Vehicle routing via column generation

This paper explores an approximate method for solving a routing problem in a four-level distribution which has “double-ended” demand. Routes are represented as columns in a linear program and column generation is used to improve the solution by generating new routes. The generation of new routes is based on an LP sub-problem. Its solution is rounded down to integer values to insure its feasibility as a route for inclusion in the restricted master problem. Finally, an illustrative problem is solved.     

Aharonov invariants and univalent functions

Several properties of a certain series of differential operators which are invariant under the Möbius group (Aharonov invariants) are proved, and in terms of this series new conditions for univalence and quasiconformal extendability of meromorphic functions are established.     

Some extensions of weakly mixing flows

Using a technique of R. Ellis we prove the existence of many weakly mixing (w.m.) flows which are distal extensions of a given w.m. flow. Then we indicate two w.m. minimal flows whose product has a minimal non-w.m. subflow. This work was done under the helpful supervision of Professor H. Furstenberg as a part of the author’s Ph.D. thesis to be submitted to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.     

Observation of two-dimensional multimode solitons

We present the first experimental observation of (2+1) -dimensional multimode (composite) solitons. A single-hump component and a double-hump (dipole-type) component are jointly self-trapped as a composite soliton in a biased photorefractive crystal.     

Coherence enhancement of spatially incoherent light beams through soliton interactions

We show that the spatial coherence of a partially incoherent light beam can be greatly enhanced through an energy-conserving interaction with an incoherent or a coherent dark spatial soliton. Computer simulations show that during this process a portion of the incoherent beam is trapped within the dark notch of the dark soliton, thus forming a sharp intensity spike. In this region the correlation length dramatically increases by at least 2 orders of magnitude.     

Modulation instability of incoherent beams in noninstantaneous nonlinear media

We show that modulation instability can exist with partially spatially incoherent light beams in a noninstantaneous nonlinear environment. For such incoherent modulation instability to occur, the value of the nonlinearity has to exceed a threshold imposed by the degree of spatial coherence.     

Eliminating the transverse instabilities of kerr solitons

We show analytically, numerically, and experimentally that a transversely stable one-dimensional [(1+1)D] bright Kerr soliton can exist in a 3D bulk medium. The transverse instability of the soliton is completely eliminated if it is made sufficiently incoherent along the transverse dimension. We derive a criterion for the threshold of transverse instability that links the nonlinearity to the largest transverse correlation distance for which the 1D soliton is stable.