On the surface transition in small nonspherical particles

We discuss a theoretical model for a surface transition in a nonspherical geometry. We study the stationary states of coexistence within a droplet of given volume. We show that finite range interactions with the matrix act to stabilize a finite non-spherical surface layer which is thickest in zones of highest curvature. At a certain temperature, the core tends to a spherical shape, becomes unstable and coexistence is no longer possible.     

Spatiotemporal chaos in the Faraday effect

Spatiotemporal chaos in parametrically excited surface waves is compared to fully developed turbulence. Measured correlation functions decay in both space and time. In contrast to turbulence, the inertial range is absent in the Faraday experiment and intermittency is concentrated at a few preferred wavelengths.     

Study of electron bremsstrahlung in strong Coulomb fields at the ESR storage ring

Electron bremsstrahlung has been investigated for collisions of 223.2 MeV/amu He-like uranium ions with N₂ and Ar gaseous targets. The doubly differential cross-sections for bremsstrahlung are compared to the predictions of relativistic first order Born calculations (Bethe-Heitler formula with Elwert correction factor) and to the calculations based on the exact wavefunctions for electrons moving in the external point-Coulomb potential of the projectile. Whereas the “exact” IPA calculations give an improved agreement with experimental data, as compared to the Bethe-Heitler theory, in particular at the end-point region of the bremsstrahlung spectra, discrepancies still remain at lower photon energies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A simple method for determination of the reflection coefficient at the internal surfaces of turbid slabs

The total reflectance of a slab turbid material is measured with an integrating sphere. Each slab was measured with a glossy and diffusing (etched) rear surface, both with and without a fully reflecting pill placed behind it. Formulae derived show that the results, together with the refractive index, permit calculation of the reflectance of the parity diffuse radiation at the internal rear surface. The method is applied to human dental enamel.     

Electronic theory for the metal-non-metal transition in simple metal alloys

The metal-non-metal transition in liquid alloys such as Cs_1–x Au _x and Li_1–x Pb _x is explained as resulting from concentration dependent electron charge transfer causing short range atomic order and a change from metallic to ionic bonds. Numerical results for the electronic density of states, the electron charge transfer, the free energy of mixing and the volume change are given.     

Spectral interpretation and interference correction in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

To tackle the several problematic polyatomic interferences in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), we have developed a software approach based on data reduction of the measured total mass spectrum through multicomponent analysis (MCA). The approach leans on a working knowledge of interferents that are likely to be encountered in a sample matrix, which composition is known by virtue of the total mass spectrum and knowledge of applied solvents. The full isotopic patterns for all elements and expected interferents are used in the modelling MCA matrix of 250 masses × 105 species at maximum. Polyatomic abundances are calculated by the software. Since all species are modelled fundamentally through their known natural abundances, the MCA matrix can be manipulated and reprocessed until interpretation of the mass spectrum and, hence, interference correction are optimal. The optimum is attained by use of the bar graph and calculation modes of the PC software and criteria for properly found isotopic patterns. With optimized models stored in the data base, the user may routinely process samples in one go, and operate the ICP-MS system in a true all-element mode. Use of elemental equations or measurement of large multivariate calibration sets and pure component solutions are superfluous. Data reduction is solely based on the information about the isotopic patterns, present in the measured mass spectrum itself. As a result, in the case of interferences, detection limits may be lowered by one to two orders of magnitude. The approach is illustrated with an industrial example of Hf determined in NdFeB, and with an environmental example. Here, a suite of elements over the 50–82 amu mass range has been determined in different salt matrices in ground water.     

Synthesis of bicyclogermacrene and lepidozene

Bicyclogermacrene (1) and lepidozene (2) have been synthesized by short routes starting from geranylacetone. Titanium-induced cyclizations of cis- and trans-2,2- dimethyl-3-(3-methyl-7-oxo-3E-octenyl)cyclopropane-carbaldehyde were used as the key steps.     

Contrast-improved joint transform correlator using spatial light modulators

When real time optical pattern recognition is carried out by means of spatial light modulators, a practical situation may arise in which the size of the Fourier transform and the intensity of the light source are fixed. Then, provided the input scene and the size of the spatial light modulator allow it, an interesting possibility for improving the overall intensity in the Fourier plane is the replication of the scene, either along a regular lattice structure or a random replication. In this work we analyse the usefulness of these methods, both to obtain diffraction images or cross-correlation between images in a joint transform correlator.