Parametric identification of transient electromagnetic systems

Data into and out of a transient eletromagnetic system are considered in the framework of modern system identification. System solutions that take the form of a complex exponential series are discussed. Since the identification of the parameters in the series is non-linear, emphasis shifts to the identification of the parameters in the difference equation whose solution is the exponential series. The subject is cast in the formalism of system identification with generalizations to more complex systems. Two examples are given, one involving an actual electromagnetic experiment.     

On the interaction between the input signal and the singularity expansion method

For transient excitation, it is well known that the Singularity Expansion Method (SEM) is a late time technique that is not in general suitable for early time. Lossy dielectric slab studies, with bounded integrable finite-duration input signal, have shown that the SEM representation for early time requires an additional branch cut contribution and a modification of the SEM series for completeness. Other researchers indicated that the SEM representation is not complete for most cases of practical interest and that it may not converge for early time. In this paper, we present an approach, using the input signal, to obtain a convergent SEM series that is valid for early as well as for late time. In this approach the branch cut contribution is not needed and instead we have pole contributions form the input signal and a modified SEM series. In addition, two forms of SEM representations will be presented, the traditional form and the time varying coupling coefficient form. Furthermore, the interaction and the effect of the input signal choice on the SEM representation will be clarified. This will be done for a dielectric slab backed by a perfect conductor.     

The Edge Correlation of Random Forests

The conjecture was made by Kahn that a spanning forest F chosen uniformly at random from all forests of any finite graph G has the edge-negative association property. If true, the conjecture would mean that given any two edges ε₁ and ε₂ in G, the inequality \mathbbP(e₁ ? F, e₂ ? F) ￡ \mathbbP(e₁ ? F)\mathbbP(e₂ ? F){{\mathbb{P}(\varepsilon_{1} \in \mathbf{F}, \varepsilon_{2} \in \mathbf{F}) \leq \mathbb{P}(\varepsilon_{1} \in \mathbf{F})\mathbb{P}(\varepsilon_{2} \in \mathbf{F})}} would hold. We use enumerative methods to show that this conjecture is true for n large enough when G is a complete graph on n vertices. We derive explicit related results for random trees.     

Applications of femtosecond Bessel beams to laser ablation

We demonstrate the fabrication of graphene-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite-based flexible transparent conductive films (GC-TCFs) and their improved durability on repetitive strain. The graphene and CNTs are synthesized using thermal chemical vapor deposition. To fabricate GC-TCFs, the graphenes are transferred and the CNTs are successively spray-deposited on polymer substrates, respectively. The change of electrical property of the TCFs is investigated as the response of repetitive strain loading and unloading. The sheet resistance of the GC-TCFs is much lower than CNT-based TCFs, owing to the lower contact resistance. In addition, when the cyclic strain is applied on the GC-TCFs, the films show improved durability in electrical property compared to graphene-based TCFs. Finally, the coated CNTs act as one dimensional conductive path across the cracks, which prevent electrical degradation during the repetitive strain application.     

Supercontinuum generation and nonlinear pulse propagation in photonic crystal fiber: influence of the frequency-dependent effective mode area

Numerical simulations are used to study the effect of the frequency dependence of the effective mode area in photonic crystal fiber on supercontinuum generation. We quantify how the frequency dependence of the effective area influences the propagation characteristics through a modified optical shock term and identify the major consequence as a reduction in the extreme long-wavelength edge of the supercontinuum spectrum. Our results show that, for the parameter regimes used in many previous supercontinuum generation experiments using near-infrared femtosecond pump sources around 800 nm, this effect would be expected to be negligible. However, for pumps in the 1000–1500 nm range, the inclusion of this effect would be expected to be crucial for accurate comparison of simulations with experiment.     

Operational Research and the Universities

University staff may contribute to operational research by developing and refining its special techniques, or by becoming involved in operational research projects; they may investigate practice to guide them in their research, or in the training of operation analysts. The universities are, in many ways, ideally equipped for operational research work, but involvement in long-term consulting activities is not without serious problems of its own.     

Olefination of ketones using a gold(III)-catalyzed Meyer-Schuster rearrangement

An atom-economical and efficient olefination strategy for ketones is described. Ethoxyacetylide addition followed by a gold-catalyzed Meyer-Schuster rearrangement affords alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, generally in excellent overall yield from the starting ketones. The alkynophilicity of Au3+ promotes an interaction with the electron-rich acetylenes that catalyzes the Meyer-Schuster rearrangement selectively over other conceivable pathways.     

Effect of IR laser radiation on the structure and optical properties of PC-PBT/Pd polymer nanocomposite films

ABSTRACT

Bayfol (PC-PBT blend ?lm) is a class of polymeric solid-state nuclear track detector which has a lot of applications in several radiation detection ?elds. It is a bisphenol-A polycarbonate PC blended with polybutylene terephthalate PBT. Bayfol/Palladium (PC-PBT/Pd) nanocomposite films have been deposited using the molding technique. It is worth mentioning that this report is almost the first one dealing with the topic of the changes of physical properties of Bayfol/Pd nanocomposite due to laser exposure. Samples from PC-PBT/Pd (5?wt%) nanocomposite were exposed to IR-pulsed laser of 5-W power, capable of producing 2000 pulses per second with pulse duration of 200?ns at 904?nm. The laser fluences were in the range 2–25?J/cm². The resultant modi?cations in the exposed nanocomposite samples have been studied as a function of fluence using different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV spectroscopy and color difference studies. The results indicate the proper dispersion of Pd nanoparticles in the PC-PBT matrix that causes a strong intermolecular interaction between Pd and PC-PBT, resulted in an increase in refractive index and the amorphous phase. Also, it is found that the laser exposure reduces the optical energy gap that could be attributed to the increase in structural disorder of the exposed PC-PBT/Pd nanocomposites due to crosslinking. Further, the color intensity ΔE, which is the color difference between the exposed samples and the non-exposed one, was increased with increasing the laser fluence, convoyed by a significant increase in the green and yellow color components.