The first total synthesis of (R)-convolutamydine A

The first total synthesis of (R)-convolutamydine A has been achieved by the organocatalytic addition of acetone to 4,6-dibromoisatin. The absolute configuration was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. DFT studies were used to model the transition states for the aldol reaction and equilibrium geometries of the post-aldol reaction intermediates. The DFT study revealed that the aldol bond forming reaction was considerably endothermic.     

An expansion in the exponent for compound binomial approximations

The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, we introduce a new asymptotic expansion in the exponent for the compound binomial approximation of the generalized Poisson binomial distribution. The dependence of its accuracy on the symmetry and shifting of distributions is investigated. Second, for compound binomial and compound Poisson distributions, we present new smoothness estimates, some of which contain explicit constants. Finally, the ideas used in this paper enable us to prove new precise bounds in the compound Poisson approximation. Published in Lietuvos Matematikos Rinkinys, Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 67–110, January–March, 2006.     

What is Erased in the Quantum Erasure?

In this paper, we re-examine a series of gedanken welcher Weg (WW) experiments introduced by Scully, Englert and Walther that contain the essential ideas underlying the quantum eraser. For this purpose we use the Bohm model which gives a sharp picture of the behaviour of the atoms involved in these experiments. This model supports the thesis that interference disappears in such WW experiments, even though the centre of mass wave function remains coherent throughout the experiment. It also shows exactly what it means to say ‘that the interference can be restored by manipulating the WW detectors long after the atoms have passed’. It does not support Wheeler’s notion that ‘the past is undefined and undefinable without the observation (in the present)’.     

Action Principle and Modification of the Faddeev–Popov Factor in Gauge Theories

The quantum action (dynamical) principle is exploited to investigate the nature and origin of the Faddeev–Popov (FP) factor in gauge theories without recourse to path integrals. Gauge invariant as well as gauge non-invariant interactions are considered to show that the FP factor needs to be modified in more general cases and expressions for these modifications are derived. In particular we show that a gauge invariant theory does not necessarily imply the familiar FP factor for proper quantization. PACS numbers: 11.15.-q; 12.10.-g; 12.15.-y; 12.38.-t     

Assessment of thermal expansion coefficient of methylsilsesquioxane thin film

For the methylsilsesquioxane film whose optical birefringence is almost zero, it was recently reported that its vertical thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) was approximately one order of magnitude larger than the lateral CTE. Though the birefringence is not an absolute predictor of anisotropic behavior, the discrepancy in both the CTEs was so remarkable that it was essential to investigate whether the anisotropy was intrinsic property or not. If the effect of Poisson's ratio is considered in the calculation of the vertical CTE and when elastic modulus measured by surface acoustic wave spectroscopy is used in the assessment of the lateral CTE, both the CTEs are coincident with each other. Therefore, it can be concluded that the discrepancy in the CTEs can be attributed to a higher in‐plane polymer chain orientation but it can also arise from the misleadingly assumed modulus and Poisson's ratio. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 3109–3120, 2006     

Two-axis-scanning laser Doppler vibrometer for precision engineering

Laser Doppler vibrometer (LVD) has been the most favorite instrument for precision dynamics measurement due to its non-contact, high accuracy and high resolution. However, LDV can only give the dynamic data of a particular location on the entire feature. In order to get the whole field data, a laser beam-scanning mechanism has to be implemented. Currently, motor-driven scanning mirror is used to move the measurement probe from one point to another. The mechanical vibrations of the scanning mirror will reduce the measurement accuracy. This paper introduces a novel scanning LDV optical system embodied in an acousto-optic deflector scanning mechanism. It can improve the measurement accuracy since there is no mechanical motion involved. One main advantage of this system is that it generates a laser scanning beam in parallel that is different from the beam scanning in the conventional scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV). The new system has a board scanning range. The measurement target size ranges from few tens of millimeters down to 10 μm. We have demonstrated the capability of the novel system on scanning measurements of features as big as ultra-precision cutting tool to features as tiny as AFM cantilever. We believe that the novel SLDV will find profound potential applications in the precision engineering field.     

A method for molecular ionization potentials

A new method for one-electron propagator calculations of molecular inization potentials is proposed, using a large matrix technique The results of some trial calculations on molecular nitrogen are given.     

The dual of a finitely generated multiplication module

This paper is based on the M. Sc. thesis written by the third author under the supervision of the first two authors. It was submitted to the University of Baghdad in 1986.