arXiv subjects

G. Pereira

Publications and source records attributed to G. Pereira.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

An ab-initio derivation to discuss the heterodyne versus direct detection decision problem for astronomical infrared interferometry

A consistent and explicit spectral comparison between heterodyne (HD) and direct detection (DD) derived from first principles including the atmospheric transmission and low beam-filling factors could not be found yet in literature but is needed for decisions in technology planification for future infrared interferometry facilities which are e.g. focused on planet formation. This task requires both, high sensitivity continuum and Doppler-resolved emission and absorption line detection in the mid-IR range (N- and Q-bands) at lower source temperatures (300-1000 K). The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are derived for both schemes within the same semi-classical theory, which consists of classical mode theory for coupling to an antenna and occupation of these modes by quanta of three radiation fields, the thermal signal, the thermal background, and for HD also the coherent local oscillator (LO). The effects of very small beam filling factors (interferometry) and atmospheric absorption/emission could be consistently incorporated this way, as well as quantum-noise propagation which allows in HD the consideration of balanced mixers with cross-correlation (CC). Especially, the transition from pre- to post-detection SNRs was considered meticulously. We do this all because the usually cited SNR-expressions were derived for a too simple and unrealistic case, and moreover contain some wrong assumptions. We introduce a novel HD scheme for astronomical interferometry gaining an order of magnitude in sensitivity against conventional HD and calculate that it should trespass the sensitivity of DD interferometry in the N- and Q-bands for a spectral resolution of R=10000, and should do also for R=300 with doable technical improvements. This result encourages to develop broad-band heterodyne technologies for future mid-infrared interferometry facilities and for new instruments at existing facilities.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Reflection of a Diffuser in a Liquid Interface

We present a novel method, based on the Saunderson corrections, to predict the reflectance between a liquid interface and a dielectric diffuser. In this method, the diffuse properties of the dielectric are characterized using a single parameter, the multiple-scattering albedo, which is the same irrespective of being in contact with air or liquid. We tested this method using an apparatus based on a total integrating sphere capable of measuring reflectance in both liquid and gas interfaces across various wavelengths of light. We observed that the difference in the value of the multiple-scattering albedo between the sphere full of liquid and empty was less than 0.9$\times 10^{-3}$, with the average difference normalized to the respective uncertainty of only 0.7. These results confirm the reliability of our method and its potential for use in a wide range of practical applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Application limit of the photocentre displacement to fundamental stellar parameters of fast rotators -- Illustration on the edge-on fast rotator Regulus

Differential Interferometry allows to obtain the differential visibility and phase, in addition to the spectrum. The differential phase contains important information about the structure and motion of stellar photosphere such as stellar spots and non-radial pulsations, and particularly the rotation. Thus, this interferometric observable strongly helps to constrain the stellar fundamental parameters of fast rotators. The spectro-astrometry mainly uses the photocentre displacements, which is a first approximation of the differential phase, and is applicable only for unresolved or marginally objects. We study here the sensitivity of relevant stellar parameters to the simulated photocentres using the SCIROCCO code: a semi-analytical algorithm dedicated to fast rotators, applied to two theoretical modeling stars based on Achernar and Regulus, in order to classify the importance of these parameters and their impact on the modeling. We compare our simulations with published VLTI/AMBER data. This current work sets the limits of application of photocentre displacements to fast rotators, and under which conditions we can use the photocentres and/or the differential phase, through a pre-established physical criterion. To validate our theoretical study, we apply our method of analysis on observed data of the edge-on fast rotator Regulus. For unresolved targets, with a visibility $V\sim 1$, the photocentre can constrain the main stellar fundamental parameters of fast rotators, whereas from marginally resolved objects ($0.8 \leq V < 1$), mainly the rotation axis position angle ($\rm PA_{\rm rot}$) can be directly deduced from the vectorial photocentre displacement, which is very important for young cluster studies.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

A machine learning-based methodology for pulse classification in dual-phase xenon time projection chambers

Machine learning techniques are now well established in experimental particle physics, allowing detector data to be analysed in new and unique ways. The identification of signals in particle observatories is an essential data processing task that can potentially be improved using such methods. This paper aims at exploring the benefits that a dedicated machine learning approach might provide to the classification of signals in dual-phase noble gas time projection chambers. A full methodology is presented, from exploratory data analysis using Gaussian mixture models and feature importance ranking to the construction of dedicated predictive models based on standard implementations of neural networks and random forests, validated using unlabelled simulated data from the LZ experiment as a proxy to real data. The global classification accuracy of the predictive models developed in this work is estimated to be >99.0%, which is an improvement over conventional algorithms tested with the same data. The results from the clustering analysis were also used to identify anomalies in the data caused by miscalculated signal properties, showing that this methodology can also be used for data monitoring.

physics.ins-det↗