@phdthesis{Richter2007,
  author    = {Richter, Andreas},
  title     = {Structure formation and fractionation in systems of colloidal rods},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-13090},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2007},
  abstract  = {Nowadays, colloidal rods can be synthesized in large amounts. The rods are typically cylindrically and their length ranges from several nanometers to a few micrometers. In solution, systems of colloidal rodlike molecules or aggregates can form liquid-crystalline phases with long-range orientational and spatial order. In the present work, we investigate structure formation and fractionation in systems of rodlike colloids with the help of Monte Carlo simulations in the NPT ensemble. Repulsive interactions can successfully be mimicked by the hard rod model, which has been studied extensively in the past. In many cases, attractive interactions like van der Waals or depletion forces cannot be neglected, however. In the first part of this work, the phase behavior of monodisperse attractive rods is characterized for different interaction strengths. Phase diagrams as a function of rod length and pressure are presented. Most systems of synthesized mesoscopic rods have a polydisperse length distribution as a consequence of the longitudinal growth process of the rods. For many technical and research applications, a rather small polydispersity is desired in order to have well defined material properties. The polydispersity can be reduced by a spatial demixing (fractionation) of long and short rods. Fractionation and structure formation is studied in a tridisperse and a polydisperse bulk suspension of rods. We observe that the resulting structures depend distinctly on the interaction strength. The fractionation in the system is strongly enhanced with increasing interaction strength. Suspensions are typically confined in a container. We also examine the influence of adjacent substrates in systems of tridisperse and polydisperse rod suspensions. Three different substrate types are studied in detail: a planar wall, a corrugated substrate, and a substrate with rectangular cavities. We analyze the fluid structure close to the substrate and substrate controlled fractionation. The spatial arrangement of long and short rods in front of the substrate depends sensitively on the substrate structure and the pressure. Rods with a predefined length are segregated at substrates with rectangular cavities.},
  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{Kairaliyeva2023,
  author    = {Kairaliyeva, Talmira},
  title     = {Surfactant adorption at liquid interfaces measured by drop and bubble experiments},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {VII, 117},
  year      = {2023},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Quade2018,
  author    = {Quade, Markus},
  title     = {Symbolic regression for identification, prediction, and control of dynamical systems},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-419790},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {xiii, 134},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {In the present work, we use symbolic regression for automated modeling of dynamical systems. Symbolic regression is a powerful and general method suitable for data-driven identification of mathematical expressions. In particular, the structure and parameters of those expressions are identified simultaneously. We consider two main variants of symbolic regression: sparse regression-based and genetic programming-based symbolic regression. Both are applied to identification, prediction and control of dynamical systems. We introduce a new methodology for the data-driven identification of nonlinear dynamics for systems undergoing abrupt changes. Building on a sparse regression algorithm derived earlier, the model after the change is defined as a minimum update with respect to a reference model of the system identified prior to the change. The technique is successfully exemplified on the chaotic Lorenz system and the van der Pol oscillator. Issues such as computational complexity, robustness against noise and requirements with respect to data volume are investigated. We show how symbolic regression can be used for time series prediction. Again, issues such as robustness against noise and convergence rate are investigated us- ing the harmonic oscillator as a toy problem. In combination with embedding, we demonstrate the prediction of a propagating front in coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators. Additionally, we show how we can enhance numerical weather predictions to commercially forecast power production of green energy power plants. We employ symbolic regression for synchronization control in coupled van der Pol oscillators. Different coupling topologies are investigated. We address issues such as plausibility and stability of the control laws found. The toolkit has been made open source and is used in turbulence control applications. Genetic programming based symbolic regression is very versatile and can be adapted to many optimization problems. The heuristic-based algorithm allows for cost efficient optimization of complex tasks. We emphasize the ability of symbolic regression to yield white-box models. In contrast to black-box models, such models are accessible and interpretable which allows the usage of established tool chains.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{RomanoBlasco2004,
  author    = {Romano Blasco, M. Carmen},
  title     = {Synchronization analysis by means of recurrences in phase space},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001756},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2004},
  abstract  = {Die t{\"a}gliche Erfahrung zeigt uns, daß bei vielen physikalischen Systemen kleine {\"A}nderungen in den Anfangsbedingungen auch zu kleinen {\"A}nderungen im Verhalten des Systems f{\"u}hren. Wenn man z.B. das Steuerrad beim Auto fahren nur ein wenig zur Seite dreht, unterscheidet sich die Richtung des Wagens auch nur wenig von der urspr{\"u}nglichen Richtung. Aber es gibt auch Situationen, f{\"u}r die das Gegenteil dieser Regel zutrifft. Die Folge von Kopf und Zahl, die wir erhalten, wenn wir eine M{\"u}nze werfen, zeigt ein irregul{\"a}res oder chaotisches Zeitverhalten, da winzig kleine {\"A}nderungen in den Anfangsbedingungen, die z.B. durch leichte Drehung der Hand hervorgebracht werden, zu vollkommen verschiedenen Resultaten f{\"u}hren. In den letzten Jahren hat man sehr viele nichtlineare Systeme mit schnellen Rechnern untersucht und festgestellt, daß eine sensitive Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von den Anfangsbedingungen, die zu einem chaotischen Verhalten f{\"u}hrt, keinesfalls die Ausnahme darstellt, sondern eine typische Eigenschaft vieler Systeme ist. Obwohl chaotische Systeme kleinen {\"A}nderungen in den Anfangsbedingungen gegen{\"u}ber sehr empfindlich reagieren, k{\"o}nnen sie synchronisieren wenn sie durch eine gemeinsame {\"a}ußere Kraft getrieben werden, oder wenn sie miteinander gekoppelt sind. Das heißt, sie vergessen ihre Anfangsbedingungen und passen ihre Rhythmen aneinander. Diese Eigenschaft chaotischer Systeme hat viele Anwendungen, wie z.B. das Design von Kommunikationsger{\"a}te und die verschl{\"u}sselte {\"U}bertragung von Mitteilungen. Abgesehen davon, findet man Synchronisation in nat{\"u}rlichen Systemen, wie z.B. das Herz-Atmungssystem, raumverteilte {\"o}kologische Systeme, die Magnetoenzephalographische Aktivit{\"a}t von Parkinson Patienten, etc. In solchen komplexen Systemen ist es nicht trivial Synchronisation zu detektieren und zu quantifizieren. Daher ist es notwendig, besondere mathematische Methoden zu entwickeln, die diese Aufgabe erledigen. Das ist das Ziel dieser Arbeit. Basierend auf dergrundlegenden Idee von Rekurrenzen (Wiederkehr) von Trajektorien dynamischer Systeme, sind verschiedene Maße entwickelt worden, die Synchronisation in chaotischen und komplexen Systemen detektieren. Das Wiederkehr von Trajektorien erlaubt uns Vorhersagen {\"u}ber den zuk{\"u}nftigen Zustand eines Systems zu treffen. Wenn man diese Eigenschaft der Wiederkehr von zwei interagierenden Systemen vergleicht, kann man Schl{\"u}sse {\"u}ber ihre dynamische Anpassung oder Synchronisation ziehen. Ein wichtiger Vorteil der Rekurrenzmaße f{\"u}r Synchronisation ist die Robustheit gegen Rauschen und Instationari{\"a}t. Das erlaubt eine Synchronisationsanalyse in Systemen durchzuf{\"u}hren, die bisher nicht darauf untersucht werden konnten.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Bergner2011,
  author    = {Bergner, Andr{\´e}},
  title     = {Synchronization in complex systems with multiple time scales},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-53407},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {In the present work synchronization phenomena in complex dynamical systems exhibiting multiple time scales have been analyzed. Multiple time scales can be active in different manners. Three different systems have been analyzed with different methods from data analysis. The first system studied is a large heterogenous network of bursting neurons, that is a system with two predominant time scales, the fast firing of action potentials (spikes) and the burst of repetitive spikes followed by a quiescent phase. This system has been integrated numerically and analyzed with methods based on recurrence in phase space. An interesting result are the different transitions to synchrony found in the two distinct time scales. Moreover, an anomalous synchronization effect can be observed in the fast time scale, i.e. there is range of the coupling strength where desynchronization occurs. The second system analyzed, numerically as well as experimentally, is a pair of coupled CO₂ lasers in a chaotic bursting regime. This system is interesting due to its similarity with epidemic models. We explain the bursts by different time scales generated from unstable periodic orbits embedded in the chaotic attractor and perform a synchronization analysis of these different orbits utilizing the continuous wavelet transform. We find a diverse route to synchrony of these different observed time scales. The last system studied is a small network motif of limit cycle oscillators. Precisely, we have studied a hub motif, which serves as elementary building block for scale-free networks, a type of network found in many real world applications. These hubs are of special importance for communication and information transfer in complex networks. Here, a detailed study on the mechanism of synchronization in oscillatory networks with a broad frequency distribution has been carried out. In particular, we find a remote synchronization of nodes in the network which are not directly coupled. We also explain the responsible mechanism and its limitations and constraints. Further we derive an analytic expression for it and show that information transmission in pure phase oscillators, such as the Kuramoto type, is limited. In addition to the numerical and analytic analysis an experiment consisting of electrical circuits has been designed. The obtained results confirm the former findings.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{MontbrioiFairen2004,
  author    = {Montbri{\´o} i Fairen, Ernest},
  title     = {Synchronization in ensembles of nonisochronous oscillators},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001492},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2004},
  abstract  = {Diese Arbeit analysiert Synchronisationsphaenomene, die in grossen Ensembles von interagierenden Oszillatoren auftauchen. Im speziellen werden die Effekte von Nicht-Isochronizitaet (die Abhaengigkeit der Frequenz von der Amplitude des Oszillators) auf den makroskopischen Uebergang zur Synchronisation im Detail studiert. Die neu gefundenen Phaenomene (Anomale Synchronisation) werden sowohl in Populationen von Oszillatoren als auch zwischen Oszillator-Ensembles untersucht.},
  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{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{Kucklaender2006,
  author    = {Kuckl{\"a}nder, Nina},
  title     = {Synchronization via correlated noise and automatic control in ecological systems},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-10826},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {<img src="http://vg00.met.vgwort.de/na/806c85cec18906a64e06" width="1" height="1" alt=""> Subject of this work is the possibility to synchronize nonlinear systems via correlated noise and automatic control. The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is motivated by field studies on feral sheep populations on two islands of the St. Kilda archipelago, which revealed strong correlations due to environmental noise. For a linear system the population correlation equals the noise correlation (Moran effect). But there exists no systematic examination of the properties of nonlinear maps under the influence of correlated noise. Therefore, in the first part of this thesis the noise-induced correlation of logistic maps is systematically examined. For small noise intensities it can be shown analytically that the correlation of quadratic maps in the fixed-point regime is always smaller than or equal to the noise correlation. In the period-2 regime a Markov model explains qualitatively the main dynamical characteristics. Furthermore, two different mechanisms are introduced which lead to a higher correlation of the systems than the environmental correlation. The new effect of "correlation resonance" is described, i. e. the correlation yields a maximum depending on the noise intensity. In the second part of the thesis an automatic control method is presented which synchronizes different systems in a robust way. This method is inspired by phase-locked loops and is based on a feedback loop with a differential control scheme, which allows to change the phases of the controlled systems. The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated for controlled phase synchronization of regular oscillators and foodweb models.},
  subject      = {Markov-Prozess},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Kuehn2018,
  author    = {K{\"u}hn, Danilo},
  title     = {Synchrotron-based angle-resolved time-of-flight electron spectroscopy for dynamics in dichalogenides},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {147},
  year      = {2018},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{RamanVenkatesan2022,
  author    = {Raman Venkatesan, Thulasinath},
  title     = {Tailoring applications-relevant properties in poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based homo-, co- and ter-polymers through modification of their three-phase structure},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-54966},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-549667},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {xx, 218},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based homo-, co- and ter-polymers are well-known for their ferroelectric and relaxor-ferroelectric properties. Their semi-crystalline morphology consists of crystalline and amorphous phases, plus interface regions in between, and governs the relevant electro-active properties. In this work, the influence of chemical, thermal and mechanical treatments on the structure and morphology of PVDF-based polymers and on the related ferroelectric/relaxor-ferroelectric properties is investigated. Polymer films were prepared in different ways and subjected to various treatments such as annealing, quenching and stretching. The resulting changes in the transitions and relaxations of the polymer samples were studied by means of dielectric, thermal, mechanical and optical techniques. In particular, the origin(s) behind the mysterious mid-temperature transition (T_{mid}) that is observed in all PVDF-based polymers was assessed. A new hypothesis is proposed to describe the T_{mid} transition as a result of multiple processes taking place within the temperature range of the transition. The contribution of the individual processes to the observed overall transition depends on both the chemical structure of the monomer units and the processing conditions which also affect the melting transition. Quenching results in a decrease of the overall crystallinity and in smaller crystallites. On samples quenched after annealing, notable differences in the fractions of different crystalline phases have been observed when compared to samples that had been slowly cooled. Stretching of poly(vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TFE)) films causes an increase in the fraction of the ferroelectric β-phase with simultaneous increments in the melting point (T_m) and the crystallinity (\chi_c) of the copolymer. While an increase in the stretching temperature does not have a profound effect on the amount of the ferroelectric phase, its stability appears to improve. Measurements of the non-linear dielectric permittivity \varepsilon_2^\prime in a poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE- CFE)) relaxor-ferroelectric (R-F) terpolymer reveal peaks at 30 and 80 °C that cannot be identified in conventional dielectric spectroscopy. The former peak is associated with T_{mid}\ and may help to understand the non-zero \varepsilon_2^\prime values that are found for the paraelectric terpolymer phase. The latter peak can also be observed during cooling of P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer samples at 100 °C and is due to conduction processes and space-charge polarization as a result of the accumulation of real charges at the electrode-sample interface. Annealing lowers the Curie-transition temperature of the terpolymer as a consequence of its smaller ferroelectric-phase fraction, which by default exists even in terpolymers with relatively high CFE content. Changes in the transition temperatures are in turn related to the behavior of the hysteresis curves observed on differently heat-treated samples. Upon heating, the hysteresis curves evolve from those known for a ferroelectric to those of a typical relaxor-ferroelectric material. Comparing dielectric-hysteresis loops obtained at various temperatures, we find that annealed terpolymer films show higher electric-displacement values and lower coercive fields than the non-annealed samples - irrespective of the measurement temperature - and also exhibit ideal relaxor-ferroelectric behavior at ambient temperatures, which makes them excellent candidates for related applications at or near room temperature. However, non-annealed films - by virtue of their higher ferroelectric activity - show a larger and more stable remanent polarization at room temperature, while annealed samples need to be poled below 0 °C to induce a well-defined polarization. Overall, by modifying the three phases in PVDF-based polymers, it has been demonstrated how the preparation steps and processing conditions can be tailored to achieve the desired properties that are optimal for specific applications.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Jechow2009,
  author    = {Jechow, Andreas},
  title     = {Tailoring the emission of stripe-array diode lasers with external cavities to enable nonlinear frequency conversion},
  publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam},
  address   = {Potsdam},
  isbn      = {978-3-86956-031-1},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-39653},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {ii, 139},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {A huge number of applications require coherent radiation in the visible spectral range. Since diode lasers are very compact and efficient light sources, there exists a great interest to cover these applications with diode laser emission. Despite modern band gap engineering not all wavelengths can be accessed with diode laser radiation. Especially in the visible spectral range between 480 nm and 630 nm no emission from diode lasers is available, yet. Nonlinear frequency conversion of near-infrared radiation is a common way to generate coherent emission in the visible spectral range. However, radiation with extraordinary spatial temporal and spectral quality is required to pump frequency conversion. Broad area (BA) diode lasers are reliable high power light sources in the near-infrared spectral range. They belong to the most efficient coherent light sources with electro-optical efficiencies of more than 70\%. Standard BA lasers are not suitable as pump lasers for frequency conversion because of their poor beam quality and spectral properties. For this purpose, tapered lasers and diode lasers with Bragg gratings are utilized. However, these new diode laser structures demand for additional manufacturing and assembling steps that makes their processing challenging and expensive. An alternative to BA diode lasers is the stripe-array architecture. The emitting area of a stripe-array diode laser is comparable to a BA device and the manufacturing of these arrays requires only one additional process step. Such a stripe-array consists of several narrow striped emitters realized with close proximity. Due to the overlap of the fields of neighboring emitters or the presence of leaky waves, a strong coupling between the emitters exists. As a consequence, the emission of such an array is characterized by a so called supermode. However, for the free running stripe-array mode competition between several supermodes occurs because of the lack of wavelength stabilization. This leads to power fluctuations, spectral instabilities and poor beam quality. Thus, it was necessary to study the emission properties of those stripe-arrays to find new concepts to realize an external synchronization of the emitters. The aim was to achieve stable longitudinal and transversal single mode operation with high output powers giving a brightness sufficient for efficient nonlinear frequency conversion. For this purpose a comprehensive analysis of the stripe-array devices was done here. The physical effects that are the origin of the emission characteristics were investigated theoretically and experimentally. In this context numerical models could be verified and extended. A good agreement between simulation and experiment was observed. One way to stabilize a specific supermode of an array is to operate it in an external cavity. Based on mathematical simulations and experimental work, it was possible to design novel external cavities to select a specific supermode and stabilize all emitters of the array at the same wavelength. This resulted in stable emission with 1 W output power, a narrow bandwidth in the range of 2 MHz and a very good beam quality with M²<1.5. This is a new level of brightness and brilliance compared to other BA and stripe-array diode laser systems. The emission from this external cavity diode laser (ECDL) satisfied the requirements for nonlinear frequency conversion. Furthermore, a huge improvement to existing concepts was made. In the next step newly available periodically poled crystals were used for second harmonic generation (SHG) in single pass setups. With the stripe-array ECDL as pump source, more than 140 mW of coherent radiation at 488 nm could be generated with a very high opto-optical conversion efficiency. The generated blue light had very good transversal and longitudinal properties and could be used to generate biphotons by parametric down-conversion. This was feasible because of the improvement made with the infrared stripe-array diode lasers due to the development of new physical concepts.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Dixit2023,
  author    = {Dixit, Sneha},
  title     = {Tension-induced conformational changes of the Piezo protein-membrane nano-dome},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {94},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Mechanosensation is a fundamental biological process that provides the basis for sensing touch and pain as well as for hearing and proprioception. A special class of ion-channel proteins known as mechanosensitive proteins convert the mechanical stimuli into electrochemical signals to mediate this process. Mechanosensitive proteins undergo conformational changes in response to mechanical force, which eventually leads to the opening of the proteins' ion channel. Mammalian mechanosensitive proteins remained a long sought-after mystery until 2010 when a family of two proteins - Piezo1 and Piezo2 - was identifed as mechanosensors [1]. The cryo-EM structures of Piezo1 and Piezo2 protein were resolved in the last years and reveal a propeller-shaped homotrimer with 114 transmembrane helices [2, 3, 4, 5]. The protein structures are curved and have been suggested to deform the surrounding membrane into a nano-dome, which mechanically responds to membrane tension resulting from external forces [2]. In this thesis, the conformations of membrane-embedded Piezo1 and Piezo2 proteins and their tension-induced conformational changes are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Our coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations show that the Piezo proteins induce curvature in the surrounding membrane and form a stable protein-membrane nano-dome in the tensionless membrane. These membrane-embedded Piezo proteins, however, adopt substantially less curved conformations in our simulations compared to the cryo-EM structures solved in detergent micelles, which agrees with recent experimental investigations of the overall Piezo nano-dome shape in membrane vesicles [6, 7, 8]. At high membrane tension, the Piezo proteins attain nearly planar conformations in our simulations. Our systematic investigation of Piezo proteins under different membrane tensions indicates a half-maximal conformational response at membrane tension values rather close to the experimentally suggested values of Piezo activation [9, 10]. In addition, our simulations indicate a widening of the Piezo1 ion channel at high membrane tension, which agrees with the channel widening observed in recent nearly flattened cryo-EM structures of Piezo1 in small membrane vesicles [11]. In contrast, the Piezo2 ion channel does not respond to membrane tension in our simulations. These different responses of the Piezo1 and Piezo2 ion channels in our simulations are in line with patch-clamp experiments, in which Piezo1, but not Piezo2, was shown to be activated by membrane tension alone [12].},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Raetzel2013,
  author    = {R{\"a}tzel, Dennis},
  title     = {Tensorial spacetime geometries and background-independent quantum field theory},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-65731},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Famously, Einstein read off the geometry of spacetime from Maxwell's equations. Today, we take this geometry that serious that our fundamental theory of matter, the standard model of particle physics, is based on it. However, it seems that there is a gap in our understanding if it comes to the physics outside of the solar system. Independent surveys show that we need concepts like dark matter and dark energy to make our models fit with the observations. But these concepts do not fit in the standard model of particle physics. To overcome this problem, at least, we have to be open to matter fields with kinematics and dynamics beyond the standard model. But these matter fields might then very well correspond to different spacetime geometries. This is the basis of this thesis: it studies the underlying spacetime geometries and ventures into the quantization of those matter fields independently of any background geometry. In the first part of this thesis, conditions are identified that a general tensorial geometry must fulfill to serve as a viable spacetime structure. Kinematics of massless and massive point particles on such geometries are introduced and the physical implications are investigated. Additionally, field equations for massive matter fields are constructed like for example a modified Dirac equation. In the second part, a background independent formulation of quantum field theory, the general boundary formulation, is reviewed. The general boundary formulation is then applied to the Unruh effect as a testing ground and first attempts are made to quantize massive matter fields on tensorial spacetimes.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{RiveraHernandez2012,
  author    = {Rivera Hern{\´a}ndez, Sergio},
  title     = {Tensorial spacetime geometries carrying predictive, interpretable and quantizable matter dynamics},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-61869},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Which tensor fields G on a smooth manifold M can serve as a spacetime structure? In the first part of this thesis, it is found that only a severely restricted class of tensor fields can provide classical spacetime geometries, namely those that can carry predictive, interpretable and quantizable matter dynamics. The obvious dependence of this characterization of admissible tensorial spacetime geometries on specific matter is not a weakness, but rather presents an insight: it was Maxwell theory that justified Einstein to promote Lorentzian manifolds to the status of a spacetime geometry. Any matter that does not mimick the structure of Maxwell theory, will force us to choose another geometry on which the matter dynamics of interest are predictive, interpretable and quantizable. These three physical conditions on matter impose three corresponding algebraic conditions on the totally symmetric contravariant coefficient tensor field P that determines the principal symbol of the matter field equations in terms of the geometric tensor G: the tensor field P must be hyperbolic, time-orientable and energy-distinguishing. Remarkably, these physically necessary conditions on the geometry are mathematically already sufficient to realize all kinematical constructions familiar from Lorentzian geometry, for precisely the same structural reasons. This we were able to show employing a subtle interplay of convex analysis, the theory of partial differential equations and real algebraic geometry. In the second part of this thesis, we then explore general properties of any hyperbolic, time-orientable and energy-distinguishing tensorial geometry. Physically most important are the construction of freely falling non-rotating laboratories, the appearance of admissible modified dispersion relations to particular observers, and the identification of a mechanism that explains why massive particles that are faster than some massless particles can radiate off energy until they are slower than all massless particles in any hyperbolic, time-orientable and energy-distinguishing geometry. In the third part of the thesis, we explore how tensorial spacetime geometries fare when one wants to quantize particles and fields on them. This study is motivated, in part, in order to provide the tools to calculate the rate at which superluminal particles radiate off energy to become infraluminal, as explained above. Remarkably, it is again the three geometric conditions of hyperbolicity, time-orientability and energy-distinguishability that allow the quantization of general linear electrodynamics on an area metric spacetime and the quantization of massive point particles obeying any admissible dispersion relation. We explore the issue of field equations of all possible derivative order in rather systematic fashion, and prove a practically most useful theorem that determines Dirac algebras allowing the reduction of derivative orders. The final part of the thesis presents the sketch of a truly remarkable result that was obtained building on the work of the present thesis. Particularly based on the subtle duality maps between momenta and velocities in general tensorial spacetimes, it could be shown that gravitational dynamics for hyperbolic, time-orientable and energy distinguishable geometries need not be postulated, but the formidable physical problem of their construction can be reduced to a mere mathematical task: the solution of a system of homogeneous linear partial differential equations. This far-reaching physical result on modified gravity theories is a direct, but difficult to derive, outcome of the findings in the present thesis. Throughout the thesis, the abstract theory is illustrated through instructive examples.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Pick2020,
  author    = {Pick, Leonie Johanna Lisa},
  title     = {The centennial evolution of geomagnetic activity and its driving mechanisms},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-47275},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-472754},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {ix, 135},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {This cumulative thesis is concerned with the evolution of geomagnetic activity since the beginning of the 20th century, that is, the time-dependent response of the geomagnetic field to solar forcing. The focus lies on the description of the magnetospheric response field at ground level, which is particularly sensitive to the ring current system, and an interpretation of its variability in terms of the solar wind driving. Thereby, this work contributes to a comprehensive understanding of long-term solar-terrestrial interactions. The common basis of the presented publications is formed by a reanalysis of vector magnetic field measurements from geomagnetic observatories located at low and middle geomagnetic latitudes. In the first two studies, new ring current targeting geomagnetic activity indices are derived, the Annual and Hourly Magnetospheric Currents indices (A/HMC). Compared to existing indices (e.g., the Dst index), they do not only extend the covered period by at least three solar cycles but also constitute a qualitative improvement concerning the absolute index level and the ~11-year solar cycle variability. The analysis of A/HMC shows that (a) the annual geomagnetic activity experiences an interval-dependent trend with an overall linear decline during 1900-2010 of ~5 \% (b) the average trend-free activity level amounts to ~28 nT (c) the solar cycle related variability shows amplitudes of ~15-45 nT (d) the activity level for geomagnetically quiet conditions (Kp<2) lies slightly below 20 nT. The plausibility of the last three points is ensured by comparison to independent estimations either based on magnetic field measurements from LEO satellite missions (since the 1990s) or the modeling of geomagnetic activity from solar wind input (since the 1960s). An independent validation of the longterm trend is problematic mainly because the sensitivity of the locally measured geomagnetic activity depends on geomagnetic latitude. Consequently, A/HMC is neither directly comparable to global geomagnetic activity indices (e.g., the aa index) nor to the partly reconstructed open solar magnetic flux, which requires a homogeneous response of the ground-based measurements to the interplanetary magnetic field and the solar wind speed. The last study combines a consistent, HMC-based identification of geomagnetic storms from 1930-2015 with an analysis of the corresponding spatial (magnetic local time-dependent) disturbance patterns. Amongst others, the disturbances at dawn and dusk, particularly their evolution during the storm recovery phases, are shown to be indicative of the solar wind driving structure (Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections vs. Stream or Co-rotating Interaction Regions), which enables a backward-prediction of the storm driver classes. The results indicate that ICME-driven geomagnetic storms have decreased since 1930 which is consistent with the concurrent decrease of HMC. Out of the collection of compiled follow-up studies the inclusion of measurements from high-latitude geomagnetic observatories into the third study's framework seems most promising at this point.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Mergenthaler2009,
  author    = {Mergenthaler, Konstantin K.},
  title     = {The control of fixational eye movements},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-29397},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {In normal everyday viewing, we perform large eye movements (saccades) and miniature or fixational eye movements. Most of our visual perception occurs while we are fixating. However, our eyes are perpetually in motion. Properties of these fixational eye movements, which are partly controlled by the brainstem, change depending on the task and the visual conditions. Currently, fixational eye movements are poorly understood because they serve the two contradictory functions of gaze stabilization and counteraction of retinal fatigue. In this dissertation, we investigate the spatial and temporal properties of time series of eye position acquired from participants staring at a tiny fixation dot or at a completely dark screen (with the instruction to fixate a remembered stimulus); these time series were acquired with high spatial and temporal resolution. First, we suggest an advanced algorithm to separate the slow phases (named drift) and fast phases (named microsaccades) of these movements, which are considered to play different roles in perception. On the basis of this identification, we investigate and compare the temporal scaling properties of the complete time series and those time series where the microsaccades are removed. For the time series obtained during fixations on a stimulus, we were able to show that they deviate from Brownian motion. On short time scales, eye movements are governed by persistent behavior and on a longer time scales, by anti-persistent behavior. The crossover point between these two regimes remains unchanged by the removal of microsaccades but is different in the horizontal and the vertical components of the eyes. Other analyses target the properties of the microsaccades, e.g., the rate and amplitude distributions, and we investigate, whether microsaccades are triggered dynamically, as a result of earlier events in the drift, or completely randomly. The results obtained from using a simple box-count measure contradict the hypothesis of a purely random generation of microsaccades (Poisson process). Second, we set up a model for the slow part of the fixational eye movements. The model is based on a delayed random walk approach within the velocity related equation, which allows us to use the data to determine control loop durations; these durations appear to be different for the vertical and horizontal components of the eye movements. The model is also motivated by the known physiological representation of saccade generation; the difference between horizontal and vertical components concurs with the spatially separated representation of saccade generating regions. Furthermore, the control loop durations in the model suggest an external feedback loop for the horizontal but not for the vertical component, which is consistent with the fact that an internal feedback loop in the neurophysiology has only been identified for the vertical component. Finally, we confirmed the scaling properties of the model by semi-analytical calculations. In conclusion, we were able to identify several properties of the different parts of fixational eye movements and propose a model approach that is in accordance with the described neurophysiology and described limitations of fixational eye movement control.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Khosravi2023,
  author    = {Khosravi, Sara},
  title     = {The effect of new turbulence parameterizations for the stable surface layer on simulations of the Arctic climate},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-64352},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-643520},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {XIV, 119},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Arctic climate change is marked by intensified warming compared to global trends and a significant reduction in Arctic sea ice which can intricately influence mid-latitude atmospheric circulation through tropo- and stratospheric pathways. Achieving accurate simulations of current and future climate demands a realistic representation of Arctic climate processes in numerical climate models, which remains challenging. Model deficiencies in replicating observed Arctic climate processes often arise due to inadequacies in representing turbulent boundary layer interactions that determine the interactions between the atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean. Many current climate models rely on parameterizations developed for mid-latitude conditions to handle Arctic turbulent boundary layer processes. This thesis focuses on modified representation of the Arctic atmospheric processes and understanding their resulting impact on large-scale mid-latitude atmospheric circulation within climate models. The improved turbulence parameterizations, recently developed based on Arctic measurements, were implemented in the global atmospheric circulation model ECHAM6. This involved modifying the stability functions over sea ice and ocean for stable stratification and changing the roughness length over sea ice for all stratification conditions. Comprehensive analyses are conducted to assess the impacts of these modifications on ECHAM6's simulations of the Arctic boundary layer, overall atmospheric circulation, and the dynamical pathways between the Arctic and mid-latitudes. Through a step-wise implementation of the mentioned parameterizations into ECHAM6, a series of sensitivity experiments revealed that the combined impacts of the reduced roughness length and the modified stability functions are non-linear. Nevertheless, it is evident that both modifications consistently lead to a general decrease in the heat transfer coefficient, being in close agreement with the observations. Additionally, compared to the reference observations, the ECHAM6 model falls short in accurately representing unstable and strongly stable conditions. The less frequent occurrence of strong stability restricts the influence of the modified stability functions by reducing the affected sample size. However, when focusing solely on the specific instances of a strongly stable atmosphere, the sensible heat flux approaches near-zero values, which is in line with the observations. Models employing commonly used surface turbulence parameterizations were shown to have difficulties replicating the near-zero sensible heat flux in strongly stable stratification. I also found that these limited changes in surface layer turbulence parameterizations have a statistically significant impact on the temperature and wind patterns across multiple pressure levels, including the stratosphere, in both the Arctic and mid-latitudes. These significant signals vary in strength, extent, and direction depending on the specific month or year, indicating a strong reliance on the background state. Furthermore, this research investigates how the modified surface turbulence parameterizations may influence the response of both stratospheric and tropospheric circulation to Arctic sea ice loss. The most suitable parameterizations for accurately representing Arctic boundary layer turbulence were identified from the sensitivity experiments. Subsequently, the model's response to sea ice loss is evaluated through extended ECHAM6 simulations with different prescribed sea ice conditions. The simulation with adjusted surface turbulence parameterizations better reproduced the observed Arctic tropospheric warming in vertical extent, demonstrating improved alignment with the reanalysis data. Additionally, unlike the control experiments, this simulation successfully reproduced specific circulation patterns linked to the stratospheric pathway for Arctic-mid-latitude linkages. Specifically, an increased occurrence of the Scandinavian-Ural blocking regime (negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation) in early (late) winter is observed. Overall, it can be inferred that improving turbulence parameterizations at the surface layer can improve the ECHAM6's response to sea ice loss.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Heinig2003,
  author    = {Heinig, Peter},
  title     = {The geometry of interacting liquid domains in Langmuir monolayers},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0000814},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2003},
  abstract  = {Es werden die Strukturbildung und Benetzung zweidimensionaler (2D) Phasen von Langmuir-Monolagen im lokalen thermodynamischen Gleichgewicht untersucht. Eine Langmuir-Monolage ist ein isoliertes 2D System von Surfaktanten an der Wasser/Luft-Grenzfl{\"a}che, in dem kristalline, fl{\"u}ssigkristalline, fl{\"u}ssige oder gasf{\"o}rmige Phasen auftreten, die sich in Positionsordnung und/oder Orientierungsordnung unterscheiden. Permanente elektrische Dipolmomente der Surfaktanten f{\"u}hren zu einer langreichweitigen repulsiven Selbstwechselwirkung der Monolage und zur Bildung mesoskopischer Strukturen. Es wird ein Wechselwirkungsmodell verwendet, das die Strukturbildung als Wechselspiel kurzreichweitiger Anziehung (nackte Linienspannung) und langreichweitiger Abstoßung (Oberfl{\"a}chenpotential) auf einer Skala Delta beschreibt. Physikalisch trennt Delta die beiden L{\"a}ngenskalen der lang- und kurzreichweitigen Wechselwirkung. In dieser Arbeit werden die thermodynamischen Stabilit{\"a}tsbedingungen f{\"u}r die Form einer Phasengrenzlinie (Young-Laplace-Gleichung) und Dreiphasenkontaktpunkt (Young-Bedingung) hergeleitet und zur Beschreibung experimenteller Daten genutzt: Die Linienspannung benetzender 2D Tropfen wird mit Hilfe h{\"a}ngender-Tropfen-Tensiometrie gemessen. Die Blasenform und -gr{\"o}ße von 2D Sch{\"a}umen wird theoretisch modelliert und mit experimentellen 2D Sch{\"a}umen verglichen. Kontaktwinkel werden durch die Anpassung von experimentellen Tropfen mit numerischen L{\"o}sungen der Young-Laplace-Gleichung auf Mikrometerskalen gemessen. Das Skalenverhalten des Kontaktwinkels erm{\"o}glicht die Bestimmung einer unteren Schranke von Delta. Weiterhin wird diskutiert, inwieweit das Schalten von 2D Benetzungsmodi in biologischen Membranen zur Steuerung der Reaktionskinetik ein Rolle spielen k{\"o}nnte. Hierzu werden Experimente aus unserer Gruppe, die in einer Langmuir-Monolage durchgef{\"u}hrt wurden, herangezogen. Abschließend wird die scheinbare Verletzung der Gibbs\&prime;schen Phasenregel in Langmuir-Monolagen (nicht-horizontales Plateau der Oberfl{\"a}chendruck-Fl{\"a}che Isotherme, ausgedehntes Dreiphasengebiet in Einkomponentensystemen) quantitativ untersucht. Eine Verschmutzung der verwendeten Substanzen ist demnach die wahscheinlichste Erkl{\"a}rung, w{\"a}hrend Finite-Size-Effekte oder der Einfluss der langreichweitigen Elektrostatik die Gr{\"o}ßenordnung des Effektes nicht beschreiben k{\"o}nnen.},
  language  = {en}
}