Monte Carlo study of interfacial silicon suboxide layers and oxidation kinetics

A simple simulation scheme that simultaneously describes the growth kinetics of SiO₂ films at the nanometer scale and the SiO_x/Si interface dynamics (its extent, and spatial/temporal evolution) is presented. The simulation successfully applies to experimental data in the region above and below 10 nm, reproduces the Deal and Grove linear-parabolic law and the oxide growth rate enhancement in the very thin film regime (the so-called anomalous region). According to the simulation, the oxidation is governed mainly by two processes: (a) the formation of a transition suboxide layer and (b) its subsequent drift towards the silicon bulk. We found that it is the superposition of these two processes that produces the crossover from the anomalous oxidation region behavior to the linear-parabolic law.     

Resistance of nondiffracting vortex beam against amplitude and phase perturbations

The revival of the nondiffracting vortex beam after its interaction with the 2D on axis obstacle is examined. We show that the phase topology and the spatial distribution of the orbital angular momentum of the beam transmitted through the obstacle regenerate to the initial form during further free propagation. We verify that the healing effect appears even if the interaction is accompanied by the exchange of the orbital angular momentum.     

Algebraic methods in quantum mechanics: from molecules to polymers

We present a brief review of algebraic techniques developed and applied in molecular spectroscopy in the last five years. We also outline perspectives for new applications of the Lie algebraic method in the first decade of the new century. Received 21 November 2001     

Metastability in the Potts model on the Cayley tree

Metastability in the ferromagneticp-state Potts model defined on the Cayley tree is discussed. It is shown that the sign of the boundary fieldH _s determines the order of the transition as well as the stability of the low-temperature phase. Lowering the temperature withH _s >0, a system withp<2 (p>2) will display a second (first)-order transition to a metastable (stable) phase. ForH _s >0 a second (first)-order transition to a metastable (stable) phase occurs ifp>2 (p<2). In this case the system also has a residual entropy which is negative forp<2.     

Diffraction in a nonlinear defocusing medium

Diffraction by a semitransparent screen is considered in the framework of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The case of a defocusing medium is investigated. The method used represents a synthesis of the method of Riemann's matrix problem and the technique of Whitham's deformations of spectral curves.Translated from Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov Leningradskogo Otdeleniya Matematicheskogo Instituta im. V. A. Steklova, Vol. 179, pp. 23–31, 1989.     

The measurement of subcritical electroconvection

Under idealized conditions, electroconvection in a nematic liquid crystal sets in at a well-defined threshold of the driving ac voltage. Fluctuating convection rolls of a small amplitude below that threshold have been observed recently. The measurement of the amplitude of these fluctuations is described in detail in this paper. It is based on averaging the light intensity signals using the structure function and a quantitative analysis of the light deflection.     

The Implications of Cognitive-style Findings for Operational Research

Cognitive style refers to differences that can be perceived in individuals due to differing cognitive structures. There has been a large amount of research on how cognitive style affects managerial decision-making, particularly in the context of management information systems, but little or no attempt to relate these findings to operational research. This paper reviews the findings of cognitive-style research from the perspective of operational research, and draws a number of useful inferences concerning the matching of OR aids to managers, the presentation of information and recommendations, the use and acceptance of OR, and the structure of OR groups. Further, it is argued that cognitive-style findings help to give a justification to the move towards ‘soft’ approaches to analysis.     

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Book reviews

     

Evaluating the Efficiency of US Air Force Real-Property Maintenance Activities

The objective of this research is to evaluate a new methodology, data envelopment analysis (DEA), as a tool for measuring and evaluating the operational efficiency of US Air Force organizations. This study involves the application of DEA to locate possible inefficiencies in the performance of US Air Force real-property maintenance activities. Dynamic behaviour, as exhibited via window analyses, is reviewed along with static counterparts. The testing was done in close coordination with Air Force officials, who reviewed the results for accuracy, validity and relevance. We conclude that this type of efficiency analysis does have value for the Air Force, where it can serve as a guide to auditors, budget programmers, managers and others in measuring, evaluating and enhancing operational efficiency.