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At least 1,477 records · Page 82

Scattering mechanisms in state-of-the-art GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells

Motivated by recent breakthroughs in molecular beam epitaxy of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells, we examine contributions to mobility and quantum mobility from various scattering mechanisms and their dependencies on the electron density. Here we find that at lower electron densities, n e ≲ 1 x 10 11 cm -2 , both transport and quantum mobility are limited by unintentional background impurities and follow a power-law dependence, ∝ n$^{α}_{e}$, with α ≈ 0.85. Our predictions for quantum mobility are in reasonable agreement with an estimate obtained from the resistivity at filling factor ν = 1/2 in a sample of Y. J. Chung et al. with n e = 1 x 10 11 cm -2 . Consideration of other scattering mechanisms indicates that interface roughness (remote donors) is likely a limiting factor of transport (quantum) mobility at higher electron densities. Future measurements of quantum mobility should yield information on the distribution of background impurities in GaAs and AlGaAs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Experimental confirmation of the magnetic ordering transition induced by an electronic structure change in the metallic triangular antiferromagnet Co 1/3⁢ TaS 2

We report angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) studies combined with DFT+DMFT calculations to confirm that the magnetic ordering vector transition from Q=(1/2,0,0) to Q=(1/3,0,0) in the metallic triangular antiferromagnets Co 1/3±𝜀⁢ TaS 2 (𝜀 ≈ 0.007) is induced by the electronic structure change in the system. The ARPES-measured Fermi surface (FS) maps of Co 0.325 ⁢TaS 2 show two hexagonal and one circular holelike FSs around Γ, which matches well with the triple- Q state by taking into account the contribution of nesting vectors occurring between Co 3⁢𝑑 and Ta 5⁢𝑑 orbitals. In the case of Co 0.340 ⁢TaS 2 , a new electron pocket around K appears, and the FS geometry changes as a result of the correlation effect of Co 4 ⁢S 18 tripods forming in the system. The magnetic susceptibility calculations based on the charge-self-consistent DFT+DMFT band structures and the random phase approximation indicate that the most stable magnetic ordering vector (1/2,0,0) split into (1/6,0,0) and (1/2,0,0), which is consistent with the magnetic phase transition around 𝑥=1/3 in Co 𝑥 ⁢TaS 2 .

Fermi surface↗

Analysis of Integrated Vapor Transport Biases

Abstract High-fidelity analyses and forecasts of integrated vapor transport (VT) are central to the study of Earth’s hydrological cycle as well as high-impact phenomena such as monsoons and atmospheric rivers. The impact of the in-line analysis correction-based additive inflation (ACAI) on IVT biases and forecast errors is examined within the Navy Earth System Prediction Capability (Navy ESPC) global coupled system. The ACAI technique uses atmospheric analysis corrections from the data assimilation system to approximate model bias and as a representation of stochastic model error to simultaneously reduce systematic and random errors and improve ensemble performance. ACAI reduces the global average magnitude of the 7- and 14-day IVT bias by 16%–17% during Northern Hemisphere summer, reaching 70% reductions in some tropical regions. The global average IVT bias reduction is similar to the bias reduction for low-level wind speed bias and considerably smaller than the bias reduction in total precipitable water. The localized regions where ACAI increases IVT bias occur where the control IVT biases change sign and structure with increasing forecast lead time, such as the South Asian monsoon region. Substituting analyzed wind or moisture fields for the forecast fields when calculating the forecast IVT confirms that, on average, wind errors dominate the IVT error calculation in the tropics, although wind and moisture error contributions are comparable in the extratropics. The existence of regions where using either analyzed winds or analyzed moisture increases IVT bias or mean absolute error reveals areas with compensating errors.

Reynolds, Carolyn A.↗

An Updated Visual Orbit of the Directly Imaged Exoplanet 51 Eridani b and Prospects for a Dynamical Mass Measurement with Gaia

We present a revision to the visual orbit of the young, directly imaged exoplanet 51 Eridani b using four years of observations with the Gemini Planet Imager. The relative astrometry is consistent with an eccentric (e=0.53{sub -0.13}{sup +0.09}) orbit at an intermediate inclination (i=136{sub -11}{sup +10} °), although circular orbits cannot be excluded due to the complex shape of the multidimensional posterior distribution. We find a semimajor axis of 11.1{sub -1.3}{sup +4.2} au and a period of 28.1{sub -4.9}{sup +17.2} yr, assuming a mass of 1.75 M{sub ⊙} for the host star. We find consistent values with a recent analysis of VLT/SPHERE data covering a similar baseline. We investigate the potential of using the absolute astrometry of the host star to obtain a dynamical mass constraint for the planet. The astrometric acceleration of 51 Eri derived from a comparison of the Hipparcos and Gaia catalogs was found to be inconsistent at the 2σ–3σ level with the predicted reflex motion induced by the orbiting planet. Potential sources of this inconsistency include a combination of random and systematic errors between the two astrometric catalogs and the signature of an additional companion within the system interior to current detection limits. We also explored the potential of using Gaia astrometry alone for a dynamical mass measurement of the planet by simulating Gaia measurements of the motion of the photocenter of the system over the course of the extended 8 yr mission. We find that such a measurement is only possible (>98% probability) given the most optimistic predictions for the Gaia scan astrometric uncertainties for bright stars and a high mass for the planet (≳3.6 M {sub Jup}).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Distant Relatives: The Chemical Homogeneity of Comoving Pairs Identified in Gaia

Comoving pairs, even at the separations of $\mathcal{O}$(10 6 ) are a predicted reservoir of conatal stars. Here we present detailed chemical abundances of 62 stars in 31 comoving pairs with separations of 10 2 –10 7 au and 3D velocity differences <2 km s -1 . This sample includes both bound comoving pairs/wide binaries and unbound comoving pairs. Observations were taken using the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle (MIKE) spectrograph on board the Magellan/Clay Telescope at high resolution (R~ 45,000) with a typical signal-to-noise ratio of 150 pixel -1 . With these spectra, we measure surface abundances for 24 elements, including Li, C, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, La, Nd, and Eu. Taking iron as the representative element, our sample of wide binaries is chemically homogeneous at the level of 0.05 dex, which agrees with prior studies on wide binaries. Importantly, even systems at separations 2 × 10 5 –10 7 au are homogeneous to 0.09 dex, as opposed to the random pairs, which have a dispersion of 0.23 dex. Assuming a mixture model of the wide binaries and random pairs, we find that 73 ± 22% of the comoving pairs at separations 2 × 10 5 –10 7 au are conatal. Our results imply that a much larger parameter space of phase space may be used to find conatal stars, to study M-dwarfs, star cluster evolution, exoplanets, chemical tagging, and beyond.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Dual-frequency (Ka-band and G-band) radar estimates of liquid water content profiles in shallow clouds

The profile of the liquid water content (LWC) in clouds provides fundamental information for understanding the internal structure of clouds, their radiative effects, propensity to precipitate, and degree of entrainment and mixing with the surrounding environment. In principle, differential absorption techniques based on coincident dual-frequency radar reflectivity observations have the potential to provide the LWC profile. Previous differential frequency radar reflectivity (DFR) efforts were challenged by the fact that the measurable differential attenuation for small quantities of LWC is usually comparable to the system measurement error. This typically renders the retrieval impractical, as the uncertainty can become many times greater than the retrieved value itself. Theoretically, this drawback can be mitigated following two interconnected approaches: (1) increasing the frequency separation between the dual-frequency radar system to measure greater differential attenuation and (2) increasing the radar operating frequency to reduce the instrument measurement random error. Our recently developed 239 GHz radar was deployed during the Eastern Pacific Cloud Aerosol Precipitation Experiment (EPCAPE) along with a variety of collocated remote sensing and in situ instruments. We have combined Ka-band (35 GHz) and G-band (239 GHz) observations to retrieve the LWC from more than 100 vertical profiles of shallow clouds with typical amounts of LWC smaller than 1 g m -3 . We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that the Ka-band and G-band pair of frequencies offers at least a 65 % relative improvement in the LWC retrieval sensitivity compared to previous works reported in the literature using lower-frequency radars. This new technique provides a missing capability to determine the LWC in the challenging low liquid water path (LWP) range (< 200 g m -2 ) and suggests a way forward to characterize microphysical and dynamical processes more precisely in shallow clouds.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Application of Monte Carlo techniques to optimization of high-energy beam transport in a stochastic environment

An algorithm employing a modified sequential random perturbation, or creeping random search, was applied to the problem of optimizing the parameters of a high-energy beam transport system. The stochastic solution of the mathematical model for first-order magnetic-field expansion allows the inclusion of state-variable constraints, and the inclusion of parameter constraints allowed by the method of algorithm application eliminates the possibility of infeasible solutions. The mathematical model and the algorithm were programmed for a real-time simulation facility; thus, two important features are provided to the beam designer: (1) a strong degree of man-machine communication (even to the extent of bypassing the algorithm and applying analog-matching techniques), and (2) extensive graphics for displaying information concerning both algorithm operation and transport-system behavior. Chromatic aberration was also included in the mathematical model and in the optimization process. Results presented show this method as yielding better solutions (in terms of resolutions) to the particular problem than those of a standard analog program as well as demonstrating flexibility, in terms of elements, constraints, and chromatic aberration, allowed by user interaction with both the algorithm and the stochastic model. Example of slit usage and a limited comparison of predicted results and actual results obtained with a 600 MeV cyclotron are given.

Parrish, R. V.↗

Space shuttle solid rocket booster recovery system definition. Volume 2: SRB water impact Monte Carlo computer program, user's manual

The HD 220 program was created as part of the space shuttle solid rocket booster recovery system definition. The model was generated to investigate the damage to SRB components under water impact loads. The random nature of environmental parameters, such as ocean waves and wind conditions, necessitates estimation of the relative frequency of occurrence for these parameters. The nondeterministic nature of component strengths also lends itself to probabilistic simulation. The Monte Carlo technique allows the simultaneous perturbation of multiple independent parameters and provides outputs describing the probability distribution functions of the dependent parameters. This allows the user to determine the required statistics for each output parameter.

Source record↗

Video requirements for remote medical diagnosis

Minimal television system requirements for medical telediagnosis were studied. The experiment was conducted with the aid of a simulated telemedicine system. The first step involved making high quality videotape recordings of actual medical examinations conducted by a skilled nurse under the direction of a physician watching on closed circuit television. These recordings formed the baseline for the study. Next, these videotape recordings were electronically degraded to simulate television systems of less than broadcast quality. Finally, the baseline and degraded video recordings were shown (via a statistically randomized procedure) to a large number of physicians who attempted to reach a correct medical diagnosis and to visually recognize key physical signs for each patient. By careful scoring and analysis of the results of these viewings, the pictorial and diagnostic limitations as a function of technical video characteristics were to be defined.

Davis, J. G.↗

On the masses and relative velocities of galaxies

A critical analysis of the observations made by Einasto et al. and Ostriker et al. (1974) regarding the masses of galaxies is presented. The criticism centers on the assumption of gravitational binding in calculating the masses. Suppositions regarding halos surrounding galaxies; noncircular motions in outer spirals; physical bindings between our Galaxy and the six dwarf elliptical galaxies near it; and the masses of double galaxies and clusters are analyzed, and it is concluded that there is no independent observational evidence that the masses in these cases are very much larger than those derived in the investigation of single galaxies. Relative and random velocities within and between galaxies are discussed, and no indication is found for equipartition of energy between systems of different masses or for alteration of velocity dispersion by the formation and evolution of physical groupings, except for the rich clusters.

Burbidge, G.↗

Mafic silicates in the Orgueil carbonaceous meteorite

Iron-bearing olivines and pyroxenes occurring in Orgueil may represent a separate population distinct from the magnesian varieties previously reported. Compositions of these iron-bearing silicates are inconsistent with an origin by direct equilibrium condensation in the nebula. Such an origin is more plausible for the magnesian silicates, but lacks conclusive evidence. An extra-solar system origin for either mafic population is possible, though similarly lacking in evidence. About 15% of the olivines, randomly distributed with respect to iron content, retain particle track evidence of a precompaction irradiation.

Kerridge, J. F.↗

Low-speed impact phenomena and orbital resonances in the moon- and planet-building process

A simulation of collisional and gravitational interaction in the early solar system generates planets approximately 1000 km in diameter from an initial swarm of kilometer sized planetesimals. The model treats collisions according to experimental and theoretical impact results (such as rebound, cratering, and catastrophic fragmentation) for a variety of materials whose parameters span plausible values for early solid objects. The small planets form in approximately 1000 yr, during which time most of the mass of the system continues to reside in particles near the original size. The simulation is terminated when the largest objects' random motion is of smaller dimension than their collision cross-sections. The few 1000 km planets may act as seeds for the subsequent, gradual, accretional growth into full-sized planets.

Chapman, C. R.↗

Representation of high frequency Space Shuttle data by ARMA algorithms and random response spectra

High frequency Space Shuttle lift-off data are treated by autoregressive (AR) and autoregressive-moving-average (ARMA) digital algorithms. These algorithms provide useful information on the spectral densities of the data. Further, they yield spectral models which lend themselves to incorporation to the concept of the random response spectrum. This concept yields a reasonably smooth power spectrum for the design of structural and mechanical systems when the available data bank is limited. Due to the non-stationarity of the lift-off event, the pertinent data are split into three slices. Each of the slices is associated with a rather distinguishable phase of the lift-off event, where stationarity can be expected. The presented results are rather preliminary in nature; it is aimed to call attention to the availability of the discussed digital algorithms and to the need to augment the Space Shuttle data bank as more flights are completed.

Spanos, P. D.↗

Interactive orbital proximity operations planning system

An interactive graphical planning system for on-site planning of proximity operations in the congested multispacecraft environment about the space station is presented. The system shows the astronaut a bird's eye perspective of the space station, the orbital plane, and the co-orbiting spacecraft. The system operates in two operational modes: (1) a viewpoint mode, in which the astronaut is able to move the viewpoint around in the orbital plane to range in on areas of interest; and (2) a trajectory design mode, in which the trajectory is planned. Trajectory design involves the composition of a set of waypoints which result in a fuel-optimal trajectory which satisfies all operational constraints, such as departure and arrival constraints, plume impingement constraints, and structural constraints. The main purpose of the system is to present the trajectory and the constraints in an easily interpretable graphical format. Through a graphical interactive process, the trajectory waypoints are edited until all operational constraints are satisfied. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the system. Eight airline pilots with no prior background in orbital mechanics participated in the experiments. Subject training included a stand-alone training session of about 6 hours duration, in which the subjects became familiar with orbital mechanics concepts and performed a series of exercises to familiarize themselves with the control and display features of the system. They then carried out a series of production runs in which 90 different trajectory design situations were randomly addressed. The purpose of these experiments was to investigate how the planning time, planning efforts, and fuel expenditures were affected by the planning difficulty. Some results of these experiments are presented.

Grunwald, Arthur J.↗

Nonlinear random response prediction using MSC/NASTRAN

An equivalent linearization technique was incorporated into MSC/NASTRAN to predict the nonlinear random response of structures by means of Direct Matrix Abstract Programming (DMAP) modifications and inclusion of the nonlinear differential stiffness module inside the iteration loop. An iterative process was used to determine the rms displacements. Numerical results obtained for validation on simple plates and beams are in good agreement with existing solutions in both the linear and linearized regions. The versatility of the implementation will enable the analyst to determine the nonlinear random responses for complex structures under combined loads. The thermo-acoustic response of a hexagonal thermal protection system panel is used to highlight some of the features of the program.

Robinson, J. H.↗

Spectral representation of high-frequency Space Shuttle data

High frequency Space Shuttle liftoff data are treated by autoregressive (AR) and autoregressive-moving-average (ARMA) digital algorithms. These algorithms provide useful information on the spectral densities of the data. Further, they yield spectral models, which lend themeselves to incorporation into the concept of the random response spectrum. This concept yields a reasonably smooth power spectrum for the design of structural and mechanical systems when the available data bank is limited. Due to the nonstationary of the liftoff event, the pertinent data are split into three slices. Each of the slices is associated with a rather distinguished phase of the liftoff event, in which stationarity can be expected. The presented results are preliminary in nature; they aim to call attention to the availability of the discussed concepts and to the need to augment the Space Shuttle data bank as more flights are completed.

Spanos, P. D.↗

A Systematic Error Correction Method for TOVS Radiances

Treatment of systematic errors is crucial for the successful use of satellite data in a data assimilation system. Systematic errors in TOVS radiance measurements and radiative transfer calculations can be as large or larger than random instrument errors. The usual assumption in data assimilation is that observational errors are unbiased. If biases are not effectively removed prior to assimilation, the impact of satellite data will be lessened and can even be detrimental. Treatment of systematic errors is important for short-term forecast skill as well as the creation of climate data sets. A systematic error correction algorithm has been developed as part of a 1D radiance assimilation. This scheme corrects for spectroscopic errors, errors in the instrument response function, and other biases in the forward radiance calculation for TOVS. Such algorithms are often referred to as tuning of the radiances. The scheme is able to account for the complex, air-mass dependent biases that are seen in the differences between TOVS radiance observations and forward model calculations. We will show results of systematic error correction applied to the NOAA 15 Advanced TOVS as well as its predecessors. We will also discuss the ramifications of inter-instrument bias with a focus on stratospheric measurements.

Joiner, Joanna↗

A Survey and Recent Development of Lunar Gravity Assist

Earth's moon is the largest in the solar system relative to its parent body, the Earth, and can have significant effect on the path of a spacecraft flying close by. This effect, when planned to benefit a specific mission, is called lunar gravity assist (LGA) , and assumes that one aims the spacecraft towards the Moon in such a way that the Moon's gravitational pull will alter the spacecraft's course in a favorable manner. The first application of LGA was in the Apollo program, where the command and lunar modules (and astronauts) were propelled to the Moon such that, if no additional course changes were made, they would swing around the backside of the Moon at a certain altitude and be flung back to Earth to enter the atmosphere at a specified location in the Pacific ocean. This LGA was an essential element saving the lives of the astronauts on Apollo 13. This paper will illustrate the basic mechanics of gravity assist, and list the many applications where it has been used effectively over the past 30 some years. These include missions to the sun and Earth libration points, redirecting a spacecraft from one of these point to a comet encounter, and enhancing payloads by providing an energy boost by the Moon. More recently, studies and actual missions have shown the benefits of LGA in: (1) assisting lunar capture, (2) repositioning geosynchronous communications satellites, (3) boosting spacecraft to Earth escape and departure to planets and other solar system bodies, and (4) allowing small spacecraft to be launched as secondary payloads and released into almost a random orbit from which each may depart and maneuver in space with gravity assists from the Earth and Moon to perform a specific planetary or other mission. This latter application is a recent development by the author and is being applied in 2002 and later years, with piggyback flights on the Ariane 5 which launches comsats to GEO.

Penzo, Paul A.↗