@phdthesis{Oenel2008, author = {{\"O}nel, Hakan}, title = {Electron acceleration in a flare plasma via coronal circuits}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-29035}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2008}, abstract = {The Sun is a star, which due to its proximity has a tremendous influence on Earth. Since its very first days mankind tried to "understand the Sun", and especially in the 20th century science has uncovered many of the Sun's secrets by using high resolution observations and describing the Sun by means of models. As an active star the Sun's activity, as expressed in its magnetic cycle, is closely related to the sunspot numbers. Flares play a special role, because they release large energies on very short time scales. They are correlated with enhanced electromagnetic emissions all over the spectrum. Furthermore, flares are sources of energetic particles. Hard X-ray observations (e.g., by NASA's RHESSI spacecraft) reveal that a large fraction of the energy released during a flare is transferred into the kinetic energy of electrons. However the mechanism that accelerates a large number of electrons to high energies (beyond 20 keV) within fractions of a second is not understood yet. The thesis at hand presents a model for the generation of energetic electrons during flares that explains the electron acceleration based on real parameters obtained by real ground and space based observations. According to this model photospheric plasma flows build up electric potentials in the active regions in the photosphere. Usually these electric potentials are associated with electric currents closed within the photosphere. However as a result of magnetic reconnection, a magnetic connection between the regions of different magnetic polarity on the photosphere can establish through the corona. Due to the significantly higher electric conductivity in the corona, the photospheric electric power supply can be closed via the corona. Subsequently a high electric current is formed, which leads to the generation of hard X-ray radiation in the dense chromosphere. The previously described idea is modelled and investigated by means of electric circuits. For this the microscopic plasma parameters, the magnetic field geometry and hard X-ray observations are used to obtain parameters for modelling macroscopic electric components, such as electric resistors, which are connected with each other. This model demonstrates that such a coronal electric current is correlated with large scale electric fields, which can accelerate the electrons quickly up to relativistic energies. The results of these calculations are encouraging. The electron fluxes predicted by the model are in agreement with the electron fluxes deduced from the measured photon fluxes. Additionally the model developed in this thesis proposes a new way to understand the observed double footpoint hard X-ray sources.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zoeller1999, author = {Z{\"o}ller, Gert}, title = {Analyse raumzeitlicher Muster in Erdbebendaten}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0000122}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {1999}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit der Charakterisierung von Seismizit{\"a}t anhand von Erdbebenkatalogen. Es werden neue Verfahren der Datenanalyse entwickelt, die Aufschluss dar{\"u}ber geben sollen, ob der seismischen Dynamik ein stochastischer oder ein deterministischer Prozess zugrunde liegt und was daraus f{\"u}r die Vorhersagbarkeit starker Erdbeben folgt. Es wird gezeigt, dass seismisch aktive Regionen h{\"a}ufig durch nichtlinearen Determinismus gekennzeichent sind. Dies schließt zumindest die M{\"o}glichkeit einer Kurzzeitvorhersage ein. Das Auftreten seismischer Ruhe wird h{\"a}ufig als Vorl{\"a}uferphaenomen f{\"u}r starke Erdbeben gedeutet. Es wird eine neue Methode pr{\"a}sentiert, die eine systematische raumzeitliche Kartierung seismischer Ruhephasen erm{\"o}glicht. Die statistische Signifikanz wird mit Hilfe des Konzeptes der Ersatzdaten bestimmt. Als Resultat erh{\"a}lt man deutliche Korrelationen zwischen seismischen Ruheperioden und starken Erdbeben. Gleichwohl ist die Signifikanz daf{\"u}r nicht hoch genug, um eine Vorhersage im Sinne einer Aussage {\"u}ber den Ort, die Zeit und die St{\"a}rke eines zu erwartenden Hauptbebens zu erm{\"o}glichen.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zou2007, author = {Zou, Yong}, title = {Exploring recurrences in quasiperiodic systems}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-16497}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2007}, abstract = {In this work, some new results to exploit the recurrence properties of quasiperiodic dynamical systems are presented by means of a two dimensional visualization technique, Recurrence Plots(RPs). Quasiperiodicity is the simplest form of dynamics exhibiting nontrivial recurrences, which are common in many nonlinear systems. The concept of recurrence was introduced to study the restricted three body problem and it is very useful for the characterization of nonlinear systems. I have analyzed in detail the recurrence patterns of systems with quasiperiodic dynamics both analytically and numerically. Based on a theoretical analysis, I have proposed a new procedure to distinguish quasiperiodic dynamics from chaos. This algorithm is particular useful in the analysis of short time series. Furthermore, this approach demonstrates to be efficient in recognizing regular and chaotic trajectories of dynamical systems with mixed phase space. Regarding the application to real situations, I have shown the capability and validity of this method by analyzing time series from fluid experiments.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zillmer2003, author = {Zillmer, R{\"u}diger}, title = {Statistical properties and scaling of the Lyapunov exponents in stochastic systems}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001147}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2003}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Arbeit umfaßt drei Abhandlungen, welche allgemein mit einer stochastischen Theorie f{\"u}r die Lyapunov-Exponenten befaßt sind. Mit Hilfe dieser Theorie werden universelle Skalengesetze untersucht, die in gekoppelten chaotischen und ungeordneten Systemen auftreten. Zun{\"a}chst werden zwei zeitkontinuierliche stochastische Modelle f{\"u}r schwach gekoppelte chaotische Systeme eingef{\"u}hrt, um die Skalierung der Lyapunov-Exponenten mit der Kopplungsst{\"a}rke ('coupling sensitivity of chaos') zu untersuchen. Mit Hilfe des Fokker-Planck-Formalismus werden Skalengesetze hergeleitet, die von Ergebnissen numerischer Simulationen best{\"a}tigt werden. Anschließend wird gezeigt, daß 'coupling sensitivity' im Fall gekoppelter ungeordneter Ketten auftritt, wobei der Effekt sich durch ein singul{\"a}res Anwachsen der Lokalisierungsl{\"a}nge {\"a}ußert. Numerische Ergebnisse f{\"u}r gekoppelte Anderson-Modelle werden bekr{\"a}ftigt durch analytische Resultate f{\"u}r gekoppelte raumkontinuierliche Schr{\"o}dinger-Gleichungen. Das resultierende Skalengesetz f{\"u}r die Lokalisierungsl{\"a}nge {\"a}hnelt der Skalierung der Lyapunov-Exponenten gekoppelter chaotischer Systeme. Schließlich wird die Statistik der exponentiellen Wachstumsrate des linearen Oszillators mit parametrischem Rauschen studiert. Es wird gezeigt, daß die Verteilung des zeitabh{\"a}ngigen Lyapunov-Exponenten von der Normalverteilung abweicht. Mittels der verallgemeinerten Lyapunov-Exponenten wird der Parameterbereich bestimmt, in welchem die Abweichungen von der Normalverteilung signifikant sind und Multiskalierung wesentlich wird.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zickfeld2003, author = {Zickfeld, Kirsten}, title = {Modeling large-scale singular climate events for integrated assessment}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001176}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2003}, abstract = {Erkenntnisse aus pal{\"a}oklimatologischen Studien, theoretischen Betrachtungen und Modellsimulationen deuten darauf hin, dass anthropogene Emissionen von Treibhausgasen und Aerosolen zu großskaligen, singul{\"a}ren Klimaereignissen f{\"u}hren k{\"o}nnten. Diese bezeichnen stark nichtlineare, abrupte Klima{\"a}nderungen, mit regionalen bis hin zu globalen Auswirkungen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Entwicklung von Modellen zweier maßgeblicher Komponenten des Klimasystems, die singul{\"a}res Verhalten aufweisen k{\"o}nnten: die atlantische thermohaline Zirkulation (THC) und der indische Monsun. Diese Modelle sind so konzipiert, dass sie den Anforderungen der "Integrated Assessment"-Modellierung gen{\"u}gen, d.h., sie sind realistisch, recheneffizient, transparent und flexibel. Das THC-Modell ist ein einfaches, interhemisph{\"a}risches Boxmodell, das anhand von Daten kalibriert wird, die mit einem gekoppelten Klimamodell mittlerer Komplexit{\"a}t erzeugt wurden. Das Modell wird durch die globale Mitteltemperatur angetrieben, die mit Hilfe eines linearen Downscaling-Verfahrens in regionale W{\"a}rme- und S{\"u}ßwasserfl{\"u}sse {\"u}bersetzt wird. Die Ergebnisse einer Vielzahl von zeitabh{\"a}ngigen Simulationen zeigen, dass das Modell in der Lage ist, maßgebliche Eigenschaften des Verhaltens komplexer Klimamodelle wiederzugeben, wie die Sensitivit{\"a}t bez{\"u}glich des Ausmaßes, der regionalen Verteilung und der Rate der Klima{\"a}nderung. Der indische Monsun wird anhand eines neuartigen eindimensionalen Boxmodells der tropischen Atmosph{\"a}re beschrieben. Dieses enth{\"a}lt Parmetrisierungen der Oberfl{\"a}chen- und Strahlungsfl{\"u}sse, des hydrologischen Kreislaufs und derHydrologie der Landoberfl{\"a}che. Trotz des hohen Idealisierungsgrades ist das Modell in der Lage, relevante Aspekte der beobachteten Monsundynamik, wie z.B. den Jahresgang des Niederschlags und das Eintritts- sowie R{\"u}ckzugsdatum des Sommermonsuns, zufrieden stellend zu simulieren. Außerdem erfasst das Modell die Sensitivit{\"a}tdes Monsuns bez{\"u}glich {\"A}nderungen der Treibhausgas- und Aerosolkonzentrationen, die aus komplexeren Modellen bekannt sind. Eine vereinfachte Version des Monsunmodells wird f{\"u}r die Untersuchung des qualitativen Systemverhaltens in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von {\"A}nderungen der Randbedingungen eingesetzt. Das bemerkenswerteste Ergebnis ist das Auftreten einer Sattelknotenbifurkation des Sommermonsuns f{\"u}r kritische Werte der Albedo oder der Sonneneinstrahlung. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus weist das Modell zwei stabile Zust{\"a}nde auf: neben dem niederschlagsreichen Sommermonsun besteht ein Zustand, der sich durch einen schwachen hydrologischen Kreislauf auszeichnet. Das Beachtliche an diesen Ergebnissen ist, dass anthropogene St{\"o}rungen der plantetaren Albedo, wie Schwefelemissionen und/oder Landnutzungs{\"a}nderungen, zu einer Destabilisierung des indischen Monsuns f{\"u}hren k{\"o}nnten. Das THC-Boxmodell findet exemplarische Anwendung in einem "Integrated Assessment" von Klimaschutzstrategien. Basierend auf dem konzeptionellen und methodischen Ger{\"u}st des Leitplankenansatzes werden Emissionskorridore (d.h. zul{\"a}ssige Spannen an CO2-Emissionen) berechnet, die das Risiko eines THC-Zusammenbruchs begrenzen sowie sozio{\"o}konomische Randbedingungen ber{\"u}cksichtigen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen u.a. eine starke Abh{\"a}ngigkeit der Breite der Emissionskorridore von der Klima- und hydrologischen Sensitivit{\"a}t. F{\"u}r kleine Werte einer oder beider Sensitivit{\"a}ten liegt der obere Korridorrand bei weit h{\"o}heren Emissionswerten als jene, die von plausiblen Emissionsszenarien f{\"u}r das 21. Jahrhundert erreicht werden. F{\"u}r große Werte der Sensitivit{\"a}ten hingegen, verlassen schon niedrige Emissionsszenarien den Korridor in den fr{\"u}hen Jahrzehnten des 21. Jahrhunderts. Dies impliziert eine Abkehr von den gegenw{\"a}rtigen Emissionstrends innherhalb der kommenden Jahrzehnte, wenn das Risko eines THC Zusammenbruchs gering gehalten werden soll. Anhand einer Vielzahl von Anwendungen - von Sensitivit{\"a}ts- {\"u}ber Bifurkationsanalysen hin zu integrierter Modellierung - zeigt diese Arbeit den Wert reduzierter Modelle auf. Die Ergebnisse und die daraus zu ziehenden Schlussfolgerungen liefern einen wertvollen Beitrag zu der wissenschaftlichen und politischen Diskussion bez{\"u}glich der Folgen des anthropogenen Klimawandels und der langfristigen Klimaschutzziele.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zheng2021, author = {Zheng, Chunming}, title = {Bursting and synchronization in noisy oscillatory systems}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-50019}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-500199}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {iv, 87}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Noise is ubiquitous in nature and usually results in rich dynamics in stochastic systems such as oscillatory systems, which exist in such various fields as physics, biology and complex networks. The correlation and synchronization of two or many oscillators are widely studied topics in recent years. In this thesis, we mainly investigate two problems, i.e., the stochastic bursting phenomenon in noisy excitable systems and synchronization in a three-dimensional Kuramoto model with noise. Stochastic bursting here refers to a sequence of coherent spike train, where each spike has random number of followers due to the combined effects of both time delay and noise. Synchronization, as a universal phenomenon in nonlinear dynamical systems, is well illustrated in the Kuramoto model, a prominent model in the description of collective motion. In the first part of this thesis, an idealized point process, valid if the characteristic timescales in the problem are well separated, is used to describe statistical properties such as the power spectral density and the interspike interval distribution. We show how the main parameters of the point process, the spontaneous excitation rate, and the probability to induce a spike during the delay action can be calculated from the solutions of a stationary and a forced Fokker-Planck equation. We extend it to the delay-coupled case and derive analytically the statistics of the spikes in each neuron, the pairwise correlations between any two neurons, and the spectrum of the total output from the network. In the second part, we investigate the three-dimensional noisy Kuramoto model, which can be used to describe the synchronization in a swarming model with helical trajectory. In the case without natural frequency, the Kuramoto model can be connected with the Vicsek model, which is widely studied in collective motion and swarming of active matter. We analyze the linear stability of the incoherent state and derive the critical coupling strength above which the incoherent state loses stability. In the limit of no natural frequency, an exact self-consistent equation of the mean field is derived and extended straightforward to any high-dimensional case.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zhelavskaya2020, author = {Zhelavskaya, Irina}, title = {Modeling of the Plasmasphere Dynamics}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-48243}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-482433}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {xlii, 256}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The plasmasphere is a dynamic region of cold, dense plasma surrounding the Earth. Its shape and size are highly susceptible to variations in solar and geomagnetic conditions. Having an accurate model of plasma density in the plasmasphere is important for GNSS navigation and for predicting hazardous effects of radiation in space on spacecraft. The distribution of cold plasma and its dynamic dependence on solar wind and geomagnetic conditions remain, however, poorly quantified. Existing empirical models of plasma density tend to be oversimplified as they are based on statistical averages over static parameters. Understanding the global dynamics of the plasmasphere using observations from space remains a challenge, as existing density measurements are sparse and limited to locations where satellites can provide in-situ observations. In this dissertation, we demonstrate how such sparse electron density measurements can be used to reconstruct the global electron density distribution in the plasmasphere and capture its dynamic dependence on solar wind and geomagnetic conditions. First, we develop an automated algorithm to determine the electron density from in-situ measurements of the electric field on the Van Allen Probes spacecraft. In particular, we design a neural network to infer the upper hybrid resonance frequency from the dynamic spectrograms obtained with the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) instrumentation suite, which is then used to calculate the electron number density. The developed Neural-network-based Upper hybrid Resonance Determination (NURD) algorithm is applied to more than four years of EMFISIS measurements to produce the publicly available electron density data set. We utilize the obtained electron density data set to develop a new global model of plasma density by employing a neural network-based modeling approach. In addition to the location, the model takes the time history of geomagnetic indices and location as inputs, and produces electron density in the equatorial plane as an output. It is extensively validated using in-situ density measurements from the Van Allen Probes mission, and also by comparing the predicted global evolution of the plasmasphere with the global IMAGE EUV images of He+ distribution. The model successfully reproduces erosion of the plasmasphere on the night side as well as plume formation and evolution, and agrees well with data. The performance of neural networks strongly depends on the availability of training data, which is limited during intervals of high geomagnetic activity. In order to provide reliable density predictions during such intervals, we can employ physics-based modeling. We develop a new approach for optimally combining the neural network- and physics-based models of the plasmasphere by means of data assimilation. The developed approach utilizes advantages of both neural network- and physics-based modeling and produces reliable global plasma density reconstructions for quiet, disturbed, and extreme geomagnetic conditions. Finally, we extend the developed machine learning-based tools and apply them to another important problem in the field of space weather, the prediction of the geomagnetic index Kp. The Kp index is one of the most widely used indicators for space weather alerts and serves as input to various models, such as for the thermosphere, the radiation belts and the plasmasphere. It is therefore crucial to predict the Kp index accurately. Previous work in this area has mostly employed artificial neural networks to nowcast and make short-term predictions of Kp, basing their inferences on the recent history of Kp and solar wind measurements at L1. We analyze how the performance of neural networks compares to other machine learning algorithms for nowcasting and forecasting Kp for up to 12 hours ahead. Additionally, we investigate several machine learning and information theory methods for selecting the optimal inputs to a predictive model of Kp. The developed tools for feature selection can also be applied to other problems in space physics in order to reduce the input dimensionality and identify the most important drivers. Research outlined in this dissertation clearly demonstrates that machine learning tools can be used to develop empirical models from sparse data and also can be used to understand the underlying physical processes. Combining machine learning, physics-based modeling and data assimilation allows us to develop novel methods benefiting from these different approaches.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zhang2008, author = {Zhang, Bo}, title = {Magnetic fields near microstructured surfaces : application to atom chips}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-28984}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Microfabricated solid-state surfaces, also called atom chip', have become a well-established technique to trap and manipulate atoms. This has simplified applications in atom interferometry, quantum information processing, and studies of many-body systems. Magnetic trapping potentials with arbitrary geommetries are generated with atom chip by miniaturized current-carrying conductors integrated on a solid substrate. Atoms can be trapped and cooled to microKelvin and even nanoKelvin temperatures in such microchip trap. However, cold atoms can be significantly perturbed by the chip surface, typically held at room temperature. The magnetic field fluctuations generated by thermal currents in the chip elements may induce spin flips of atoms and result in loss, heating and decoherence. In this thesis, we extend previous work on spin flip rates induced by magnetic noise and consider the more complex geometries that are typically encountered in atom chips: layered structures and metallic wires of finite cross-section. We also discuss a few aspects of atom chips traps built with superconducting structures that have been suggested as a means to suppress magnetic field fluctuations. The thesis describes calculations of spin flip rates based on magnetic Green functions that are computed analytically and numerically. For a chip with a top metallic layer, the magnetic noise depends essentially on the thickness of that layer, as long as the layers below have a much smaller conductivity. Based on this result, scaling laws for loss rates above a thin metallic layer are derived. A good agreement with experiments is obtained in the regime where the atom-surface distance is comparable to the skin depth of metal. Since in the experiments, metallic layers are always etched to separate wires carrying different currents, the impact of the finite lateral wire size on the magnetic noise has been taken into account. The local spectrum of the magnetic field near a metallic microstructure has been investigated numerically with the help of boundary integral equations. The magnetic noise significantly depends on polarizations above flat wires with finite lateral width, in stark contrast to an infinitely wide wire. Correlations between multiple wires are also taken into account. In the last part, superconducting atom chips are considered. Magnetic traps generated by superconducting wires in the Meissner state and the mixed state are studied analytically by a conformal mapping method and also numerically. The properties of the traps created by superconducting wires are investigated and compared to normal conducting wires: they behave qualitatively quite similar and open a route to further trap miniaturization, due to the advantage of low magnetic noise. We discuss critical currents and fields for several geometries.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zeuschner2022, author = {Zeuschner, Steffen Peer}, title = {Magnetoacoustics observed with ultrafast x-ray diffraction}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-56109}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-561098}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {V, 128, IX}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In the present thesis I investigate the lattice dynamics of thin film hetero structures of magnetically ordered materials upon femtosecond laser excitation as a probing and manipulation scheme for the spin system. The quantitative assessment of laser induced thermal dynamics as well as generated picosecond acoustic pulses and their respective impact on the magnetization dynamics of thin films is a challenging endeavor. All the more, the development and implementation of effective experimental tools and comprehensive models are paramount to propel future academic and technological progress. In all experiments in the scope of this cumulative dissertation, I examine the crystal lattice of nanoscale thin films upon the excitation with femtosecond laser pulses. The relative change of the lattice constant due to thermal expansion or picosecond strain pulses is directly monitored by an ultrafast X-ray diffraction (UXRD) setup with a femtosecond laser-driven plasma X-ray source (PXS). Phonons and spins alike exert stress on the lattice, which responds according to the elastic properties of the material, rendering the lattice a versatile sensor for all sorts of ultrafast interactions. On the one hand, I investigate materials with strong magneto-elastic properties; The highly magnetostrictive rare-earth compound TbFe2, elemental Dysprosium or the technological relevant Invar material FePt. On the other hand I conduct a comprehensive study on the lattice dynamics of Bi1Y2Fe5O12 (Bi:YIG), which exhibits high-frequency coherent spin dynamics upon femtosecond laser excitation according to the literature. Higher order standing spinwaves (SSWs) are triggered by coherent and incoherent motion of atoms, in other words phonons, which I quantified with UXRD. We are able to unite the experimental observations of the lattice and magnetization dynamics qualitatively and quantitatively. This is done with a combination of multi-temperature, elastic, magneto-elastic, anisotropy and micro-magnetic modeling. The collective data from UXRD, to probe the lattice, and time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (tr-MOKE) measurements, to monitor the magnetization, were previously collected at different experimental setups. To improve the precision of the quantitative assessment of lattice and magnetization dynamics alike, our group implemented a combination of UXRD and tr-MOKE in a singular experimental setup, which is to my knowledge, the first of its kind. I helped with the conception and commissioning of this novel experimental station, which allows the simultaneous observation of lattice and magnetization dynamics on an ultrafast timescale under identical excitation conditions. Furthermore, I developed a new X-ray diffraction measurement routine which significantly reduces the measurement time of UXRD experiments by up to an order of magnitude. It is called reciprocal space slicing (RSS) and utilizes an area detector to monitor the angular motion of X-ray diffraction peaks, which is associated with lattice constant changes, without a time-consuming scan of the diffraction angles with the goniometer. RSS is particularly useful for ultrafast diffraction experiments, since measurement time at large scale facilities like synchrotrons and free electron lasers is a scarce and expensive resource. However, RSS is not limited to ultrafast experiments and can even be extended to other diffraction techniques with neutrons or electrons.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zemanova2007, author = {Zemanov{\´a}, Lucia}, title = {Structure-function relationship in hierarchical model of brain networks}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-18400}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2007}, abstract = {The mammalian brain is, with its numerous neural elements and structured complex connectivity, one of the most complex systems in nature. Recently, large-scale corticocortical connectivities, both structural and functional, have received a great deal of research attention, especially using the approach of complex networks. Here, we try to shed some light on the relationship between structural and functional connectivities by studying synchronization dynamics in a realistic anatomical network of cat cortical connectivity. We model the cortical areas by a subnetwork of interacting excitable neurons (multilevel model) and by a neural mass model (population model). With weak couplings, the multilevel model displays biologically plausible dynamics and the synchronization patterns reveal a hierarchical cluster organization in the network structure. We can identify a group of brain areas involved in multifunctional tasks by comparing the dynamical clusters to the topological communities of the network. With strong couplings of multilevel model and by using neural mass model, the dynamics are characterized by well-defined oscillations. The synchronization patterns are mainly determined by the node intensity (total input strengths of a node); the detailed network topology is of secondary importance. The biologically improved multilevel model exhibits similar dynamical patterns in the two regimes. Thus, the study of synchronization in a multilevel complex network model of cortex can provide insights into the relationship between network topology and functional organization of complex brain networks.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{ZamoraLopez2009, author = {Zamora-L{\´o}pez, Gorka}, title = {Linking structure and function of complex cortical networks}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-52257}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The recent discovery of an intricate and nontrivial interaction topology among the elements of a wide range of natural systems has altered the manner we understand complexity. For example, the axonal fibres transmitting electrical information between cortical regions form a network which is neither regular nor completely random. Their structure seems to follow functional principles to balance between segregation (functional specialisation) and integration. Cortical regions are clustered into modules specialised in processing different kinds of information, e.g. visual or auditory. However, in order to generate a global perception of the real world, the brain needs to integrate the distinct types of information. Where this integration happens, nobody knows. We have performed an extensive and detailed graph theoretical analysis of the cortico-cortical organisation in the brain of cats, trying to relate the individual and collective topological properties of the cortical areas to their function. We conclude that the cortex possesses a very rich communication structure, composed of a mixture of parallel and serial processing paths capable of accommodating dynamical processes with a wide variety of time scales. The communication paths between the sensory systems are not random, but largely mediated by a small set of areas. Far from acting as mere transmitters of information, these central areas are densely connected to each other, strongly indicating their functional role as integrators of the multisensory information. In the quest of uncovering the structure-function relationship of cortical networks, the peculiarities of this network have led us to continuously reconsider the stablished graph measures. For example, a normalised formalism to identify the "functional roles" of vertices in networks with community structure is proposed. The tools developed for this purpose open the door to novel community detection techniques which may also characterise the overlap between modules. The concept of integration has been revisited and adapted to the necessities of the network under study. Additionally, analytical and numerical methods have been introduced to facilitate understanding of the complicated statistical interrelations between the distinct network measures. These methods are helpful to construct new significance tests which may help to discriminate the relevant properties of real networks from side-effects of the evolutionary-growth processes.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zakrevskyy2006, author = {Zakrevskyy, Yuriy}, title = {Liquid crystallinity and alignment of ionic self-assembly complexes}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-10048}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2006}, abstract = {In this work the first observation of new type of liquid crystals is presented. This is ionic self-assembly (ISA) liquid crystals formed by introduction of oppositely charged ions between different low molecular tectonic units. As practically all conventional liquid crystals consist of rigid core and alkyl chains the attention is focused to the simplest case where oppositely charged ions are placed between a rigid core and alkyl tails. The aim of this work is to investigate and understand liquid crystalline and alignment properties of these materials. It was found that ionic interactions within complexes play the main role. Presence of these interactions restricts transition to isotropic phase. In addition, these interactions hold the system (like network) allowing crystallization into a single domain from aligned LC state. Alignment of these simple ISA complexes was spontaneous on a glass substrate. In order to show potentials for application perylenediimide and azobenzene containing ISA complexes have been investigated for correlations between phase behavior and their alignment properties. The best results of macroscopic alignment of perylenediimide-based ISA complexes have been obtained by zone-casting method. In the aligned films the columns of the complex align perpendicular to the phase-transition front. The obtained anisotropy (DR = 18) is thermally stable. The investigated photosensitive (azobenzene-based) ISA complexes show formation of columnar LC phases. It was demonstrated that photo alignment of such complexes was very effective (DR = 50 has been obtained). It was shown that photo-reorientation in the photosensitive ISA complexes is cooperative process. The size of domains has direct influence on efficiency of the photo-reorientation process. In the case of small domains the photo-alignment is the most effective. Under irradiation with linearly polarized light domains reorient in the plane of the film leading to macroscopic alignment of columns parallel to the light polarization and joining of small domains into big ones. Finally, the additional distinguishable properties of the ISA liquid crystalline complexes should be noted: (I) the complexes do not solve in water but readily solve in organic solvents; (II) the complexes have good film-forming properties when cast or spin-coated from organic solvent; (III) alignment of the complexes depends on their structure and secondary interactions between tectonic units.}, subject = {Fl{\"u}ssigkristall}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Zajnulina2015, author = {Zajnulina, Marina}, title = {Optical frequency comb generation in optical fibres}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-88776}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {xii, 103}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Optical frequency combs (OFC) constitute an array of phase-correlated equidistant spectral lines with nearly equal intensities over a broad spectral range. The adaptations of combs generated in mode-locked lasers proved to be highly efficient for the calibration of high-resolution (resolving power > 50000) astronomical spectrographs. The observation of different galaxy structures or the studies of the Milky Way are done using instruments in the low- and medium resolution range. To such instruments belong, for instance, the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) being developed for the Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the 4-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST) being in development for the ESO VISTA 4.1 m Telescope. The existing adaptations of OFC from mode-locked lasers are not resolvable by these instruments. Within this work, a fibre-based approach for generation of OFC specifically in the low- and medium resolution range is studied numerically. This approach consists of three optical fibres that are fed by two equally intense continuous-wave (CW) lasers. The first fibre is a conventional single-mode fibre, the second one is a suitably pumped amplifying Erbium-doped fibre with anomalous dispersion, and the third one is a low-dispersion highly nonlinear optical fibre. The evolution of a frequency comb in this system is governed by the following processes: as the two initial CW-laser waves with different frequencies propagate through the first fibre, they generate an initial comb via a cascade of four-wave mixing processes. The frequency components of the comb are phase-correlated with the original laser lines and have a frequency spacing that is equal to the initial laser frequency separation (LFS), i.e. the difference in the laser frequencies. In the time domain, a train of pre-compressed pulses with widths of a few pico-seconds arises out of the initial bichromatic deeply-modulated cosine-wave. These pulses undergo strong compression in the subsequent amplifying Erbium-doped fibre: sub-100 fs pulses with broad OFC spectra are formed. In the following low-dispersion highly nonlinear fibre, the OFC experience a further broadening and the intensity of the comb lines are fairly equalised. This approach was mathematically modelled by means of a Generalised Nonlinear Schr{\"o}dinger Equation (GNLS) that contains terms describing the nonlinear optical Kerr effect, the delayed Raman response, the pulse self-steepening, and the linear optical losses as well as the wavelength-dependent Erbium gain profile for the second fibre. The initial condition equation being a deeply-modulated cosine-wave mimics the radiation of the two initial CW lasers. The numerical studies are performed with the help of Matlab scripts that were specifically developed for the integration of the GNLS and the initial condition according to the proposed approach for the OFC generation. The scripts are based on the Fourth-Order Runge-Kutta in the Interaction Picture Method (RK4IP) in combination with the local error method. This work includes the studies and results on the length optimisation of the first and the second fibre depending on different values of the group-velocity dispersion of the first fibre. Such length optimisation studies are necessary because the OFC have the biggest possible broadband and exhibit a low level of noise exactly at the optimum lengths. Further, the optical pulse build-up in the first and the second fibre was studied by means of the numerical technique called Soliton Radiation Beat Analysis (SRBA). It was shown that a common soliton crystal state is formed in the first fibre for low laser input powers. The soliton crystal continuously dissolves into separated optical solitons as the input power increases. The pulse formation in the second fibre is critically dependent on the features of the pulses formed in the first fibre. I showed that, for low input powers, an adiabatic soliton compression delivering low-noise OFC occurs in the second fibre. At high input powers, the pulses in the first fibre have more complicated structures which leads to the pulse break-up in the second fibre with a subsequent degradation of the OFC noise performance. The pulse intensity noise studies that were performed within the framework of this thesis allow making statements about the noise performance of an OFC. They showed that the intensity noise of the whole system decreases with the increasing value of LFS.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Youakim2020, author = {Youakim, Kris}, title = {Galactic archaeology with metal-poor stars from the Pristine survey}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47431}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-474314}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {iv, 151}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy consisting of a disc of gas, dust and stars embedded in a halo of dark matter. Within this dark matter halo there is also a diffuse population of stars called the stellar halo, that has been accreting stars for billions of years from smaller galaxies that get pulled in and disrupted by the large gravitational potential of the Milky Way. As they are disrupted, these galaxies leave behind long streams of stars that can take billions of years to mix with the rest of the stars in the halo. Furthermore, the amount of heavy elements (metallicity) of the stars in these galaxies reflects the rate of chemical enrichment that occurred in them, since the Universe has been slowly enriched in heavy elements (e.g. iron) through successive generations of stars which produce them in their cores and supernovae explosions. Therefore, stars that contain small amounts of heavy elements (metal-poor stars) either formed at early times before the Universe was significantly enriched, or in isolated environments. The aim of this thesis is to develop a better understanding of the substructure content and chemistry of the Galactic stellar halo, in order to gain further insight into the formation and evolution of the Milky Way. The Pristine survey uses a narrow-band filter which specifically targets the Ca II H \& K spectral absorption lines to provide photometric metallicities for a large number of stars down to the extremely metal-poor (EMP) regime, making it a very powerful data set for Galactic archaeology studies. In Chapter 2, we quantify the efficiency of the survey using a preliminary spectroscopic follow-up sample of ~ 200 stars. We also use this sample to establish a set of selection criteria to improve the success rate of selecting EMP candidates for follow-up spectroscopy. In Chapter 3, we extend this work and present the full catalogue of ~ 1000 stars from a three year long medium resolution spectroscopic follow-up effort conducted as part of the Pristine survey. From this sample, we compute success rates of 56\% and 23\% for recovering stars with [Fe/H] < -2.5 and [Fe/H] < -3.0, respectively. This demonstrates a high efficiency for finding EMP stars as compared to previous searches with success rates of 3-4\%. In Chapter 4, we select a sample of ~ 80000 halo stars using colour and magnitude cuts to select a main sequence turnoff population in the distance range 6 < dʘ < 20 kpc. We then use the spectroscopic follow-up sample presented in Chapter 3 to statistically rescale the Pristine photometric metallicities of this sample, and present the resulting corrected metallicity distribution function (MDF) of the halo. The slope at the metal-poor end is significantly shallower than previous spectroscopic efforts have shown, suggesting that there may be more metal-poor stars with [Fe/H] < -2.5 in the halo than previously thought. This sample also shows evidence that the MDF of the halo may not be bimodal as was proposed by previous works, and that the lack of globular clusters in the Milky Way may be the result of a physical truncation of the MDF rather than just statistical under-sampling. Chapter 5 showcases the unexpected capability of the Pristine filter for separating blue horizontal branch (BHB) stars from Blue Straggler (BS) stars. We demonstrate a purity of 93\% and completeness of 91\% for identifying BHB stars, a substantial improvement over previous works. We then use this highly pure and complete sample of BHB stars to trace the halo density profile out to d > 100 kpc, and the Sagittarius stream substructure out to ~ 130 kpc. In Chapter 6 we use the photometric metallicities from the Pristine survey to perform a clustering analysis of the halo as a function of metallicity. Separating the Pristine sample into four metallicity bins of [Fe/H] < -2, -2 < [Fe/H] < -1.5, -1.5 < [Fe/H] < -1 and -0.9 < [Fe/H] < -0.8, we compute the two-point correlation function to measure the amount of clustering on scales of < 5 deg. For a smooth comparison sample we make a mock Pristine data set generated using the Galaxia code based on the Besan{\c{c}}on model of the Galaxy. We find enhanced clustering on small scales (< 0.5 deg) for some regions of the Galaxy for the most metal-poor bin ([Fe/H] < -2), while in others we see large scale signals that correspond to known substructures in those directions. This confirms that the substructure content of the halo is highly anisotropic and diverse in different Galactic environments. We discuss the difficulties of removing systematic clustering signals from the data and the limitations of disentangling weak clustering signals from real substructures and residual systematic structure in the data. Taken together, the work presented in this thesis approaches the problem of better understanding the halo of our Galaxy from multiple angles. Firstly, presenting a sizeable sample of EMP stars and improving the selection efficiency of EMP stars for the Pristine survey, paving the way for the further discovery of metal-poor stars to be used as probes to early chemical evolution. Secondly, improving the selection of BHB distance tracers to map out the halo to large distances, and finally, using the large samples of metal-poor stars to derive the MDF of the inner halo and analyse the substructure content at different metallicities. The results of this thesis therefore expand our understanding of the physical and chemical properties of the Milky Way stellar halo, and provide insight into the processes involved in its formation and evolution.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Yin2010, author = {Yin, Fan}, title = {Mathematic approaches for the calibration of the CHAMP satellite magnetic field measurements}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-41201}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2010}, abstract = {CHAMP (CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload) is a German small satellite mission to study the earth's gravity field, magnetic field and upper atmosphere. Thanks to the good condition of the satellite so far, the planned 5 years mission is extended to year 2009. The satellite provides continuously a large quantity of measurement data for the purpose of Earth study. The measurements of the magnetic field are undertaken by two Fluxgate Magnetometers (vector magnetometer) and one Overhauser Magnetometer (scalar magnetometer) flown on CHAMP. In order to ensure the quality of the data during the whole mission, the calibration of the magnetometers has to be performed routinely in orbit. The scalar magnetometer serves as the magnetic reference and its readings are compared with the readings of the vector magnetometer. The readings of the vector magnetometer are corrected by the parameters that are derived from this comparison, which is called the scalar calibration. In the routine processing, these calibration parameters are updated every 15 days by means of scalar calibration. There are also magnetic effects coming from the satellite which disturb the measurements. Most of them have been characterized during tests before launch. Among them are the remanent magnetization of the spacecraft and fields generated by currents. They are all considered to be constant over the mission life. The 8 years of operation experience allow us to investigate the long-term behaviors of the magnetometers and the satellite systems. According to the investigation, it was found that for example the scale factors of the FGM show obvious long-term changes which can be described by logarithmic functions. The other parameters (offsets and angles between the three components) can be considered constant. If these continuous parameters are applied for the FGM data processing, the disagreement between the OVM and the FGM readings is limited to \pm1nT over the whole mission. This demonstrates, the magnetometers on CHAMP exhibit a very good stability. However, the daily correction of the parameter Z component offset of the FGM improves the agreement between the magnetometers markedly. The Z component offset plays a very important role for the data quality. It exhibits a linear relationship with the standard deviation of the disagreement between the OVM and the FGM readings. After Z offset correction, the errors are limited to \pm0.5nT (equivalent to a standard deviation of 0.2nT). We improved the corrections of the spacecraft field which are not taken into account in the routine processing. Such disturbance field, e.g. from the power supply system of the satellite, show some systematic errors in the FGM data and are misinterpreted in 9-parameter calibration, which brings false local time related variation of the calibration parameters. These corrections are made by applying a mathematical model to the measured currents. This non-linear model is derived from an inversion technique. If the disturbance field of the satellite body are fully corrected, the standard deviation of scalar error \triangle B remains about 0.1nT. Additionally, in order to keep the OVM readings a reliable standard, the imperfect coefficients of the torquer current correction for the OVM are redetermined by solving a minimization problem. The temporal variation of the spacecraft remanent field is investigated. It was found that the average magnetic moment of the magneto-torquers reflects well the moment of the satellite. This allows for a continuous correction of the spacecraft field. The reasons for the possible unknown systemic error are discussed in this thesis. Particularly, both temperature uncertainties and time errors have influence on the FGM data. Based on the results of this thesis the data processing of future magnetic missions can be designed in an improved way. In particular, the upcoming ESA mission Swarm can take advantage of our findings and provide all the auxiliary measurements needed for a proper recovery of the ambient magnetic field.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Yin2009, author = {Yin, Chunhong}, title = {The interplay of nanostructure and efficiency of polymer solar cells}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-29054}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The aim of this thesis is to achieve a deep understanding of the working mechanism of polymer based solar cells and to improve the device performance. Two types of the polymer based solar cells are studied here: all-polymer solar cells comprising macromolecular donors and acceptors based on poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and hybrid cells comprising a PPV copolymer in combination with a novel small molecule electron acceptor. To understand the interplay between morphology and photovoltaic properties in all-polymer devices, I compared the photocurrent characteristics and excited state properties of bilayer and blend devices with different nano-morphology, which was fine tuned by using solvents with different boiling points. The main conclusion from these complementary measurements was that the performance-limiting step is the field-dependent generation of free charge carriers, while bimolecular recombination and charge extraction do not compromise device performance. These findings imply that the proper design of the donor-acceptor heterojunction is of major importance towards the goal of high photovoltaic efficiencies. Regarding polymer-small molecular hybrid solar cells I combined the hole-transporting polymer M3EH-PPV with a novel Vinazene-based electron acceptor. This molecule can be either deposited from solution or by thermal evaporation, allowing for a large variety of layer architectures to be realized. I then demonstrated that the layer architecture has a large influence on the photovoltaic properties. Solar cells with very high fill factors of up to 57 \% and an open circuit voltage of 1V could be achieved by realizing a sharp and well-defined donor-acceptor heterojunction. In the past, fill factors exceeding 50 \% have only been observed for polymers in combination with soluble fullerene-derivatives or nanocrystalline inorganic semiconductors as the electron-accepting component. The finding that proper processing of polymer-vinazene devices leads to similar high values is a major step towards the design of efficient polymer-based solar cells.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Yeldesbay2014, author = {Yeldesbay, Azamat}, title = {Complex regimes of synchronization}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-73348}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {ii, 60}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Synchronization is a fundamental phenomenon in nature. It can be considered as a general property of self-sustained oscillators to adjust their rhythm in the presence of an interaction. In this work we investigate complex regimes of synchronization phenomena by means of theoretical analysis, numerical modeling, as well as practical analysis of experimental data. As a subject of our investigation we consider chimera state, where due to spontaneous symmetry-breaking of an initially homogeneous oscillators lattice split the system into two parts with different dynamics. Chimera state as a new synchronization phenomenon was first found in non-locally coupled oscillators system, and has attracted a lot of attention in the last decade. However, the recent studies indicate that this state is also possible in globally coupled systems. In the first part of this work, we show under which conditions the chimera-like state appears in a system of globally coupled identical oscillators with intrinsic delayed feedback. The results of the research explain how initially monostable oscillators became effectivly bistable in the presence of the coupling and create a mean field that sustain the coexistence of synchronized and desynchronized states. Also we discuss other examples, where chimera-like state appears due to frequency dependence of the phase shift in the bistable system. In the second part, we make further investigation of this topic by modeling influence of an external periodic force to an oscillator with intrinsic delayed feedback. We made stability analysis of the synchronized state and constructed Arnold tongues. The results explain formation of the chimera-like state and hysteric behavior of the synchronization area. Also, we consider two sets of parameters of the oscillator with symmetric and asymmetric Arnold tongues, that correspond to mono- and bi-stable regimes of the oscillator. In the third part, we demonstrate the results of the work, which was done in collaboration with our colleagues from Psychology Department of University of Potsdam. The project aimed to study the effect of the cardiac rhythm on human perception of time using synchronization analysis. From our part, we made a statistical analysis of the data obtained from the conducted experiment on free time interval reproduction task. We examined how ones heartbeat influences the time perception and searched for possible phase synchronization between heartbeat cycles and time reproduction responses. The findings support the prediction that cardiac cycles can serve as input signals, and is used for reproduction of time intervals in the range of several seconds.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Yadavalli2014, author = {Yadavalli, Nataraja Sekhar}, title = {Advances in experimental methods to probe surface relief grating formation mechanism in photosensitive materials}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-71213}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2014}, abstract = {When azobenzene-modified photosensitive polymer films are irradiated with light interference patterns, topographic variations in the film develop that follow the electric field vector distribution resulting in the formation of surface relief grating (SRG). The exact correspondence of the electric field vector orientation in interference pattern in relation to the presence of local topographic minima or maxima of SRG is in general difficult to determine. In my thesis, we have established a systematic procedure to accomplish the correlation between different interference patterns and the topography of SRG. For this, we devise a new setup combining an atomic force microscope and a two-beam interferometer (IIAFM). With this set-up, it is possible to track the topography change in-situ, while at the same time changing polarization and phase of the impinging interference pattern. To validate our results, we have compared two photosensitive materials named in short as PAZO and trimer. This is the first time that an absolute correspondence between the local distribution of electric field vectors of interference pattern and the local topography of the relief grating could be established exhaustively. In addition, using our IIAFM we found that for a certain polarization combination of two orthogonally polarized interfering beams namely SP (↕, ↔) interference pattern, the topography forms SRG with only half the period of the interference patterns. Exploiting this phenomenon we are able to fabricate surface relief structures below diffraction limit with characteristic features measuring only 140 nm, by using far field optics with a wavelength of 491 nm. We have also probed for the stresses induced during the polymer mass transport by placing an ultra-thin gold film on top (5-30 nm). During irradiation, the metal film not only deforms along with the SRG formation, but ruptures in regular and complex manner. The morphology of the cracks differs strongly depending on the electric field distribution in the interference pattern even when the magnitude and the kinetic of the strain are kept constant. This implies a complex local distribution of the opto-mechanical stress along the topography grating. The neutron reflectivity measurements of the metal/polymer interface indicate the penetration of metal layer within the polymer resulting in the formation of bonding layer that confirms the transduction of light induced stresses in the polymer layer to a metal film.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Xue2004, author = {X{\"u}, Chenggang}, title = {Preparation and characterization of vapour deposited films based on substituted 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001358}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit dem Einfluss der molekularen Struktur von 2,5-Diphenyl-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-Derivaten auf die Pr{\"a}parierung d{\"u}nner Schichten mittels Vakuumdeposition. D{\"u}nne Schichten von diesen Substanzen wurden auf Si/SiO2 aufgedampft und ihre Struktur systematisch mittels XSR, AFM und IR untersucht. Das Ergebnis zeigt, dass die Schichtstrukturen offenbar von Substratetemperatur (Ts) abh{\"a}ngig sind. Im untersuchten Ts-Bereich bilden etherverbr{\"u}ckte Oxadiazole immer geordnete Schichten und die Schichtperiodicit{\"a}t h{\"a}ngt linear von der L{\"a}ngen der aliphatischen Ketten, w{\"a}hrend sich bei den amidverbr{\"u}ckten Oxadiazolen nur bei hohen Ts geordnete Schichten bilden k{\"o}nnen. Diese Unterschiede sind auf die intermolekularen Wasserstoffbr{\"u}cken zur{\"u}ckzuf{\"u}hren. Der Tilt-Winkel der Molek{\"u}le ist durch die Wechselwirkung zwischen dem aromatischen Teil bestimmt. Die Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Kopfgruppen k{\"o}nnen durch Tempern abgeschw{\"a}cht werden und f{\"u}hren zur Strukturumwandlung von Schichten, die auf etherverbr{\"u}ckten Oxadiazolen basieren. Alle Schichten von etherverbr{\"u}ckten Oxadiazolen haben Doppelschicht-Struktur, aber amidverbr{\"u}ckte Oxadiazole bilden nur Doppelschicht-Strukturen, wenn die Molek{\"u}le eine Kopfgruppe besitzen.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wunderling2021, author = {Wunderling, Nico}, title = {Nichtlineare Dynamiken und Interaktionen von Kippelementen im Erdsystem}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-52514}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-525140}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {ix, 303}, year = {2021}, abstract = {With ongoing anthropogenic global warming, some of the most vulnerable components of the Earth system might become unstable and undergo a critical transition. These subsystems are the so-called tipping elements. They are believed to exhibit threshold behaviour and would, if triggered, result in severe consequences for the biosphere and human societies. Furthermore, it has been shown that climate tipping elements are not isolated entities, but interact across the entire Earth system. Therefore, this thesis aims at mapping out the potential for tipping events and feedbacks in the Earth system mainly by the use of complex dynamical systems and network science approaches, but partially also by more detailed process-based models of the Earth system. In the first part of this thesis, the theoretical foundations are laid by the investigation of networks of interacting tipping elements. For this purpose, the conditions for the emergence of global cascades are analysed against the structure of paradigmatic network types such as Erd{\"o}s-R{\´e}nyi, Barab{\´a}si-Albert, Watts-Strogatz and explicitly spatially embedded networks. Furthermore, micro-scale structures are detected that are decisive for the transition of local to global cascades. These so-called motifs link the micro- to the macro-scale in the network of tipping elements. Alongside a model description paper, all these results are entered into the Python software package PyCascades, which is publicly available on github. In the second part of this dissertation, the tipping element framework is first applied to components of the Earth system such as the cryosphere and to parts of the biosphere. Afterwards it is applied to a set of interacting climate tipping elements on a global scale. Using the Earth system Model of Intermediate Complexity (EMIC) CLIMBER-2, the temperature feedbacks are quantified, which would arise if some of the large cryosphere elements disintegrate over a long span of time. The cryosphere components that are investigated are the Arctic summer sea ice, the mountain glaciers, the Greenland and the West Antarctic Ice Sheets. The committed temperature increase, in case the ice masses disintegrate, is on the order of an additional half a degree on a global average (0.39-0.46 °C), while local to regional additional temperature increases can exceed 5 °C. This means that, once tipping has begun, additional reinforcing feedbacks are able to increase global warming and with that the risk of further tipping events. This is also the case in the Amazon rainforest, whose parts are dependent on each other via the so-called moisture-recycling feedback. In this thesis, the importance of drought-induced tipping events in the Amazon rainforest is investigated in detail. Despite the Amazon rainforest is assumed to be adapted to past environmental conditions, it is found that tipping events sharply increase if the drought conditions become too intense in a too short amount of time, outpacing the adaptive capacity of the Amazon rainforest. In these cases, the frequency of tipping cascades also increases to 50\% (or above) of all tipping events. In the model that was developed in this study, the southeastern region of the Amazon basin is hit hardest by the simulated drought patterns. This is also the region that already nowadays suffers a lot from extensive human-induced changes due to large-scale deforestation, cattle ranching or infrastructure projects. Moreover, on the larger Earth system wide scale, a network of conceptualised climate tipping elements is constructed in this dissertation making use of a large literature review, expert knowledge and topological properties of the tipping elements. In global warming scenarios, tipping cascades are detected even under modest scenarios of climate change, limiting global warming to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. In addition, the structural roles of the climate tipping elements in the network are revealed. While the large ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica are the initiators of tipping cascades, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) acts as the transmitter of cascades. Furthermore, in our conceptual climate tipping element model, it is found that the ice sheets are of particular importance for the stability of the entire system of investigated climate tipping elements. In the last part of this thesis, the results from the temperature feedback study with the EMIC CLIMBER-2 are combined with the conceptual model of climate tipping elements. There, it is observed that the likelihood of further tipping events slightly increases due to the temperature feedbacks even if no further CO\$_2\$ would be added to the atmosphere. Although the developed network model is of conceptual nature, it is possible with this work for the first time to quantify the risk of tipping events between interacting components of the Earth system under global warming scenarios, by allowing for dynamic temperature feedbacks at the same time.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wu2010, author = {Wu, Ye}, title = {Nonlinear dynamics in complex networks and modeling human dynamics}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-47358}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Durch große Datenmengen k{\"o}nnen die Forscher die Eigenschaften komplexer Systeme untersuchen, z.B. komplexe Netzwerk und die Dynamik des menschlichen Verhaltens. Eine große Anzahl an Systemen werden als große und komplexe Netzwerke dargestellt, z.B. das Internet, Stromnetze, Wirtschaftssysteme. Immer mehr Forscher haben großes Interesse an der Dynamik des komplexen Netzwerks. Diese Arbeit besteht aus den folgenden drei Teilen. Der erste Teil ist ein einfacher dynamischer Optimierungs-Kopplungs-Mechanismus, aber sehr wirksam. Durch den Mechanismus kann synchronisation in komplexen Netzwerken mit und ohne Zeitverz{\"o}gerung realisiert, und die F{\"a}higkeit der Synchronisation von small-world und scale-free Netze verbessert werden. Im zweiten Teil geht um die Verst{\"a}rkung der Robustheit der scale-free Netze im Zusammenhang mit der Gemeinden-Struktur. Einige Reaktionsmuster und topologische Gemeinden sind einheitlich. Die Ergebnisse zeigen einen neuen Aspekt der Beziehung zwischen den Funktionen und der Netzwerk-Topologie von komplexen Netzwerken. Im dritten Teil welche eine wichtige Rolle in komplexen Netzwerken spielt, wird die Verhaltens-Dynamik der menschliche Mitteilung durch Daten- und Modellanalysierung erforscht, dann entsteht ein neues Mitteilungsmodell. Mit Hilfe von einem Interaktion priority-Queue Model kann das neue Modell erkl{\"a}rt werden. Mit Hilfe des Models k{\"o}nnen viele praktische Interaktions-Systeme erkl{\"a}rt werden, z.B. E-Mail und Briefe (oder Post). Mit Hilfe meiner Untersuchung kann man menschliches Verhalten auf der Individuums- und Netzwerkebene neu kennenlernen. Im vierter Teil kann ich nachweisen, dass menschliches Kommentar-Verhalten in on-line Sozialsystemen, eine andere Art der Interaktionsdynamik von Mensch non-Poisson ist und dieses am Modell erkl{\"a}ren. Mit Hilfe der non-Poisson Prozesse kann man das pers{\"o}nliche Anziehungskraft-Modell besser verstehen. Die Ergebnisse sind hilfreich zum Kennenlernen des Musters des menschlichen Verhaltens in on-line Gesellschaften und der Entwicklung von {\"o}ffentlicher Meinung nicht nur in der virtuellen Gesellschaftn sondern auch in der Realgesellschaft. Am Ende geht es um eine Prognose von menschlicher Dynamik und komplexen Netzwerken.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Worseck2007, author = {Worseck, G{\´a}bor}, title = {The transverse proximity effect in quasar spectra}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-18738}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2007}, abstract = {The intergalactic medium is kept highly photoionised by the intergalactic UV background radiation field generated by the overall population of quasars and galaxies. In the vicinity of sources of UV photons, such as luminous high-redshift quasars, the UV radiation field is enhanced due to the local source contribution. The higher degree of ionisation is visible as a reduced line density or generally as a decreased level of absorption in the Lyman alpha forest of neutral hydrogen. This so-called proximity effect has been detected with high statistical significance towards luminous quasars. If quasars radiate rather isotropically, background quasar sightlines located near foreground quasars should show a region of decreased Lyman alpha absorption close to the foreground quasar. Despite considerable effort, such a transverse proximity effect has only been detected in a few cases. So far, studies of the transverse proximity effect were mostly limited by the small number of suitable projected pairs or groups of high-redshift quasars. With the aim to substantially increase the number of quasar groups in the vicinity of bright quasars we conduct a targeted survey for faint quasars around 18 well-studied quasars at employing slitless spectroscopy. Among the reduced and calibrated slitless spectra of 29000 objects on a total area of 4.39 square degrees we discover in total 169 previously unknown quasar candidates based on their prominent emission lines. 81 potential z>1.7 quasars are selected for confirmation by slit spectroscopy at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). We are able to confirm 80 of these. 64 of the newly discovered quasars reside at z>1.7. The high success rate of the follow-up observations implies that the majority of the remaining candidates are quasars as well. In 16 of these groups we search for a transverse proximity effect as a systematic underdensity in the HI Lyman alpha absorption. We employ a novel technique to characterise the random absorption fluctuations in the forest in order to estimate the significance of the transverse proximity effect. Neither low-resolution spectra nor high-resolution spectra of background quasars of our groups present evidence for a transverse proximity effect. However, via Monte Carlo simulations the effect should be detectable only at the 1-2sigma level near three of the foreground quasars. Thus, we cannot distinguish between the presence or absence of a weak signature of the transverse proximity effect. The systematic effects of quasar variability, quasar anisotopy and intrinsic overdensities near quasars likely explain the apparent lack of the transverse proximity effect. Even in absence of the systematic effects, we show that a statistically significant detection of the transverse proximity effect requires at least 5 medium-resolution quasar spectra of background quasars near foreground quasars whose UV flux exceeds the UV background by a factor 3. Therefore, statistical studies of the transverse proximity effect require large numbers of suitable pairs. Two sightlines towards the central quasars of our survey fields show intergalactic HeII Lyman alpha absorption. A comparison of the HeII absorption to the corresponding HI absorption yields an estimate of the spectral shape of the intergalactic UV radiation field, typically parameterised by the HeII/HI column density ratio eta. We analyse the fluctuating UV spectral shape on both lines of sight and correlate it with seven foreground quasars. On the line of sight towards Q0302-003 we find a harder radiation field near 4 foreground quasars. In the direct vicinity of the quasars eta is consistent with values of 25-100, whereas at large distances from the quasars eta>200 is required. The second line of sight towards HE2347-4342 probes lower redshifts where eta is directly measurable in the resolved HeII forest. Again we find that the radiation field near the 3 foreground quasars is significantly harder than in general. While eta still shows large fluctuations near the quasars, probably due to radiative transfer, the radiation field is on average harder near the quasars than far away from them. We interpret these discoveries as the first detections of the transverse proximity effect as a local hardness fluctuation in the UV spectral shape. No significant HI proximity effect is predicted for the 7 foreground quasars. In fact, the HI absorption near the quasars is close to or slightly above the average, suggesting that the weak signature of the transverse proximity effect is masked by intrinsic overdensities. However, we show that the UV spectral shape traces the transverse proximity effect even in overdense regions or at large distances. Therefore, the spectral hardness is a sensitive physical measure of the transverse proximity effect that is able to break the density degeneracy affecting the traditional searches.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wolff2020, author = {Wolff, Christian Michael}, title = {Identification and reduction of losses in perovskite solar cells}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47930}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-479301}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {x, 158}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Perovskite solar cells have become one of the most studied systems in the quest for new, cheap and efficient solar cell materials. Within a decade device efficiencies have risen to >25\% in single-junction and >29\% in tandem devices on top of silicon. This rapid improvement was in many ways fortunate, as e. g. the energy levels of commonly used halide perovskites are compatible with already existing materials from other photovoltaic technologies such as dye-sensitized or organic solar cells. Despite this rapid success, fundamental working principles must be understood to allow concerted further improvements. This thesis focuses on a comprehensive understanding of recombination processes in functioning devices. First the impact the energy level alignment between the perovskite and the electron transport layer based on fullerenes is investigated. This controversial topic is comprehensively addressed and recombination is mitigated through reducing the energy difference between the perovskite conduction band minimum and the LUMO of the fullerene. Additionally, an insulating blocking layer is introduced, which is even more effective in reducing this recombination, without compromising carrier collection and thus efficiency. With the rapid efficiency development (certified efficiencies have broken through the 20\% ceiling) and thousands of researchers working on perovskite-based optoelectronic devices, reliable protocols on how to reach these efficiencies are lacking. Having established robust methods for >20\% devices, while keeping track of possible pitfalls, a detailed description of the fabrication of perovskite solar cells at the highest efficiency level (>20\%) is provided. The fabrication of low-temperature p-i-n structured devices is described, commenting on important factors such as practical experience, processing atmosphere \& temperature, material purity and solution age. Analogous to reliable fabrication methods, a method to identify recombination losses is needed to further improve efficiencies. Thus, absolute photoluminescence is identified as a direct way to quantify the Quasi-Fermi level splitting of the perovskite absorber (1.21eV) and interfacial recombination losses the transport layers impose, reducing the latter to ~1.1eV. Implementing very thin interlayers at both the p- and n-interface (PFN-P2 and LiF, respectively), these losses are suppressed, enabling a VOC of up to 1.17eV. Optimizing the device dimensions and the bandgap, 20\% devices with 1cm2 active area are demonstrated. Another important consideration is the solar cells' stability if subjected to field-relevant stressors during operation. In particular these are heat, light, bias or a combination thereof. Perovskite layers - especially those incorporating organic cations - have been shown to degrade if subjected to these stressors. Keeping in mind that several interlayers have been successfully used to mitigate recombination losses, a family of perfluorinated self-assembled monolayers (X-PFCn, where X denotes I/Br and n = 7-12) are introduced as interlayers at the n-interface. Indeed, they reduce interfacial recombination losses enabling device efficiencies up to 21.3\%. Even more importantly they improve the stability of the devices. The solar cells with IPFC10 are stable over 3000h stored in the ambient and withstand a harsh 250h of MPP at 85◦C without appreciable efficiency losses. To advance further and improve device efficiencies, a sound understanding of the photophysics of a device is imperative. Many experimental observations in recent years have however drawn an inconclusive picture, often suffering from technical of physical impediments, disguising e. g. capacitive discharge as recombination dynamics. To circumvent these obstacles, fully operational, highly efficient perovskites solar cells are investigated by a combination of multiple optical and optoelectronic probes, allowing to draw a conclusive picture of the recombination dynamics in operation. Supported by drift-diffusion simulations, the device recombination dynamics can be fully described by a combination of first-, second- and third-order recombination and JV curves as well as luminescence efficiencies over multiple illumination intensities are well described within the model. On this basis steady state carrier densities, effective recombination constants, densities-of-states and effective masses are calculated, putting the devices at the brink of the radiative regime. Moreover, a comprehensive review of recombination in state-of-the-art devices is given, highlighting the importance of interfaces in nonradiative recombination. Different strategies to assess these are discussed, before emphasizing successful strategies to reduce interfacial recombination and pointing towards the necessary steps to further improve device efficiency and stability. Overall, the main findings represent an advancement in understanding loss mechanisms in highly efficient solar cells. Different reliable optoelectronic techniques are used and interfacial losses are found to be of grave importance for both efficiency and stability. Addressing the interfaces, several interlayers are introduced, which mitigate recombination losses and degradation.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Willig2019, author = {Willig, Lisa}, title = {Ultrafast magneto-optical studies of remagnetisation dynamics in transition metals}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-44194}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-441942}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {XIV, 113, XVII}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Ultrafast magnetisation dynamics have been investigated intensely for two decades. The recovery process after demagnetisation, however, was rarely studied experimentally and discussed in detail. The focus of this work lies on the investigation of the magnetisation on long timescales after laser excitation. It combines two ultrafast time resolved methods to study the relaxation of the magnetic and lattice system after excitation with a high fluence ultrashort laser pulse. The magnetic system is investigated by time resolved measurements of the magneto-optical Kerr effect. The experimental setup has been implemented in the scope of this work. The lattice dynamics were obtained with ultrafast X-ray diffraction. The combination of both techniques leads to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in magnetisation recovery from a non-equilibrium condition. Three different groups of samples are investigated in this work: Thin Nickel layers capped with nonmagnetic materials, a continuous sample of the ordered L10 phase of Iron Platinum and a sample consisting of Iron Platinum nanoparticles embedded in a carbon matrix. The study of the remagnetisation reveals a general trend for all of the samples: The remagnetisation process can be described by two time dependences. A first exponential recovery that slows down with an increasing amount of energy absorbed in the system until an approximately linear time dependence is observed. This is followed by a second exponential recovery. In case of low fluence excitation, the first recovery is faster than the second. With increasing fluence the first recovery is slowed down and can be described as a linear function. If the pump-induced temperature increase in the sample is sufficiently high, a phase transition to a paramagnetic state is observed. In the remagnetisation process, the transition into the ferromagnetic state is characterised by a distinct transition between the linear and exponential recovery. From the combination of the transient lattice temperature Tp(t) obtained from ultrafast X-ray measurements and magnetisation M(t) gained from magneto-optical measurements we construct the transient magnetisation versus temperature relations M(Tp). If the lattice temperature remains below the Curie temperature the remagnetisation curve M(Tp) is linear and stays below the M(T) curve in equilibrium in the continuous transition metal layers. When the sample is heated above phase transition, the remagnetisation converges towards the static temperature dependence. For the granular Iron Platinum sample the M(Tp) curves for different fluences coincide, i.e. the remagnetisation follows a similar path irrespective of the initial laser-induced temperature jump.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wilhelm2021, author = {Wilhelm, Alina}, title = {Stochastic re-acceleration of particles in supernova remnants}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-51291}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-512915}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {IV, 124}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Supernova remnants (SNRs) are discussed as the most promising sources of galactic cosmic rays (CR). The diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) theory predicts particle spectra in a rough agreement with observations. Upon closer inspection, however, the photon spectra of observed SNRs indicate that the particle spectra produced at SNRs shocks deviate from the standard expectation. This work suggests a viable explanation for a softening of the particle spectra in SNRs. The basic idea is the re-acceleration of particles in the turbulent region immediately downstream of the shock. This thesis shows that at the re-acceleration of particles by the fast-mode waves in the downstream region can be efficient enough to impact particle spectra over several decades in energy. To demonstrate this, a generic SNR model is presented, where the evolution of particles is described by the reduced transport equation for CR. It is shown that the resulting particle and the corresponding synchrotron spectra are significantly softer compared to the standard case. Next, this work outlines RATPaC, a code developed to model particle acceleration and corresponding photon emissions in SNRs. RATPaC solves the particle transport equation in test-particle mode using hydrodynamic simulations of the SNR plasma flow. The background magnetic field can be either computed from the induction equation or follows analytic profiles. This work presents an extended version of RATPaC that accounts for stochastic re-acceleration by fast-mode waves that provide diffusion of particles in momentum space. This version is then applied to model the young historical SNR Tycho. According to radio observations, Tycho's SNR features the radio spectral index of approximately -0.65. In previous modeling approaches, this fact has been attributed to the strongly distinctive Alfv{\´e}nic drift, which is assumed to operate in the shock vicinity. In this work, the problems and inconsistencies of this scenario are discussed. Instead, stochastic re-acceleration of electrons in the immediate downstream region of Tycho's SNR is suggested as a cause for the soft radio spectrum. Furthermore, this work investigates two different scenarios for magnetic-field distributions inside Tycho's SNR. It is concluded that magnetic-field damping is needed to account for the observed filaments in the radio range. Two models are presented for Tycho's SNR, both of them feature strong hadronic contribution. Thus, a purely leptonic model is considered as very unlikely. Additionally, to the detailed modeling of Tycho's SNR, this dissertation presents a relatively simple one-zone model for the young SNR Cassiopeia A and an interpretation for the recently analyzed VERITAS and Fermi-LAT data. It shows that the γ-ray emission of Cassiopeia A cannot be explained without a hadronic contribution and that the remnant accelerates protons up to TeV energies. Thus, Cassiopeia A is found to be unlikely a PeVatron.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wieland2015, author = {Wieland, Volkmar}, title = {Particle-in-cell simulations of perpendicular supernova shock fronts}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-74532}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {v, 89}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The origin of cosmic rays was the subject of several studies for over a century. The investigations done within this dissertation are one small step to shed some more light on this mystery. Locating the sources of cosmic rays is not trivial due to the interstellar magnetic field. However, the Hillas criterion allows us to arrive at the conclusion that supernova remnants are our main suspect for the origin of galactic cosmic rays. The mechanism by which they are accelerating particles is found within the field of shock physics as diffusive shock acceleration. To allow particles to enter this process also known as Fermi acceleration pre-acceleration processes like shock surfing acceleration and shock drift acceleration are necessary. Investigating the processes happening in the plasma shocks of supernova remnants is possible by utilising a simplified model which can be simulated on a computer using Particle-in-Cell simulations. We developed a new and clean setup to simulate the formation of a double shock, i.e., consisting of a forward and a reverse shock and a contact discontinuity, by the collision of two counter-streaming plasmas, in which a magnetic field can be woven into. In a previous work, we investigated the processes at unmagnetised and at magnetised parallel shocks, whereas in the current work, we move our investigation on to magnetised perpendicular shocks. Due to a much stronger confinement of the particles to the collision region the perpendicular shock develops much faster than the parallel shock. On the other hand, this leads to much weaker turbulence. We are able to find indications for shock surfing acceleration and shock drift acceleration happening at the two shocks leading to populations of pre-accelerated particles that are suitable as a seed population to be injected into further diffusive shock acceleration to be accelerated to even higher energies. We observe the development of filamentary structures in the shock ramp of the forward shock, but not at the reverse shock. This leads to the conclusion that the development of such structures in the shock ramp of quasi-perpendicular collisionless shocks might not necessarily be determined by the existence of a critical sonic Mach number but by a critical shock speed. The results of the investigations done within this dissertation might be useful for further studies of oblique shocks and for studies using hybrid or magnetohydrodynamic simulations. Together with more sophisticated observational methods, these studies will help to bring us closer to an answer as to how particles can be accelerated in supernova remnants and eventually become cosmic rays that can be detected on Earth.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Werhahn2023, author = {Werhahn, Maria}, title = {Simulating galaxy evolution with cosmic rays: the multi-frequency view}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-57285}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-572851}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {5, 220}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Cosmic rays (CRs) constitute an important component of the interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies and are thought to play an essential role in governing their evolution. In particular, they are able to impact the dynamics of a galaxy by driving galactic outflows or heating the ISM and thereby affecting the efficiency of star-formation. Hence, in order to understand galaxy formation and evolution, we need to accurately model this non-thermal constituent of the ISM. But except in our local environment within the Milky Way, we do not have the ability to measure CRs directly in other galaxies. However, there are many ways to indirectly observe CRs via the radiation they emit due to their interaction with magnetic and interstellar radiation fields as well as with the ISM. In this work, I develop a numerical framework to calculate the spectral distribution of CRs in simulations of isolated galaxies where a steady-state between injection and cooling is assumed. Furthermore, I calculate the non-thermal emission processes arising from the modelled CR proton and electron spectra ranging from radio wavelengths up to the very high-energy gamma-ray regime. I apply this code to a number of high-resolution magneto-hydrodynamical (MHD) simulations of isolated galaxies, where CRs are included. This allows me to study their CR spectra and compare them to observations of the CR proton and electron spectra by the Voyager-1 satellite and the AMS-02 instrument in order to reveal the origin of the measured spectral features. Furthermore, I provide detailed emission maps, luminosities and spectra of the non-thermal emission from our simulated galaxies that range from dwarfs to Milk-Way analogues to starburst galaxies at different evolutionary stages. I successfully reproduce the observed relations between the radio and gamma-ray luminosities with the far-infrared (FIR) emission of star-forming (SF) galaxies, respectively, where the latter is a good tracer of the star-formation rate. I find that highly SF galaxies are close to the limit where their CR population would lose all of their energy due to the emission of radiation, whereas CRs tend to escape low SF galaxies more quickly. On top of that, I investigate the properties of CR transport that are needed in order to match the observed gamma-ray spectra. Furthermore, I uncover the underlying processes that enable the FIR-radio correlation (FRC) to be maintained even in starburst galaxies and find that thermal free-free-emission naturally explains the observed radio spectra in SF galaxies like M82 and NGC 253 thus solving the riddle of flat radio spectra that have been proposed to contradict the observed tight FRC. Lastly, I scrutinise the steady-state modelling of the CR proton component by investigating for the first time the influence of spectrally resolved CR transport in MHD simulations on the hadronic gamma-ray emission of SF galaxies revealing new insights into the observational signatures of CR transport both spectrally and spatially.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wechakama2013, author = {Wechakama, Maneenate}, title = {Multi-messenger constraints and pressure from dark matter annihilation into electron-positron pairs}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-67401}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Despite striking evidence for the existence of dark matter from astrophysical observations, dark matter has still escaped any direct or indirect detection until today. Therefore a proof for its existence and the revelation of its nature belongs to one of the most intriguing challenges of nowadays cosmology and particle physics. The present work tries to investigate the nature of dark matter through indirect signatures from dark matter annihilation into electron-positron pairs in two different ways, pressure from dark matter annihilation and multi-messenger constraints on the dark matter annihilation cross-section. We focus on dark matter annihilation into electron-positron pairs and adopt a model-independent approach, where all the electrons and positrons are injected with the same initial energy E_0 ~ m_dm*c^2. The propagation of these particles is determined by solving the diffusion-loss equation, considering inverse Compton scattering, synchrotron radiation, Coulomb collisions, bremsstrahlung, and ionization. The first part of this work, focusing on pressure from dark matter annihilation, demonstrates that dark matter annihilation into electron-positron pairs may affect the observed rotation curve by a significant amount. The injection rate of this calculation is constrained by INTEGRAL, Fermi, and H.E.S.S. data. The pressure of the relativistic electron-positron gas is computed from the energy spectrum predicted by the diffusion-loss equation. For values of the gas density and magnetic field that are representative of the Milky Way, it is estimated that the pressure gradients are strong enough to balance gravity in the central parts if E_0 < 1 GeV. The exact value depends somewhat on the astrophysical parameters, and it changes dramatically with the slope of the dark matter density profile. For very steep slopes, as those expected from adiabatic contraction, the rotation curves of spiral galaxies would be affected on kiloparsec scales for most values of E_0. By comparing the predicted rotation curves with observations of dwarf and low surface brightness galaxies, we show that the pressure from dark matter annihilation may improve the agreement between theory and observations in some cases, but it also imposes severe constraints on the model parameters (most notably, the inner slope of the halo density profile, as well as the mass and the annihilation cross-section of dark matter particles into electron-positron pairs). In the second part, upper limits on the dark matter annihilation cross-section into electron-positron pairs are obtained by combining observed data at different wavelengths (from Haslam, WMAP, and Fermi all-sky intensity maps) with recent measurements of the electron and positron spectra in the solar neighbourhood by PAMELA, Fermi, and H.E.S.S.. We consider synchrotron emission in the radio and microwave bands, as well as inverse Compton scattering and final-state radiation at gamma-ray energies. For most values of the model parameters, the tightest constraints are imposed by the local positron spectrum and synchrotron emission from the central regions of the Galaxy. According to our results, the annihilation cross-section should not be higher than the canonical value for a thermal relic if the mass of the dark matter candidate is smaller than a few GeV. In addition, we also derive a stringent upper limit on the inner logarithmic slope α of the density profile of the Milky Way dark matter halo (α < 1 if m_dm < 5 GeV, α < 1.3 if m_dm < 100 GeV and α < 1.5 if m_dm < 2 TeV) assuming a dark matter annihilation cross-section into electron-positron pairs (σv) = 3*10^-26 cm^3 s^-1, as predicted for thermal relics from the big bang.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Weber2004, author = {Weber, Michael H.}, title = {Robotic telescopes \& Doppler imaging : measuring differential rotation on long-period active stars}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001834}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Auf der Sonne sind viele Ph{\"a}nomene zu sehen die mit der solaren magnetischen Aktivit{\"a}t zusammenh{\"a}ngen. Das daf{\"u}r zust{\"a}ndige Magnetfeld wird durch einen Dynamo erzeugt, der sich vermutlich am Boden der Konvektionszone in der sogenannten Tachocline befindet. Angetrieben wird der Dynamo teils von der differenziellen Rotation, teils von den magnetischen Turbulenzen in der Konvektionszone. Die differentielle Rotation kann an der Sonnenoberfl{\"a}che durch beobachten der Sonnenfleckbewegungen gemessen werden.Um einen gr{\"o}ßeren Parameterraum zum Testen von Dynamotheorien zu erhalten, kann man diese Messungen auch auf andere Sterne ausdehnen. Das prim{\"a}re Problem dabei ist, dass die Oberfl{\"a}chen von Sternen nicht direkt beobachtet werden k{\"o}nnen. Indirekt kann man dies jedoch mit Hilfe der Doppler-imaging Methode erreichen, die die Doppler-Verbreitung der Spektrallinien von schnell rotierenden Sternen ben{\"u}tzt. Um jedoch ein Bild der Sternoberfl{\"a}che zu erhalten, bedarf es vieler hochaufgel{\"o}ster spektroskopischer Beobachtungen, die gleichm{\"a}ßig {\"u}ber eine Sternrotation verteilt sein m{\"u}ssen. F{\"u}r Sterne mit langen Rotationsperioden sind diese Beobachtungen nur schwierig durchzuf{\"u}hren. Das neue robotische Observatorium STELLA adressiert dieses Problem und bietet eine auf Dopplerimaging abgestimmte Ablaufplanung der Beobachtungen an. Dies wird solche Beobachtungen nicht nur leichter durchf{\"u}hrbar machen, sondern auch effektiver gestalten.Als Vorschau welche Ergebnisse mit STELLA erwartet werden k{\"o}nnen dient eine Studie an sieben Sternen die allesamt eine lange (zwischen sieben und 25 Tagen) Rotationsperiode haben. Alle Sterne zeigen differentielle Rotation, allerdings sind die Messfehler aufgrund der nicht zufriedenstellenden Datenqualit{\"a}t von gleicher Gr{\"o}ßenordnung wie die Ergebnisse, ein Problem das bei STELLA nicht auftreten wird. Um die Konsistenz der Ergebnisse zu pr{\"u}fen wurde wenn m{\"o}glich sowohl eine Kreuzkorrelationsanalyse als auch die sheared-image Methode angewandt. Vier von diesen sieben Sternen weisen eine differentielle Rotation in umgekehrter Richtung auf als auf der Sonne zu sehen ist. Die restlichen drei Sterne weisen schwache, aber in der Richtung sonnen{\"a}hnliche differentielle Rotation auf.Abschließend werden diese neuen Messungen mit bereits publizierten Werten kombiniert, und die so erhaltenen Daten auf Korrelationen zwischen differentieller Rotation, Rotationsperiode, Evolutionsstaus, Spektraltyp und Vorhandensein eines Doppelsterns {\"u}berpr{\"u}ft. Alle Sterne zusammen zeigen eine signifikante Korrelation zwischen dem Betrag der differenziellen Rotation und der Rotationsperiode. Unterscheidet man zwischen den Richtungen der differentiellen Rotation, so bleibt nur eine Korrelation der Sterne mit antisolarem Verhalten. Dar{\"u}berhinaus zeigt sich auch, dass Doppelsterne schw{\"a}cher differentiell rotieren.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Washuettl2004, author = {Wash{\"u}ttl, Albert}, title = {EI Eridani and the art of doppler imaging : a long-term study}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001714}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Das Verst{\"a}ndnis magnetisch verursachter Aktivit{\"a}t auf Sternen sowie der zugrundeliegenden Dynamoprozesse ist von fundamentaler Bedeutung f{\"u}r das Verst{\"a}ndnis von Entstehung und Entwicklung von Sternen sowie des Lebens im Universum. Sichtbare Erscheinungen dieser stellaren Aktivit{\"a}t sind u.a. Sternflecken, welche als Indikatoren des zugrundeliegenden Magnetfeldes dienen. Solche Flecken k{\"o}nnen auf anderen Sternen als der Sonne nicht direkt beobachtet werden, zumal mit den heutigen technischen Mitteln eine Aufl{\"o}sung der Oberfl{\"a}che selbst der benachbarten Sterne unm{\"o}glich ist. Eine indirekte Rekonstruktionsmethode namens 'Doppler Imaging' erlaubt es jedoch, auf die Temperaturverteilung auf der Sternoberfl{\"a}che zu schließen. F{\"u}r diese Arbeit wurden elf Jahre kontinuierlicher spektroskopischer Beobachtungen des aktiven Doppelsterns EI Eridani herangezogen, um insgesamt 34 Dopplerkarten zu erstellen. In der Folge wird versucht, eine Grundlage zu schaffen f{\"u}r die Analyse des zweidimensionalen Informationsgehalts dieser Karten. Drei Oberfl{\"a}chenkartenparameter werden vorgeschlagen: gemittelte Temperatur, getrennt f{\"u}r verschiedenen stellare Breitenb{\"a}nder; relative Fleckenh{\"a}ufigkeit; und, zum Zwecke der Auswertung der strukturellen Temperaturverteilung, L{\"a}ngen- und Breiten-Ortsfunktion der Sternfleckenh{\"a}ufung. Die resultierenden Werte zeigen deutlich, daß kein zeitlicher Zusammenhang mit dem photometrischen Aktivit{\"a}tszyklus besteht. Die Morphologie der Fleckenverteilung bleibt w{\"a}hrend des kompletten Beobachtungszeitraums im wesentlichen konstant. Im Gegensatz zur Sonne gibt es also, im beobachteten Zeitraum und innerhalb der bestehenden Genauigkeit, keinen Fleckenzyklus auf dem aktiven Stern EI Eri. Dar{\"u}berhinaus wurde eine ausf{\"u}hrliche Studie der stellaren Parameter von EI Eri und eine vorl{\"a}ufige Absch{\"a}tzung der differentiellen Rotation auf EI Eri durchgef{\"u}hrt, die eine anti-solare Ausrichtung aufzuweisen scheint, d.h. der Pol rotiert schneller als der {\"A}quator.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wang2020, author = {Wang, Jingwen}, title = {Electret properties of polypropylene with surface chemical modification and crystalline reconstruction}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47027}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-470271}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {vi, 121}, year = {2020}, abstract = {As one of the most-produced commodity polymers, polypropylene draws considerable scientific and commercial interest as an electret material. In the present thesis, the influence of the surface chemical modification and crystalline reconstruction on the electret properties of the polypropylene thin films will be discussed. The chemical treatment with orthophosphoric acid can significantly improve the surface charge stability of the polypropylene electrets by introducing phosphorus- and oxygen-containing structures onto the modified surface. The thermally stimulated discharge measurement and charge profiling by means of piezoelectrically generated pressure steps are used to investigate the electret behaviour. It is concluded that deep traps of limited number density are created during the treatment with inorganic chemicals. Hence, the improvement dramatically decreases when the surface-charge density is substantially higher than ±1.2×10^(-3) C·m^(-2). The newly formed traps also show a higher trapping energy for negative charges. The energetic distributions of the traps in the non-treated and chemically treated samples offer an insight regarding the surface and foreign-chemical dominance on the charge storage and transport in the polypropylene electrets. Additionally, different electret properties are observed on the polypropylene films with the spherulitic and transcrystalline structures. It indicates the dependence of the charge storage and transport on the crystallite and molecular orientations in the crystalline phase. In general, a more diverse crystalline growth in the spherulitic samples can result in a more complex energetic trap distribution, in comparison to that in a transcrystalline polypropylene. The double-layer transcrystalline polypropylene film with a crystalline interface in the middle can be obtained by crystallising the film in contact with rough moulding surfaces on both sides. A layer of heterocharges appears on each side of the interface in the double-layer transcrystalline polypropylene electrets after the thermal poling. However, there is no charge captured within the transcrystalline layers. The phenomenon reveals the importance of the crystalline interface in terms of creating traps with the higher activation energy in polypropylene. The present studies highlight the fact that even slight variations in the polypropylene film may lead to dramatic differences in its electret properties.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Vu2022, author = {Vu, Nils Leif}, title = {A task-based parallel elliptic solver for numerical relativity with discontinuous Galerkin methods}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-56226}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-562265}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {172}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Elliptic partial differential equations are ubiquitous in physics. In numerical relativity---the study of computational solutions to the Einstein field equations of general relativity---elliptic equations govern the initial data that seed every simulation of merging black holes and neutron stars. In the quest to produce detailed numerical simulations of these most cataclysmic astrophysical events in our Universe, numerical relativists resort to the vast computing power offered by current and future supercomputers. To leverage these computational resources, numerical codes for the time evolution of general-relativistic initial value problems are being developed with a renewed focus on parallelization and computational efficiency. Their capability to solve elliptic problems for accurate initial data must keep pace with the increasing detail of the simulations, but elliptic problems are traditionally hard to parallelize effectively. In this thesis, I develop new numerical methods to solve elliptic partial differential equations on computing clusters, with a focus on initial data for orbiting black holes and neutron stars. I develop a discontinuous Galerkin scheme for a wide range of elliptic equations, and a stack of task-based parallel algorithms for their iterative solution. The resulting multigrid-Schwarz preconditioned Newton-Krylov elliptic solver proves capable of parallelizing over 200 million degrees of freedom to at least a few thousand cores, and already solves initial data for a black hole binary about ten times faster than the numerical relativity code SpEC. I also demonstrate the applicability of the new elliptic solver across physical disciplines, simulating the thermal noise in thin mirror coatings of interferometric gravitational-wave detectors to unprecedented accuracy. The elliptic solver is implemented in the new open-source SpECTRE numerical relativity code, and set up to support simulations of astrophysical scenarios for the emerging era of gravitational-wave and multimessenger astronomy.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Voroshnin2023, author = {Voroshnin, Vladimir}, title = {Control over spin and electronic structure of MoS₂ monolayer via interactions with substrates}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-59070}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-590709}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {viii, 125}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) monolayer is a semiconductor with a direct bandgap while it is a robust and affordable material. It is a candidate for applications in optoelectronics and field-effect transistors. MoS2 features a strong spin-orbit coupling which makes its spin structure promising for acquiring the Kane-Mele topological concept with corresponding applications in spintronics and valleytronics. From the optical point of view, the MoS2 monolayer features two valleys in the regions of K and K' points. These valleys are differentiated by opposite spins and a related valley-selective circular dichroism. In this study we aim to manipulate the MoS2 monolayer spin structure in the vicinity of the K and K' points to explore the possibility of getting control over the optical and electronic properties. We focus on two different substrates to demonstrate two distinct routes: a gold substrate to introduce a Rashba effect and a graphene/cobalt substrate to introduce a magnetic proximity effect in MoS2. The Rashba effect is proportional to the out-of-plane projection of the electric field gradient. Such a strong change of the electric field occurs at the surfaces of a high atomic number materials and effectively influence conduction electrons as an in-plane magnetic field. A molybdenum and a sulfur are relatively light atoms, thus, similar to many other 2D materials, intrinsic Rashba effect in MoS2 monolayer is vanishing small. However, proximity of a high atomic number substrate may enhance Rashba effect in a 2D material as it was demonstrated for graphene previously. Another way to modify the spin structure is to apply an external magnetic field of high magnitude (several Tesla), and cause a Zeeman splitting, the conduction electrons. However, a similar effect can be reached via magnetic proximity which allows us to reduce external magnetic fields significantly or even to zero. The graphene on cobalt interface is ferromagnetic and stable for MoS2 monolayer synthesis. Cobalt is not the strongest magnet; therefore, stronger magnets may lead to more significant results. Nowadays most experimental studies on the dichalcogenides (MoS2 included) are performed on encapsulated heterostructures that are produced by mechanical exfoliation. While mechanical exfoliation (or scotch-tape method) allows to produce a huge variety of structures, the shape and the size of the samples as well as distance between layers in heterostructures are impossible to control reproducibly. In our study we used molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) methods to synthesise both MoS2/Au(111) and MoS2/graphene/Co systems. We chose to use MBE, as it is a scalable and reproducible approach, so later industry may adapt it and take over. We used graphene/cobalt instead of just a cobalt substrate because direct contact of MoS2\ monolayer and a metallic substrate may lead to photoluminescence (PL) quenching in the metallic substrate. Graphene and hexagonal boron nitride monolayer are considered building blocks of a new generation of electronics also commonly used as encapsulating materials for PL studies. Moreover graphene is proved to be a suitable substrate for the MBE growth of transitional metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). In chapter 1, we start with an introduction to TMDCs. Then we focus on MoS2 monolayer state of the art research in the fields of application scenario; synthesis approaches; electronic, spin, and optical properties; and interactions with magnetic fields and magnetic materials. We briefly touch the basics of magnetism in solids and move on to discuss various magnetic exchange interactions and magnetic proximity effect. Then we describe MoS2 optical properties in more detail. We start from basic exciton physics and its manifestation in the MoS2 monolayer. We consider optical selection rules in the MoS2 monolayer and such properties as chirality, spin-valley locking, and coexistence of bright and dark excitons. Chapter 2 contains an overview of the employed surface science methods: angle-integrated, angle-resolved, and spin-resolved photoemission; low energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy. In chapter 3, we describe MoS2 monolayer synthesis details for two substrates: gold monocrystal with (111) surface and graphene on cobalt thin film with Co(111) surface orientation. The synthesis descriptions are followed by a detailed characterisation of the obtained structures: fingerprints of MoS2 monolayer formation; MoS2 monolayer symmetry and its relation to the substrate below; characterisation of MoS2 monolayer coverage, domain distribution, sizes and shapes, and moire structures. In chapter~4, we start our discussion with MoS2/Au(111) electronic and spin structure. Combining density functional theory computations (DFT) and spin-resolved photoemission studies, we demonstrate that the MoS2 monolayer band structure features an in-plane Rashba spin splitting. This confirms the possibility of MoS2 monolayer spin structure manipulation via a substrate. Then we investigate the influence of a magnetic proximity in the MoS2/graphene/Co system on the MoS2 monolayer spin structure. We focus our investigation on MoS2 high symmetry points: G and K. First, using spin-resolved measurements, we confirm that electronic states are spin-split at the G point via a magnetic proximity effect. Second, combining spin-resolved measurements and DFT computations for MoS2 monolayer in the K point region, we demonstrate the appearance of a small in-plane spin polarisation in the valence band top and predict a full in-plane spin polarisation for the conduction band bottom. We move forward discussing how these findings are related to the MoS2 monolayer optical properties, in particular the possibility of dark exciton observation. Additionally, we speculate on the control of the MoS2 valley energy via magnetic proximity from cobalt. As graphene is spatially buffering the MoS2 monolayer from the Co thin film, we speculate on the role of graphene in the magnetic proximity transfer by replacing graphene with vacuum and other 2D materials in our computations. We finish our discussion by investigating the K-doped MoS2/graphene/Co system and the influence of this doping on the electronic and spin structure as well as on the magnetic proximity effect. In summary, using a scalable MBE approach we synthesised MoS2/Au(111) and MoS2/graphene/Co systems. We found a Rashba effect taking place in MoS2/Au(111) which proves that the MoS2 monolayer in-plane spin structure can be modified. In MoS2/graphene/Co the in-plane magnetic proximity effect indeed takes place which rises the possibility of fine tuning the MoS2 optical properties via manipulation of the the substrate magnetisation.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{vonNordheim2018, author = {von Nordheim, Danny}, title = {Dielectric non-linearities of P(VDF-TrFE) single and multilayers for memory applications}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-421778}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {XVI, 109}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) ferroelectric thin films of different molar ratio have been studied with regard to data memory applications. Therefore, films with thicknesses of 200 nm and less have been spin coated from solution. Observations gained from single layers have been extended to multilayer capacitors and three terminal transistor devices. Besides conventional hysteresis measurements, the measurement of dielectric non-linearities has been used as a main tool of characterisation. Being a very sensitive and non-destructive method, non-linearity measurements are well suited for polarisation readout and property studies. Samples have been excited using a high quality, single-frequency sinusoidal voltage with an amplitude significantly smaller than the coercive field of the samples. The response was then measured at the excitation frequency and its higher harmonics. Using the measurement results, the linear and non-linear dielectric permittivities ɛ₁, ɛ₂ and ɛ₃ have been determined. The permittivities have been used to derive the temperature-dependent polarisation behaviour as well as the polarisation state and the order of the phase transitions. The coercive field in VDF-TrFE copolymers is high if compared to their ceramic competitors. Therefore, the film thickness had to be reduced significantly. Considering a switching voltage of 5 V and a coercive field of 50 MV/m, the film thickness has to be 100 nm and below. If the thickness becomes substantially smaller than the other dimensions, surface and interface layer effects become more pronounced. For thicker films of P(VDF-TrFE) with a molar fraction of 56/44 a second-order phase transition without a thermal hysteresis for an ɛ₁(T) temperature cycle has been predicted and observed. This however, could not be confirmed by the measurements of thinner films. A shift of transition temperatures as well as a temperature independent, non-switchable polarisation and a thermal hysteresis for P(VDF-TrFE) 56/44 have been observed. The impact of static electric fields on the polarisation and the phase transition has therefore been studied and simulated, showing that all aforementioned phenomena including a linear temperature dependence of the polarisation might originate from intrinsic electric fields. In further experiments the knowledge gained from single layer capacitors has been extended to bilayer copolymer thin films of different molar composition. Bilayers have been deposited by succeeding cycles of spin coating from solution. Single layers and their bilayer combination have been studied individually in order to prove the layers stability. The individual layers have been found to be physically stable. But while the bilayers reproduced the main ɛ₁(T) properties of the single layers qualitatively, quantitative numbers could not be explained by a simple serial connection of capacitors. Furthermore, a linear behaviour of the polarisation throughout the measured temperature range has been observed. This was found to match the behaviour predicted considering a constant electric field. Retention time is an important quantity for memory applications. Hence, the retention behaviour of VDF-TrFE copolymer thin films has been determined using dielectric non-linearities. The polarisation loss in P(VDF-TrFE) poled samples has been found to be less than 20\% if recorded over several days. The loss increases significantly if the samples have been poled with lower amplitudes, causing an unsaturated polarisation. The main loss was attributed to injected charges. Additionally, measurements of dielectric non-linearities have been proven to be a sensitive and non-destructive tool to measure the retention behaviour. Finally, a ferroelectric field effect transistor using mainly organic materials (FerrOFET) has been successfully studied. DiNaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]Thieno[3,2-b]Thiophene (DNTT) has proven to be a stable, suitable organic semiconductor to build up ferroelectric memory devices. Furthermore, an oxidised aluminium bottom electrode and additional dielectric layers, i.e. parylene C, have proven to reduce the leakage current and therefore enhance the performance significantly.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Vlasov2015, author = {Vlasov, Vladimir}, title = {Synchronization of oscillatory networks in terms of global variables}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-78182}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {82}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Synchronization of large ensembles of oscillators is an omnipresent phenomenon observed in different fields of science like physics, engineering, life sciences, etc. The most simple setup is that of globally coupled phase oscillators, where all the oscillators contribute to a global field which acts on all oscillators. This formulation of the problem was pioneered by Winfree and Kuramoto. Such a setup gives a possibility for the analysis of these systems in terms of global variables. In this work we describe nontrivial collective dynamics in oscillator populations coupled via mean fields in terms of global variables. We consider problems which cannot be directly reduced to standard Kuramoto and Winfree models. In the first part of the thesis we adopt a method introduced by Watanabe and Strogatz. The main idea is that the system of identical oscillators of particular type can be described by a low-dimensional system of global equations. This approach enables us to perform a complete analytical analysis for a special but vast set of initial conditions. Furthermore, we show how the approach can be expanded for some nonidentical systems. We apply the Watanabe-Strogatz approach to arrays of Josephson junctions and systems of identical phase oscillators with leader-type coupling. In the next parts of the thesis we consider the self-consistent mean-field theory method that can be applied to general nonidentical globally coupled systems of oscillators both with or without noise. For considered systems a regime, where the global field rotates uniformly, is the most important one. With the help of this approach such solutions of the self-consistency equation for an arbitrary distribution of frequencies and coupling parameters can be found analytically in the parametric form, both for noise-free and noisy cases. We apply this method to deterministic Kuramoto-type model with generic coupling and an ensemble of spatially distributed oscillators with leader-type coupling. Furthermore, with the proposed self-consistent approach we fully characterize rotating wave solutions of noisy Kuramoto-type model with generic coupling and an ensemble of noisy oscillators with bi-harmonic coupling. Whenever possible, a complete analysis of global dynamics is performed and compared with direct numerical simulations of large populations.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Varykhalov2005, author = {Varykhalov, Andrei}, title = {Quantum-size effects in the electronic structure of novel self-organized systems with reduced dimensionality}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-5784}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2005}, abstract = {The Thesis is focused on the properties of self-organized nanostructures. Atomic and electronic properties of different systems have been investigated using methods of electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy. Implementation of the STM technique (including design, construction, and tuning of the UHV experimental set-up) has been done in the framework of present work. This time-consuming work is reported to greater detail in the experimental part of this Thesis. The scientific part starts from the study of quantum-size effects in the electronic structure of a two-dimensional Ag film on the supporting substrate Ni(111). Distinct quantum well states in the sp-band of Ag were observed in photoelectron spectra. Analysis of thickness- and angle-dependent photoemission supplies novel information on the properties of the interface. For the first time the Ni(111) relative band gap was indirectly probed in the ground-state through the electronic structure of quantum well states in the adlayer. This is particularly important for Ni where valence electrons are strongly correlated. Comparison of the experiment with calculations performed in the formalism of the extended phase accumulation model gives the substrate gap which is fully consistent with the one obtained by ab-initio LDA calculations. It is, however, in controversy to the band structure of Ni measured directly by photoemission. These results lend credit to the simplest view of photoemission from Ni, assigning early observed contradictions between theory and experiments to electron correlation effects in the final state of photoemission. Further, nanosystems of lower dimensionality have been studied. Stepped surfaces W(331) and W(551) were used as one-dimensional model systems and as templates for self-organization of Au nanoclusters. Photon energy dependent photoemission revealed a surface resonance which was never observed before on W(110) which is the base plane of the terrace microsurfaces. The dispersion E(k) of this state measured on stepped W(331) and W(551) with angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy is modified by a strong umklapp effect. It appears as two parabolas shifted symmetrically relative to the microsurface normal by half of the Brillouin zone of the step superlattice. The reported results are very important for understanding of the electronic properties of low-dimensional nanostructures. It was also established that W(331) and W(551) can serve as templates for self-organization of metallic nanostructures. A combined study of electronic and atomic properties of sub-monolayer amounts of gold deposited on these templates have shown that if the substrate is slightly pre-oxidized and the temperature is elevated, then Au can alloy with the first monolayer of W. As a result, a nanostructure of uniform clusters of a surface alloy is produced all over the steps. Such clusters feature a novel sp-band in the vicinity of the Fermi level, which appears split into constant energy levels due to effects of lateral quantization. The last and main part of this work is devoted to large-scale reconstructions on surfaces and nanostructures self-assembled on top. The two-dimensional surface carbide W(110)/C-R(15x3) has been extensively investigated. Photoemission studies of quantum size effects in the electronic structure of this reconstruction, combined with an investigation of its surface geometry, lead to an advanced structural model of the carbide overlayer. It was discovered that W(110)/C-R(15x3) can control self-organization of adlayers into nanostructures with extremely different electronic and structural properties. Thus, it was established that at elevated temperature the R(15x3) superstructure controls the self-assembly of sub-monolayer amounts of Au into nm-wide nanostripes. Based on the results of core level photoemission, the R(15x3)-induced surface alloying which takes place between Au and W can be claimed as driving force of self-organization. The observed stripes exhibit a characteristic one-dimensional electronic structure with laterally quantized d-bands. Obviously, these are very important for applications, since dimensions of electronic devices have already stepped into the nm-range, where quantum-size phenomena must undoubtedly be considered. Moreover, formation of perfectly uniform molecular clusters of C60 was demonstrated and described in terms of the van der Waals formalism. It is the first experimental observation of two-dimensional fullerene nanoclusters with "magic numbers". Calculations of the cluster potentials using the static approach have revealed characteristic minima in the interaction energy. They are achieved for 4 and 7 molecules per cluster. The obtained "magic numbers" and the corresponding cluster structures are fully consistent with the results of the STM measurements.}, subject = {Nanostruktur}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Valliappan2018, author = {Valliappan, Senthamizh Pavai}, title = {Solar Activity Reconstruction from Historical Observations of Sunspots}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-413600}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {115}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The solar activity and its consequences affect space weather and Earth's climate. The solar activity exhibits a cyclic behaviour with a period of about 11 years. The solar cycle properties are governed by the dynamo taking place in the interior of the Sun, and they are distinctive. Extending the knowledge about solar cycle properties into the past is essential for understanding the solar dynamo and forecasting space weather. It can be acquired through the analysis of historical sunspot drawings. Sunspots are the dark areas, which are associated with strong magnetic fields, on the solar surface. Sunspots are the oldest and longest available observed features of solar activity. One of the longest available records of sunspot drawings is the collection by Samuel Heinrich Schwabe during 1825-1867. The sunspot sizes measured from digitized Schwabe drawings are not to scale and need to be converted into physical sunspot areas. We employed a statistical approach assuming that the area distribution of sunspots was the same in the 19th century as it was in the 20th century. Umbral areas for about 130 000 sunspots observed by Schwabe were obtained. The annually averaged sunspot areas correlate reasonably well with the sunspot number. Tilt angles and polarity separations of sunspot groups were calculated assuming them to be bipolar. There is, of course, no polarity information in the observations. We derived an average tilt angle by attempting to exclude unipolar groups with a minimum separation of the two surmised polarities and an outlier rejection method, which follows the evolution of each group and detects the moment, when it turns unipolar as it decays. As a result, the tilt angles, although displaying considerable natural scatter, are on average 5.85° ± 0.25°, with the leading polarity located closer to the equator, in good agreement with tilt angles obtained from 20th century data sets. Sources of uncertainties in the tilt angle determination are discussed and need to be addressed whenever different data sets are combined. Digital images of observations printed in the books Rosa Ursina and Prodromus pro sole mobili by Christoph Scheiner, as well as the drawings from Scheiner's letters to Marcus Welser, are analyzed to obtain information on the positions and sizes of sunspots that appeared before the Maunder minimum. In most cases, the given orientation of the ecliptic is used to set up the heliographic coordinate system for the drawings. Positions and sizes are measured manually displaying the drawings on a computer screen. Very early drawings have no indication of the solar orientation. A rotational matching using common spots of adjacent days is used in some cases, while in other cases, the assumption that images were aligned with a zenith-horizon coordinate system appeared to be the most likely. In total, 8167 sunspots were measured. A distribution of sunspot latitudes versus time (butterfly diagram) is obtained for Scheiner's observations. The observations of 1611 are very inaccurate, but the drawings of 1612 have at least an indication of the solar orientation, while the remaining part of the spot positions from 1618-1631 have good to very good accuracy. We also computed 697 tilt angles of apparent bipolar sunspot groups, which were observed in the period 1618-1631. We find that the average tilt angle of nearly 4° does not significantly differ from the 20th century values. The solar cycle properties seem to be related to the tilt angles of sunspot groups, and it is an important parameter in the surface flux transport models. The tilt angles of bipolar sunspot groups from various historical sets of solar drawings including from Schwabe and Scheiner are analyzed. Data by Scheiner, Hevelius, Staudacher, Zucconi, Schwabe, and Spörer deliver a series of average tilt angles spanning a period of 270 years, in addition to previously found values for 20th-century data obtained by other authors. We find that the average tilt angles before the Maunder minimum were not significantly different from modern values. However, the average tilt angles of a period 50 years after the Maunder minimum, namely for cycles 0 and 1, were much lower and near zero. The typical tilt angles before the Maunder minimum suggest that abnormally low tilt angles were not responsible for driving the solar cycle into a grand minimum. With the Schwabe (1826-1867) and Spörer (1866-1880) sunspot data, the butterfly diagram of sunspot groups extends back till 1826. A recently developed method, which separates the wings of the butterfly diagram based on the long gaps present in sunspot group occurrences at different latitudinal bands, is used to separate the wings of the butterfly diagram. The cycle-to-cycle variation in the start (F), end (L), and highest (H) latitudes of the wings with respect to the strength of the wings are analyzed. On the whole, the wings of the stronger cycles tend to start at higher latitudes and have a greater extent. The time spans of the wings and the time difference between the wings in the northern hemisphere display a quasi-periodicity of 5-6 cycles. The average wing overlap is zero in the southern hemisphere, whereas it is 2-3 months in the north. A marginally significant oscillation of about 10 solar cycles is found in the asymmetry of the L latitudes. This latest, extended database of butterfly wings provides new observational constraints, regarding the spatio-temporal distribution of sunspot occurrences over the solar cycle, to solar dynamo models.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Uyaver2004, author = {Uyaver, Sahin}, title = {Simulation of annealed polyelectrolytes in poor solvents}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001488}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Polymere sind lange kettenartige Molek{\"u}le. Sie bestehen aus vielen elementaren chemischen Einheiten, den Monomeren, die durch kovalente Bindungen aneinander gekettet sind. Polyelektrolyte sind Polymere, die ionisierbare Monomeren enthalten. Aufgrund ihrer speziellen Eigenschaften sind Polyelektrolyte sowohl in der Molekular- und Zellbiologie von großen Bedeutung als auch in der Chemie großtechnisch relevant. Verglichen mit ungeladenen Polymeren sind Polyelektrolyte theoretisch noch wenig verstanden. Insbesondere gilt dies f{\"u}r Polyelektrolyte in sogenanntem schlechten L{\"o}sungsmittel. Ein schlechtes L{\"o}sungsmittel bewirkt eine effektive Anziehung zwischen den Monomeren. F{\"u}r Polyelektrolyte in schlechtem L{\"o}sungsmittel kommt es daher zu einer Konkurrenz zwischen dieser Anziehung und der elektrostatischen Abstoßung. Geladene Polymere werden im Rahmen der chemischen Klassifikation in starke und schwache Polyelektrolyte unterschieden. Erstere zeigen vollst{\"a}ndige Dissoziation unabh{\"a}ngig vom pH-Wert der L{\"o}sung. Die Position der Ladungen auf der Kette wird ausschließlich w{\"a}hrend der Polymersynthese festgelegt. In der Physik spricht man deshalb von Polyelektrolyten mit eingefrorener Ladungsverteilung (quenched polyelectrolytes). Im Falle von schwachen Polyelektrolyten ist die Ladungsdichte auf der Kette nicht konstant, sondern wird durch der pH-Wert der L{\"o}sung kontrolliert. Durch Rekombinations- und Dissoziationsprozesse sind die Ladungen auf der Kette beweglich. Im allgemeinen stellt sich eine inhomogene Gleichgewichtsverteilung ein, die mit der Struktur der Kette gekoppelt ist. Diese Polymere werden deshalb auch Polyelektrolyte mit Gleichgewichtsladungsverteilung (annealed polyelectrolytes) genannt. Wegen des zus{\"a}tzlichen Freiheitsgrades in der Ladungsverteilung werden eine Reihe ungew{\"o}hnlicher Eigenschaften theoretisch vorhergesagt. Mit Hilfe von Simulationen ist es zum ersten Mal gelungen, zu zeigen daß 'annealed' Polyelektrolyte in relativ schlechtem L{\"o}sungsmittel einen diskontinuierlichen Phasen{\"u}bergang durchlaufen, wenn ein kritischer pH-Werts der L{\"o}sung {\"u}berschritten wird. Bei diesem Phasen{\"u}bergang, gehen die Polyelektolyte von einer schwach geladenen kompakten globul{\"a}ren Struktur zu einer stark geladenen gestreckten Konfiguration {\"u}ber. Aufgrund theoretischer Vorhersagen wird erwartet, daß die globul{\"a}re Struktur in weniger schlechtem L{\"o}sungsmittel instabil wird und sich eine Perlenkettenkonfiguration ausbildet. Diese Vorhersage konnte f{\"u}r 'annealed' Polyelektrolyte mit den durchgef{\"u}hrten Simulationen zum ersten Mal best{\"a}tigt werden - inzwischen auch durch erste experimentelle Ergebnisse. Schließlich zeigen die Simulationen auch, daß annealed Polyelektrolyte bei einer kritischen Salzkonzentration in der L{\"o}sung einen scharfen {\"U}bergang zwischen einem stark geladenen gestreckten Zustand und einem schwach geladenen globul{\"a}ren Zustand aufweisen, wiederum in {\"U}bereinstimmung mit theoretischen Erwartungen.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ullner2004, author = {Ullner, Ekkehard}, title = {Noise-induced phenomena of signal transmission in excitable neural models}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001522}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Meine Dissertation behandelt verschiedene neue rauschinduzierte Ph{\"a}nomene in anregbaren Neuronenmodellen, insbesondere solche mit FitzHugh-Nagumo Dynamik. Ich beschreibe das Auftreten von vibronischer Resonanz in anregbaren Systemen. Sowohl in einer anregbaren elektronischen Schaltung als auch im FitzHugh-Nagumo Modell zeige ich, daß eine optimale Amplitude einer hochfrequenten externen Kraft die Signalantwort bez{\"u}glich eines niederfrequenten Signals verbessert. Weiterhin wird der Einfluß von additivem Rauschen auf das Zusammenwirken von stochastischer und vibronischer Resonanz untersucht. Weiterhin untersuche ich Systeme, die sowohl oszillierende als auch anregbare Eigenschaften beinhalten und dadurch zwei interne Frequenzen aufweisen. Ich zeige, daß in solchen Systemen der Effekt der stochastischen Resonanz deutlich erh{\"o}ht werden kann, wenn eine zus{\"a}tzliche hochfrequente Kraft in Resonanz mit den kleinen Oszillationen unterhalb der Anregungsschwelle hinzugenommen wird. Es ist beachtenswert, daß diese Verst{\"a}rkung der stochastischen Resonanz eine geringere Rauschintensit{\"a}t zum Erreichen des Optimums ben{\"o}tigt als die standartm{\"a}ßige stochastische Resonanz in anregbaren Systemen. Ich untersuche Frequenzselektivit{\"a}t bei der rauschinduzierten Signalverarbeitung von Signalen unterhalb der Anregungsschwelle in Systemen mit vielen rauschunterst{\"u}tzten stochastischen Attraktoren. Diese neuen Attraktoren mit abweichenden gemittelten Perioden weisen auch unterschiedliche Phasenbeziehungen zwischen den einzelnen Elementen auf. Ich zeige, daß die Signalantwort des gekoppelten Systems unter verschiedenen Rauscheinwirkungen deutlich verbessert oder auch reduziert werden kann durch das Treiben einzelner Elemente in Resonanz mit diesen neuen Resonanzfrequenzen, die mit passenden Phasenbeziehungen korrespondieren. Weiterhin konnte ich einen rauschinduzierten Phasen{\"u}bergang von einem selbstoszillierenden System zu einem anregbaren System nachweisen. Dieser {\"U}bergang erfolgt durch eine rauschinduzierte Stabilisierung eines deterministisch instabilen Fixpunktes der lokalen Dynamik, w{\"a}hrend die gesamte Phasenraumstruktur des Systems erhalten bleibt. Die gemeinsame Wirkung von Kopplung und Rauschen f{\"u}hrt zu einem neuen Typ von Phasen{\"u}berg{\"a}ngen und bewirkt eine Stabilisierung des Systems. Das sich daraus ergebende rauschinduziert anregbare Regime zeigt charakteristische Eigenschaften von klassisch anregbaren Systemen, wie stochastische Resonanz und Wellenausbreitung. Dieser rauschinduzierte Phasen{\"u}bergang erm{\"o}glicht dadurch die {\"U}bertragung von Signalen durch ansonsten global oszillierende Systeme und die Kontrolle der Signal{\"u}bertragung durch Ver{\"a}nderung der Rauschintensit{\"a}t. Insbesondere er{\"o}ffnen diese theoretischen Ergebnisse einen m{\"o}glichen Mechanismus zur Unterdr{\"u}ckung unerw{\"u}nschter globaler Oszillationen in neuronalen Netzwerken, welche charakteristisch f{\"u}r abnorme medizinische Zust{\"a}nde, wie z.B. bei der Parkinson\′schen Krankheit oder Epilepsie, sind. Die Wirkung von Rauschen w{\"u}rde dann wieder die Anregbarkeit herstellen, die den normalen Zustand der erkrankten Neuronen darstellt.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Toenjes2007, author = {T{\"o}njes, Ralf}, title = {Pattern formation through synchronization in systems of nonidentical autonomous oscillators}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-15973}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2007}, abstract = {This work is concerned with the spatio-temporal structures that emerge when non-identical, diffusively coupled oscillators synchronize. It contains analytical results and their confirmation through extensive computer simulations. We use the Kuramoto model which reduces general oscillatory systems to phase dynamics. The symmetry of the coupling plays an important role for the formation of patterns. We have studied the ordering influence of an asymmetry (non-isochronicity) in the phase coupling function on the phase profile in synchronization and the intricate interplay between this asymmetry and the frequency heterogeneity in the system. The thesis is divided into three main parts. Chapter 2 and 3 introduce the basic model of Kuramoto and conditions for stable synchronization. In Chapter 4 we characterize the phase profiles in synchronization for various special cases and in an exponential approximation of the phase coupling function, which allows for an analytical treatment. Finally, in the third part (Chapter 5) we study the influence of non-isochronicity on the synchronization frequency in continuous, reaction diffusion systems and discrete networks of oscillators.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Tukhlina2008, author = {Tukhlina, Natalia}, title = {Feedback control of complex oscillatory systems}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-18546}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2008}, abstract = {In the present dissertation paper an approach which ensures an efficient control of such diverse systems as noisy or chaotic oscillators and neural ensembles is developed. This approach is implemented by a simple linear feedback loop. The dissertation paper consists of two main parts. One part of the work is dedicated to the application of the suggested technique to a population of neurons with a goal to suppress their synchronous collective dynamics. The other part is aimed at investigating linear feedback control of coherence of a noisy or chaotic self-sustained oscillator. First we start with a problem of suppressing synchronization in a large population of interacting neurons. The importance of this task is based on the hypothesis that emergence of pathological brain activity in the case of Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders is caused by synchrony of many thousands of neurons. The established therapy for the patients with such disorders is a permanent high-frequency electrical stimulation via the depth microelectrodes, called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). In spite of efficiency of such stimulation, it has several side effects and mechanisms underlying DBS remain unclear. In the present work an efficient and simple control technique is suggested. It is designed to ensure suppression of synchrony in a neural ensemble by a minimized stimulation that vanishes as soon as the tremor is suppressed. This vanishing-stimulation technique would be a useful tool of experimental neuroscience; on the other hand, control of collective dynamics in a large population of units represents an interesting physical problem. The main idea of suggested approach is related to the classical problem of oscillation theory, namely the interaction between a self-sustained (active) oscillator and a passive load (resonator). It is known that under certain conditions the passive oscillator can suppress the oscillations of an active one. In this thesis a much more complicated case of active medium, which itself consists of thousands of oscillators is considered. Coupling this medium to a specially designed passive oscillator, one can control the collective motion of the ensemble, specifically can enhance or suppress it. Having in mind a possible application in neuroscience, the problem of suppression is concentrated upon. Second, the efficiency of suggested suppression scheme is illustrated by considering more complex case, i.e. when the population of neurons generating the undesired rhythm consists of two non-overlapping subpopulations: the first one is affected by the stimulation, while the collective activity is registered from the second one. Generally speaking, the second population can be by itself both active and passive; both cases are considered here. The possible applications of suggested technique are discussed. Third, the influence of the external linear feedback on coherence of a noisy or chaotic self-sustained oscillator is considered. Coherence is one of the main properties of self-oscillating systems and plays a key role in the construction of clocks, electronic generators, lasers, etc. The coherence of a noisy limit cycle oscillator in the context of phase dynamics is evaluated by the phase diffusion constant, which is in its turn proportional to the width of the spectral peak of oscillations. Many chaotic oscillators can be described within the framework of phase dynamics, and, therefore, their coherence can be also quantified by the way of the phase diffusion constant. The analytical theory for a general linear feedback, considering noisy systems in the linear and Gaussian approximation is developed and validated by numerical results.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Trabant2014, author = {Trabant, Christoph}, title = {Ultrafast photoinduced phase transitions in complex materials probed by time-resolved resonant soft x-ray diffraction}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-71377}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2014}, abstract = {In processing and data storage mainly ferromagnetic (FM) materials are being used. Approaching physical limits, new concepts have to be found for faster, smaller switches, for higher data densities and more energy efficiency. Some of the discussed new concepts involve the material classes of correlated oxides and materials with antiferromagnetic coupling. Their applicability depends critically on their switching behavior, i.e., how fast and how energy efficient material properties can be manipulated. This thesis presents investigations of ultrafast non-equilibrium phase transitions on such new materials. In transition metal oxides (TMOs) the coupling of different degrees of freedom and resulting low energy excitation spectrum often result in spectacular changes of macroscopic properties (colossal magneto resistance, superconductivity, metal-to-insulator transitions) often accompanied by nanoscale order of spins, charges, orbital occupation and by lattice distortions, which make these material attractive. Magnetite served as a prototype for functional TMOs showing a metal-to-insulator-transition (MIT) at T = 123 K. By probing the charge and orbital order as well as the structure after an optical excitation we found that the electronic order and the structural distortion, characteristics of the insulating phase in thermal equilibrium, are destroyed within the experimental resolution of 300 fs. The MIT itself occurs on a 1.5 ps timescale. It shows that MITs in functional materials are several thousand times faster than switching processes in semiconductors. Recently ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials have become interesting. It was shown in ferrimagnetic GdFeCo, that the transfer of angular momentum between two opposed FM subsystems with different time constants leads to a switching of the magnetization after laser pulse excitation. In addition it was theoretically predicted that demagnetization dynamics in AFM should occur faster than in FM materials as no net angular momentum has to be transferred out of the spin system. We investigated two different AFM materials in order to learn more about their ultrafast dynamics. In Ho, a metallic AFM below T ≈ 130 K, we found that the AFM Ho can not only be faster but also ten times more energy efficiently destroyed as order in FM comparable metals. In EuTe, an AFM semiconductor below T ≈ 10 K, we compared the loss of magnetization and laser-induced structural distortion in one and the same experiment. Our experiment shows that they are effectively disentangled. An exception is an ultrafast release of lattice dynamics, which we assign to the release of magnetostriction. The results presented here were obtained with time-resolved resonant soft x-ray diffraction at the Femtoslicing source of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and at the free-electron laser in Stanford (LCLS). In addition the development and setup of a new UHV-diffractometer for these experiments will be reported.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Topaj2001, author = {Topaj, Dmitri}, title = {Synchronization transitions in complex systems}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0000367}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2001}, abstract = {Gegenstand dieser Arbeit ist die Untersuchung generischer Synchronisierungsph{\"a}nomene in interagierenden komplexen Systemen. Diese Ph{\"a}nomene werden u.a. in gekoppelten deterministischen chaotischen Systemen beobachtet. Bei sehr schwachen Interaktionen zwischen individuellen Systemen kann ein {\"U}bergang zum schwach koh{\"a}renten Verhalten der Systeme stattfinden. In gekoppelten zeitkontinuierlichen chaotischen Systemen manifestiert sich dieser {\"U}bergang durch den Effekt der Phasensynchronisierung, in gekoppelten chaotischen zeitdiskreten Systemen durch den Effekt eines nichtverschwindenden makroskopischen Feldes. Der {\"U}bergang zur Koh{\"a}renz in einer Kette lokal gekoppelter Oszillatoren, beschrieben durch Phasengleichungen, wird im Bezug auf die Symmetrien des Systems untersucht. Es wird gezeigt, daß die durch die Symmetrien verursachte Reversibilit{\"a}t des Systems nichttriviale topologische Eigenschaften der Trajektorien bedingt, so daß das als dissipativ konstruierte System in einem ganzen Parameterbereich quasi-Hamiltonische Z{\"u}ge aufweist, d.h. das Phasenvolumen ist im Schnitt erhalten, und die Lyapunov-Exponenten sind paarweise symmetrisch. Der {\"U}bergang zur Koh{\"a}renz in einem Ensemble global gekoppelter chaotischer Abbildungen wird durch den Verlust der Stabilit{\"a}t des entkoppelten Zustandes beschrieben. Die entwickelte Methode besteht darin, die Selbstkonsistenz des makroskopischen Feldes aufzuheben, und das Ensemble in Analogie mit einem Verst{\"a}rkerschaltkreis mit R{\"u}ckkopplung durch eine komplexe lineare {\"U}bertragungssfunktion zu charakterisieren. Diese Theorie wird anschließend f{\"u}r einige theoretisch interessanten F{\"a}lle verallgemeinert.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Todt2009, author = {Todt, Helge Tobias}, title = {Hydrogen-deficient central stars of planetary nebulae}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-41047}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Central stars of planetary nebulae are low-mass stars on the brink of their final evolution towards white dwarfs. Because of their surface temperature of above 25,000 K their UV radiation ionizes the surrounding material, which was ejected in an earlier phase of their evolution. Such fluorescent circumstellar gas is called a "Planetary Nebula". About one-tenth of the Galactic central stars are hydrogen-deficient. Generally, the surface of these central stars is a mixture of helium, carbon, and oxygen resulting from partial helium burning. Moreover, most of them have a strong stellar wind, similar to massive Pop-I Wolf-Rayet stars, and are in analogy classified as [WC]. The brackets distinguish the special type from the massive WC stars. Qualitative spectral analyses of [WC] stars lead to the assumption of an evolutionary sequence from the cooler, so-called late-type [WCL] stars to the very hot, early-type [WCE] stars. Quantitative analyses of the winds of [WC] stars became possible by means of computer programs that solve the radiative transfer in the co-moving frame, together with the statistical equilibrium equations for the population numbers. First analyses employing models without iron-line blanketing resulted in systematically different abundances for [WCL] and [WCE] stars. While the mass ratio of He:C is roughly 40:50 for [WCL] stars, it is 60:30 in average for [WCE] stars. The postulated evolution from [WCL] to [WCE] however could only lead to an increase of carbon, since heavier elements are built up by nuclear fusion. In the present work, improved models are used to re-analyze the [WCE] stars and to confirm their He:C abundance ratio. Refined models, calculated with the Potsdam WR model atmosphere code (PoWR), account now for line-blanketing due to iron group elements, small scale wind inhomogeneities, and complex model atoms for He, C, O, H, P, N, and Ne. Referring to stellar evolutionary models for the hydrogen-deficient [WC] stars, Ne and N abundances are of particular interest. Only one out of three different evolutionary channels, the VLTP scenario, leads to a Ne and N overabundance of a few percent by mass. A VLTP, a very late thermal pulse, is a rapid increase of the energy production of the helium-burning shell, while hydrogen burning has already ceased. Subsequently, the hydrogen envelope is mixed with deeper layers and completely burnt in the presence of C, He, and O. This results in the formation of N and Ne. A sample of eleven [WCE] stars has been analyzed. For three of them, PB 6, NGC 5189, and [S71d]3, a N overabundance of 1.5\% has been found, while for three other [WCE] stars such high abundances of N can be excluded. In the case of NGC 5189, strong spectral lines of Ne can be reproduced qualitatively by our models. At present, the Ne mass fraction can only be roughly estimated from the Ne emission lines and seems to be in the order of a few percent by mass. Furthermore, using a diagnostic He-C line pair, the He:C abundance ratio of 60:30 for [WCE] stars is confirmed. Within the framework of the analysis, a new class of hydrogen-deficient central stars has been discovered, with PB 8 as its first member. Its atmospheric mixture resembles rather that of the massive WNL stars than of the [WC] stars. The determined mass fractions H:He:C:N:O are 40:55:1.3:2:1.3. As the wind of PB 8 contains significant amounts of O and C, in contrast to WN stars, a classification as [WN/WC] is suggested.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Timpanaro2004, author = {Timpanaro, Salvatore}, title = {Conductive properties and morphology of conjugated molecular materials studied by local probe techniques}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001929}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Die vorgelegte Arbeit befasst sich mit der Untersuchung von Zusammenh{\"a}ngen zwischen der Struktur d{\"u}nner organischer Schichten und stellt einen Bezug zur Leitf{\"a}higkeit der Schichten her. Sie liefert einen Beitrag zum vertieften Verst{\"a}ndnis der Transporteigenschaf-ten organischer Halbleiter und soll so zur Verbesserung organischer elektronischer Bauele-mente beitragen. Es ist bekannt, dass die Effizienz von Organischen Leuchtdioden (OLEDs) stark von der Qualit{\"a}t der eingesetzten d{\"u}nnen Filme abh{\"a}ngt. Es ist deshalb interessant, die Strukturen technologisch interessanter organischer Filme mittels Scanning Probe Mikrosko-pie (SPM) zu charakterisieren, um ein besseres Verst{\"a}ndnis sowohl der Oberfl{\"a}chen-Morphologie als auch der molekularen/atomaren Packungen zu erhalten. Die Untersuchung von Quaterthiophen (4T), welches vielfach in Feldeffekt-Transistoren eingesetzt wird, bildet einen ersten Schwerpunkt der Arbeit. Es konnte eine neue Kristall-struktur von 4T gefunden werden, die bisher nicht bekannt war. Daf{\"u}r wurden Quaterthi-ophen-Filme untersucht, welche auf Kaliumphthalat (KAP) aufwuchsen. Die Aufkl{\"a}rung der neuen Struktur gelang durch Kombinierten Einsatz von optischen und R{\"o}ntgen-Beugungsmessungen. Zur Best{\"a}tigung der triklinen Kristall-Einheitszelle mit den Parame-tern a = 0,721 nm, b = 0,632 nm, c = 0,956 nm und α = 91o, β = 91,4o, γ = 91o wurde außer-dem die Atomkraft-Mikroskopie (AFM) angewendet. In Fortf{\"u}hrung der rastermikroskopischen Messungen sind die Morphologien von Filmen vier weiterer organischer Materialien technologischer Relevanz untersucht worden: He-xanthiol-Monoschichten auf Gold, Azobenzenthiol-Monoschichten auf Gold, Para-Phenylenvinylen-Oligomer-Filme auf Gold und Phenyl-Oxadiazol-Filme auf Gold. Daf{\"u}r kam zus{\"a}tzlich die Ultrahochvakuum-Scanning-Tunneling-Mikroskopie (UHV-STM) zum Einsatz. Es zeigte sich eine Vielzahl morphologischer Eigenheiten, deren Besonderheiten sowohl von den gew{\"a}hlten Substraten als auch von der chemischen Struktur der untersuchten organischen Materialien abh{\"a}ngen. So zeigen Para-Phenylenvinylen-Oligomer-Filme eine St{\"a}bchen- und Oxadiazol-Filme eine K{\"o}rnchen-Struktur auf Gold. Auf Basis dieser Kenntnisse gelang es, das optisch induzierte Schalten von Azobenzen durch STM-Untersuchungen und durch Scanning Tunneling Spektroskopie (STS) auf molekularer Skale nachzuweisen. Die Topographie einer Reihe von Poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophen)-(PEDOT)-Filmen und de-ren Bezug zu den Ladungstransporteigenschaften dieser Filme war ein weiterer Arbeits-schwerpunkt. PEDOT-Filme auf Indium-Zinn-Oxid (ITO) kommen in organischen elektro-nischen Bauelementen als Lochinjektionsschichten zum Einsatz. F{\"u}r die Schichtherstellung kamen Dispersionen des Polymers unterschiedlicher Konzentration zur Anwendung: Mittels AFM und STM konnte gezeigt werden, dass unterschiedliche Konzentrationen zu unter-schiedlichen Topographien f{\"u}hren. Besonders die Oberfl{\"a}che der Filme mit hoher Konzent-ration von PEDOT, d.h. die der leitf{\"a}higsten Filme, wird durch eine k{\"o}rnchenartige Struktur eingebetteter Teilchen charakterisiert. Durch STM Strom-Abstands-(I-d)-Untersuchungen wurde gefunden, dass diese Teilchen die „Spitze eines Eisbergs" leitf{\"a}higer Dom{\"a}nen dar-stellen. Ausgehend von dieser Erkenntnis wird ein Strukturmodell f{\"u}r die Filme vorgeschla-gen, in dem die leitf{\"a}higen Dom{\"a}nen / Partikel in eine weniger leitf{\"a}hige Matrix eingebettet sind. Durch Zugabe von Polyolen wie Sorbitol zur PEDOT-Dispersion ließen sich Filme mit h{\"o}herer Leitf{\"a}higkeit herstellen. Eine klare Abh{\"a}ngigkeit zwischen der Leitf{\"a}higkeit und der bisher nicht beschrieben nano-Morphologie wurde gefunden.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Thomas2022, author = {Thomas, Timon}, title = {Cosmic-ray hydrodynamics: theory, numerics, applications}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-56384}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-563843}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {334}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Cosmic rays (CRs) are a ubiquitous and an important component of astrophysical environments such as the interstellar medium (ISM) and intracluster medium (ICM). Their plasma physical interactions with electromagnetic fields strongly influence their transport properties. Effective models which incorporate the microphysics of CR transport are needed to study the effects of CRs on their surrounding macrophysical media. Developing such models is challenging because of the conceptional, length-scale, and time-scale separation between the microscales of plasma physics and the macroscales of the environment. Hydrodynamical theories of CR transport achieve this by capturing the evolution of CR population in terms of statistical moments. In the well-established one-moment hydrodynamical model for CR transport, the dynamics of the entire CR population are described by a single statistical quantity such as the commonly used CR energy density. In this work, I develop a new hydrodynamical two-moment theory for CR transport that expands the well-established hydrodynamical model by including the CR energy flux as a second independent hydrodynamical quantity. I detail how this model accounts for the interaction between CRs and gyroresonant Alfv{\´e}n waves. The small-scale magnetic fields associated with these Alfv{\´e}n waves scatter CRs which fundamentally alters CR transport along large-scale magnetic field lines. This leads to the effects of CR streaming and diffusion which are both captured within the presented hydrodynamical theory. I use an Eddington-like approximation to close the hydrodynamical equations and investigate the accuracy of this closure-relation by comparing it to high-order approximations of CR transport. In addition, I develop a finite-volume scheme for the new hydrodynamical model and adapt it to the moving-mesh code Arepo. This scheme is applied using a simulation of a CR-driven galactic wind. I investigate how CRs launch the wind and perform a statistical analysis of CR transport properties inside the simulated circumgalactic medium (CGM). I show that the new hydrodynamical model can be used to explain the morphological appearance of a particular type of radio filamentary structures found inside the central molecular zone (CMZ). I argue that these harp-like features are synchrotron-radiating CRs which are injected into braided magnetic field lines by a point-like source such as a stellar wind of a massive star or a pulsar. Lastly, I present the finite-volume code Blinc that uses adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) techniques to perform simulations of radiation and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). The mesh of Blinc is block-structured and represented in computer memory using a graph-based approach. I describe the implementation of the mesh graph and how a diffusion process is employed to achieve load balancing in parallel computing environments. Various test problems are used to verify the accuracy and robustness of the employed numerical algorithms.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{ThielemannKuehn2017, author = {Thielemann-K{\"u}hn, Nele}, title = {Optically induced ferro- and antiferromagnetic dynamics in the rare-earth metal dysprosium}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-402994}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {iv, 121}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Approaching physical limits in speed and size of today's magnetic storage and processing technologies demands new concepts for controlling magnetization and moves researches on optically induced magnetic dynamics. Studies on photoinduced magnetization dynamics and their underlying mechanisms have been primarily performed on ferromagnetic metals. Ferromagnetic dynamics bases on transfer of the conserved angular momentum connected with atomic magnetic moments out of the parallel aligned magnetic system into other degrees of freedom. In this thesis the so far rarely studied response of antiferromagnetic order to ultra-short optical laser pulses in a metal is investigated. The experiments were performed at the FemtoSpex slicing facility at the storage ring BESSY II, an unique source for ultra-short elliptically polarized x-ray pulses. Laser-induced changes of the 4f-magnetic order parameter in ferro- and antiferromagnetic dysprosium (Dy), were studied by x-ray methods, which yield directly comparable quantities. The discovered fundamental differences in the temporal and spatial behavior of ferro- and antiferrmagnetic dynamics are assinged to an additional channel for angular momentum transfer, which reduces the antiferromagnetic order by redistributing angular momentum within the non-parallel aligned magnetic system, and hence conserves the zero net magnetization. It is shown that antiferromagnetic dynamics proceeds considerably faster and more energy-efficient than demagnetization in ferromagnets. By probing antiferromagnetic order in time and space, it is found to be affected along the whole sample depth of an in situ grown 73 nm tick Dy film. Interatomic transfer of angular momentum via fast diffusion of laser-excited 5d electrons is held responsible for the out-most long-ranging effect. Ultrafast ferromagnetic dynamics can be expected to base on the same origin, which however leads to demagnetization only in regions close to interfaces caused by super-diffusive spin transport. Dynamics due to local scattering processes of excited but less mobile electrons, occur in both magnetic alignments only in directly excited regions of the sample and on slower pisosecond timescales. The thesis provides fundamental insights into photoinduced magnetic dynamics by directly comparing ferro- and antiferromagnetic dynamics in the same material and by consideration of the laser-induced magnetic depth profile.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Thiel2004, author = {Thiel, Marco}, title = {Recurrences : exploiting naturally occurring analogues}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001633}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Wiederkehr im Phasenraum ausgenutzt. Dabei werden drei Hauptresultate besprochen. 1. Die Wiederkehr erlaubt die Vorhersagbarkeit des Systems zu quantifizieren. 2. Die Wiederkehr enthaelt (unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen) s{\"a}mtliche relevante Information {\"u}ber die Dynamik im Phasenraum 3. Die Wiederkehr erlaubt die Erzeugung dynamischer Ersatzdaten.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Thiede2019, author = {Thiede, Tobias}, title = {A multiscale analysis of additively manufactured lattice structures}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47041}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-470418}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {xi, 97, LIII}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Additive Manufacturing (AM) in terms of laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF) offers new prospects regarding the design of parts and enables therefore the production of lattice structures. These lattice structures shall be implemented in various industrial applications (e.g. gas turbines) for reasons of material savings or cooling channels. However, internal defects, residual stress, and structural deviations from the nominal geometry are unavoidable. In this work, the structural integrity of lattice structures manufactured by means of L-PBF was non-destructively investigated on a multiscale approach. A workflow for quantitative 3D powder analysis in terms of particle size, particle shape, particle porosity, inter-particle distance and packing density was established. Synchrotron computed tomography (CT) was used to correlate the packing density with the particle size and particle shape. It was also observed that at least about 50\% of the powder porosity was released during production of the struts. Struts are the component of lattice structures and were investigated by means of laboratory CT. The focus was on the influence of the build angle on part porosity and surface quality. The surface topography analysis was advanced by the quantitative characterisation of re-entrant surface features. This characterisation was compared with conventional surface parameters showing their complementary information, but also the need for AM specific surface parameters. The mechanical behaviour of the lattice structure was investigated with in-situ CT under compression and successive digital volume correlation (DVC). The deformation was found to be knot-dominated, and therefore the lattice folds unit cell layer wise. The residual stress was determined experimentally for the first time in such lattice structures. Neutron diffraction was used for the non-destructive 3D stress investigation. The principal stress directions and values were determined in dependence of the number of measured directions. While a significant uni-axial stress state was found in the strut, a more hydrostatic stress state was found in the knot. In both cases, strut and knot, seven directions were at least needed to find reliable principal stress directions.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Theves2013, author = {Theves, Matthias}, title = {Bacterial motility and growth in open and confined environments}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-70313}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2013}, abstract = {In the presence of a solid-liquid or liquid-air interface, bacteria can choose between a planktonic and a sessile lifestyle. Depending on environmental conditions, cells swimming in close proximity to the interface can irreversibly attach to the surface and grow into three-dimensional aggregates where the majority of cells is sessile and embedded in an extracellular polymer matrix (biofilm). We used microfluidic tools and time lapse microscopy to perform experiments with the polarly flagellated soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida (P. putida), a bacterial species that is able to form biofilms. We analyzed individual trajectories of swimming cells, both in the bulk fluid and in close proximity to a glass-liquid interface. Additionally, surface related growth during the early phase of biofilm formation was investigated. In the bulk fluid, P.putida shows a typical bacterial swimming pattern of alternating periods of persistent displacement along a line (runs) and fast reorientation events (turns) and cells swim with an average speed around 24 micrometer per second. We found that the distribution of turning angles is bimodal with a dominating peak around 180 degrees. In approximately six out of ten turning events, the cell reverses its swimming direction. In addition, our analysis revealed that upon a reversal, the cell systematically changes its swimming speed by a factor of two on average. Based on the experimentally observed values of mean runtime and rotational diffusion, we presented a model to describe the spreading of a population of cells by a run-reverse random walker with alternating speeds. We successfully recover the mean square displacement and, by an extended version of the model, also the negative dip in the directional autocorrelation function as observed in the experiments. The analytical solution of the model demonstrates that alternating speeds enhance a cells ability to explore its environment as compared to a bacterium moving at a constant intermediate speed. As compared to the bulk fluid, for cells swimming near a solid boundary we observed an increase in swimming speed at distances below d= 5 micrometer and an increase in average angular velocity at distances below d= 4 micrometer. While the average speed was maximal with an increase around 15\% at a distance of d= 3 micrometer, the angular velocity was highest in closest proximity to the boundary at d=1 micrometer with an increase around 90\% as compared to the bulk fluid. To investigate the swimming behavior in a confinement between two solid boundaries, we developed an experimental setup to acquire three-dimensional trajectories using a piezo driven objective mount coupled to a high speed camera. Results on speed and angular velocity were consistent with motility statistics in the presence of a single boundary. Additionally, an analysis of the probability density revealed that a majority of cells accumulated near the upper and lower boundaries of the microchannel. The increase in angular velocity is consistent with previous studies, where bacteria near a solid boundary were shown to swim on circular trajectories, an effect which can be attributed to a wall induced torque. The increase in speed at a distance of several times the size of the cell body, however, cannot be explained by existing theories which either consider the drag increase on cell body and flagellum near a boundary (resistive force theory) or model the swimming microorganism by a multipole expansion to account for the flow field interaction between cell and boundary. An accumulation of swimming bacteria near solid boundaries has been observed in similar experiments. Our results confirm that collisions with the surface play an important role and hydrodynamic interactions alone cannot explain the steady-state accumulation of cells near the channel walls. Furthermore, we monitored the number growth of cells in the microchannel under medium rich conditions. We observed that, after a lag time, initially isolated cells at the surface started to grow by division into colonies of increasing size, while coexisting with a comparable smaller number of swimming cells. After 5:50 hours, we observed a sudden jump in the number of swimming cells, which was accompanied by a breakup of bigger clusters on the surface. After approximately 30 minutes where planktonic cells dominated in the microchannel, individual swimming cells reattached to the surface. We interpret this process as an emigration and recolonization event. A number of complementary experiments were performed to investigate the influence of collective effects or a depletion of the growth medium on the transition. Similar to earlier observations on another bacterium from the same family we found that the release of cells to the swimming phase is most likely the result of an individual adaption process, where syntheses of proteins for flagellar motility are upregulated after a number of division cycles at the surface.}, language = {en} }