Showing papers on "Amplitude published in 2012"

Classification of Seizure and Nonseizure EEG Signals Using Empirical Mode Decomposition

Abstract: In this paper, we present a new method for classification of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method. The intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) generated by EMD method can be considered as a set of amplitude and frequency modulated (AM-FM) signals. The Hilbert transformation of IMFs provides an analytic signal representation of the IMFs. The two bandwidths, namely amplitude modulation bandwidth (BAM) and frequency modulation bandwidth (BFM), computed from the analytic IMFs, have been used as an input to least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) for classifying seizure and nonseizure EEG signals. The proposed method for classification of EEG signals based on the bandwidth features (BAM and BFM) and the LS-SVM has provided better classification accuracy than the method adopted by Liang and coworkers in their study published in 2010. The experimental results with the recorded EEG signals from a published dataset are included to show the effectiveness of the proposed method for EEG signal classification.

How thermal evolution and mass-loss sculpt populations of super-earths and sub-neptunes: application to the kepler-11 system and beyond

Abstract: We use models of thermal evolution and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) driven mass loss to explore the composition and history of low-mass, low-density transiting planets. We investigate the Kepler-11 system in detail and provide estimates of both the current and past planetary compositions. We find that an H/He envelope on Kepler-11b is highly vulnerable to mass loss. By comparing to formation models, we show that in situ formation of the system is extremely difficult. Instead we propose that it is a water-rich system of sub-Neptunes that migrated from beyond the snow line. For the broader population of observed planets, we show that there is a threshold in bulk planet density and incident flux above which no low-mass transiting planets have been observed. We suggest that this threshold is due to the instability of H/He envelopes to XUV-driven mass loss. Importantly, we find that this mass-loss threshold is well reproduced by our thermal evolution/contraction models that incorporate a standard mass-loss prescription. Treating the planets' contraction history is essential because the planets have significantly larger radii during the early era of high XUV fluxes. Over time low-mass planets with H/He envelopes can be transformed into water-dominated worlds with steam envelopes or rocky super-Earths. Finally, we use this threshold to provide likely minimum masses and radial-velocity amplitudes for the general population of Kepler candidates. Likewise, we use this threshold to provide constraints on the maximum radii of low-mass planets found by radial-velocity surveys.

Simplifying multiloop integrands and ultraviolet divergences of gauge theory and gravity amplitudes

Abstract: We use the duality between color and kinematics to simplify the construction of the complete four-loop four-point amplitude of N = 4 super-Yang-Mills theory, including the nonplanar contributions The duality completely determines the amplitude's integrand in terms of just two planar graphs The existence of a manifestly dual gauge-theory amplitude trivializes the construction of the corresponding N = 8 supergravity integrand, whose graph numerators are double copies (squares) of the N = 4 super-Yang-Mills numerators The success of this procedure provides further nontrivial evidence that the duality and double-copy properties hold at loop level The new form of the four-loop four-point supergravity amplitude makes manifest the same ultraviolet power counting as the corresponding N = 4 super-Yang-Mills amplitude We determine the amplitude's ultraviolet pole in the critical dimension of D = 11/2, the same dimension as for N = 4 super-Yang-Mills theory Strikingly, exactly the same combination of vacuum integrals (after simplification) describes the ultraviolet divergence of N = 8 supergravity as the subleading-in-1/N{sub c}{sup 2} single-trace divergence in N = 4 super-Yang-Mills theory

Towards a Nonsingular Bouncing Cosmology

Abstract: We present a nonsingular bouncing cosmology using single scalar field matter with non-trivial potential and non-standard kinetic term. The potential sources a dynamical attractor solution with Ekpyrotic contraction which washes out small amplitude anisotropies. At high energy densities the field evolves into a ghost condensate, leading to a nonsingular bounce. Following the bounce there is a smooth transition to standard expanding radiation and matter dominated phases. Using linear cosmological perturbation theory we track each Fourier mode of the curvature fluctuation throughout the entire cosmic evolution. Using standard matching conditions for nonsingular bouncing cosmologies we verify that the spectral index does not change during the bounce. We show there is a controlled period of exponential growth of the fluctuation amplitude for the perturbations (but not for gravitational waves) around the bounce point which does not invalidate the perturbative treatment. This growth induces a natural suppression mechanism for the tensor to scalar ratio of fluctuations. Moreover, we study the generation of the primordial power spectrum of curvature fluctuations for various types of initial conditions. For the pure vacuum initial condition, on scales which exit the Hubble radius in the phase of Ekpyrotic contraction, the spectrum is deeply blue. For thermal particle initial condition, one possibility for generating a scale-invariant spectrum makes use of a special value of the background equation of state during the contracting Ekpyrotic phase. If the Ekpyrotic phase is preceded by a period of matter-dominated contraction, the primordial power spectrum is nearly scale-invariant on large scales (scales which exit the Hubble radius in the matter-dominated phase) but acquires a large blue tilt on small scales.

Characterization of the power excess of solar-like oscillations in red giants with Kepler

Abstract: Context. The space mission Kepler provides us with long and uninterrupted photometric time series of red giants. This allows us to examine their seismic global properties and to compare these with theoretical predictions. Aims. We aim to describe the oscillation power excess observed in red giant oscillation spectra with global seismic parameters, and to investigate empirical scaling relations governing these parameters. From these scalings relations, we derive new physical properties of red giant oscillations.Methods. Various different methods were compared in order to validate the processes and to derive reliable output values. For consistency, a single method was then used to determine scaling relations for the relevant global asteroseismic parameters: mean mode height, mean height of the background signal superimposed on the oscillation power excess, width of the power excess, bolometric amplitude of the radial modes and visibility of non-radial modes. A method for deriving oscillation amplitudes is proposed, which relies on the complete identification of the red giant oscillation spectrum. Results. The comparison of the different methods has shown the important role of the way the background is modelled. The convergence reached by the collaborative work enables us to derive significant results concerning the oscillation power excess. We obtain several scaling relations, and identify the influence of the stellar mass and the evolutionary status. The effect of helium burning on the red giant interior structure is confirmed: it yields a strong mass-radius relation for clump stars. We find that none of the amplitude scaling relations motivated by physical considerations predict the observed mode amplitudes of red giant stars. In parallel, the degree-dependent mode visibility exhibits important variations. Both effects seem related to the significant influence of the high mode mass of non-radial mixed modes. A family of red giants with very weak dipole modes is identified, and its properties are analyzed. Conclusions. The clear correlation between the power densities of the background signal and of the stellar oscillation induces important consequences to be considered for deriving a reliable theoretical relation of the mode amplitude. As a by-product of this work, we have verified that red giant asteroseismology delivers new insights for stellar and Galactic physics, given the evidence for mass loss at the tip of the red giant branch.

Proximity switch assembly and method having adaptive time delay

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of the proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field, determines a rate of change in signal amplitude for each signal, and generates an adaptive time delay based on the control circuitry. The control circuitry further detects a peak amplitude of the signal and determines activation of the switch after expiration of the time delay following the peak amplitude detection.

Amplitude and frequency modulation in wall turbulence

Abstract: In this study we examine the impact of the strength of the large-scale motions on the amplitude and frequency of the small scales in high-Reynolds-number turbulent boundary layers. Time series of hot-wire data are decomposed into large- and small-scale components, and the impact of the large scale on the amplitude and frequency of the small scales is considered. The amplitude modulation effect is examined by conditionally averaging the small-scale intensity () for various values of the large-scale fluctuation (). It is shown that increases with increasing value of in the near-wall region, whereas, farther away from the wall, decreases with increasing . The rate of increase in small-scale intensity with the strength of the large-scale signal is neither symmetric (about ) nor linear. The extent of the frequency modulation is examined by counting the number of occurrences of local maxima or minima in the small-scale signal. It is shown that the frequency modulation effect is confined to the near-wall region and its extent diminishes rapidly beyond . A phase lag between the large- and small-scale fluctuations, in terms of amplitude modulation, has also been identified, which is in agreement with previous studies. The phase lag between large- and small-scale fluctuations for frequency modulation is comparable to that of amplitude modulation in the near-wall region. The combined effect of both amplitude and frequency modulation is also examined by computing conditional spectra of the small-scale signal conditioned on the large scales. In the near-wall region, the results indicate that the peak value of pre-multiplied spectra increases with increasing value of , indicating amplitude modulation, while the frequency at which this peak occurs also increases with increasing value of , revealing frequency modulation. The overall trends observed from the conditional spectra are consistent with the results obtained through statistical analyses. Finally, a physical mechanism that can capture most of the above observations is also presented.

Experimental and theoretical studies on MEMS piezoelectric vibrational energy harvesters with mass loading

Abstract: Experimental and theoretical investigations on micro-scale multi-morph cantilever piezoelectric vibrational energy harvesters (PZEHs) of the MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) are presented. The core body of a PZEH is a “multi-morph” cantilever, where one end is clamped to a base and the other end is free. This “fixed-free” cantilever system including a proof-mass (also called the end-mass) on the free-end that can oscillate with the multi-layer cantilever under continuous sinusoidal excitations of the base motion. A partial differential equation (PDE) describing the flexural wave propagating in the multi-morph cantilever is reviewed. The resonance frequencies of the lowest mode of a multi-morph cantilever PZEH for some ratios of the proof-mass to cantilever mass are calculated by either solving the PDE numerically or using a lumped-element model as a damped simple harmonic oscillator; their results are in good agreement (disparity ≤ 0.5%). Experimentally, MEMS PZEHs were constructed using the standard micro-fabrication technique. Calculated fundamental resonance frequencies, output electric voltage amplitude V and output power amplitude P with an optimum load compared favorably with their corresponding measured values; the differences are all less than 4%. Furthermore, a MEMS PZEH prototype was shown resonating at 58.0 ± 2.0 Hz under 0.7 g ( g = 9.81 m/s 2 ) external excitations, corresponding peak power reaches 63 μW with an output load impedance Z of 85 kΩ. This micro-power generator enabled successfully a wireless sensor node with the integrated sensor, radio frequency (RF) radio, power management electronics, and an advanced thin-film lithium-ion rechargeable battery for power storage at the 2011 Sensors Expo and Conference held in Chicago, IL. In addition, at 58 Hz and 0.5, 1.0 g excitations power levels of 32, and 128 μW were also obtained, and all these three power levels demonstrated to be proportional to the square of the acceleration amplitude as predicted by the theory. The reported P at the fundamental resonance frequency f 1 and acceleration G -level, reached the highest “Figure of Merit” [power density × (bandwidth/resonant frequency)] achieved amongst those reported in the up-to-date literature for high quality factor Q f MEMS PZEH devices.

Lattice solitons in PT -symmetric mixed linear-nonlinear optical lattices

Abstract: We report the existence and stability of lattice solitons in parity-time ($\mathcal{PT}$)-symmetric mixed linear-nonlinear optical lattices in Kerr media. We focus on studying the characteristic effects on soliton propagation in the semi-infinite gap if we consider different amplitudes of real and imaginary parts of both the linear refractive index modulation profile and of periodic nonlinearity-modulation spatial distribution. It was found that the combination of $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric linear and nonlinear lattices can stabilize lattice solitons and can provide unique soliton properties. It is revealed that the parameters of the linear lattice periodic potential play a significant role in controlling the extent of the stability domains and that the lattice solitons can stably propagate only in the low-power regime.

Large Amplitude Variations of an L/T Transition Brown Dwarf: Multi-Wavelength Observations of Patchy, High-Contrast Cloud Features

Abstract: We present multiple-epoch photometric monitoring in the $J$, $H$, and $K_s$ bands of the T1.5 dwarf 2MASS J21392676+0220226 (2M2139), revealing persistent, periodic ($P=7.721\pm$0.005 hr) variability with a peak-to-peak amplitude as high as 26% in the $J$-band. The light curve shape varies on a timescale of days, suggesting that evolving atmospheric cloud features are responsible. Using interpolations between model atmospheres with differing cloud thicknesses to represent a heterogeneous surface, we find that the multi-wavelength variations and the near-infrared spectrum of 2M2139 can be reproduced by either (1)cool, thick cloud features sitting above a thinner cloud layer, or (2)warm regions of low condensate opacity in an otherwise cloudy atmosphere, possibly indicating the presence of holes or breaks in the cloud layer. We find that temperature contrasts between thick and thin cloud patches must be greater than 175 K and as high as 425 K. We also consider whether the observed variability could arise from an interacting binary system, but this scenario is ruled out. 2M2139 joins the T2.5 dwarf SIMP0136 discovered by Artigau and coworkers as the second L/T transition brown dwarf to display large-amplitude variability on rotational timescales, suggesting that the fragmentation of dust clouds at the L/T transition may contribute to the abrupt decline in condensate opacity and $J$-band brightening observed to occur over this regime.

The interaction between flow-induced vibration mechanisms of a square cylinder with varying angles of attack

Abstract: This study examines the influence of angle of attack of a square section cylinder on the cylinder’s flow-induced vibration, where the direction of the vibration is transverse to the oncoming flow. Our experiments, which traversed the velocity–angle of attack parameter space in considerable breadth and depth, show that a low-mass ratio body can undergo combinations of both vortex-induced vibration and galloping. When the body has an angle of attack that makes it symmetric to the flow, such as when it assumes the square or diamond orientation, the two mechanisms remain independent. However, when symmetry is lost we find a mixed mode response with a new branch of vortex-induced oscillations that exceeds the amplitudes resulting from the two phenomena independently. The oscillations of this higher branch have amplitudes larger than the ‘upper branch’ of vortex-induced vibrations and at half the frequency. For velocities above this resonant region, the frequency splits into two diverging branches. Analysis of the amplitude response reveals that the transition between galloping and vortex-induced vibrations occurs over a narrow range of angle of incidence. Despite the rich set of states found in the parameter space the vortex shedding modes remain very similar to those found previously in vortex-induced vibration.

Diffusive propagation of cosmic rays from supernova remnants in the Galaxy. II: anisotropy

Abstract: In this paper we investigate the effects of stochasticity in the spatial and temporal distribution of supernova remnants on the anisotropy of cosmic rays observed at Earth. The calculations are carried out for different choices of the diffusion coefficient D(E) experienced by cosmic rays during propagation in the Galaxy. The propagation and spallation of nuclei (with charge 1 ≤ Z ≤ 26) are taken into account. At high energies (E > 1 TeV) we assume that D(E)∝(E/Z)δ, with δ = 1/3 and δ = 0.6 being the reference scenarios. The large scale distribution of supernova remnants in the Galaxy is modeled following the distribution of pulsars with and without accounting for the spiral structure of the Galaxy. Our calculations allow us to determine the contribution to anisotropy resulting from both the large scale distribution of SNRs in the Galaxy and the random distribution of the nearest remnants. The naive expectation that the anisotropy amplitude scales as δA∝D(E) is shown to be a wild oversimplification of reality which does not reflect in the predicted anisotropy for any realistic distribution of the sources. The fluctuations in the anisotropy pattern are dominated by nearby sources, so that predicting or explaining the observed anisotropy amplitude and phase becomes close to impossible. Nevertheless, the results of our calculations, when compared to the data, allow us to draw interesting conclusions in terms of the propagation scenario to be preferred both in terms of the energy dependence of the diffusion coefficient and of the size of the halo. We find that the very weak energy dependence of the anisotropy amplitude below 105 GeV, as observed by numerous experiments, as well as the rise at higher energies, can best be explained if the diffusion coefficient is D(E)∝E1/3. Faster diffusion, for instance with δ = 0.6, leads in general to an exceedingly large anisotropy amplitude. The spiral structure introduces interesting trends in the energy dependence of the anisotropy pattern, which qualitatively reflect the trend seen in the data. The inhomogeneous spatial distribution of the sources in the Galactic disc induces a large scale anisotropy which is not sensitive to the stochastic nature of nearby SNRs: we find that this additional contribution to δA becomes more important for large values of the size of the halo, H. The two terms are comparable in size for H ~ 2 kpc which corresponds to the scale height of the gradient of the spatial distribution of SNRs in the Galaxy. The dependence on energy of δA(E) is close to monotonic when the large-scale, regular term dominates, and does not seem to reflect the observed anisotropy amplitude. Both contributions to the total anisotropy are illustrated and discussed with the help of semi-analytical results.

Optical visualization and electrical characterization of fast-rising pulsed dielectric barrier discharge for airflow control applications

Abstract: Flow control consists of manipulating flows in an effective and robust manner to improve the global performances of transport systems or industrial processes. Plasma technologies, and particularly surface dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), can be a good candidate for such purpose. The present experimental study focuses on optical and electrical characterization of plasma sheet formed by applying a pulse of voltage with rising and falling periods of 50 ns for a typical surface DBD geometry. Positive and negative polarities are compared in terms of current behavior, deposited energy, fast-imaging of the plasma propagation, and resulting modifications of the surrounding medium by using shadowgraphy acquisitions. Positive and negative pulses of voltage produce streamers and corona type plasma, respectively. Both of them result in the production of a localized pressure wave propagating in the air with a speed maintained at 343 m/s (measurements at room temperature of 20 °C). This suggests that the produced pressure wave can be considered as a propagating sound wave. The intensity of the pressure wave is directly connected to the dissipated energy at the dielectric wall with a linear increase with the applied voltage amplitude and a strong dependence toward the rising time. At constant voltage amplitude, the pressure wave is reinforced by using a positive pulse. The present investigation also reveals that rising and decaying periods of a single pulse of voltage result in two distinct pressure waves. As a result, superposition or successive pressure wave can be produced by adjusting the width of the pulse.

Form factor approach to dynamical correlation functions in critical models

Abstract: We develop a form factor approach to the study of dynamical correlation functions of quantum integrable models in the critical regime. As an example, we consider the quantum non-linear Schr?dinger model. We derive the long-distance/long-time asymptotic behavior of various two-point functions of this model. We also compute edge exponents and amplitudes characterizing the power-law behavior of dynamical response functions on the particle?hole excitation thresholds. These last results confirm predictions based on the non-linear Luttinger liquid method. Our results rely on a first principles derivation, based on a microscopic analysis of the model, without invoking, at any stage, any correspondence with a continuous field theory. Furthermore, our approach only makes use of certain general properties of the model, so that it should be applicable, possibly with minor modifications, to a wide class of (not necessarily integrable) gapless one-dimensional Hamiltonians.

The rogue wave and breather solution of the Gerdjikov-Ivanov equation

Abstract: The Gerdjikov-Ivanov (GI) system of q and r is defined by a quadratic polynomial spectral problem with 2 × 2 matrix coefficients. Each element of the matrix of n-fold Darboux transformation (DT) for this system is expressed by a ratio of (n + 1) × (n + 1) determinant and n × n determinant of eigenfunctions, which implies the determinant representation of q[n] and r[n] generated from known solution q and r. By choosing some special eigenvalues and eigenfunctions according to the reduction conditions q[n] = −(r[n])*, the determinant representation of q[n] provides new solutions of the GI equation. As examples, the breather solutions and rogue wave of the GI are given explicitly by the two-fold DT from a periodic “seed” with a constant amplitude.

An investigation into the character of pre-explosion core-collapse supernova shock motion

Abstract: We investigate the structure of the stalled supernova shock in both two and three dimensions (2D and 3D, respectively) and explore the differences in the effects of neutrino heating and the standing accretion shock instability (SASI). We find that early on the amplitude of the dipolar mode of the shock is factors of {approx}2-3 smaller in 3D than in 2D. However, later in both 3D and 2D, the monopole and dipole modes start to grow until explosion. Whereas in 2D, the (l, m) = (1, 0) mode changes sign quasi-periodically, producing the 'up-and-down' motion always seen in modern 2D simulations, in 3D this almost never happens. Rather, in 3D when the dipolar mode starts to grow, it grows in magnitude and wanders stochastically in direction until settling before explosion to a particular patch of solid angle. Furthermore, in 2D, we find that the amplitude of the dipolar shock deformation separates into two classes. For the first, identified with the SASI and for a wide range of 'low' neutrino luminosities, this amplitude remains small and roughly constant. For the other, identified with higher luminosities and neutrino-driven convection, the dipolar amplitude grows sharply. Importantly, it is only for this higher luminosity classmore » that we see neutrino-driven explosions within {approx}1 s of bounce. Moreover, for the 'low' luminosity runs (including zero), the power spectra of these dipolar oscillations peak in the 30-50 Hz range associated with advection timescales, while for the high-luminosity runs the power spectra at lower frequencies are significantly more prominent. We associate this enhanced power at lower frequencies with slower convective effects and the secular growth of the dipolar shock amplitude. Though our study involves a simplified, parameterized approach, on the basis of it we hypothesize that neutrino-driven buoyant convection should almost always dominate the SASI when the supernova explosion is neutrino-driven.« less

High-speed, image-based eye tracking with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope

Abstract: We demonstrate a high-speed, image-based tracking scanning laser ophthalmoscope (TSLO) that can provide high fidelity structural images, real-time eye tracking and targeted stimulus delivery. The system was designed for diffraction-limited performance over an 8° field of view (FOV) and operates with a flexible field of view of 1°–5.5°. Stabilized videos of the retina were generated showing an amplitude of motion after stabilization of 0.2 arcmin or less across all frequencies. In addition, the imaging laser can be modulated to place a stimulus on a targeted retinal location. We show a stimulus placement accuracy with a standard deviation less than 1 arcmin. With a smaller field size of 2°, individual cone photoreceptors were clearly visible at eccentricities outside of the fovea.

Normal mode analysis of the spectral density of the Fenna-Matthews-Olson light-harvesting protein: how the protein dissipates the excess energy of excitons.

Abstract: We report a method for the structure-based calculation of the spectral density of the pigment–protein coupling in light-harvesting complexes that combines normal-mode analysis with the charge density coupling (CDC) and transition charge from electrostatic potential (TrEsp) methods for the computation of site energies and excitonic couplings, respectively The method is applied to the Fenna–Matthews–Olson (FMO) protein in order to investigate the influence of the different parts of the spectral density as well as correlations among these contributions on the energy transfer dynamics and on the temperature-dependent decay of coherences The fluctuations and correlations in excitonic couplings as well as the correlations between coupling and site energy fluctuations are found to be 1 order of magnitude smaller in amplitude than the site energy fluctuations Despite considerable amplitudes of that part of the spectral density which contains correlations in site energy fluctuations, the effect of these correla

Scale invariance and viscosity of a two-dimensional Fermi gas.

Abstract: We investigate collective excitations of a harmonically trapped two-dimensional Fermi gas from the collisionless (zero sound) to the hydrodynamic (first sound) regime. The breathing mode, which is sensitive to the equation of state, is observed with an undamped amplitude at a frequency 2 times the dipole mode frequency for a large range of interaction strengths and different temperatures. This provides evidence for a dynamical SO(2,1) scaling symmetry of the two-dimensional Fermi gas. Moreover, we investigate the quadrupole mode to measure the shear viscosity of the two-dimensional gas and study its temperature dependence.

Stochastic modeling of intermittent scrape-off layer plasma fluctuations.

Abstract: Single-point measurements of fluctuations in the scrape-off layer of magnetized plasmas are generally found to be dominated by large-amplitude bursts which are associated with radial motion of bloblike structures. A stochastic model for these fluctuations is presented, with the plasma density given by a random sequence of bursts with a fixed wave form. When the burst events occur in accordance to a Poisson process, this model predicts a parabolic relation between the skewness and kurtosis moments of the plasma fluctuations. In the case of an exponential wave form and exponentially distributed burst amplitudes, the probability density function for the fluctuation amplitudes is shown to be a Gamma distribution with the scale parameter given by the average burst amplitude, and the shape parameter given by the ratio of the burst duration and waiting times.

Synchronization of many nanomechanical resonators coupled via a common cavity field.

Abstract: Using amplitude equations, we show that groups of identical nanomechanical resonators, interacting with a common mode of a cavity microwave field, synchronize to form a single mechanical mode which couples to the cavity with a strength dependent on the squared sum of the individual mechanical-microwave couplings. Classically this system is dominated by periodic behavior which, when analyzed using amplitude equations, can be shown to exhibit multistability. In contrast, groups of sufficiently dissimilar nanomechanical oscillators may lose synchronization and oscillate out of phase at significantly higher amplitudes. Further, the method by which synchronization is lost resembles that for large amplitude forcing which is not of the Kuramoto form.

Astrophysics-independent bounds on the annual modulation of dark matter signals.

Abstract: We show how constraints on the time integrated event rate from a given dark matter (DM) direct detection experiment can be used to bound the amplitude of the annual modulation signal in another experiment. The method requires only mild assumptions about the properties of the local DM distribution: that it is temporally stable on the scale of months and spatially homogeneous on the ecliptic. We apply the method to the annual modulation signal in DAMA/LIBRA, which we compare to the bounds derived from XENON10, XENON100, cryogenic DM search, and SIMPLE data. Assuming a DM mass of 10 GeV, we show that under the above assumptions about the DM halo, a DM interpretation of the DAMA/LIBRA signal is excluded for several classes of models: at $6.3\ensuremath{\sigma}$ ($4.6\ensuremath{\sigma}$) for elastic isospin conserving (violating) spin-independent interactions, and at $4.9\ensuremath{\sigma}$ for elastic spin-dependent interactions on protons.

Waveform generator for driving electromechanical device

Abstract: An electrical waveform generator for driving an electromechanical load includes a digital signal processor connected to a waveform generator component in turn connected to an amplifier section with a filter network, the latter being connected to sensing and conditioning circuit componentry that is in turn connected to analog-to-digital converter circuitry. A digital memory stores digitized voltage and current waveform information. The processor determines a phase difference between voltage and current waveforms, compares the determined phase difference to a phase difference command and generates a phase error or correction signal. The processor also generates an amplitude error signal for inducing the amplifier section to change its output amplitude to result in a predetermined amplitude error level for a respective one of the voltage and current waveforms.

Quantum deformation of two four-dimensional spin foam models

Abstract: We construct the q-deformed version of two four-dimensional spin foam models, the Euclidean and Lorentzian versions of the EPRL model. The q-deformed models are based on the representation theory of two copies of Uq(su(2)) at a root of unity and on the quantum Lorentz group with a real deformation parameter. For both models we give a denition of the quantum EPRL intertwiners, study their convergence and braiding properties and construct an amplitude for the four-simplexes. We nd that both of the resulting models are convergent.

Amplitude to phase conversion of InGaAs pin photo-diodes for femtosecond lasers microwave signal generation

Abstract: When a photo-diode is illuminated by a pulse train from a femtosecond laser, it generates microwaves components at the harmonics of the repetition rate within its bandwidth. The phase of these components (relative to the optical pulse train) is known to be dependent on the optical energy per pulse. We present an experimental study of this dependence in InGaAs pin photo-diodes illuminated with ultra-short pulses generated by an Erbium-doped fiber based femtosecond laser. The energy to phase dependence is measured over a large range of impinging pulse energies near and above saturation for two typical detectors, commonly used in optical frequency metrology with femtosecond laser based optical frequency combs. When scanning the optical pulse energy, the coefficient which relates phase variations to energy variations is found to alternate between positive and negative values, with many (for high harmonics of the repetition rate) vanishing points. By operating the system near one of these vanishing points, the typical amplitude noise level of commercial-core fiber-based femtosecond lasers is sufficiently low to generate state-of-the-art ultra-low phase noise microwave signals, virtually immune to amplitude to phase conversion related noise.

Nonlinear pitch angle scattering of relativistic electrons by EMIC waves in the inner magnetosphere

Abstract: [1] We derive the second-order resonance condition for interaction between a relativistic electron and a coherent Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) wave with a variable frequency. We perform test particle simulations of relativistic electrons interacting with EMIC waves with a fixed frequency and a rising-tone frequency such as EMIC triggered emissions observed in the inner magnetosphere. Trapping of resonant electrons leads to rapid and efficient pitch angle scattering of relativistic electrons, resulting in bursty precipitation of relativistic electrons. The efficiency of the pitch angle scattering depends on the gradient of the magnetic field, the frequency sweep rate, and the wave amplitude. The effective wave trapping occurs for a wide range of pitch angles from 10 to 60 degrees. The most effective pitch angle scattering takes place for the case of a rising-tone emission with an enhanced magnetic field gradient. Since the efficiency of pitch angle scattering also depends on the wave amplitude, resonant electrons may not be scattered into the loss cone in a single passage through the wave packet. However, repeated interactions with a series of wave packets result in scattering of relativistic electrons into the loss cone.

Wave body interaction in 2D using smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) with variable particle mass

Abstract: Wave interaction with bodies is an important practical application for smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) which in principle applies to steep and breaking waves without special treatment. However, few detailed tests have been undertaken even with small amplitude waves. In order to reduce computer time a variable particle mass distribution is tested here with fine resolution near the body and coarse resolution further away, while maintaining a uniform kernel size. We consider two well-defined test cases, in two dimensions, of waves generated by a heaving semi-immersed cylinder and progressive waves interacting with a fixed cylinder. But first, still water with hydrostatic pressure is tested. The open-source code SPHysics (http://www.sphysics.org)§Update made here after initial online publication. is used with a Riemann solver in an Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation. For the heaving cylinder, SPH results for far field wave amplitude and cylinder force show good agreement with the data of Yu and Ursell (J. Fluid Mech. 1961; 11:529–551). For wave loading on a half-submerged cylinder the agreement with the experimental data of Dixon et al. (J. Waterway Port Coastal Ocean Div. 1979; 105:421–438) for the root mean square force is within 2%. For more submerged cases, the results show some discrepancy, but this was also found with other modelling approaches. The sensitivity of results to the value of the slope limiter used in the MUSCL-based Riemann solver is demonstrated. The variable mass distribution leads to a computer run speedup of nearly 200% in these cases. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.