Relationship between tetrahedron shape measures

Tetrahedron shape measures are used for evaluating the quality of tetrahedra in finite element meshes. Three shape measures, theminimum solid angle _min theradius ratio , and themean ratio , are discussed in this paper. A new formula for the computation of a solid angle of tetrahedron is derived. For different shape measures andv (with values 1), we establish a relationship between andv of the form wherec ₀,c ₁,e ₀, ande ₁ are positive constants. This means that if one measure approaches zero for a poorly-shaped tetrahedron, so does the other. Combined with the property that each measure attains a maximum value only for the regular tetrahedron, this means that the shape measures are equivalent.This work was partially supported by a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.     

Corrections to Lee's visibility polygon algorithm

We present a modification and extension of the (linear time) visibility polygon algorithm of Lee. The algorithm computes the visibility polygon of a simple polygon from a viewpoint that is either interior to the polygon, or in its blocked exterior (the cases of viewpoints on the boundary or in the free exterior being simple extensions of the interior case). We show by example that the original algorithm by Lee, and a more complex algorithm by El Gindy and Avis, can fail for polygons that wind sufficiently. We present a second version of the algorithm, which does not extend to the blocked exterior case.This work was partially supported by grants from the Central Research Fund of the University of Alberta and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.     

Vibrational spectra and ab initio computations of sarcosinium oxalate monohydrate

Single crystals of sarcosinium oxalate monohydrate (SOM) are grown by the slow-evaporation technique at ambient temperature, and vibrational spectroscopic analysis is carried out using NIR-FT Raman, FT-IR, and SERS spectra. The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational analysis of SOM are examined theoretically using the Gaussian’98 set of quantum chemical codes. The two bands present in the SOM ν C=O region, clearly observed in the Raman spectrum, are assigned to “free” and “bonded” carbonyl groups with the hydrogen atom. Vibrational analysis indicates the presence of C-H—O hydrogen bonding interaction producing a blueshift of the C-H stretching frequency.     

Phase-Only Encryption and Single Path Decryption System Using Phase-Encoded Exclusive-OR Rules in Fourier Domain

A phase-only encryption scheme using phase-encoded exclusive-OR (XOR) rules in a Fourier plane and a single path decryption system are presented. To generate phase-only encrypted data, a zero-padded original image, multiplied by a random phase image, is Fourier transformed and its real-valued data is encrypted with key data by using phase-encoded XOR rules. Since the original information is encrypted on the Fourier plane, the proposed encryption is more tolerant to loss of key information by scratching or cutting than previous XOR encryption in a space domain. A decryption is simply performed based on 2-f setup with spatial filter by Fourier transform for multiplication phase-only encrypted data with phase-only key data. Due to single path architecture without a reference wave, the proposed system is resistant to mechanical vibrations and fluctuation. Numerical simulations have confirmed the validity of the proposed encryption scheme and simple decryption architecture.     

Microlens array diffuser for a light-emitting diode backlight system

Microlens array (MLA) diffusers for light-emitting diode (LED) backlight systems have been developed. A high fill-factor photoresist mold for the MLA was fabricated using three-dimensional diffuser lithography, and the patterns were transferred to a nickel master mold for UV-curable polymer replication. The fabricated microlens had various paraboloidal profiles, and its aspect ratio was controlled from 1.0 to 2.1. The MLA diffuser showed a batwing radiation pattern with a radiation angle of 150 degrees. The fabricated MLA diffuser may greatly enhance the color-mixing characteristics of LED backlight systems and help reduce the number of LEDs required.     

Determination of the debris produced from poly(ethylene terephthalate) during KrF excimer laser ablation

Pulsed UV laser beams, which are widely used in the processing of polymers, have many advantages because their photon energy is higher than the binding energy of polymers. Fabricating polymers with a UV laser process is faster, cleaner, and more convenient than with other processes. Nevertheless, some problems occur in the precision microprocessing of polymers. For example, the formation and deposition of surface debris, which is produced from the breakdown of either polymer chains or radical bonds.To determine the formation and origin of surface debris, a KrF excimer laser beam (248 nm) was used in the processing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The investigation of the debris formation was facilitated by UV-vis spectroscopy, ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. The UV-vis absorption peak indicates that the primary chromophore in the PET is benzoate. Furthermore, because benzoate causes the primary absorption, the absorbed energy is transferred by heat generation to an unsaturated ester. The ATR FT-IR spectrometer measurements show that the phenyl systems in the benzoate are demolished by ablation. This phenomenon indicates that the photochemical reaction causes the benzoate bonds to break down, and this breakdown in turn causes the carbonization to leave debris on the PET.     

Capillary filling of anodized alumina nanopore arrays

The filling behavior of a room temperature solvent, perfluoromethylcyclohexane, in approximately 20 nm nanoporous alumina membranes was investigated in situ with small angle x-ray scattering. Adsorption in the pores was controlled reversibly by varying the chemical potential between the sample and a liquid reservoir via a thermal offset, DeltaT. The system exhibited a pronounced hysteretic capillary filling transition as liquid was condensed into the nanopores. These results are compared with Kelvin-Cohan theory, with a modified Derjaguin approximation, as well as with predictions by Cole and Saam.     

Co-doped In2O3 thin films: Room temperature ferromagnets

Laser-ablated Co-doped In₂O₃ thin films were fabricated under various growth conditions on R-cut Al₂O₃ and MgO substrates. All Co:In₂O₃ films are well-crystallized, single phase, and room temperature ferromagnetic. Co atoms were well substituted for In atoms, and their distribution is greatly uniform over the whole thickness of the films. Films grown at 550 °C showed the largest magnetic moment of about 0.5 μ_B/Co, while films grown at higher temperatures have magnetic moments of one order smaller. The observed ferromagnetism above room temperature in Co:In₂O₃ thin films has confirmed that doping few percent of magnetic elements such as Co into In₂O₃ could result in a promising magnetic material.     

Universal classes of magnetic-field- and electric-current-induced magnetic domain-wall dynamics in one and two dimensional regimes

Magnetic domain-wall (DW), interface between different magnetic domains, has received great attention due to its opportunities toward memory and logic devices as well as its abundant physical properties as a driven interface. Since recent advances of fabrication techniques allow us to scale down the devices, we are facing lower dimensional properties that should be elucidated undoubtedly. Here, we review recent progresses on DW dynamics in ferromagnetic nanowires and our recent experimental observation on the dimensionality transition of the DW dynamics driven by magnetic field and/or current. Our results show that the DW dynamics shows a transition from two to one dimensional behavior as the wire width decreases. In addition, we also demonstrate that the magnetic-field- and electric-current-driven DW dynamics in metallic ferromagnetic nanowires belong to the same universal class.     

Study of alkyl chain length dependent characteristics of imidazolium based ionic liquids [CnMIM]+[TFSA]− by Brillouin and dielectric loss spectroscopy

This study examined the acoustic phonon mode of ionic liquids consisting of 1-alkyl-3-methyl-imidazolium family (C_nMIM) cations with n values ranging from 2 to 10 and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (TFSA) anion in the temperature range from 300 K to 100 K. [C_nMIM]⁺[TFSA]^? showed depolarized (VH) components of Brillouin peaks at temperatures below the glass transition temperature when n is larger than 4. On the other hand, in the case of ionic liquids with different anions, such as [C₄MIM]⁺[BF₄]^?, [C₄MIM]⁺[PF₆]^? and [C₈MIM]⁺[BF₄]^?, the VH component of Brillouin peaks was not observed in the temperature range investigated. The dielectric loss spectra showed that the temperature dependence of alkyl chain domain relaxation of all ionic liquids followed the Arrhenius law and showed an increase in activation energy at the temperature where the VH component of Brillouin peak appeared. These results suggest that the observed depolarized component of Brillouin peak might originate from uniquely induced polarization in the 2nd domain composed of head groups of cations and anions.