Algebraic spatial correlations in lattice gas automata violating detailed balance

In this paper we discuss the existence of generic long-range correlations in spatially homogeneous and stable equilibrium states of closed lattice gas automata whose stochastic collision rules violate the symmetry conditions of detailed balance and in addition satisfy local conservation laws. Such correlations occur even though the collision rules are strictly local and invariant under all symmetries of the lattice. First a phenomenological (Langevin equation) approach is discussed. Next we present a theoretical analysis on the basis of an approximate microscopic (ring kinetic) theory. This theory is used to calculate the amplitude ofr ^– tails in the spatial correlations, and the result is compared with computer simulations.     

Application of laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) to investigate trace metal spatial distributions in human tooth enamel and dentine growth layers and pulp

Human tooth enamel provides a nearly permanent and chronological record of an individuals nutritional status and anthropogenic trace metal exposure during development; it might thus provide an excellent bio archive. We investigated the micro-spatial distribution of trace metals (Cu, Fe, Mg, Sr, Pb, and Zn) in 196×339 m² raster pattern areas (6.6×10⁴ m²) in a deciduous tooth using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS). Ablated areas include prenatal and postnatal enamel, the neonatal line, the dentine–enamel junction (DEJ), dentine, and the dentine–pulp junction. Topographic variations in the surface elemental distribution of lead, zinc, strontium, and iron intensities in a deciduous tooth revealed heterogeneous distribution within and among regions. ⁴³Ca normalized elemental intensities showed the following order: Sr>Mg>>Zn>Pb>Fe>Cu. Elevated zinc and lead levels were present in the dental pulp region and at the neonatal line. This study demonstrates the ability of LA–ICP–MS to provide unique elemental distribution information in micro spatial areas of dental hard tissues. Elemental distribution plots could be useful in decoding nutrition and pollution information embedded in their bio apatite structure.Presented in part at the 2002 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Scottsdale, AZ, January 6–12, 2002. The poster was selected as an outstanding poster presentation.     

Instrumental barriers in biological Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Biological applications of infrared spectroscopy have pressed for ever greater instrumental capabilities in terms of spectral sensitivity and quantitative exactness. Improved instrumentation has provided measurement of many vibrational modes in biological samples that previously were lost in noise. With highly optimized sampling conditions, useful measurements have been made with a peak-to-peak noise level less than 5 microabsorbance (5×10^–6 absorbance), at 0.5 cm^–1 resolution. However, optical and instrumental instabilities often result in sine waves that are not totally removed by the ratio of sample to reference. These often limit effective spectral sensitivity to 50 or 100 microabsorbance, peak-to-peak, and constitute a non-random noise. Non-atmospheric absorptions, especially one at 1959 cm^–1 with 0.8 cm^–1 band width (FWHM) are reported. The latter is due to a trace impurity in the KBr beam splitter substrate and compensator plate. Improvements in instrumentation and sampling conditions are expected to yield measurements of absorption bands as small as 50 microabsorbance with excellent signal/noise.     

A twin optically-pumped far-infrared CH3OH laser for plasma diagnostics

A twin optically-pumped far-infrared CH₃OH laser has been constructed for use in plasma diagnostics. The antisymmetric doublet due to the Raman-type resonant two-photon transition is reproducibly observed at 118.8 m. With the 118.8-m line, it is obtained from the frequency separation of the anti-symmetric doublet that CH₃OH absorption line center is 16±1 MHz higher than the pump 9.7-m P(36) CO₂ laser line center. It is shown that the Raman-type resonant two-photon transition is useful in order to get several-MHz phase modulation for the far-infrared laser interferometer. Some preliminary performances of this twin laser for the modulated interferometer are described.This work was carried out under the collaborating research program at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464, Japan.     

A vibrationally compensated far infrared laser interferometer for plasma density measurements

A modulated far-infrared laser interferometer which is presently operating on the PDX experiment at Princeton is described. The interferometer geometry permits the characterization of inside D, outside D as well as circular discharges. To achieve this versatility, a titanium corner cube reflector, mounted inside the PDX vacuum vessel is used in conjunction with a second visible wavelength interferometer for vibration corrections. In addition, the use of room temperature quasi-optical Schottky diodes in the far-infrared interferometer is reported. The minimum detectable line average density of the system is 5×10¹¹ cm^–3.     

Spatial relaxation of electrons in nonisothermal plasmas

The spatial relaxation of electrons to homogeneous states under the action of space-independent electric fields is investigated in helium, krypton, and N₂ plasmas for various electric field strengths. These investigations are based on a new method recently developed for solving the one-dimensional inhomogeneous electron Boltzmann equation in weakly ionized, collision-dominated plasmas. Elastic as well as conservative inelastic collisions of electrons with gas atoms have been included in the kinetic treatment. The spatial relaxation is caused by an imposed direct disturbance in the velocity distribution of the electrons on a spatial boundary. A pronounced dependence of the relaxation structure and the resultant relaxation length on the atomic data of the electron collision processes in different gases has been found. Furthermore the relaxation process sensitively depends on the electric field strength in the region of medium field values.     

Fourier transform spectroscopy using image sensors

Multichannel Fourier transform spectrometers utilizing image sensing devices are reviewed along with the instrumental design concepts. Although the idea itself is fairly simple, a photographic plate in holographic spectroscopy is replaced by an image sensor, there are stringent requirements to be satisfied in order to realize the system for field use. Mainly two types of the instrument, which are characterized by the Sagnac common-path interferometer and the polarization interferometer optics, respectively, are described with regard to their system performances. Examples of the system operation introduced show that Fourier transform spectrometers without mechanical moving parts play an important role in a variety of spectroscopic applications under severe surroundings. In a summary, methods for the resolution enhancement and comments on the signal-to-noise ratio are also included.     

Accelerated quasicontinuum: a practical perspective on hyper-QC with application to nanoindentation

Abstract

Hyper-QC is a multiscale method based on the quasicontinuum (QC) method in which time is accelerated using hyperdynamics through the addition of a suitable bias potential. This paper describes the practical details of implementing and carrying out hyper-QC simulations and introduces a novel mechanism-based bias potential for deformation processes in face-centred cubic (fcc) systems. The factors limiting the maximum achievable acceleration are discussed. The method is demonstrated for nanoindentation into a thin film of single crystal fcc nickel at near experimental loading rates. Speed up factors as high as 10,000 are achieved. The simulations reveal a thermally activated dislocation nucleation mechanism with a logarithmic dependence on temperature and indenter velocity in agreement with a theoretical model.     

Efcient Multipartite Polarization Entanglement Distribution Over Arbitrary Noise Channel

We present an efcient faithful multipartite polarization entanglement distribution protocol over an arbitrary noisy channel.The spatial degree of freedom is used to carry the entanglement during the transmission.We describe the principle by distributing n-qubit Greenberge–Horne–Zeilinger state and n-qubit W state.Our scheme can be used to distribute arbitrary n-qubit entangled states to n distant locations.The remote parties can obtain maximally entangled states deterministically on the polarization of photons.Only passive linear optics are employed in our setup,which makes our scheme more feasible and efcient for practical application in long distance quantum communication.