Progress in the description of stellar evolution is driven by the collaborative effort of nuclear physics, astrophysics and astronomy. Using those developments, the theory of the origin of elements in the Universe is challenged. This thesis addresses the problem behind the abundance of 44Ti and the origin of 26Al. The mismatch between the predicted abundance of 44Ti as produced by the only sites known to be able to create 44Ti, core collapse supernovae (CCSNe), and the observations, highlight the current uncertainty that exists in the physics of these stars. Several satellite based γ-ray observations of the isotope 44Ti have been reported in recent times and confirm the disagreement. As the amount of this isotope in stellar ejecta is thought to critically depend on the explosion mechanism, the ability to accurately model the observed abundance would be a pivotal step towards validating that theory. The most influential reaction to the amount of 44Ti in supernovae is 44Ti(α, p)47V. Here we report on a direct study of this reaction conducted at the REX-ISOLDE facility, CERN. The experiment was performed at a centre of mass energy 4.15±0.23 MeV, which is, for the first time, well within the Gamow window for core collapse supernovae. The experiment employed a beam of 44Ti extracted from highly irradiated components of the SINQ spallation neutron source of the Paul Scherrer Institute. No yield above background was observed, enabling an upper limit for the rate of this reaction to be determined. This result is below expectation, suggesting that the 44Ti(α, p)47V reaction proceeds more slowly than previously thought. Implications for astrophysical events, and remnant age, are discussed. In Wolf-Rayet and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, the 26gAl(p,γ)27Si reaction is expected to govern the destruction of the cosmic γ-ray emitting nucleus 26Al. The rate of this reaction, however, is highly uncertain due to the unknown properties of several resonances in the temperature regime of hydrogen burning. We present a high-resolution inverse kinematic study of the 26gAl(d, p)27Al reaction as a method for constraining the strengths of key astrophysical resonances in the 26gAl(p,γ)27Si reaction. In particular, the results indicate that the resonance at Er = 127 keV in 27Si determines the entire 26gAl(p, γ)27Si reaction rate over almost the complete temperature range of Wolf-Rayet stars and AGB stars. The measurements of spectroscopic factors for many states in 27Al and a shell model calculation of nuclear properties of rp-resonant states in 27Si also allow for testing the structure model.

The control of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) using arrays of annular holes was investigated both experimentally and through numerical modelling. Periodic elastic composites, phononic crystals (PnCs), were designed using these annular holes as constituent elements. Local resonances associated with the annular hole structure were found to induce phonon bandgaps of a highly frequency tailorable nature, at frequencies where radiation of acoustic energy into the bulk of the substrate medium is avoided. These bandgaps are numerically demonstrated to exhibit order-of-magnitude improved extinction ratios for finite numbers of PnC elements, relative to the commonly used cylindrical pillar architecture. Devices fabricated on commercially available lithium niobate SAW delay lines verify the predicted behaviour. Through laser knife-edge detector vibrometry, a bandgap attenuation of 24.5 dB at 97 MHz was measured, in excellent agreement with finite element method (FEM) simulations. The first reported experimental evidence of subwavelength confinement of propagating SAWs was realised using the same annular hole PnC concept. Defect holes of perturbed resonant frequencies are included within the PnC to define waveguides and cavities. Confinement within these defects was demonstrated to occur at subwavelength frequencies which was experimentally observed in fabricated cavities using standard SAW transducers, as measured by laser Doppler vibrometry. The success of this result was attributed to the impedance matching of hybridised modes to Rayleigh SAWs in un-patterned substrates at the defect resonance. The work here has the potential to transform the field by providing a method to enhance SAW interactions, which is a route towards the realisation of many lab-on-chip applications. Finally, the use of annular hole arrays as negative refraction metamaterials was investigated. The symmetry was broken of the unit cells by alternating either the locally resonant frequencies or the distance separating the constituent elements. Both methods, called the bi-dispersive and bi-periodic methods, were numerically demonstrated to exhibit negative group velocity bands within the first Brillouin zone. Preliminary experimental results show that the design has the potential to be used in superlensing, where a SAW spot was imaged over a subwavelength flat lens. Future research looks to demonstrate that this result can be attributed to negative refraction.

Neste trabalho, é apresentada uma variação da técnica de espectroscopia por cavidade ressonante tipo ring-down CRDS (do acrônimo em inglês Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) para a obtenção simultânea do espectro de absorção de multicomponentes numa faixa espectral larga do visível. Esta nova técnica se resume no uso do espectro supercontinuum (resultante da irradiação de meios não lineares através de lasers de femtossegundo, ou simplesmente gerada por fontes compactas) como fonte de luz para iluminar a cavidade. Neste contexto são descritas as características dos módulos para a montagem de um MC-SC-CRDS (Multicomponent Supercontinuum Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy): os pares de espelhos altamente refletivos, a cavidade ressonante e o sistema de detecção. Alguns problemas relacionados à excitação de multimodos, à luz difusa, ao uso efetivo do intervalo dinâmico de detecção, à baixa resolução do instrumento em resolver linhas estreitas de absorção são situados. Apresentamos os espectros de absorção de H2O (políades 4nu, 4nu + delta ) e O2 (transições proibidas de spin b-X) simultaneamente medidos por essa técnica na faixa do visível, e uma comparação com as linhas de absorção baseadas do banco de dados HITRAN é feita para demonstrar a funcionalidade deste método. / In this work, we present a variation of the technique CRDS (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) to obtain simultaneously a multicomponent absorption spectrum in a broad visible range. This new approach uses the Supercontinuum (SC) spectrum (resulting from irradiation of nonlinear media by femtosecond lasers, or simply generated by compact sources) as a light source to illuminate the cavity. In this context it is described the features of the modules assembling a MC-SC-CRDS (Multicomponent Supercontinuum Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy): a set of high refletivity mirrors, the resonant cavity and the detection system. Some problems related to the multimode excitation, stray light, effective use of the dynamic range of the detector, the poor resolution of the instrument to resolve narrow absorption lines are issued. We present the absorption spectra of H2O (polyads 4nu, 4nu + delta ) and O2 (spin-forbidden b-X branch) measured simultaneously by this technique in the visible range and a comparison with the absorption lines based on HITRAN database is made to demonstrate the functionality of this method.

Calculamos a estrutura eletrônica do sistema formado por dois poços quânticos assimétricos (Al0.3Ga0.7As/GaAs) com dopagem delta (Si) no centro de cada poço. Resolvemos a equação de Schrödinger usando a teoria do funcional densidade na aproximação de densidade local. Obtemos o potencial efetivo, os níveis de energia, a ocupação das sub-bandas e a densidade eletrônica total em função da temperatura, espessura da barreira de potencial que separa os dois poços, concentração e difusão dos átomos doadores. Verificamos que a estrutura eletrônica e pouco influenciada pela temperatura e difusão dos doadores. Por outro lado, nossos resultados mostram que ela depende de forma significativa da concentração dos doadores. Investigamos também como o sistema e influenciado por uma tensão elétrica aplicada na direção de crescimento. Calculamos os níveis de energia e ocupação das sub-bandas em função da tensão elétrica aplicada. Determinamos então a tensão elétrica necessária para tomar ressonantes os dois primeiros níveis de energia para barreiras de potencial de espessuras 25&#197 e 50&#197. Uma possível aplicação para esse sistema e analisada. Verificamos que ele apresenta efeitos de mobilidade modulada e transcondutância negativa quando as mobilidades nos dois poços são diferentes. Consideramos ainda o caso em que um campo magnético e aplicado perpendicularmente a direção de crescimento. Nossos resultados mostram que a forma da relação de dispersão En( kx), inicialmente parabólica, e bastante modificada pelo campo magnético, surgindo estados ressonantes para kx diferente de zero. Conseqüentemente, a massa efetiva eletrônica nessa direção também e modificada, dependendo agora da energia do elétron. Para campo magnético nulo verificamos que a massa efetiva e diferente em cada sub-banda. / In this work we calculate the electronic structure of a double asymmetric quantum well of Al0.3Ga0.7As/GaAs with a delta doping at the center of the wells. The local density approximation was used in order to obtain the effective potential energy levels, population and the total electronic density as a function of the temperature, barrier thickness, impurity concentration and impurity spread. We have observed that the electronic structure is almost not sensitive to the temperature and the spread of the donors but it depends strongly of the donors concentration. The effect of a gate voltage (Vc) is also studied. The energy levels and the occupation of these levels are calculated as a function of Vc. The resonances of the two first levels are studied for a system with barrier thickness 25&#197 and 50&#197. A possible practical application for this system is analyzed. We observe that mobility modulation and negative transconductance can be achieved when the mobilities of the two wells are different. We have considered the effect of a uniform magnetic field applied perpendicular to the growth direction. The dispersion relation is strongly modified and the effective mass for each subband has been calculated.

<div>With an eye towards applications such as the selective sensing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or micro-scale thrust generation, inkjet printing was explored as a means to selectively deposit functional materials. The work detailed herein explores a series of fundamental steps to gain expertise related to the piezoelectric inkjet printing of functional materials. The successful printing of nanothermite was demonstrated with two unique printing techniques. Furthermore, the integration of this material with an ignition mechanism was shown to create a fully printed igniter energetic system. These advancements support future work related to the printing of other energetic materials necessary to create tunable reactive systems. This knowledge was then translated into the development of resonant mass sensing devices that are selectively functionalized using inkjet printing. This approach to functionalization allowed for the precise deposition of receptive chemistries on devices resulting in selective, highly-sensitive devices that successfully detected biomarkers secreted after traumatic brain injuries and harmful VOCs. This work implemented oscillator-based sensors to achieve a low-cost, low-power sensor platform with redundant elements. Furthermore, the predictive capabilities of these devices were explored using least squares and linear regression modeling.</div>

<p>The purpose of this Master Thesis is to improve the driving performance of mine hoists. The work is divided into two parts. The first and main part deals with simulation of the rope elongation that occurs at load changes in the mine hoist. A mathematical load model of the elongation in the ropes at a mine hoist is made for four types of mine hoists. Mass less springs and dampers are used to get the elastic behaviour of the ropes.</p><p>The mathematical model is implemented in Matlab and Simulink for all four hoist types to make load simulations possible. The implementation in the laboratory HoistLab is made by modifying an existing program with the line elongation functionality. It is only done for the tower mounted friction hoist. There are several functions that are modified to make the simulations realistic.</p><p>The task for the second part of this Master Thesis is to do a pilot study to decide if it is worth making further investigations about how the derivative part will improve the drive performances. A PI controller is designed and gives an acceptable rollback as result when the brakes are released. Then the controller model is extended with the derivative part, D-part, which improves the results essentially. It is still too uncertain how sensitive the system will be for noise when using the derivative part, but the performance potential is clear so the recommendation is to make further investigations.</p> / <p>Syftet med detta examensarbete är att förbättra driftegenskaperna för gruvspel. Arbetet är uppdelat i två olika delar. Den första och största delen handlar om simulering av den lintöjning som uppkommer vid lastförändringar i gruvspel. Matematiska modeller för detta är framtagna för fyra olika sorters typer av gruvspel. Elasticiteten i linorna är modellerad genom masslösa fjädrar och dämpare.</p><p>De matematiska sambanden är implementerade i Matlab och som modeller i Simulink för att utföra simuleringar. I HoistLab är modellen realiserad genom att utöka ett befintligt lastsimuleringsprogram med de nya funktionerna för lintöjning. Detta är utfört enbart för den toppmonterade typen av friktionsspel. Ett flertal funktioner fick ändras för att få realistiska simuleringar.</p><p>Den andra delen av examensarbetet går ut på att göra en förstudie kring den deriverande delen i PID-regulatorer och hur den påverkar gruvspelets prestanda. För denna del är en PI-regulator som ger ett acceptabelt resultat av backgången när bromsarna släpps designad. Därefter är modellen utökad med den deriverande delen, D-delen, vilket ger väsentligt bättre resultat. Det är dock osäkert hur bruskänsligt systemet blir när den deriverande delen används men eftersom förbättringspotentialen är tydlig är rekommendationen att göra vidare undersökningar kring D-delen.</p>

Multiple scattering effects from bubble clouds are investigated in this study. A high performance, general purpose numerical tool for multiple scattering calculations is developed. This numerical tool is applied in three computational scenarios in this study. The total scattering cross section of a bubble cloud is investigated. Numerical results indicate that the resonant frequency of the bubble cloud is much lower than that of a single bubble. The variation of resonant frequency of multiple scattering is also studied. It is found that the resonant frequency decreases as the number of bubbles increases, or as the void fraction of the bubble cloud decreases. Phase distributions of bubble oscillations in various multiple scattering scenarios are presented. It is found that, at resonance, the bubbles synchronize to the same phase, which is indicative of the lowest mode of collective oscillation. At wave localization, half of the bubbles oscillate at phase 0 while the other half oscillate at phase Pi. An intuitive interpretation of this behavior is given.

QC 20100628

This thesis reports the first observation of the resonant electric dipole-dipole interaction between cold Rydberg atoms using microwave spectroscopy, the observation of the magnetic field suppression of resonant interactions, and the development of a unique technique for precise magnetic field measurements. <br /><br /> A Rydberg state 46<em>d</em>_5/2 of laser cooled ⁸⁵Rb atoms has been optically excited. A fraction of these atoms has been transferred to another Rydberg state 47<em>p</em>_3/2 or 45<em>f</em>_5/2,7/2 to introduce resonant electric dipole-dipole interactions. The line broadening of the two-photon 46<em>d</em>_5/2-47<em>d</em>_5/2 microwave transition due to the interaction of 46<em>d</em>_5/2 with 47<em>p</em>_3/2 or 45<em>f</em>_5/2,7/2 atoms has been used as a probe of the interatomic interactions. This experiment has been repeated with a DC magnetic field applied. The application of a weak magnetic field (&le;0. 6G) has reduced the line broadening due to the resonant electric dipole-dipole interaction, indicating that the interactions are suppressed by the field. Theoretical models have been developed that predict the energy shifts due to the resonant electric dipole-dipole interaction, and the suppression of interactions by magnetic fields. A novel technique for sensitive measurement of magnetic fields using the 34<em>s</em>_1/2-34<em>p</em>_1/2 one-photon microwave transition has also been presented. Using this technique, it has been possible to calibrate magnetic fields in the magneto-optical trap (MOT) apparatus to less than 10mG, and put an upper bound of 17mG on any remaining field inhomogeneity.

The armchair variety of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is the only nanotube species that behaves as a metal with no electronic band gap and massless carriers, making them ideally suited to probe fundamental questions of many-body physics of one-dimensional conductors as well as to serve in applications such as high-current power transmission cables. However, current methods of nanotube synthesis produce bulk material comprising of a mixture of nanotube lengths, diameters, wrapping angles, and electronic types due to the inability to control the growth process at the nanometer level. As a result, measurements of as-grown SWCNTs produce a superposition of electrical and optical responses from multiple SWCNT species. This thesis demonstrates production of aqueous suspensions composed almost entirely of armchair SWCNTs using a post-synthesis separation method employing density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU) to separate different SWCNT types based on their mass density and surfactant-specific interactions. Resonant Raman spectroscopy determines the relative abundances of each nanotube species, before and after DGU, by measuring the integrated intensity of the radial breathing mode, the diameter-dependent radial vibration of the SWCNT perpendicular to its main axis, and quantifies the degree of enrichment of bulk nanotube samples to exclusively armchair tubes. Raman spectroscopy of armchair-enriched samples of the G-band mode, which is composed of longitudinal (G-) and circumferential (G+) vibrations oscillating parallel and perpendicular to the tube axis, shows that the G- peak, long-held to be an indicator for the presence of metallic SWCNTs, appears only when electronic resonance with narrow-gap semiconducting SWCNTs occurs and shows only the G+ component in spectra containing only armchair species. Finally, by combining optical absorption measurements with nanotube composition as determined earlier via Raman scattering, peak fitting of absorption spectra indicates that interband transitions of armchair SWCNTs are strongly excitonic as shown by the highly symmetric peak lineshapes, a property normally attributed to semiconductors. Such lineshapes allow classification of armchair SWCNTs as a unique hybrid class of optical nanomaterial. Combining absorption and Raman scattering measurements establishes a distinct optical signature that describes the fundamental optical processes within armchair SWCNTs and lays the foundation for future studies of many-body photophysics and electrical applications.