Optimization technique based on learning automata

Optimization techniques are finding increasingly numerous applications in process design, in parallel to the increase of computer sophistication. The process synthesis problem can be stated as a largescale constrained optimization problem involving numerous local optima and presenting a nonlinear and nonconvex character. To solve this kind of problem, the classical optimization methods can lead to analytical and numerical difficulties. This paper describes the feasibility of an optimization technique based on learning systems which can take into consideration all the prior information concerning the process to be optimized and improve their behavior with time. This information generally occurs in a very complex analytical, empirical, or know-how form. Computer simulations related to chemical engineering problems (benzene chlorination, distillation sequence) and numerical examples are presented. The results illustrate both the performance and the implementation simplicity of this method.Nomenclature c _i penalty probability - cp precision parameter on constraints - D variation domain of the variablex - f(·) objective function - g(·) constraints - i,j indexes - k iteration number - N number of actions - P probability distribution vector - p _i ith component of the vectorP as iterationk - r number of reactors in the flowsheet - u(k) discrete value or action chosen by the algorithm at iterationk - u _i discrete value of the optimization variable in [u _min,u _max] - u _min lowest value of the optimization variable - u _max largest value of the optimization variable - Z random number - x variable for the criterion function - xp precision parameter on criterion function - W(k) performance index unit output at iterationk - ₀, ₁ reinforcement scheme parameters - _p sum of the probability distribution vector components     

Structure of Pareto optima in an infinite-horizon economy where agents have recursive preferences

This article generalizes the one-agent growth theory with discounting to the case of several agents with recursive preferences. In a multi-consumption goods world, we show that, under some regularity conditions, any Pareto optimum can be viewed as a function of a trajectory of a dynamical system. The state space can be chosen to be the product of the space of capitals and the unit simplex. We define and study the properties of generalized value functions.     

Search for magnetic fields due to anyons in high-T c superconductors

We have searched for anomalous internal magnetic fields in highT _c materials which are predicted to occur in anyon and flux phase models of superconductivity. The magnitude, anisotropy and temperature dependence of the observed fields inc-axis oriented samples of sintered YBa₂CuO₃O₇ and of thick-film Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ are consistent with a conventional nuclear dipolar origin. An upper limit of ≲0.08 mT is set for any anomalous magnetic fields along thec-axis atμ ⁺ sites in bulk CuO₂ superconductors.     

非线性介质F－P干涉仪光束输出特性的理论研究

本文对准直光束射入含有非线性介质的Ｆ－Ｐ干涉仪内的光场分布进行了研究．由于非线性介质与光的作用，从Ｆ－Ｐ干涉仪出射的光束截面上的相移随位置的改变呈一定的分布，进而引起了干涉仪的透射率和输出光束重新分布。当干涉仪两个面的反射系数较大时，输出光束截面出现光强和相移的跃变．这种现象与以前在平面波假设下所得的光强分布所得结论有较大的不同．     

Improvement of the PLD process assisted by RF plasma for AlN growth

The pulsed-laser-deposition (PLD) method is particularly well suited for the growth of oxide thin films, but in the case of other compounds, such as nitrides, PLD presents some limitations which are mainly due to the low reactivity of nitrogen in comparison with oxygen. A possible way to overcome this problem is to increase the reactivity of the constituent species, via plasma assisted-pulsed-laser deposition. A plasma is coupled to the ablation chamber, in order to increase the density of reactive atomic species, which can be further incorporated in the growing film. This approach is described in this paper as well as the nature, energy, and concentration of the atomic and molecular species in the plasma as determined by various plasma diagnostics. These results are correlated to the growth of thin films in the particular case of the aluminum nitride compound. The composition and structure of the films are studied as a function of the growth conditions, and the positive effects of the additional discharge are evidenced on the film purity and properties. The fundamental problem with the PLD technique, especially with metallic targets, is the production of unwanted droplets that significantly worsen the properties of the films. To eliminate these droplets, a thin film has been grown with an experimental setup using two targets and crossed laser beams which gave positive results. PACS 81.15.Fg; 52.80.Pi; 77.84.Bw     

π π andK¯K channel coupling

We investigate the origin of the attraction in theK¯K channel around the threshold by introducing an additional channel to theππ andK¯K channels in a separable potential formalism assuming, in general, no direct interaction in theK¯K channel. To reproduce the features of the data, we find that the threshold of the additional channel is much above thef ₀(975) meson position. We show that this three-channel problem can be reduced to an effective two-channel problem where thef ₀(975) behaves as if it were aK¯K molecule bound by the coupling to the exotic channel. This picture is also supported by the fact that a single pole only, in the complexK¯K momentum plane, is associated to thef ₀(975) meson. Various physical observables, like the decay branching ratio and theK¯K scattering length, are then discussed in an effective two-channel framework.     

石墨和纳米碳中缺陷和电子密度随温度的变化

测量了石墨和纳米碳在不同温度下的正电子寿命谱,研究了石墨和纳米碳中缺陷和电子密度随温度的变化.结果表明,纳米碳中缺陷的开空间和缺陷浓度分别大于和高于石墨晶体;纳米碳的平均自由电子密度低于石墨晶体.当温度从25K升至295K时,石墨和纳米碳中的平均自由电子密度随温度的升高而下降:石墨晶体中的自由电子密度随温度的升高变化较小;纳米碳的自由电子密度随温度的升高变化较大.随着温度的升高,石墨和纳米碳中的热空位数量增多,而且这些空位可迁移至微孔洞的内表面使微孔洞的开空间增大.     

In-beam spectroscopy of 253, 254No

In-beam conversion electron spectroscopy experiments have been performed on the transfermium nuclei ^{253, 254}No using the conversion electron spectrometer SACRED in nearly collinear geometry in conjunction with the gas-filled separator RITU at the University of Jyv?skyl?. The experimental setup is discussed and the spectra are compared to Monte Carlo simulations. The implications for the ground-state configuration of ²⁵³No are discussed. Received: 21 March 2002 / Accepted: 16 May 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: rdh@ns.ph.liv.ac.uk RID="b" ID="b"Present address: GANIL, F-14021 Caen, France. RID="c" ID="c"Permanent address: IReS Strasbourg, IN2P3-CNRS, F-67037-Strasbourg, France. RID="d" ID="d"Present address: CEA/DIF DCRE/SDE/LDN F-91680 Bruyeres-le-Chatel. RID="e" ID="e"Present address: Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury WA4 4AD, UK. RID="f" ID="f"Permanent address: IPN Lyon, IN2P3-CNRS, F-69037 Lyon, France.     

Modal decomposition method for modeling the interaction of Lamb waves with cracks

The interaction of the low-order antisymmetric (a0) and symmetric (s0) Lamb waves with vertical cracks in aluminum plates is studied. Two types of slots are considered: (a) internal crack symmetrical with respect to the middle plane of the plate and (b) opening crack. The modal decomposition method is used to predict the reflection and transmission coefficients and also the through-thickness displacement fields on both sides of slots of various heights. The model assumes strip plates and cracks, thus considering two-dimensional plane strain conditions. However, mode conversion (a0 into s0 and vice versa) that occurs for single opening cracks is considered. The energy balance is always calculated from the reflection and transmission coefficients, in order to check the validity of the results. These coefficients together with the through-thickness displacement fields are also compared to those predicted using a finite element code widely used in the past for modeling Lamb mode diffraction problems. Experiments are also made for measuring the reflection and transmission coefficients for incident a0 or s0 lamb modes on opening cracks, and compared to the numerical predictions.     

A high-pressure Raman and X-ray diffraction study of the perovskite SrCeO3

A high-pressure structural study of SrCeO₃ has been performed at room temperature by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction up to 32 and 45 GPa, respectively. A first-order reversible phase transition is observed at about 12 GPa in both techniques. A second weak structural change, taking place between 18 and 25 GPa, can be suspected from Raman data. The increase in the number of Raman bands and diffraction lines is an indication that the symmetry is lowered and the compound does not evolve towards the ideal cubic perovskite structure. A Rietveld analysis of X-ray data was performed for the low-pressure phase and the atomic positions and the cell lattice parameters variations are reported in this paper. The volume compressibility derived from Raman modes (5.6×10⁻¹² Pa⁻¹), involving mainly bond-stretching for each type of polyhedron, is found to be close to the one obtained from volume cell variations measured by X-ray diffraction (7.9×10⁻¹² Pa⁻¹).