A Few Remarks on Milburn Equation

After presenting the infinite operator-sum form solution to the Milburn equation dp/dt=γ（UρU^f - ρ）=γU[p, Uf], where U=e^-iH/hγ, and verifying that this equation preserves the three necessary conditions of density operators during time evolution, we prove that the yon Neumann entropy increases with time. We also point out that if A and B both obey the Milburn equation, then theproduct AB obeys （d/dt）（AB） = γU[AB, U^f]-（1/γ）（dA/dt）（dB/dt）, which violates the Milburn equation, this reflects that a pure state will evolve to a mixture in general     

In situ identification of organic components of ink used in books from the 1900s by atmospheric pressure matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

Transport of N, O, and Ti during dc magnetron sputtering deposition of nanoscopic TiN/Ti and TiN structures on plasma nitrided M2 tool steel, as well as transport of metallic species composing the plasma nitrided steel substrates were investigated. N and O depth distributions were determined with subnanometric resolution using narrow resonant nuclear reaction profiling, whereas Ti was profiled, also with subnanometric depth resolution, by medium energy ion scattering. The surface elementary compositions of the TiN/Ti/nitrided steel and TiN/nitrided steel structures were determined by low energy ion scattering. The chemical compounds formed during deposition were accessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, indicating the presence of TiN, TiO₂, Ti oxynitrides, as well as other metallic nitrides and oxynitrides, but no metallic Ti was observed. Owing to the observed intensive atom mobility, the compositions of the deposited films on plasma nitrided steel structures varied continuously on a nanoscopic scale, from the core of the steel substrate to the bulk of the stoichiometric TiN films. The Ti interlayer assists interdiffusion of all species, in contrast to the TiN film layer, which is known to be a diffusion barrier. The improved adhesion of TiN hard coatings to plasma nitrided steel under working conditions is discussed in terms of the gradual compositional change around the interfaces and the atomic mobility during their formation.     

Computational study of plasma-surface interaction in plasma-assisted technologies

The influence of the unevenness of substrates immersed into plasma important for plasma-based treatment of materials were studied by computer experiment. The role of both substrate properties and plasma parameters was investigated. For this analysis the combination of multidimensional fluid modelling and particle simulation was used. The fluid part of our model consisted of continuity equations for all charged species, energy balance equation for electrons and Poisson equation. The basic scattering processes were also included. The particle simulation technique was used both for the calculation of electron energy distribution function and for the derivation of quantities characterising plasma-surface interaction. This approach enabled us to study in detail the structure of the sheath and presheath near metal substrates with realistic geometries and finite dimensions. The main attention was devoted to the influence of substrate geometry in both macroscopic and microscopic spatial scales on the local electric fields in plasma.     

The double M-effect induced by noble gases activated with negative ions

The M-effect (monochromatization-effect) is a powerful tool which can give high intensity monochromatic spectra with a certain wavelength depending on the type of used gas mixtures to generate plasma state. The effect consists in the emission of a single spectral line of plasmas ignited in certain gas mixtures. The main condition to obtain the M effect is the presence of an electropositive and an electronegative gas mixture. For example, in the case of Ne+H₂ monochrome radiation was obtained, the wavelength of Ne being 585.3 nm (1s²–2p⁵). In this paper we prove the general character of this effect, i.e. if the optical emission spectra reduced to nearly one line can be observed also in other gas mixture discharges, for example in the case of one electronegative gas and two electropositive gases. Different other mixtures, as Xe+Ne+H₂ and Xe+Ar+H₂ have been studied. In all these cases, the M-effect appeared without doubt.     

Electromagnetic field distributions in waveguide-based axial-type microwave plasma source

We present results from simulations of 2D distributions of the electromagnetic field inside a waveguide-based axial-type microwave plasma source (MPS) used for hydrogen production via methane reforming. The studies are aimed at optimization of discharge processes and hydrogen production. We derive equations for determining electromagnetic field distributions and next determine the electromagnetic field distributions for two cases – without and with plasma inside the MPS. For the first case, we examine the influence of the length of the inner conductor of the coaxial line on electromagnetic field distributions. We have obtained standing wave patterns along the coaxial line and found resonances for certain positions of the coaxial line inner conductor. For the case with plasma inside the MPS, we perform calculations assuming that distributions of plasma parameters are known. Simulations are done for several values of maximum electron density. We have found that for values of electron density greater than strong skin effect in the plasma is observed. Consequently, plasma may be treated as an extension of the inner conductor of the coaxial line. We have used FlexPDE software for the calculations.     

Reply to comment on “On the controversy around Daganzo’s requiem for and Aw-Rascle’s resurrection of second-order traffic flow models” by H.M. Zhang

This contribution compares several different approaches allowing one to derive macroscopic traffic equation directly from microscopic car-following models. While it is shown that some conventional approaches lead to theoretical problems, it is proposed to use an approach reminding of smoothed particle hydrodynamics to avoid gradient expansions. The derivation circumvents approximations and, therefore, demonstrates the large range of validity of macroscopic traffic equations, without the need of averaging over many vehicles. It also gives an expression for the “traffic pressure”, which generalizes previously used formulas. Furthermore, the method avoids theoretical inconsistencies of macroscopic traffic models, which have been criticized in the past by Daganzo and others.     

Synchronization in evolving snowdrift game model

The interaction between the evolution of the game and the underlying network structure with evolving snowdrift game model is investigated. The constructed network follows a power-law degree distribution typically showing scale-free feature. The topological features of average path length, clustering coefficient, degree-degree correlations and the dynamical feature of synchronizability are studied. The synchronizability of the constructed networks changes by the interaction. It will converge to a certain value when sufficient new nodes are added. It is found that initial payoffs of nodes greatly affect the synchronizability. When initial payoffs for players are equal, low common initial payoffs may lead to more heterogeneity of the network and good synchronizability. When initial payoffs follow certain distributions, better synchronizability is obtained compared to equal initial payoff. The result is also true for phase synchronization of nonidentical oscillators.     

Microwave propagation parameters in magnetic fluids

Complex dielectric permittivity and complex magnetic permeability measurements of two magnetic fluids (as microwave propagation media), in the approximate range 0.2-5GHz were performed. The two samples consisted of magnetite nanoparticles, dispersed in kerosene and in water, respectively. Based on the dielectric and magnetic measurements, the frequency (f ) dependence of the attenuation parameter, , the phase constant, , the propagation constant, , the intrinsic impedance, Z_m, the refractive index, n , the reflection coefficient, R , the wavelength, and the skin depth, , of the investigated samples were determined.     

Partial clustering prevents global crystallization in a binary 2D colloidal glass former

A mixture of two types of super-paramagnetic colloidal particles with long-range dipolar interaction is confined by gravity to the flat interface of a hanging water droplet. The particles are observed by video microscopy and the dipolar interaction strength is controlled via an external magnetic field. The system is a model system to study the glass transition in 2D, and it exhibits partial clustering of the small particles (N. Hoffmann et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 078301 (2006)). This clustering is strongly dependent on the relative concentration of big and small particles. However, changing the interaction strength reveals that the clustering does not depend on the interaction strength. The partial clustering scenario is quantified using Minkowski functionals and partial structure factors. Evidence that partial clustering prevents global crystallization is discussed.     

Three-dimensional photonic bandgap crystals of titania hollow spheres at visible wavelengths

A non-close-packed three-dimensional photonic crystal of titania hollow spheres has been fabricated. The fabricated process is based on the silica template technique, thermal sintering, and the sol–gel process. The band-structure calculations and optical measurements both indicate that a quasi-full three-dimensional photonic bandgap located at the visible wavelength has been presented between the eighth and ninth bands. This indicates that the non-close-packed structure of titania hollow spheres was easier to open the complete photonic bandgaps than other face-centered cubic structures made by self-assembling methods at the visible region.