Insight into precursor kinetics using an infrared gas analyser

Precursor kinetics and its influence on MOCVD growth was investigated using an infrared absorption gas analyser. After several refinements, the analyser was able to be used to measure time dependent concentrations of precursors in the growth zone. Changes were induced by periodic switching of corresponding bubbler valves. It was proved that precursor transport could be accurately described by the combined plug flow and perfectly mixed tank model. The studies of the precursor trans-port are strategically important for the growth of multilayer structures, when growth time of particular layers becomes comparable to delays and time constants. One example is quantum wells or interdiffused multilayer process (IMP) used in the growth of Hg1-xCdxTe heterostructures, where knowledge of precursor transport characteristics is vital for understanding and properly designing that growth. The model parameters, sc. the delays and time constants for DIPTe and DMCd, were evaluated for various growth conditions and then successfully used to optimise the growth of complex Hg_1−xCd_xTe heterostructures.     

Optical sensing of parameters crucial for Japanese woodblock print making

Traditional Japanese woodblock printing is a centuries old art form. This time-honoured form of art is at risk of extinction as a consequence of the increasing lack of availability of wild cherry trees, which are a traditionally used woodblock material. Solutions for this material problem have been investigated for several years, but none of the tested materials has been sufficient when compared with the watercolour print quality imprinted by wild cherry woodblocks. To contribute to overcoming this material problem, we have investigated the physical properties of heat-treated woodblock materials made from different wood species. The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) tristimulus values, the CIELAB coordinates, the total reflectance, and the gloss, as well as, the water contact angle from the woodblock surface is observed to have a strong relation to the surface treatment of a woodblock. The surface treatment of a woodblock, in turn, relates to its water delivery, which is the basis for watercolour printing.     

The influence of electron–phonon interaction on the OSL decay curve shape

The significance of the electron–phonon interaction for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) process in quartz is demonstrated. OSL variation with temperature has been investigated for four samples of natural quartz. Changes of the OSL decay rate have been observed for all components of the OSL signal. The scale and tendency of these changes are comparable with outcomes of computer simulations carried out for the model composed of two deep electron traps, one shallow trap and one recombination centre, taking into account the electron–phonon interactions.     

Dose response of hydrazine – Deproteinated tooth enamel under blue light stimulation

The beta dose response and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) signal stability characteristics of human tooth enamel deproteinated by hydrazine reagent under blue photon stimulation are reported. Removal of the protein organic component of tooth enamel resulted in a higher OSL sensitivity and slower fading of OSL signals. The effect of chemical sample preparation on the enamel sample sensitivity is discussed and further steps to make this deproteinization treatment suitable for in vitro dose reconstruction studies are suggested.     

Amorphous track models: A numerical comparison study

We present an open-source code library for amorphous track modelling which is suppose to faciliate the application and numerical comparability as well as serve as a frame-work for the implementation of new models. We show an example of using the library indicating the choice of submodels has a significant impact on the modelling outcome.     

Garvey-Kelson relations for nuclear charge radii

The Garvey-Kelson relations (GKRs) are algebraic expressions originally developed to predict nuclear masses. In this paper we show that the GKRs provide a fruitful framework for the prediction of other physical observables that also display a slowly varying dynamics. Based on this concept, we extend the GKRs to the study of nuclear charge radii. The GKRs are tested on 455 out of the approximately 800 nuclei whose charge radius is experimentally known. We find a rms deviation of 0.01fm between the GK predictions and the experimental values. Predictions are provided for 116 nuclei whose charge radius is presently unknown.     

Assessment of high-resolution methods for numerical simulations of compressible turbulence with shock waves

Flows in which shock waves and turbulence are present and interact dynamically occur in a wide range of applications, including inertial confinement fusion, supernovae explosion, and scramjet propulsion. Accurate simulations of such problems are challenging because of the contradictory requirements of numerical methods used to simulate turbulence, which must minimize any numerical dissipation that would otherwise overwhelm the small scales, and shock-capturing schemes, which introduce numerical dissipation to stabilize the solution. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the performance of several numerical methods capable of simultaneously handling turbulence and shock waves. A comprehensive range of high-resolution methods (WENO, hybrid WENO/central difference, artificial diffusivity, adaptive characteristic-based filter, and shock fitting) and suite of test cases (Taylor–Green vortex, Shu–Osher problem, shock-vorticity/entropy wave interaction, Noh problem, compressible isotropic turbulence) relevant to problems with shocks and turbulence are considered. The results indicate that the WENO methods provide sharp shock profiles, but overwhelm the physical dissipation. The hybrid method is minimally dissipative and leads to sharp shocks and well-resolved broadband turbulence, but relies on an appropriate shock sensor. Artificial diffusivity methods in which the artificial bulk viscosity is based on the magnitude of the strain-rate tensor resolve vortical structures well but damp dilatational modes in compressible turbulence; dilatation-based artificial bulk viscosity methods significantly improve this behavior. For well-defined shocks, the shock fitting approach yields good results.     

On geodesic mappings of equidistant generalized Riemannian spaces

In this paper geodesic mappings of equidistant generalized Riemannian spaces are discussed. It is proved that each equidistant generalized Riemannian space of basic type admits non-trivial geodesic mapping with preserved equidistant congruence. Especially, there exists non-trivial geodesic mapping of equidistant generalized Riemannian space onto equidistant Riemannian space. An example of geodesic mapping of an equidistant generalized Riemannian spaces is presented.