On the Development of Fundamentally New Organic Reagents

Based on an analysis of the processes of intramolecular signal transfer (the ordered motion of a quasiparticle, vibron) and structural isomerization, it was pointed out that, in principle, reagents of a new type can be developed with analytical effects fundamentally different from usual ones. The type of analytical response can vary depending on the molecular structure and intramolecular processes induced. General principles of the molecular design of systems of this kind are discussed.     

Enhanced visualization methods for interpretation of wind tunnel data

Journal of Visualization -     

On essential extensions of reduced rings and domains

A ring is said to be a left essential extension of a reduced ring (domain) if it contains a left ideal which is a reduced ring (domain) and intersects nontrivially every nonzero twosided ideal of the ring. We prove that every ring which is a left essential extension of a reduced ring is a subdirect sum of rings which are essential extensions of domains, but the converse implication does not hold. We give some applications of this result and discuss several related questions.Received: 6 January 2003     

Robust Output Tracking Control of an Uncertain Linear System via a Modified Optimal Linear-Quadratic Method

This study investigates the robust output tracking problem for a class of uncertain linear systems. The uncertainties are assumed to be time invariant and to satisfy the matching conditions. According to the selected nominal parameters, an optimal solution with a prescribed degree of stability is determined. Then, an auxiliary input via the use of an adapting factor, connected to the nominal optimal control, is introduced to guarantee the robustness and prescribed degree of stability for the output tracking control of the uncertain linear systems. This method is very simple and effective and can reject bounded uncertainties imposed on the states. A maglev vehicle model example is given to show its effectiveness.     

On the Bol Loops

In the present paper, the Bol loops and related groups are studied. We suggest a universal way to construct a Bol loop and find criteria for simplicity and finiteness of such loops.     

Surface roughness investigation of semi-conductor wafers

Conventionally, surface roughness is predominantly determined through the use of stylus instruments. However, there are certain limitations involved in the method, particularly when a test specimen, such as a silicon wafer, has a smooth mirror-like surface. Hence, it is necessary to explore alternative non-contact techniques. Light scattering has recently been gaining popularity as an optical technique to provide prompt and precise inspection of surface roughness. In this paper, the total integrated scattering (TIS) model is modified to retrieve parameters on surface micro-topography through light scattering. The applicability of the proposed modified TIS model is studied and compared with an atomic force microscope. Experimental results obtained show that the proposed technique is highly accurate for measuring surface roughness in the nanometer range.     

Study of ferroelectric switching by domain-wall induced light scattering

Measurements of 90°-scattering of weak laser light are used to investigate pulsed domain switching in ferroelectrics. The studies were performed on strontium-barium niobate (SBN) single crystals. A good agreement of the switching parameters estimated from the optical measurements with those obtained by means of conventional electrical methods proves the validity of the optical method for switching studies. Due to the limited scattering volume in all three spatial dimensions, the method facilitates local probing of the switching within the crystal bulk. In particular, local specialities of the domain density can be detected. Furthermore, the excellent time resolution inherent in optical probing techniques allows for a comprehensive study of the dynamics.     

Tertiary Phosphine Oxides in Reaction with Benzaldehyde

Symmetrical and unsymmetrical tertiary phosphine oxides containing benzyl and 5-chloro-2-thienyl radicals stereoselectively react with benzaldehyde in the sodium amide-THF system to form the E isomers of 1-organyl-2-phenylethene and diorganylphosphinic acids in high yields. Triethyl, tris(2-phenyl- ethyl)-, and tris[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]phosphine oxides under the above-mentioned conditions do not react with benzaldehyde.     

WITCH: A Penning Trap Retardation Spectrometer Combination for Precision Studies of the Weak Interaction

We present data from three seasons of experimental field work designed to recreate ancient Andean coastal ceramic firing techniques. Based on the recent discovery of two different archaeological ceramic production sites in the La Leche river valley of northern coastal Peru, the opportunity arose to apply Mössbauer spectroscopy and other analytical methods to reconstruct ancient firing procedures. Two sets of firings took place in 1993 and 1997 in Batán Grande using a partially restored Formative kiln from about 800 BC, local hardwood and cow dung as fuel. A third experiment followed in 2000 after the discovery of a Middle Sicán ceramics workshop in use between ca. AD 950 and 1050 at Huaca Sialupe, where an exact replica of an ancient kiln was built from local clay, and fired with local wood and cow dung. Additionally, inverted urns found at Huaca Sialupe were tested for their potential use as furnaces for metal working. Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to compare the physical and chemical state of specimens produced in the field experiments with ancient ceramics and with specimens produced in controlled laboratory experiments.