Frequency- and bias-dependent ac conductivity of charge-density waves in TaS3

The charge-density wave contribution to the dc and the small-signal ac conductivity of orthorhombic TaS₃ has been completely characterized for a single crystal. The ac conductivity is found to be independent of dc bias below threshold. The tunneling theory of charge-density wave depinning successfully predicts the real and imaginary parts of the ac conductivity as functions of both frequency and applied dc bias, using only a fit to the dc I–V data and one adjustable parameter.     

Efficient modelling of rotating disks and cylinders using a cartesian grid

Calculations are presented of flow characteristics in the vicinity of disks and cylinders rotating at speeds typical of those found in modern mechatronics machinery. The rotational speeds are slow or intermittent, and the generated boundary layers are laminar and transitional. Comparison is made with existing experimental data and exact, though idealised, analytical solutions. A three-dimensional finite volume procedure with time dependence was employed as the solution method, and two grid geometries were used, namely, axisymmetric and cartesian. Use of a cartesian grid is very important, as it is compatible with the design of the interiors of mechatronics machinery, and present practice is to model these interiors with computationally economical cartesian grids. Expanding grids were generated normal to surfaces for each of the grid geometries so as to capture the thin boundary layers. To alleviate numerical difficulties, when using the cartesian geometry, an expanding and contracting grid was generated normal to the axis of the disks and cylinders with the grid spacing based on a shifted Chebyshev polynomial.     

An approach to modelling industrial unit processes: application to a spiral concentrator for minerals

A suite of computer models which simulate process operations in common use in the minerals processing industry is being developed. Application of the models is described with reference to a particular process device, the spiral concentrator. The paper sets out to explain the basic strategy behind the unit process modelling approach and discusses in detail the overall model structure adopted. The model aims to provide a set of equations, with sufficient physical significance to give a reasonable fit to any specific data set, and which can be systematically adjusted (through auxiliary models, user judgement and experience) to provide meaningful performance predictions over a broad range of operating conditions. The approach is thought to be applicable to a wide variety of processes. The model has been tested using a variety of ores, separated on plant-scale equipment and practical examples are given. The scope and limitations of the method are reported, drawing on the results of parallel experimental work. The extent to which this kind of approach can be used as a predictive tool in process design applications and in the day-to-day running of mineral processing plant is discussed.     

Early stages in the oxidation of magnesium,aluminium and magnesium/aluminium alloys: I. Exoelectron emission and long wavelength photoemission

The initial stages in the oxidation of magnesium, aluminium and magnesium/aluminium alloys have been studied using a photoelectron spectrometer (XPS and exoelectron energy spectra) and the diode technique (surface potentials and volumetric adsorption of oxygen). This paper describes and characterises the exoelectron emission and the visible wavelength photoemission which occurs during oxidation. At low oxygen exposures (< 10 L), exoelectrons with a 4 eV energy spread are emitted in the dark from magnesium and magnesium/aluminium alloy. Aluminium shows no such emission. Another, dark pressure-dependent emission of exoelectrons occurs only on magnesium/aluminium alloy and aluminium at high oxygen exposures. The onset of this emission lies 3 eV higher and it again has a 4 eV spread. When the surface is illuminated, it is possible to distinguish photo/exoelectron emission, which occurs during oxygen uptake, and true photoemission which occurs in vacuo. Both these types of emission, which were only recorded on magnesium, show a resolved triplet. Photoelectric work functions as low as 0.3 eV were observed. A patchy surface evidently develops during oxidation. This process, which may correspond to the nucleation of oxide islands, is slower than the chemisorption of of oxygen. The nature of the low work function patches, which we associate with the electron emissions, is therefore very dependent on the oxygen ambient pressure. A tentative energy scheme is given for such “exopatches” which are neither metal nor oxide and contain a curious energy level that must be situated above the vacuum level of the patch, as well as above the metal Fermi level. The energy with which exoelectrons are emitted derives from the heat of adsorption.     

Fluorescence determination of atmospheric NO2

The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) in the atmosphere have been determined in real time and with a sensitivity of one part per billion. Laser excitation of NO₂ was at 4416 and 4880 Å and fluorescence was monitored at 0.7 to 0.8 m. Results obtained on typical smoggy days in Los Angeles are presented.     

An action principle and canonical formalism for the Neveu Schwarz-Ramond string

A Lagrangian giving the constraints and boundary conditions of the Neveu Schwarz-Ramond model is presented.