Functionalisation of cholesteric liquid crystals by direct laser writing

Cholesteric liquid crystals selectively reflect circularly polarised light with the same handedness as the helix. Because of their sensitivity to external stimuli, such as heat and electrical fields, various applications utilising their tunability have been proposed. Tuning is usually performed in the bulk, meaning that cholesteric liquid crystals usually possess a single pitch throughout the medium. However, when the helical structure is locally modulated, different optical properties arise, such as tunable photonic defect modes and multiple reflection bands. Here we show a technique to locally modulate the helical structure of cholesteric liquid crystals on a submicron scale, based on two-photon excitation direct laser lithography. Two examples of cholesteric liquid crystal structures with modulated helical structures will be presented.     

Electron-impact total cross sections for inelastic processes for furan,tetrahydrofuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran

We report total inelastic, total ionisation and summed total excitation cross sections for electron scattering on furan, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 2,5-dimethylfuran at energies between the ionisation threshold and 5 keV. We have employed the spherical complex optical potential formalism (SCOP) to calculate the total inelastic cross sections (Q_inel) and have used complex scattering potential-ionisation contribution (CSP-ic) method to derive total ionisation cross sections (Q_ion) and summed total excitation cross sections (∑Q_exc) from the calculated Q_inel. We have also computed Q_ion for these molecules using binary-encounter-Bethe (BEB) approach. We have compared our total cross sections (TCS) with available experimental as well as previous theoretical results and have found good agreement. The results are presented graphically as well as numerically.     

Non-adiabatic potentials for H2 +

In principle exact non-adiabatic pseudo-potentials for H₂ ⁺ and D₂ ⁺ are formulated in terms of the theory of conditional probability amplitudes in wave mechanics. Numerical results for the v = 0 and v = 1 (J = 0) states of H₂ ⁺ are derived from previously computed accurate non-adiabatic wave-functions. These results indicate that the non-adiabatic pseudo-potentials only differ from the adiabatic potential by small energies of the same magnitude as the non-adiabatic corrections to the adiabatic energy levels.     

Nonlinear Stability for Steady Vortex Pairs

In this article, we prove nonlinear orbital stability for steadily translating vortex pairs, a family of nonlinear waves that are exact solutions of the incompressible, two-dimensional Euler equations. We use an adaptation of Kelvin’s variational principle, maximizing kinetic energy penalised by a multiple of momentum among mirror-symmetric isovortical rearrangements. This formulation has the advantage that the functional to be maximized and the constraint set are both invariant under the flow of the time-dependent Euler equations, and this observation is used strongly in the analysis. Previous work on existence yields a wide class of examples to which our result applies.     

The cloud chamber as a tool in cloud physics

Since 1875 when Coulier and, a little later, Aitken made the first simple expansion cloud chambers to study the condensation of water vapour on atmospheric particles, and particularly since 1895 when C. T. R. Wilson made his famous instrument with the initial object of studying optical phenomena in clouds, the cloud chamber has been one of the principal tools for investigating condensation phenomena and for simulating natural cloud-forming processes. The cloud physicist commonly employs expansion-, mixing- and diffusion-cloud chambers (he has yet to find a use for the bubble chamber) for studying the spontaneous condensation of water vapour; condensation upon ions and atmospheric particles; the production, nucleation and crystallization of super-cooled clouds; the properties of ice-forming nuclei; and the growth of ice crystals from the vapour. The purpose of this article is to review some of the more important aspects of this work.     

Advances in Infrared Photodetectors,edited by Sarath D. Gunapala,David R. Rhiger and Chennupatti Jagadish

The changes which its own speed causes in the properties of air in the neighbourhood of a very high-speed aircraft can alter the aerodynamics of tho flow around the vehicle. This paper outlines the nature of these changes in air properties, mentions the techniques by which they can be studied in the laboratory, and also indicates their significance for flight at very high speeds.     

A portable high-pressure stress cell based on the V7 Paris–Edinburgh apparatus

We describe a new device, based on a V7 Paris–Edinburgh press, for torsional testing of material at pressures up to 7 GPa (extendable to 15 GPa). Samples are deformed using a simple shear geometry between opposed anvils by rotating the lower anvil, via a rotational actuator, with respect to an upper, stationary, anvil. Use of conical anvil profiles greatly increases sample dimensions more than other high-pressure torsional apparatus did. Samples of polycrystalline Zr (2 mm thick, 3.5 mm diameter) have been sheared at strains exceeding γ ～1.5 at constant strain rate and at pressures from 1.8 to 5 GPa, and textural development has been studied by electron microscopy. Use of amorphous-boron-epoxy gaskets means that nearly simple shear of samples can be routinely achieved. This apparatus allows study of the plastic and anelastic behaviour of materials under high pressure, and is particularly suited for performing in situ investigations using synchrotron or neutron radiation.     

Large scale sonochemical processing: aspiration and actuality

It has been recognised for many years that power ultrasound has great potential in a wide variety of processes in the chemical and allied industries. Some of these processes have been known for many years and continue to flourish as major commercial applications, e.g. plastic welding and cleaning. Others, like ultrasonic drilling, while showing great potential have not been widely exploited to date. The potential for the industrial use of power ultrasound is enormous, and yet industry seems somewhat reluctant to adopt it. In this article the existing uses of power ultrasound in processing are reviewed and the potentials are explored.     

Enhancement of sonoluminescence emission from a multibubble cavitation zone

Investigations have been performed on various methods of increasing cavitation activity measured by the intensity of sonoluminescence. It is shown that the effect of the combined action of (a) pulsed modulation of an acoustic field, (b) liquid degassing and cooling and (c) increasing the static pressure considerably exceeds the sum of the effects achieved by each of these methods individually. A more than 250-fold increase of the sonoluminescence intensity has been attained compared with continuous irradiation under normal conditions (room temperature, atmospheric pressure, gas-saturated liquid). An interpretation of the results obtained is proposed.