State of polarization changes: Classification and measurement

We propose a standardization procedure that provides a convenient, quantitative and reproducible laboratory-based method for measuring the state of polarization (SOP) fluctuations produced by polarization varying devices. This method is based on the SOP distributions generated by commercial polarization scramblers. We show that these devices generate distributions of the maximum change of the SOP (in a given sample time) that follow Rayleigh statistics, which scale linearly with scrambling frequency and the sample time. We use this procedure to measure the SOP fluctuations in a short length of coiled fiber subject to mechanical perturbations.     

Colloidal processing of polymer ceramic nanocomposite integral capacitors

Polymer ceramic composites form a suitable material system for low temperature fabrication of embedded capacitors appropriate for the MCM-L technology. Improved electrical properties such as permittivity can be achieved by efficient filling of polymers with high dielectric constant ceramic powders such as lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) and barium titanate (BT). Photodefinable epoxies as the matrix polymer allow fine feature definition of the capacitor elements by conventional lithography techniques. The optimum weight percent of dispersant is tuned by monitoring the viscosity of the suspension. The dispersion mechanism (steric and electrostatic contribution) in a slightly polar solvent such as propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA) is investigated from electrophoretic measurements. A high positive zeta potential is observed in the suspension, which suggests a strong contribution of electrostatic stabilization. By optimizing the particle packing using a bimodal distribution and modified processing methodology, a dielectric constant greater than 135 was achieved in PMN-PT/epoxy system. Suspensions are made with the lowest PGMEA content to ensure the efficiency of the dispersion and efficient particle packing in the dried film. Improved colloidal processing of nanoparticle-filled epoxy is a promising method to obtain ultra-thin capacitor films (<2/spl mu/m) with high capacitance density and improved yield. Capacitance of 35 nF/cm/sup 2/ was achieved with the thinnest films (2.5-3.0 /spl mu/m).     

Developing maintainable expert systems using case-based reasoning

Abstract: Maintainability problems associated with traditional software systems are exacerbated in rule-based systems. The very nature of that approach — separation of control knowledge and data-driven execution — hampers maintenance. While there are widely accepted techniques for maintaining conventional software, the same is not true for rule-based systems. In most situations, both a knowledge engineer and a domain expert are necessary to update the rules of a rule-based system. This paper presents, first, an overview of the software engineering techniques and object-oriented methods used in maintaining rule-based systems. It then discusses alternate paradigms for expert system development. The benefits of using case-based reasoning (from the maintenance point of view) are illustrated through the implementation of a case-based scheduler. The main value of the scheduler is that its knowledge base can be modified by the expert without the assistance of a knowledge engineer. Since changes in application requirements can be given directly to the system by the expert, the effort of maintaining the knowledge base is greatly reduced.     

电阻-时间线性转换电路

基于电阻的传感器,如应力规和压阻器件,常用于测量多种物理参数.对于使用数字处理器或微控制器进行数据采集和信号处理的设备来说,传感器的响应必须表现为一种适合于转换成数字格式的形式.把这类传感器的电阻变化转换成一个与之成比例的频率或时间间隔是可取的,所以你就能用一个计数器或定时器来方便地得到数字形式的输出信号.图1所示电路把传感器的电阻RS线性地转换成与之成比例的时间间隔.这一电路实际上是一个张驰振荡器,由一个电流源、一个桥式放大器、一个比较器和一个触发器组成.电流IS分成两路,分别通过R1和R2,就如同这两个电阻并联在一起一样.假定运算放大器是理想放大器,则当RX(R4+RS)大于R1R3/R2时,该电路就起一个振荡器的作用.     

Acoustic emission technique for leak detection in an end shield of a pressurised heavy water reactor

This paper discusses the successful application of the Acoustic Emission Technique (AET) for detection and location of leak paths present on the inaccessible side of an end shield of a Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR). The methodology was based on the fact that air and water leak AE signals have different characteristic features. Baseline data was generated from a sound end-shield of a PHWR for characterizing the background noise. A mock up end-shield system with saw cut leak paths was used to verify the validity of the methodology. It was found that air leak signals under pressurisation (as low as 3 psi) could be detected by frequency domain analysis. Signals due to air leaks from various locations of a defective end-shield were acquired and analysed. It was possible to detect and locate leak paths. Presence of detected leak paths were further confirmed by alternate test.     

Equal Strain Consolidation by Vertical Drains

This paper shows the development of a series of closed-form solutions of equal strain consolidation in the presence of a vertical drain with smear and well resistance. Using an approach that considers the effects of both the radial and vertical drainage in a fully coupled fashion, solutions are obtained for the excess pore pressure and the degree of consolidation in the compressible soil subjected to a step- or ramp-loading situation. The closed-form solutions in the present paper may be evaluated in an electronic spreadsheet on a standard personal computer.     

Stabilization and termination of severe accidents in LWRs

The last 20 years of research on severe accident safety for light water reactors (LWRs) has resolved a number of issues. However, the issue of melt/debris coolability is still unresolved. At stake is the stabilization and termination of a severe accident, if ever it would occur. The stabilization and termination can be established only through the coolability of the melt or the particulate debris, which are found in-vessel, or ex-vessel, depending upon the extent of the progression of a postulated accident.This paper will review the state of the art of coolability during a severe accident for the current light water reactors (LWRs). It will also review whether the accident management actions will be effective in terminating a postulated severe accident. The attention paid to the stabilization and coolability in future LWRs will be discussed and the design solutions will be evaluated.