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At least 1,027 records · Page 57

Zero Crossing Steps and Anomalous Shapiro Maps in Graphene Josephson Junctions

The AC Josephson effect manifests itself in the form of “Shapiro steps” of quantized voltage in Josephson junctions subject to radio frequency (RF) radiation. This effect presents an early example of a driven–dissipative quantum phenomenon and is presently utilized in primary voltage standards. Shapiro steps have also become one of the standard tools to probe junctions made in a variety of novel materials. Here we study Shapiro steps in a widely tunable graphene-based Josephson junction in which the high- frequency dynamics is determined by the on-chip environment. We investigate the variety of patterns that can be obtained in this well-understood system depending on the carrier density, temperature, RF frequency, and magnetic field. Although the patterns of Shapiro steps can change drastically when just one parameter is varied, the overall trends can be understood and the behaviors straightforwardly simulated, showing some key differences from the conventional RCSJ model. The resulting understanding may help interpret similar measurements in more complex materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Nanoscale Magnetic Domains in Polycrystalline Mn 3 Sn Films Imaged by a Scanning Single-Spin Magnetometer

Noncollinear antiferromagnets with novel magnetic orders, vanishingly small net magnetization, and exotic spin related properties hold enormous promise for developing next-generation, transformative spintronic applications. A major ongoing research focus of this community is to explore, control, and harness unconventional magnetic phases of this emergent material system to deliver state-of-the-art functionalities for modern microelectronics. Here we report direct imaging of magnetic domains of polycrystalline Mn 3 Sn films, a prototypical noncollinear antiferromagnet, using nitrogen-vacancy-based single-spin scanning microscopy. Nanoscale evolution of local stray field patterns of Mn 3 Sn samples are systematically investigated in response to external driving forces, revealing the characteristic “heterogeneous” magnetic switching behaviors in polycrystalline textured Mn 3 Sn films. Furthermore, our results contribute to a comprehensive understanding of inhomogeneous magnetic orders of noncollinear antiferromagnets, highlighting the potential of nitrogen-vacancy centers to study microscopic spin properties of a broad range of emergent condensed matter systems.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Magnetic properties of Ni substituted Y-type barium ferrite

Y-type barium hexaferrite is attractive material for various applications, such as high frequency antennas and RF devices, because of its interesting magnetic properties. Especially, Ni substituted Y- type hexaferrites have higher magnetic ordering temperature than other Y-type. We have investigated macroscopic and microscopic properties of Y-type barium hexaferrite. Ba{sub 2}Co{sub 2−x}Ni{sub x}Fe{sub 12}O{sub 22} (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) samples are prepared by solid-state reaction method and studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer, and Mössbauer spectroscopy, as well as a network analyzer for high frequency characteristics. The XRD pattern is analyzed by Rietveld refinement method and confirms the hexagonal structure with R-3m. The hysteresis curve shows ferrimagnetic behavior. Saturation magnetization (M{sub s}) decreases with Ni contents. Ni{sup 2+}, which preferentially occupies the octahedral site with up-spin sub-lattice, has smaller spin value S of 1 than Co{sup 2+} having S = 3/2. The zero-field-cooled (ZFC) measurement of Ba{sub 2}Co{sub 1.5}Ni{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 12}O{sub 22} shows that Curie and spin transition temperatures are found to be 718 K and 209 K, respectively. The Curie temperature T{sub C} is increased with Ni contents, while T{sub S} is decreased with Ni. The Mössbauer spectra were measured at various temperatures and fitted by using a least-squares method with six sextet of six Lorentzian lines for Fe sites, corresponding to the 3b{sub VI}, 6c{sub IV}*, 6c{sub VI}, 18h{sub VI}, 6c{sub IV}, and 3a{sub IV} sites at below T{sub C}. From Mössbauer measurements, we confirmed the spin state of Fe ion to be Fe{sup 3+} and obtained the isomer shift (δ), magnetic hyperfine field (H{sub hf}), and the occupancy ratio of Fe ions at six sub-lattices. The complex permeability and permittivity are measured between 100 MHz and 4 GHz, suggesting that Y-type barium hexaferrite is promising for antenna applications in UHF band.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Fano interference and a slight fluctuation of the Majorana hallmark

According to the Liu and Baranger [Phys. Rev. B 84, 201308(R) (2011)], an isolated Majorana state bound to one edge of a long enough Kitaev chain in the topological phase and connected to a quantum dot, results in a robust transmittance of 1/2 at zero-bias. In this work, we show that the removal of such a hallmark can be achieved by using a metallic surface hosting two adatoms in a scenario where there is a lack of symmetry in the Fano effect, which is feasible by coupling the Kitaev chain to one of these adatoms. Thus in order to detect this feature experimentally, one should apply the following two-stage procedure: (i) first, attached to the adatoms, one has to lock AFM tips in opposite gate voltages (symmetric detuning of the levels Δε) and measure by an STM tip, the zero-bias conductance; (ii) thereafter, the measurement of the conductance is repeated with the gates swapped. For |Δε| away from the Fermi energy and in the case of strong coupling tip-host, this approach reveals in the transmittance, a persistent dip placed at zero-bias and immune to the aforementioned permutation, but characterized by an amplitude that fluctuates slightly around 1/2. However, in the case of a tip acting as a probe, the adatom decoupled from the Kitaev chain becomes completely inert and no fluctuation is observed. Therefore, the STM tip must be considered in the same footing as the “host+adatoms” system. As a result, we have found that despite the small difference between these two Majorana dips, the zero-bias transmittance as a function of the symmetric detuning yields two distinct behaviors, in which one of them is unpredictable by the standard Fano's theory. Therefore, to access such a non trivial pattern of Fano interference, the hypothesis of the STM tip acting as a probe should be discarded.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Photosensitive response of azobenzene containing films towards pure intensity or polarization interference patterns

In this paper, we report on differences in the response of photosensitive azobenzene containing films upon irradiation with the intensity or polarization interference patterns. Two materials are studied differing in the molecular weight: an azobenzene-containing polymer and a molecular glass formed from a much smaller molecule consisting of three connected azobenzene units. Topography changes occurring along with the changes in irradiation conditions are recorded using a homemade set-up combining an optical part for generation and shaping of interference patterns and an atomic force microscope for acquiring the kinetics of film deformation. In this way, we could reveal the unique behavior of photosensitive materials during the first few minutes of irradiation: the change in topography is initially driven by an increase in the azobenzene free volume along with the trans-cis isomerization, followed by the mass transport finally resulting in the surface relief grating. This study demonstrates the great potential of our setup to experimentally highlight puzzling processes governing the formation of surface relief gratings.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Crystalline perfection, birefringence and laser damage threshold properties of piperidinium p-hydroxybenzoate

Piperidinium p-hydroxybenzoate (PPHB) crystal was grown by slow evaporation method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm that PPHB crystallizes in monoclinic crystal system with noncentrosymmetric space group Cc. The crystalline perfection of the grown crystal was evaluated by using high resolution X-ray diffractometry. UV-Visible transmission and birefringence studies were employed on the grown PPHB crystal. The laser induced damage threshold value was estimated using Nd:YAG laser. Thermal behavior of PPHB crystal has been investigated by TG-DTA analyses. Etching studies have been performed to assess the growth pattern of PPHB crystal.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Spatiotemporal organization of energy release events in the quiet solar corona

Using data from the STEREO and SOHO spacecraft, we show that temporal organization of energy release events in the quiet solar corona is close to random, in contrast to the clustered behavior of flaring times in solar active regions. The locations of the quiet-Sun events follow the meso- and supergranulation pattern of the underling photosphere. Together with earlier reports of the scale-free event size statistics, our findings suggest that quiet solar regions responsible for bulk coronal heating operate in a driven self-organized critical state, possibly involving long-range Alfvénic interactions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Effectiveness of BaTiO 3 dielectric patches on YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 thin films for MEM switches

A micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switch built on a superconducting microstrip filter will be utilized to investigate BaTiO 3 dielectric patches for functional switching points of contact. Actuation voltage resulting from the MEM switch provokes static friction between the bridge membrane and BaTiO 3 insulation layer. Furthermore, the dielectric patch crystal structure and roughness affect the ability of repetitively switching cycles and lifetime. We performed a series of experiments using different deposition methods and RF magnetron sputtering was found to be the best deposition process for the BaTiO 3 layer. The effect examination of surface morphology will be presented using characterization techniques as x-ray diffraction, SEM and AFM for an optimum switching device. The thin film is made of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 deposited on LaAlO 3 substrate by pulsed laser deposition. In our work, the dielectric material sputtering pressure is set at 9.5x10 -6 Torr. The argon gas is released through a mass-flow controller to purge the system prior to deposition. RF power is 85 W at a distance of 9 cm. The behavior of Au membranes built on ultimate BaTiO 3 patches will be shown as part of the results. These novel surface patterns will in turn be used in modelling other RF MEM switch devices such as distributed-satellite communication system operating at cryogenic temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Study of calcium-containing orthophosphates of NaZr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} structural type by high-temperature X-ray diffraction

Orthophosphates Ca{sub 0.5}Ti{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}, Ca{sub 0.5}Zr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}, Ca{sub 0.75}Zr{sub 2}(SiO{sub 4}){sub 0.5}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2.5}, and CaMg{sub 0.5}Zr{sub 1.5}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} (structural type NaZr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}), having different occupancies of interframework positions by calcium, have been prepared by the sol-gel method with the subsequent thermal treatment of dried gels and investigated by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The analytical indexing of X-ray diffraction patterns is performed within the sp. gr. R3{sup -}. High-temperature X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the behavior of the orthophosphates upon heating: thermal expansion in the temperature range of 20-610 Degree-Sign C (up to 500 Degree-Sign C for Ca{sub 0.5}Zr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}). The coefficients of thermal expansion are calculated from the shift of diffraction peaks. The unit-cell parameters of crystals at different temperatures are determined. The dependences of thermal expansion and its anisotropy on the occupancy of cation M positions by calcium are revealed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

PBX 9502 Stockpile-Returned Hemi Tension Directionality Study

This work is a continuation of work started in FY12 to evaluate whether the coring direction in PBX 9502 main charges affects the mechanical properties data. In FY13 we performed the compression and thermal expansion portions of the testing.1 In FY14 we have performed the quasi-static tension and compressive creep parts of the study. This paper focuses on the tensile results while a companion paper details the compressive creep results.2 In an effort to obtain mechanical properties samples that would better characterize the density distribution within a main charge and, to a lesser extent, to more thoroughly describe the mechanical behavior of material that has been in the field for long period of time, the LLNL PBX 9502 Core Surveillance coring pattern had been changed between cycles 29 and 30. Where the orientation of the tensile and compression samples tested in surveillance prior to cycle 30 had been cored in the tangential direction, the new coring diagram has both the tension and compression samples being oriented in the hoop direction. Prior to this study, the authors were not aware of any work that systematically demonstrated the effect on tensile properties of samples cored in these distinct directions. The results from this study will inform us of if and how we should trend the data taken before and after the coring pattern change.

42 ENGINEERING↗

An Updated Review of Hypotheses Regarding Bat Attraction to Wind Turbines

Patterns of bat activity and mortalities at wind energy facilities suggest that bats are attracted to wind turbines based on bat behavioral responses to wind turbines. For example, current monitoring efforts suggest that bat activity increases post-wind turbine construction, with bats making multiple passes near wind turbines. We separated the attraction hypothesis into five previously proposed explanations of bat interactions at or near wind turbines, including attraction based on noise, roost sites, foraging and water, mating behavior, and lights, and one new hypothesis regarding olfaction, and provide a state of the knowledge in 2022. Our review indicates that future research should prioritize attraction based on social behaviors, such as mating and scent-marking, as this aspect of the attraction hypothesis has many postulates and remains the most unclear. Relatively more data regarding attraction to wind turbines based on lighting and noise emission exist, and these data indicate that these are unlikely attractants. Analyzing attraction at the species-level should be prioritized because of differences in foraging, flight, and social behavior among bat species. Lastly, research assessing bat attraction at various scales, such as the turbine or facility scale, is lacking, which could provide important insights for both wind turbine siting decisions and bat mortality minimization strategies. Identifying the causes of bat interactions with wind turbines is critical for developing effective impact minimization strategies.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Turbulent heat transfer in a channel with two right-angled bends

A numerical study is reported on the flow and heat transfer in a channel with two right-angled bends. The k-epsilon turbulence model with a refined near-wall model is adopted for the computation of the flow field for step ratios ranging H/W = 1-4 and for Reynolds numbers Re = 3,000-10,000. The solution method of the governing transport equations is based on the modified hybrid scheme which produces very small truncation error. As a result of extensive computations, the complex flow patterns in the channel with two bends are clarified and the mechanisms of heat transfer are explained relating to the flow behaviors of separation, deflection, recirculation, and reattachment.

Amano, R. S.↗

Compression creep of graphite/epoxy laminates monitored using moire interferometry

Uniaxial compressive creep loadings were applied for ten hours to various graphite/epoxy laminates with a hole. All tests were performed at room temperatures. In-plane displacements were monitored using moire interferometry. Moire fringe patterns were reduced to in-plane strain fields numerically. The fiber-dominated laminates tested exhibited little or no viscoelastic behavior during the ten hour period. Conversely, the matrix-dominated laminates tested did exhibit viscoelastic behavior during the ten hour test time.

Tuttle, M. E.↗

Navigation strategies for multiple autonomous mobile robots moving in formation

The problem of deriving navigation strategies for a fleet of autonomous mobile robots moving in formation is considered. Here, each robot is represented by a particle with a spherical effective spatial domain and a specified cone of visibility. The global motion of each robot in the world space is described by the equations of motion of the robot's center of mass. First, methods for formation generation are discussed. Then, simple navigation strategies for robots moving in formation are derived. A sufficient condition for the stability of a desired formation pattern for a fleet of robots each equipped with the navigation strategy based on nearest neighbor tracking is developed. The dynamic behavior of robot fleets consisting of three or more robots moving in formation in a plane is studied by means of computer simulation.

Wang, P. K. C.↗

Rare earth element selenochemistry of immiscible liquids and zircon at Apollo 14 - An ion probe study of evolved rocks on the moon

Results are presented of trace-element analyses of three lunar zircons. The major-element and REE compositions were determined using electron microprobes, and a correction was made for zircon for Zr-Si-O molecular interferences in the La to Pr mass region. The three zircons were found to exhibit similar REE abundances and patterns. Results of the analyses confirm earlier studies (Hess et al., 1975; Watson, 1976; Neal and Taylor, 1989) on the partitioning behavior of trace elements in immiscible liquid-liquid pairs. The results also support the postulated importance of silicate liquid immiscibility in the differentiation of the upper mantle and crust of the moon.

Snyder, Gregory A.↗

Long term trending of engineering data for the Hubble Space Telescope

A major goal in spacecraft engineering analysis is the detection of component failures before the fact. Trending is the process of monitoring subsystem states to discern unusual behaviors. This involves reducing vast amounts of data about a component or subsystem into a form that helps humans discern underlying patterns and correlations. A long term trending system has been developed for the Hubble Space Telescope. Besides processing the data for 988 distinct telemetry measurements each day, it produces plots of 477 important parameters for the entire 24 hours. Daily updates to the trend files also produce 339 thirty day trend plots each month. The total system combines command procedures to control the execution of the C-based data processing program, user-written FORTRAN routines, and commercial off-the-shelf plotting software. This paper includes a discussion the performance of the trending system and of its limitations.

Cox, Ross M.↗

Sensitivity of Spruce/Moss Boreal Forest Net Ecosystem Productivity to Seasonal Anomalies in Weather

Abstract. A process-oriented, daily time step model of a spruce/moss boreal ecosystem simulated 1994 and 1995 productivity for a Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study site near Thompson, Manitoba. Simulated black spruce net primary productivity (NPP) was 139 g C m(exp -2) in 1994 and 112 in 1995; feathermoss NPP was 13.0 g C m(exp -2) in 1994 and 9.7 in 1995; decomposition was 126 g C m(exp -2) in 1994 and 130 in 1995; net ecosystem productivity (NEP) was an uptake of 26.3 g C m(exp -2)in 1994 and 2.5 in 1995. A very dry period for the first half of the 1995 summer was the major cause of that year's lower productivity. Sensitivity simulations explored the impact of 2-month long warmer, cooler, wetter, and drier spells on ecosystem productivity. Warmer summers decreased spruce NPP, moss NPP, and NEP; cooler summers had the opposite effect. Earlier snowmelt (due to either warmer spring temperatures or reduced winter precipitation) increased moss and spruce NPP; later snowmelt had the opposite effect. The largest effect on decomposition was a 5% reduction due to a drier summer. One-month droughts (April through October) were also imposed on 1975 base year weather. Early summer droughts reduced moss annual NPP by -30-40%; summer droughts reduced spruce annual NPP by 10%; late summer droughts increased moss NPP by about 20% due to reduced respiration; May to September monthly droughts reduced heterotrophic respiration by about 10%. Variability in NEP was up to roughly +/- 35%. Finally, 1975 growing season precipitation was redistributed into frequent, small rainstorms and infrequent, large rainstorms. These changes had no effect on spruce NPP. Frequent rainstorms increased decomposition by a few percent, moss NPP by 50%, and NEP by 20%. Infrequent rainstorms decreased decomposition by 5%, moss NPP by 50% and NEP by 15%. The impact of anomalous weather patterns on productivity of this ecosystem depended on their timing during the year. Multiyear data sets are necessary to understand this behavior and test these types of models.

Frolking, Steve↗

Human Exploration Ethnography of the Haughton-Mars Project, 1998-1999

During the past two field seasons, July 1988 and 1999, we have conducted research about the field practices of scientists and engineers at Haughton Crater on Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic, with the objective of determining how people will live and work on Mars. This broad investigation of field life and work practice, part of the Haughton-Mars Project lead by Pascal Lee, spans social and cognitive anthropology, psychology, and computer science. Our approach involves systematic observation and description of activities, places, and concepts, constituting an ethnography of field science at Haughton. Our focus is on human behaviors-what people do, where, when, with whom, and why. By locating behavior in time and place-in contrast with a purely functional or "task oriented" description of work-we find patterns constituting the choreography of interaction between people, their habitat, and their tools. As such, we view the exploration process in terms of a total system comprising a social organization, facilities, terrain/climate, personal identities, artifacts, and computer tools. Because we are computer scientists seeking to develop new kinds of tools for living and working on Mars, we focus on the existing representational tools (such as documents and measuring devices), learning and improvization (such as use of the internet or informal assistance), and prototype computational systems brought to the field. Our research is based on partnership, by which field scientists and engineers actively contribute to our findings, just as we participate in their work and life.

Clancey, William J.↗