CNDO studies of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors II. Simple models of YBa2Cu3Ox

The electronic structure of YBa₂Cu₃O_x (x=6 and 7) is investigated using the CNDO molecular orbital method. Electronic structures of model clusters [Cu₃O₁₀]^–15, [Ba₈Cu₃O₁₀]⁺¹, [Y₈Cu₃O₁₀]⁺⁹ of the non-superconducting (x=6) and [Cu₃O₁₂]^–17, [Ba₈Cu₃O₁₂]^–1, [Y₈Cu₃O₁₂]⁺⁷ of the superconducting (x=7) phases are compared. Y and Ba layers cause a considerable electron density transfer from the central Cu(1) region.     

Slow-light enhanced optical detection in liquid-infiltrated photonic crystals

Slow-light enhanced optical detection in liquid-infiltrated photonic crystals is theoretically studied. Using a scattering-matrix approach and the Wigner–Smith delay time concept, we show that optical absorbance benefits both from slow-light phenomena as well as a high filling factor of the energy residing in the liquid. Utilizing strongly dispersive photonic crystal structures, we numerically demonstrate how liquid-infiltrated photonic crystals facilitate enhanced light–matter interactions, by potentially up to an order of magnitude. The proposed concept provides strong opportunities for improving existing miniaturized absorbance cells for optical detection in lab-on-a-chip systems.     

A balancing condition for weak limits of families of minimal surfaces

We prove a balancing condition for weak limits of families of embedded minimal surfaces of finite total curvature. We use it to prove compactness theorems for certain families of minimal surfaces.     

The emergence of a giant component in random subgraphs of pseudo‐random graphs

Let G be a d‐regular graph G on n vertices. Suppose that the adjacency matrix of G is such that the eigenvalue λ which is second largest in absolute value satisfies λ = o(d). Let G_p with p = α/d be obtained from G by including each edge of G independently with probability p. We show that if α < 1, then whp the maximum component size of G_p is O(log n) and if α > 1, then G_p contains a unique giant component of size Ω(n), with all other components of size O(log n). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2004     

Recognition of subgroups of direct products of hyperbolic groups

We give examples of direct products of three hyperbolic groups in which there cannot exist an algorithm to decide which finitely presented subgroups are isomorphic.

     

Rigidity in holomorphic and quasiregular dynamics

We consider rigidity phenomena for holomorphic functions and then more generally for uniformly quasiregular maps.

     

Structural characterization of nanopatterned surfaces

In this work, chemically and topographically nanopatterned surfaces were produced by a top-down processing approach for biosensing devices. The nanopatterning was the result of the combination of plasma polymerisation (pp) of biofunctional materials and colloidal lithography techniques. The morphological and chemical properties induced by the plasma deposition-etching treatment were characterised by optical method combining ellipsometry and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy studies. This method supported by atomic force microscopy measurements, allowed the full optical characterization of each step of the top-down process. The optical characterization of the end-up nanopatterned samples demonstrated that the chosen process is able to produce well-defined nanostructured surfaces with controlled chemical and morphological properties.