Nematic ordering pattern formation in the process of self-organization of microtubules in a gravitational field

Papaseit et al. (Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97, 8364, 2000) showed the decisive role of gravity in the formation of patterns by assemblies of microtubules in vitro. By virtue of a functional scaling, the free energy for MT systems in a gravitational field was constructed. The influence of the gravitational field on MT's self-organization process, that can lead to the isotropic to nematic phase transition, is the focus of this paper. A coupling of a concentration gradient with orientational order characteristic of nernatic ordering pattern formation is the new feature emerging in the presence of gravity. The concentration range corresponding to a phase coexistence region increases with increasing g or NIT concentration. Gravity facilitates the isotropic to nernatic phase transition leading to a significantly broader transition region. The phase transition represents the interplay between the growth in the isotropic phase and the precipitation into the nematic phase. We also present and discuss the numerical results obtained for local NIT concentration change with the height of the vessel, order parameter and phase transition properties.

Quantum superchemistry in an output coupler of coherent matter waves

We investigate the quantum superchemistry or Bose-enhanced atom-molecule conversions in a coherent output coupler of matter waves, as a simple generalization of the two-color photoassociation. The stimulated effects of molecular output step and atomic revivals are exhibited by steering the rf output couplings. The quantum noise-induced molecular damping occurs near a total conversion in a levitation trap. This suggests a feasible two-trap scheme to make a stable coherent molecular beam.

Wavefront conversion by local volume holograms between cylindrical and plane waves with reconstruction at a different readout wavelength

Based on the two-dimensional coupled-wave theory, the wavefront conversion between cylindrical and plane waves by local volume holograms recorded at 632.8 nm and reconstructed at 800 nm is investigated. The proposed model can realize the 90 degrees holographic readout at a different readout wavelength. The analytical integral solutions for the amplitudes of the space harmonics of the field inside the transmission geometry are presented. The values of the off-Bragg parameter at the reconstructed process and the diffracted beam's amplitude distribution are analysed. In addition, the dependences of diffraction efficiency on the focal length of the recording cylindrical wave and on the geometrical dimensions of the grating are discussed. Furthermore, the focusing properties of this photorefractive holographic cylindrical lens are analysed.

New doubly periodic waves of the (2+1)-dimensional double sine-Gordon equation

New exact solutions of the (2 + 1)-dimensional double sine-Gordon equation are studied by introducing the modified mapping relations between the cubic nonlinear Klein-Gordon system and double sine-Gordon equation. Two arbitrary functions are included into the Jacobi elliptic function solutions. New doubly periodic wave solutions are obtained and displayed graphically by proper selections of the arbitrary functions.

Surface plasmon waves generated by nanogrooves through spectral interference

A pure surface plasmon polariton (SPP) model predicted that the SPP excitation in a slit-groove structure at metallodielectric interfaces exhibits an intricate dependence on the groove width P. Lalanne et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 263902 (2005); Nat. Phys. 2, 551 (2006)]. In this paper, we present a simple far-field experiment to test and validate this interesting theoretical prediction. The measurement results clearly demonstrate the predicted functional dependence of the SPP coupling efficiency on groove width, in good agreement with the SPP picture.

Modelling of submarine landslides and generated water waves

The slide of unstable sedimentary bodies and their hydraulic effects are studied by numerical means. A two-dimensional fluid mechanics model based on Navier-Stokes equations has been developed considering the sediments and water as a mixture. Viscoplastic and diffusion laws for the sediments have been introduced into the model. The numerical model is validated with an analytical solution for a Bingham flow. Laboratory experiments consisting in the slide of gravel mass have been carried out. The results of these experiments have shown the importance of the sediment rheology and the diffusion. The model parameters are adjusted by trial and error to match the observed “sandflow”.

Efficient Simulation of Freak Waves in Random Oceanic Sea States

Numerical simulations of freak wave generation are studied in random oceanic sea states described by JONSWAP spectrum. The evolution of initial random wave trains is numerically carried out within the framework of the modified four-order nonlinear Schroedinger equation (mNLSE), and some involved influence factors are also discussed. Results show that if the sideband instability is satisfied, a random wave train may evolve into a freak wave train, and simultaneously the setting of the Phillips parameter and enhancement coefficient of JONSWAP spectrum and initial random phases is very important for the formation of freak waves. The way to increase the generation efficiency of freak waves though changing the involved parameters is also presented.

Interaction of linear waves with an array of infinitely long horizontal circular cylinders in a two-layer fluid of infinite depth

The linear water wave scattering and radiation by an array of infinitely long horizontal circular cylinders in a two-layer fluid of infinite depth is investigated by use of the multipole expansion method. The diffracted and radiated potentials are expressed as a linear combination of infinite multipoles placed at the centre of each cylinder with unknown coefficients to be determined by the cylinder boundary conditions. Analytical expressions for wave forces, hydrodynamic coefficients, reflection and transmission coefficients and energies are derived. Comparisons are made between the present analytical results and those obtained by the boundary element method, and some examples are presented to illustrate the hydrodynamic behavior of multiple horizontal circular cylinders in a two-layer fluid. It is found that for two submerged circular cylinders the influence of the fluid density ratio on internal-mode wave forces is more appreciable than surface-mode wave forces, and the periodic oscillations of hydrodynamic results occur with the increase of the distance between two cylinders; for four submerged circular cylinders the influence of adding two cylinders on the wave forces of the former cylinders is small in low and high wave frequencies, but the influence is appreciable in intermediate wave frequencies.

Interaction of linear waves with infinitely long horizontal cylinders studied by boundary element method

The two-dimensional problems concerning the interaction of linear water waves with cylinders of arbitrary shape in two-layer deep water are investigated by use of the Boundary Integral Equation method (BIEM). Simpler new expressions for the Green functions are derived, and verified by comparison of results obtained by BIEM with these by an analytical method. Examined are the radiation and scattering of linear waves by two typical configurations of cylinders in two-layer deep water. Hydrodynamic behaviors including hydrodynamic coefficients, wave forces, reflection and transmission coefficients and energies are analyzed in detail, and some interesting physical phenomena are observed.

Two-dimensional numerical simulations of shock waves in micro convergent-divergent nozzles

The steady two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations with the slip wall boundary conditions were used to simulate the supersonic flow in micro convergent-divergent nozzles. It is observed that shock waves can take place inside or outside of the micronozzles under the earth environment. For the over-expanded flows, there is a boundary layer separation point, downstream of which a wave interface separates the viscous boundary layer with back air flow and the inviscid core flow. The oblique shock wave is followed by the bow shock and shock diamond. The viscous boundary layer thickness relative to the whole nozzle width on the exit plane is increased but attains the maximum value around of 0.5 and oscillates against this value with the continuous increasing of the nozzle upstream pressures. The viscous effect either changes the normal shock waves outside of the nozzle for the inviscid flow to the oblique shock waves inside the nozzle, or transfers the expansion jet flow without shock waves for the inviscid flow to the oblique shock waves outside of the nozzle.