A Faster Deterministic Maximum Flow Algorithm

Cheriyan and Hagerup developed a randomized algorithm to compute the maximum flow in a graph with n nodes and m edges in O(mn + n² log²n) expected time. The randomization is used to efficiently play a certain combinatorial game that arises during the computation. We give a version of their algorithm where a general version of their game arises. Then we give a strategy for the game that yields a deterministic algorithm for computing the maximum flow in a directed graph with n nodes and m edges that runs in time O(mn(log_{m/n log n}n)). Our algorithm gives an O(mn) deterministic algorithm for all m/n = Ω(n^ε) for any positive constant ε, and is currently the fastest deterministic algorithm for computing maximum flow as long as m/n = ω(log n).     

Regularity of minima: An invitation to the dark side of the calculus of variations

I am presenting a survey of regularity results for both minima of variational integrals, and solutions to non-linear elliptic, and sometimes parabolic, systems of partial differential equations. I will try to take the reader to the Dark Side... This work has been partially supported by MIUR via the project “Calcolo delle Variazioni” (Cofin 2004), and by GNAMPA via the project “Studio delle singolarità in problemi geometrici e variazionali”.     

Measurement of storage time, estimation of ion number and study of absorption line profile in a Paul trap

Europium (Eu⁺) ions were confined in a Paul trap and detected by non-destructive method. Storage time of Eu⁺ ions achieved in vacuum was improved by orders of magnitude employing buffer gas cooling. The experimentally detected signal was fitted to the ion response signal and the total number of ions trapped was estimated. It is found that the peak signal amplitude as well as the product of FWHM and the peak signal amplitude is proportional to the total number of trapped ions. The trapped ion secular frequency was swept at different rates and its effect on the absorption line profile was studied both experimentally and theoretically.     

A microprocessor based autoscanner for electromigration studies in thin films

Mass transport due to electromigration can be estimated if the diffusion coefficientD and the electromigration effective charge numberZ* are known. Neutron activated tracer scanning method determine the radioactivity at different positions. An automatic scanning system for determining the radioactive concentration profiles developed using a microprocessor is described in this paper. Using the radioactive concentration profiles the electromigration shift is determined. From this shift the electromigration effective charge numberZ* is calculated. The system developed was tested for tin thin films.     

Preparation and electrical characterization of (PVC + KBrO3) polymer electrolytes for solid state battery applications

This paper presents results of studies on dc electrical conductivity and transference number measurements on potassium bromate (KBrO₃) complexed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films prepared by solution cast technique. Temperature dependence of dc electrical conductivity and transference number data indicated the dominance of ion type charge transport in these specimens. The magnitude of conductivity increased with increase in concentration of the salt and temperature. Using this (PVC + KBrO₃) electrolyte, solid-state electrochemical cells were fabricated, and their discharge profiles were studied under a constant load of 100 kΩ. Several cell profiles such as open circuit voltage, short circuit current, power density, and energy density associated with these cells were evaluated and were reported. The features of complexation of the electrolytes were studied by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Paper presented at the Third International Conference on Ionic Devices (ICID 2006), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India, Dec. 7–9, 2006     

Lie-Poincaré transformations and a reduction criterion in Landau theory

In the Landau theory of phase transitions one considers an effective potential Φ whose symmetry group G and degree d depend on the system under consideration; generally speaking, Φ is the most general G-invariant polynomial of degree d. When such a Φ turns out to be too complicate for a direct analysis, it is essential to be able to drop unessential terms, i.e., to apply a simplifying criterion. Criteria based on singularity theory exist and have a rigorous foundation, but are often very difficult to apply in practice. Here we consider a simplifying criterion (as stated by Gufan) and rigorously justify it on the basis of classical Lie-Poincaré theory as far as one deals with fixed values of the control parameter(s) in the Landau potential; when one considers a range of values, in particular near a phase transition, the criterion has to be accordingly partially modified, as we discuss. We consider some specific cases of group G as examples, and study in detail the application to the Sergienko-Gufan-Urazhdin model for highly piezoelectric perovskites.     

基于新型长周期光纤光栅的掺铒光纤放大器

报道了基于高频CO₂激光脉冲写入的新型长周期光纤光栅的低噪音掺铒光纤放大器,这种新型长周期光纤光栅是用大约几千Hz的高频CO₂激光脉冲对光纤玻璃热冲击作用而形成的.在铒纤中插入一个长周期光纤光栅,会明显减少掺铒光纤放大器的放大自发辐射(ASE)噪音.报道了两种低噪音掺铒光纤放大器,作为前置放大器和线路放大器,它们的ASE噪音指数分别从4.0 dB减少到3.5 dB和从4.8 dB减少到4.3 dB,并且在作为线放时,其小信号增益从30 dB提高到37 dB,降噪及提高增益效应十分显著.     

Magnetism and magneto-transport studies in sonochemically prepared amorphous Co100−xPtx nano alloys

Bulk amorphous Co_(100−x)Pt_x (0≤x≤50) nano-alloys have been synthesized using high frequency ultrasound, displaying single domain (4-5 nm) behavior wherein weakly exchange-coupled particles lead to a field-dependent resistivity behavior. Magneto-resistivity is correlated to the order-disorder parameter in these powder compacts. The plot of Δρ/ρ₀ as a function of reduced magnetization indicates that all the systems are weakly exchange coupled.