Christoffel-Darboux-type formulae and a recurrence for biorthogonal polynomials

It is proved that biorthogonal polynomials obey two different kinds of Christoffel-Darboux-type formulae, one linking polynomials with a different parameter and one combining polynomials with different degrees. This is used to produce a mixed recurrence relation, which is valid for all biorthogonal polynomials. This recurrence relation establishes several results on interlacing property of zeros of successive biorthogonal polynomials and leads to a new result on the interlace of zeros of orthogonal polynomials (of equal degrees) with respect to two distributionsdψ(x) andx ^p dψ(x), 0<p≤1, with support in either [0, 1] or [1, ∞).     

Bounds on the maximum numbers of clear two-factor interactions for 2^{(n_1 + n_2 ) - (k_1 + k_2 )} fractional factorial split-plot designs

Fractional factorial split-plot (FFSP) designs have an important value of investigation for their special structures. There are two types of factors in an FFSP design: the whole-plot (WP) factors and sub-plot (SP) factors, which can form three types of two-factor interactions: WP2fi, WS2fi and SP2fi. This paper considers FFSP designs with resolution III or IV under the clear effects criterion. It derives the upper and lower bounds on the maximum numbers of clear WP2fis and WS2fis for FFSP designs, and gives some methods for constructing the desired FFSP designs. It further examines the performance of the construction methods.     

On Periodic Solutions of Degenerate Singularly Perturbed Linear Systems with Multiple Elementary Divisor

We establish sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of a periodic solution of a system of linear differential equations with a small parameter and a degenerate matrix of coefficients of derivatives in the case of a multiple spectrum of a boundary matrix pencil. We construct asymptotics of this solution.     

Structural evolution in amorphous silicon and germanium thin films.

The structural evolution in amorphous silicon and germanium thin films has been investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) in conjunction with autocorrelation function (ACF) analysis. The results established that the structure of as-deposited semiconductor films is of a high density of nanocrystallites embedded in the amorphous matrix. In addition, from ACF analysis, the structure of a-Ge is more ordered than that of a-Si. The density of embedded nanocrystallites in amorphous films was found to diminish with annealing temperature first, then to increase. The conclusions also corroborate well with the results of diminished medium-range order in annealed amorphous films determined previously by a variable coherence microscopy method.     

Laser diagnostics of nanoscale dielectric films on absorbing substrate by differential reflectivity and ellipsometry

The differential reflection characteristics for ultrathin inhomogeneous dielectric film on absorbing substrate are investigated in the long-wavelength approximation. The obtained first-order expressions for differential reflectivity and changes in the ellipsometric angles caused by ultrathin layer are of immediate interest to the solution of the inverse problem. The method to determine the averaged values (not the realistic profile) of refractive index for inhomogeneous nanometric films are shown. The novel possibilities for determining the dielectric constant and thickness of nanoscale homogeneous films by the differential ellipsometric and reflectivity measurements are developed, and a simple method to estimate whether the nanometric film is homogeneous or not is also discussed.     

Can Millimeter Waves Generate Electroporation?

Analysis of the field distributions in a single biological cell under electromagnetic wave is given. With Debye approximation, the dielectric relaxation of each part of the cell, including the extracellular and cellular media, the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane, was taken into account. Making use of some typical parameters for a cell, the voltage across nuclear and cytoplasma membranes under electromagnetic waves are calculated up to millimeter wave frequency range. The calculated result indicates that it is unlikely to generate electroporation by present available millimeter wave sources.     

A comprehensive study of the long pulse Nd:YAG laser drilling of multi-layer carbon fibre composites

The results of an extensive experimental study of the free running Nd:YAG laser drilling of a multi-layer carbon fibre composite, where adjacent layers have differently orientated fibres, are reported. For holes drilled with the laser operating in fixed-Q mode at 1064 nm, parallel sections of blind holes illustrating discontinuities in the hole size along a given section direction will be shown to occur at the interface between adjacent layers. An explanation for this effect is proposed. Detailed single pulse drilling characteristics will be presented illustrating the exit hole diameter as a function of pulse energy and material thickness. These characteristics illustrate a ‘stable' drilling regime in which the exit hole diameters are least sensitive to changes in pulse energy or material thickness and a less ‘stable' regime in which they are more strongly dependent on these parameters. Drilling characteristics will be given for two different beam qualities, illustrating the greater drilling depth and reduced hole size achievable with an improved beam quality. Finally holes drilled through a 2 mm thick sample of material with multiple pulses are considered. Size distribution curves for entrance and exit holes will be presented. The total energy required (number of pulses × pulse energy) to drill through 2 mm thick material will be reported as a function of pulse energy in stationary air and argon atmospheres and in a partial vacuum, illustrating a threshold energy which is dependent upon the drilling atmosphere. The threshold energies will be discussed with reference to plasma formation and the reactivity of the drilling atmosphere.