A stochastic algorithm using one sample point per iteration and diminishing stepsizes

A stochastic algorithm for finding stationary points of real-valued functions defined on a Euclidean space is analyzed. It is based on the Robbins-Monro stochastic approximation procedure. Gradient evaluations are done by means of Monte Carlo simulations. At each iteratex _i , one sample point is drawn from an underlying probability space, based on which the gradient is approximated. The descent direction is against the approximation of the gradient, and the stepsize is 1/i. It is shown that, under broad conditions, w.p.1 if the sequence of iteratesx ₁,x ₂,...generated by the algorithm is bounded, then all of its accumulation points are stationary.     

Quantum interference of electrons in disordered metals

Investigation of the galvanomagnetic properties of disordered metals in weak magnetic fields [r(H)?l, wherer(H) is the electron trajectory radius andl, the electron free path], proved to be one of the effective experimental methods of studying disordered metals. The phase difference between the interfering electron waves is affected by the presence of magnetic flux in the sample. One of the observable effects is the oscillatory magnetoresistanceK(H) of multiconnected samples predicted by Altshuleret al (1981). The period ofK(H) oscillations for the hollow cylinders, networks or chains with orifices cross-sections areasS isΔH=φ ₀/2S [whereφ ₀=hc/e]. The amplitude and the phase of the oscillations depend on the spin orbit interaction, the intensity of superconductive fluctuation etc. It should be noted that in small “mesoscopic” single loops the oscillations with the periodΔH?φ ₀/S were also observed recently (see also Altshuleret al 1987 included in this issue).     

Observation of the nonlinear effect in relativistic Thomson scattering of electron and laser beams

Thomson scattering of high-power laser and electron beams is a good test of electrodynamics in the high-field region. We demonstrated production of high-intensity X-rays in the head-on collision of a CO₂ laser and 60-MeV electron beams at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Accelerator Test Facility. The energy of an X-ray photon was limited at 6.5 keV in the linear (lowest order) Thomson scattering, but the nonlinear (higher order) process produces higher energy X-rays. We measured the angular distribution of the high-energy X-rays and confirmed that it agrees with theoretical predictions.     

Advantages of NIR radiation use for optical determination of skin horny layer thickness with embedded TiO2 nanoparticles during tape stripping procedure

The tape stripping technique is an experimental method frequently used for reconstruction of the in-depth distribution of various topically administered substances within the horny layer of human skin, e.g., compounds contained in sunscreens. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (25–200 nm in diameter) are one such compound. Optical techniques which apply blue light are found to be suitable for reconstruction. However, the presence of particles affects the light propagation within the skin and therefore causes incorrect determination of strip thickness, leading to an improper reconstructed distribution of nanoparticle concentration revealed from the experimental data. This study evaluates the errors emerging from the use of blue (400 nm) and NIR (800 nm) radiation and finds the use of longer wavelength light more advantageous. Particles of different diameters are considered, and it is revealed that the application of small particles (25–60 nm) results in the lowest rate of error.     

Spatial structure of acousto-optic phase matching in uniaxial crystals

The spatial structure of Bragg angles and the transfer functions of an acousto-optic cell are calculated for the cases of isotropic and anisotropic light diffraction in a uniaxial crystal. Their change with ultrasound frequency is traced. The possibility of image processing by acousto-optic filtration of the spatial spectrum of an image is considered. The results of experimental visualization of the transfer functions of a calcium molybdate crystal cell are presented.     

Structure of the Solutions of Generalized Kadomtsev–Petviashvili Equations

We consider generalizations of the earlier results, obtained for one-dimensional equations of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) class, to two- and three-dimensional KP-class equations with an arbitrary nonlinearity index with allowance for the higher-order dispersion correction and terms describing dissipation and instability. The asymptotics of soliton and nonsoliton solutions are derived. Constructing phase portraits in the 8-dimensional space based on the results of a qualitative analysis of generalized Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equations is discussed.     

Noiselike magnetic resonance fine structure for ferromagnetic powders: Dipole-dipole interaction effects

A noiselike fine structure of ferromagnetic resonance spectra in magnetic powders was investigated after ultrasonic treatment. Magnetic interactions between particles are proved to have an influence upon the fine structure formation. After decreasing dipole-dipole magnetic interactions in dilute suspension a special order appears in fine-structure spectra, which is generally the same for different systems.