Dynamic stress intensity factors analysis of interface crack using line-spring model

In this study, a new method for calculating the dynamic stress intensity factors of a bimaterial bending specimen with an interface crack is proposed by making use of a line-spring model. A pre-cracked bending specimen is modeled by one-dimensional beam finite elements and a line-spring representing the stiffness or compliance of a cracked part. The proposed method enables the one-dimensional analysis of a two-dimensional crack problem; thus the time variations of the dynamic stress intensity factors of a bimaterial bending specimen with an interface crack can be obtained by making use of a personal computer within a few minutes. The results obtained by the proposed method agree reasonably well with those obtained by the two-dimensional finite element method, although a slight difference in period can be found. The proposed method enables rapid evaluation of dynamic stress intensity factors. So a rapid evaluation system of the dynamic fracture toughness of a bimaterial with an interface crack can be achieved by combining an instrumented impact test apparatus with a computer program based on the proposed method which runs on a personal computer.     

Image compression in digital mammography: effects on computerized detection of subtle microcalcifications

Our previous receiver operating characteristic (ROC) study indicated that the detection accuracy of microcalcifications by radiologists is significantly reduced if mammograms are digitized at 0.1 mm x 0.1 mm. Our recent study also showed that detection accuracy by computer decreases as the pixel size increases from 0.035 mm x 0.035 mm. It is evident that very large matrix sizes have to be used for digitizing mammograms in order to preserve the information in the image. Efficient compression techniques will be needed to facilitate communication and archiving of digital mammograms. In this study, we evaluated two compression techniques: full frame discrete cosine transform (DCT) with entropy coding and Laplacian pyramid hierarchical coding (LPHC). The dependence of their efficiency on the compression parameters was investigated. The techniques were compared in terms of the trade-off between the bit rate and the detection accuracy of subtle microcalcifications by an automated detection algorithm. The mean-square errors in the reconstructed images were determined and the visual quality of the error images was examined. It was found that with the LPHC method, the highest compression ratio achieved without a significant degradation in the detectability was 3.6:1. The full frame DCT method with entropy coding provided a higher compression efficiency of 9.6:1 at comparable detection accuracy. The mean-square errors did not correlate with the detection accuracy of the microcalcifications. This study demonstrated the importance of determining the quality of the decompressed images by the specific requirements of the task for which the decompressed images are to be used. Further investigation is needed for selection of optimal compression technique for digital mammograms.     

Beam test of the CsI(Tl) calorimeter for the BELLE detector at the KEK-B factory

We studied the performance of a prototype electromagnetic calorimeter for the BELLE detector at the KEK proton synchrotron for an energy range of 0.25–3.5 GeV. The prototype consisted of an array of 6 × 5 CsI(Tl) crystals with 30 cm length (16.2 radiation lengths) and about 6 cm × 6 cm cross section. The scintillation light of each CsI(Tl) crystal was read out by two large-area PIN photodiodes and charge-sensitive preamplifiers attached at the rear face of the crystal. We measured the energy and position resolution for electrons and the e/π separation for two sets of matrix configurations: one corresponded to the center and the other to the edge of the barrel calorimeter. The overall performance measured by the test proves that the prototype calorimeter is satisfactory for the use in the BELLE detector.     

Radiation tolerance for the SMASH-series front-end chips for a silicon micro-strip detector

The radiation tolerance for prototype front-end chips designed for a silicon micro-strip detector was examined with a ⁶⁰Co irradiation source to establish an allowable range of the radiation dose. The irradiated front-end chips were SMA²SH-64A, a 64-channel preamplifier array; SMA²SH-1, a single-channel preamplifier circuit with a comparator; and Control-C, a digital-control chip for the preamplifiers.     

Diagnostics of TM010-mode microwave cavity discharges inCO2-N2-He laser gas mixtures. II. Measurement ofvibration temperature

For pt. I see ibid., vol., 31, no. 8, p. 1525-32 (1995). The plasma temperatures in microwave discharged CO₂-N₂-He laser gas mixtures were examined using the spectroscopic and electrostatic probe methods. A vibration temperature of N₂ molecules, obtained spectroscopically, was determined to be nearly 7000 K without gas circulation and to be nearly 4000 K at the mass flow rate of 4.2 kg/h. It is found that an efficiency of laser output power exceed 14% (RF to laser output power conversion ratio) below the vibration temperature of 4000 K. The values of vibration temperature obtained were higher than those reported in DC discharges     

Development of 170 GHz/500 kW gyrotron

A development of 170GHz/500kW level gyrotron was carried out as R&D work of ITER. The oscillation mode is TE_31,8. In a short pulse experiment, the maximum power of 750kW was achieved at 85kV/40A. The efficiency was 22%. In the depressed collector operation, 500kW/36%/50ms was obtained. The maximum efficiency of 40% was obtained at P_RF=470kW whereas the power decrease by the electron trapping was observed. Pulse extension was done up to 10s at P_RF=170kW with the depressed collector operation. The power was limited by the temperature increase of the output window.     

Recovery of monomers and fillers from high-temperature-vulcanized silicone rubbers—combined effects of solvent, base and fillers

The depolymerization of high-temperature-vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubbers containing filler silica and alumina into cyclosiloxane monomers and spontaneous recovery of fillers were studied. First, HTV silicone rubber was treated with different types of solvents in the presence of KOH to find that a triad mixture of diethylamine, methanol and hexane was appropriate not only to dissolve the silicone rubber to a suspension but also to separate fillers completely by filtration. The filtrate was distilled to remove solvent first and then give pure cyclosiloxane monomers in 76–84% yields. Second, the rubbers were treated with other types of triad mixture of solvents and bases, e.g. tetramethylammonium hydroxide, hexane and diethylamine. After filtration, residue was again treated with the amine and hexane to recover clean fillers in 83–93% yields. Cyclosiloxane monomers were also obtained from the combined filtrates in 67–78% yields.     

The prospects of non-volatile phase-change RAM

Phase-change read-and-write memory (PRAM) is a promising memory that can solve the problems of conventional memory—scalability, read/write speed, and reliability. We will review the opportunities and technical challenges of PRAM. The most important challenge of PRAM is the reduction of the writing current. Various approaches to reduce the writing current will be reviewed and the prospects of PRAM are discussed.