Maximum-entropy data analysis

The reconstruction of physical quantities from (computer-) experimental data is very often hampered by the presence of noise, insufficient information and above all by the ill-posed nature of the underlying inversion problem. It will be demonstrated that the maximum entropy concepts is particularly suited for this type of data-analysis problems. It is based on Bayesian statistics and provides a consistent probabilistic theory to obtain unbiased results, independent of any model assumptions. This is particularly desirable if there is no additional information to justify these hypotheses. If, on the other hand, additional prior knowledge is available, it can be effectively incorporated into the computation, leading to more stringent confidence intervals.     

Fixed-frequency and threshold molecular photoelectron spectra of S 1s, Si 1s and Cl 1s core levels

Fixed-frequency and threshold photoelectron spectra have been recorded for ionization from the S ls shells in SF₆, CS₂ and COS, the Si 1s shells in SiH₄ and SiCl₄ and the Cl 1s shell in SiCl₄ using synchrotron radiation. Fixed-frequency spectra generally showed a single strong ionization feature with associated weak satellite structure due to excited ionized states. Threshold spectra closely resembled X-ray absorption spectra but with an additional feature due to direct ionization. In cases where resonant process enhanced the NEXAFS spectrum direct ionization was not observed.     

Chemical composition and reaction analysis of single aerosol particles

In situ measurements of gas-liquid surface reactions of single aerosol microdroplets are presented. By means of optical levitation in combination with elastic (Mie) and inelastic (Raman) light scattering it is possible to get information on the chemistry of e.g. acid/base reactions as well as the physical behavior of single microparticles.     

Small angle neutron scattering from oxygen precipitates in silicon

The formation of silicon oxide precipitates from Czochralski grown silicon depends on the time and temperature of the heat treatment as well as on the initial content of interstitially dissolved oxygen. Samples containing between 5×10¹⁷ O_i/cm³ and 13×10¹⁷ O_i/cm³ have been heated at 750° C for 96 h. SiO₂ precipitates of various shape and size have been obtained and investigated by means of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) in the Q-range 0.05 Å^–1<Q<0.2 Å^–1. The obtained SANS patterns reveal a typical anisotropy of their intensity distribution, which splits into a central peak at Q<0.1 Å^–1 due to the shape of the individual particles and a number of weak intensities for large Q-values, originating from a correlation between defects, possibly between the precipitates. While these correlation peaks in the SANS patterns are seen best for rather low values of about (5–7)×10¹⁷ O_i/cm³ oxygen content, the central peak anisotropy is most pronounced for higher values of ca 10×10¹⁷ O_i/cm³. The integrated intensity of the central peak increases with increasing initial oxygen content. For comparison, untreated samples of the same initial oxygen content do not reveal any anisotropic SAN scattering or a broadened central peak beam.     

On the optimum set of polarization measurements for the scattering of two indentical fermions to determine the helicity amplitudes

The polarization asymmetries related to usual polarizations combine at least 4 different helicity amplitudes. The introduction of ±45° inclined transverse polarizations allows us to obtain the complete set of new polarization asymmetries combining only up to 3 helicity amplitudes. There are no further polarization asymmetries depending on a smaller number of helicity amplitudes. These expressions are most economical to determine the helicity amplitudes from observed data. Some of them are suitable to study especially the spin-flip effects. We give a complete Table of all such polarization asymmetries.     

Properties of nonparametric estimators of autocovariance for stationary random fields

Summary We introduce nonparametric estimators of the autocovariance of a stationary random field. One of our estimators has the property that it is itself an autocovatiance. This feature enables the estimator to be used as the basis of simulation studies such as those which are necessary when constructing bootstrap confidence intervals for unknown parameters. Unlike estimators proposed recently by other authors, our own do not require assumptions such as isotropy or monotonicity. Indeed, like nonparametric function estimators considered more widely in the context of curve estimation, our approach demands only smoothness and tail conditions on the underlying curve or surface (here, the autocovariance), and moment and mixing conditions on the random field. We show that by imposing the condition that the estimator be a covariance function we actually reduce the numerical value of integrated squared error.     

A Primitive Non-symmetric 3-Class Association Scheme on 36 Elements with p11 = 0 Exists and is Unique

In this paper we construct a primitive, non-symmetric 3-class association scheme with parameters v = 36, v₁ = 7, p¹₁₁ = 0 and p²₁₁ = 4 and show that such a scheme is determined by its parameters.     

Quantitative electron probe microanalysis for the characterization of thin carbon-boron layers in fusion devices

Summary The first wall of the fusion device TEXTOR at the Forschungszentrum Jülich has been coated in situ with an amorphous hydrogen rich carbon/boron film (a-C/B:H) which reduces plasma impurities caused by the plasma surface interaction. The results of the coating process of the 35 m² large inner wall surface have been controlled by a recently developed modification of the quantitative electron probe microanalysis, which has been applied to 12 samples from specified positions inside the tokamak. The quantification itself is based on a Monte Carlo simulation of electron trajectories providing very accurate results for X-ray intensities emitted by elements present in the electron bombarded sample. The Monte Carlo results are used in the present work to calibrate the measured X-ray intensities emitted by boron and carbon from the a-C/B:H layers deposited on pure silicon substrates. As a result the total deposited mass of the layer per area unit as well as the composition of the layers (except hydrogen) could be determined very accurately. The relative errors were less than 7%. The limit of detectability were found to be in the range of one monolayer for boron as well as for carbon.