Modelling and design of a travelling-wave electro-optic modulator on InP

Based on a rigorous vectorial analysis, a fast travelling-wave Mach–Zehnder modulator is modelled and designed. The cross-section of the semiconductor layer stack and the lossy electrodes are carefully modelled using the method of lines in order to investigate propagation characteristics, velocity and losses. This yields an accurate microwave and optical field distribution to explain the behaviour of the component. In order to enhance the modulation efficiency, design curves are derived and the cross-sectional dimensions for minimum microwave loss are determined. The loss of the optimized modulator agrees very well with small-signal measurements up to 40 GHz and HFSS simulations. The layerstack of the fabricated device is suitable for integration with InP multi-wavelength lasers.     

Finitely generated simple algebras: A question of B. I. Plotkin

In his recent series of lectures, Prof. B. I. Plotkin discussed geometrical properties of the variety of associativeK-algebras. In particular, he studied geometrically noetherian and logically noetherian algebras and, in this connection, he asked whether there exist uncountably many simpleK-algebras with a fixed finite number of generators. We answer this question in the affirmative using both crossed product constructions and HNN extensions of division rings. Specifically, we show that there exist uncountably many nonisomorphic 4-generator simple Ore domains, and also uncountably many nonisomorphic division algebras having 2 generators as a division algebra. The first author is grateful to Professor B. I. Plotkin for communicating this problem to him and for stimulating conversations.     

Tautomeric Equilibrium in Polyfluoroalkylated 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydrofurans by IR Spectroscopy

The tautomeric equilibrium in substituted 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinazolines was studied by IR spectroscopy. The effect of various substitutents in the pyrimidine ring and the solvent on the state of the tautomeric equilibrium was evaluated.     

What Oxidation State of Iron Determines the Amethyst Colour?

A colourless quartz crystal doped with ⁵⁷Fe³⁺ was obtained by hydrothermal synthesis in an NH₄F solution. The crystal was transformed into violet amethyst by gamma-irradiation. The change in colour was accompanied by changes in the Mössbauer spectrum that can be interpreted as the conversion of trivalent iron into the tetravalent state: Fe³⁺→Fe⁴⁺.

     

A fast method to measure the thickness of removed layer from etching of SSNTD based on EDXRF

Solid state nuclear track detectors are commonly used for measurements of concentrations of radon gas and/or radon progeny. All these measurements depend critically on the thickness of the removed layer during etching. However, the thickness of removed layer calculated using the etching period does not necessarily provide a sufficiently accurate measure of the thickness. For example, the bulk etch rate depends on the strength of stirring during etching for the LR 115 detector. We propose here to measure the thickness of the removed layer by using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. In the present work, a reference silver nitrate pellet is placed beneath the LR 115 detector, and the fluorescence X-ray intensity for silver is then measured. We have found a linear relationship between the X-ray intensity and the thickness of the removed layer for LR 115 detector. This provides a fast method to measure the thickness of removed layer from etching of LR 115 detector. However, this method was found to be inapplicable for the CR-39 detector. Therefore, alternative methods have yet to be explored for the CR-39 detector.     

On the degree of convergence of lemniscates in finite connected domains

For an arbitrary bounded closed set E in the complex plane with complement Ω of finite connectivity, we study the degree of convergence of the lemniscates in Ω.     

Optimal entropic uncertainty relation for successive measurements in quantum information theory

We derive an optimal bound on the sum of entropic uncertainties of two or more observables when they are sequentially measured on the same ensemble of systems. This optimal bound is shown to be greater than or equal to the bounds derived in the literature on the sum of entropie uncertainties of two observables which are measured on distinct but identically prepared ensembles of systems. In the case of a two-dimensional Hilbert space, the optimum bound for successive measurements of two-spin components, is seen to be strictly greater than the optimal bound for the case when they are measured on distinct ensembles, except when the spin components are mutually parallel or perpendicular     

A priori estimates and existence of positive solutions for strongly nonlinear problems

In this paper we study the existence of positive solutions for a nonlinear Dirichlet problem involving the m-Laplacian. The nonlinearity considered depends on the first derivatives; in such case, variational methods cannot be applied. So, we make use of topological methods to prove the existence of solutions. We combine a blow-up argument and a Liouville-type theorem to obtain a priori estimates. Some Harnack-type inequalities which are needed in our reasonings are also proved.     

An algorithm to locate perinatal facilities in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro

In order to reduce infant mortality in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro it is desired to encourage all mothers-to-be to attend the appropriate health care facilities. A 3-level hierarchical prenatal–neonatal health care system is described together with a basic model for optimising accessibility to facilities. A genetic algorithm to solve the basic model is developed and some numerical experience reported. Extensions to the basic model and planned future research are briefly indicated.     

A novel synthesis of 5-perfluorophenyl 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles in THF or water

5-Perfluorophenyl 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles were synthesized from 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of perfluorobenyl 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonylhydrazone and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds or acrylonitrile in THF or water. It was worthy to note that better results were obtained when water was employed as the solvent, which was considered as an effective, economic and environmentally friendly method to synthesize these pyrazole derivatives.