Holographic watermarking for authentication of cut images

A watermarking technique, with a Computer Generated Hologram (CGH) coding system of the mark, is introduced and tested. The CGH watermarking can be used to authenticate parts of the original image. The hologram of the mark is embedded in the spatial domain by a blind additive embedding technique. The use of holography allows authenticating cuts of the original image, is the major novelty of this paper. The proposed methodology is characterized as an authentication technique, since it does not rely on the original image to decide whether the watermarked image has been altered or not and at the same time it is able to detect and localize any possible malicious change. Asymmetric cryptography is used to hide the hash information in an unambiguous way (non-repudiation property).     

Off-axis phase-only holograms of 3D objects using accelerated point-based Fresnel diffraction algorithm

A method for calculating off-axis phase-only holograms of three-dimensional (3D) object using accelerated point-based Fresnel diffraction algorithm (PB-FDA) is proposed. The complex amplitude of the object points on the z-axis in hologram plane is calculated using Fresnel diffraction formula, called principal complex amplitudes (PCAs). The complex amplitudes of those off-axis object points of the same depth can be obtained by 2D shifting of PCAs. In order to improve the calculating speed of the PB-FDA, the convolution operation based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) is used to calculate the holograms rather than using the point-by-point spatial 2D shifting of the PCAs. The shortest recording distance of the PB-FDA is analyzed in order to remove the influence of multiple-order images in reconstructed images. The optimal recording distance of the PB-FDA is also analyzed to improve the quality of reconstructed images. Numerical reconstructions and optical reconstructions with a phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM) show that holographic 3D display is feasible with the proposed algorithm. The proposed PB-FDA can also avoid the influence of the zero-order image introduced by SLM in optical reconstructed images.     

Hartree-Fock studies of quantum dots and the 0.7 anomaly

We apply unrestricted Hartree-Fock to modelling two systems:

(1)

We calculate the spin structure and addition spectra of small symmetric quantum dots (often called 2D “artificial atoms”), improving the accuracy considerably by including, for the first time, second-order correlation corrections. We compare the results to experiment and to previous numerical works, and find that our spin structure in some cases disagrees with that calculated within mean-field theories, such as Hartree-Fock without correlation corrections, or density-functional theory [C. Sloggett, O.P. Sushkov, Phys. Rev. B 71 (2005) 235326].

(2)

We model the well-known 0.7 anomaly in the conductance of a quantum point contact. We calculate the conductance using direct calculation of scattering phases on a ring, within Hartree-Fock. We observe strong localisation of the Fermi electrons on the barrier, and suggest a mechanism for the observed temperature-dependent conductance anomaly.

     

Computer simulation of Fresnel diffraction from rectangular apertures and obstacles using the Fresnel integrals approach

In this paper, we describe a new computer simulation technique of generating Fresnel diffraction images from rectangular apertures of arbitrary dimensions by using Fresnel integrals instead of the more common fast Fourier transform methods. The simulation can be performed in almost any PC using the software MATLAB. Diffraction images can be generated for any wavelength of light and for any aperture–screen and aperture-source distances. Images for rectangular obstacles can also be simulated. Details of the algorithm and program are presented, as well as the interesting insights than can be gained from using the program. Finally, it is shown that the simulated images reduce to the simple Fraunhofer diffraction patterns for certain limiting situations.     

A Monte Carlo simulation of the heterogeneous adsorption of hydrogen ions on metal oxides: Effect of inert electrolyte

Charging of the surface of an oxide caused by the adsorption of hydrogen ions and ions of inert 1:1 electrolyte was investigated by using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation technique. In particular, adsorption isotherms of protons as well as of ions of the electrolyte together with the resulting charge density of the surface were obtained for different system parameters. Also, the effect of the surface energetic heterogeneity and the concentration of the background electrolyte on the isotherms and the charge density curves was examined. Furthermore, lateral interactions in the mixed adsorbed phase were taken into account in the modeling of the system behavior. The obtained results, in general, suggest that the three factors mentioned above may have substantial influence on the charging mechanism at the liquid/oxide interface.     

Desorption induced by hot electrons: wave packet calculation of CO on Cu surfaces

A quantum mechanical photodesorption model, valid for metallic substrates and sub-picosecond laser pulses, is presented. It takes into consideration the photodesorption coordinate and models the metal hot-electron mediated desorption by a three electronic states: an ionic state of the adsorbate and two effective states representing the continuum of the metal. This multiple-state picture allows the sharing of the flow of energy injected by the laser between the adsorbate and the substrate. For the first time, the present modeling introduces the hot electrons of the metal through an optical potential based on the kinetic model developed earlier by the authors. This potential, and the resulting desorption yield, depend on the laser fluence. For CO on Cu(1 0 0) or Cu(1 1 1), the results are in fair agreement with the experimental findings.     

Optimizing phase imaging via dynamic force curves

Tapping mode (TM, also called intermittent contact mode) atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been routinely used in many laboratories. However, consistent or deliberate control of measuring conditions and interpretation of results are often difficult. In this article, we demonstrate how measurement parameters (drive frequency, cantilever stiffness and oscillation amplitude) affect the tapping tip's state. This has been done by systematic dynamic force measurements performed on mica and polystyrene surfaces together with computer simulations. Our study shows the following results. (1) Weaker cantilevers, smaller amplitude and higher drive frequency (around the resonance) lead to an extension of the attractive region (greater phase lag) in amplitude–phase–distance curves and thus can help to achieve stable high-setpoint TM imaging with minimal tip–sample pressure. (2) Bistability of tapping tips often exists and may cause height artefacts if the setpoint falls in the bistable region. (3) Tapping tips with high vibrating energy (stiff cantilevers and large amplitude) driven at resonance are only slightly perturbed by tip–sample interactions and usually remain monostable during the sweep of the scanner position. This can help to achieve good phase contrast without significant artefacts when the setpoint falls in a continuous negative–positive phase shift transition region. (4) Low energy cantilevers (compliant cantilevers and small amplitude) usually result in large phase shift and can be used to acquire large phase contrast images. However, height artefacts will occur when the setpoint falls in the bistable region usually existing for such cantilevers. (5) Computer simulations are useful in understanding the bistability in dynamic force curves and determining either material properties or the optimal imaging parameters.     

Segregation of H, C and B to Σ = 5 (0 1 3) α-Fe grain boundary: A theoretical study

The ASED-MO theory is used to study the effects of H and the HC and HB pairs in the electronic structure of a Fe grain boundary (GB). The results obtained for H in a GB model are consistent with its behavior as a chemical embrittler. The total energies calculated for FeH, FeC and FeB clusters indicate that all interstitials segregate to the GB. C has the lowest energy, followed by B, and could compete with other impurities for the site location on the GB.The results obtained for FeCH and FeBH are consistent with the observed behavior of C and B as cohesion enhancers. A strong repulsive interaction between C and H and B and H atoms is developed if they occupy the nearest interstitial site on the GB. When C or B are present, the total energies are similar to that obtained for the FeH cluster. This indicates that H is displaced from the capped trigonal prism (CTP). Also, we do not detect any CH or BH interaction.Density of states (DOS) and crystal orbital overlap population (COOP) curves are used to shed more light on the interstitial-Fe GB interaction. The existence of strong metal-metalloid bonds is shown, which are primarily due to Fe 3d, 4s and C (or B) 2s, 2p interactions.