Characterizing order in amorphous systems

We measure and compare three correlation lengths proposed to describe the extent of structural order in amorphous systems. In particular, the recently proposed "patch correlation length" is measured as a function of temperature and fragility and shown to be comparable with other measures. In addition, we demonstrate that the patch method also allows us to characterize the symmetries of the local order without any a priori knowledge of it.     

Semihard scattering unraveled from collective dynamics by two-pion azimuthal correlations in 158A GeV/c Pb+Au collisions

Elliptic flow and two-particle azimuthal correlations of charged hadrons and high-p(T) pions (p(T)>1 GeV/c) have been measured close to midrapidity in 158A GeV/c Pb+Au collisions by the CERES experiment. Elliptic flow (v(2)) rises linearly with p(T) to a value of about 10% at 2 GeV/c. Beyond p(T) approximately 1.5 GeV/c, the slope decreases considerably, possibly indicating a saturation of v(2) at high p(T). Two-pion azimuthal anisotropies for p(T)>1.2 GeV/c exceed the elliptic flow values by about 60% in midcentral collisions. These nonflow contributions are attributed to nearside and back-to-back jetlike correlations, the latter exhibiting centrality dependent broadening.     

Order in Extremal Trajectories

Given a chaotic dynamical system and a time interval in which some quantity takes an unusually large average value, what can we say of the trajectory that yields this deviation? As an example, we study the trajectories of the archetypical chaotic system, the baker’s map. We show that, out of all irregular trajectories, a large-deviation requirement selects (isolated) orbits that are periodic or quasiperiodic. We discuss what the relevance of this calculation may be for dynamical systems and for glasses.     

A minimal area problem in conformal mapping II

LetS denote the usual class of functionsf holomorphic and univalent in the unit diskU. For 0<r<1 andr(1+r)⁻²<b<r(1−r)⁻², letS(r, b) be the subclass of functionsf∈S such that |f(r)|=b. In Theorem 1, we solve the problem of minimizing the Dirichlet integral inS(r, b). The first main ingredient of the solution is the establishment of sufficient regularity of the domains onto whichU is mapped by extremal functions, and here techniques of symmetrization and polarization play an essential role. The second main ingredient is the identification of all Jordan domains satisfying a certain kind of functional equation (called “quadrature identities”) which are encountered by applying variational techniques. These turn out to be conformal images ofU by mappings of a special form involving a logarithmic function. In Theorem 2, this aspect of our work is generalized to encompass analogous minimal area problem when a larger number of initial data are prescribed. The third author thanks for its hospitality the Mittag-Leffler Institute of Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences where this work was finalized. This author was supported in part by the Swedish Institute and by the Russian Fund for Fundamental Research, grant no. 97-01-00259.     

Fuzzy logics based on [0,1)-continuous uninorms

Axiomatizations are presented for fuzzy logics characterized by uninorms continuous on the half-open real unit interval [0,1), generalizing the continuous t-norm based approach of Hájek. Basic uninorm logic BUL is defined and completeness is established with respect to algebras with lattice reduct [0,1] whose monoid operations are uninorms continuous on [0,1). Several extensions of BUL are also introduced. In particular, Cross ratio logic CRL, is shown to be complete with respect to one special uninorm. A Gentzen-style hypersequent calculus is provided for CRL and used to establish co-NP completeness results for these logics. Research supported by Marie Curie Fellowship Grant HPMF-CT-2004-501043.     

Continuous Markovian Model for Unexpected Shift in SPC

Various process models for discrete manufacturing systems (parts industry) can be treated as bounded discrete-space Markov chains, completely characterized by the original in-control state and a transition matrix for shifts to an out-of-control state. The present work extends these models by using a continuous-state Markov chain, incorporating non-random corrective actions. These actions are to be realized according to the statistical process control (SPC) technique and should substantially affect the model. The developed stochastic model yields Laplace distribution of a process mean. Real-data tests confirm its applicability for the parts industry and show that the distribution parameter is mainly controlled by the SPC sample size.     

The effect of torsional vibrations superimposed on a creep loaded adhesive joint on its final tensile properties

Aluminum - epoxy single lap joints were subjected at different temperatures to torsional vibrations at constant amplitude superimposed on a creep load. This combination of dynamic and static stresses was chosen in order to simulate to a certain extent the real service conditions of an ordinary bonded joint. The shear strength of these joints was checked in tension at room temperature after their removal from the special device in which the superimposed stresses were applied. It was found that the shear strength of the joint is very dependent on its thermo-mechanical history. DSC analyses and SEM micrographs of the failure surface were used in an attempt to find some correlation between the mechanical properties and the microstructure of the adhesive.