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Michael Schulz

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Schulz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2024

Fatigue and mental underload further pronounced in L3 conditionally automated driving: Results from an EEG experiment on a test track

Drivers' role changes with increasing automation from the primary driver to a system supervisor. This study investigates how supervising an SAE L2 and L3 automated vehicle (AV) affects drivers' mental workload and sleepiness compared to manual driving. Using an AV prototype on a test track, the oscillatory brain activity of 23 adult participants was recorded during L2, L3, and manual driving. Results showed decreased mental workload and increased sleepiness in L3 drives compared to L2 and manual drives, indicated by self-report scales and changes in the frontal alpha and theta power spectral density. These findings suggest that fatigue and mental underload are significant issues in L3 driving and should be considered when designing future AV interfaces.

cs.HC↗
arXiv2020

Resolving the outer ring of HD 38206 using ALMA and constraining limits on planets in the system

HD 38206 is an A0V star in the Columba association, hosting a debris disc first discovered by IRAS. Further observations by Spitzer and Herschel showed that the disc has two components, likely analogous to the asteroid and Kuiper belts of the Solar System. The young age of this star makes it a prime target for direct imaging planet searches. Possible planets in the system can be constrained using the debris disc. Here we present the first ALMA observations of the system's Kuiper belt and fit them using a forward modelling MCMC approach. We detect an extended disc of dust peaking at around 180 au with a width of 140 au. The disc is close to edge on and shows tentative signs of an asymmetry best fit by an eccentricity of $0.25^{+0.10}_{-0.09}$. We use the fitted parameters to determine limits on the masses of planets interior to the cold belt. We determine that a minimum of four planets are required, each with a minimum mass of 0.64 M$_J$, in order to clear the gap between the asteroid and Kuiper belts of the system. If we make the assumption that the outermost planet is responsible for the stirring of the disc, the location of its inner edge and the eccentricity of the disc, then we can more tightly predict its eccentricity, mass and semimajor axis to be $e_{\rm{p}}=0.34^{+0.20}_{-0.13}$, $m_{\rm{p}}=0.7^{+0.5}_{-0.3}\,\rm{M}_{\rm{J}}$ and $a_{\rm{p}}=76^{+12}_{-13}\,\rm{au}$.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2018

High-resolution neutron depolarization microscopy of the ferromagnetic transitions in Ni$_3$Al and HgCr$_2$Se$_4$ under pressure

We performed neutron imaging of ferromagnetic transitions in Ni$_3$Al and HgCr$_2$Se$_4$ crystals. These neutron depolarization measurements revealed bulk magnetic inhomogeneities in the ferromagnetic transition temperature with spatial resolution of about 100~$μ$m. To obtain such spatial resolution, we employed a novel neutron microscope equipped with Wolter mirrors as a neutron image-forming lens and a focusing neutron guide as a neutron condenser lens. The images of Ni$_3$Al show that the sample does not homogeneously go through the ferromagnetic transition; the improved resolution allowed us to identify a distribution of small grains with slightly off-stoichiometric composition. Additionally, neutron depolarization imaging experiments on the chrome spinel, HgCr$_2$Se$_4$, under pressures up to 15~kbar highlight the advantages of the new technique especially for small samples or sample environments with restricted sample space. The improved spatial resolution enables one to observe domain formation in the sample while decreasing the acquisition time despite having a bulky pressure cell in the beam.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2016

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in thin films at reflecting substrates as a means to study nanoscale structure and dynamics at soft-matter interfaces

Structure and dynamics at soft-matter interfaces play an important role in nature and technical applications. Optical single-molecule investigations are non-invasive and capable to reveal heterogeneities at the nanoscale. In this work we develop an autocorrelation function (ACF) approach to retrieve tracer diffusion parameters obtained from fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) experiments in thin liquid films at reflecting substrates. This approach then is used to investigate structure and dynamics in 100 nm thick 8CB liquid crystal films on silicon wafers with five different oxide thicknesses. We find a different extension of the structural reorientation of 8CB at the solid-liquid interface for thin and for thick oxide. For the thin oxides, the perylenediimide tracer diffusion dynamics in general agrees with the hydrodynamic modeling using no-slip boundary conditions with only a small deviation close to the substrate, while a considerably stronger decrease of the interfacial tracer diffusion is found for the thick oxides.

cond-mat.soft↗
arXiv2016

Charge-exchange, ionization and excitation in low-energy Li$^{+}-$ Ar, K$^{+}-$ Ar, and Na$^{+}-$He collisions

Absolute cross sections are measured for charge-exchange, ionization, and excitation within the same experimental setup for the Li$^{+}-$Ar, K$^{+}-$ Ar, and Na$^{+}-$ He collisions in the ion energy range $0.5-10$ keV. Results of our measurements along with existing experimental data and the schematic correlation diagrams are used to analyze and determine the mechanisms for these processes. The experimental results show that the charge-exchange processes are realized with high probabilities and electrons are predominately captured in ground states. The cross section ratio for charge exchange, ionization and excitation processes roughly attains the value $10:2:1$, respectively. The contributions of various partial inelastic channels to the total ionization cross sections are estimated and a primary mechanism for the process is defined. The energy-loss spectrum, in addition, is applied to estimate the relative contribution of different inelastic channels and to determine the mechanisms for the ionization and for some excitation processes of Ar resonance lines for the K$^{+}-$Ar collision system. The excitation function for the helium, as well as for the sodium doublet lines for the Na$^{+}-$He collision system, reveals some unexpected features and a mechanism to explain this observation is suggested.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2016

Neutron depolarization imaging of the hydrostatic pressure dependence of inhomogeneous ferromagnets

The investigation of fragile and potentially inhomogeneous forms of ferromagnetic order under extreme conditions, such as low temperatures and high pressures, is of central interest for areas such as geophysics, correlated electron systems, as well as the optimization of materials synthesis for applications where particular material properties are required. We report neutron depolarization imaging measurements on the weak ferromagnet Ni$_3$Al under pressures up to 10kbar using a Cu:Be clamp cell. Using a polychromatic neutron beam with wavelengths $λ\geq$ 4Åin combination with $^3$He neutron spin filter cells as polarizer and analyzer we were able to track differences of the pressure response in inhomogeneous samples by virtue of high resolution neutron depolarization imaging. This provides spatially resolved and non-destructive access to the pressure dependence of the magnetic properties of inhomogeneous ferromagnetic materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2016

The new neutron grating interferometer at the ANTARES beamline - Design, Principle, and Applications -

Neutron grating interferometry is an advanced method in neutron imaging that allows the simultaneous recording of the transmission, the differential phase and the dark-field image. Especially the latter has recently received high interest because of its unique contrast mechanism which marks ultra-small-angle neutron scattering within the sample. Hence, in neutron grating interferometry, an imaging contrast is generated by scattering of neutrons off micrometer-sized inhomogeneities. Although the scatterer cannot be resolved it leads to a measurable local decoherence of the beam. Here, a report is given on the design considerations, principles and applications of a new neutron grating interferometer which has recently been implemented at the ANTARES beamline at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum. Its highly flexible design allows to perform experiments such as directional and quantitative dark-field imaging which provide spatially resolved information on the anisotropy and shape of the microstructure of the sample. A comprehensive overview of the nGI principle is given, followed by theoretical considerations to optimize the setup performance for different applications. Furthermore, an extensive characterization of the setup is presented and its abilities are demonstrated on selected case studies: (i) dark-field imaging for material differentiation, (ii) directional dark-field imaging to mark and quantify micrometer anisotropies within the sample and (iii) quantitative dark-field imaging, providing additional size information on the sample's microstructure by probing its autocorrelation function.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2014

Electron and recoil ion momentum imaging with a magneto-optically trapped target

A reaction microscope (ReMi) has been combined with a magneto-optical trap (MOT) for the kinematically complete investigation of atomic break-up processes. With the novel MOTReMi apparatus, the momentum vectors of the fragments of laser-cooled and state-prepared lithium atoms are measured in coincidence and over the full solid angle. %Earlier attempts to realize this combination failed due to intrinsic incompatibilities of the magnetic fields required for MOT and ReMi. The first successful implementation of a MOTReMi could be realized due to an optimized design of the present setup, a nonstandard operation of the MOT, and by employing a switching cycle with alternating measuring and trapping periods. The very low target temperature in the MOT ($2mK$) allow for an excellent momentum resolution. Optical preparation of the target atoms in the excited Li $2^2P_{3/2}$ state was demonstrated providing an atomic polarization of close to 100\percent. While first experimental results were reported earlier, in this work we focus on the technical description of the setup and its performance in commissioning experiments involving target ionization in $266nm$ laser pulses and in collisions with projectile ions.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2010

Vortex ring refraction at large Froude numbers

We have experimentally studied the impact of an initially planar axisymmetric vortex ring, incident at an oblique angle, upon a gravity-induced interface separating two fluids of differing densities. After impact, the vortex ring was found to exhibit a variety of subsequent trajectories, which we organize according to both the incidence angle, $θ_i$, and the interface strength, defined as the ratio of the Atwood and Froude numbers, $A/F$. For grazing incidence angles ($θ_i \gtrsim 70$ deg.) vortices either penetrate or reflect from the interface, depending on whether the interface is weak or strong. In some cases, reflected vortices execute damped oscillations before finally disintegrating. For smaller incidence angles ($θ_i \lesssim 70$ deg.) vortices penetrate the interface. When there is a strong interface, these vortices are observed to curve back up toward the interface. When there is a weak interface, these vortices are observed to refract downward, away from the interface. The critical interface strength below which vortex ring refraction is observed is given by $\log_{10}{(A/F)}= -2.38 \pm 0.05$.

physics.flu-dyn↗
arXiv2008

Modified Jarzynski Relation for non-Markovian noise

We demonstrate the conventional Jarzynski relation (JR) is violated for a non-Markovian process with colored noise. As an example an exactly soluble model is considered with a simple protocol for the external work performed on the system along a non-equilibrium trajectory. For that model we derive an exact expression for the dissipative energy in terms of an arbitrary correlator of the noise characterized by an autocorrelation time $t_c$. As the result we find corrections to the JR in terms of $t_c$. In the limiting case of a Gaussian process as well as an infinitely slow process the conventional JR is retained. The result is valid for an arbitrary colored noise.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2008

Thermally Assisted Spin Hall Effect

The spin polarized charge transport is systematically analyzed as a thermally driven stochastic process. The approach is based on Kramers' equation describing the semiclassical motion under the inclusion of stochastic and damping forces. Due to the relativistic spin-orbit coupling the damping experiences a relativistic correction leading to an additional contribution within the spin Hall conductivity. A further contribution to the conductivity is originated from the averaged underlying crystal potential, the mean value of which depends significantly on the electric field. We derive an exact expression for the electrical conductivity. All corrections are estimated in lowest order of a relativistic approach and in the linear response regime.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2008

Exact expression for Drude conductivity in one-dimension with an arbitrary potential

An exact expression for the Drude conductivity in one dimension is derived under the presence of an arbitrary potential. In getting the conductivity the influence of the electric field on the crystal potential is taken into account. This coupling leads to a systematic deformation of the potential and consequently to a significant modification of the charge transport. The corrections to the conventional Drude conductivity are determined by the configurational part of the partition function. The activation energy for the conductivity process is expressed by a combination of the free energy of the underlying equilibrium system. The electric current is calculated in the linear response regime by solving the Smoluchowski equation. The steady state solution differs significantly from the equilibrium distribution. In case of a tight binding potential the conductivity offers corrections depending on the amplitude of the potential. As a further application we discuss nanocontacts with piecewise constant potentials. The electric conductivity is corrected by the potential height.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2006

Persistence of Quantum Information

There is an increasing interest in the role of macroscopic environments to our understanding of the basics of quantum theory. The knowledge of the implications of the quantum theory to other theories, especially to the statistical mechanics and the domain of validity has captivated scientists from the beginning of quantum description. In such a context, the presence of an environment is commonly thought as entanglement, decohering and mixing properties of quantum system. Generically, an environment is assumed to be a noisy reservoir or a heat bath. Whereas in common interpretation of statistical mechanics the heat bath is unspecified, in quantum systems a heat bath can also provide an indirect interaction between otherwise totally decoupled subsystems and consequently a means to entangle them \cite{cdkl,dvclp,bfp}. In simple example for the entanglement between two qubits due to the interaction with a common heat bath has been explicitly shown in \cite{b}. Whereas in that paper the bath is described by a collection of harmonic oscillators, it seems to be more reasonable to specify the bath by stochastic forces represented by stochastic fields. From a more general point of view we expect the bath should be better described in a stochastic manner and not by deterministic forces. In the present paper we consider a two level system (qubits) which are able to perform flip processes by a coupling to classical stochastic fields. Thus we bridge the gap between quantum and classical probability theory. This problem is related to many other questions of quantum optics and quantum electronics where quantum statistical aspects arising from the intrinsic quantum character of the system while the possible time-dependence of system parameters may be interpreted as the influence of classical thermal fluctuations.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2006

Spatiotemporal Memory in a Diffusion-Reaction System

We consider a reaction-diffusion process with retardation. The particles, immersed in traps initially, remain inactive until another particle is annihilated spontaneously with a rate $λ$ at a certain point $\vec x$. In that case the traps within a sphere of radius $R(t)= v t^α$ around $\vec x$ will be activated and a particle is released with a rate $μ$. Due to the competition between both reactions the system evolves three different time regimes. While in the initial time interval the diffusive process dominates the behavior of the system, there appears a transient regime, where the system shows a driveling wave solution which tends to a non-trivial stationary solution for $v \to 0$. In that regime one observes a very slow decay of the concentration. In the final long time regime a crossover to an exponentially decaying process is observed. In case of $λ= μ$ the concentration is a conserved quantity whereas for $μ> λ$ the total particle number tends to zero after a finite time. The mean square displacement offers an anomalous diffusive behavior where the dynamic exponent is determined by the exponent $α$. In one dimension the model can be solved exactly. In higher dimension we find approximative analytical results in very good agreement with numerical solutions. The situation could be applied for the development of a bacterial colony or a gene-pool.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2006

On the Glauber model in a quantum representation

The Glauber model is reconsidered based on a quantum formulation of the Master equation. Unlike the conventional approach the temperature and the Ising energy are included from the beginning by introducing a Heisenberg-like picture of the second quantized operators. This method enables us to get an exact expression for the transition rate of a single flip-process $w_i(σ_i)$ which is in accordance with the principle of detailed balance. The transition rate differs significantly from the conventional one due to Glauber in the low temperature regime. Here the behavior is controlled by the Ising energy and not by the microscopic time scale.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2004

Spin facilitated Ising model with long range interaction

We study the dynamics of a spin facilitated Ising model with long range kinetic constraints. To formulate those restrictions within an analytical approach we introduce the size of a kinetic active environment of a given spin. Based on a Master equation in second quantized form, the spin-autocorrelation function is calculated. It exhibits a pronounced slow dynamics, manifested by a logarithmic decay law of the spin-autocorrelation function. In case of an infinite kinetic interaction the mean field solution yields an asymptotic exact expression for the autocorrelation function which is in excellent agreement with Monte Carlo Simulations for finite interaction lengths. With increasing size of the active zone the cooperative processes, characterizing the facilitated model with short range kinetic interaction, become irrelevant. We demonstrate that the long range kinetic interaction dominates the actual spin configurations of the whole system and the mean field solution is the exact one.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2004

Memory-Controlled Diffusion

Memory effects require for their incorporation into random-walk models an extension of the conventional equations. The linear Fokker-Planck equation for the probability density $p(\vec r, t)$ is generalized to include non-linear and non-local spatial-temporal memory effects. The realization of the memory kernels are restricted due the conservation of the basic quantity $p$. A general criteria is given for the existence of stationary solutions. In case the memory kernel depends on $p$ polynomially the transport is prevented. Owing to the delay effects a finite amount of particles remains localized and the further transport is terminated. For diffusion with non-linear memory effects we find an exact solution in the long-time limit. Although the mean square displacement shows diffusive behavior, higher order cumulants exhibits differences to diffusion and they depend on the memory strength.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗