Structure and morphology of laser-ablated WO3 thin films

The structure and surface morphology of WO₃ thin films deposited by a laser-ablation technique have been found to be strongly dependent on the deposition conditions and the nature of the substrate. By precisely controlling the substrate temperature and the oxygen partial pressure, amorphous, polycrystalline, nano-crystalline and iso-epitaxial WO₃ thin films were successfully grown. The structure and surface morphological features of the films from X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy data are described in relation to the deposition conditions. PACS 81.15.Fg; 68.55.-a; 68.37.Ps     

Entangled States Based on Two Coherent States 3π/2 out of Phase

Entangled states based on two coherent states 3π/2 out of phase with each other, i.e. ｜α〉 and e^iФ｜-iα〉, as well as on a special state with a relative phase Ф = ｜α｜^2, are constructed. By analysing the amount of entanglement it is evident that entangled states based on this special state can be used as an excellent resource for quantum teleportation. It is also revealed that these entangled states possess some nonclassical features.     

Some algorithms for hemiequilibrium problems

In this paper, we suggest and analyze a class of iterative methods for solving hemiequilibrium problems using the auxiliary principle technique. We prove that the convergence of these new methods either requires partially relaxed strongly monotonicity or pseudomonotonicity, which is a weaker condition than monotonicity. Results obtained in this paper include several new and known results as special cases.     

Modified Householder iterative method free from second derivatives for nonlinear equations

In this paper, we suggest and analyze a new two-step predictor–corrector type iterative method free from second derivatives for solving nonlinear equations of the type f(x)=0. This new method includes the two-step Newton method as a special case. We prove that the new iterative method is of fourth-order. Several examples are given to illustrate the efficiency of this new method and its comparison with other iterative methods. This method can be considered as a significant improvement of the Newton method and its variant forms.     

Closed solution to electromagnetic scattering of a plane wave by an eccentric cylinder coated with metamaterials

Closed series solution of electromagnetic scattering by an eccentric coated cylinder is achieved in matrix form. Diffracted field patterns are examined for an incident plane transverse magnetic (TM) wave. The solution is found by the classical separation of variables technique and the translational addition theorems. Wave transformation and orthogonality of the complex exponentials are employed to produce an infinite series. Numerical results are then shown by shortening the infinite series to a limited number of terms. Solutions are discussed for a dielectric or a metamaterial coating.     

Large signal performance of micromachined silicon inductive microphones

A mathematical model for the open-circuit output voltage of a micromachined silicon inductive microphone is presented. The model, basically a sine-series function, can easily yield closed-form expressions for the amplitudes of the output components resulting from a multisinusoidal input acoustic pressure. The special case of an equal-amplitude two-tone acoustic pressure input is considered in detail. The results show that, the microphone generates both even and odd-order harmonic and intermodulation products.     

Empirical model for the current-voltage characteristic of resonant-tunneling devices

An empirical model is presented for the current-voltage characteristics of resonanttunneling (RT) devices. By using this model an analytical study of millimeter-band electronic circuits employing RT devices can be performed.     

Near-optimal design of Global Positioning System (GPS) networks using the Tabu Search technique

This paper describes an optimization technique based on an heuristic procedure which is applied to analyse and improve the efficiency of the design of Global Positioning System (GPS) surveying networks. GPS is a valuable survey tool because of its ability to increase the accuracy, speed and flexibility of a survey. A GPS network can be defined as a number of stations, which are co-ordinated by a series of sessions, formed by placing receivers on stations. The goal is to select the best order in which these sessions can be organised to give the best possible schedule. Generally, solving large networks to optimality requires impractical computational time. This paper proposes a Tabu Search technique which provides optimal or near-optimal solutions for large networks with an acceptable amount of computational effort. Computational results for several case studies with known and unknown optimal schedules have been presented to assess the performance of the proposed technique.     

Heavy metal ion uptake properties of polystyrene-supported chelating polymer resins

Metal ion uptake properties of polystyrene-supported chelating polymer resins functionalized with (i) glycine, (ii) hydroxy benzoic acid, (iii) Schiff base and (iv) diethanol amine have been investigated. The effects of pH, time and initial concentration on the uptake of metal ions have been studied. The uptake of metal ion depends on pH. The resins are more selective at pH 10 for Pb(II) and Hg(II), whereas at pH 6 they are found to be Cd(II) and Cr(VI) selective. Metal ion uptake properties of resins follow Freundlich’s equation. The resins are recyclable and are therefore employed for the removal of heavy metal pollutants from industrial waste water.