3,615 research outputs found
A Schottky/2-DEG varactor diode for millimeter and submillimeter wave multiplier applications
A new Schottky diode is investigated for use as a multiplier element in the millimeter and submillimeter wavelength regions. The new diode is based on the Schottky contact at the edge of a 2-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG). As a negative voltage is applied to the Schottky contact, the depletion layer between the Schottky contact and the 2-DEG expands and the junction capacitance decreases, resulting in a nonlinear capacitance-voltage characteristic. In this paper, we outline the theory, design, fabrication, and evaluation of the new device. Recent results include devices having cutoff frequencies of 1 THz and above. Preliminary multiplier results are also presented
The Fundamental Constants of Physics, Vol. 1 of Interscience Monographs in Physics & Astronomy [book review]
Book review of: The Fundamental Constants of Physics. Vol. 1 of
Interscience Monographs in Physics & Astronomy. By
E. Richard Cohen, Kenneth M. Crowe, Jesse W. M.
DuMond. 287 pp. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New
York, 1957.
Reviewed by H. Mendlowitz, National
Bureau of Standards
Pressure coefficients of Raman modes of carbon nanotubes resolved by chirality: Environmental effect on graphene sheet
Studies of the mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes are
hindered by the availability only of ensembles of tubes with a range of
diameters. Tunable Raman excitation spectroscopy picks out identifiable tubes.
Under high pressure, the radial breathing mode shows a strong environmental
effect shown here to be largely independent of the nature of the environment .
For the G-mode, the pressure coefficient varies with diameter consistent with
the thick-wall tube model. However, results show an unexpectedly strong
environmental effect on the pressure coefficients. Reappraisal of data for
graphene and graphite gives the G-mode Grueuneisen parameter gamma = 1.34 and
the shear deformation parameter beta = 1.34.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review
Deep Space Network information system architecture study
The purpose of this article is to describe an architecture for the Deep Space Network (DSN) information system in the years 2000-2010 and to provide guidelines for its evolution during the 1990s. The study scope is defined to be from the front-end areas at the antennas to the end users (spacecraft teams, principal investigators, archival storage systems, and non-NASA partners). The architectural vision provides guidance for major DSN implementation efforts during the next decade. A strong motivation for the study is an expected dramatic improvement in information-systems technologies, such as the following: computer processing, automation technology (including knowledge-based systems), networking and data transport, software and hardware engineering, and human-interface technology. The proposed Ground Information System has the following major features: unified architecture from the front-end area to the end user; open-systems standards to achieve interoperability; DSN production of level 0 data; delivery of level 0 data from the Deep Space Communications Complex, if desired; dedicated telemetry processors for each receiver; security against unauthorized access and errors; and highly automated monitor and control
Transition phenomena in unstably stratified turbulent flows
We study experimentally and theoretically transition phenomena caused by the
external forcing from Rayleigh-Benard convection with the large-scale
circulation (LSC) to the limiting regime of unstably stratified turbulent flow
without LSC whereby the temperature field behaves like a passive scalar. In the
experiments we use the Rayleigh-B\'enard apparatus with an additional source of
turbulence produced by two oscillating grids located nearby the side walls of
the chamber. When the frequency of the grid oscillations is larger than 2 Hz,
the large-scale circulation (LSC) in turbulent convection is destroyed, and the
destruction of the LSC is accompanied by a strong change of the mean
temperature distribution. However, in all regimes of the unstably stratified
turbulent flow the ratio varies slightly (even in the range
of parameters whereby the behaviour of the temperature field is different from
that of the passive scalar). Here are the integral scales of
turbulence along x, y, z directions, T and \theta are the mean and fluctuating
parts of the fluid temperature. At all frequencies of the grid oscillations we
have detected the long-term nonlinear oscillations of the mean temperature. The
theoretical predictions based on the budget equations for turbulent kinetic
energy, turbulent temperature fluctuations and turbulent heat flux, are in
agreement with the experimental results.Comment: 14 pages, 14 figures, REVTEX4-1, revised versio
Series expansion analysis of a tetrahedral cluster spin chain
Using series expansion by continuous unitary transformations we study the
magnetic properties of a frustrated tetrahedral spin-1/2 chain. Starting from
the limit of isolated tetrahedra we analyze the evolution of the ground state
energy and the elementary triplet dispersion as a function of the
inter-tetrahedral coupling. The quantum phase diagram is evaluated and is shown
to incorporate a singlet product, a dimer, and a Haldane phase. Comparison of
our results with those from several other techniques, such as density matrix
renormalization group, exact diagonalization and bond-operator theory are
provided and convincing agreement is found.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl
Probing the properties of convective cores through g modes: high-order g modes in SPB and gamma Doradus stars
In main sequence stars the periods of high-order gravity modes are sensitive
probes of stellar cores and, in particular, of the chemical composition
gradient that develops near the outer edge of the convective core. We present
an analytical approximation of high-order g modes that takes into account the
effect of the mu gradient near the core. We show that in main-sequence models,
similarly to the case of white dwarfs, the periods of high-order gravity modes
are accurately described by a uniform period spacing superposed to an
oscillatory component. The periodicity and amplitude of such component are
related, respectively, to the location and sharpness of the mu gradient.
We investigate the properties of high-order gravity modes for stellar models
in a mass domain between 1 and 10 Msun, and the effects of the stellar mass,
evolutionary state, and extra-mixing processes on period spacing features. In
particular, we show that for models of a typical SPB star, a chemical mixing
that could likely be induced by the slow rotation observed in these stars, is
able to significantly change the g-mode spectra of the equilibrium model.
Prospects and challenges for the asteroseismology of gamma Doradus and SPB
stars are also discussed.Comment: 18 pages, 29 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
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Quantitative analysis of the ACL and PCL using T1rho and T2 relaxation time mapping: an exploratory, cross-sectional comparison between OA and healthy control knees.
BACKGROUND: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods such as T1rho and T2 mapping are sensitive to changes in tissue composition, however their use in cruciate ligament assessment has been limited to studies of asymptomatic populations or patients with posterior cruciate ligament tears only. The aim of this preliminary study was to compare T1rho and T2 relaxation times of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) between subjects with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy controls. METHODS: A single knee of 15 patients with mild-to-moderate knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2-3) and of 6 age-matched controls was imaged using a 3.0 T MRI. Three-dimensional (3D) fat-saturated spoiled gradient recalled-echo images were acquired for morphological assessment and T1ρ- and T2-prepared pseudo-steady-state 3D fast spin echo images for compositional assessment of the cruciate ligaments. Manual segmentation of whole ACL and PCL, as well as proximal / middle / distal thirds of both ligaments was carried out by two readers using ITK-SNAP and mean relaxation times were recorded. Variation between thirds of the ligament were assessed using repeated measures ANOVAs and differences in these variations between groups using a Kruskal-Wallis test. Inter- and intra-rater reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). RESULTS: In OA knees, both T1rho and T2 values were significantly higher in the distal ACL when compared to the rest of the ligament with the greatest differences in T1rho (e.g. distal mean = 54.5 ms, proximal = 47.0 ms, p < 0.001). The variation of T2 values within the PCL was lower in OA knees (OA: distal vs middle vs proximal mean = 28.5 ms vs 29.1 ms vs 28.7 ms, p = 0.748; Control: distal vs middle vs proximal mean = 26.4 ms vs 32.7 ms vs 33.3 ms, p = 0.009). ICCs were excellent for the majority of variables. CONCLUSION: T1rho and T2 mapping of the cruciate ligaments is feasible and reliable. Changes within ligaments associated with OA may not be homogeneous. This study is an important step forward in developing a non-invasive, radiological biomarker to assess the ligaments in diseased human populations in-vivo.Declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
This study was approved by the East of England Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee and written informed consent was given by all subjects included in the study. All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.
Consent for publication
Not Applicable
Availability of data and materials
The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to unattained permission from participants and research ethics committee but could be made available from JWM (email: [email protected]).
Competing interests
JWM, DAK and JDK acknowledge funding support from GlaxoSmithKline for their studentships and fellowships, respectively.
JWM is an employee of AstraZeneca.
CDSR, VAC and SMM have no competing interests to declare.
Acknowledgements
The Addenbrooke's Hospital Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy (MRIS) staff are thanked for their help with arranging and conducting the study MRI examinations. We also acknowledge the support of the Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust and the National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Funding
The study was funded by an Experimental Medicine Initiative PhD studentship from the University of Cambridge [grant number RG81329] and by GlaxoSmithKline [grant number RG87552].
Authors' contributions
Writing of original draft manuscript: CDSR. Study design and coordination: CDSR, JWM, JDK and SMM. Data acquisition: JWM and JDK. Data curation, analysis and interpretation: CDSR, JWM, VAC, JDK, DAK and SMM. Statistical analysis: CDSR and JWM. Review and editing of manuscript: JWM, VAC, JDK, DAK and SMM. All authors read and approved the final manuscript
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