Pinning of cracks in two-dimensional disordered media

We study the statistics of crack pinning in two dimensions by experiments and simulations of directed polymers in random media. Mode I tensile tests on paper samples show a delocalization phenomenon as the notch length is varied if the fraction of cracks pinned to the notch is monitored. This is compared with the behavior of directed polymers in the presence of both an energetically favorable localized pinning center and bulk disorder. An analysis of the crack interface roughness indicates self-affine behavior with a roughness exponent ζ in the proximity of the minimum energy surface value 2/3. Received 4 April 2000 and Received in final form 10 October 2000     

THE DYNAMIC FRICTION TERM IN THE SPRING-BLOCK MODELS FOR EARTHQUAKES: A CONSTRAINT FROM SEISMIC MOMENT AND ENERGY CATALOGUE

In the spring-block models of earthquakes, one of the key factors is the dynamic friction term which determines the complexity of the faulting process. Generally, two kinds of friction, namely velocity-dependent friction and slip-dependent friction, are used in the modelling. But until now there has still been a lack of information on which kind of friction term is more suitable for modelling the phenomenology of earthquakes. Based on the numerical studies of Shaw (1998 Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am. 88 1457), we have examined the ratio of the broadband radiated energy and the scalar seismic moment of shallow earthquakes worldwide from 1987 to 1998. The result shows that for earthquakes with strike-slip mechanisms, velocity-dependent friction seems to be predominant, while for thrust and normal events, slip-dependent friction seems predominant. This suggests that in the spring-block models for earthquakes, the type of focal mechanism has to be accounted for, and different types of earthquakes require different dynamic friction terms in the corresponding spring-block model.     

Electromagnetically induced transparency and evolution of a two-level system under chaotic field of arbitrary intensity

The electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) with a (near-)resonant chaotic (amplitude-phase fluctuating, Gaussian-Markovian) coupling field is studied theoretically. The Fourier transform of the steady-state EIT spectrum, which determines a nonstationary probe absorption, is also considered. This quantity equals the average diagonal element of the (reduced) evolution operator of the coupled transition (the evolution function). The exact solution in the form of a continued fraction is obtained and used to perform numerical calculations. Moreover, a number of approximate analytical results are obtained, which, together with the results of previous publications, describe the EIT and the evolution function in all possible regimes. In particular, in the constructive-interference case the EIT increases with the coupling-field bandwidth ν at sufficiently small ν. For a strong field, the maximum of the transparency as a function of ν is less than that for a monochromatic field of the same average intensity. In contrast, for a weak field, there is a range of ν values, where the field fluctuations do not affect the EIT. The latter result is shown to hold for a broad class of stochastic fields. Received 31 December 2000 and Received in final form 14 May 2001     

Investigation of proton channeling using nuclear-reaction resonances

To investigate orientation effects, an approach based on the measurements of γ-ray yields following the excitation of “narrow" isolated resonances in the reactions occurring on the nuclei of interstitial impurity atoms, that occupy certain positions in a crystal, has been proposed. The carbon atoms were shown to be located in octahedral interstitial sites of the Re-0.4 at. % ¹³C monocrystalline solution. The proton flux distribution in the (0001) channel was investigated via the 1.7476 MeV resonance of the ¹³C(p,γ)¹⁴N reaction. Some particular qualities of the reaction yield were found to be dependent upon the proton energy. The method of measurement of the electronic stopping power of channeled particles has been deduced. The γ-ray yield of the resonance reactions induced by the channeled protons was shown to be dependent on the amplitude of the thermal vibrations of carbon atoms.     

Nonlinear flutter analysis of stiffened composite panels in super-sonic flow

The flutter instability of stiffened composite panels subjected to aerodynamic forces in the supersonic flow is investigated. Based on Hamilton's principle,the aeroelastic model of the composite panel is established by using the von Karman large deflection plate theory,piston theory aerodynamics and the quasi-steady thermal stress theory. Then,using the finite element method along with Bogner-Fox-Schmit elements and three-dimensional beam elements,the nonlinear equations of motion are derived. The effect of...     

Coherent quantum transport in two-dimensional electron gas/superconductor double junctions with Rashba spin-orbit coupling

Based on the extended Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (BTK) approach, we have investigated the coherent quantum transport in two-dimensional electron gas/superconductor (2DEG/SC) double tunneling junctions in the presence of the Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC). It is found that all the reflection coefficients in BTK theory as well as conductance spectra oscillate with the external voltage and energy. The oscillation feature of conductance can be tuned largely by the RSOC for low insulating barriers, while for high insulating barriers it is almost independent of the RSOC. These phenomena are essentially different from those found in ferromagnet/superconductor double tunneling junctions.     

New method for strength improvement of silica optical fibers

The reliability and the expected lifetime of optical fibers used in telecommunication technologies are closely related to the chemical environment action on the silica network. To ensure the long-term mechanical strength of the optical fibers, a polymer coating was applied onto the fiber surface during fiber fabrication. This external coating is vital to ensure a long optical fiber lifetime. Its protective action includes several functions, such as to protect glass fiber from any external damage, to limit chemical attack, in particular that of water, and finally to ensure fatigue protection and bending insensitivity, especially during handling and in-service installation. Since the mechanical strength of the fiber is controlled by its surface characteristics, we propose a new method for increasing fiber strength.The silica optical fibers used were 125 μm in diameter, with a 62.5 μm thick epoxy-acrylate coating. Fibers were rolled up around two similar cylinders. Using a screw, these cylinders moved away from one another and thus subjected the fibers to stretching. Submitted to this mechanical loading, the distended fibers were plunged into hot water at 65 or 85 °C and aged for several days. Then, the fibers were removed from the water and various weights were suspended on the fiber ends. Thus, the fibers were subjected to a tensile loading in static fatigue for several days. Just before fiber rupture, the fibers were unloaded and subjected to dynamic tensile tests at different velocities.Result analysis proved that the aging in hot water increased the fiber strength. The Weibull's diagram study shows a bimodal dispersion of defects on the fiber surface and the important role of polymer coating.     

奇异Hamilton系统矩阵的精细积分法

常规位移有限元的结构振动方程是n个二阶常微分方程组.采用一般交分原理推导,将结构振动问题引入Hamiltoil体系,将得到2n个一阶常微分方程组.精细积分法宜于处理一阶方程,应用于线性定常结构动力问题求解,可以得到在数值上逼近精确解的结果.对于非齐次动力方程,当结构具有刚体位移时,系统矩阵将出现奇异.本文借鉴全元选大元高斯-约当法求解线性方程组的经验,提出全元选大元法求奇异矩阵零本征解的方法,该方法可以简便快速地寻求奇异矩阵零本征值对应的子空间.利用Hamiltoil体系已有研究成果及Hamilton系统的共轭辛正交归一关系,迅速将零本征值对应的子空间分离出来,通过投影排除奇异部分,然后用精细积分法求得问题的解.数值算例表明,该方法对Hamilton系统奇异问题,处理方便,计算量小,易于实现,同时保持了精细算法的优点.     

HIPS／PP熔融反应共混及其动态力学性质

研究了高抗冲聚苯乙烯（HIPS）／聚丙烯（PP）共混物在过氧化二异丙苯（DCP）存在下的熔融反应过程及其动态力学性质．HIPS在DCP存在下以聚苯乙烯（PS）的降解为主，伴随着聚丁二烯（PB）的交联和接枝，PP在DCP存在下以降解为主，HIPS／PP在DCP存在下以PP同HIPS的反应接枝为主，这种原位生成的增容剂显著地改善了HIPS／PP两组份间的相容性，其分子运动特征较前两者发生明显变化，PS的Tg下降，PB和PP的Tg升高．     

水+3-甲基吡啶+溴化钠三元溶液临界跨接现象

采用折射率法在较宽温度范围内研究了溴化钠、3-甲基吡啶和水的临界质量分数分别为0.240、0.192和0.568体系的临界性质, 发现在近临界点临界指数为0.365, 与Fishe重整化值一致. 有效临界指数随着温度逐渐远离临界点, 从0.365下降到0.20左右, 但当排除了“正规项”的影响后, 展现出向平均场理论值0.5单调跨接的行为.