Magnetohydrodynamic mechanism for pedestal formation

Time-dependent two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations are carried out for tokamak plasmas with edge poloidal flow. Differently from conventional equilibrium theory, a density pedestal all around the edge is obtained when the poloidal velocity exceeds the poloidal sound speed. The outboard pedestal is induced by the transonic discontinuity, the inboard one by mass redistribution. The density pedestal follows the formation of a highly sheared flow at the transonic surface. These results may be relevant to the L-H transition and pedestal formation in high performance tokamak plasmas.     

Unconventional Coding Technique Applied to Multi-Level Polarization Modulation

A new technique is proposed to improve information confidentiality in optical-fiber communications without bandwidth consumption. A pseudorandom vectorial sequence was generated by a dynamic system algorithm and used to codify a multi-level polarization modulation based on the Stokes vector. Optical-fiber birefringence, usually considered as a disturbance, was exploited to obfuscate the signal transmission. At the receiver end, the same pseudorandom sequence was generated and used to decode the multi-level polarization modulated signal. The proposed scheme, working at the physical layer, provides strong information security without introducing complex processing and thus latency.     

Monitoring of depth distribution of trace elements by GDMS

The depth distribution of B and Li have been studied in ZrO₂ layers by GDMS. Zr alloy has been corroded to ZrO₂ in an autoclave in solutions containing Li and B. Samples were collected at different reaction times and analyzed. The GDMS crater depth and the sputter rate could be determined by profilometry for the discharge conditions used. In the analyzed samples three zones could be identified: oxide, interface and zircaloy. The concentration of Li and B was followed in each of the three zones.     

Quasi-exactly Solvable (QES) Equations with Multiple Algebraisations

We review three examples of quasi-exactly solvable Hamiltonians which possess multiple algebraisations. This includes the most prominent example, the Lamé equation, as well as recently studied many-body Hamiltonians with Weierstrass interaction potential and, finally, a 2×2 coupled channel Hamiltonian.     

A certified reference material for radionuclides in the water sample from Irish Sea (IAEA-443)

A new certified reference material (CRM) for radionuclides in sea water from the Irish sea (IAEA-443) is described and the results of the certification process are presented. Ten radionuclides (³H, ⁴⁰K, ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁸Pu, ^239+240Pu and ²⁴¹Am) have been certified, and information values on massic activities with 95% confidence intervals are given for four radionuclides (²³⁰Th, ²³²Th, ²³⁹Pu and ²⁴⁰Pu). Results for less frequently reported radionuclides (⁹⁹Tc, ²²⁸Th, ²³⁷Np and ²⁴¹Pu) are also reported. The CRM can be used for quality assurance/quality control of the analysis of radionuclides in water samples, for the development and validation of analytical methods and for training purposes. The material is available in 5 L units from IAEA (http://nucleus.iaea.org/rpst/index.htm).