New upper bounds on the minimum size of covering designs

Let D = {B₁, B₂,…, B_b} be a finite family of k-subsets (called blocks ) of a v-set X(v) = {1, 2,…, v} (with elements called points ). Then D is a (v, k, t) covering design or covering if every t-subset of X(v) is contained in at least one block of D. The number of blocks, b, is the size of the covering, and the minimum size of the covering is called the covering number , denoted C(v, k, t). This article is concerned with new constructions of coverings. The constructions improve many upper bounds on the covering number C(v, k, t) © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Combin Designs 6:21–41, 1998     

Measurement of the degree of polarisation of thermally modified Scots pine using a Stokes imaging polarimeter

Optical Review - This study measured the polarised light reflected from the surface of thermally modified Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood using a Stokes imaging polarimeter. The data were...     

Fast-Atom-Bombardment Mass Spectra of Phloroglucinols from Dryopteris Ferns

Fast-atom-bombardment mass spectra of ten phloroglucinol derivatives containing two to six ring units were recorded. The mass spectral behavior of the compounds was quite similar under these conditions. Molecular-weight information was readily available as well as sequential structural data due to extensive fragmentation. Sequential alterations due to the rottlerone change or other analogous decomposition reactions proved to be almost lacking in fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry. The negative-ion spectra in general showed better signal-to-noise ratios and more distinct fragment ions.     

Interaction and ionic network formation process between polyamidine and nonlinear optically active dyes

Interactions of phenolic and carboxylic groups containing chromophores (hydroxyarylidene alkanones) with polyamidines were investigated with ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering experiments. Because of the strong basicity of the polyamidines, deprotonation of the chromophores was observed. The ionic network formation process depended on the method of the complex preparation. The step‐by‐step addition of the chromophore to an excess of polyamidine led to the incorporation of the dye molecules inside the polymer coil, and only after this did the interaction of surface functional groups with an additional amount of the low‐molecular‐weight compound lead to network formation. The interaction of the polymer with an excess of the dye initially led to the saturation of amidine groups by chromophore molecules and network formation without the complete destruction of the dye packs. The molecular structure proposed for these complexes was examined with experimental data. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 398–404, 2005     

Fast and accurate single-island charge pump: implementation of a cooper pair pump

We introduce a Cooper pair "sluice" for the implementation of a frequency-locked current source. The device consists of two mesoscopic SQUIDs and of a single superconducting island with a gate. We demonstrate theoretically that it is possible to obtain a current as high as 0.1 nA at better than ppm accuracy via periodically modulating both the gate charge and the effective Josephson coupling. We find that the device is tolerant against background charge noise and operates well even in a dissipative environment. The effect of the imperfect suppression of the Josephson coupling and the finite operating frequency are also investigated.     

The transformation of aromatic molecules into the subspace of their double bonds

A model of new submolecules is presented. As an application some absorptions of aromatic radicals are interpreted in UV and visible spectra. Extension of the model to biological systems is prejudged.     

Direct observation of the transition from the conventional superconducting state to the pi state in a controllable Josephson junction

We measure the full supercurrent-phase relation of a controllable pi junction around the transition from the conventional 0 state to the pi state. We show that around the transition the Josephson supercurrent-phase relation changes from I(sc) approximately I(c)sin((phi) to I(sc) approximately I(c)sin((2phi). This implies that, around the transition, two minima in the junction free energy exist, one at phi=0 and one at phi=pi, whereas only one minimum exists at the 0 state (at phi=0) and at the pi state (at phi=pi). Theoretical calculations based on the quasiclassical theory are in good agreement with the observed behavior.