On the computation of inclusion regions for partitioned matrices

In this paper, we consider the problem of computing inclusion regions for the eigenvalues of a partitioned matrix. The algorithms derived are special cases of a generalization of a result of Feingold and Varga which, in turn, is a generalization to the partitioned case of the well-known Gerschgorin circle theorem.This research was sponsored in part by the National Research Council of Canada.     

Analysis of corrosion and oxidation on metals by spectroscopic means

Summary This paper addresses three aspects of the surface analytical experiment which are felt to be particularly crucial in characterizing corrosion mechanisms: chemical speciation, microscopic analysis and improved control of experimental conditions. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA) has been particularly effective in differentiating chemical species. The major chemical use of XPS is limited however to the outer surface of the film. Depth profiling by ion bombardment frequently degrades the chemical information available in the film interior and at the metal-oxide interface, and this is often where corrosion mechanisms are established. Mechanical methods of film penetration are thus encouraged to use XPS to its maximum capability. Microscopic analysis of corrosion surfaces using Scanning Auger Microscopy (SAM) or Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry can reveal effects such as grain boundary segregation and oxide nucleation. Another important aspect of corrosion film analysis is the preparation of the metal surface itself. The oxidized surface can be strongly influenced by preparation artefacts such as cold work or impurities. Three different studies are used to illustrate these aspects: (i) the analysis of a molybdenum inhibitor layer on a steel surface; (ii) the study of corrosion product release from 304-stainless steel; and (iii) the effects of H⁺ ion bombardment to anneal mechanical work on Ni-Cr alloy surfaces, prior to oxidation.

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Untersuchung der Korrosion und Oxidation an Metallen mit Hilfe spektroskopischer Methoden

Zusammenfassung Diese Arbeit betont drei Gesichtspunkte oberflächenanalytischer Untersuchung, die für die Charakterisierung von Korrosionsmechanismen als besonders wesentlich erachtet werden: die chemische Bindung, die mikroskopische Analyse und die verbesserte Steuerung experimenteller Bedingungen. Die Röntgen-Photoelektronenspektroskopie (XPS oder ESCA) ist für die Unterscheidung chemischer Spezies besonders erfolgreich gewesen. Die Anwendung von XPS beschränkt sich jedoch im wesentlichen auf die äußere Oberfläche einer Schicht. Die Aufnahme von Tiefenprofilen mit Hilfe von Ionenbeschuß vermindert häufig die chemische Information, die vom Schichtinnern und vom Metall-Oxid-Interface erhältlich wäre; und hier spielen sich oft die Korrosionsvorgänge ab. Mechanische Methoden des Dünnschichtabtrags sind somit aufgefordert, XPS bis an die Leistungsgrenze zu bringen. Mikroskopische Untersuchungen von Korrosionsschichten mittels Raster-Auger-Mikroskopie (SAM) oder Sekundärionen-Massenspektrometrie können Effekte wie die Korngrenzensegregation und die Oxidbildung aufdecken. Ein weiterer bedeutender Gesichtspunkt der Analyse von Korrosionsschichten ist die Behandlung der Metalloberflächen selbst. Die oxidierte Oberfläche kann durch Behandlungsfehler wie z.B. Kaltbearbeitung oder Verunreinigung stark beeinflußt werden. An Hand von drei verschiedenen Beispielen werden diese Aspekte illustriert: (i) die Analyse einer Molybdän-Schutzschicht auf Stahl; (ii) die Untersuchung von Korrosionsprodukten auf 304-Edelstahl; und (iii) die Effekte des H⁺-Ionenbeschusses zum Ausheilen mechanischer Schäden auf der Oberfläche von Ni-CrLegierungen, vor der Oxidation.

     

Wrap-around partitioning for block bidiagonal linear systems

A stable vector algorithm for the solution of block diagonallinear systems is obtained by a permutation of the unknownscalled wrap-around partitioning combined with standard QR factorization.Wrap-around partitioning uses blocking and selects the unknownsin the blocks in turns. After a suitable orthogonal eliminationstep one ends up with a reduced system which is again blockbidiagonal and so wrap-around partitioning can be applied again.Using a simple model for vectorization overhead it is shownthat small block sizes give best performance. The minimal blocksize 2, which corresponds to cyclic reduction, is suboptimaldue to memory bank conflicts.     

Separation of the alkali group by thin-layer chromatography using a binary solvent mixture

Summary The use of a binary solvent mixture (nitromethane/benzene) is shown to result in an improved separation of the polyiodides of the entire alkali group on thin-layers of air-most silica gel.

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Zusammenfassung Die Verwendung eines binären Lösungsmittelgemisches (Nitromethan-Benzol) führt zu einer verbesserten Trennung der Polyjodide der ganzen Alkaligruppe auf luftfeuchten Silikagel-Dünnschichten.

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Undergraduate Research Participant, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1966.     

Incoherent harmonic emission from strong electromagnetic waves inplasmas

The work of E.S. Sarachik and G.T. Schappert (Phys. Rev. D, vol.1, pp.2738-2753, 1970) on higher-order or harmonic Thomson/Compton scattering is reexamined, with a view to its evaluation as a useful diagnostic for the interaction of weakly relativistic laser light with low-density plasma. Some consideration is given to plasma effects not mentioned in the original single-electron model (electron plasma oscillation and electron filamentation effects). While relative power scattering measurement can still be made, these plasma effects will seriously complicate or compromise any attempts to use the Doppler shift content of the single-electron harmonic scattering, although plasma oscillations of some sort may well be inferred     

The retrieval of profile and chemical information from ground-based UV-visible spectroscopic measurements

An algorithm has been developed to retrieve altitude information at different diurnal stages for trace gas species by combining direct-sun and zenith-sky UV-visible differential slant column density (DSCD) measurements. DSCDs are derived here using differential optical absorption spectroscopy. Combining the complementary zenith-sky measurements (sensitive to the stratosphere) with direct-sun measurements (sensitive to the troposphere) allows this vertical distinction. Trace gas species such as BrO and NO₂ have vertical profiles with strong diurnal dependence. Information about the diurnal variation is simultaneously retrieved with the altitude distribution of the trace gas. The retrieval is a formal optimal estimation profile retrieval, allowing a complete assessment of information content and errors.     

Discount Weighted Regression

A recursive procedure for discounted multiple linear regression is described, together with a discounted estimator for the residual variance. The method is simple to program and involves no matrix inversion. Two examples are given.