Evaluating foam heterogeneity

New analytical tool is available to calculate the degree of foam heterogeneity based on the measurement of gas diffusivity values. Diffusion characteristics of plastic foam are described by a system of differential equations based on conventional diffusion theory. This approach saves research and computation time in studying mass or heat diffusion problems

Causal inference via algebraic geometry: feasibility tests for functional causal structures with two binary observed variables

We provide a scheme for inferring causal relations from uncontrolled statistical data based on tools from computational algebraic geometry, in particular, the computation of Groebner bases. We focus on causal structures containing just two observed variables, each of which is binary. We consider the consequences of imposing different restrictions on the number and cardinality of latent variables and of assuming different functional dependences of the observed variables on the latent ones (in particular, the noise need not be additive). We provide an inductive scheme for classifying functional causal structures into distinct observational equivalence classes. For each observational equivalence class, we provide a procedure for deriving constraints on the joint distribution that are necessary and sufficient conditions for it to arise from a model in that class. We also demonstrate how this sort of approach provides a means of determining which causal parameters are identifiable and how to solve for these. Prospects for expanding the scope of our scheme, in particular to the problem of quantum causal inference, are also discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication in Journal of Causal Inference. Revised and updated in response to referee feedback. 16+5 pages, 26+2 figures. Comments welcom

D-outcome measurement for a nonlocality test

For the purpose of the nonlocality test, we propose a general correlation observable of two parties by utilizing local $d$-outcome measurements with SU($d$) transformations and classical communications. Generic symmetries of the SU($d$) transformations and correlation observables are found for the test of nonlocality. It is shown that these symmetries dramatically reduce the number of numerical variables, which is important for numerical analysis of nonlocality. A linear combination of the correlation observables, which is reduced to the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) Bell's inequality for two outcome measurements, is led to the Collins-Gisin-Linden-Massar-Popescu (CGLMP) nonlocality test for $d$-outcome measurement. As a system to be tested for its nonlocality, we investigate a continuous-variable (CV) entangled state with $d$ measurement outcomes. It allows the comparison of nonlocality based on different numbers of measurement outcomes on one physical system. In our example of the CV state, we find that a pure entangled state of any degree violates Bell's inequality for $d(\ge 2)$ measurement outcomes when the observables are of SU($d$) transformations.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figure

The discrete-time compensated Kalman filter

A suboptimal dynamic compensator to be used in conjunction with the ordinary discrete time Kalman filter was derived. The resultant compensated Kalman Filter has the property that steady state bias estimation errors, resulting from modelling errors, were eliminated

Unified description of pairing, trionic and quarteting states for one-dimensional SU(4) attractive fermions

Paired states, trions and quarteting states in one-dimensional SU(4) attractive fermions are investigated via exact Bethe ansatz calculations. In particular, quantum phase transitions are identified and calculated from the quarteting phase into normal Fermi liquid, trionic states and spin-2 paired states which belong to the universality class of linear field-dependent magnetization in the vicinity of critical points. Moreover, unified exact results for the ground state energy, chemical potentials and complete phase diagrams for isospin $S=1/2, 1, 3/2$ attractive fermions with external fields are presented. Also identified are the magnetization plateaux of $m^z=M_s/3$ and $m^z=2M_s/3$, where $M_s$ is the magnetization saturation value. The universality of finite-size corrections and collective dispersion relations provides a further test ground for low energy effective field theory.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Preliminary design study of a high resolution meteor radar

A design study for a high resolution meteor radar system is carried out with the objective of measuring upper atmospheric winds and particularly studying short period atmospheric waves in the 80 to 120 km altitude region. The transmitter that is to be used emits a peak power of 4 Mw. The system is designed to measure the wind velocity and height of a meteor trail very accurately. This is achieved using a specially developed digital reduction procedure to determine wind velocity and range together with an interferometer for measuring both the azimuth and elevation angles of the region with a long baseline vernier measurement being used to refine the elevation angle measurement. The resultant accuracies are calculated to be + or - 0.9 m/s for the wind, + or - 230 m for the range and + or - 0.12 deg for the elevation angle, giving a height accuracy of + or - 375 m. The prospects for further development of this system are also discussed

Phase Transitions and Pairing Signature in Strongly Attractive Fermi Atomic Gases

We investigate pairing and quantum phase transitions in the one-dimensional two-component Fermi atomic gas in an external field. The phase diagram, critical fields, magnetization and local pairing correlation are obtained analytically via the exact thermodynamic Bethe ansatz solution. At zero temperature, bound pairs of fermions with opposite spin states form a singlet ground state when the external field $H < H_{c1}$. A completely ferromagnetic phase without pairing occurs when the external field $H > H_{c2}$. In the region $H_{c1} < H < H_{c2}$ we observe a mixed phase of matter in which paired and unpaired atoms coexist. The phase diagram is reminiscent of that of type II superconductors. For temperatures below the degenerate temperature and in the absence of an external field, the bound pairs of fermions form hard-core bosons obeying generalized exclusion statistics.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, expanded version with additional text, references and figure

Postbuckling failure of composite plates with central holes

The postbuckling failure of square composite plates with central holes is analyzed numerically and experimentally. The particular plates studies have stacking sequences of: (+ and - 45/0/90)(sub 2S); (+ and - 45/0(sub 2))(sub 2S); (+ and - 45/0(sub 6))(sub S); and (+ and - 45)(sub 4S). A simple plate geometry, one with a hole diameter to plate width ratio of 0.3 is compared. Failure load, failure mode, and failure location are predicted numerically by using the finite element method. Predictions are compared with experimental results. In numerical failure analysis the interlaminar shear stresses, as well as the inplane stresses are taken into account. An issue addressed in this study is the possible mode shape change of the plate during loading. It is predicted that the first three laminates fail due to excessive stresses in the fiber direction, and more importantly, that the load level is independent of whether the laminate is deformed in a one-half or two-half wave configuration. It is predicted that the fourth laminate fails due to excessive inplane shear stress. Interlaminar shear failure is not predicted for any laminates. For the first two laminates the experimental observations correlated well with the predictions. Experimentally, the third laminate failed along the side support due to interlaminar shear strength S(sub 23). The fourth experimental laminate failed due to inplane shear in the location predicted, however material softening resulted in a different failure load from predictions