Properties of a genetic algorithm extended by a random self-learning operator and asymmetric mutations: A convergence study for a task of powder-pattern indexing

Genetic algorithms represent a powerful global-optimisation tool applicable in solving tasks of high complexity in science, technology, medicine, communication, etc. The usual genetic-algorithm calculation scheme is extended here by introduction of a quadratic self-learning operator, which performs a partial local search for randomly selected representatives of the population. This operator is aimed as a minor deterministic contribution to the (stochastic) genetic search. The population representing the trial solutions is split into two equal subpopulations allowed to exhibit different mutation rates (so called asymmetric mutation). The convergence is studied in detail exploiting a crystallographic-test example of indexing of powder diffraction data of orthorhombic lithium copper oxide, varying such parameters as mutation rates and the learning rate. It is shown through the averaged (over the subpopulation) fitness behaviour, how the genetic diversity in the population depends on the mutation rate of the given subpopulation. Conditions and algorithm parameter values favourable for convergence in the framework of proposed approach are discussed using the results for the mentioned example. Further data are studied with a somewhat modified algorithm using periodically varying mutation rates and a problem-specific operator. The chance of finding the global optimum and the convergence speed are observed to be strongly influenced by the effective mutation level and on the self-learning level. The optimal values of these two parameters are about 6 and 5%, respectively. The periodic changes of mutation rate are found to improve the explorative abilities of the algorithm. The results of the study confirm that the applied methodology leads to improvement of the classical genetic algorithm and, therefore, it is expected to be helpful in constructing of algorithms permitting to solve similar tasks of higher complexity.     

Structural,morphological and mechanical properties of niobium nitride thin films grown by ion and electron beams emanated from plasma

The influence of variation in plasma deposition parameters on the structural, morphological and mechanical characteristics of the niobium nitride films grown by plasma-emanated ion and electron beams are investigated. Crystallographic investigation made by X-ray diffractometer shows that the film synthesized at 10?cm axial distance with 15 plasma focus shots (PFS) exhibits better crystallinity when compared to the other deposition conditions. Morphological analysis made by scanning electron microscope reveals a definite granular pattern composed of homogeneously distributed nano-spheroids grown as clustered particles for the film synthesized at 10?cm axial distance for 15 PFS. Roughness analysis demonstrates higher rms roughness for the films synthesized at shorter axial distance and by greater number of PFS. Maximum niobium atomic percentage (35.8) and maximum average hardness (19.4?±?0.4?GPa) characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy and nano-hardness analyzer respectively are observed for film synthesized at 10?cm axial distance with 15 PFS.     

Structural,compositional and hardness properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride thin films synthesized by dense plasma focus device

The hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride (a‐CN_x:H) thin films were synthesized on the SS‐304 substrates using a dense plasma focus device. The a‐CN_x:H thin films were synthesized using CH₄/N₂ admixture gas and 20 focus deposition shots on substrates placed at different distances from the anode top. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis confirmed different C–N bonding in the a‐CN_x:H thin films. A decrease in the N/C ratio as well as the sp³/sp² ratio with an increase in the substrate distance has been observed. The higher amount of C–N formation for the film synthesized at 10 cm is observed which decreases with increasing distance. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis affirmed the C ≡ N presence in all the thin films synthesized at different distances. The morphology of the synthesized a‐CN_x:H thin films showed nanoparticles and nanoparticle clusters formation at the surface. The hardness results showed comparatively lower hardness of the a‐CN_x:H thin films due to the presence of C ≡ N. The C–N formation with lower amount of C ≡ N and a higher N/C ratio as well as a higher sp³/sp² ratio for the films synthesized at 10 cm show reasonably higher hardness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一种结合粒子滤波和张量子空间的目标跟踪算法

由于传统的子空间方法易于丢失图像目标的二维特性,为此本文提出了一种新颖的自适应目标跟踪算法,通过张量的方式建立目标的外观模型——张量子空间,利用在线学习的方法更新其外观模型,同时,利用目标仿射运动的先验信息,通过粒子滤波自适应地跟踪运动目标,并将获得的最优目标观测作为新数据反馈回子空间更新.此外,为了保证子空间更新能获得精确且紧致的目标子空间表达,引入动态部分函数滤除样本野点.实验结果表明,本文提出的自适应目标跟踪方法具有较强的鲁棒性,对于存在姿态变化、短时遮挡和光照变化等情况下均可有效地跟踪目标.     

Synthesis of ZrSiN composite films using a plasma focus device

ZrSiN thin films are synthesized by using plasma focus through various numbers of focus shots （10, 20, and 30）, with samples placed at 9 cm away from the tip of the anode. Crystal structures, surface morphologies, and elemental compositions of ZrSiN films are characterized by an X-ray diffractometer （XRD） and scanning electron microscope （SEM） attached with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDS）. XRD patterns confirm the formations of polycrystalline ZrSiN films. Crystallinity of nitride increases with the increase of focus shot number. The average crystallite size of zirconium nitride increases from 27 ± 3 nm to 73±8 nm and microstrain decreases from 2.28 to 1.0 with the increase of the focus shot number. SEM results exhibit the formations of granular and oval-shaped microstructures, depending on the number of focus shots. EDS results confirm the presences of silicon, zirconium, nitrogen, and oxygen in the composite films. The content values of Zr and N in the composite films increase with the increase of the focus shot number.     

Simulation on soot deposition and combustion in diesel particulate filter

We have simulated the flow in a real cordierite DPF using the lattice Boltzmann method. Inner structure of the filter is analyzed by a 3D X-ray CT technique. Two processes of soot deposition for PM trap and soot combustion for filter regeneration process are considered. Especially, the effect of NO₂ on the soot oxidation is examined, which is recently proposed as on-board regeneration system. The reaction rate has been determined based on previous experimental data. The estimated values of Arrhenius factor and activation energy are A = 146 1/s, E = 79.5 kJ/mol with NO₂, and A = 1.20 1/s, E = 64.9 kJ/mol without NO₂. Results show that, the flow field and pressure change inside the filter are clearly visualized. The pressure distribution depends on the non-uniformity of pore structure. The flow is largely changed with soot deposition, with higher pressure drop across the filter (filter back-pressure). The obtained correlation between total accumulated soot and the filter back-pressure is well in accordance with reported experimental results. In combustion simulation, the effect of NO₂ addition to promote the soot oxidation is confirmed. These are useful information to develop the future regenerating DPF system.     

用离焦4f差分干涉仪测量等离子体壳层电子密度

 将环型横向剪切干涉仪置于两个镜头之间,由此设计出一种新型的离焦4f差分干涉仪,该干涉仪同时具有分离光路的剪切量和条纹空间频率分别可调的优点以及共光路结构的稳定性和易于调节的优点,使得在测量大密度梯度等离子体的密度分布时,可以在不降低空间分辨率的条件下仍保证干涉条纹可读。在DPF装置上进行了实验,获得了等离子体壳层的干涉图样,计算了等离子体的径向电子密度分布,在内电极端面上方测量到的最高电子密度约为1.2×10¹⁹ cm^-3,外围等离子体壳层的电子密度约为2×10¹⁸ cm^-3。     

一种结合粒子滤波和张量子空间的目标跟踪算法

由于传统的子空间方法易于丢失图像目标的二维特性,为此本文提出了一种新颖的自适应目标跟踪算法,通过张量的方式建立目标的外观模型——张量子空间,利用在线学习的方法更新其外观模型,同时,利用目标仿射运动的先验信息,通过粒子滤波自适应地跟踪运动目标,并将获得的最优目标观测作为新数据反馈回子空间更新.此外,为了保证子空间更新能获得精确且紧致的目标子空间表达,引入动态部分函数滤除样本野点.实验结果表明,本文提出的自适应目标跟踪方法具有较强的鲁棒性,对于存在姿态变化、短时遮挡和光照变化等情况下均可有效地跟踪目标.     

Gas mixture effects on ion‐beam flux characteristics from dense plasma focus device: Investigation by the Vlasov–Maxwell equations and experiments

The Vlasov–Maxwell equations were numerically solved to calculate the ion‐beam flux from the plasma of argon and the plasma of mixtures of argon and neon. Some experiments were performed to measure the ion beam from the Amirkabir plasma focus (APF) device. The calculations have shown that the argon ion‐beam flux peaked up to 1.928 × 10³⁰ ions m^?2 s^?1 at the optimum pressure of 1.866 mbar while the neon‐argon mixture's ion‐beam flux reached a maximum of 4.301 × 10³⁰ ions m^?2 s^?1 for 15% neon admixture at the optimum pressure of 1.866 mbar. The calculated kinetic energy of the ion beam has shown a maximum value of 708.7 J for the mixture of 85% argon‐15% neon at the mentioned optimum pressure.