be
characterized by an effective electron drift velocity that may differ from the
value evaluated by simulation. In situ measurement of this key parameter is
hence a way to avoid bias in the 3D track reconstruction. We present a
dedicated method for the measurement of the electron drift velocity with the
MIMAC detector. It is tested on two gas mixtures : and . We also show that adding allows us to lower the
electron drift velocity while keeping almost the same Fluorine content of the
gas mixture.Comment: Proceedings of the 4th international conference on Directional
Detection of Dark Matter (CYGNUS 2013), 10-12 June 2013, Toyama, Japa
In situ measurement of the electron drift velocity for upcoming directional Dark Matter detectors
Three-dimensional track reconstruction is a key issue for directional Dark
Matter detection and it requires a precise knowledge of the electron drift
velocity. Magboltz simulations are known to give a good evaluation of this
parameter. However, large TPC operated underground on long time scale may be
characterized by an effective electron drift velocity that may differ from the
value evaluated by simulation. In situ measurement of this key parameter is
hence needed as it is a way to avoid bias in the 3D track reconstruction. We
present a dedicated method for the measurement of the electron drift velocity
with the MIMAC detector. It is tested on two gas mixtures: CF4 and CF4 + CHF3.
The latter has been chosen for the MIMAC detector as we expect that adding CHF3
to pure CF4 will lower the electron drift velocity. This is a key point for
directional Dark Matter as the track sampling along the drift field will be
improved while keeping almost the same Fluorine content of the gas mixture. We
show that the drift velocity at 50 mbar is reduced by a factor of about 5 when
adding 30% of CHF3.Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures. Minor corrections, matches published version in
JINS
Première étape des rencontres régionales « Produisons l’avenir » de la filière bois - L’état de la filière forêt-bois dans les régions méditerranéennes françaises (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur et Languedoc-Roussillon)
En septembre 2012 ont été lancées, par l’Etat et l’Association des Régions de France, les Rencontres régionales pour l’avenir du bois visant à mobiliser l’ensemble des acteurs des filières dans les territoires afin de dégager des pistes d'actions concrètes pour stimuler le développement des entreprises. Les diagnostics des filières forêt bois dressés pour les régions Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur et Languedoc-Roussillon en préalable à ces rencontres ont permis de souligner l’étendue et la variété de la forêt au niveau des territoires régionaux, l’abondance de la ressource en bois mais également son insuffisante mobilisation et valorisation, ainsi que le poids relativement modeste des filières bois régionales dans l’économie régionale. Ils ont également mis en exergue les principaux enjeux des filières bois dans les deux régions, dont le renforcement de la mobilisation des bois, la valorisation des bois locaux notamment dans la construction, le développement du bois-énergie et la diversification des débouchés des sous-produits du bois. Sur la base de ces diagnostics, quatre thèmes prioritaires ont été retenus dans chacune des régions et ont donné lieu à la tenue d’ateliers thématiques. En Languedoc-Roussillon, ces ateliers ont eu pour objectif premier de lever les freins au développement des TPE et PME. En Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, les débats ont porté majoritairement sur les problématiques de mobilisation et valorisation des bois locaux, et de constitution d’une interprofession régionale. Des propositions d’actions concrètes ont été formulées en vue de nourrir le plan national bois d’ici la fin 2013, ainsi que la Loi d’avenir pour l’agriculture, l’agroalimentaire et la forêt qui devrait paraître en début d’année 2014
GEANT4 low energy electromagnetic models for electrons and photons
A set of physics processes has been developed in the Geant4 Simulation Toolkit to describe the electromagnetic interactions of photons and electrons with matter down to 250 eV. Preliminary comparisons of the models with experimental data show a satisfactory agreement
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