Wigner��s ��Polanyian�� Epistemology and the Measurement Problem: The Wigner�CPolanyi Dialog on Tacit Knowledge

I analyze the long dialog that Eugene Wigner (1902-1995) and Michael Polanyi (1891–1976) carried out on Polanyi’s concept of tacit knowledge and its meaning for the measurement problem in quantum physics, focusing in particular on their ten-year correspondence between 1961 and 1971 on these subjects and the related mind-body problem. They differed in their interpretations, epistemologies, and ontologies, and consequently never resolved their differences on the measurement and mind-body problems. Nonetheless, their long dialog is significant and opens up avenues for exploring these problems further.     

Temporal contrast improvement in chirped pulse amplification systems by a four-grating compressor and by spectral modifications

The quest for higher peak focused intensities and better temporal contrast drives one to improve the design of all possible stages of the chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system. In this paper, we have analyzed the role of dispersion and spectral profile on the temporal shape and contrast ratio of the output pulse of a CPA system. The simulations indicate that an initial sech² or a Gaussian pulse in the CPA system is best for a good contrast ratio. Incorporating a four-grating based pulse compressor in the CPA system improves the contrast as well as provides the flexibility to compensate the dispersion upto the fourth order. The simulations also detail the effect of spectral profile tailoring on the contrast ratio and peak power.     

QCD corr ec tions to d ecay-l ep ton polar and azimu thal angular dis tribu tions in e+ e− → t $$\ov erlin e t $$ in th e sof t-gluon approxima tionin th e sof t-gluon approxima tion

QCD corrections to order α _s in the soft-gluon approximation to angular distributions of decay charged leptons in the process e ⁺ e ⁻ → t , followed by semileptonic decay of t , are obtained in the esu− e ⁻ centre-of-mass frame. As compared to distributions in the top rest frame, these have the advantage that they would allow direct comparison with experiment without the need to reconstruct the top rest frame. The results also do not depend on the choice of a spin quantization axis for t or t. Analytic expression for the triple distribution in the polar angle of t and polar and azimuthal angles of the lepton is obtained. Analytic expression is also derived for the distribution in the charged-lepton polar angle. Numerical values are discussed for √s=400, 800 and 1500 GeV.     

Investigation of phonon anomalies in intermediate valence compounds SmS and Sm0·65Y0·25S

Phonon anomalies in two intermediate valence compounds (IVC), SmS and Sm_0·75Y_0·25S have been investigated using breathing shell model (BSM). The BSM includes breathing motion of electron shells of the rare earth atom due tof−d hybridization. The phonon dispersion curves of IVC, calculated from the present model, agree well with the measured data. One-phonon density of states calculated from the present model compares well with the Raman spectra.     

Experimental studies on the microstructure and hardness of laser-treated steel specimens

An experimental investigation with 5 kW CW CO₂ laser system was carried out to study the effects of different laser and process parameters on the microstructure and hardness of carbon steel specimen with varying carbon percentage. The laser beam is allowed to scan on the surface of the work piece varying the power (1.1–2.5 kW) and traverse speed (6–15 mm/s) at two different spot sizes using TEM_01* mode laser beam. The most hardenable microstructure achieved in case of three grades of carbon steel and the most influencing parameter on the value of hardness are reported. Besides the above study, some multipass operations are also carried out to recommend an appropriate gap between consecutive passes.     

An ab initio study of ground state, electronic and thermodynamical properties of GaP and Ga2P

In the present paper, we report an ab initio calculation of the ground state, electronic and thermodynamical properties like constant volume lattice specific heat, vibrational energy, internal energy, and entropy for GaP and Ga₂P is presented. These properties are obtained after calculating the phonon spectrum over the entire Brillouin zone. The calculations were performed using the ABINIT program package, which is based on density functional theory (DFT) method and the use of pseudopotentials and plane wave expansion. Difference in the ground state properties such as electronic structure and thermodynamical properties are discussed. The thermodynamical properties follow the expected trend. There is a good agreement between present theoretical and limited available experimental data in the case of ground state such as lattice constant and bulk modulus and electronic properties. With the increase of Ga atoms in the unit cell the semiconducting nature of Ga₂P turns to metallic. There is a noticeable difference in the thermodynamical properties in the case of both gallium compounds.     

Densitometric HPTLC Method for Analysis of Oleanolic Acid in Achyranthes aspera L.

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Adensitometric HPTLC method has been established for analysis in alcohol extracts of the seeds and leaves of Achyranthes aspera L....     

Sub-picosecond Raman spectroscopy and dynamics of nonequilibrium electrons and phonons in semiconductors

Recent progress made in the use of time-resolved pump-probe Raman scattering technique to study the dynamics of photo-excited nonequilibrium carriers and LO-phonons in III–V semiconductors up to the sub-picosecond time scale will be discussed. It will be shown how this technique has allowed direct time-domain measurements of electron-LO-phonon scattering times for “hot” carriers and lifetimes for “hot” LO-phonons in semiconductors like GaAs. The presentation will include new experimental results of Kash, Jha and Tsang on picosecond Raman studies of the Fröhlich interaction in alloys like Al _x Ga _1?x As and In _x Ga _1?x As. The present theoretical understanding of the dynamics of the highly excited carriers, dominated by strong LO-phonon emission, will be examined along with the discussion of a recent calculation of transient electrical conductivity of such hot carriers, showing extremely interesting oscillations with respect to the pump laser frequency, on the scale of the long wavelength LO-phonon frequency, and a highly nonlinear behaviour as a function of time.