Strong shock approximation in the new theory of shock dynamics

This paper investigates the propagation of a strong shock into an inhomogeneous medium using the new theory of shock dynamics. The equations are simple to solve and involve no trial-and-error method commonly used in this case. The results compare favourably with earlier results obtained in the case of self-similar flows, which arise as a special case of this theory.

Mean-field theory of charge ordering and phase transitions in the colossal-magnetoresistive manganites

We study phase transitions in the colossal-magnetoresistive manganites by using a mean-field theory both at zero and non-zero temperatures. Our Hamiltonian includes double-exchange, superexchange, and Hubbard terms with on-site and nearest-neighbour Coulomb interaction, with the parameters estimated from earlier density-functional calculations. The phase diagrams show magnetic and charge-ordered (or charge-disordered) phases as a result of the competition between the double-exchange, superexchange, and Hubbard terms, the relative effects of which are sensitively dependent on parameters such as doping, bandwidth, and temperature. In accord with the experimental observations, several important features are reproduced from our model, namely, (i) a phase transition from an insulating, charge-ordered antiferromagnetic to a metallic, charge-disordered ferromagnetic state near dopant concentration x = 1/2, (ii) the reduction of the transition temperature TAF-->F by the application of a magnetic field, (iii) melting of the charge order by a magnetic field, and (iv) phase coexistence for certain values of temperature and doping. An important feature, not reproduced in our model, is the antiferromagnetism in the electron-doped systems, e.g., La1-xCaxMnO3 over the entire range of 0.5 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1, and we suggest that a multi-band model which includes the unoccupied t(2g) orbitals might be an important ingredient for describing this feature.

Theory of coexisting charge and spin-density waves in (TMTTF)(2)Br, (TMTSF)(2)PF6 and alpha-(BEDT-TTF)(2)MHg(SCN)(4)

We discuss a recently formulated microscopic theory of the unusual coexistence of spin density waves (SDWs) and charge density waves (CDWs) that has been seen in recent experiments on (TMTTF)2Br, (TMTSF)2PF6 and α-(BEDT-TTF)2MHg(SCN)4.

Theory of coexisting charge and spin-density waves in (TMTTF)(2)Br, (TMTSF)(2)PF6, and alpha-(BEDT-TTF)(2)MHg(SCN)(4)

Recent experiments indicate that the spin-density waves (SDWs) in (TMTTF)(2)Br, (TMTSF)(2)PF6, and alpha-(BEDT-TTF)(2)MHg(SCN)(4) are highly unconventional and coexist with charge-density waves (CDWs). We present a microscopic theory of this unusual CDW-SDW coexistence. A complete understanding requires the explicit inclusion of strong Coulomb interactions, lattice discreteness, the anisotropic two-dimensional nature of the lattice, and the correct hand filling within the starting Hamiltonian. [S0031-9007(99)08498-7].

Theory of combined AM and high-harmonic FM mode locked laser

Closed form solutions for a simultaneously AM and high-harmonic FM mode locked laser system is presented. Analytical expressions for the pulsewidth and pulsewidth-bandwidth products are derived in terms of the system parameters. The analysis predicts production of 17 ps duration pulses in a Nd:YAG laser mode locked with AM and FM modulators driven at 80 MHz and 1.76 GHz for 1 W modulator input power. The predicted values of the pulsewidth-bandwidth product lie between the values corresponding to the pure AM and FM mode locking values.

Unified approach to the constraint counting theory of glasses

An approach to the constraint counting theory of glasses is applied to many glass systems which include an oxide, chalcohalide, and chalcogenides. In this, shifting of the percolation threshold due to noncovalent bonding interactions in a basically covalent network and other recent extensions of the theory appear natural. This is particularly insightful and reveals that the chemical threshold signifies another structural transition along with the rigidity percolation threshold, thus unifying these two seemingly disparate toplogical concepts. [S0163-1829(99)11441-3].

Theory of polymer breaking under tension

We consider the breaking of a polymer molecule which is fixed at one end and is acted upon by a force at the other. The polymer is assumed to be a linear chain joined together by bonds which satisfy the Morse potential. The applied force is found to modify the Morse potential so that the minimum becomes metastable. Breaking is just the decay of this metastable bond, by causing it to go over the barrier. Increasing the force causes the potential to become more and more distorted and eventually leads to the disappearance of the barrier. The limiting force at which the barrier disappears is D(e)a/2,D-e with a the parameters characterizing the Morse potential. The rate of breaking is first calculated using multidimensional quantum transition state theory. We use the harmonic approximation to account for vibrations of all the units. It includes tunneling contributions to the rate, but is valid only above a certain critical temperature. It is possible to get an analytical expression for the rate of breaking. We have calculated the rate of breaking for a model, which mimics polyethylene. First we calculate the rate of breaking of a single bond, without worrying about the other bonds. Inclusion of other bonds under the harmonic approximation is found to lower this rate by at the most one order of magnitude. Quantum effects are found to increase the rate of breaking and are significant only at temperatures less than 150 K. At 300 K, the calculations predict a bond in polyethylene to have a lifetime of only seconds at a force which is only half the limiting force. Calculations were also done using the Lennard-Jones potential. The results for Lennard-Jones and Morse potentials were rather different, due to the different long-range behaviors of the two potentials. A calculation including friction was carried out, at the classical level, by assuming that each atom of the chain is coupled to its own collection of harmonic oscillators. Comparison of the results with the simulations of Oliveira and Taylor [J. Chem. Phys. 101, 10 118 (1994)] showed the rate to be two to three orders of magnitude higher. As a possible explanation of discrepancy, we consider the translational motion of the ends of the broken chains. Using a continuum approximation for the chain, we find that in the absence of friction, the rate of the process can be limited by the rate at which the two broken ends separate from one another and the lowering of the rate is at the most a factor of 2, for the parameters used in the simulation (for polyethylene). In the presence of friction, we find that the rate can be lowered by one to two orders of magnitude, making our results to be in reasonable agreement with the simulations.

A waveguide problem involving a thick iris in the theory of electromagnetism

The problem of electromagnetic wave propagation in a rectangular waveguide containing a thick iris is considered for its complete solution by reducing it to two suitable integral equations, one of which is of the first kind and the other is of the second kind. These integral equations are solved approximately, by using truncated Fourier series for the unknown functions. The reflection coefficient is computed numerically from the two integral equation approaches, and almost the same numerical results are obtained. This is also depicted graphically against the wave number and compared with thin iris results, which are computed by using complementary formulations coupled with Galerkin approximations. While the reflection coefficient for a thin iris steadily increases with the wave number, for a thick iris it fluctuates and zero reflection occurs. The number of zeros of the reflection coefficient for a thick iris increases with the thickness. Thus a thick iris becomes completely transparent for some discrete wave numbers. This phenomenon may be significant in the modelling of rectangular waveguides.

Theory of Gas Hydrates: Effect of the Approximation of Rigid Water Lattice

One of the assumptions of the van der Waals and Platteeuw theory for gas hydrates is that the host water lattice is rigid and not distorted by the presence of guest molecules. In this work, we study the effect of this approximation on the triple-point lines of the gas hydrates. We calculate the triple-point lines of methane and ethane hydrates via Monte Carlo molecular simulations and compare the simulation results with the predictions of van der Waals and Platteeuw theory. Our study shows that even if the exact intermolecular potential between the guest molecules and water is known, the dissociation temperatures predicted by the theory are significantly higher. This has serious implications to the modeling of gas hydrate thermodynamics, and in spite of the several impressive efforts made toward obtaining an accurate description of intermolecular interactions in gas hydrates, the theory will suffer from the problem of robustness if the issue of movement of water molecules is not adequately addressed.

A relook at Reissner's theory of plates in bending

Shear deformation and higher order theories of plates in bending are (generally) based on plate element equilibrium equations derived either through variational principles or other methods. They involve coupling of flexure with torsion (torsion-type) problem and if applied vertical load is along one face of the plate, coupling even with extension problem. These coupled problems with reference to vertical deflection of plate in flexure result in artificial deflection due to torsion and increased deflection of faces of the plate due to extension. Coupling in the former case is eliminated earlier using an iterative method for analysis of thick plates in bending. The method is extended here for the analysis of associated stretching problem in flexure.

Ecological and Socio Economic Assesment of Varthur Wetlnd, Bengaluru (India)

Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems, recognized globally for its vital role in sustaining a wide array of biodiversity and provide goods and services. However despite their important role in maintaining the ecology and economy, wetlands in India are endangered by inattention and lack of appreciation for their role. Increased anthropogenic activities such as intense agriculture practices, indiscriminate disposal of industrial effluents and sewage wastes have altered the physical, chemical as well as biological integrity of the ecosystem. This has resulted in the ecological degradation, which is evident from the current ecosystem valuation of Varthur wetland. Global valuation of coastal wetland ecosystem shows a total of 14,785/ha US$ annual economic value. An earlier study of relatively pristine wetland in Bangalore shows the value of Rs. 10,435/ha/day while the polluted wetland shows the value of Rs.20/ha/day. In contrast to this, Varthur, a sewage fed wetland has a value of Rs.118.9/ha/day. The pollutants and subsequent contamination of the wetland has telling effects such as disappearance of native species, dominance of invasive exotic species (such as African catfish), in addition to profuse breeding of disease vectors and pathogens. Water quality analysis revealed of high phosphates (4.22-5.76 ppm) level in addition to the enhanced BOD (119-140 ppm) and decreased DO (0-1.06 ppm). The amplified decline of ecosystem goods and services with degradation of water quality necessitates the implementation of sustainable management strategies to recover the lost wetland benefits.

Study of symmetrical and related components through the theory of linear vector spaces

The paper proposes a study of symmetrical and related components, based on the theory of linear vector spaces. Using the concept of equivalence, the transformation matrixes of Clarke, Kimbark, Concordia, Boyajian and Koga are shown to be column equivalent to Fortescue's symmetrical-component transformation matrix. With a constraint on power, criteria are presented for the choice of bases for voltage and current vector spaces. In particular, it is shown that, for power invariance, either the same orthonormal (self-reciprocal) basis must be chosen for both voltage and current vector spaces, or the basis of one must be chosen to be reciprocal to that of the other. The original �¿, ��, 0 components of Clarke are modified to achieve power invariance. For machine analysis, it is shown that invariant transformations lead to reciprocal mutual inductances between the equivalent circuits. The relative merits of the various components are discussed.