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At least 109 records · Page 6

The Backup-Gilbert method and its application to the electrical conductivity problem

The theory of Backus and Gilbert gives a technique for solving the general linear inverse problem. Observational error and lack of data are shown to reduce the reliability of the solution in different ways: the former introduces statistical uncertainties in the model, while the latter smooths out the detail. Precision can be improved by sacrificing resolving power, and vice versa, so that some compromise may be made between the two in choosing the best model. Nonlinear inverse problems can be brought into the domain of the theory by linearizing about a typical solution. The inverse problem of electrical conductivity in the mantle is used to illustrate the Backus-Gilbert technique; an example of the tradeoff diagram is given.

Parker, R. L.↗

The inference of mantle viscosity from an inversion of the Fennoscandian relaxation spectrum

The theory of Peltier (1976) for mantle viscosity is adopted, within the framework of nonlinear Bayesian Inference, to invert the Fennoscandian relaxation spectra derived by McConnell (1968). A set of rigorous constraints which all models for the viscosity variation beneath Fennoscandian must satisfy is derived. These constraints are used to test the plausibility of a wide class of viscosity models. It is shown that a model with a weak asthenosphere overlying an isoviscous 10 exp 21 Pa s deep mantle provides to good fit to the relaxation spectrum. This is also true of models with a thin sublithospheric low-viscosity zone overlying a two-layer deep mantle with a moderate jump in viscosity across 670 km depth, and models with a viscosity jump of between four and six across isoviscous upper and lower mantle regions.

Mitrovica, J. X.↗

Inversion layer solar cell fabrication and evaluation

Silicon solar cells with induced junctions were created by forming an inversion layer near the surface of the silicon by supplying a sheet of positive charge above the surface. This charged layer was supplied through three mechanisms: (1) supplying a positive potential to a transparent electrode separated from the silicon surface by a dielectric, (2) contaminating the oxide layer with positive ions, and (3) forming donor surface states that leave a positive charge on the surface. A movable semi-infinite shadow delineated the extent of sensitivity of the cell due to the inversion region. Measurements of the inversion layer cell response to light of different wavelengths indicated it to be more sensitive to the shorter wavelengths of the sun's spectrum than conventional cells. Theory of the conductance of the inversion layer vs. strength of the inversion layer was compared with experiment and found to match. Theoretical determinations of junction depth and inversion layer strength were made as a function of the surface potential for the transparent electrode cell.

Call, R. L.↗

Analysis of plasmas generated by fission fragments

A kinetic model is developed for a plasma generated by fission fragments and the results are employed to study helium plasma generated in a tube coated with fissionable material. Because both the heavy particles and electrons play important roles in creating the plasma, their effects are considered simultaneously. The calculations are carried out for a range of neutron fluxes and pressures. In general, the predictions of the theory are in good agreement with available intensity measurements. Moreover, the theory predicts the experimentally measured inversions. However, the calculated gain coefficients are such that lasing is not expected to take place in a helium plasma generated by fission fragments. The effects of an externally applied electric field are also considered.

Deese, J. E.↗

Analysis of nuclear induced plasmas

A kinetic model is developed for a plasma generated by fission fragments, and the results are employed to study He plasma generated in a tube coated with fissionable material. Because both the heavy particles and electrons play important roles in creating the plasma, their effects are considered simultaneously. The calculations are carried out for a range of neutron fluxes and pressures. In general, the predictions of the theory are in good agreement with available intensity measurements. Moreover, the theory predicts the experimentally measured inversions. However, the calculated gain coefficients are such that lasing is not expected to take place in a helium plasma generated by fission fragments.

Deese, J. E.↗

Analysis of nuclear induced plasmas

A kinetic model is developed for a plasma generated by fission fragments and the results are employed to study He plasma generated in a tube coated with fissionable material. Because both the heavy particles and electrons play important roles in creating the plasma, their effects are considered simultaneously. The calculations are carried out for a range of neutron fluxes and pressures. In general, the predictions of the theory are in good agreement with available intensity measurements. Moreover, the theory predicts the experimentally measured inversions. However, the calculated gain coefficients are such that lasing is not expected to take place in a helium plasma generated by fission fragments.

Deese, J. E.↗

Submillimeter wave absorption of n-type InSb at low temperatures

The absorption coefficient of two high-purity n-InSb samples is measured in the 10-40 per cm range using Fourier transform spectroscopy. The absorption coefficient spectrum is presented for both samples at 4.2 K. It is also shown for the lower resistance sample cooled to 2.2 K and heated by dc bias to elevated electron gas temperatures of 7.5 and 17.9 K. ac Drude theory gives rather poor agreement with experiment at 2.2 and 4.2 K but does much better when the sample electron gas is heated. In contrast, a simple quantum mechanical theory of absorption based on inverse Bremsstrahlung yields promising agreement at the lower temperatures although its applicability is questionable. The non-Drudian absorption is shown to have a favorable effect on the performance of InSb hot-electron bolometers.

Brown, E. R.↗

The finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) method for electromagnetic scattering and interaction problems

The formulation and recent applications of the finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) method for the numerical modeling of electromagnetic scattering and interaction problems are considered. It is shown that improvements in FD-TD modeling concepts and software implementation often make it a preferable choice for structures which cannot be easily treated by conventional integral equations and asymptotic approaches. Recent FD-TD modeling validations in research areas including coupling to wires and wire bundles in free space and cavities, scattering from surfaces in relativistic motion, inverse scattering, and radiation condition theory, are reviewed. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of FD-TD, and guidelines concerning when FD-TD should and should not be used in high-frequency electromagnetic modeling problems, are summarized.

Taflove, A.↗

Identification of dynamic characteristics of flexible rotors as dynamic inverse problem

The problem of dynamic and balancing of flexible rotors were considered, which were set and solved as the problem of the identification of flexible rotor systems, which is the same as the inverse problem of the oscillation theory dealing with the task of the identifying the outside influences and system parameters on the basis of the known laws of motion. This approach to the problem allows the disclosure the picture of disbalances throughout the rotor-under-test (which traditional methods of flexible rotor balancing, based on natural oscillations, could not provide), and identify dynamic characteristics of the system, which correspond to a selected mathematical model. Eventually, various methods of balancing were developed depending on the special features of the machines as to their design, technology, and operation specifications. Also, theoretical and practical methods are given for the flexible rotor balancing at far from critical rotation frequencies, which does not necessarily require the knowledge forms of oscillation, dissipation, and elasticity and inertia characteristics, and to use testing masses.

Roisman, W. P.↗

Inversion of solar aureole measurements for determining aerosol characteristics

Solar aureole radiance is very sensitively dependent on the aerosol size distributions. The photographic solar aureole isophote (PSAI) measurement technique for determining the aerosol size distribution and other characteristics takes advantage of this sensitivity. Single scattering theory of the solar aureole is given. The assumptions and conditions imposed on the single scattering theory to make it tractable to inversion are discussed. The important role of the almucantar measurements is also discussed.

Deepak, A.↗

Waveform inversion of mantle Love waves: The born seismogram approach

Normal mode theory, extended to the slightly laterally heterogeneous Earth by the first-order Born approximation, is applied to the waveform inversion of mantle Love waves (200-500 sec) for the Earth's lateral heterogeneity at l=2 and a spherically symmetric anelasticity (Q sub mu) structure. The data are from the Global Digital Seismograph Network (GDSN). The l=2 pattern is very similar to the results of other studies that used either different methods, such as phase velocity measurements and multiplet location measurements, or a different data set, such as mantle Rayleigh waves from different instruments. The results are carefully analyzed for variance reduction and are most naturally explained by heterogeneity in the upper 420 km. Because of the poor resolution of the data set for the deep interior, however, a fairly large heterogeneity in the transition zones, of the order of up to 3.5% in shear wave velocity, is allowed. It is noteworthy that Love waves of this period range can not constrain the structure below 420 km and thus any model presented by similar studies below this depth are likely to be constrained by Rayleigh waves (spheroidal modes) only.

Tanimoto, T.↗

Waveform inversion of mantle Love waves - The Born seismogram approach

Normal mode theory, extended to the slightly laterally heterogeneous earth by the first-order Born approximation, is applied to the waveform inversion of mantle Love waves (200-500 sec) for the earth's lateral heterogeneity at l = 2 and a spherically symmetric anelasticity (Q sub mu) structure. The data are from the Global Digital Seismograph Network (GDSN). The l = 2 pattern is very similar to the results of other studies that used either different methods, such as phase velocity measurements and multiplet location measurements, or a different data set, such as mantle Rayleigh waves from different instruments. The results are carefully analyzed for variance reduction and are most naturally explained by heterogeneity in the upper 420 km. Because of the poor resolution of the data set for the deep interior, however, a fairly large heterogeneity in the transition zones, of the order of up to 3.5 percent in shear wave velocity, is allowed. It is noteworthy that Love waves of this period range can not constrain the structure below 420 km and thus any model presented by similar studies below this depth are likely to be constrained by Rayleigh waves (spheroidal modes) only.

Tanimoto, T.↗

Modified Cascading Generalized Inverse Control Allocation

The current aviation revolution towards electric propulsion aircraft (e.g., electric vertical takeoff-and-landing) brings unique control challenges. These vehicles are typically over-actuated (more effectors than desired control outcomes), may require control strategies for the three phases of flight (hover, transition and cruise), and currently have limited electric power availability. These vehicle challenges bring the need for optimal control allocation to the forefront of research. A leading control allocation algorithm, used in current flight vehicles, is the Cascading Generalized Inverse (CGI). Unfortunately, the Cascading Generalized Inverse algorithm is unable to achieve some desired outcomes, it intermittently provides non-optimal allocations, and it may fail to preserve moment direction near maximal achievable outcomes. In this research, the shortcomings of the Cascading Generalized Inverse algorithm are addressed by augmenting the algorithm with Scalar Difference Quadratic unsaturation identification and location at each iteration. Rigorous theory is shown that the Modified Cascading Generalized Inverse performs better at obtaining optimal allocations for all attainable outcomes. Numerical case studies for over-actuated vehicles demonstrate resolution to the aforementioned deficiencies.

Control Allocation↗

Modified Cascading Generalized Inverse Control Allocation

The current aviation revolution towards electric propulsion aircraft (e.g., electric vertical takeoff-and-landing) brings unique control challenges. These vehicles are typically over-actuated (more effectors than desired control outcomes), may require control strategies for the three phases of flight (hover, transition and cruise), and currently have limited electric power availability. These vehicle challenges bring the need for optimal control allocation to the forefront of research. A leading control allocation algorithm, used in current flight vehicles, is the Cascading Generalized Inverse (CGI). Unfortunately, the Cascading Generalized Inverse algorithm is unable to achieve some desired outcomes, it intermittently provides non-optimal allocations, and it may fail to preserve moment direction near maximal achievable outcomes. In this research, the shortcomings of the Cascading Generalized Inverse algorithm are addressed by augmenting the algorithm with Scalar Difference Quadratic unsaturation identification and location at each iteration. Rigorous theory is shown that the Modified Cascading Generalized Inverse performs better at obtaining optimal allocations for all attainable outcomes. Numerical case studies for over-actuated vehicles demonstrate resolution to the aforementioned deficiencies.

Control Allocation↗

A parameterization of the depth of the entrainment zone

A theory of the parameterization of the entrainment zone depth has been developed based on conservation of energy. This theory suggests that the normalized entrainment zone depth is proportional to the inverse square root of the Richardson number. A comparison of this theory with atmospheric observations indicates excellent agreement. It does not adequately predict the laboratory data, although it improves on parcel theory, which is based on a momentum balance.

Boers, Reinout↗

The Induced Magnetic Field of the Moon: Conductivity Profiles and Inferred Temperature

Electromagnetic induction in the moon driven by fluctuations of the interplanetary magnetic field is used to determine the lunar bulk electrical conductivity. The present data clearly show the north-south and east-west transfer function difference as well as high frequency rollover. The difference is shown to be compatible over the mid-frequency range with a noise source associated with the compression of the local remanent field by solar wind dynamic pressure fluctuations. Models for two, three, and four layer; current layer, double current layer, and core plus current layer moons are generated by inversion of the data using a theory which incorporates higher order multipoles. Core radii conductivities generally are in the range 1200 to 1300 km and 0.001 to 0.003 mhos/m; and for the conducting shell 1500 to 1700 km with 0.0001 to 0.0007 mhos/m with an outer layer taken as nonconducting. Core temperature based on available olivine data is 700 to 1000 C.

Sonett, C. P.↗