<Emphasis Type="Italic">Comment on</Emphasis>¶Low temperature specific heat of blue bronze K <Emphasis Type="Bold">0.30</Emphasis>MoO <Emphasis Type="Bold">3</Emphasis>, by J. Odin,J.C. Lasjaunias,K. Biljaković, K. Hasselbach,and P. Monceau

Eur. Phys. J. B 24, 315 (2001) Here we comment on a recently published paper on the presence of a phason contribution in the low temperature heat capacity data of the charge-density-wave compounds K_0.3MoO₃ and (TaSe₄)₂I. We have shown that the anomaly in the C _P / T ³ data reported by Odin et al. is straightforwardly interpreted in terms of low energy phonon modes resulting from the peculiar topology of these compounds. Received 21 February 2002 Published online 19 July 2002     

Comments on ‘‘Effect of the surface free energy on the behaviour of surface and guided waves”, by V. Vlasie Belloncle,M. Rousseau,Ultrasonics, 45 (2006) 188–195

In this short communication, it is demonstrated that the main results obtained by the authors of the commented paper, ‘‘Effect of the surface free energy on the behaviour of surface and guided waves”, by V. Vlasie Belloncle, M. Rousseau Ultrasonics, 45 (2006) 188–195, have been well-established long before publication of this paper. Therefore, the claim to novelty asserted by the authors is incorrect.     

A comment on the paper “Stochastic feedback, nonlinear families of Markov processes, and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations” by T.D. Frank

The purpose of this comment is to correct mistaken assumptions and claims made in the paper “Stochastic feedback, nonlinear families of Markov processes, and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations” by T. D. Frank [T.D. Frank, Stochastic feedback, non-linear families of Markov processes, and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations, Physica A 331 (2004) 391]. Our comment centers on the claims of a “non-linear Markov process” and a “non-linear Fokker-Planck equation.” First, memory in transition densities is misidentified as a Markov process. Second, the paper assumes that one can derive a Fokker-Planck equation from a Chapman-Kolmogorov equation, but no proof was offered that a Chapman-Kolmogorov equation exists for the memory-dependent processes considered. A “non-linear Markov process” is claimed on the basis of a non-linear diffusion pde for a 1-point probability density. We show that, regardless of which initial value problem one may solve for the 1-point density, the resulting stochastic process, defined necessarily by the conditional probabilities (the transition probabilities), is either an ordinary linearly generated Markovian one, or else is a linearly generated non-Markovian process with memory. We provide explicit examples of diffusion coefficients that reflect both the Markovian and the memory-dependent cases. So there is neither a “non-linear Markov process”, nor a “non-linear Fokker-Planck equation” for a conditional probability density. The confusion rampant in the literature arises in part from labeling a non-linear diffusion equation for a 1-point probability density as “non-linear Fokker-Planck,” whereas neither a 1-point density nor an equation of motion for a 1-point density can define a stochastic process. In a closely related context, we point out that Borland misidentified a translation invariant 1-point probability density derived from a non-linear diffusion equation as a conditional probability density. Finally, in the Appendix A we present the theory of Fokker-Planck pdes and Chapman-Kolmogorov equations for stochastic processes with finite memory.     

High efficient double end-pumped <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-cut Tm,Ho:YAlO<Subscript>3</Subscript> laser

High efficient continuous wave (CW) and acousto-optical (AO) Q-switched operation of a b-cut Tm,Ho:YAlO₃ (Tm,Ho:YAP) laser are reported in the paper. The Tm,Ho:YAP crystal was cooled by liquid nitrogen and pumped by a fiber-coupled laser diode (LD). Different pump wavelengths were tried in the experiment. An 8.36-W output power was acquired at 2.12 μm in the CW operation with an optical-optical conversion efficiency of 33.3%, and an 8.14-W average power was obtained at the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 10 kHz with an optical-optical conversion efficiency of 32.4%.     

Erratum to “Bayesian methods for parameter estimation in effective field theories” [Ann. Phys. 324 (2009) 682–708]

We have discovered an error in the numerical calculations for the extraction of parameters from the nucleon mass “data” presented in Sections 4 and 5 of our paper [M.R. Schindler, D.R. Phillips, Ann. Phys. 324 (2009) 682. Available from: <hep-ph/0808.3643>]. We present the corrected results and discuss the implications. We stress that the material presented in Sections 1–3 of our paper [M.R. Schindler, D.R. Phillips, Ann. Phys. 324 (2009) 682. Available from: <hep-ph/0808.3643>] is unaffected.     

Development of a 1K × 1K, 8–12 μm QWIP array

In the on-going evolution of GaAs quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) we have developed a 1,024 × 1,024 (1K × 1K), 8–12  μm infrared focal plane array (FPA). This 1 megapixel detector array is a hybrid using an L3/Cincinnati Electronics silicon readout integrated circuit (ROIC) bump bonded to a GaAs QWIP array fabricated jointly by engineers at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). We have integrated the 1K × 1K array into an SE-IR based imaging camera system and performed tests over the 50–80 K temperature range achieving BLIP performance at an operating temperature of 57 K. The GaAs array is relatively easy to fabricate once the superlattice structure of the quantum wells has been defined and grown. The overall arrays costs are currently dominated by the costs associated with the silicon readout since the GaAs array fabrication is based on high yield, well-established GaAs processing capabilities. One of the advantages of GaAs QWIP technology is the ability to fabricate arrays in a fashion similar to and compatible with silicon IC technology. The designer’s ability to easily select the spectral response of the material from 3 μm to beyond 15 μm is the result of the success of band-gap engineering and the Army Research Lab is a leader in this area. In this paper we will present the first results of our 1K × 1K QWIP array development including fabrication methodology, test data and imaging capabilities.     

Comment on “Effect of annealing temperature on structure, magnetic properties and optical characteristics in Zn0.97Cr0.03O nanoparticles” by Liu et al., [Appl. Surf. Sci. 256 (2010) 3559]

The authors of a recent paper (Appl. Surf. Sci. 256 (2010) 3559) studied the effect of annealing temperature on structural, magnetic and optical properties in Cr-doped zinc oxide (Zn_0.97Cr_0.03O) nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel method. The authors have verified that Cr ions, in 3+ valence state, substitute the Zn ions in the ZnO lattice. They concluded that the ferromagnetism observed in the samples is an intrinsic property of the Cr-doped ZnO. However, we noticed an unusual point in this article. The Cr 2p XPS spectrum shown by them is against the general trend of the 2p XPS spectra of the transition metals. In this light, we re-measured the high-resolution 2p XPS spectrum of Cr for a 3% Cr-doped ZnO sample that is entirely different than theirs. The spectrum presented by them therefore demands proper interpretations or it might mislead the researchers in this developing field.     

Comment on the paper by M. Lenin, G. Bhavannarayana, P. Ramasamy “Synthesis, growth, and characterization of a non-linear optical crystal - glycine lithium chloride” Opt. Commun. 282 (2009) 1202

We argue that the “glycine lithium chloride” crystal grown and characterized in the title paper actually is gamma glycine.     

Randomness, evenness, and Rényi’s index

This paper links together the notion of entropy and the notion of inequality indices—the former is applied in Statistical Physics to measure randomness, and the latter is applied in Economics to measure evenness. We explore the profound similarities between these diametric notions, construct a mathematical transformation between them, and show how randomness can be used to measure evenness-and vice versa. In particular, we devise and study Rényi’s index—a randomness-based measure of evenness with special properties. Rényi’s index is established as an effectual gauge of statistical heterogeneity in the context of general probability laws defined on the positive half-line.     

Transparent luminescent layers via ionic liquid-based approach to LaPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>:RE (RE = Ce,Tb, Eu) dispersions

Transparent layers containing the highly luminescent nanophosphors LaPO₄:Ce,Tb and LaPO₄:Eu are realized by ink-jet printing on standard transparencies and black paper. The luminescent material is non-agglomerated, 15 nm in size, and applied as a dispersion in ethanol for printing. The structured layers exhibit intense green (LaPO₄:Ce,Tb) or red (LaPO₄:Eu) emission. While printing on overhead transparencies, an optical transmission of about 90% is realized. This value, in fact, is limited due to the performance of the underlying polymer material. A microwave-assisted synthesis in ionic liquids as a novel concept of synthesis is prerequisite to gain the nanoscale phosphor materials. PACS 61.46.+w; 78.67.Bf; 81.07.-b     

Reply to “Comment on ‘Contextuality within quantum mechanics manifested in subensemble mean values’ [Phys. Lett. A 373 (2009) 3430]” [Phys. Lett. A 374 (2010) 1397]

In this reply, we point out that the claim by De Zela (2010) [2] is unjustified because the setup he discusses is not equivalent to the setup analysed in our paper (Pan and Home (2009) [1]). Hence his subsequent argument claiming the reproducibility of our demonstrated quantum effect of path-spin contextuality by the Kochen-Specker realist model is not relevant.     

CMS: Jet/b,Jet/<Emphasis Type="Italic">τ</Emphasis>, Missing E<Subscript>T</Subscript>

It is often claimed [1] that the (Hodge type) duality operation is defined only in even dimensional spacetimes and that self-duality is further restricted to twice-odd dimensional spacetime theories. The purpose of this paper is to extend the notion of both duality symmetry as well as self-duality.By considering tensorial doublets, we introduce a novel well-defined notion of self-duality based on a duality Hodge-type operation in arbitrary dimension and for any rank of these tensors. Thus, a generalized Self-Dual Action is defined such that equations of motion are the claimed generalized self-duality relations. We observe in addition, that taking the proper limit on the parameters of this action, it always provides us with a master-action, which interpolates models well-studied in physics; by considering a particular limit, we find an action which describes an interesting type of relation, referred to as semi-self-duality, which results to be the parent action between Maxwell-type actions.Finally, we apply these ideas to construct manifest Hodge-type self-dual solutions in a (2+1)-dimensional version of the Maxwell’s theory.     

Comment on ‘Super‐resolution microscopy by movable thin‐films with embedded microspheres: Resolution analysis’ [Ann. Phys. (Berlin) 527, 513 (2015)]

This work addresses the shortcomings of the recent paper by Allen et al. [Ann. Phys. (Berlin) 527, 513 (2015)], in which the authors attempted to quantify the spatial resolution and magnification in imaging by using microsphere‐embedded films. Their methodology in resolution and magnification analyses is ill‐considered and worth discussing. Neglecting the impact of the confocal arrangement, used for imaging in their work, on the resolution improvement factor has led to an exaggerated claim of ～λ/6 as the inherent resolution gain of the microsphere. However, this ～λ/6 value cannot be solely attributed to the microspheres because, the effects the pinhole function and image acquisition process of the laser scanning confocal microscope must be separated from their results in order to find the inherent resolution gain of the microsphere. The magnification analysis is flawed for several reasons: invalidity of geometrical optics for micron‐scale spheres, neglecting the impact of the index of the PDMS film surrounding the microsphere, and the cyclic methodology used in presenting the magnification results. Specifically, such large claimed gaps between the object and the microsphere as a mediator of near‐field information contradicts the coupling condition requirement, as claimed by the authors, between the scattered evanescent field of the object and the microsphere.     

Study of LD pumped Q-switched Nd:Y<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Lu<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>VO<Subscript>4</Subscript> laser with acousto-optic modulator

A laser-diode (LD) pumped Q-switched Nd:Y_0.5Lu_0.5VO₄ crystal laser with an acousto-optic (AO) modulator is presented in this paper. The maximum continuous wave (CW) output power of 5.53 W is achieved at the incident pump power of 14.09 W with the transmission of 10% for the output coupler, resulting in an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 39.2%. For Q-switching operation, the shortest pulse width of 8.3 ns and the highest peak power of 259 kW are generated under the incident pump power of 14.09 W at 1 kHz.     

Economic Freedom: The Top,the Bottom,and the Reality. I. 1997–2007

We recall the historically admitted prerequisites of Economic Freedom (EF). We have examined 908 data points for the Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) index and 1884 points for the Index of Economic Freedom (IEF); the studied periods are 2000–2006 and 1997–2007, respectively, thereby following the Berlin wall collapse, and including 11 September 2001. After discussing EFW index and IEF, in order to compare the indices, one needs to study their overlap in time and space. That leaves 138 countries to be examined over a period extending from 2000 to 2006, thus 2 sets of 862 data points. The data analysis pertains to the rank-size law technique. It is examined whether the distributions obey an exponential or a power law. A correlation with the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an admittedly major determinant of EF, follows, distinguishing regional aspects, i.e., defining 6 continents. Semi-log plots show that the EFW-rank relationship is exponential for countries of high rank (≥20); overall the log–log plots point to a behaviour close to a power law. In contrast, for the IEF, the overall ranking has an exponential behaviour; but the log–log plots point to the existence of a transitional point between two different power laws, i.e., near rank 10. Moreover, log–log plots of the EFW index relationship to country GDP are characterised by a power law, with a rather stable exponent (γ≃0.674) as a function of time. In contrast, log–log plots of the IEF relationship with the country’s gross domestic product point to a downward evolutive power law as a function of time. Markedly the two studied indices provide different aspects of EF.     

Optical properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>Ni<Subscript>5</Subscript> intermetallic compounds (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis> = Y,La, Ce)

The paper reports on an ellipsometric study of the optical properties of RNi₅ (R = Y, La, Ce) paramagnetic intermetallic compounds. The dispersion measurements of the refractive index n and of the absorption coefficient k were conducted within a spectral interval 0.083–5.64 eV at room temperature. The behavior of optical interband conductivity with energy is analyzed. The results obtained are discussed in the frame of available information on the electronic band structure of these compounds. The plasma and relaxation frequencies of conduction electrons have been determined.     

Study of the Katz–Lebowitz–Spohn model. The influence of an oscillatory driving field

The classic Katz–Lebowitz–Spohn (KLS) model is a lattice gas driven by an external field. In this paper, we study the critical behavior of the KLS model driven by an oscillatory field of strength E and period τ by means of both, Monte Carlo simulations and a coupled-map-lattice mean-field approach. It is found that, keeping the amplitude constant and changing the period, a novel phase transition between a non-equilibrium-stationary-state and an almost equilibrium-stationary-state takes place at a certain critical value τ_c.     

A high power CW Ho,Tm:GdVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> laser

In this paper, we report a 22.7 W continuous wave (CW) diode-pumped cryogenic Ho( at %), Tm(3 at %):GdVO₄ laser. The pumping sources of Ho,Tm:GdVO₄ laser are two fiber-coupled laser diodes with fiber core diameter of 0.4 mm, both of them can supply 42 W power laser operating near 802 nm. For input pump power of 64.7 W at 802.5 nm, the output power of 22.7 W in CW operation, optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 35.1% at 2.05 μm has been attained. The M ² factor was found to be 2.0 under an output power of 16.5 W.