Equisingular Deformations of Sandwiched Singularities

We relate the equisingular deformation theory of plane curve singularities and sandwiched surface singularities. We show the existence of a smooth map between the two corresponding deformation functors and study the kernel of this map. In particular we show that the map is an isomorphism when a certain invariant is large enough.     

Experimental study of the shock response of an HMX-based explosive

Experiments have been fired in which the HMX-based explosive EDC37 was subjected to one-dimensional shocks generated by plate impact. The response of the explosive to sustained shocks, double shocks and a short-pulse shock was monitored using embedded particle velocity gauges and shock tracker gauges. The final stages of the growth to detonation process were similar for all of the different input profiles. A strong reactive wave grows and accelerates to overtake and dominate the initial shock. It is shown that the curves showing the growth of the shock and the reactive wave in the sustained shock experiments can be normalised to give universal curves. These curves provides a reference against which to compare the explosive's response, not only to single sustained shocks, but also to double shock and short-pulse inputs. The treatment provides an empirical route for predicting the effects of sustained and more complex shocks on EDC37. PACS 47.40.-x; 82.33.Vx     

On the cotangent cohomology of rational surface singularities with almost reduced fundamental cycle

We prove dimension formulas for the cotangent spaces T ¹ and T ² for a class of rational surface singularities by calculating a correction term in the general dimension formulas. We get that it is zero if the dual graph of the rational surface singularity X does not contain a particular type of configurations, and this generalizes a result of Theo de Jong stating that the correction term c (X ) is zero for rational determinantal surface singularities. In particular our result implies that c (X ) is zero for Riemenschneiders quasi‐determinantal rational surface singularities, and this also generalizes results for quotient singularities. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical birefringence in cubic ZnSe crystals

Optical birefringence of the spatial dispersion type has been observed in cubic ZnSe crystals.     

Stable rank-2 vector bundles on ℙ3 withc 1=0 andc 2=3

Mathematische Annalen -     

An intersection number for the punctual Hilbert scheme of a surface

We compute the intersection number between two cycles and of complementary dimensions in the Hilbert scheme parameterizing subschemes of given finite length of a smooth projective surface . The -cycle corresponds to the set of finite closed subschemes the support of which has cardinality 1. The -cycle consists of the closed subschemes the support of which is one given point of the surface. Since is contained in , indirect methods are needed. The intersection number is , answering a question by H. Nakajima.

     

A new method for determining droplet size distribution of an unstable dispersion

The droplet size distribution (DSD) of unstable water/oil dispersions has been studied with a new technique. The technique is based on a fast dilution of the dispersion injected into an analysis vessel where the DSD is analyzed with a video camera and a image analyzing tool. Dispersions generated with no pressure drop in the flow rig were compared to those generated with a pressure drop over a needle valve. The latter dispersion showed a much narrower DSD and a lower average droplet diameter. The results are from preliminary experiments in order to evaluate the method.