B-Splines with Arbitrary Connection Matrices

We consider a space of Chebyshev splines whose left and right derivatives satisfy linear constraints that are given by arbitrary nonsingular connection matrices. We show that for almost all knot sequences such spline spaces have basis functions whose support is equal to the support of the ordinary B-splines with the same knots. Consequently, there are knot insertion and evaluation algorithms analogous to de Boors algorithm for ordinary splines.     

Acoustic excitations in a self-assembled block copolymer photonic crystal

High resolution Brillouin light scattering can sensitively detect acoustic phonons in concentrated solutions of a high molecular weight poly(styrene-b-isoprene) symmetric copolymer in toluene. This block copolymer lamellar forming system also possesses a photonic stop band in the visible spectrum. Based on the low but finite contrast in mechanical properties between the styrene and isoprene components and taking into account the geometrical characteristics of the layered microstructure, we calculate the acoustic band structure and represent the observed acousticlike and opticlike phonons.