An accelerated closed universe

We study a model in which a closed universe with dust and quintessence matter components may look like an accelerated flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe at low redshifts. Several quantities relevant to the model are expressed in terms of observed density parameters, _M and , and of the associated density parameter _Q related to the quintessence scalar field Q.     

Three-dimensional image fusion by use of multiwavelength digital holography

We present three-dimensional (3D) image fusion by use of digital holography. We demonstrate experimentally that, through the image fusion technique with multiresolution wavelet decomposition, it is possible to increase the details and contrast of 3D reconstructed images obtained by multiwavelength digital holography. Although there is substantial activity in the fields of image fusion and holography, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of 3D image fusion by use of digital holography.     

Modular forms and three-loop superstring amplitudes

We study a proposal of D'Hoker and Phong for the chiral superstring measure for genus three. A minor modification of the constraints they impose on certain Siegel modular forms leads to a unique solution. We reduce the problem of finding these modular forms, which depend on an even spin structure, to finding a modular form of weight 8 on a certain subgroup of the modular group. An explicit formula for this form, as a polynomial in the even theta constants, is given. We checked that our result is consistent with the vanishing of the cosmological constant. We also verified a conjecture of D'Hoker and Phong on modular forms in genus 3 and 4 using results of Igusa.     

Nonsymmetrized Hyperspherical Harmonics with Realistic Potentials

The Schrödinger equation is solved for an A-nucleon system using an expansion of the wave function in nonsymmetrized hyperspherical harmonics. The present approach is based on a formalism developed by Gattobigio et al. (Phys. Rev. A 79:032513, 2009; Few-Body Syst. 45:127–131, 2009; Phys. Rev. C 83:024001, 2011). Spin and isospin degrees of freedom are included; this makes possible calculations with realistic NN potential models. The fermionic ground state is determined by introducing an additional potential term involving the Casimir operator such that the antisymmetric ground state becomes the lowest eigenstate of the A-body system. Results are discussed for ⁴He with the realistic AV18 NN potential and for ⁶Li with the semirealistic MTI/III NN potential.     

A shell model for energy transfer in lanthanide elpasolite crystals

Published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spectroscopii, Vol. 62, No. 5, pp. 213–220, September–October, 1995.     

Public perception of nanotechnology

While several studies on the public opinion of nanotechnology have pointed to a rather enthusiastic U.S. public, the public uptake of nanotechnology in Europe is more contained. The results of the Swiss publifocus on nanotechnology reveal a pragmatic attitude of citizens toward the emerging technologies, thus confirming what has been identified as a “balanced approach” in the NanoJury UK.

Theory of negative-refractive-index response of double-fishnet structures

A theory is presented of the negative refractive index observed in the so-called double-fishnet structures. We find that the electrical response of these structures is dominated by the cutoff frequency of the hole waveguide whereas the resonant magnetic response is due to the excitation of gap surface plasmon polaritons propagating along the dielectric slab. Associated with this origin, we show how the negative refractive index in these metamaterials presents strong dispersion with the parallel momentum of the incident light.     

Synthesis of carbon black/polystyrene conductive nanocomposite. Pickering emulsion effect characterized by TEM

In this study, carbon black/polystyrene electrically conductive composites were obtained by suspension polymerization technique. The composite was characterized using transmission electron microscopy, which indicated two outstanding features concerning to the carbon black; first, that the carbon particles were adsorbed onto the surface of the polystyrene particles, similarly as in the Pickering emulsion phenomenon and second, that the primary aggregate structure of the carbon black was significantly affected by the dispersion process. On the other hand, the composite resistivity was in the order of 200 Ωcm, which was attributed to the direct contact of primary carbon black particles (percolation) and not to the tunneling effect. The obtained composite was evaluated as the electrically conductive element in SBR matrix.     

Colloidal nanocrystal ZnO- and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-modified electrodes sensitized with chlorophyll a and carotenoids: a photoelectrochemical study

Heterostructures formed of films of organic-capped ZnO and TiO₂ nanocrystals (both with the size of ca. 6 nm) and photosynthetic pigments were prepared and characterized. The surface of optically transparent electrodes (Indium Tin Oxide) was modified with nanocrystals and prepared by colloidal synthetic routes. The nanostructured electrodes were sensitized by a mixture of chlorophyll a and carotenoids. The characterization of the hybrid structures, carried out by means of steady-state optical measurements, demonstrated such class of dyes able to extend the photoresponse of the large band-gap semiconductors. The charge-transfer processes between the components of the heterojunction were investigated, and photoelectrochemical measurements taken on the sensitized ZnO and TiO₂ nanocrystals electrodes elucidated the photoactivity of the heterojunctions as a function of the dyes and of the red–ox mediator used in solution. The effect of methyl viologen as different red–ox mediator was also evaluated in order to show its effect on the heterojunction photoactivity. The overall results contributed to describe the photoelectrochemical potential of the investigated heterojunctions, highlighting a higher response of the dye-sensitized ZnO nanocrystals, and then provided the TiO₂-modified counterparts.