Plasmon-induced terahertz absorption and photoconductivity in a grid-gated double-quantum-well structure

The terahertz absorption spectra of plasmon modes in a grid-gated double-quantum-well field-effect transistor structure is analyzed theoretically and numerically using the scattering matrix approach and is shown to faithfully reproduce strong resonant features of recent experimental observations of terahertz photo-conductivity in such a structure.     

Completely biodegradable composites of poly(propylene carbonate) and short,lignocellulose fiber Hildegardia populifolia

The composites of biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) reinforced with short Hildegardia populifolia natural fiber were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression molding. The mechanical properties, thermal properties, and morphologies of the composites were studied via static and dynamic mechanical measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, respectively. Static tensile tests showed that the stiffness and tensile strength of the composites increased with an increasing fiber content. However, the elongation at break and the energy to break decreased dramatically with the addition of short fiber. The relationship between the experimental results and the compatibility or interaction between the PPC matrix and fiber was correlated. SEM observations indicated good interfacial contact between the short fiber and PPC matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the introduction of short Hildegardia populifolia fiber led to a slightly improved thermooxidative stability of PPC. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 666–675, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline/graphite conducting nanocomposites

A new method for the synthesis of exfoliated graphite and polyaniline (PANI)/graphite nanocomposites was developed. Exfoliated graphite nanosheets were prepared through the microwave irradiation and sonication of synthesized expandable graphite. The nanocomposites were fabricated via the in situ polymerization of the monomer at the presence of graphite nanosheets. The as-synthesized graphite nanosheets and PANI/graphite nanocomposite materials were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The conductivity of the PANI/graphite nanocomposites was dramatically increased over that of pure PANI. TGA indicated that the incorporation of graphite greatly improved the thermal stability of PANI. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1972–1978, 2004     

Terahertz generation from Si3N4 covered photoconductive dipole antenna

We observe enhanced terahertz (THz) radiation generated from a Si3N4 film-coated GaAs photoconductive dipole antenna. Compared to an uncoated antenna with identical electrode geometry and optical excitation power, the Si3N4 film-coated antenna has a higher effective DC resistance and larger breakdown voltage. As a result, the peak amplitude of generated THz radiation is significantly enhanced due to the Si3N4 film-coated layer.     

Dissipative Nonlinear Evolution Equations and Chaos

In this article we have studied the nonlinear interaction between ellipticity and dissipation in a set of model equations (1.1) and established the relation between this interaction and chaos. In addition to theoretical investigations, extensive numerical simulations with these equations have been made, and different routes to chaos have been found. The numerical studies have revealed the chaotic nature of the solutions.     

The reaction pattern of norbornene with excited state carbonyl compounds: Photochemical preparations of norbornene derivatives

We established that acetylacetone and acetone photolytically sensitize norbornene to undergo an efficient radical addition of solvent (ranging from hexane, cyclic ethers, haloalkanes, acetone, alcohols and acetonitrile) across the double bond. In view of its synthetic applicability, sensitized photoreactions of norbornene were reviewed and their mechanisms were compared. Photolysis of acetylacetone in the presence of norbornene in hexane induced i) acetylacetone to cycloadd to norbornene giving the expected 1,5-diketone, and ii) sensitization by triplet excited acetylacetone to generate reactive norbornene, which underwent dimerization as well as the addition of a solvent molecule by radical chain processes. In other solvents, the radical chain addition of solvent dominated the photoreaction, and superseded the cycloaddition, to give excellent to good yields of adducts to norbornene. While the excited species of acetylacetone for the sensitization was deduced to be its spectroscopic triplet excited state, that for the cycloaddition should involve a different one which may be a twisted triplet acetylacetone; sensitization experiments showed that the cycloaddition did not occur from the spectroscopic triplet state. Triplet excited acetone sensitized norbornene to undergo the same solvent addition more efficiently and cleanly than acetylacetone did. In view of various conflicts existing in the proposed energy transfer mechanism, the sensitized norbornene reactions were rationalized with electron transfer and a cation radical chain mechanism.     

Experimental study of a plasma-filled backward wave oscillator

Experimental studies of a plasma-filled X-band backward-wave oscillator (BWO) are presented. Depending on the background gas pressure, microwave frequency upshifts of up to 1 GHz appeared along with an enhancement by a factor of 7 in the total microwave power emission. The bandwidth of the microwave emission increased from ⩽0.5 GHz to 2 GHz when the BWO was working at the RF power enhancement pressure region. The RF power enhancement appeared over a much wider pressure range in a high beam current case (10-100 mT for 3 kA) than in a lower beam case (80-115 mT for 1.6 kA). The plasma-filled BWO has higher power output than the vacuum BWO over a broader region of magnetic guide field strength. Trivelpiece-Gould modes (T-G modes) are observed with frequencies up to the background plasma frequency in a plasma-filled BWO. Mode competition between the T-G modes and the X-band Tm₀₁ mode prevailed when the background plasma density was below 6×10¹¹ cm^-3 . At a critical background plasma density of ≃8×10¹¹ cm^-3 power enhancement appeared in both X-band and the T-G modes. Power enhancement of the S-band in this mode collaboration region reached up to 8 dB. Electric fields measured by the Stark-effect method were as high as 34 kV/cm while the BWO power level was 80 MW. These electric fields lasted throughout the high-power microwave pulse     

The standard model on non-commutative space-time

We consider the standard model on a non-commutative space and expand the action in the non-commutativity parameter . No new particles are introduced; the structure group is . We derive the leading order action. At zeroth order the action coincides with the ordinary standard model. At leading order in we find new vertices which are absent in the standard model on commutative space-time. The most striking features are couplings between quarks, gluons and electroweak bosons and many new vertices in the charged and neutral currents. We find that parity is violated in non-commutative QCD. The Higgs mechanism can be applied. QED is not deformed in the minimal version of the NCSM to the order considered. Received: 29 November 2001 / Published online: 25 January 2002     

Determination of the portfolio selection for a property-liability insurance company

This paper presents an analysis of a portfolio model which can be used to assist a property-liability insurance company in determining the optimal composition of the insurance and investment portfolios. By introducing insurer's threshold risk and relaxing some non-realistic assumptions made in traditional chance constraint insurance and investment portfolio models, we propose a method for an insurer to maximize his return threshold for a given threshold risk level. This proposed model can be used to optimize the composition of underwriting and investment portfolios regarding the insurer's threshold risk level, as well as to generate the efficient frontier by adjusting insurer's threshold risk levels. A numerical example is given based on the industry's aggregated data for a sixteen year period.