On the Neighbour-Distinguishing Index of a Graph

A proper edge colouring of a graph G is neighbour-distinguishing provided that it distinguishes adjacent vertices by sets of colours of their incident edges. It is proved that for any planar bipartite graph G with Δ(G)≥12 there is a neighbour-distinguishing edge colouring of G using at most Δ(G)+1 colours. Colourings distinguishing pairs of vertices that satisfy other requirements are also considered.     

Low noise optical receiver with multi-octave bandwidth

Optical and Quantum Electronics - A new approach for the design and construction of low noise broadband optical receivers is presented utilizing distributed amplification based on hybrid integrated...     

Influence of boric acid on the electrochemical deposition of Ni

The electrolytic deposition of Ni onto a paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode from supporting chloride electrolyte (0.5 mol dm⁻³ NaCl) adjusted to the required pH using dilute HCl is investigated. The effect of electrolyte composition on the Ni electrodeposition is studied using linear sweep voltammetry in the cathodic region. An elimination voltammetry procedure was applied to evaluate the polarization curves. The aim of this work was to deduce the mechanism of Ni reduction in the chloride bath as well as the influence of boric acid on this. Positively-charged NiCl⁺ ions were found to be the electroactive particles in the Ni reduction mechanism. The strong competition between the NiCl⁺, Cl⁻ and H⁺ ions for active sites at the electrode is discussed. Kinetically-controlled adsorption/desorption processes of various species were also confirmed using elimination voltammetry with a linear scan. The evolution of gaseous hydrogen, catalyzed by the freshly-deposited Ni, accompanies the electrodeposition process. The presence of boric acid at a sufficiently high concentration inhibits the deposition of Ni and, at the same time, improves the morphology and brightness, as well as the adhesion of the deposited Ni. Elimination voltammetry with a linear scan is an efficient way to evaluate current–potential curves that reflect the electrodeposition of one-component Ni coatings. By eliminating selected currents, additional interesting and useful information can be obtained from voltammetric data.     

Wind tunnel simulation of air pollution dispersion in a street canyon

Physical simulation was used to study pollution dispersion in a street canyon. The street canyon model was designed to study the effect of measuring flow and concentration fields. A method of C02-laser photoacoustic spectrometry was applied for detection of trace concentration of gas pollution. The advantage of this method is its high sensitivity and broad dynamic range, permitting monitoring of concentrations from trace to saturation values. Application of this method enabled us to propose a simple model based on line permeation pollutant source, developed on the principle of concentration standards, to ensure high precision and homogeneity of the concentration flow. Spatial measurement of the concentration distribution inside the street canyon was performed on the model with reference velocity of 1.5 m/s.     

Yttrium aluminate crystals for slabs

The methods of growing YAG:Nd crystals with a flat interface and YAP:Nd crystals with a sharp conical interface are described. The form of the interface was controlled by the He and H₂O content in the reducing atmosphere composed mainly of Ar and H₂ as well as by axial temperature gradient above the melt level. The crystals of 120–180 mm in length were machined to the high-quality slabs.     

Nd3+ near UV and visible fluorescence in YAP:Nd

The present paper summarizes detailed investigations of Nd³⁺ fluorescence spectra in YAP:Nd laser crystal in the broad spectral range of 370–1100 nm at liquid nitrogen temperature. Especially, Nd³⁺ near UV and visible fluorescence spectra were studied for the first time in this crystal. The Nd³⁺ near UV and visible fluorescence spectra of this crystal consist of many narrow lines (up to 50). The Nd³⁺ near UV and visible fluorescence lines arise mainly from⁴D_3/2 and²P_3/2 Nd³⁺ terms (transitions from⁴D_3/2,²P_3/2 to lower lying Nd³⁺ levels are responsible for their appearance). At room temperature the fluorescence spectra consist of broad bands with narrow lines (mainly⁴D_3/2⁴F_3/2,⁴F_5/2 and²H_9/2 transitions).     

Non-steady state homogeneous nucleation in glass-forming systems: Dimensionless kinetic equation

The kinetic equation of the classical homogeneous nucleation theory is rewritten in dimensionless form and it is shown that the numerical computation of the dimensionless kinetic equation is approximately 20 times faster in comparison with the original kinetic equation. The results are compared with known analytical results and with previous numerical results in the case of the constant and variable temperature for the model Li₂O.2 SiO₂ melt. It is shown, e.g., that under non-isothermal conditions the nucleation rate is greater than the quasistationary nucleation rate and the cluster distribution function is greater than the corresponding quasiequilibrium cluster distribution function.