Topological defects and cosmology

Many particle physics models of matter admit solutions corresponding to stable or long-lived topological defects. In the context of standard cosmology it is then unavoidable that such defects will form during phase transitions in the very early Universe. Certain types of defects lead to disastrous consequences for cosmology, others may play a useful role, as possible seeds for the formation of structure in the Universe, or in mediating baryon number violating processes. In all cases, topological defects lead to a fruitful interplay between particle physics and cosmology.     

On nonlinear coupled diffusions in competition systems

A class of reaction-diffusion systems modeling plant growth with spatial competition in saturated media is presented. We show, in this context, that standard diffusion can not lead to pattern formation (Diffusion Driven Instability of Turing). Degenerated nonlinear coupled diffusions inducing free boundaries and exclusive spatial diffusions are proposed. Local and global existence results are proved for smooth approximations of the degenerated nonlinear diffusions systems which give rise to long-time pattern formations. Numerical simulations of a competition model with degenerate/non degenerate nonlinear coupled diffusions are performed and we carry out the effect of the these diffusions on pattern formation and on the change of basins of attraction.     

Exploring the Origin of Maximum Entropy States Relevant to Resonant Modes in Modern Chladni Plates

The resonant modes generated from the modern Chladni experiment are systematically confirmed to intimately correspond to the maximum entropy states obtained from the inhomogeneous Helmholtz equation for the square and equilateral triangle plates. To investigate the origin of maximum entropy states, the inhomogeneous Helmholtz equation is modified to consider the point interaction coming from the driving oscillator. The coupling strength associated with the point interaction is characterized by a dimensionless factor α. The δ potential of the point interaction is numerically modelled by a truncated basis with an upper index N. The asymptotic behavior for the upper index N is thoroughly explored to verify that the coupling strength of α = 1.0 can make the theoretical resonant modes agree excellently with the maximum entropy states as N→∞. It is further authenticated that nearly the same resonant modes can be obtained by using a larger coupling strength α when a smaller upper index N is exploited in the calculation.     

Where galaxies really come from

The fundamental paradox of the incompatibility of the observed large-scale uniformity of the Universe with the fact that the age of the Universe is finite is overcome by the introduction of an initial period of superluminal expansion of space, called cosmic inflation. Inflation can also produce the small deviations from uniformity needed for the formation of structures in the Universe such as galaxies. This is achieved by the conjunction of inflation with the quantum vacuum, through the so-called particle production process. This mechanism is explained and linked with Hawking radiation of black holes. The nature of the particles involved is discussed and the case of using massive vector boson fields instead of scalar fields is presented, with emphasis on its distinct observational signatures. Finally, a particular implementation of these ideas is included, which can link the formation of galaxies, the standard model vector bosons and the observed galactic magnetic fields.     

Ag-N共掺p型ZnO的第一性原理研究

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理赝势法对Ag-N共掺杂ZnO体 系以及间隙N和间隙H掺杂p型ZnO: (Ag, N)体系的缺陷形成能和离化能进行了研究. 结果表明, 在Ag_Zn和N_O所形成的众多受主复合体中, Ag_Zn-N_O受主对不仅具有较低的缺陷形成能同时其离化能也相对较小, 因此, Ag_Zn-N_O受主对的形成是Ag-N共掺ZnO体系实现p型导电的主要原因. 研究发现, 当ZnO: (Ag, N)体系有额外间隙N原子存在时, Ag_Zn-N_O受主对容易与N_i形成Ag_Zn-(N₂)_{m O}施主型缺陷, 该施主缺陷的形成降低了Ag-N共掺ZnO的掺杂效率因而不利于p型导电. 当间隙H引入到ZnO: (Ag, N)体系时, H_i易与Ag_Zn-N_O受主对形成 受主-施主-受主复合结构(Ag_Zn-H_i-N_O), 此复合体的形成不仅提高了Ag_Zn-N_O受主对在ZnO中的固溶度, 同时还能使其受主能级变得更浅而有利于p型导电. 因此, H辅助Ag-N共掺ZnO可能是一种有效的p型掺杂手段. 关键词： p型ZnO 缺陷形成能 受主离化能 第一性原理     

Edge-wave-driven durable variations in the thickness of the surfactant film and concentration of surface floats

By employing a simple model for small-scale linear edge waves propagating along a homogeneous sloping beach, we demonstrate that certain combinations of linear wave components may lead to durable changes in the thickness of the surfactant film, equivalently, in the concentration of various substances (debris, litter) floating on the water surface. Such changes are caused by high-amplitude transient elevations that resemble rogue waves and occur during dispersive focusing of wave fields with a continuous spectrum. This process can be treated as an intrinsic mechanism of production of patches in the surface layer of an otherwise homogeneous coastal environment impacted by linear edge waves.     

激光冲击强化“残余应力洞”的形成机制

利用ABAQUS有限元软件进行了单个圆形高斯光斑的激光冲击强化数值模拟,分析材料表面光斑中心区域形成的"残余应力洞"现象,并通过分析材料的动态力学响应特征揭示了"残余应力洞"的形成机制。结果表明:在冲击波加载时,光斑边界处会产生很强的剪切应力,形成向四周传播的表面稀疏波和向材料内部传播的剪切波。当稀疏波同时传播到光斑中心,发生相遇、汇聚,使材料产生急剧的上下位移过程,造成冲击波加载塑性变形后的二次塑性变形。二次塑性变形中形成了较大的剪切塑性应变,并降低了冲击波加载阶段产生的轴向和径向塑性应变,使残余压应力降低,从而形成"残余应力洞"。     

Reviews

Abstract

Biological Effects of Radiations Daniel S. Grosch Blaisdell Publishing Co., New York, 1965, 293 pages. $3.50

Ion Bombardment of Solids G. Carter and J. S. Colligon American Elsevier Publishing Company, Inc., New York, 1968, 446 pages. $40.00     

Kinetic investigation on carbamate formation from the reaction of carbon dioxide with amino acids in homogeneous aqueous solution

The kinetics of carbamate formation from the reaction of carbon dioxide with α‐amino acids in D₂O was first investigated by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Potassium carbonate was used as the CO₂ source. For each amino acid, the maximum carbamate yield, the apparent rate constant for the carbamate formation k_app, and the rate constants for the formation k₁ and the breakdown k_?1 of the carbamate were estimated. Plots of log k₁ or log k_?1 versus pK_a of amino acids indicated that the formation rate k₁ increased with the basicity (pK_a) of amino acid, while the decomposition rate k_?1 decreased. A Br?nsted β value of 0.39 was obtained from the former plot, being in good agreement with the previously reported ones (0.26–0.43). The observed negative pK_a dependence of log k_?1 (Br?nsted α = 0.34) is reasonable, because the carbamate decomposition is acid‐catalyzed and the steady‐state concentration of H⁺ should be higher for weaker basic amines. The charge (σ) and the lone‐pair energy (E_N) at the nitrogen atom of the amino group were calculated. Although log k₁ correlated with σ and E_N, log k_?1 was unrelated with both of these parameters. Considering that the carbamate formation (k₁) is not only base‐catalyzed but should also be promoted by the nucleophilicity of the amino nitrogen, its correlation with σ and E_N in addition to pK_a is rational. The irrelevance of log k_?1 to σ and E_N is not surprising, because σ and E_N are not a direct measure of [H⁺] of the solution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.