Effect of pressure on the magneto-optical properties of bcc and bct iron

We have studied the effect of pressure on the electronic structure of bcc and bct iron within the local spin density approximation (LSDA) for the electronic exchange and correlation. We report calculations of the magneto-optical properties of ferromagnetic iron in the bcc and bct phases using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FPLAPW) method as implemented in the WIEN2K code. In both phases, we find two prominent minima in Kerr rotation. In bcc phase, both the calculated Kerr minima shift towards higher energies with increase in pressure while in bct phase, the low energy minimum in Kerr rotation spectra 2 eV becomes less pronounced and the minimum at 7 eV moves towards higher energies on increasing pressure.     

A numerical study of the target system of an ADSS with different flow guides

The mechanical design of the target module of an accelerator driven subcritical nuclear reactor system (ADSS) calls for an analysis of the related thermal-hydraulic issues because of large amount of heat deposition in the spallation region during the course of nuclear interactions with the molten lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) target. The LBE also should carry the entire heat generated as a consequence of the spallation reaction. The problem of heat removal by the LBE is a challenging thermal-hydraulic issue. For this, one has to examine the flows of low Prandtl number fluids (LBE) in a complex ADSS geometry. In this study, the equations governing the laminar flow and thermal energy are solved numerically using the streamline upwind Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) finite element (FE) method. The target systems with a straight and a nozzle guide have been considered. The principal purpose of the analysis is to trace the flow and temperature distribution and thereby to check the suitability of the flow guide in avoiding the recirculation or stagnation zones in the flow space that may lead to hot spots.      

Investigations on Pd:SnO2/porous silicon structures for sensing LPG and NO2 gas

P-type porous silicon (PS) structure has been prepared by anodic electrochemical etching process under optimized conditions. Photoluminescence studies of the PS structure show emission at longer wavelengths (red) for the excitation at 365 nm. Scanning electron microscope investigations of the PS surface confirm the formation of uniform porous structure, and the pore diameter have been estimated as 25 μm. Pd:SnO₂/PS/p-Si heterojunction with top gold ohmic contact developed by conventional methods has been used as the sensor device. Sensing properties of the device towards liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and NO₂ gas have been investigated in an indigenously developed sensor test rig. The response and recovery characteristics of the sensor device at different operating temperatures show short response time for LPG. From the studies, maximum sensitivity and optimum operating temperature of the device towards LPG and NO₂ gas sensing has been estimated as 69% at 180 °C and 52% at 220 °C, respectively. The developed sensor device shows a short response time of 25 and 57 s for sensing LPG and NO₂ gases, respectively. Paper presented at the Third International Conference on Ionic Devices (ICID 2006), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India, Dec. 7–9, 2006.     

Inevitable self-similar topology of binary trees and their diverse hierarchical density

Self-similar topology, which can be characterized as power law size distribution, has been found in diverse tree networks ranging from river networks to taxonomic trees. In this study, we find that the statistical self-similar topology is an inevitable consequence of any full binary tree organization. We show this by coding a binary tree as a unique bifurcation string. This coding scheme allows us to investigate trees over the realm from deterministic to entirely random trees. To obtain partial random trees, partial random perturbation is added to the deterministic trees by an operator similar to that used in genetic algorithms. Our analysis shows that the hierarchical density of binary trees is more diverse than has been described in earlier studies. We find that the connectivity structure of river networks is far from strict self-similar trees. On the other hand, organization of some social networks is close to deterministic supercritical trees.     

Interferometric key readable security holograms with secrete-codes

A new method is described to create secrete-codes in the security holograms for enhancing their anti-counterfeiting characteristics. To imitate these codes is difficult as pure phase objects having complex phase distribution function are used to modulate the object beam that is recorded in conjunction with an encoded interferometric reference beam derived from a key hologram. Lloyd’s folding mirror interferometer is used to convert phase variations of the reconstructed wave-front into an intensity pattern for hologram authenticity verification. Creating the secrete-codes through an interferometric reference beam from the key hologram facilitates a multi-stage authenticity verification as well as easy repositioning of the security hologram through a specific Moiré pattern generated during the verification process.      

ZnSe sintered films: Growth and characterization

The II-VI compound semiconductor, ZnSe having wide band gap between 2.58 and 2.82 eV is a promising material for use in photovoltaic devices, blue light emitting diodes and laser diodes. Several methods have been used to prepare ZnSe thin films. We have deposited ZnSe films on ultra-clean glass substrate by sintering technique. The optical, structural and electrical properties of ZnSe thin films have been examined. The optical band gap of these films is studied using reflection spectra in wavelength range 325-600 nm and structure of these films is studied using XRD. The DC conductivity of the films was measured in vacuum by two-probe technique.Sintering is a very simple and viable method compared to other intensive methods. The results of the present investigation will be useful in characterizing the material ZnSe for its applications in photovoltaics.     

Direct visualization of Young’s boundary diffraction wave

Experimental investigations on Young’s boundary diffraction wave are presented where a wavefront division interferometric scheme is used on diffracted wavefront to generate two-beam interference fringes in the geometrically shadow region. These fringes have good visibility and are observable in the whole space, strongly advocating the physical existence of Young’s boundary diffraction wave as a separate entity. Analysis of these fringes may provide vital information about the structure and nature of boundary diffraction wave e.g. existence in whole space, dependence of amplitude on obliquity factor etc.     

Nonlinear dynamics of planetary gears using analytical and finite element models

Vibration-induced gear noise and dynamic loads remain key concerns in many transmission applications that use planetary gears. Tooth separations at large vibrations introduce nonlinearity in geared systems. The present work examines the complex, nonlinear dynamic behavior of spur planetary gears using two models: (i) a lumped-parameter model, and (ii) a finite element model. The two-dimensional (2D) lumped-parameter model represents the gears as lumped inertias, the gear meshes as nonlinear springs with tooth contact loss and periodically varying stiffness due to changing tooth contact conditions, and the supports as linear springs. The 2D finite element model is developed from a unique finite element-contact analysis solver specialized for gear dynamics. Mesh stiffness variation excitation, corner contact, and gear tooth contact loss are all intrinsically considered in the finite element analysis. The dynamics of planetary gears show a rich spectrum of nonlinear phenomena. Nonlinear jumps, chaotic motions, and period-doubling bifurcations occur when the mesh frequency or any of its higher harmonics are near a natural frequency of the system. Responses from the dynamic analysis using analytical and finite element models are successfully compared qualitatively and quantitatively. These comparisons validate the effectiveness of the lumped-parameter model to simulate the dynamics of planetary gears. Mesh phasing rules to suppress rotational and translational vibrations in planetary gears are valid even when nonlinearity from tooth contact loss occurs. These mesh phasing rules, however, are not valid in the chaotic and period-doubling regions.     

10 Gbps optical soliton transmission link using in-line SOA on standard SMF at 1.3 μm

In this paper, 10 Gbps optical soliton transmission link using in-line semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) for already installed standard single mode fibers (SMF) at 1.3 μm wavelength has been reported. The pattern effect and the impact of chirp on pulse propagation after amplification have been investigated. The observations are based on modeling and simulation optical soliton transmission link. Optical soliton pulse transmission over distances of the order of several hundreds of kilometers has been shown with and without initial chirp.