On approximate theories of single-mode rectangular waveguides

We present a new scheme of computation for the CEVAR (cosine-exponential field based variational method) for modelling wave propagation in single mode rectangular waveguides. The method avoids non-linear optimization. We show that the fully optimized weighted index approach is identical to the CEVAR method in which the Rayleigh quotient is optimized to obtain the best separable approximation to the field propagating in single mode guides with rectangular dimensions.     

Variational analysis of directional couplers with graded index profile

A variational analysis of graded optical directional couplers is presented. Fabrication of such directional couplers by an electron-beam writing method has recently been reported. We have shown that our analysis gives better results than the WKB method which has been used previously to analyse such couplers. Further, our analysis involves much less algebraic and numerical work than the WKB method.     

Mode conversion in dielectric waveguides

We have studied the effect of weakz-dependence of the dielectric constant on the propagation of modes in SELFOC fibres. We have also used the Green's function technique to study mode conversion due to weak irregularities in a waveguide.     

Monte Carlo models for nanoparticle formation in two microemulsion systems

The process of formation of nanoparticles obtained by mixing two micellized, aqueous solutions has been simulated using the Monte Carlo technique. The model includes the phenomena of finite reaction, nucleation, and growth via intermicellar exchange. This exploratory study examines the characteristic particle size distributions (PSDs) that result from using combinations of different initial reactant distributions (Poissonian and geometric) and different types of intermicellar exchange protocols (random, cooperative, and binomial). It is observed that the PSDs obtained using an initial Poissonian distribution of reactants and random exchange rules are similar to reported experimental results for CdS nanoparticles. The effect of exchange efficiency and reaction rate has also been studied. It is seen that a high exchange efficiency leads to relatively larger particle sizes. Also, a slow reaction rate has been shown to lead to the formation of larger nanoparticles.     

Nanohybrids from liquid crystalline extended amphiphilic dendrimers

A novel extended amphiphilic dendrimer with linear poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) attached to a PEO-like dendritic core as hydrophilic fraction and eight docosyl chain branches as hydrophobic fraction has been prepared for the use as structure-directing agent for silica-type materials. The extended dendrimer exhibits a hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline phase in the melt. Organically modified inorganic precursors and the extended dendrimer co-assemble into nanostructured hybrids. Hybrids with 0.44 weight fraction (fw) of aluminosilicate show a lamellar morphology, while hybrids with 0.21 fw exhibit a cylindrical structure. Nanostructures were characterized by a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results suggest that dendrimer-based amphiphiles may provide an exciting platform for the formation of multifunctional organic-inorganic nanostructured hybrid materials with unique structural characteristics.     

A New Interpretation of Configurational Forces

In a recent paper (Gupta and Markenscoff in C. R., Méc. 336:126?C131, 2008) we interpreted configurational forces as necessary and sufficient dissipative mechanisms such that the corresponding Euler-Lagrange equations are satisfied. We now extend this argument for a dynamic elastic medium, and show that the energy flux obtained from the dynamic J integral ensures that the equations of motion hold throughout the body.     

A Review of Parallel Computing in Computational Aeroacoustics

This paper discusses parallel computing applied to computational aeroacoustics problems. Computer hardware, software and algorithms are also described. A short history of parallel computers is given, along with some discussion of future prospects. We have reviewed much of the literature, but this review is not exhaustive. Finite difference, finite volume, and finite element methods are briefly discussed. There is also a discussion of how aeroacoustic problems scale, and how that relates to computational requirements.     

Ascertaining universal features of yielding of soft materials

Many metastable complex fluids, when subjected to oscillatory shear flow of increasing strain amplitude at constant frequency, are known to show a characteristic nonlinear rheological response which consists of a monotonic decrease in the elastic modulus and a nonmonotonic change in the loss modulus. In particular, the loss modulus increases from its low strain value, crosses the elastic modulus, and then decreases with further increase in the strain amplitude. Miyazaki et al. (Europhys Lett 75:915–921, 2006) proposed a qualitative argument to explain the origin of the nonmonotonic nature of the loss modulus and suggested that in fact this response could be universal to all complex fluids if they are probed in a certain frequency window in which the fluid is dominantly elastic in the small strain limit. In this letter, we confirm their hypothesis by showing that a wide variety of complex fluids, irrespective of their thermodynamic state under quiescent conditions, indeed show the aforementioned characteristic nonlinear response. We also show that the maximum relative dissipation during yielding occurs when the imposed frequency resonates with the characteristic beta relaxation frequency of the fluid.     

Optical properties of boron-group (V) hexagonal nanowires: DFT investigation

The paper presents structural, electronic and optical properties of boron-group V hexagonal nanowires (h-NW) within the framework of density functional theory. The h-NW of boron-group V compounds with an analogous diameter of 12 Å have been designed in (1 1 1) plane. Stability analysis performed through formation energies reveal that, the stability of these structures decreases with increasing atomic number of the group V element. The band nature predicts that these nanowires are good electrical conductors. Optical behaviour of the nanowires has been analysed through absorption coefficient, reflectivity, refractive index, optical conductivity and electron energy loss spectrum (EELS), that are computed from the frequency-dependent complex dielectric function. The analysis reveals high reactivity of BP and BAs h-NWs to the incident light especially in the IR and visible ranges, and the optical transparency of BN h-NW in the visible and UV ranges.     

Generation dependent mesophase behavior in extended amphiphilic dendrons in the shape of macromolecular dumbbells

Small angle X-ray scattering studies of 2nd and 3rd generation based extended amphiphilic dendrons in the shape of macromolecular dumbbells with identical hydrophilic volume fractions suggest 2-D hexagonal columnar and Pm3n micellar cubic mesophases, respectively, elucidating the role of shape induced interface curvature in mesophase formation.