A tunable optical parametric generator by using a quasi-phase-matched crystal with different wedge angles

We report a tunable quasi-phase-matched optical parametric generator （OPG） with different wedge angles, pumped by a commercially available Q-switched diode-pumped Nd：YVO4 laser with a repetition of 50 kHz. The nonlinear crystal is a periodically poled MgO-doped LiNbO3 （PPMgOLN） with a period of 30 μm. A congruent bulk LiNbO3 （LN） with three different wedge angles of 0°, 4°, and 9° is placed in front of PPMgOLN. Rapid tuning has been achieved by simply moving the LN crystal along its lateral direction and over 60-mW average signal output power was obtained in the whole wavelength tuning range of 1539-1570 nm.

High-Q silica microdisk optical resonators with large wedge angles on a silicon chip

We experimentally demonstrate high optical quality factor silica microdisk resonators on a silicon chip with large wedge angles by reactive ion etching. For 2-μm-thick microresonators, we have achieved wedge angles of 59°, 63°,70°, and 79° with optical quality factors of 2.4 × 10~7, 8.1 × 10~6, 5.9 × 10~6, and 7.4 × 10~6, respectively, from ～80 μm diameter microresonators in the 1550 nm wavelength band. Also, for 1-μm-thick microresonators, we have obtained an optical quality factor of 7.3 × 10~6 with a wedge angle of 74°.

Computational Analysis of Surface Pressure Distribution over a 2D Wedge in the Supersonic and Hypersonic Flow Regimes

The complex fluid-dynamic instabilities and shock waves occurring along the surface of a two-dimensional wedge at high values of the Mach number are studied here through numerical solution of the governing equations.Moreover,a regression model is implemented to determine the pressure distribution for various Mach numbers and angles of incidence.The Mach number spans the interval from 1.5 to 12.The wedge angles(θ)are from 5°to 25°.The pressure ratio(P2/P1)is reported at various locations(x/L)along the 2D wedge.The results of the numerical simulations are compared with the regression model showing good agreement.

Flow Behaviors of Non-spherical Granules in Rectangular Hopper

Flow behaviors of four kinds of granular particles(i.e. sphere,ellipsoid,hexahedron and binary mixture of sphere and hexahedron) in rectangular hoppers were experimentally studied. The effects of granular shape and hopper structure on flow pattern,discharge fraction,mean particle residence time and tracer concentration distribu-tion were tested based on the visual observation and particle tracer technique. The results show that particle shape affects significantly the flow pattern. The flow patterns of sphere,ellipsoid and binary mixture are all parabolic shape,and the flow pattern shows no significant difference with the change of wedge angle. The flowing zone be-comes more sharp-angled with the increasing outlet size. The flow pattern of hexahedron is featured with straight lines. The discharge rates are in increasing order from hexahedron,sphere,binary mixture to ellipsoid. The dis-charge rate also increases with the wedge angle and outlet size. The mean particle residence time becomes shorter when the outlet size increases. The difference of mean particle residence time between the maximum and minimum values decreases as the wedge angle increases. The residence time of hexahedron is the shortest. The tracer concen-tration distribution of hexahedron at any height is more uniform than that of binary mixture. The tracer concentra-tion of sphere in the middle is lower than that near the wall,and the contrary tendency is found for ellipsoid particles.

Effect of orifice geometry on bubble formation in melt gas injection to prepare aluminum foams

The bubble formation process at submerged orifices with different geometry is investigated in the preparation of aluminum foams by gas injection method.The bubble profile on a horizontal plate is calculated by quasi-static analysis through Laplace equation.The bubble formation process is then distinguished into three stages:nucleation stage,growth stage and detachment stage in wetting and less wetting conditions based on the force balance analysis.In addition,the bubble size at high Reynolds number is obtained by considering the contribution of buoyancy,pressure force,inertial force,drag force and surface tension based on the three stages of bubble formation.The bubble size is confirmed to be sensitive to the equivalent contact angle,which consists of two terms including the contact angle and the wedge angle.Therefore,the wedge angle is introduced in the design of gas outlet orifices for the purpose of decreasing bubble size generated.The experimental study is conducted at three different types of stainless steel orifices under constant gas flow rates(0.05–2 L/min).It is clarified that the orifice geometry and the orifice size are both responsible for the cell size of aluminum foams.The experimental results for three different types of orifices show a consistent trend with the theoretical predictions at various gas flow rates.In the design of orifices to generate small bubbles in the melt,the wedge angle that coordinates with the contact angle is thus suggested.

GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF FOOTWEAR CUSTOMIZATION

Footwear have been evaluated mostly using commercially available products, while some researchers have used custom shoes. Hence, the understanding of the effects of various parameters of a shoe is quite limited. The footbed simulator invented in recent years allows a range of parameters to be studied in quiet standing. It can be used to evaluate perceived feel and center of pressure changes to changes in heel height, seat length, material, wedge angle and toe spring. This paper is meant to show the value of the footbed simulator in terms of research and the actual production of shoes. A study performed with two heel heights, three combinations of seat length and material and three wedge angles showed that the perceived feel is closely related to the center of pressure. The results also show the optimum footbed has a significantly different perceived feel. Thus, the footbed simulator is an ideal way to generate custom footwear designs.