Optical array logic network computing: Design of a prototype system

We present the architecture of novel optoelectronic parallel computing called optical array logic network computing (OAL-NC). In the OAL-NC, electronic processing elements execute local operations, whereas an optical network processor is dedicated to global operations as well as data transfer. As a prototype of the OAL-NC, a 16x16 pixel system is designed at a logical level. Issues associated with the design task are discussed.     

The Topological Vertex

We construct a cubic field theory which provides all genus amplitudes of the topological A-model for all non-compact toric Calabi-Yau threefolds. The topology of a given Feynman diagram encodes the topology of a fixed Calabi-Yau, with Schwinger parameters playing the role of Kähler classes of the threefold. We interpret this result as an operatorial computation of the amplitudes in the B-model mirror which is the quantum Kodaira-Spencer theory. The only degree of freedom of this theory is an unconventional chiral scalar on a Riemann surface. In this setup we identify the B-branes on the mirror Riemann surface as fermions related to the chiral boson by bosonization.Acknowledgement We would like to thank D.-E.Diaconescu, R. Dijkgraaf, J. Gomis, A. Grassi, A. Iqbal, A. Kapustin, S. Katz, V. Kazakov, I. Kostov, C-C. Liu, H. Ooguri, J. Schwarz, S. Shenker and E. Zaslow for valuable discussions (and the cap!). The research of MA and CV was supported in part by NSF grants PHY-9802709 and DMS-0074329. In addition, CV thanks the hospitality of the theory group at Caltech, where he is a Gordon Moore Distinguished Scholar. M.A. is grateful to the Caltech theory group for hospitality during part of this work. A.K. is supported in part by the DFG grant KL-1070/2-1.     

High power 170 GHz test of CVD diamond for ECH window

In order to check the usability of large-size CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) diamond disks for high power millimeter wave vacuum barrier windows at room temperature (T = 293 K) a first series of experiments, using a 170 GHz, 0.4 MW, 0.2 s JAERI/Toshiba gyrotron¹⁾, have been performed. The dielectric loss tangent at a frequency of 170 GHz has been determined to be tan δ = 1.3·10⁻⁴. By comparing the experimental results to numerical simulations the thermal conductivity was estimated to be about k ≈ 1800 W/mK. This preliminary results indicate that a single-disk CVD diamond window assembly using a water-edge cooling could fulfill the requirements for a continuous wave (CW) transmission of millimeter wave power in the megawatt range. This is needed for the Electron Cyclotron Heating (ECH) on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).     

A novel class of materials for ferroelectric liquid crystals containing siloxy chain end groups

Novel liquid crystals containing a siloxy chain as an end tail group instead of an alkyl chain were synthesized. The substitution effects were studied for ferroelectric liquid crystal materials. It was found that the temperature range for the chiral smectic C phase was reduced and shifted to lower temperature in comparison with the analogous alkyl chain derivatives. The crystallinity of the siloxy chain derivatives decreased and cholesteric phases were not observed. The influence of siloxy chains on ferroelectric liquid crystal properties, especially spontaneous polarizations and tilt angles, also greatly depended upon the mesogenic group structure. The X-ray diffraction results showed that the end tail group occupied a larger thickness in the chiral smectic C layer for the siloxy chain derivative than that for the alkyl chain derivative.     

Chiral 1,2,3-triazoliums as new cationic organic catalysts with anion-recognition ability: application to asymmetric alkylation of oxindoles

Chiral 1,2,3-triazoliums have been designed, and the rational structural modification based on their unique anion-binding abilities has led to the establishment of the highly enantioselective alkylation of 3-substituted oxindoles.     

Anomaly of CH4 molecular assembly confined in single-wall carbon nanohorn spaces

Vibrational-rotational properties of CH(4) adsorbed on the nanopores of single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) at 105-140 K were investigated using IR spectroscopy. The difference vibrational-rotational bands of the ν(3) and ν(4) modes below 130 K show suppression of the P and R branches, while the Q branches remain. The widths of the Q branches are much narrower than in the bulk gas phase due to suppression of the Doppler effect. These results indicate that the rotation of CH(4) confined in the nanospaces of SWCNHs is highly restricted, resulting in a rigid assembly structure, which is an anomaly in contrast to that in the bulk liquid phase.     

Macroporous WO3 thin films active in NH3 sensing: role of the hosted Cr isolated centers and Pt nanoclusters

Macroporous WO(3) films with inverted opal structure were synthesized by one-step procedure, which involves the self-assembly of the spherical templating agents and the simultaneous sol-gel condensation of the semiconductor alkoxide precursor. Transition metal doping, aimed to enhance the WO(3) electrical response, was carried out by including Cr(III) and Pt(IV) centers in the oxide matrix. It turned out that Cr remains as homogeneously dispersed Cr(III) centers inside the WO(3) host, while Pt undergoes reduction and aggregation to form nanoclusters located at the oxide surface. Upon interaction with NH(3), the electrical conductivity of transition metal doped-WO(3) increases, especially in the presence of Pt dopant, resulting in outstanding sensing properties (S = 110 ± 15 at T = 225 °C and [NH(3)] = 74 ppm). A mechanism was suggested to explain the excellent electrical response of Pt-doped films with respect to the Cr-doped ones. This associates the easy chemisorption of ammonia on the WO(3) nanocrystals, promoted by the inverted opal structure, with the catalytic action exerted by the surface Pt nanoclusters on the N-H bond dissociation. The overall results indicate that in Pt-doped WO(3) films the effects of the macroporosity positively combine with the electrical sensitization promoted by the metal nanoclusters, thus providing very lightweight materials which display high functionality even at relatively low temperatures. We expect that this synergistic effect can be exploited to realize other functional hierarchical metal oxide structures to be used as gas sensors or catalysts.