The Spin-Echo System Reconsidered

Simple models have played an important role in the discussion of foundational issues in statistical mechanics. Among them the spin-echo system is of particular interest since it can be realized experimentally. This has led to inferences being drawn about approaches to the foundations of statistical mechanics, particularly with respect to the use of coarse-graining. We examine these claims with the help of computer simulations.     

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.     

Bloch oscillations in a homogeneous nucleotide chain

It is shown that, at zero temperature, a hole placed in a homogeneous synthetic nucleotide chain with applied electric field demonstrates Bloch oscillations. The oscillations of the hole placed initially on one of the base pairs arise in response to disruption of the initial charge distribution caused by nucleotide vibrations. The finite temperature fluctuations result in degradation of coherent oscillations. The maximum permissible temperature for DNA “Bloch oscillator” occurrence is estimated.     

Absorption of cnoidal electromagnetic waves by superlattice electrons in the process of impurity ionization

Absorption of cnoidal electromagnetic waves, which are the most general periodic solution to the sine-Gordon equation, by electrons of a one-dimensional quantum semiconductor superlattice in the process of impurity ionization is studied in terms of the semiclassical approximation. The dependence of the absorption coefficient on the electric field of an electromagnetic wave is found to be nonmonotone with a pronounced peak.     

Substantiation of the two-temperature kinetic model by comparing calculations within the kinetic and fluid models of the positive column plasma of a dc oxygen discharge

Results from kinetic and fluid simulations of the positive column plasma of a dc oxygen discharge are compared using commercial CFDRC software (), which enables one to perform numerical simulations in an arbitrary 3D geometry with the use of both the fluid equations for all the components (fluid model) and the kinetic equation for the electron energy distribution function (kinetic model). It is shown that, for both the local and nonlocal regimes of the formation of the electron energy distribution function (EEDF), the non-Maxwellian EEDF can satisfactorily be approximated by two groups of electrons. This allows one to take into account kinetic effects within the conventional fluid model in the simplest way by using the proposed two-temperature approximation of the nonequilibrium and nonlocal EEDF (2T fluid model).     

Absorption measurement of strained SiGe nanostructures deposited by UHV-CVD

In order to obtain a low band gap photocell based on the widely spread silicon technology, e.g. for thermophotovoltaics, SiGe nanostructures can be introduced into a monocrystalline silicon photocell. Beforehand, it is necessary to know the absorption coefficient of the SiGe quantum wells. On a silicon (1 0 0) substrate multiple Si/SiGe quantum well structures were grown by UHV-CVD. The Ge concentration and the well width were used as growth parameters. To obtain significant absorption, the experiment was set up to allow for 200 internal reflections.The total reflection of the light results in a standing electromagnetic wave. The absorption coefficient was obtained from the experimental data taking the geometry and the electric field distribution in the absorbing layer into account. The influence of well width and germanium content on the absorption was investigated with the goal of maximizing the absorption for photons with energies below the band gap energy of silicon. The measurement results are compared with a theoretical model, which takes the band structure of strained SiGe including confinement effects into account.     

Application of the program LISE to fusion-evaporation

A new fusion-evaporation model LisFus for fast calculation of fusion residue cross sections has been developed in the framework of the code LISE. This model can calculate very small cross sections quickly compared to programs using the Monte Carlo method. Such type of the fast calculations is necessary to estimate fusion residue yields. Using this model, the program LISE now has the possibility of calculating the transmission of fusion residues through a fragment separator. It is also possible to use fusion residue cross sections calculated by the program PACE, which has been incorporated in the LISE package. The code PACE is a modified version of JULIAN—the Hillman-Eyal evaporation code using a Monte Carlo code coupling angular momentum. A comparison between PACE and the LisFus model is presented.     

Mesh-Independent Modeling and Moiré Interferometry Studies of Damage Accumulation in Open-Hole Composite Laminates

Mechanics of Composite Materials - A three-dimensional ply-level modeling of multiple matrix cracking near an open hole in a quasi-isotropic composite laminate was performed. A mesh-independent...