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At least 19 records

Frequency Dependence of the Dielectric Loss Angle in Disordered Semiconductors in the Terahertz Frequency Range

Frequency dependence of the real part of the conductivity σ{sub 1}(ω) in the region of the transition from almost linear (s < 1) to quadratic (s ≈ 2) can indicate a change in the conduction mechanism (the transition from the variable-range to the fixed-range hopping with increasing frequency); in this case, the sharpness of the change in the slope of the frequency characteristic is related to the dependence of the preexponential factor of the resonance integral on the intercenter distance in the pair. The frequency dependence of the imaginary part of the conductivity σ{sub 2}(ω) has no kink in the vicinity of the transition frequency ωcr, remaining almost linear. A large dielectric loss angle |cotγ| = |σ{sub 2}|/σ{sub 1} can indicate that the imaginary part of the conductivity at ω < ω{sub cr} is defined by the larger zero-phonon contribution in σ{sub 2}{sup res} the region of weak variation in the loss angle γ(ω), which significantly exceeds the relaxation contribution σ{sub 2}{sup res}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Frequency-Range Distribution of Boulders Around Cone Crater: Relevance to Landing Site Hazard Avoidance

Boulders represent a landing hazard that must be addressed in the planning of future landings on the Moon. A boulder under a landing leg can contribute to deck tilt and boulders can damage spacecraft during landing. Using orbital data to characterize boulder populations at locations where landers have safely touched down (Apollo, Luna, Surveyor, and Chang'e-3 sites) is important for determining landing hazard criteria for future missions. Additionally, assessing the distribution of boulders can address broader science issues, e.g., how far craters distribute boulders and how this distribution varies as a function of crater size and age. The availability of new Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) images [1] enables the use of boulder size- and range frequency distributions for a variety of purposes [2-6]. Boulders degrade over time and primarily occur around young or fresh craters that are large enough to excavate bedrock. Here we use NAC images to analyze boulder distributions around Cone crater (340 m diameter) at the Apollo 14 site. Cone crater (CC) was selected because it is the largest crater where astronaut surface photography is available for a radial traverse to the rim. Cone crater is young (approximately 29 Ma [7]) relative to the time required to break down boulders [3,8], giving us a data point for boulder range-frequency distributions (BRFDs) as a function of crater age.

Clegg-Watkins, R. N.↗

Preferred Frequency Range, Technical Characteristics, and Interference Assessment for a Microwave Observatory of Subsurface and Subcanopy (MOSS) for 1 MHZ Bandwidth in the Frequency Range of 100-150 MHz

This document presents rationale for the frequency band selection, technical and operational characteristics of active spaceborne sensors in the Earth Exploration-Satellite Service (active), and interference assessment for a 1 MHz bandwidth sensor in the 100-150 MHz frequency range. The active spaceborne sensors expected to be operating in the frequency range of 100-150 MHz is the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) such as the MOSS. The technical characteristics, mission objectives, orbital parameters, design parameters, antenna characteristics, and preliminary interference assessment are given for MOSS. The purpose of the document is to provide rationale for the frequency band selection, technical characteristics of the active spaceborne sensor Microwave Observatory of Subsurface and Subcanopy (MOSS) that can be used to analyze the compatibility of active spaceborne sensors and other systems of 1 MHz bandwidth in the 100-150 MHz frequency band.

wideband SAR modes↗

Microwave soft x-ray microscopy for nanoscale magnetization dynamics in the 5–10 GHz frequency range

We present a scanning transmission x-ray microscopy setup combined with a novel microwave synchronization scheme for studying high frequency magnetization dynamics at synchrotron light sources. The sensitivity necessary to detect small changes in the magnetization on short time scales and nanometer spatial dimensions is achieved by combining the excitation mechanism with single photon counting electronics that is locked to the synchrotron operation frequency. Our instrument is capable of creating direct images of dynamical phenomena in the 5-10 GHz range, with high spatial resolution. When used together with circularly polarized x-rays, the above capabilities can be combined to study magnetic phenomena at microwave frequencies, such as ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and spin waves. We demonstrate the capabilities of our technique by presenting phase resolved images of a ∼6 GHz nanoscale spin wave generated by a spin torque oscillator, as well as the uniform ferromagnetic precession with ∼0.1° amplitude at ∼9 GHz in a micrometer-sized cobalt strip.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Wide-frequency range, dynamic matching network and power system for the “Shoelace” radio frequency antenna on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

A wide-frequency range (50–300 kHz) power system has been implemented for use with a new RF antenna – the “Shoelace” antenna – built to drive coherent plasma fluctuations in the edge of the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. A custom, dynamically tunable matching network allows two commercial 1 kW, 50-Ω RF amplifiers to drive the low-impedance, inductive load presented by the antenna. This is accomplished by a discretely variable L-match network, with 81 independently selected steps available for each of the series and parallel legs of the matching configuration. A compact programmable logic device provides a control system that measures the frequency with better than 1 kHz accuracy and transitions to the correct tuning state in less than 1 ms. At least 85% of source power is dissipated in the antenna across the operational frequency range, with a minimum frequency slew rate of 1 MHz/s; the best performance is achieved in the narrower band from 80 to 150 kHz which is of interest in typical experiments. The RF frequency can be run with open-loop control, following a pre-programmed analog waveform, or phase-locked to track a plasma fluctuation diagnostic signal in real time with programmable phase delay; the amplitude control is always open-loop. The control waveforms and phase delay are programmed remotely. These tools have enabled first-of-a-kind measurements of the tokamak edge plasma system response in the frequency range and at the wave number at which coherent fluctuations regulate heat and particle transport through the plasma boundary.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Characteristics of different frequency ranges in scanning electron microscope images

We demonstrate a new approach to characterize the frequency range in general scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. First, pure frequency images are generated from low frequency to high frequency, and then, the magnification of each type of frequency image is implemented. By comparing the edge percentage of the SEM image to the self-generated frequency images, we can define the frequency ranges of the SEM images. Characterization of frequency ranges of SEM images benefits further processing and analysis of those SEM images, such as in noise filtering and contrast enhancement.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Technique for extending the frequency range of digital dividers

A technique for extending the frequency range of a presettable digital divider is described. The conventional digital divider consists of several counter stages with the count of each stage compared to a preselected number. When the counts for all stages are equal to the preselected numbers, an output pulse is generated and all stages are reset. For high input frequencies, the least significant stage of the divider has to be reset in a very short time. This limits the frequency that can be handled by the conventional digital divider. This invention provides a technique in which the second least significant and higher stages are reset and the least significant stage is permitted to free-run. Hence, the time in which the reset operation can be performed is increased thereby extending the frequency range of the divider.

Long, W. C.↗

Experimental Limits on Gravitational Waves in the MHz Frequency Range

This thesis presents the results of a search for gravitational waves in the 1-11MHz frequency range using dual power-recycled Michelson laser interferometers at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. An unprecedented level of sensitivity to gravitational waves in this frequency range has been achieved by cross-correlating the output fluctuations of two identical and co-located 40m long interferometers. This technique produces sensitivities better than two orders of magnitude below the quantum shot-noise limit, within integration times of less than 1 hour. 95% confidence level upper limits are placed on the strain amplitude of MHz frequency gravitational waves at the $10^{-21}\ \mathrm{Hz}^{-1/2}$ level, constituting the best direct limits to date at these frequencies. For gravitational wave power distributed over this frequency range, a broadband upper limit of $2.4\times10^{-21}\mathrm{Hz}^{-1/2}$ at 95% confidence level is also obtained. This thesis covers the detector technology, the commissioning and calibration of the instrument, the statistical data analysis, and the gravitational wave limit results. Particular attention is paid to the end-to-end calibration of the instrument's sensitivity to differential arm length motion, and so to gravitational wave strain. A detailed statistical analysis of the data is presented as well.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Application of AWE Along with a Combined FEM/MoM Technique to Compute RCS of a Cavity-Backed Aperture in an Infinite Ground Plane Over a Frequency Range

A hybrid Finite Element Method (FEM)/Method of Moments (MoM) technique in conjunction with the Asymptotic Waveform Evaluation (AWE) technique is applied to obtain radar cross section (RCS) of a cavity-backed aperture in an infinite ground plane over a frequency range. The hybrid FEM/MoM technique when applied to the cavity-backed aperture results in an integro-differential equation with electric field as the unknown variable, the electric field obtained from the solution of the integro-differential equation is expanded in Taylor series. The coefficients of the Taylor series are obtained using the frequency derivatives of the integro-differential equation formed by the hybrid FEM/MoM technique. The series is then matched via the Pade approximation to a rational polynomial, which can be used to extrapolate the electric field over a frequency range. The RCS of the cavity-backed aperture is calculated using the electric field at different frequencies. Numerical results for a rectangular cavity, a circular cavity, and a material filled cavity are presented over a frequency range. Good agreement between AWE and the exact solution over the frequency range is obtained.

Reddy, C.J.↗

Identification of waves in the lower-hybrid frequency range in the scrape-off layer plasma of Alcator C-Mod

We report polarization resolved measurements of the parallel refractive index $N_∥≡ck_∥/w$ of the driven RF waves in the lower hybrid (LH) range of frequencies are performed using arrays of RF magnetic probes in the scrape-off layer plasma of Alcator C-Mod. The measured $N_∥$ of the RF magnetic field component parallel to the background magnetic field is about –1.6, which corresponds to the peak of the launched LH $N_∥$ spectrum. Based on the wave dispersion relationship, this wave is identified as the LH slow wave. On the other hand, the RF magnetic field component perpendicular to the magnetic field is found to have a lower $N_∥$ of –1.2, and is detected only near the last closed flux surface. This wave is identified as the LH fast wave generated by slow-fast wave mode conversion.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Identification of waves in the lower-hybrid frequency range in the scrape-off layer plasma of Alcator C-Mod

Polarization resolved measurements of the parallel refractive index Nk ≡ ckk/ω of the driven RF waves in the lower hybrid (LH) range of frequencies are performed using arrays of RF magnetic probes in the scrape-off layer plasma of Alcator C-Mod. The measured Nk of the RF magnetic field component parallel to the background magnetic field is about -1.6, which corresponds to the peak of the launched LH Nk spectrum. Based on the wave dispersion relationship, this wave is identified as the LH slow wave. On the other hand, the RF magnetic field component perpendicular to the magnetic field is found to have a lower Nk of -1.2, and is detected only near the last closed flux surface. This wave is identified as the LH fast wave generated by slow-fast wave mode conversion.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A five-channel quasi-optical multiplexer of 12- to 90-GHz frequency range

An effective five-channel quasi-optical multiplexer, which distributes microwave signals of the frequency range of 12–90 GHz on five frequency channels, Ku, K, Ka, U, and E (frequency ranges of standard single-mode waveguides), or combines these channels into a single wave stream, has been developed for the first time. A relatively homogeneous characteristic with a total loss level of about 1.5 dB is achieved in 90% of each range band. A detailed analysis of diffraction and ohmic losses in the frequency channels of the multiplexer has been carried out.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effective conductivity and permittivity of unsaturated porous materials in the frequency range 1 mHz-1GHz

A model combining low-frequency complex conductivity and high-frequency permittivity is developed in the frequency range from 1 mHz to 1 GHz. The low-frequency conductivity depends on pore water and surface conductivities. Surface conductivity is controlled by the electrical diffuse layer, the outer component of the electrical double layer coating the surface of the minerals. The frequency dependence of the effective quadrature conductivity shows three domains. Below a critical frequency f p , which depends on the dynamic pore throat size Λ, the quadrature conductivity is frequency dependent. Between f p and a second critical frequency f d , the quadrature conductivity is generally well described by a plateau when clay minerals are present in the material. Clay-free porous materials with a narrow grain size distribution are described by a Cole-Cole model. The characteristic frequency f d controls the transition between double layer polarization and the effect of the high-frequency permittivity of the material. The Maxwell-Wagner polarization is found to be relatively negligible. For a broad range of frequencies below 1 MHz, the effective permittivity exhibits a strong dependence with the cation exchange capacity and the specific surface area. At high frequency, above the critical frequency f d , the effective permittivity reaches a high-frequency asymptotic limit that is controlled by the two Archie’s exponents m and n like the low-frequency electrical conductivity. The unified model is compared with various data sets from the literature and is able to explain fairly well a broad number of observations with a very small number of textural and electrochemical parameters. It could be therefore used to interpret induced polarization, induction-based electromagnetic methods, and ground penetrating radar data to characterize the vadose zone.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Tunable photonic crystal wavelength sampler with response in terahertz frequency range

Optical features of novel one dimensional photonic crystals with response in the terahertz frequency range are studied theoretically by outlining the transfer matrix method. Dependence of the ideal crystal reflectance to the size of the alternating SiO{sub 2} and InSb layers are studied systematically at the first step. Extracting the optimum values in which large photonic band gaps (PBGs) appear in the reflectance spectrum, two more defective structures are proposed by benefiting the electro-optical behaviors of Li:NbO{sub 3} crystal. Taking into account of the reflection alterations, tunability of the crystals’ response by the wave incident angle, external bias voltage applied to the defect layer(s) and the wave polarization is further studied. Results show that PBGs and resonant modes inside them are strongly dependent to all these controlling factors besides the dependence to the structural parameters. But however, to some extent different modes have different behaviors. The proposed crystals may satisfy the growing demands for development of the high speed photonic devices in the terahertz frequency range and have great potentials for applications such as tunable wavelength samplers/filters.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Modeling of long range frequency sweeping for energetic particle modes

Long range frequency sweeping events are simulated numerically within a one-dimensional, electrostatic bump-on-tail model with fast particle sources and collisions. The numerical solution accounts for fast particle trapping and detrapping in an evolving wave field with a fixed wavelength, and it includes three distinct collisions operators: Drag (dynamical friction on the background electrons), Krook-type collisions, and velocity space diffusion. The effects of particle trapping and diffusion on the evolution of holes and clumps are investigated, and the occurrence of non-monotonic (hooked) frequency sweeping and asymptotically steady holes is discussed. The presented solution constitutes a step towards predictive modeling of frequency sweeping events in more realistic geometries.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Cryocooled terahertz photoconductive detector system with background-limited performance in 1.5–4 THz frequency range

We describe a 4-K-cryocooled dual-band terahertz (THz) photoconductive detector system with background-limited performance. The detector system comprises two THz photoconductive detectors covering a response in a wide frequency range from 1.5 to 4 THz, low noise amplifiers, optical low-pass filters to eliminate input radiation of higher frequencies, and a mechanical 4 K Gifford-McMahon refrigerator that provides practical and convenient operation without a liquid He container. The electrical and optical performances of the THz detector system were evaluated at a detector temperature of 4 K under 300 K background radiation. We proved that the detector system can achieve background-limited noise-equivalent-power on the order of 10{sup −14} W/Hz{sup 1/2} in the frequency range from 1.5 to 4 THz even if the vibration noise of the mechanical refrigerator is present.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Discrete-time model reduction in limited frequency ranges

A mathematical formulation for model reduction of discrete time systems such that the reduced order model represents the system in a particular frequency range is discussed. The algorithm transforms the full order system into balanced coordinates using frequency weighted discrete controllability and observability grammians. In this form a criterion is derived to guide truncation of states based on their contribution to the frequency range of interest. Minimization of the criterion is accomplished without need for numerical optimization. Balancing requires the computation of discrete frequency weighted grammians. Close form solutions for the computation of frequency weighted grammians are developed. Numerical examples are discussed to demonstrate the algorithm.

Horta, Lucas G.↗