An inequality linking packing and covering densities of plane convex bodies

For every convex body K in R ², let (K) denote the packing density of K, i.e. the density of the tightest packing of congruent copies of K in R ², and let (K) denote the covering density of K, i.e. the density of the thinnest covering of R ² with congruent copies of K. It is shown here that 4(K)3(K) for every convex body K in R ². This inequality is the strongest possible, since if E is an ellipse, then the equality 4(E)=3(E) holds. Two corollaries are presented, and a summary of known bounds for packing and covering densities is given.     

Asymptotic expansions for dynamic programming recursions with general nonnegative matrices

This paper is concerned with the study of the asymptotic behavior of dynamic programming recursions of the form $$x(n + 1) = \mathop {\max }\limits_{P \in \mathcal{K}} Px(n), n = 0,1,2,...,$$ where ? denotes a set of matrices, generated by all possible interchanges of corresponding rows, taken from a fixed finite set of nonnegative square matrices. These recursions arise in a number of well-known and frequently studied problems, e.g. in the theory of controlled Markov chains, Leontief substitution systems, controlled branching processes, etc. Results concerning the asymptotic behavior ofx(n), forn→∞, are established in terms of the maximal spectral radius, the maximal index, and a set of generalized eigenvectors. A key role in the analysis is played by a geometric convergence result for value iteration in undiscounted multichain Markov decision processes. A new proof of this result is also presented.     

Dual pairs and representations of scattering amplitudes

A procedure for constructing scattering amplitudes for production processes that is exactly unitary, preserves the bosonic character of the many-particle states, and is invariant with respect to an underlying symmetry group is given. Two simple models, dealing with isospin internal symmetry and the two-dimensional Euclidean space group are presented which illustrate how scattering amplitudes can be represented as matrix elements of groups whose action commutes with the action of the invariance group on the relevant Fock space.Invited talk presented at the International Conference Selected Topics in Quantum Field Theory and Mathematical Physics, Bechyn, Czechoslovakia, June 23–27, 1986.Work supported in part by the Department of Energy.     

Strong-coupling effects in high-T c superconductors

It is conceivable that the high-T _c superconducting perovskites are conventional electronphonon superconductors. In this case one expects significant strong-coupling effects because of the unusually high ratiok _B T _c / of the order 0.1 and greater. We use a set of reasonable models for the Eliashberg function ² F() (which takes into account available information on the phonon spectra and which fit the measuredT _c 's) and calculate strong-coupling effects in the specific heatc _s (T)/T _c , the ratio ₀/k _B T _c , the critical fieldsH _c (T) andH _c2 (T) including Pauli limiting, and other measurable quantities. Strongcoupling corrections turn out to be in the range of 0 to about 100%, depending on the quantity of interest. We discuss the perspectives of using strong-coupling effects as indicators for conventional electron-phonon superconductivity in the new materials.     

S0-S1 two photon absorption dynamics of organic dye solutions

The two-photon absorption cross-sections and excited-state absorption cross-sections of the dyes rhodamine 6G, methylene blue and fuchsin dissolved in methanol, and of the dyes safranine T, 1,3,3,1,3,3-hexamethylindocarbocyanine iodide (HMICI) and 1,3,1,3-tetramethyl-2,2-dioxopyrimidi-6,6-carbocyanine hydrogen sulphate (PYC) dissolved in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) are determined. The excitation is achieved with picosecond light pulses of a passively mode-locked Nd-glass laser (_L = 1.054m). The influence of amplified spontaneous emission on the two-photon absorption dynamics is analysed.     

Reconstructing visible regions from visible segments

An algorithm is presented for reconstructing visible regions from visible edge segments in object space. This has applications in hidden surface algorithms operating on polyhedral scenes and in cartography. A special case of reconstruction can be formulated as a graph problem: Determine the faces of a straight-edge planar graph given in terms of its edges. This is accomplished inO(n logn) time using linear space for a graph withn edges, and is worst-case optimal. The graph may have separate components but the components must not contain each other. The general problem of reconstruction is then solved by applying our algorithm to each component in the containment relation.Research of this author is supported by the National Science Foundation under grant no. ECS-8351942, and by the Schlumberger-Doll Research Labs, Ridgefield, Connecticut.     

Monte-Carlo study of a model for the roughening transition of high-index crystal faces

A simple terrace-step-kink model is studied using Monte-Carlo techniques. In the nearly isotropic case where the energy to form a kink within a step,W ₀, is equal to the energy to shift a step by one interatomic spacing,w _n, the roughening transition is determined numerically in accordance with the Kosterlitz-Thouless theory. In the anisotropic case,w _nW ₀, results can be related to atomic beam-diffraction experiments on Cu(1,1,3). Additional evidence for a roughening transition of that face is given; the transition, however, seems to occur at a temperature somewhat higher than has been previously anticipated.     

Influence of a continuous quenching procedure on the initial stages of spinodal decomposition

Instead of the standard assumption in the theory of phase separation where an instantaneous quench from an initial equilibrium state to the final state in the two-phase region is assumed, we consider the more realistic situation that the change of the external control parameter (e.g. temperature) can only be performed with finite rates. During the initial stages of spinodal decomposition the system then has some memory of the states intermediate between the initial and the final one. This influence of the finite quench rate in continuous quenching procedures is studied within the linearized theory of spinodal decomposition, with the Langer-Baron-Miller decoupling, and with Monte Carlo simulations. Both the case of thermally activated mobilities (applicable to solid metallic alloys) and the case of nearly temperature-independent mobilities (applicable to fluid polymer mixtures) are treated, and possible experimental applications are discussed. We find drastic deviations from the standard instantaneous quench situations in all cases of experimental interest.