μSR in oxygen deficient YBa2Cu3O x (6.5⩽x⩽7.0)

A systematic μSR study of the local magnetic field distribution in a series of oxygen deficient YBa₂Cu₃O _x samples with 6.5⩽x⩽7.0 is reported. Special attention was given to perform the experiments under the same conditions, so that the oxygen content of the measured samples was the only parameter varied. The behavior of the depolarization rate σ as a function of the oxygen contentx was found to have strong similarities with the behavior of the critical temperatureT _c as a function ofx. In particular, two step-like increases of σ were observed abovex=6.7 and 6.9. The temperature dependence of the normalized depolarization rate σ(T)/σ(0) is well described by the two-fluid model forx⩾6.781(1) and clearly deviates from this behavior forx⩽6.704(1). Our results are compared to those obtained by other groups.     

Quantum-networks: master equation and local measurements

Based on the SU(n)-algebra the Markoff master equation in discrete product space is reformulated to explicitly deal with composite systems. The resulting local (single node) and nonlocal (multi-node) state parameters allow a systematic approach to non-classical features of the state, like variance and covariance tensors. For local optical driving forces, inter-node interactions, and local damping channels the solution of the master equation is unraveled into stochastic quantum trajectories. Sampling leads to a joint distribution function in terms of those state parameters. Its linear moments define the ensemble-density matrix. The average variance and covariance are in terms of non-linear moments, which should be distinguished from their entirely statistical counterpairs. Non-classicality of the network dynamics is shown to reflect itself in the luminescence-photonstatistics.     

New results for aggregating integer-valued equations

A variety of results have been given for aggregating integer-valued (diophantine) equations whose variables are restricted to nonnegative integers. In each, integer weights are identified for the equations so that their linear combination yields a single equation with the same solution set of the original system of equations. Because the coefficients of the aggregated equation tend to achieve unwieldy sizes as the number of original equations increases, the goal is to identify weights so these coefficients will lie in a range as limited as possible. We give theorems which separately and in combination provide new methods for aggregating general integer-valued equations. Our results include formulations that do not require linearity of the original system, or nonnegativity of component variables. We also demonstrate that our theorems yield as special cases earlier results (analytical formulae) conjectured to yield the smallest possible weights for less general domains. As another application, the presented results were used to develop a highly efficient approach for the integer knapsack problem. Empirical outcomes show that the developed solution procedure is significantly superior to advanced branch and bound methods (previously established to be the most efficient knapsack solution procedures).     

The potential of pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for determining the progress of lignification: An investigation of maturing asparagus sclerenchyma tissue

Sclerenchyma tissues from semi-mature and mature asparagus spears were analysed by pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and by conventional chemical methods in order to determine the degree of lignification and compare analytical techniques. The pyrolysis data are similar to those obtained by a chemical method involving alkaline extraction at 70°C followed by spectrophotometric determination of phenolic content. The pyrolysis method was more rapid, sensitive and informative than the chemical technique and shows considerable potential for studying the chemical basis of the textural development of plant foods.     

One-Dimensional Poisson Growth Models With Random and Asymmetric Growth

Suppose there is a Poisson process of points X _i on the line. Starting at time zero, a grain begins to grow from each point X _i , growing at rate A _i to the left and rate B _i to the right, with the pairs (A _i , B _i ) being i.i.d. A grain stops growing as soon as it touches another grain. When all growth stops, the line consists of covered intervals (made up of contiguous grains) separated by gaps. We show (i) a fraction 1/e of the line remains uncovered, (ii) the fraction of covered intervals which contain exactly k grains is (k–1)/k!, (iii) the length of a covered interval containing k grains has a gamma(k–1) distribution, (iv) the distribution of the grain sizes depends only on the distribution of the total growth rate A _i +B _i , and other results. Similar theorems are obtained for growth processes on a circle; in this case we need only assume the pairs (A _i , B _i ) are exchangeable. These results extend those of Daley, et al. (2000) who studied the case where A _i =B _i =1. Simulation results are given to illustrate the various theorems.     

Characterization of high-order harmonic radiation on femtosecond and attosecond time scales

We characterize the temporal structure of high-order harmonic radiation on both the femtosecond and attosecond time scales. The harmonic emission is characterized by mixed-color two-photon ionization with an infrared femtosecond laser using a Mach–Zehnder interferometer where both pump and probe arms travel completely separate paths. In a first experiment, we measure the duration and chirp of individual harmonics. In a second experiment, we resolve, for the first time with this type of setup, the attosecond beating of several harmonics generated under conditions similar to the first experiment. We suggest that the results of both measurements can be combined to determine the full attosecond time structure of the harmonic emission. PACS 32.80.Rm; 42.65.Ky