On <Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>-functions for countable state subshifts

For a very ample line bundle L on a smooth projective algebraic curve C, we prove that, under some circumstances on positive integers \(\gamma , d\), if one had \(\dim V^{d-1}_{d}(L)=d-1-\gamma \), then the scheme \(V^{\gamma +2}_{\gamma +3}(L)\), if non-empty, would be 2-dimensional. Furthermore, for a 2-very ample line bundle L on C and an integer d, \(4\le d\le h^0(L)-2\), it will be proved that the dimension of the scheme \( V^{d-1}_{d}(L)\) cannot attain its maximum value, i.e. \(d-2\). This will be used to prove irreduciblity of the highest secant loci of L, namely \(V^{h^0(L)-2}_{h^0(L)-1}(L)\). Then we discuss on the existence of very ample line bundles having reducible highest secant loci on k-gonal curves. Extending a well-known result of Montserrat Teixidor to secant loci, our results answer a question proposed and left unanswered recently by Marian Aprodu and Edoardo Sernesi.     

All-optical phase-change memory in a single gallium nanoparticle

We report on the first demonstration of a quaternary-logical resonatorless optical memory element with information encoded in the structural phase of a single 80 nm gallium nanoparticle. The size of the memory element is comparable with bits in next-generation hard disks, and radically smaller than previously suggested memories exploiting optical resonators. Furthermore, the energy required for switching the nanoparticle is an order of magnitude less than needed in DVD, DVR, or hard disk technologies.     

Generating quadrature squeezing in an atom laser through self-interaction

We describe a scheme for creating quadrature- and intensity-squeezed atom lasers that do not require squeezed light as an input. The beam becomes squeezed due to nonlinear interactions between the atoms in the beam in an analogue to optical Kerr squeezing. We develop an analytic model of the process which we compare to a detailed stochastic simulation of the system using phase space methods. Finally we show that significant squeezing can be obtained in an experimentally realistic system and suggest ways of increasing the tunability of the squeezing.     

Vibrational lifetimes of cyanide and carbon monoxide on noble and transition metal surfaces

The electronic vibrational damping rates of the CN and CO internal stretch modes on the (111) surfaces of Ag, Cu, Au, and Pt were calculated using density functional theory calculations. Our calculated damping rates are in excellent agreement with experimental data obtained from pump-probe laser spectroscopy. The striking difference in trends and magnitudes between the internal stretch modes of CN and CO is in part rationalized in terms of the adsorbate-induced electronic structure within the framework of a simple Newns-Anderson model.     

Multivariate data analysis for enhanced interpretation of electrochemical impedance spectra of gramicidin-ion interactions in phospholipid monolayers

This article describes a multifrequency electrochemical impedance study of phospholipid monolayers on a mercury drop electrode in solutions containing electrolytes and gramicidin derivatives: gramicidin A (gA), gramicidin-BOC (g-BOC), and desformylgramicidin (g-des). The impedance spectra have been studied individually (univariate approach) and also transformed using a multivariate data reduction method (multivariate approach). It was shown that the two approaches are complementary. Thus the formation of K+-conducting channels is observed in gA only, and these channels can be distinguished from an interaction of all gramicidin derivatives with Mg2+. An unknown peptide interaction in the monolayer was observed on a slow time scale.     

Temporal temperature measurement on burning biomass pellets using phosphor thermometry and two-line atomic fluorescence

We report accurate in-situ optical measurements of surface temperature, volatile gas temperature, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission over the whole burning history of individual biomass pellets in various combustion atmospheres. Two biomass fuels, wood and straw, were prepared in cylindrical pellets of ～300 mg. The pellets were burned in a well-controlled combustion atmosphere provided by a laminar flame burner with temperature ranging from 1390 K to 1840 K, and oxygen concentration from zero to 4.5%. The surface temperature of burning biomass pellets was accurately measured, for the first time, using phosphor thermometry, and the volatile gas temperature was measured using two-line atomic fluorescence thermometry. PAH emission was monitored using two-dimensional laser-induced fluorescence. During the devolatilization stage, a relatively low surface temperature, ～700 K, was observed on the burning pellets. The volatile gas temperature was ～1100 K and ～1500 K 5 mm above the top of the pellets in a gas environment of ～1800 K with 0.5% and 4.5% oxygen, respectively. PAH mainly released when the temperature of the pellet exceeded ～600 K with the highest concentration close to the surface and being consumed downstream. The weight of the released PAH molecules shifted towards lighter with a reduction of gas environment temperature. The wood and straw pellets had almost the same surface and volatile gas temperature but different compositions in the released volatile gases. The temperature information provided in the present work aids in revealing the reactions in the burning biomass fuels regarding species release, such as various hydrocarbons, nitrogen compounds, and potassium species, and is valuable for further development of biomass thermal conversion models.