What mesoscopic structures really “remember”: insufficiency of the open boundary approximation

We analyze the influence of contact electrons on quantum transport in a resonant-tunneling diode (RTD), using a many-body density matrix formalism for open systems. We explicitly relate the net current in the RTD to the memory-containing effective interaction between the RTD active region and the contacts. This effect can only be captured if the RTD active region is treated fully as a dynamically open system.     

Non-perturbative optical response of a “fluctuating” single quantum dot

We present a model that treats the inter-band optical transitions within a non-perturbative framework which incorporates .both the coherent coupling to light and the incoherent coupling to different reservoirs. It allows us to calculate the photoluminescence line shape and also to simulate its excitation experiments on actual single dots.     

Comment on: “Secure quantum sealed-bid auction” [Opt. Comm. 282 (2009) 1939]

In a recent paper [Opt. Comm. 282 (2009) 1939], a quantum sealed-bid auction protocol was proposed. However, in this comment, it is shown that the protocol does not complete the task of a sealed-bid auction fairly when any bidder colludes with the auctioneer.     

“Compensatory falsetto”: Effects on vocal quality

The term “compensatory falsetto”, for the purpose of this investigation, refers to the development of an abnormally high-pitched voice in the presence of laryngeal pathology where more socially acceptable lower pitched voice production is possible. The purpose of this investigation was to compare laryngeal compensations and their effects on objective measures of vocal function during production of compensatory falsetto voice. Eighteen patients with abnormally high-pitched voice in the presence of underlying laryngeal pathology were evaluated in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Miami School of Medicine from January 1988 through December 1992 and were diagnosed with “compensatory falsetto”. Vocal fold paralysis (n = 11) was the most common laryngeal pathology. Vibratory characteristics were evaluated through videostrobolaryngoscopic examination. Acoustic and aerodynamic parameters assessed included fundamental frequency, jitter rate, harmonic-to-noise ratio, glottal air flow, and maximum phonation time. Production of a higher-pitched voice appeared to improve glottic closure and decrease the amount of air loss during phonation. A corresponding increase in maximum phonation time and improvement in acoustic characteristics of jitter and harmonic-to-noise ratio was also observed.     

Comment on: “Confined states in two-dimensional flat elliptic quantum dots and elliptic quantum wires” [Physica E 11 (2001) 345]

We argue that the two-dimensional elliptic quantum dot problem with finite barrier cannot be exactly solved, contrary to a recent assertion (van den Broek and Peeters, Physica E 11 (2001) 345. We also prove it explicitly by numerically calculating the correct energy spectrum.     

A comment on “ghosts and geometry”

Recent attempts at geometric interpretations of Feynman-De Witt-Faddeev-Popov ghosts and Becchi-Rouet-Stora symmetries of gauge theories are reviewed critically, and an interpretation in terms of the infinite-dimensional group of gauge transformations is restated. This interpretation seems adequate both in the path-integral approach and in canonical quantization with indefinite metric.     

Schlieren “PIV” for turbulent flows

The possibility of using commercial PIV equipment combined with schlieren optics to measure the velocity fields of turbulent flows is explored. Given a sufficiently high Reynolds number and adequate refractive flow differences, turbulent eddies can serve as the PIV “particles” in a schlieren image or shadowgram. The PIV software analyzes motion between consecutive schlieren or shadowgraph frames to obtain velocity fields. Velocimetry examples of an axisymmetric sonic helium jet in air and a 2D turbulent boundary layer at Mach 3 are shown. Due to optical path integration, axisymmetric flows require the inverse Abel transform to extract center-plane velocity data. Conditions for optimum schlieren sensitivity are examined. In its present embodiment, “schlieren PIV” is not useful for laminar flows nor for fully 3D flows. Otherwise it functions much like standard PIV under conditions where individual particles are not resolved and velocimetry is instead based on correlation of the motion of turbulent structures. “Schlieren PIV” shows significant promise for general refractive turbulent flow velocimetry if its integrative nature can be overcome through sharp-focusing optics.     

Designing the “perfect” projection screen

A perfect diffuser would place 100% of the light leaving the projector in that small region of space where there will be audience eyes to observe it. It would not allow light from sources other than the projector to reach the eyes from the screen. The screen should be affordably priced and cosmetically unremarkable, e.g. seamless. The image seen by any observer should be equally bright over the whole screen. I discuss a way to approximate the perfect projection screen using kinoform diffusers, a Fresnel lens and a mirrored surface.     

Discovering and “rediscovering” the W boson

One of the first publications by the ATLAS collaboration using data from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN dealt with the measurement of the production cross section of the W boson. The collaboration “rediscovered” the W in order to, among other things, check whether the detector and analysis methods were working well. Originally, the discovery of the W had been announced in 1983 by the CERN management, referring mainly to work done by its UA1 collaboration. In both the discovery and the “rediscovery”, the convergence of two distinct sets of criteria of data selection was an important concern of the researchers. In 1983, this concern figured prominently in the published paper whereas in 2010 it was mainly dealt with inside the collaboration.     

“Hot Potato Voice” in Peritonsillitis: A Misnomer

The "hot potato voice" is widely recognized as a symptom of peritonsillar cellulitis or abscess; yet there have been no studies assessing the resonance characteristics of the vocal tract in peritonsillitis. Analysis was undertaken of formant frequencies in the articulation of the vowels /i:/. /a:/ and /u:/ in six subjects with peritonsillitis and compared with articulation once the peritonsillitis had settled. Significant variation was found in F1 when articulating /i:/ and in F2 when articulating /a:/, which are explainable by dyskinesis of the peritonsillar musculature. These findings were compared with six subjects articulating the same vowels with and without a hot potato in their mouth. Variation was found in both F1 and F2 when articulating /i:/, which can be related to interference of the potato with movement of the anterior tongue. The changes in the vocal tract differ in these two cases and the title "hot potato voice" in peritonsillitis is a misnomer.     

Scattering of ultrashort laser pulses on “ion‐sphere” in dense plasmas

Scattering of ultrashort electromagnetic pulses on the dense strongly coupled plasma is under consideration in the frame of hard ion sphere model. The electron distribution inside the ion sphere is obtained from self‐consistent solution of the Shrodinger equation for bound electrons and the Poisson equation for free electrons. The electron density distribution is determined by plasma electron temperatures. The ion density of Al plasmas under consideration is of the order of 10²⁰–10²² cm^?3, the electron temperature changes between 54 and 816 eV. Dynamical polarizability of the hard sphere determining the scattering cross sections is calculated using the modified local plasma frequency approximation. The spectrum of scattering cross section has maxima in the vicinity of the mean plasma frequency. Dependencies of scattering probability on carrier frequency and pulse duration are analysed in detail. The transition of the total scattering probabilities from nonlinear time dependence at small times to standard linear ones with the increase of pulse duration is demonstrated.     

Weyl geometric gravity and electroweak symmetry “breaking”

A Weyl geometric scale covariant approach to gravity due to Omote, Dirac, and Utiyama (1971ff) is reconsidered. It can be extended to the electroweak sector of elementary particle fields, taking into account their basic scaling freedom. Already Cheng (1988) indicated that electroweak symmetry breaking, usually attributed to the Higgs field with a boson expected at 0.1–0.3 TeV, may be due to a coupling between Weyl geometric gravity and electroweak interactions. Weyl geometry seems to be well suited for treating questions of elementary particle physics, which relate to scale invariance and its “breaking”. This setting suggests the existence of a scalar field boson at the surprisingly low energy of ～ 1 eV. That may appear unlikely; but, as a payoff, the acquirement of mass arises as a result of coupling to gravity in agreement with the understanding of mass as the gravitational charge of fields.     

Novel comprehension of “common path” principle

The idea of “common path” has been widely applied in optical instrument design for 30 years and even today. But the meaning of “common path” has not yet been explained clearly and sometimes confusion has been created. In this paper an “adaptive principle” is proposed and recommended on optical instrument system. It suggests that the designer not only arranges the measurement system to obtain measurement signal but also sets a channel to give prediction of noise or disturbance in real time or short term. Such a recommendation is based on the recent studies on nonlinear dynamics and atmospheric disturbance by means of experiments as well as theoretical analysis.     

Feasibility of “intermittent” active control of combustion instabilities in liquid fueled combustors using a “smart” fuel injector

This paper describes an experimental investigation of the feasibility of an “intermittent” active control approach for suppressing combustion instabilities in liquid fueled combustors. The developed controller employs a “smart” fuel injector that can modify the spray properties in response to changes in combustor operating conditions. This action weakens or breaks up the coupling between the combustion process and combustor acoustic modes oscillations, thus preventing the excitation of large amplitude instabilities. This approach differs significantly from previously proposed active control methods, both in concept and implementation, as it requires only “intermittent” modification of the combustion process by a single control action as opposed to the continuous action required by most other active control methods. The “smart” fuel injector used in this study consisted of a double-staged, air-assisted atomizer in which counter swirling, primary (inner stage) and secondary (outer stage) air streams were supplied to the injector through separate sets of tangentially oriented orifices. Control of the ratio of air mass flow rates supplied to these two stages, by use of a diverter valve, resulted in significant changes in the spray shape and its axial, tangential, and radial velocity components. This variation in spray properties of the “smart” injector was characterized for different values of the inner to outer air flow rate ratio in cold flow tests with a PDPA system. These results were then correlated with the characteristics of the “intermittently” controlled combustor. Measured quantities included the instability amplitudes, axial dependence of the mean and oscillatory heat release amplitudes, and the characteristics of the recirculation zones, which were all shown to depend on the fuel spray properties. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of using “smart” fuel injectors with capabilities for varying the combustion process characteristics to reduce the amplitudes of detrimental combustion instabilities in real engines to acceptable levels.     

Light beats the spread: “non‐diffracting” beams

“Non‐diffracting” beams do not spread as they propagate. This property is useful in many areas. Here, the theory, generation, properties, and applications of various “non‐diffracting” beams, including the Bessel beam, Mathieu beam, and Airy beam is reviewed. Applications include imaging, micromanipulation, nonlinear optics, and optical transfection.