7,532 research outputs found
Amplified Sensitivity of Nitrogen-Vacancy Spins in Nanodiamonds using All-Optical Charge Readout
Nanodiamonds containing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers offer a versatile
platform for sensing applications spanning from nanomagnetism to in-vivo
monitoring of cellular processes. In many cases, however, weak optical signals
and poor contrast demand long acquisition times that prevent the measurement of
environmental dynamics. Here, we demonstrate the ability to perform fast,
high-contrast optical measurements of charge distributions in ensembles of NV
centers in nanodiamonds and use the technique to improve the spin readout
signal-to-noise ratio through spin-to-charge conversion. A study of 38
nanodiamonds, each hosting 10-15 NV centers with an average diameter of 40 nm,
uncovers complex, multiple-timescale dynamics due to radiative and
non-radiative ionization and recombination processes. Nonetheless, the
nanodiamonds universally exhibit charge-dependent photoluminescence contrasts
and the potential for enhanced spin readout using spin-to-charge conversion. We
use the technique to speed up a relaxometry measurement by a factor of
five.Comment: 13 pages, 14 figure
Development of mainshaft seals for advanced air breathing propulsion systems, phase 1 Final report, 25 Jun. 1965 - 25 Jul. 1967
Comparison of gas film mainshaft seals with rubbing contract seals for high temperature, high speed, and high pressure gas turbine application
Modal Test of the NASA Mobile Launcher at Kennedy Space Center
The NASA Mobile Launcher (ML), located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), has recently been modified to support the launch of the new NASA Space Launch System (SLS). The ML is a massive structureconsisting of a 345-foot tall tower attached to a two-story base, weighing approximately 10.5 million poundsthat will secure the SLS vehicle as it rolls to the launch pad on a Crawler Transporter, as well as provide a launch platform at the pad. The ML will also provide the boundary condition for an upcoming SLS Integrated Modal Test (IMT). To help correlate the ML math models prior to this modal test, and allow focus to remain on updating SLS vehicle models during the IMT, a ML-only experimental modal test was performed in June 2019. Excitation of the tower and platform was provided by five uniquely-designed test fixtures, each enclosing a hydraulic shaker, capable of exerting thousands of pounds of force into the structure. For modes not that were not sufficiently excited by the test fixture shakers, a specially-designed mobile drop tower provided impact excitation at additional locations of interest. The response of the ML was measured with a total of 361 accelerometers. Following the random vibration, sine sweep vibration, and modal impact testing, frequency response functions were calculated and modes were extracted for three different configurations of the ML in 0 Hz to 12 Hz frequency range. This paper will provide a case study in performing modal tests on large structures by discussing the Mobile Launcher, the test strategy, an overview of the test results, and recommendations for meeting a tight test schedule for a large-scale modal test
Performing a Large-Scale Modal Test on the B2 Stand Crane at NASA's Stennis Space Center
A modal test of NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage is scheduled to occur prior to propulsion system verification testing at the Stennis Space Center B2 test stand. A derrick crane with a 180-ft long boom, located at the top of the stand, will be used to suspend the Core Stage in order to achieve defined boundary conditions. During this suspended modal test, it is expected that dynamic coupling will occur between the crane and the Core Stage. Therefore, a separate modal test was performed on the B2 crane itself, in order to evaluate the varying dynamic characteristics and correlate math models of the crane. Performing a modal test on such a massive structure was challenging and required creative test setup and procedures, including implementing both AC and DC accelerometers, and performing both classical hammer and operational modal analysis. This paper describes the logistics required to perform this large-scale test, as well as details of the test setup, the modal test methods used, and an overview of the results
Weak Values with Decoherence
The weak value of an observable is experimentally accessible by weak
measurements as theoretically analyzed by Aharonov et al. and recently
experimentally demonstrated. We introduce a weak operator associated with the
weak values and give a general framework of quantum operations to the W
operator in parallel with the Kraus representation of the completely positive
map for the density operator. The decoherence effect is also investigated in
terms of the weak measurement by a shift of a probe wave function of continuous
variable. As an application, we demonstrate how the geometric phase is affected
by the bit flip noise.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figure
The spectral evolution of impulsive solar X-ray flares. II.Comparison of observations with models
We study the evolution of the spectral index and the normalization (flux) of
the non-thermal component of the electron spectra observed by RHESSI during 24
solar hard X-ray flares. The quantitative evolution is confronted with the
predictions of simple electron acceleration models featuring the soft-hard-soft
behaviour. The comparison is general in scope and can be applied to different
acceleration models, provided that they make predictions for the behavior of
the spectral index as a function of the normalization. A simple stochastic
acceleration model yields plausible best-fit model parameters for about 77% of
the 141 events consisting of rise and decay phases of individual hard X-ray
peaks. However, it implies unphysically high electron acceleration rates and
total energies for the others. Other simple acceleration models such as
constant rate of accelerated electrons or constant input power have a similar
failure rate. The peaks inconsistent with the simple acceleration models have
smaller variations in the spectral index. The cases compatible with a simple
stochastic model require typically a few times 10^36 electrons accelerated per
second at a threshold energy of 18 keV in the rise phases and 24 keV in the
decay phases of the flare peaks.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication by A&
Mechanical Control of Spin States in Spin-1 Molecules and the Underscreened Kondo Effect
The ability to make electrical contact to single molecules creates
opportunities to examine fundamental processes governing electron flow on the
smallest possible length scales. We report experiments in which we controllably
stretch individual cobalt complexes having spin S = 1, while simultaneously
measuring current flow through the molecule. The molecule's spin states and
magnetic anisotropy were manipulated in the absence of a magnetic field by
modification of the molecular symmetry. This control enabled quantitative
studies of the underscreened Kondo effect, in which conduction electrons only
partially compensate the molecular spin. Our findings demonstrate a mechanism
of spin control in single-molecule devices and establish that they can serve as
model systems for making precision tests of correlated-electron theories.Comment: main text: 5 pages, 4 figures; supporting information attached; to
appear in Science
Weak Measurements with Arbitrary Pointer States
The exact conditions on valid pointer states for weak measurements are
derived. It is demonstrated that weak measurements can be performed with any
pointer state with vanishing probability current density. This condition is
found both for weak measurements of noncommuting observables and for -number
observables. In addition, the interaction between pointer and object must be
sufficiently weak. There is no restriction on the purity of the pointer state.
For example, a thermal pointer state is fully valid.Comment: 4 page
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