Potential scattering in the generator Coordinate method

The generator coordinate formulation of the quantum-mechanical scattering problem transforms the solution of a problem in Hilbert space into an equivalent problem in Banach space. The structure of this problem is, however, that of an ill-posed problem. In order to shed some light onto the numerical intricacies, we investigate a number of potential scattering systems. One finds that, notwithstanding the numerical uncertainties of the weight function, excellent results for phase shifts (and scattering solutions) can be obtained.     

A trajectory-following method for unconstrained optimization

A trajectory-following method with interesting properties is considered for solving unconstrained nonlinear programming problems. The trajectory is defined by a special system of ordinary differential equations. This system uses only the gradient of the objective function. Numerical examples are given.The work of the second author was supported by the DFG Schwerpunkt Anwendungs-bezogene Optimierung and Steuerung.     

Bivariate Free Knot Splines

We consider the least squares approximation of gridded 2D data by tensor product splines with free knots. The smoothing functional to be minimized—a generalization of the univariate Schoenberg functional—is chosen in such a way that the solution of the bivariate problem separates into the solution of a sequence of univariate problems in case of fixed knots. The resulting optimization problem is a constrained separable least squares problem with tensor product structure. Based on some ideas developed by the authors for the univariate case, an efficient method for solving the specially structured 2D problem is proposed, analyzed and tested on hand of some examples from the literature.     

On the normal form of a system of differential equations with nilpotent linear part

We consider prenormal forms associated to generic perturbations of the system $\text{x}\text{?}\text{=2y,}\text{y}\text{?}\text{=3x}{}^2$. It is known that they have a formal normal form $\text{x}\text{?}\text{=2y+2x}\text{Δ}{}^1\text{,}\text{y}\text{?}\text{=3x}{}^2\text{+3y}\text{Δ}{}^1$, where $\text{Δ}{}^1\text{=x+A}{}_0\text{(y}{}^2\text{?x}{}^3\text{)}$ [Differential Equations 158 (1) (1999) 152–173]. We show that the series A₀ and the normalizing transformations are divergent, but 1-summable. To cite this article: M. Canalis-Durand, R. Schäfke, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 336 (2003).     

Quasiparticle and Cooper pair tenneling in small capacitance Josephson junctions

The tunneling of single electrons in small capacitance tunnel junctions is influenced by charging effects and by the fluctuations of the elecromagnetic environment. We study the effect of an external circuit with arbitrary impedance on the tunneling of quasiparticles and Cooper pairs in voltage driven Josephson junctions. We present results at finite temperatures and also consider an acdriven system.     

Fragmentation of gold projectiles: From evaporation to total disassembly

We have studied the fragmentation of Au projectiles interacting with targets of C, Al and Cu at an incident energy ofE/A=600 MeV. The employed inverse kinematics allowed a nearly complete detection of projectile fragments with chargeZ≧2. The recorded fragmentation events were sorted according to three observables, the multiplicityM _lp of light charged particles, the largest atomic numberZ _max within an event, and a new observable,Z _bound, representing the sum of the atomic numbersZ of all fragments withZ≧2. Using these observables, the impact parameter dependence of the fragmentation process was investigated. For all three targets, a maximum mean multiplicity of 3 to 4 intermediate mass fragments (IMFs) is observed. The corresponding impact parameters range from central collisions for theC target to increasingly peripheral collisions for the heavier targets. It is found that the correlation between the IMF multiplicity andZ _bound, extending from evaporation type processes (largeZ _bound) to the total disassembly of the projectile (smallZ _bound), is independent of the target nucleus. This universal behaviour may suggest an — at least partial — equilibration of the projectile fragment prior to its decay.     

On the fundamental solutions of the operators of S. Timoshenko and R. D. Mindlin

Our recent paper about some new fundamental solutions is complemented by a representation of the fundamental solution of certain evolution operators of fourth order in terms of a family of fundamental solutions of operators of second order. By applying this to the operators of vibrating beams and plates we deduce representations of their fundamental solutions as simple definite integrals over tabulated functions.     

Generation of optical vector beams with a diffractive optical element interferometer

We present a novel approach to generating radially and azimuthally polarized vector beams that utilize an interferometer constructed from two identical diffractive optical elements. The measured polarization properties of four vector beam states and their phase relationships are in good agreement with theoretical expectations. This interferometer is passively phase stable and robust, making it suitable for linear and nonlinear optical (superresolution) microscopy.     

The stabilization mechanism and structure of turbulent hydrocarbon lifted flames

The structure and stabilization mechanism of turbulent lifted non-premixed hydrocarbon flames have been investigated using combined laser imaging techniques. The techniques include Rayleigh scattering, laser induced predissociation fluorescence of OH, LIF of PAH, LIF of CH₂O, and planar imaging velocimetry. The geometrical structure of multi-reaction zones and flow field at the stabilization region have been simultaneously measured in 16 hydrocarbon flames. The data reveal the existence of triple flame structure at the stabilization region of turbulent lifted flames. Increasing the jet velocity leads to an increase of the lift-off height and to a broadening of the lift-off region. Further analysis of the stabilization criterion at the lift-off height based on the premixed nature of triple-flame propagation and flow field data has been presented and discussed.     

Semiconductor saturable absorber mirror structures with low saturation fluence

We present two novel semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) designs which can exhibit more than ten times lower saturation fluence than classical SESAM devices. Design considerations and characterization data are presented. These devices are particularly suited for passively mode-locked lasers with ultra-high repetition rates.