On the average complexity of 3D-Voronoi diagrams of random points on convex polytopes

It is well known that the complexity, i.e. the number of vertices, edges and faces, of the 3-dimensional Voronoi diagram of n points can be as bad as Θ(n²). It is also known that if the points are chosen Independently Identically Distributed uniformly from a 3-dimensional region such as a cube or sphere, then the expected complexity falls to O(n). In this paper we introduce the problem of analyzing what occurs if the points are chosen from a 2-dimensional region in 3-dimensional space. As an example, we examine the situation when the points are drawn from a Poisson distribution with rate n on the surface of a convex polytope. We prove that, in this case, the expected complexity of the resulting Voronoi diagram is O(n).     

Electron–hole complexes in self-assembled quantum dots in strong magnetic fields

We present results of calculations and experiments on electron–hole complexes in InGaAs/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots in high magnetic field (B). Due to hidden symmetries, the chemical potential of an N-exciton system at special B fields becomes insensitive to the exciton number as well as the magnetic field. This results in plateau regions of high intensity in measured magneto-PL spectrum. Theoretical calculations using exact diagonalization techniques successfully explain the measured magneto-photoluminescence spectrum with B fields up to 28 T.     

Conformational analysis of dipeptide‐derived polyisocyanides

The conformational properties of polymers derived from isocyanodipeptides have been investigated with a combination of model calculations, X‐ray diffraction, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Depending on the configuration of the side chains, defined arrays of hydrogen bonds along the polymeric backbone are formed. This leads to a well‐defined conformation as, for example, expressed in the formation of lyotropic liquid‐crystalline phases and increased helical stability. Upon the disruption of the hydrogen bonds by a strong acid, a less well‐defined macromolecular conformation is observed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1725–1736, 2003     

On additives, morphological evolution and dielectric breakdown in low density polyethylene

A series of low density polyethylene systems has been studied with respect to structural evolution and short-term dielectric breakdown behaviour. All materials were based upon a single polymer, that is commonly used in high voltage applications, but with different additives. In all three of these systems, multiple melting transitions were observed, as a result of molecular fractionation effects during crystallization. In the virgin polymer, a space-filling banded spherulitic morphology was found to develop at low temperatures (102 °C and below) whereas, at higher temperatures, only a few isolated axialites were observed. Inclusion of the antioxidant resulted in greatly increased nucleation densities, such that, at low temperatures, no evidence of spherulitic organisation remained. At higher temperatures, sheaf-like lamellar aggregates developed, which were much smaller and much more numerous than in the case of the virgin polymer. Further addition of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) resulted in the rapid formation of a crosslinked network at 200 °C. Some crosslinking also occurred at 150 °C, but over a much longer timescale. Where extensive crosslinking occurred prior to crystallization, the resulting gel inhibited structural development, such that only a few small, isolated sheaves were able to form at 102 °C. In view of the principal application area of this material, the breakdown strength of each of the above systems was then measured and the whole data set was analysed statistically. When structural factors were considered alongside the statistics, no clear trends emerged to indicate that either the compositional or morphological variations were reflected in the short-term electrical failure processes.     

Effects of B′-site transition metal on the properties of double perovskites Sr2FeMO6 (M=Mo, W): B′ 4d-5d system

The crystal structure, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of the variation of B′-site transition metal in Sr₂FeMO₆ (M=Mo, W) with double perovskites structure have been investigated systematically. Measurements of magnetization vs. temperature at H=5 T show that Sr₂FeMoO₆ is a ferromagnet and Sr₂FeWO₆ is an antiferromagnet with T_N∼35 K. Additionally, the large magnetoresistance ratio (MR) of ∼22% (H=3 T) at room temperature (RT) was observed in the Sr₂FeWO₆ compound. However, the Sr₂FeMoO₆ compound did not show any significant MR even at high fields and RT (MR∼1%; H=3 T and 300 K). The implications of these findings are supported by band structure calculations to explain the interaction between the 4d(Mo) and 5d(W) orbitals of transition metal ions and oxygen ions.     

Preservation of Lipschitz constants by Bernstein type operators

Summary We obtain preservation inequalities for Lipschitz constants of higher order in simultaneous approximation processes by Bernstein type operators. From such inequalities we derive the preservation of the corresponding Lipschitz spaces.     

Correlation between the Mechanical Properties and the Amount of Desorbed Water for Composites Based on Low-Density Polyethylene and Linen Yarn Production Waste

The effect of the amount of desorbed water on the mechanical properties of composites based on low-density polyethylene and linen yarn production waste (LW) is analyzed by statistical methods. It is shown that the amount of absorbed water decreases during the desorption process at room temperature both for specimens modified and unmodified with diphenylmethane diisocyanate (DIC.) The most sensitive to the action of water is the elastic modulus, which decreases considerably under the effect of water and is fully restored in the desorption process. The tensile strain also increases with the amount of absorbed water. It is found that the elastic modulus of the unmodified composite correlates linearly with the amount of desorbed water. Between the amount of desorbed water and the tensile strain, as well the specific work of deformation, a negative linear correlation is revealed. After water desorption, all strength and deformation characteristics of both the modified and unmodified composites are fully recovered.__________Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 41, No. 4, pp. 515–524, July–August, 2005.     

Investigation of organic impurities adsorbed on and incorporated into electroplated copper layers

At room temperature electroplated copper layers exhibit changes in resistivity, residual stress, and microstructure. This process, known as self-annealing, is intimately linked to the release of organic impurities, which stem from the incorporation of organic additives into the Cu layer in the course of the electroplating process. The behavior of these impurities during self-annealing, represented by the carbon content, could be detected by analytical radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES) and carrier gas hot extraction (CGHE). The precondition of a quantitative determination is a surface cleaning procedure to remove adsorbed organics from the copper surface. It was observed that at first almost all impurities have to leave the Cu metallization before an accelerated abnormal grain growth can start. The small amount of remaining organic species after self-annealing could be quantified by both examination techniques, GD-OES and CGHE.     

Post deposition purification of PTCDA thin films

The decomposition of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) molecules during evaporation of unpurified raw material in ultra high vacuum was studied. The fragments were identified by mass spectrometry and the influence of these fragments and further contaminations of the raw material on the electronic structure of PTCDA thin films was measured by photoemission spectroscopy. Annealing of contaminated PTCDA films was tested as cheap and easy to perform method for (partial) post deposition purification of the contaminated films.