Probability Distributions.- Linear Models for Regression.- Linear Models for Classification.- Neural Networks.- Kernel Methods.- Sparse Kernel Machines.- Graphical Models.- Mixture Models and EM.- Approximate Inference.- Sampling Methods.- Continuous Latent Variables.- Sequential Data.- Combining Models.

Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning

Context. We present the second Gaia data release, Gaia DR2, consisting of astrometry, photometry, radial velocities, and information on astrophysical parameters and variability, for sources brighter than magnitude 21. In addition epoch astrometry and photometry are provided for a modest sample of minor planets in the solar system. Aims: A summary of the contents of Gaia DR2 is presented, accompanied by a discussion on the differences with respect to Gaia DR1 and an overview of the main limitations which are still present in the survey. Recommendations are made on the responsible use of Gaia DR2 results. Methods: The raw data collected with the Gaia instruments during the first 22 months of the mission have been processed by the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) and turned into this second data release, which represents a major advance with respect to Gaia DR1 in terms of completeness, performance, and richness of the data products. Results: Gaia DR2 contains celestial positions and the apparent brightness in G for approximately 1.7 billion sources. For 1.3 billion of those sources, parallaxes and proper motions are in addition available. The sample of sources for which variability information is provided is expanded to 0.5 million stars. This data release contains four new elements: broad-band colour information in the form of the apparent brightness in the GBP (330-680 nm) and GRP (630-1050 nm) bands is available for 1.4 billion sources; median radial velocities for some 7 million sources are presented; for between 77 and 161 million sources estimates are provided of the stellar effective temperature, extinction, reddening, and radius and luminosity; and for a pre-selected list of 14 000 minor planets in the solar system epoch astrometry and photometry are presented. Finally, Gaia DR2 also represents a new materialisation of the celestial reference frame in the optical, the Gaia-CRF2, which is the first optical reference frame based solely on extragalactic sources. There are notable changes in the photometric system and the catalogue source list with respect to Gaia DR1, and we stress the need to consider the two data releases as independent. Conclusions: Gaia DR2 represents a major achievement for the Gaia mission, delivering on the long standing promise to provide parallaxes and proper motions for over 1 billion stars, and representing a first step in the availability of complementary radial velocity and source astrophysical information for a sample of stars in the Gaia survey which covers a very substantial fraction of the volume of our galaxy.

/pdf/gaia-data-release-2-summary-of-the-contents-and-survey-539viwt72y.pdf

Gaia Data Release 2. Summary of the contents and survey properties

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of $\sim$1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg$^2$ at a luminosity distance of $40^{+8}_{-8}$ Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Msun. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at $\sim$40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One-Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over $\sim$10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient's position $\sim$9 and $\sim$16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. (Abridged)

Multi-messenger Observations of a Binary Neutron Star Merger

This paper describes the ATLAS experiment as installed in i ts experimental cavern at point 1 at CERN. It also presents a brief overview of the expec ted performance of the detector.

http://absimage.aps.org/image/SES08/MWS_SES08-2008-020010.pdf

The ATLAS Experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider

基礎講座 電気泳動(Electrophoresis)

CMOS-controlled GaN micropixel light emitting diode arrays have been used to create light patterned electrodes in a miniaturized optoelectronic tweezers device. We present this micro-system's capabilities for manipulating micro-particles including beads and cells.

/pdf/miniaturised-optoelectronic-tweezers-controlled-by-gan-micro-3sycm1ygn5.pdf

Miniaturised optoelectronic tweezers controlled by GaN micro light emitting diode arrays

Silicon based integrated circuit technology has shown astonishing progress scaling to smaller geometries as the industry follows Moore's predictions. However, in recent years the cost associated with staying at the leading edge of silicon IC technology has resulted in many companies being either unable, or unwilling, to afford the investment required. As a consequence some have decided to use foundry technology and/or diversify into new device types and associated novel application areas. All of these diverse Silicon + technologies have one particular feature in common, namely they all use silicon as a platform for system integration with the added value being the innovation associated with post-processing and/or technology integration, which in many cases is realised on standard foundry technology. This paper examines many of the issues associated with integrating foundry and custom IC wafers with both new materials and technologies such as MEMS based sensors and actuators. In particular it examines the various options available for companies considering Silicon + technology applications and presents examples of successful applications of this approach. Some of these are illustrated below.

/pdf/silicon-post-processing-cmos-wafers-to-create-integrated-2bwpmgcpzf.pdf

Silicon - Post Processing CMOS Wafers to Create Integrated Sensors, Mems and Electro-Optic Systems

ST Journal of System Research

3D ﬂash LIDAR is an alternative to the traditional scanning LIDAR systems, promising precise depth imaging in a compact form factor, and free of moving parts, for applications such as self-driving cars, robotics and augmented reality (AR). Typically implemented using single-photon, direct time-of-ﬂight (dToF) receivers in image sensor format, the operation of the devices can be hindered by the large number of photon events needing to be processed and compressed in outdoor scenarios, limiting frame rates and scalability to larger arrays. We here present a 64 × 32 pixel ( 256 × 128 SPAD) dToF imager that overcomes these limitations by using pixels with embedded histogramming, which lock onto and track the return signal. This reduces the size of output data frames considerably, enabling maximum frame rates in the 10 kFPS range or 100 kFPS for direct depth readings. The sensor oﬀers selective readout of pixels detecting surfaces, or those sensing motion, leading to reduced power consumption and oﬀ-chip processing requirements. We demonstrate the application of the sensor in mid-range LIDAR.

Robert Henderson

Papers

Miniaturised optoelectronic tweezers controlled by GaN micro light emitting diode arrays

Silicon - Post Processing CMOS Wafers to Create Integrated Sensors, Mems and Electro-Optic Systems

ST Journal of System Research

A direct time-of-flight image sensor with in-pixel surface detection and dynamic vision

185 MHz count rate, 139 dB dynamic range single-photon avalanche diode with active quenching circuit in 130 nm CMOS technology