An almost fourth order uniformly convergent difference scheme for a semilinear singularly perturbed reaction-diffusion problem

Summary. This paper is concerned with a high order convergent discretization for the semilinear reaction-diffusion problem: , for , subject to , where . We assume that on , which guarantees uniqueness of a solution to the problem. Asymptotic properties of this solution are discussed. We consider a polynomial-based three-point difference scheme on a simple piecewise equidistant mesh of Shishkin type. Existence and local uniqueness of a solution to the scheme are analysed. We prove that the scheme is almost fourth order accurate in the discrete maximum norm, uniformly in the perturbation parameter . We present numerical results in support of this result. Received February 25, 1994     

Investigations of backscattering peaks and of the nature of the confining potential in open quantum dots

The properties of open quantum dots are examined in magneto-transport. The quantum dots are prepared from a two-dimensional electron system (2DES) in AlGaAs/GaAs by lateral gate structures. These quantum dots are open, i.e. they are still connected to the surrounding 2DES regions. The low magnetic field magnetoresistance shows peak structures. These structures can be related to semi-classical ballistic trajectories in the confining potential of a dot. The calculations of different confining potentials (abrupt “hard-wall” and parabolic “soft-wall”) are compared with the experimental results. The experiments are better described by a soft-wall potential.     

Semi-implicit complementary volume scheme for solving level set like equations in image processing and curve evolution

Summary. We introduce linear semi-implicit complementary volume numerical scheme for solving level set like nonlinear degenerate diffusion equations arising in image processing and curve evolution problems. We study discretization of image selective smoothing equation of mean curvature flow type given by Alvarez, Lions and Morel ([3]). Solution of the level set equation of Osher and Sethian ([26], \[30]) is also included in the study. We prove and estimates for the proposed scheme and give existence of its (generalized) solution in every discrete time-scale step. Efficiency of the scheme is given by its linearity and stability. Preconditioned iterative solvers are used for computing arising linear systems. We present computational results related to image processing and plane curve evolution. Received April 25, 2000 / Revised version received June 11, 2001 / Published online November 15, 2001     

Ambient connections realising conformal Tractor holonomy

For a conformal manifold we introduce the notion of an ambient connection, an affine connection on an ambient manifold of the conformal manifold, possibly with torsion, and with conditions relating it to the conformal structure. The purpose of this construction is to realise the normal conformal Tractor holonomy as affine holonomy of such a connection. We give an example of an ambient connection for which this is the case, and which is torsion free if we start the construction with a C-space, and in addition Ricci-flat if we start with an Einstein manifold. Thus, for a C-space this example leads to an ambient metric in the weaker sense of Čap and Gover, and for an Einstein space to a Ricci-flat ambient metric in the sense of Fefferman and Graham. Current address for first author: Erwin Schr?dinger International Institute for Mathematical Physics (ESI), Boltzmanngasse 9, 1090 Vienna, Austria Current address for second author: Department of Mathematics, University of Hamburg, Bundesstra?e 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany     

Nondispersive two-electron wave packets in driven helium

We provide a detailed quantum treatment of the spectral characteristics and of the dynamics of nondispersive two-electron wave packets along the periodically driven, collinear frozen planet configuration of helium. These highly correlated, long-lived wave packets arise as a quantum manifestation of regular islands in a mixed classical phase space, which are induced by nonlinear resonances between the external driving and the unperturbed dynamics of the frozen-planet configuration. Particular emphasis is given to the dependence of the ionization rates of the wave packet states on the driving field parameters and on the quantum mechanical phase space resolution, preceded by a comparison of 1D and 3D life times of the unperturbed frozen planet. Furthermore, we study the effect of a superimposed static electric field component, which, on the grounds of classical considerations, is expected to stabilize the real 3D dynamics against large (and possibly ionizing) deviations from collinearity. Received 7 November 2002 / Received in final form 2 December 2002 Published online 28 January 2003     

Thermal conductance for single wall carbon nanotubes

We report a theoretical analysis of the phonon thermal conductance, κ(T), for single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCN). In a range of low temperatues up to 100 K, κ(T) of perfect SWCN is found to increase with temperature, approximately, in a parabolic fashion. This is qualitatively consistent with recent experimental measurements where the tube-tube interactions are negligibly weak. When the carbon-carbon bond length is slightly varied, κ(T) is found to be qualitatively unaltered which implies that the anharmonic effect does not change the qualitative behavior of κ(T). Received 12 June 2001     

An optimal design of collateralized mortgage obligation with PAC-companion structure using dynamic cash reserve

This paper presents a model for optimally designing a collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) with a planned amortization class (PAC)-companion structure using dynamic cash reserve. In this structure, the mortgage pool’s cash flow is allocated by rule to the two bond classes such that PAC bondholders receive substantial prepayment protection, that protection being provided by the companion bondholders. The structure we propose provides greater protection to the PAC bondholders than current structures during periods of rising interest rates when this class of bondholders faces greater extension risk. We do so by allowing a portion of the cash flow from the collateral to be reserved to meet the PAC’s scheduled cash flow in subsequent periods. The greater protection is provided by the companion bondholders exposure to interest loss. To tackle this problem, we transform the problem of designing the optimal PAC-companion structure into a standard stochastic linear programming problem which can be solved efficiently. Moreover, we present an extended model by considering the quality of the companion bond and by relaxing the PAC bondholder shortfall constraint. Based on numerical experiments through Monte Carlo simulation, we show the utility of the proposed model.     

Completely empty pyramids on integer lattices and two-dimensional faces of multidimensional continued fractions

In this paper we develop an integer-affine classification of three-dimensional multistory, completely empty convex marked pyramids. We apply it to obtain the complete lists of compact two-dimensional faces of multidimensional continued fractions lying in planes at integer distances 2, 3, 4, …  to the origin. The faces are considered up to the action of the group of integer-linear transformations.     

Fabrication of bamboo-shaped GaN nanorods

Bamboo-shaped GaN nanorods were formed through a simple sublimation method. They were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). The TEM image showed that the nanorods were bamboo-like. XRD, HRTEM and SAED patterns indicated that the nanorods were single-crystal wurtzite GaN. Received: 8 January 2001 / Accepted: 28 April 2001 / Published online: 20 December 2001