Quantum Brownian motion and the second law of thermodynamics

We consider a single harmonic oscillator coupled to a bath at zero temperature. As is well-known, the oscillator then has a higher average energy than that given by its ground state. Here we show analytically that for a damping model with arbitrarily discrete distribution of bath modes and damping models with continuous distributions of bath modes with cut-off frequencies, this excess energy is less than the work needed to couple the system to the bath, therefore, the quantum second law is not violated. On the other hand, the second law may be violated for bath modes without cut-off frequencies, which are, however, physically unrealistic models. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Compact laser system for atom interferometry

We describe an optical bench in which we lock the relative frequencies or phases of a set of three lasers in order to use them in a cold atom interferometry experiment. As a new feature, the same two lasers serve alternately to cool atoms and to realize the atomic interferometer. This requires a fast change of the optical frequencies over a few GHz. The number of required independent laser sources is then only three, which enables the construction of the whole laser system on a single transportable optical bench. Recent results obtained with this optical setup are also presented. PACS 32.80.Pj; 42.50.Vk; 39.20.+q     

Sidewall-insert compound based on ZnO-treated aramid pulp fibers for run-flat tires

Abstract

To improve the endurance performance of run-flat tires by preventing the sidewall from folding at zero air pressure, a master batch of natural rubber and ZnO-treated aramid pulp (AP) is applied to the rubber sidewall-insert-layer compound. The mechanical, viscoelastic, and fatigue properties of the compounds are investigated by varying the AP content, and the endurance performance of actual run-flat tires is assessed. The results indicate that the mechanical properties are improved and the hysteresis is reduced as the AP content increased. The overall trend of the endurance times of the run-flat tires is consistent with the results of the DeMattia tests, constant-strain fatigue tests, and high-temperature tensile tests. The run-flat endurance time of the tire containing one part per hundred rubber (phr) of AP is superior to that of the tire containing 3 phr of AP because of the enhanced dispersion of the AP fibers.     

Micellar core-shell-type acrylic-polyurethane hybrid materials with self-polishing property

Abstract

Marine fouling can be a serious problem in the shipping industry, since it increases the surface roughness of the hull and hence its frictional resistance to its movement through water. Antifouling paint can be defined as preventing the attachment of marine organisms onto surfaces. However, the most commonly used antifouling coating which is the tributyltin-based self-polishing copolymer causes the severe pollution of marine environment. Ammonium salt-based paints include tertiary amines as biocides which have effective biocidal and biodegradable properties without accumulation in the sea environment. However, ammonium salt-based coatings were too sensitive to seawater and became swollen. In this study, polyurethane-acrylic copolymers were synthesized by radical polymerization. These hybrid materials were found to form core–shell structures in aqueous media. Synthesis and properties of copolymers were investigated by Fourier transform-infrared spectrometer, proton-nuclear magnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The polishing rate of self-polishing copolymer was determined from the reduction in dry film thickness after artificial seawater immersion under a dynamic condition.     

Thermodynamic aspects of carbon redistribution during ageing and tempering of Fe–Ni–C alloys

Carbon redistribution is known to occur during martensite ageing. The two associated processes most discussed in the literature are spinodal decomposition and carbon segregation to defects. In order to elucidate the topic, the ageing and tempering of two Fe–Ni–C alloys have been characterised by means of atom probe tomography and synchrotron radiation diffraction. Upon ageing at room temperature, carbon redistribution is clearly observed, where the process of carbon segregation to defects appears to be most likely to occur. Nevertheless, the possibility of spinodal decomposition is not entirely discarded, and the current work presents a series of discussion points that challenge our current understanding of the thermodynamic of ferrite in steels.     

Temperature dependence of low loss polymeric AWG

We investigate on the variation of loss and temperature dependence of a polymeric arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) depending on its substrate, by fabricating 16-channel polymeric AWGs with various substrate conditions. Insertion loss for a polymeric AWG on a silicon substrate is measured as low as 3.1 dB. The temperature-dependent wavelength shift for a polymeric AWG detached from the substrate is maintained within 0.1 nm from 20 to 80 °C. But we observe a degradation of insertion loss and a little instability in wavelength characteristics both for the detached polymeric AWG and for a polymeric AWG on a polymer substrate. We investigate on those optical properties of the polymeric AWGs based on measured thermal expansion properties of the polymers.     

Multiplicity studies and effective energy in ALICE at the LHC

In this work we explore the possibility to perform “effective energy” studies in very high energy collisions at the CERN large hadron collider (LHC). In particular, we focus on the possibility to measure in pp collisions the average charged multiplicity as a function of the effective energy with the ALICE experiment, using its capability to measure the energy of the leading baryons with the zero degree calorimeters. Analyses of this kind have been done at lower centre-of-mass energies and have shown that, once the appropriate kinematic variables are chosen, particle production is characterized by universal properties: no matter the nature of the interacting particles, the final states have identical features. Assuming that this universality picture can be extended to ion–ion collisions, as suggested by recent results from RHIC experiments, a novel approach based on the scaling hypothesis for limiting fragmentation has been used to derive the expected charged event multiplicity in AA interactions at LHC. This leads to scenarios where the multiplicity is significantly lower compared to most of the predictions from the models currently used to describe high energy AA collisions. A mean charged multiplicity of about 1000–2000 per rapidity unit (at η∼0) is expected for the most central Pb–Pb collisions at . In memory of A. Smirnitskiy     

Universal scheme for finite-probability perfect transfer of arbitrary multispin states through spin chains

In combination with the theories of open system and quantum recovering measurement, we propose a quantum state transfer scheme using spin chains by performing two sequential operations: a projective measurement on the spins of ‘environment’ followed by suitably designed quantum recovering measurements on the spins of interest. The scheme allows perfect transfer of arbitrary multispin states through multiple parallel spin chains with finite probability. Our scheme is universal in the sense that it is state-independent and applicable to any model possessing spin–spin interactions. We also present possible methods to implement the required measurements taking into account the current experimental technologies. As applications, we consider two typical models for which the probabilities of perfect state transfer are found to be reasonably high at optimally chosen moments during the time evolution.     

Effect of oxyfluorination on gas sensing behavior of polyaniline-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Polyaniline-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared by in situ chemical polymerization method for the novel sensing materials of ammonia gas. The thickness of the polyaniline coatings was controlled by the oxyfluorination treatment on the multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The oxyfluorination with higher oxygen content produced the more hydrophilic functional groups on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Both the resistivity change and the response time were significantly improved with high repeatability using the more hydrophilic multi-walled carbon nanotubes which were modified with oxyfluorination.