Geometric and operational optimization of 20-kHz probe-type sonoreactor for enhancing sonochemical activity

The use of a 20-kHz probe-type sonicator irradiating downward in a 500 mL vessel was optimized for the enhancement of the sonochemical activity in terms of the geometric and operational factors. These factors included the probe immersion depth (the vertical position of the probe), input power, height of the liquid from the bottom, horizontal position of the probe, and thickness of bottom plate The sonochemical oxidation reactions were investigated both quantitatively and qualitatively using calorimetry, KI dosimetry, and luminol (Sonochemiluminescence, SCL) techniques. The sonochemical activity was very positively affected by the vertical boundaries. The highest sonochemical activity was obtained when the probe was placed close to the bottom of the vessel (immersion depth of 60 mm), with a high input power (input power of 75%), and optimal liquid height condition (liquid height of 70 mm). The SCL image analysis showed that the cavitational activity zone gradually expanded around the probe body and changed into a circular shape as the experimental conditions were optimized, and consequently the sonochemical activity increased. The formation of a large bright circular-shaped activity zone could be attributed to the strong reflections of the ultrasound firstly, at the vessel bottom and secondly, at the liquid surface. On the other hand, the cavitational activity zone and the sonochemical activity were negatively affected by the horizontal boundaries when the probe was placed close to the side wall of the vessel. In addition, it was found that the sonochemical activity was also significantly affected by the thickness of the support plate owing to the reflection and transmission of the ultrasound at the boundary between the liquid and the solid media.     

Robust pulses for high fidelity non-adiabatic geometric gate operations in an off-resonant three-level system

We propose a method to design pulses in a resonant three-level system to enhance the robustness of non-adiabatic geometric gate operations. By optimizing the shape of the pulse envelope, we show that the gate operations are more robust against frequency detuning than they are with Gaussian and square pulses. Our method provides a way to design pulses that can be employed in a system where robustness against frequency variations or inhomogeneous broadening is required, and may be extended to ensure robustness against other physical imperfections such as intensity fluctuations and random noises.     

Global dynamics of a pipe conveying pulsating fluid in primary parametrical resonance: Analytical and numerical results from the nonlinear wave equation

The chaotic dynamics of nonlinear waves in the harmonic-forced fluid-conveying pipe in primary parametrical resonance, is explored analytically and numerically. The multiple scale method is applied to obtain an equivalent nonlinear wave equation from the complicated nonlinear governing equation describing the fluid conveyed in a pipe. With the Melnikov method, the persistence of a heteroclinic structure is shown to be satisfied and its condition is given in functional form. Similarly, for the heteroclinic orbit, using geometric analysis, a condition function of the stable manifold is derived for the orbit to return to the stable manifold from the saddle point. The persistent homoclinic structures and threshold of chaos in the Smale-horseshoe sense are obtained for the fluid-conveying pipe under both conditions, indicating how the external excitation amplitude can change substantially the global dynamics of the fluid conveyed in the pipe. A numerical approach was used to test the prediction from theory. The impact of the external excitation amplitude on the nonlinear wave in the fluid-conveying pipe was also studied from numerical simulations. Both theoretical predications and numerical simulations attest to the complex chaotic motion of fluid-conveying pipes.     

Principle of Unattainability of absolute zero temperature,the Third Law of Thermodynamics,and projective quantum measurements

The Principle of Unattainability rules out the attainment of absolute zero temperature by any finite physical means, no matter how idealised they could be. Nevertheless, we clarify that the Third Law of Thermodynamics, as defined by Nernst's heat theorem statement, is distinct from the Principle of Unattainability in the sense that the Third Law is mathematically equivalent only to the unattainability of absolute zero temperature by quasi-static adiabatic processes. This, on the one hand, leaves open the possibility of attainability of absolute zero by non-adiabatic means, without violating the Third Law. On the other hand, we point out some apparent incompatibility between the Postulate of Projective Measurement in quantum mechanics and the Principle of Unattainability in that projective measurements of energy could result in zero temperature.     

A (2+1)-dimensional KdV equation and mKdV equation: Symmetries,group invariant solutions and conservation laws

In this paper, we analyse the (2+1)-dimensional KdV and mKdV equations. Firtly, on the basis of the extended Lax pair, we derive these equations. Thereafter, the symmetry generators are determined followed by the application of the mCK method. Finally, conservation laws (including higher order) are studied.