The new method of fabrication of submicron structures by optical lithography with mask shifting and mask rotation

This paper presents the methods of fabricating narrow parallel submicrometric stripes in silicon dioxide and a resist layer. The experiments were conducted by two techniques: double patterning lithography and double exposure lithography. In addition to the above mentioned processes, mask translation was applied. For all conducted experiments, chrome masks and a 405 nm line of the high pressure mercury lamp of an MA-56 Mask Aligner System were used. The main aim of the performed tests was to establish the utility and the possible applications of the methods used.     

The plasticity of the Cu(H2O) 6 2+ Jahn-Teller complex affected by lattice strains and cooperative interactions

The EPR spectra evolution of Cs₂Zn_1?x Cu_x(ZrF₆)₂ · 6H₂O (x=0.01, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) in the temperature range 4.2–330 K and the x-ray structure analysis of the compound with x=1.0 in the range 150–327 K show that the Jahn-Teller (JT) complex Cu(H₂O)₆ coordination sphere undergoes a plastic deformation. The observed effect is due to the combined influence of small lattice strains existing in the paraphase and a new one appearing as a result of a ferroelastic phase transition and increasing with decreasing temperature below T _c . It is proved that both cooperative interactions between JT complexes and ferroelastic strain stabilize a certain JT configuration. The problem of instability of a JT configuration compressed at T ～ 265 K is discussed.     

GeneralizedG-theory

A generalization of theG-theory defined by A. Heilet al. is presented.     

Cauchy boundary andb-incompleteness of space-time

It is shown that if a space-time (M, g) is time-orientable and its Levi-Civita connection [in the bundle of orthonormal frames over (M, g)] is reducible to anO(3) structure, one can naturally select a nonvanishing timelike vector field and a Riemann metricg ⁺ onM. The Cauchy boundary of the Riemann space (M, g ⁺) consists of endpoints ofb-incomplete curves in (M, g); we call it theCauchy singular boundary. We use the space-time of a cosmic string with a conic singularity to test our method. The Cauchy singular boundary of this space-time is explicitly constructed. It turns out to consist of what should be expected.     

Machine Learning Algorithms for Prediction of the Quality of Transmission in Optical Networks

Increasing demand in the backbone Dense Wavelength Division (DWDM) Multiplexing network traffic prompts an introduction of new solutions that allow increasing the transmission speed without significant increase of the service cost. In order to achieve this objective simpler and faster, DWDM network reconfiguration procedures are needed. A key problem that is intrinsically related to network reconfiguration is that of the quality of transmission assessment. Thus, in this contribution a Machine Learning (ML) based method for an assessment of the quality of transmission is proposed. The proposed ML methods use a database, which was created only on the basis of information that is available to a DWDM network operator via the DWDM network control plane. Several types of ML classifiers are proposed and their performance is tested and compared for two real DWDM network topologies. The results obtained are promising and motivate further research.     

On α-Limit Sets in Lorenz Maps

The aim of this paper is to show that α-limit sets in Lorenz maps do not have to be completely invariant. This highlights unexpected dynamical behavior in these maps, showing gaps existing in the literature. Similar result is obtained for unimodal maps on [0,1]. On the basis of provided examples, we also present how the performed study on the structure of α-limit sets is closely connected with the calculation of the topological entropy.     

Two-photon annihilation rate of the positronic HCN molecule

Positron binding by the HCN molecule was studied within a modified adiabatic approximation. This approach, in which the positron is treated as a light pseudonucleus with fractional charge, leads to the binding energy of 0.65?mHartree. Using effective positron mass which reproduces the Quantum Monte Carlo binding energy gives an estimation of the two-photon annihilation rate of e ⁺HCN, equal to 0.091?ns^?1.     

Self-organisation of di(perfluorohexyl)hexane in Langmuir and LB films

Symmetrical triblock semifluorinated n-alkane, di(perfluorohexyl)hexane of the formula F(CF₂)₆(CH₂)₆(CF₂)₆F (abbreviated F₆H₆F₆), has been synthesised and investigated at the air/water interface. Our results show for the first time that this unusual film-forming material, completely hydrophobic in nature and possessing no polar group, is capable of stable film formation at the free water surface. The surface pressure–area isotherm of the studied compound exhibited two regions: corresponding to monotonous pressure rise, followed by a pseudo-plateau region. Visualisation of film structure with Brewster angle microscope (BAM) proved the formation of domains within the pseudo-plateau region. A closer insight into the structure of these domains with atomic force microscope (AFM) proved their ordered, circular shape. The average area of F₆H₆F₆ domain was found to depend on surface pressure value, as it is 4.98 ± 1.75 μm² at π = 1.2 mN/m to 16.54 ± 0.31 μm² at π = 1.7 mN/m. Following performed quantum-chemical calculations, it can be concluded that the observed surface aggregates from F₆H₆F₆ are formed by linear conformers with shifted CF and CH parts. The calculated domain thickness is between 20 and 21 Å, which perfectly agrees with the experimental value estimated from AFM measurements (20.3 ± 1.4 Å).     

Photothermally Induced Bistability of Emission of Yb-doped Ca4NdO(BO3)3 Single Crystals

We report on studies of changes in the emission spectra (excited at 808 nm) of the Yb-doped Ca₄NdO(BO₃)₃ single crystals due to the photothermal effects caused by the pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Increase of the sample's surface temperature after laser treatment leads to significant enhancement of the 1040 to 1060 nm emission (ascribed to the Nd^{3+ 4}F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2, ⁴I_11/2 transitions) and simultaneous decrease of the 975 to 1050 nm emission (corresponding to the Yb^{3+ 2}F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 transition). We explain such an increase of the Nd³⁺ luminescence by thermally activated Yb³⁺ → Nd³⁺ energy transfer.     

Correlation between the negative magnetoresistance effect and magnon excitations in single-crystalline CuCr1.6V0.4Se4

Structural, electrical and magnetic measurements, as well as electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra, were used to characterise the single-crystalline CuCr_1.6V_0.4Se₄ spinel and study the correlation between the negative magnetoresistance effect and magnon excitations. We established the ferromagnetic order below the Curie temperature T _C ≈ 193 K, a p-type semiconducting behaviour, the ESR change from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic resonance at T _C, a large ESR linewidth value and its temperature dependence in the paramagnetic region. Electrical studies revealed negative magnetoresistance, which can be enhanced with increasing magnetic field and decreasing temperature, while a detailed thermopower analysis showed magnon excitations at low temperatures. Spin–phonon coupling is explained within the framework of a complex model of paramagnetic relaxation processes as a several-stage relaxation process in which the V³⁺ ions, the exchange subsystem and conduction electron subsystem act as the intermediate reservoirs.