In this thesis, having in mind applications to the fault-detection/diagnosis of electrical networks, we consider some inverse scattering problems for the Zakharov-Shabat equations and time-independent Schrödinger operators over star-shaped graphs. The first chapter is devoted to describe reflectometry methods applied to electrical networks as an inverse scattering problems on the star-shaped network. Reflectometry methods are presented and modeled by the telegrapher's equations. Reflectometry experiments can be written as inverse scattering problems for Schrödinger operator in the lossless case and for Zakharov-Shabat system for the lossy transmission network. In chapter 2 we introduce some elements of the inverse scattering theory for 1 d Schrödinger equations and the Zakharov-Shabat system. We recall the basic results for these two systems and we present the state of art of scattering theory on network. The third chapter deals with some inverse scattering for the Schrödinger operators. We prove the identifiability of the geometry of the star-shaped graph: the number of the edges and their lengths. Next, we study the potential identification problem by inverse scattering. In the last chapter we focus on the inverse scattering problems for lossy transmission star-shaped network. We prove the identifiability of some geometric informations by inverse scattering and we present a result toward the identification of the heterogeneities, showing the identifiability of the loss line factor.

Interfacial features of polymers are a complex, fascinating topic, and industrially very important. There is clearly a need to understand interactions between polymer layers as they can be used for controlling surface properties, colloidal stability and lubrication. The aim of my Ph.D study was to investigate fundamental phenomena of polymers at interfaces, covering adsorption, interactions between polymer layers and surfactants, surface forces and friction between adsorbed layers. A branched brush layer with high water content was formed on silica surfaces by a diblock copolymer, (METAC)m-b-(PEO45MEMA)n, via physisorption. The adsorption properties were determined using several complementary methods. Interactions between pre-adsorbed branched brush layers and the anionic surfactant SDS were investigated as well. Surface forces and friction between polymer layers in aqueous media were investigated by employing the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) colloidal probe technique. Friction forces between the surfaces coated by (METAC)m-b-(PEO45MEMA)n in water are characterized by a low friction coefficient. Further, the layers remain intact under high load and shear, and no destruction of the layer was noted even under the highest pressure employed, about 50 MPa. Interactions between polymer layers formed by a temperature responsive diblock copolymer, PIPOZ60-b-PAMPTMA17 (phase transition temperature of 46.1 °C), was investigated in the temperature interval 25-50 °C by using the AFM colloidal probe technique. Friction between the layers increases with increasing temperature (25-45 °C), while at 50 °C friction was found to be slightly lower than that at 45 °C. We suggest that this is due to decreased energy dissipation caused by PIPOZ chains crystallizing in water above the phase transition temperature. The structure of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayers was determined by X-ray reflectometry. Surface forces and friction between DPPC bilayer-coated silica surfaces were measured utilizing the AFM colloidal probe technique. Our study showed that DPPC bilayers are able to provide low friction forces both in the gel (below ≈ 41°C) and in the liquid crystalline state (above ≈ 41°C). However, the load bearing capacity is lower in the gel state. This is attributed to a higher rigidity and lower self-healing capacity of the DPPC bilayer in the gel state. Friction forces in single asperity contact acting between a micro-patterned silicon surface and an AFM tip was measured in air. We found that both nanoscale surface heterogeneities and the µm-sized depressions affect friction forces, and considerable reproducible variations were found along a particular scan line. Nevertheless, Amontons’ first rule described average friction forces reasonably well. Amontons’ third rule and Euler’s rule were found to be less applicable to our system. / <p>QC 20141209</p>

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging method that is considered the optical analog to ultrasound, using the technique of optical interferometry to construct two-dimensional depth-resolved images of tissue microstructure. With a resolution on the order of 10 μm and a penetration depth of 1-2 mm in highly scattering tissue, fiber optics-coupled OCT is an ideal modality for the inspection of the mouse colon with its miniaturization capabilities. In the present study, the complementary modalities laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), which offers information on the biochemical makeup of the tissue, and surface magnifying chromoendoscopy, which offers high contrast surface visualization, are combined with OCT in endoscopic imaging systems for the greater specificity and sensitivity in the differentiation between normal and neoplastic tissue, and for the visualization of biomarkers which are indicative of early events in colorectal carcinogenesis. Oblique incidence reflectometry (OIR) also offers advantages, allowing the calculation of bulk tissue optical properties for use as a diagnostic tool. The study was broken up into three specific sections. First, a dual-modality OCTLIF imaging system was designed, capable of focusing light over 325-1300 nm using a reflective distal optics design. A dual-modality fluorescence-based SMC-OCT system was then designed and constructed, capable of resolving the stained mucosal crypt structure of the in vivo mouse colon. The SMC-OCT instrument's OIR capabilities were then modeled, as a modified version of the probe was used measure tissue scattering and absorption coefficients.

Frequency response analysis (FRA) is a frequency-domain method which is used to detect mechanical faults in transformers. The frequency response of a transformer is determined by its geometry and material properties, and it can be considered as the transformer’s fingerprint. If there are any mechanical changes in the transformer, for example if the windings are moved or distorted, its fingerprint will also be changed so, theoretically, mechanical changes in the transformer can be detected with FRA. A problem with FRA is the fact that there is no general agreement about how to interpret the measurement results for detection of winding damages. For instance, the interpretation of measurement results has still not been standardized.The overall goal of this thesis is to try to enhance the understanding of the information contained in FRA measurements. This has been done in two ways: (1) by examining the FRA method for (much) higher frequencies than what is usual, and (2) by developing a new method in which FRA is combined with the ideas of Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR). As tools for carrying out the above mentioned steps, models for the magnetic core and the winding have been developed and verified by comparison to measurements.The usual upper frequency limit for FRA is around 2 MHz, which in this thesis has been extended by an order of magnitude in order to detect and interpret new phenomena that emerge at high frequencies and to investigate the potential of this high-frequency region for detection of winding deteriorations.Further, in the above-mentioned new method developed in this thesis, FRA and TDR are combined as a step towards an easier and more intuitive detection and localization of faults in transformer windings, where frequency response measurements are visualized in the time domain in order to facilitate their interpretation. / QC 20111122

This thesis details the application of a medium frequency (MF) Doppler radar to observations of meteoroids entering the Earth's atmosphere. MF radars make possible a greater height coverage of the meteor region (70 to 160 km) than conventional meteor radars. However this type of radar has generally been under-utilised for meteor observations, primarily due to the less than ideal radio environment associated with MF systems. This situation demanded selection of the most appropriate radar meteor techniques and in this respect a variety of techniques are evaluated for application at this frequency. The 2 MHz radar system used in this study is located at the Buckland Park research facility (35.6 deg. S, 138.5 deg. E), near Adelaide, South Australia and is operated by the Department of Physics of the University of Adelaide. This radar has the largest antenna of any MF radar with 89 crossed dipoles distributed over an area of about 1 km in diameter. Beam forming is achieved by varying the phase to groups of elements of the array. The array was constructed in the 1960's, and while having several upgrades, a preliminary examination of the array and associated systems indicated that a significant amount of maintenance work would be required to enable the system to be used for meteor observations. It was also apparent that the software used with the radar hardware for atmospheric studies was not suitable for processing meteor data. Thus a major refurbishment of the radar hardware, as well as the development of appropriate software, was initiated. The complete radar system was divided into its constituent components of antenna array, transmitter, receiver and computer systems. The transmitter and receiver systems were examined and various improvements made including increasing total output power and enhancing beam steering capability. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) techniques were extensively used on the antenna array, as many feed cables showed the presence of moisture. New hardware in the form of a portable power combining system was designed, constructed and tested to further increase radar experimental capabilities. Techniques were developed that verified system performance was to specification. Extensive night time observations of sporadic and shower meteor events were made over a two and a half year period. A particular study was made of the Orionids shower as well as other meteor activity on the night of 22 October 2000. Using the upgraded beam swinging features of the array, a narrow radar beam was used to track the shower radiant in an orthogonal sense so as to maximise the number of shower meteors detected. From each echo, various intrinsic meteoroid parameters were determined, including meteor reflection point angle-of-arrival using a five-element interferometer, echo duration and height; meteoroid speeds were determined using the Fresnel phase time technique. Meteor echoes belonging to the Orionids radiant were selected using a coordinate transform technique. The speed was then used as an additional discriminant to confirm the Orionid shower members. A second radiant, observed at a slightly higher declination is classified as also part of the Orionid stream. The sporadic meteor component in the data set was examined and found to exhibit speeds much higher than expected for sporadic meteors at the time of the observations. However, these results are consistent with a selection bias based on meteoroid speed, that is inherent in radar observations. The Orionid observations indicate that the refurbishment of the radar system and the introduction of new software for meteor analysis has been successfully achieved and that radar meteor studies can now be carried out routinely with the Buckland Park 2 MHz radar. Moreover it has been shown for the first time that meteoroid speeds can be determined with a MF radar operating on a PRF as low as 60 Hz. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Chemistry and Physics, 2003.

This thesis details the application of a medium frequency (MF) Doppler radar to observations of meteoroids entering the Earth's atmosphere. MF radars make possible a greater height coverage of the meteor region (70 to 160 km) than conventional meteor radars. However this type of radar has generally been under-utilised for meteor observations, primarily due to the less than ideal radio environment associated with MF systems. This situation demanded selection of the most appropriate radar meteor techniques and in this respect a variety of techniques are evaluated for application at this frequency. The 2 MHz radar system used in this study is located at the Buckland Park research facility (35.6 deg. S, 138.5 deg. E), near Adelaide, South Australia and is operated by the Department of Physics of the University of Adelaide. This radar has the largest antenna of any MF radar with 89 crossed dipoles distributed over an area of about 1 km in diameter. Beam forming is achieved by varying the phase to groups of elements of the array. The array was constructed in the 1960's, and while having several upgrades, a preliminary examination of the array and associated systems indicated that a significant amount of maintenance work would be required to enable the system to be used for meteor observations. It was also apparent that the software used with the radar hardware for atmospheric studies was not suitable for processing meteor data. Thus a major refurbishment of the radar hardware, as well as the development of appropriate software, was initiated. The complete radar system was divided into its constituent components of antenna array, transmitter, receiver and computer systems. The transmitter and receiver systems were examined and various improvements made including increasing total output power and enhancing beam steering capability. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) techniques were extensively used on the antenna array, as many feed cables showed the presence of moisture. New hardware in the form of a portable power combining system was designed, constructed and tested to further increase radar experimental capabilities. Techniques were developed that verified system performance was to specification. Extensive night time observations of sporadic and shower meteor events were made over a two and a half year period. A particular study was made of the Orionids shower as well as other meteor activity on the night of 22 October 2000. Using the upgraded beam swinging features of the array, a narrow radar beam was used to track the shower radiant in an orthogonal sense so as to maximise the number of shower meteors detected. From each echo, various intrinsic meteoroid parameters were determined, including meteor reflection point angle-of-arrival using a five-element interferometer, echo duration and height; meteoroid speeds were determined using the Fresnel phase time technique. Meteor echoes belonging to the Orionids radiant were selected using a coordinate transform technique. The speed was then used as an additional discriminant to confirm the Orionid shower members. A second radiant, observed at a slightly higher declination is classified as also part of the Orionid stream. The sporadic meteor component in the data set was examined and found to exhibit speeds much higher than expected for sporadic meteors at the time of the observations. However, these results are consistent with a selection bias based on meteoroid speed, that is inherent in radar observations. The Orionid observations indicate that the refurbishment of the radar system and the introduction of new software for meteor analysis has been successfully achieved and that radar meteor studies can now be carried out routinely with the Buckland Park 2 MHz radar. Moreover it has been shown for the first time that meteoroid speeds can be determined with a MF radar operating on a PRF as low as 60 Hz. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Chemistry and Physics, 2003.

La friction d'une surface en réaction au cisaillement pourrait devenir un élément important dans des diverses technologies telles que la microfluidique, la lubrification ou encore la production et le traitement des polymères. Notre système modèle est constitué d'une brosse polymère sous un écoulement d'une solution de polymère enchevêtrée. La structure de la brosse a été sondée expérimentalement par Rhéo - Réflectométrie Neutronique, ainsi que par la simulation numérique basée sur des globules très "mous" ("blobs" en anglais). Dans les simulations on montre pour la première fois qu'il est bien possible de supprimer le croisement de chaînes de polymères pour ensuite pouvoir observer la dynamique d'enchevêtrement grâce uniquement au potentiel répulsif des globules. Pour confiner ces globules entre deux plaques dures, on propose une nouvelle condition limite, appelée mirror-and-shift, qui produit un comportement de profil de densité monotone et non oscillatoire à l'interface. Ces innovations de simulation sont ensuite combinées et leur résultat est comparé avec nos mesures expérimentales de l'épaisseur de la brosse polymère, en fonction de taux de cisaillement. Un bon accord quantitatif est obtenu, dont la conclusion est que l'épaisseur de la brosse s'effondre perpendiculairement au cisaillement appliqué, ce qui est un effet non-linéaire de second ordre. On attribue cet effet à la différence des contraintes normales, qui se produit communément dans des liquides de polymères enchevêtrés lorsqu'il sont poussés vers leur régime de rhéofluidification par un flot suffisant. / Shear responsive friction at solid-liquid interfaces could become an important component in various technologies such as microfluidics, lubrication and polymer processing. Our model system is a polymer brush grafted on a solid substrate, subject to shear flow by an entangled polymer solution. The structure of the brush was probed both experimentally by Rheo - Neutron Reflectometry, and by computer simulations based on soft blobs. In the simulations we demonstrate for the first time that it is possible to suppress polymer chain crossings and observe entanglement dynamics using only the soft blob repulsive potential. To confine the blobs between two hard plates we introduce a new boundary condition, mirror-and-shift, which enables a monotonic, rather than oscillatory, density profile climb at the interface. The simulation techniques are then combined and compared against experimental measurement of polymer brush thickness as a function of shear rate. A good quantitative agreement is obtained, concluding that the brush thickness collapses perpendicularly to the applied shear flow, and is thus a non-linear second order effect. We attribute this effect to the normal stress difference, commonly occurring in entangled polymer liquids in their shear thinning flow regime.

La fusion par confinement magnétique est prometteuse en tant que future source d’énergie. Son efficience est cependant limitée par le transport de particules et de chaleur résultant de la turbulence du plasma. Une compréhension approfondie de la turbulence et des mécanismes qui la tempère est donc nécessaire. Le mode géo-acoustique (GAM) est une oscillation de l’écoulement du plasma, radialement localisée, qui contribue à la réduction du transport turbulent en cisaillant le champ de vitesse. Dans cette thèse on étudie le comportement fondamental du GAM par une étude expérimentale systématique de ses propriétés dans le tokamak ASDEX Upgrade. En particulier, le rôle de la géométrie du plasma sur les lois d’évolution de la fréquence et de l’amplitude du GAM, ainsi que sa structure radiale sont étudiés en détail. Les données expérimentales ont été obtenues à l'aide du diagnostic de réflectométrie Doppler par micro-ondes. Le type d’évolution de la fréquence du GAM est comparé à de multiples modèles qui reproduisent la loi de comportement fondamental attendu, mais sans fournir de prédiction précise de manière satisfaisante. L'amplitude GAM est étudiée en relation avec les taux d'amortissement prédits par les modèles pour les processus d'amortissement collisionnel et Landau non collisionnel. On trouve que les effets de largeur d'orbite finie doivent être pris en compte et que les effets d'amortissement collisionnel ne peuvent pas être négligés. En étudiant la structure radiale du GAM, trois états distincts sont identifiés pour différentes conditions de plasma. Les transitions entre ces états sont observées en variant la géométrie du plasma / Magnetic confinement fusion is a promising candidate for a future energy source. Its efficiency is limited by particle and heat transport due to plasma turbulence. A thorough understanding of the turbulence and turbulence moderation mechanisms, is therefore needed. The geodesic acoustic mode (GAM) is a radially localised plasma flow oscillation which contributes to the reduction of turbulent transport through velocity shearing. This thesis investigates the fundamental behaviour of the GAM through a systematic experimental study of its properties in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. In particular, the role of the plasma geometry on the scaling of the GAM frequency and amplitude, as well as the GAM radial structure are investigated in detail. The experimental data was obtained with the aid of the microwave Doppler reflectometry diagnostic. The GAM frequency scaling is compared with multiple models which reproduce the expected fundamental scaling behaviour, but do not give a satisfyingly accurate prediction. The GAM amplitude is studied in connection with damping rates predicted by models for collisional and collisionless Landau damping processes. It is found that finite orbit width effects need to be considered and that collisional damping effects cannot be neglected. In studying the GAM radial structure, three distinct states are identified for different plasma conditions. Transitions between these states are observed under variations of the plasma geometry

La turbulence au sein d’un plasma contribue de manière significative à l’augmentation du transport de l’énergie et des particules. Ce transport diminue la qualité de confinement du plasma réduisant la possibilité d’atteindre le seuil de fusion. Notre travail a consisté à étudier et à mesurer l’évolution des caractéristiques de la turbulence ainsi que son rôle durant la transition d’un mode à faible confinement (L-mode) à un mode de confinement amélioré (H-mode) des plasmas du tokamak ASDEX Upgrade. Nous avons, en particulier, étudié la phase de transition intermédiaire (I-phase) où la turbulence et le cisaillement des structures turbulentes par les flux interagissent. Une des théories prévoit que la turbulence au bord du plasma est stabilisée par des gradients de champs électriques radiaux: le cisaillement de flux E×B stabilise la turbulence et diminue la taille radiale des structures. Le mécanisme physique détaillé de la formation de la barrière de transport n’est pas encore bien compris. Afin d’étudier la dynamique radiale et temporelle de la transition L-H, nous nous sommes servis d’un réflectomètre à balayage en fréquence ultra-rapide. Durant nos campagnes expérimentales nous sommes parvenus à réduire ce temps de balayage à 1 μs. La dynamique de densité électronique, du niveau de turbulence et des spectres lors des transitions L-H ont été réalisées. Les mesures montrent que le niveau des fluctuations de grande échelle diminue après une transition L-H, ce qui confirme les prédictions théoriques. La I-phase a été documentée pour diverses conditions du plasma. Enfin, ces réflectomètres ont aussi permis l’observation de modes cohérents à haute fréquence au bord du plasma / Plasma confinement is limited by energy and particle transport, in which turbulence plays an important role. In this work the measurements of the turbulence characteristics carried out on the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak are presented during the transition from the Low (L) to the High (H) confinement mode which goes through an Intermediate (I) phase where turbulence and shear flows strongly interact. One of the most widely accepted theories concerning the L-H transition describes how the turbulence in the plasma edge is stabilized by radial electric field gradients: the E×B flow shear stabilizes turbulence and decreases the radial size of turbulent structures. As a consequence, a transport barrier forms in the edge where the plasma density, the temperature, and their gradients increase. The detailed physical mechanism of the formation of the transport barrier as well as the reason for the residual transport across this barrier are not yet well understood. The density dynamics is measured by an ultra-fast swept reflectometer with a time resolution as high as 1 μs. Studies of the electron density profile dynamics, the density turbulence level, radial wavenumber and frequency spectra during L-H transitions have been performed. The reflectometer measurements show that the density large scale fluctuations decrease after an L-H transition, which confirms the theoretical predictions of the turbulence reduction by sheared flows and supports previous experimental evidences. I-phases for various plasma conditions are documented and the density evolution is compared with the turbulence level. Moreover the results on high frequency coherent modes appearing at the plasma edge are presented.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T18:55:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3737.pdf: 2114096 bytes, checksum: 58f7480198ad07cce74706f2adf51cad (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-15 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Among various systems, the drip irrigation has been increasingly used, mainly because of its greater efficiency in water use. This work aimed to study the dynamics of soil solution, characterizing the distribution and storage of nutrients in the soil solution, and their absorption by pepper through the management of drip fertigation with two flows rates. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse located in the Department of Agricultural Science, Unitau. The soil of study is an Oxisol Yellow, medium texture. The crop cycle lasted 120 days. From the readings of TDR probes were possible to estimate water content and soil solution concentration. Thus, the distribution of soil solution was monitored and counted in layers of 0,1m to 0,6 m. The evaluation of root system showed that the treatment of 4 L h-1 had an area of 69,31 cm2, while the treatment of 2 L h-1 had an area of 45,21 cm2. The productivity was 0,19 kg m-2 and 0,27 kg m-2 for 2 Lh-1 and 4 L h-1, respectively, what reinforces the results of nutrients distribution and root system development. It was found that for treatment with the flow rate of 2 L h-1 there was a trend of nutrient loss by percolation, increasing possible contamination of groundwater. The dripper with a flow rate of 4 L h-1 was more efficient at distributing and storing water and nutrients in a soil profile, which improved crop yield. / Dentre os vários sistemas, a irrigação por gotejamento tem sido crescentemente utilizada, principalmente pela sua maior eficiência no uso da água. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a dinâmica da solução do solo caracterizando a distribuição, armazenamento e absorção de nutrientes pela planta de pimentão através do manejo da fertirrigação por gotejamento, em função de duas vazões. O ensaio foi realizado em uma casa de vegetação localizado no Departamento de Ciências Agrárias da Unitau. O solo do local do estudo é um Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo de textura média. O ciclo da cultura durou 120 dias. A partir das leituras das sondas de TDR foi possível estimar a umidade e a concentração da solução do solo. Assim, a distribuição da solução no solo foi monitorada e contabilizada em camadas de 0,1 m até 0,6 m. A avaliação do sistema radicular mostrou que o tratamento de 4L h-1 apresentou uma área de 69,31 cm2 enquanto o tratamento de 2 L h-1 apresentou uma área de 45,21 cm2. A produtividade observada foi de 0,19 kg m-2 e 0,27 kg m-2 para 2 e 4 L h-1, reforçando os resultados vistos na distribuição de nutrientes, desenvolvimento do sistema radicular. Verificou-se que para o tratamento com vazão de 2 L h-1 houve uma tendência de perda de nutrientes por percolação, potencializando possíveis contaminações do lençol freát ico. O gotejador com vazão de 4 L h-1 mostrou-se mais eficiente na distribuição e armazenamento de água e nutrientes em um perfil do solo, o que favoreceu o rendimento da cultura.