Probing Bloch oscillations using a slow-light sensor

We implement slow-light under electromagnetically induced transparency condition to measure the motion of cold atoms in an optical lattice undergoing Bloch oscillation. The motion of atoms is mapped out through the phase shift of light without perturbing the external and internal state of the atoms. Our results can be used to construct a continuous motional sensor of cold atoms.

REFLECTION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE FROM THE BORDER OF ELASTIC ENVIRONMENT FROM PIEZOACTIVE MATERIAL

A plane electromagnetic wave incident on the interface of a dielectric medium made of a piezoactive material leads to the excitation of elastic shear waves. Piezoelectric material is assumed to have 6mm class hexagonal symmetry. The case of a half-space and a finite layer is considered. Coefficients of reflection and refraction are determined. In the problem of an electromagnetic wave incidence on a half-space made of a piezoelectric material of hexagonal symmetry, class 6 mm, the nature of the piezoelectric effect influence on the transparency condition is established. In the case of reflection from a finite piezolayer, reflection coefficients are determined for different variants of boundary conditions.

Effects of Transparency and Controller Type on Performance in A Multi-Layer Display

Augmented reality application development faces the challenge of balancing key information visualization with user’s cognitive constraints. Virtual Reality Rehab, Inc. is developing an application blending augmented reality (AR) with synthetic vision for use in complex, time-sensitive military operations. This study investigated the effects of controller use and transparency on marker placement speed and accuracy. Method: Participants were required to mark targets by placing icons on the synthetic environment using either a mouse, speech recognition, or Xbox One controller. They were also asked to recall AR building labels. For each scenario, the display was set to 100%, 25%, 50%, or 75% transparency. Results: The 50% transparency condition resulted in the lowest speed and accuracy, while 25% and 75% were not significantly different. Participants performed the best while using the Xbox One controller. Discussion: Findings suggest that transparency should be investigated within the context of task, controller type, and interface design.

The More You Know: Trust Dynamics and Calibration in Highly Automated Driving and the Effects of Take-Overs, System Malfunction, and System Transparency

Objective This paper presents a theoretical model and two simulator studies on the psychological processes during early trust calibration in automated vehicles. Background The positive outcomes of automation can only reach their full potential if a calibrated level of trust is achieved. In this process, information on system capabilities and limitations plays a crucial role. Method In two simulator experiments, trust was repeatedly measured during an automated drive. In Study 1, all participants in a two-group experiment experienced a system-initiated take-over, and the occurrence of a system malfunction was manipulated. In Study 2 in a 2 × 2 between-subject design, system transparency was manipulated as an additional factor. Results Trust was found to increase during the first interactions progressively. In Study 1, take-overs led to a temporary decrease in trust, as did malfunctions in both studies. Interestingly, trust was reestablished in the course of interaction for take-overs and malfunctions. In Study 2, the high transparency condition did not show a temporary decline in trust after a malfunction. Conclusion Trust is calibrated along provided information prior to and during the initial drive with an automated vehicle. The experience of take-overs and malfunctions leads to a temporary decline in trust that was recovered in the course of error-free interaction. The temporary decrease can be prevented by providing transparent information prior to system interaction. Application Transparency, also about potential limitations of the system, plays an important role in this process and should be considered in the design of tutorials and human-machine interaction (HMI) concepts of automated vehicles.

Agent Reasoning Transparency’s Effect on Operator Workload

We examined how varying the transparency of agent reasoning affected operator workload in a route selection task, and how the differing measures of workload compared in assessing and understanding cognitive workload. Participants guided a three-vehicle convoy safely through a simulated environment of which they had a limited amount of information, while maintaining communication with command and monitoring their surroundings for threats. The intelligent route-planning agent assessed potential threats and suggested changes to the convoy route as needed. Each participant was assigned to one of three agent reasoning transparency conditions. Contrary to our hypothesis, NASA-TLX Global workload measures indicated that workload decreased slightly as access to agent reasoning increased. However, psychophysical measures of workload disagreed with NASA-TLX global results. Comparison of individual NASA-TLX workload factors with the psychophysical measures indicated that performance satisfaction was highest in the intermediary transparency condition, and the addition of ambiguous information in the highest transparency condition increased effort and resulted in increased complacent behavior. Recommendations for future workload analysis are offered.

Thermal Performance of an Experimental Solar Pond Operating in Winter of Tibet

An experimental SGSP was constructed in Tibet and its thermal performance in winter was investigated in this paper. The LCZ temperature observed was no less than 20 oC in winter subfreezing time. The impact of ice layer upon SGSP was analysed briefly as well, it was found that the ice layer showed different impacts on the performance of SGSP depended on its thickness and transparency condition. Several promising measures for the improvement of SGSP operating in winter were also proposed.