Standardization of Methods for Characterizing the Surface Geometry of Solids

Since a comprehensive survey published in 1999 [1] much work was done in standardizing measuring methods to characterize the surface geometry of dispersed and/or porous solids and to certify reference materials. The present paper is an extension of a short communication [2]. It gives a survey on existing standards and reports on new drafts and proposals.     

Letter: Causality Violating Geodesics in Bonnor's Rotating Dust Metric

We exhibit timelike geodesic paths for a metric, introduced by Bonnor [11] and considered also by Steadman [13], and show that coordinate time runs backward along a portion of these geodesics.     

What is a design? How should we classify them?

Design theory crosses the boundary between mathematics and statistics, and includes a wide range of disparate types of design. In this paper we present a classification scheme which aims to include as many important types as possible, based on a balance among concept, representation and use.     

Reflection spectroscopy in microstructured light scattering materials

Summary A theoretical model is derived that describes the influence of lateral light diffusion in a scattering medium on the absorptivity of an absorber spot on top of the substrate. The model uses the lateral resolved reflectivity under point irradiation that has been analyzed experimentally with a scanning-micro-laser-reflectometer. The model allows quantification of the absorptivity by one single equation that contains only the mean radial diffusion length of light and the spot area. Experiment and theory are applied to typical substrates for thin layer chromatography (alumina, silica, cellulose). The diffusion lengths in these substrates are given and the absorptivities of the spots are calculated as a function of the spot area.