Theory of mixed-polarization propagation in anisotropic cubic media

Polarization dynamics are considered in the presence of an anisotropic Kerr non-linearity in the most common semiconductor waveguide geometry. The equations of motion are formulated in terms of Stokes polarization parameters and their Hamiltonian form is derived. Stationary solutions and their stability are found for plane-wave propagation. It is found that the non-integrable problem of mixed-polarization spatial soliton dynamics can be largely explained in terms of the equivalent plane-wave solutions.     

Level statistics inside the core of a superconductive vortex

A microscopic theory of the Efetov supermatrix sigma-model type is constructed for the low-lying electron states in a mixed superconductive-normal system with disorder. This technique is used for the study of the localized states in the core of a vortex in a moderately clean superconductor with τ ⁻¹≫ω ₀∼Δ²/E _F . At low energies ε≪ω _Th∼ (ω ₀/τ)^1/2, the energy level statistics is described by the “zero-dimensional” limit of this supermatrix theory, and the result for the density of states is equivalent to that obtained within Altland-Zirnbauer random matrix model. Nonzero modes of the sigma model increase the mean interlevel distance by the relative amount [2 ln (1/ω ₀ τ)]⁻¹. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 68, No. 1, 78–83 (10 July 1998) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

Statistical hydrodynamics of magnetic fluids. I. the nonequilibrium statistical operator method

The Zubarev nonequilibrium statistical operator is used to describe the generalized hydrodynamic state of a magnetic fluid in an external magnetic field. The magnetic fluid is modeled with “liquid-state” and “magnetic” subsystems described using the classical and quantum statistics methods respectively. Equations of the generalized statistical hydrodynamics for a magnetic fluid in a nonhomogeneous external magnetic field with the Heisenberg spin interaction are derived for “liquid-state” and “magnetic” subsystems characterized by different nonequilibrium temperatures. These equations can be used to describe both the weakly and strongly nonequilibrium states. Some limiting cases are analyzed in which the variables of one of the subsystems can be formally neglected. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Matematicheskaya Fizika. Vol. 115, No. 1, pp. 132–153, April, 1998.     

Isolation of acetic acid-tolerant Baker’s yeast variants in a turbidostat

A commercial baker’s yeast was subjected to selection in a continuous turbidostat cultivation with increasing concentration of acetic acid. The final acetic acid content in fresh medium was 0.6% or 0.8% v/v. Two of seven selected variants were stable over 15 sequential shake flask cultivations without selection pressure. After laboratory scale production of baker’s yeast, one of the variants also showed increased acetic acid tolerance in sour dough. The overall raising power (mL CO₂/h) in sour dough was improved 36%.     

351 nm, 0.7 ns laser damage thresholds of monomeric liquid-crystalline systems

The 351 nm laser-damage thresholds (at 0.7 nm pulse length) of monomeric liquid crystals are reported and results from aromatic-core samples are compared with those from fully saturated systems. The role of π-electron conjugation is examined and identified as the key cause for laser damage. For UV laser compatibility of devices, the damage behaviour of an alignment-layer polymer (nylon 6/6) was also investigated.     

Structure and defects at Y2BaCuO5 interfaces in melt-textured YBa2Cu3Ox superconductors

Y₂BaCuO₅ (211) inclusions are prominent microstructural features found in melt-textured YBa₂Cu₃O_x (123) superconductors. These particles are of interest because the 123/211 interfaces and the interface-associated defects have been proposed to be flux pinning centers. In addition, the 211 particles are believed to be heterogeneous nucleation centers of dislocation which can increase the critical current density of 123. Unfortunately, only limited studies have been performed on these particles to ascertain their roles in flux pinning. In this investigation, 211 particles, the interfacial structure and defects in undeformed and mechanically deformed melt-textured 123 have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. It was found that there appears to be a preferred orientation between large oblong 211 particles and the 123 matrix. In addition, while the 123/211 interfaces in undeformed 123 are sharp and relatively undistorted, the interfaces in deformed 123 samples are much thicker. Also, the distribution of strained regions and dislocations around oblong 211 particles in undeformed 123 is nonuniform; the interfaces of low surface curvature are relatively free of defects while the surfaces of high curvature are abundant in dislocations. In contrast, the 123/211 interfaces in deformed 123 samples contain high density of dislocations regardless of interface curvature.     

Improved error estimates for mixed finite-element approximations for nonlinear parabolic equations: The discrete-time case

This article treats mixed finite-element methods for second-order quasilinear parabolic equations. A fully discrete scheme is presented and L₂-error estimates are established. The convergence of both the function value and the flux is demonstrated. In a previous paper, Part I the author introduced powerful numerical methods for dealing with parabolic problems. The technique used here is an extension of the continuous-time results for the discrete-time case. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Wave attenuation in an elastic medium

This article examines the propagation of viscoelastic (elastic) waves in a medium consisting of two layers of finite thickness. It is found that there is a mechanical effect manifest in the monotonic dependence of the damping factor on the parameters of the system. These dependences have distinct maxima and minima, thus making it possible to optimize the damping properties of systems by varying their geometric parameters.Translated from Dinamicheskie, Sistemy, No. 4, pp. 57–62, 1985.     

The dynamic response of an inhomogeneous plasma diode to an appliedpotential drop

Recent measurements of the response to an applied step voltage in collisionless plasmas have demonstrated the importance of the initial ion density distribution for the resulting time evolution and the formation of electric double layers. The dynamic response of a plasma diode to an applied step voltage is studied by particle-in-cell simulations and an analytical model. It is shown that an ion-density cavity (a local ion-density minimum with a width of many Debye lengths) can support large potential drops for several electron transit times. The potential drop extends over a distance related to the cavity width. When the applied potential drop exceeds a certain critical value, which depends on the cavity depth, the drop instead concentrates in a cathode sheath, which also is the response obtained for homogeneous initial plasma. The existence regions for the two different response in the appropriate parameter plane are found from the simulations and shown to agree with the regions predicted analytically. The analytical potential profiles agree with those simulated     

Structural and electrical properties of crystalline (1−x)Ta2O5−xTiO2 thin films fabricated by metalorganic decomposition

Polycrystalline (1−x)Ta₂O₅−xTiO₂ thin films were formed on Si by metalorganic decomposition (MOD) and annealed at various temperatures. As-deposited films were in the amorphous state and were completely transformed to crystalline after annealing above 600 °C. During crystallization, a thin interfacial SiO₂ layer was formed at the (1−x)Ta₂O₅−xTiO₂/Si interface. Thin films with 0.92Ta₂O₅–0.08TiO₂ composition exhibited superior insulating properties. The measured dielectric constant and dissipation factor at 1 MHz were 9 and 0.015, respectively, for films annealed at 900 °C. The interface trap density was 2.5×10¹¹ cm⁻² eV⁻¹, and flatband voltage was −0.38 V. A charge storage density of 22.8 fC/μm² was obtained at an applied electric field of 3 MV/cm. The leakage current density was lower than 4×10⁻⁹ A/cm² up to an applied electric field of 6 MV/cm.