A search technique for global optimization in a chaotic environment

We describe a new algorithm which uses the trajectories of a discrete dynamical system to sample the domain of an unconstrained objective function in search of global minima. The algorithm is unusually adept at avoiding nonoptimal local minima and successfully converging to a global minimum. Trajectories generated by the algorithm for objective functions with many local minima exhibit chaotic behavior, in the sense that they are extremely sensitive to changes in initial conditions and system parameters. In this context, chaos seems to have a beneficial effect: failure to converge to a global minimum from a given initial point can often be rectified by making arbitrarily small changes in the system parameters.     

The diffraction of plane gravitational waves by the edge of an ice cover

The diffraction of plane surface gravitational waves by the edge of an ice cover lying on the surface of an incompressible fluid of infinitely great depth is considered. The ice cover is simulated by a thin elastic plate. The wave reflection and transmission coefficients are determined when it interacts with the ice cover. A wave field is constructed in the fluid under the conditions that a periodic lumped force and a lumped moment act on the edge of the ice cover. It is shown that as the incident wavelength increases the reflection coefficient tends to zero and the transmission coefficient tends to unity.     

Three Electrons in a Two-Dimensional Parabolic Trap: The Relative Motion Solution

In agreement with the Kohn theorem the relative motion (rel) of three electrons in a two-dimensional parabolic trap separates from the centre-of-mass (CM) motion. By introducing new coordinates the Hamiltonian for relative motion in the approximation of non-interacting electrons can be taken to the normal form. The eigenstates of the normalized Hamiltonian are products of the Fock-Darwin states for normal modes. The energy levels for relative motion are obtained by diagonalizing the exact Hamiltonian in the eigenbasis for the non-interacting case. In this basis the interaction matrix elements can be obtained in the analytical form. Since the rank of the Hamiltonian matrix is significantly reduced, the calculations are faster and more accurate than those for the full (CM + rel) motion. This advantage is especially important for the calculations of excited states and the analysis of energy spectra.     

A modified predictor–corrector scheme for the two-dimensional sine-Gordon equation

A three-time level finite-difference scheme based on a fourth order in time and second order in space approximation has been proposed for the numerical solution of the nonlinear two-dimensional sine-Gordon equation. The method, which is analysed for local truncation error and stability, leads to the solution of a nonlinear system. To avoid solving it, a predictor–corrector scheme using as predictor a second-order explicit scheme is proposed. The procedure of the corrector has been modified by considering as known the already evaluated corrected values instead of the predictor ones. This modified scheme has been tested on the line and circular ring soliton and the numerical experiments have proved that there is an improvement in the accuracy over the standard predictor–corrector implementation. This research was co-funded by E.U. (75%) and by the Greek Government (25%).     

On Monodromy of Generalized Analytic Functions

We discuss a number of topics concerned with certain boundary-value problems in the context of generalized analytic functions. Solution of the classical Riemann-Hilbert problem and the linear conjugation problem for analytic functions is described in appropriate function classes and the same scheme is applied to generalized analytic functions and vectors. In particular, we describe solution of the Riemann-Hilbert problem for generalized analytic functions and obtain an explicit analytic presentation of monodromy matrices in the case of generalized analytic vectors. __________ Translated from Sovremennaya Matematika i Ee Prilozheniya (Contemporary Mathematics and Its Applications), Vol. 15, Theory of Functions, 2004.     

Effects of sputter deposition parameters and post-deposition annealing on the electrical characteristics of LaAlO3 dielectric films on Si

The influence of processing parameters on the electrical characteristics of RuO₂/LaAlO₃/Si metal-oxide-semiconductor structures was investigated. In particular, the sputtering regime during deposition of LaAlO₃ on Si and the atmosphere used in the post-deposition annealing step were addressed by determining capacitance-voltage and gate current-voltage characteristics. These results were correlated with compositional information obtained by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and nuclear reaction analysis. A post-deposition annealing step in oxygen at 600 °C resulted in better electrical characteristics of the final structure as compared to the same treatment performed in nitrogen. This result is explained by oxygen ability to heal oxygen vacancies in the LaAlO₃ film, especially at the dielectric/semiconductor interface region. A thermalized sputtering regime during deposition of LaAlO₃ on Si leads to capacitors with electrical characteristics superior to those deposited in ballistic regime. PACS 77.84.Dy; 81.15.Cd; 81.40.Gh; 73.40.Qv; 82.80.Yc