Superconducting FCL: design and application

Design, parameters, and application areas of a superconducting fault current limiter (FCL) are analyzed on the basis of the requirements of power systems. The comparison of resistive and inductive designs is carried out. An example of the effective application of FCLs in distribution substations is considered and the gain from the FCL installation is discussed. It is shown that an FCL not only limits a fault current but also increases the dynamic stability of the synchronous operation of electric machines. The calculation procedure of the parameters of an inductive FCL for a specific application case is described.     

Phases Resulting from the Reduction of Manganese Metaniobate by Niobium and Tantalum

The sequence of reactions in the reduction of manganese metaniobate with Nb, NbO, and Ta is studied. The reduction of MnNb₂O₆ by Nb or NbO differs in some respects from that by Ta. No Mn(Nb_{2 – x} Ta _x )O_4.33 or Mn(Nb_{2 – x} Ta _x )O_3.67 solid solutions were detected in the reduction products. Tantalum converts directly into manganese metatantalate, without oxidation according to the scheme Ta–TaO–TaO₂–Ta₂O₅. A reaction scheme is suggested for the reduction of MnNb₂O₆ by niobium and tantalum. The unit-cell parameters of the orthorhombic phase MnNb₂O_4.33 resulting from the reduction of MnNb₂O₆ with Nb or Ta are determined.     

Determination of the Coordinates of the Center of a Gaussian Beam by Means of a Matrix Photodetector Using a Weighting Method

A weighting algorithm to determine the coordinates of the center of a Gaussian laser beam projected onto a matrix photodetector is considered. The influence of the internal noise of the photodetector, the maximum brightness of the signal at the beam maximum, and the beam radius on the precision of the algorithm is investigated. Recommendations on image processing are presented.     

Interaction of NbVNi with Hydrogen

The interaction of NbVNi with hydrogen is studied over wide pressure and temperature ranges. Hydrogen absorption–desorption isotherms are measured, and the compositions of the resulting hydride phases are determined. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that the incorporation of hydrogen into NbVNi leads to an isotropic expansion of its crystal lattice.     

Layout-Specific Circuit Evaluation in 3-D Integrated Circuits

In this paper, we describe a comprehensive layout methodology for bonded three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D ICs). In bonded 3D integration technology, parts of a circuit are fabricated on different wafers, and then, the wafers are bonded with a glue layer of Cu or polymer based adhesive. Using our layout methodology, designers can layout such 3D circuits with necessary information on inter-wafer via/contact and orientation of each wafer embedded in the layout. We have implemented the layout methodology in 3DMagic. Availability of 3DMagic has led to interesting research with a wide range of layout-specific circuit evaluation, from performance comparison of 2D and 3D circuits to layout-specific reliability analyses in 3D circuits. Using 3DMagic, researchers have designed and simulated an 8-bit encryption processor mapped into 2D and 3D FPGA layouts. Moreover, the layout methodology is an essential element of our ongoing research for the framework of a novel Reliability Computer Aided Design tool, ERNI-3D.     

Enhanced transmission through two-period arrays of subwavelength holes

A two-period array of subwavelength holes in a perfect electrically conducting plate permits enhanced transmission of incident plane waves with wavenumbers near those of leaky waves supported by the array. A simple periodic impedance sheet model explains this phenomenon and provides an approximate expression for the transmission peak location. Transmission through thin perforated plates is studied using a full-wave solver to verify model-theoretic observations. Transmission coefficient peak splitting and narrowing phenomena, associated with thick perforated plates, are explored.     

Threshold sensitivity of anti-Stokes frequency converter

Expressions describing the threshold sensitivity of a quantum converter of IR radiation into visible light are obtained for two schemes of energy levels in the active atoms. Based on these expressions, practical criteria for the creation of such devices are formulated.     

Fodor and Pylyshyn on connectionism

Fodor and Pylyshyn (1988) have argued that the cognitive architecture is not Connectionist. Their argument takes the following form: (1) the cognitive architecture is Classical; (2) Classicalism and Connectionism are incompatible; (3) therefore the cognitive architecture is not Connectionist. In this essay I argue that Fodor and Pylyshyn's defenses of (1) and (2) are inadequate. Their argument for (1), based on their claim that Classicalism best explains the systematicity of cognitive capacities, is an invalid instance of inference to the best explanation. And their argument for (2) turns out to be question-begging. The upshot is that, while Fodor and Pylyshyn have presented Connectionists with the important empirical challenge of explaining systematicity, they have failed to provide sufficient reason for inferring that the cognitive architecture is Classical and not Connectionist.