Retardation characteristics and birefringence of a multiple-order crystalline quartz plate

A crystalline quartz plate of thickness 1.070 mm is calibrated between 370 and 794 nm. Throughout this spectral interval, the retardance varied by 32π and the plate introduced quarterwave retardance 16 times at different wavelengths. The birefringence (n_e−n_o) of crystalline quartz was calculated as a single quantity and varied from 0.00971 at 370 nm to 0.00891 at 794 nm. All measurements were carried out at 23°C.     

Composite polymeric electrolytes based on PMMA-LiCF3SO3-SiO2

Preliminary results on the mechanical, optical and electrical properties of composite gel electrolytes (CGEs) with fumed silica (SiO₂) as a filler added to gel polymeric electrolyte (GPE) based on PMMA, LiCF₃SO₃ and PC are presented in this paper. Added fumed silica is seen to enhance the mechanical properties of the GPE without changing the conductivity significantly. The high ionic conductivity (×10⁻³ S/cm), high transmission in the visible region and nominal variance of conductivity and viscosity over a wide temperature window show that these CGEs are potential electrolytes for electrochromic windows (ECWs).     

Vector coupled-wave method for analyzing diffraction by multilayer gratings

In the framework of the matrix formulation of the coupled plane wave approach, a method is proposed for increasing the stability of the numerical analysis of vector electromagnetic fields in periodic structures, including dielectric and metallic anisotropic layers and relief boundaries.     

Ion source with a cold magnetron cathode and magnetic plasma compression

The operating principles, design, and characteristics of an ion source with a cold magnetron cathode and magnetic plasma compression are described. The source is intended for the injector of a linear proton accelerator.     

Calculation of the vibrational spectra of copper crystals with vacancies

The local vibrational spectra of copper crystals containing vacancies are calculated using the pair atomic potential derived in the framework of the resonance pseudopotential theory. The calculations are performed by a recursive method with due regard for the symmetry of the defect region. The frequencies of the vacancy-induced resonance vibrations of different symmetries are determined.     

Transition flow of rarefied gases: Current models and methods of simulation

Transition (molecular-viscous) isothermal channel flow of rarefied gases is considered. Present-day engineering physical models of transition gas flow and methods of simulation are analyzed and verified in terms of the kinetic theory on the micro-and macrolevels.     

The action of an electron beam on dust structures in a plasma

The action of an electron beam on ordered dust structures in glow and low-pressure RF discharges was studied experimentally. The electron beam produces destruction and dynamic displacement of the dust structure. In the center of a dust structure, an electron beam with a low electron energy (tens of eV) at currents up to 1 mA caused structural disordering and “melting” in the region of its action but did not excite external crystal regions. Local action of an electron beam with a high electron energy (25 keV) and a beam current above 10 mA caused deformation of the whole dust structure and shifted it in the horizontal direction so that it was carried away from the RF discharge zone. The effect of dust structure displacements can be used to locally remove particles from a plasma.     

Dynamic interaction of plasma flow with the hot boundary layer of a geomagnetic trap

The study of the interaction between collisionless plasma flow and stagnant plasma revealed the presence of an outer boundary layer at the border of a geomagnetic trap, where the super-Alfvén subsonic laminar flow changes over to the dynamic regime characterized by the formation of accelerated magnetosonic jets and decelerated Alfvén flows with characteristic relaxation times of 10–20 min. The nonlinear interaction of fluctuations in the initial flow with the waves reflected from an obstacle explains the observed flow chaotization. The Cherenkov resonance of the magnetosonic jet with the fluctuation beats between the boundary layer and the incoming flow is the possible mechanism of its formation. In the flow reference system, the incoming particles are accelerated by the electric fields at the border of boundary layer that arise self-consistently as a result of the preceding wave-particle interactions; the inertial drift of the incoming ions in a transverse electric field increasing toward the border explains quantitatively the observed ion acceleration. The magnetosonic jets may carry away downstream up to a half of the unperturbed flow momentum, and their dynamic pressure is an order of magnitude higher than the magnetic pressure at the obstacle border. The appearance of nonequilibrium jets and the boundary-layer fluctuations are synchronized by the magnetosonic oscillations of the incoming flow at frequencies of 1–2 mHz.     

The use of an ultrasonic Doppler velocimeter in turbulent pipe flow

An ultrasonic Doppler velocimeter (UDV) is used for an experimental investigation of turbulent pipe flow at eight different Reynolds numbers (22,300–854,900). The UDV is a multipoint probe in the sense that it takes instantaneous measurements of fluid velocities at different locations simultaneously, with remarkable resolutions in space and time. The performances of the instrument with respect to the properties of the overlap layer of the turbulent flow field are investigated; the experimental results are compared with both already existing and more recently proposed scaling laws, and with other data of experimental nature.     

Marking Games and the Oriented Game Chromatic Number of Partial <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-Trees

 Nešetřil and Sopena introduced the concept of oriented game chromatic number. They asked whether the oriented game chromatic number of partial k-trees was bounded. Here we answer their question positively. Received: January 12, 2001 Final version received: February 25, 2002