Book Description

This book is a comprehensive survey of most of the theoretical and experimental achievements in the field of quantum estimation of states and operations. Albeit still quite young, this field has already been recognized as a necessary tool for research in quantum optics and quantum information, beyond being a fascinating subject in its own right since it touches upon the conceptual foundations of quantum mechanics. The book consists of twelve extensive lectures that are essentially self-contained and modular, allowing combination of various chapters as a basis for advanced courses and seminars on theoretical or experimental aspects. The last two chapters, for instance, form a self-contained exposition on quantum discrimination problems. The book will benefit graduate students and newcomers to the field as a high-level but accessible textbook, lecturers in search for advanced course material and researchers wishing to consult a modern and authoritative source of reference.

Book Description

This book presents a self-contained treatment of the principles and major applications of digital hologram recording and numerical reconstruction (Digital Holography). The first part deals with optical foundations and the theory of holography. The next section describes how to record holograms directly with an electronic sensor (CCD) and describes the various reconstruction techniques. A special chapter is designated to digital holographic interferometry with applications in deformation and shape measurement and refractive index determination. Applications in imaging and microscopy are also described. The next part discusses special techniques such as digital light-in-flight holography, holographic endoscopy, information encrypting and comparative holography. In the last chapter related techniques of speckle metrology are treated briefly.

Book Description

Modulation Calorimetry reviews modulation techniques for measuring specific heat, thermal expansivity, temperature derivative of resistance, thermopower, and spectral absorptance. Owing to the periodic nature of the temperature oscillations, high sensitivity and excellent temperature resolution are peculiar to all these methods. The monograph presents the various methods of the modulation and of measuring the temperature oscillations. Important applications of the modulation techniques for studying physical phenomena in solids and liquids are considered in depth (equilibrium point defects, phase transitions, superconductors, liquid crystals, biological materials, relaxation phenomena in specific heat, and more).

Book Description

The Story of Weights and Measures describes the history of measurement systems ranging from the earliest methods of measuring, using parts of the body such as palms and digits, to the latest high-tech systems used to quantify atoms and stars. The reader learns about how we evaluate temperature and the weather, about maps and map scales, light years, gravity, and modern balances and scales. Organized chronologically from ancient history to the present, the volume is illustrated throughout with colorful photographs and drawings of artifacts and objects. Along with boxes which highlight inventions, personalities, and amazing facts, The Story of Weights and Measures supplies the reader with a timeline, a glossary and an index.

The Signs of the Times series presents the history of basic systems of communication and calculation for children aged eight to ten. ... Read more

Book Description

At the turn of the 19th century, Carl Friedrich Gauß founded error calculus by predicting the then unknown position of the planet Ceres. Ever since, error calculus has occupied a place at the heart of science. In this book, Grabe illustrates the breakdown of traditional error calculus in the face of modern measurement techniques. Revising Gauß? error calculus ab initio, he treats random and unknown systematic errors on an equal footing from the outset. Furthermore, Grabe also proposes what may be called well defined measuring conditions, a prerequisite for defining confidence intervals that are consistent with basic statistical concepts. The resulting measurement uncertainties are as robust and reliable as required by modern-day science, engineering and technology.

Book Description

This volume records the proceedings of the FourteenthInternational Workshop on Maximum Entropy and Bayesian Methods, heldin Cambridge, England from August 1-5, 1994. Throughout applied science, Bayesian inference is giving high qualityresults augmented with reliabilities in the form of probability valuesand probabilistic error bars. Maximum Entropy, with its emphasis onoptimally selected results, is an important part of this. Across wideareas of spectroscopy and imagery, it is now realistic to generateclear results with quantified reliability. This power is underpinnedwith a foundation of solid mathematics. The annual Maximum Entropy Workshops have become the principal focusof developments in the field, and which capture the imaginativeresearch that defines the state of the art in the subject. The breadthof application is seen in the thirty-three papers reproduced here,which are classified into subsections on Basics, Applications, Physicsand Neural Networks. Audience: This volume will be of interest to graduate studentsand researchers whose work involves probability theory, neuralnetworks, spectroscopic methods, statistical thermodynamics and imageprocessing. ... Read more

Book Description

Presents the state-of-the-art in molecular weight distribution of polymeric materials. First chapter covers the concepts of molecular averages and distribution functions for polydisperse polymer systems. Chapters 2 through 4 summarize techniques for determining number average molecular weight. Following chapters cover all the modern techniques for determining molecular weight, including classical light scattering, x-ray scattering, neutron scattering, use of the ultracentrifuge, viscometric determination, viscoelastic measurements, fractionation techniques, chromatographic techniques, mass spectrometry, as well as methods for characterizing insoluble polymers. Final chapter surveys the various types of standard polymers available for commercial sources. ... Read more

Book Description

Research and development in test and measurement equipment is in high gear, with hundreds of university, government, and for-profit company labs working on devices and applications that span nearly all industries. Test and Measurement presents investors and R&D executives with the most up to date survey of current applications, research directions, technical challenges, and market potential of sensor-based test and measurement devices. It features capsule descriptions of sensor developments in five categories: Control Technologies, Sensing Technologies, Software, Standards, and Test and Measurement Facilities, grouped according to the parameters being measured. Such as acceleration, pressure, temperature, or hardness. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the fifth edition of the highly successful work first published in 1968, comprising two definitive volumes on particle characterisation. The first volume is devoted to sampling and particle size measurement, while surface area and pore size determination are reviewed in volume 2. Particle size and characterisation are central to understanding powder properties and behaviour. This book describes numerous potential measuring devices, how they operate and their advantages and disadvantages. It comprise a fully comprehensive treatise on the wide range of available equipment with an extensive literature survey, and a list of manufacturers and suppliers. The author's blend of academic and industrial experience results in a readable technical book with information on how to analyse, present, and extract useful information from data. This is an essential reference book for both industrial and academic research workers in a variety of areas including: pharmaceuticals, food science, pollution analysis and control, electronic materials, agricultural products, polymers, pigments and chemicals. ... Read more

Book Description

Actuators are important components of automation. They are involved typically in the conversion of electrical signals into mechanical processes. This book presents practical aspects of electromagnetic, fluid-based and unconventional (piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, magnetorheological, electrorheological) actuators including microactuators. Special attention will be given to the electronic control of actuators. Beginning with the fundamental principles, the authors will treat characteristic developments and exemplary applications preparing the reader to develop his own solutions to problems and to assess alternatives. ... Read more

Book Description

Matrices are used in many areas such as staustics, econometrics, mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. This handbook provides a collection of numerous results for easy reference in one source, together with a comprehensive dictionary of matrices and related terms. The book is structured and cross-referenced so that specific results and information are easy to locate References for proofs and computational algorithms are provided. Researchers, professionals and students using matrix techniques will find this book to be an invaluable resource for their work. Contents

• Definitions, Notation, Terminology
• Rules for Matrix Operations
• Matrix Valued Functions of a Matrix
• Trace, Determinant and Rank of a Matrix
• Eigenvalues and Singular Values
• Matrix Decompositions and Canonical Forms
• Vectorization Operators
• Vector and Matrix Norms
• Properties of Special Matrices
• Vector and Matrix Derivatives
• Polynomials, Power Series and Matrices

Reviews (1)

An extensive collection of results and definitions
This book is in fact an extensive collection of results and definitions on matrices. If you want a book that develops the theory of matrices, this is not what you are looking for. But, if you work with matrices and you need a quick reference to help your research for example, this is the book for you. It is well organised and contains quite a number of results on matrices. At the same time it provides a number of references for additional information on a particular subject. ... Read more