The Lefschetz number of an involution on the space of harmonic cusp forms ofSL 3

Inventiones mathematicae -     

Diffusion from sessile droplets through membranes

We analyze diffusion from a periodic array of hemispherical droplets through a membrane. We find that the multiple sources do not interact strongly, even when the droplets are closely spaced, so that the flux through the membrane appears nearly additive.     

A search technique for global optimization in a chaotic environment

We describe a new algorithm which uses the trajectories of a discrete dynamical system to sample the domain of an unconstrained objective function in search of global minima. The algorithm is unusually adept at avoiding nonoptimal local minima and successfully converging to a global minimum. Trajectories generated by the algorithm for objective functions with many local minima exhibit chaotic behavior, in the sense that they are extremely sensitive to changes in initial conditions and system parameters. In this context, chaos seems to have a beneficial effect: failure to converge to a global minimum from a given initial point can often be rectified by making arbitrarily small changes in the system parameters.     

The diffraction of plane gravitational waves by the edge of an ice cover

The diffraction of plane surface gravitational waves by the edge of an ice cover lying on the surface of an incompressible fluid of infinitely great depth is considered. The ice cover is simulated by a thin elastic plate. The wave reflection and transmission coefficients are determined when it interacts with the ice cover. A wave field is constructed in the fluid under the conditions that a periodic lumped force and a lumped moment act on the edge of the ice cover. It is shown that as the incident wavelength increases the reflection coefficient tends to zero and the transmission coefficient tends to unity.     

Eye tissue structure and refraction alterations upon nondestructive laser action

A new approach to alterations in eye refraction upon nondestructive laser action on the sclera and cornea is studied. It is demonstrated in in vivo experiments on rabbit eyes that sequential laser irradiation of the sclera and cornea yields a significant alteration in the eye refraction. The collagen structure of the sclera and cornea is studied after the nondestructive laser action with noninvasive polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography. It is demonstrated that collagen fibers that provide for the cornea tension and applanation partially survive in the zone of the local denaturation of sclera. An irradiation mode that corresponds to an increase in the cornea’s plasticity and does not cause visible structural changes is chosen. The simplest theoretical model for alterations in the eye refraction upon the nonablative laser action on sclera is analyzed. The alteration in the cornea curvature upon stretching resulting from the local sclera coagulation and the corresponding decrease in its volume is calculated. The model makes it possible to approximately estimate the laser irradiation modes that provide the desired alterations in eye refraction.     

Model of separate sample spectra of coherent-echo signals based on Irkutsk incoherent-scatter radar data

We propose a model of coherent-echo signals during the monostatic sounding of the ionosphere. The model is based on the previously obtained radar equation for separate samples of the scattered signal. The dielectric-permittivity perturbation described by a discrete set of spatial harmonics modulated in space and time is used as the scattering irregularities. The model was tested using Irkutsk incoherent-scatter radar data obtained during the coherent-echo observations in July 15 and 16, 2000. The test shows that the model is suitable for describing the observed characteristics of separate sample spectra of the coherent-echo signals. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 459–477, June 2006.     

Effects of sputter deposition parameters and post-deposition annealing on the electrical characteristics of LaAlO3 dielectric films on Si

The influence of processing parameters on the electrical characteristics of RuO₂/LaAlO₃/Si metal-oxide-semiconductor structures was investigated. In particular, the sputtering regime during deposition of LaAlO₃ on Si and the atmosphere used in the post-deposition annealing step were addressed by determining capacitance-voltage and gate current-voltage characteristics. These results were correlated with compositional information obtained by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and nuclear reaction analysis. A post-deposition annealing step in oxygen at 600 °C resulted in better electrical characteristics of the final structure as compared to the same treatment performed in nitrogen. This result is explained by oxygen ability to heal oxygen vacancies in the LaAlO₃ film, especially at the dielectric/semiconductor interface region. A thermalized sputtering regime during deposition of LaAlO₃ on Si leads to capacitors with electrical characteristics superior to those deposited in ballistic regime. PACS 77.84.Dy; 81.15.Cd; 81.40.Gh; 73.40.Qv; 82.80.Yc