Semi-Resonant Interactions and Frequency Dividers

A theory describing the behavior of a system as it evolves slowly through internal nonlinear resonances is presented. The energy sharing process is seen to be quite complex as it depends crucially on both nonlinear and frequency detuning effects. Two phenomena are discussed in detail although the general ideas are applicable to many situations. Firstly we examine the interaction between the quadratically coupled oscillators whose natural frequencies are in the ratio 2:1 for a limited period of time. Such a system is shown to be an extremely useful switching device. Secondly we examine the time dependent Duffing equation and find that smooth forward and reverse transitions occur without the presence of dissipation.     

Suppression of multiple ionization of atomic ions in intense ultrafast laser pulses

The interaction of an intense laser field with a beam of atomic ions has been investigated experimentally for the first time. The ionization dynamics of Ar+ ions and Ar neutrals in a 60 fs, 790 nm laser pulse have been compared and contrasted at intensities up to 10(16) W cm-2. Our results show that nonsequential ionization from an Ar+ target is strongly suppressed compared with that from the corresponding neutral target. We have also observed for the first time the strong field ionization of high lying target metastable levels in the Ar+ beam.     

Perceptual and physiological responses to the visual complexity of fractal patterns

Fractals have experienced considerable success in quantifying the complex structure exhibited by many natural patterns and have captured the imagination of scientists and artists alike. With ever widening appeal, they have been referred to both as "fingerprints of nature" and "the new aesthetics." Our research has shown that the drip patterns of the American abstract painter Jackson Pollock are fractal. In this paper, we consider the implications of this discovery. We first present an overview of our research from the past five years to establish a context for our current investigations of human response to fractals. We discuss results showing that fractal images generated by mathematical, natural and human processes possess a shared aesthetic quality based on visual complexity. In particular, participants in visual perception tests display a preference for fractals with mid-range fractal dimensions. We also present recent preliminary work based on skin conductance measurements that indicate that these mid-range fractals also affect the observer's physiological condition and discuss future directions based on these results.     

Probabilistic determination of two-phase flow regimes in horizontal tubes utilizing an automated image recognition technique

Probabilistic two-phase flow map data is experimentally obtained for R134a at 25.0, 35.0, and 49.7°C, R410A at 25.0°C, mass fluxes from 100 to 600 kg/m²-s, qualities from 0 to1 in 8.00, 5.43, 3.90, and 1.74 mm I.D. single, smooth, adiabatic, horizontal tubes in order to extend probabilistic two-phase flow map modeling techniques to single tubes. A new web camera based flow visualization technique utilizing an illuminated diffuse striped background was used to enhance images, detect fine films, and aid in the automated image recognition process developed in the present study. This technique has an average time fraction classification error of less than 0.01.     

Optical measurement of liquid film thickness and wave velocity in liquid film flows

Two optical techniques are described for measurement of a liquid film's surface. Both techniques make use of the total internal reflection which occurs at a liquid-vapor interface due to the refractive index difference between a liquid and a vapor. The first technique is used for film thickness determination. A video camera records the distance between a light source and the rays which are reflected back from the liquid-vapor interface. This distance can be shown to be linearly proportional to film thickness. The second technique measures surface wave velocities. Two photo sensors, spaced a fixed distance apart, are used to record the time varying intensity of light reflected from the liquid-vapor interface. The velocity is then deduced from the time lag between the two signals.The authors appreciate the support of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under project 45.     

Whitecapping

The work we describe addresses the process of whitecapping. We first argue that, when the winds are strong enough, the ocean surface must develop an alternative means to dissipate energy when its flux from large to small scales becomes too large. We then show that the resulting Phillips' spectrum, which holds at small or meter length scales, is dominated by sharp crested waves. We next idealize such a sea locally by a family of close to maximum amplitude Stokes waves and show, using highly accurate simulation algorithms based on a conformal map representation, that perturbed Stokes waves develop the universal feature of an overturning plunging jet. We analyze both the cases when surface tension is absent and present. In the latter case, we show the plunging jet is regularized by capillary waves that rapidly become nonlinear Crapper waves in whose trough pockets whitecaps may be spawned. We are careful not to claim this as the definitive mechanism for whitecaps because three‐dimensional effects, although qualitatively discussed, are not included in the analysis.     

Studies of structural effects on the half-wave potentials of mononuclear and dinuclear nickel(II) diphosphine/dithiolate complexes

Two series of mononuclear Ni(II) complexes of the formula (PNP)Ni(dithiolate) where PNP = R2PCH2N(CH3)CH2PR2, R = Et and Ph, have been synthesized containing dithiolate ligands that vary from five- to seven-membered chelate rings. Two series of dinuclear Ni(II) complexes of the formula {[(diphosphine)Ni]2(dithiolate)}(X)2 (X = BF4 or PF6) have been synthesized in which the chelate ring size of the dithiolate and diphosphine ligands have been systematically varied. The structures of the alkylated mononuclear complex, [(PNPEt)Ni(SC2H4SMe)]OTf, and the dinuclear complex, [(dppeNi)2(SC3H6S)](BF4)2, have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The complexes have been studied by cyclic voltammetry to determine how the half-wave potentials of the Ni(II/I) couples vary with chelate ring size of the ligands. For the mononuclear complexes, this potential becomes more positive as the natural bite angle of the dithiolate ligand increases. However, the potentials of the Ni(II/I) couples of the dinuclear complexes do not show a dependence on the chelate ring size of the ligands. Other aspects of the reduction chemistry of these complexes have been explored.     

High‐Throughput Method for Determining Modulus of Polymer Blends

Summary: A method for rapidly determining the modulus of polymer blends was developed. A polymer blend gradient library of poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D ,L ‐lactic acid) (PDLLA) was created in the form of a strip‐shaped film and characterized with FTIR microspectroscopy. Nanoindentation measurements were made along the gradients to obtain modulus data over a wide range of PLLA‐PDLLA blend compositions. This novel, high‐throughput approach to material characterization provides engineers with a technique to accelerate the development of materials.

Deposition of the polymer composition gradient.