Nonlinear metal-dielectric nanoantennas for light switching and routing

We introduce a novel hybrid metal-dielectric nanoantenna composed of dielectric (crystalline silicon) and metal (silver) nanoparticles. A high-permittivity dielectric nanoparticle allows to achieve effective light harvesting, and nonlinearity of a metal nanoparticle controls the radiation direction. We show that the radiation pattern of such a nanoantenna can be switched between the forward and backward directions by varying only the light intensity around the level of 11 MW/cm$^2$, with the characteristic switching time of 260 fs.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, submitted to New J. Phy

Subwavelength modulational instability and plasmon oscillons in nanoparticle arrays

We study modulational instability in nonlinear arrays of subwavelength metallic nanoparticles, and analyze numerically nonlinear scenarios of the instability development. We demonstrate that modulational instability can lead to the formation of regular periodic or quasi-periodic modulations of the polarization. We reveal that such nonlinear nanoparticle arrays can support long-lived standing and moving oscillating nonlinear localized modes - plasmon oscillons.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, published in Physical Review Letter

Subwavelength plasmonic kinks in arrays of metallic nanoparticles

We analyze nonlinear effects in optically driven arrays of nonlinear metallic nanoparticles. We demonstrate that such plasmonic systems are characterized by a bistable response, and they can support the propagation of dissipative switching waves (or plasmonic kinks) connecting the states with different polarization. We study numerically the properties of such plasmonic kinks which are characterized by a subwavelength extent and a tunable velocity.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, published in Opt. Expres

Birefringent left-handed metamaterials and perfect lenses

We describe the properties of birefringent left-handed metamaterials and introduce the concept of a birefringent perfect lens. We demonstrate that, in a sharp contrast to the conventional left-handed perfect lens at $\epsilon=\mu=-1$, where $\epsilon$ is the dielectric constant and $\mu$ is the magnetic permeability, the birefringent left-handed lens can focus either TE or TM polarized waves or both of them, allowing a spatial separation of the TE and TM images. We discuss several applications of the birefringent left-handed lenses such as the beam splitting and near-field diagnostics at the sub-wavelength scale.Comment: 4 pages 6 figure

Внешняя среда как фактор выбора места проживания

Many people have certain problems with the choice of the place of living. The main idea of this article is to study the aspects of urban area environment which effect on this decision. The influence of these factors is analyzed on example of two cities: the big one and the small one.Многие люди имеют определенные проблемы при выборе места жительства. Основной идеей данной статьи является изучение аспектов городской окружающей среды, которые влияют на выбор места проживания людей. Влияние этих факторов анализируется на примере двух городов: один большой и один маленький по градостроительной классификации

Penentuan Status Hara Nitrogen pada Bibit Duku

Nitrogen merupakan unsur yang sangat memengaruhi pertumbuhan, perkembangan dan produksi tanaman. Hara ini merupakan komponen esensial klorofil, protein, hormon, dan enzim. Gejala kekurangan atau kelebihan hara tersebut dapat terdeteksi secara visual pada penampilan daun, sehingga sangat penting untuk mencegah terjadinya kedua kondisi tersebut pada pertumbuhan bibit duku (Lansium domesticum Corr). Penelitian status hara nitrogen dilakukan pada bibit duku umur 2 tahun yang ditanam pada media pasir di Provinsi Jambi dari bulan Maret 2010 sampai dengan Maret 2011. Percobaan disusun menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok, dengan lima perlakuan dosis nitrogen: 0, 100, 200, 400, dan 800 ppm/tanaman, diaplikasikan dalam bentuk air irigasi setiap 2 hari sekali dan masing-masing perlakuan terdiri dari tiga tanaman dan tiga ulangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa gejala kekurangan nitrogen pertama terlihat pada daun tua yang ditandai dengan Perubahan warna daun menjadi hijau kekuningan (klorosis), tangkai daun lemah dan berwarna kuning, jumlah daun kurang atau sama dengan 4,2 helai, pertumbuhan terhambat, dan konsentrasi nitrogen daun kurang dari 1,13%. Kecukupan nitrogen ditandai dengan pertumbuhan yang normal, daun berwarna hijau tua, jumlah daun berkisar antara 5 sampai 5,5 helai dan konsentrasi nitrogen daun antara 1,13 sampai 1,44%. Kelebihan nitrogen terlihat pada daun yang berwarna coklat dan mengalami nekrosis, jumlah daun kurang dari 3,78 helai, pertumbuhan bibit terhambat, konsentrasi nitrogen daun lebih dari 1,44%. Pertumbuhan maksimum membutuhkan 381 ppm pupuk nitrogen/tanaman, yang setara dengan 8 g urea/l air atau 77 g Urea/tahun. Rekomendasi pemupukan N ini merupakan salah satu teknologi yang dapat meningkatkan ketersediaan bibit duku bermutu

Hydrobionts of a freshwater oil-polluted northern lake: bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish and the rate of ecosystem recovery

The response of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic and fish community structure to one of the biggest oil spill in history of Komi Republic (north-west part of Russia) was investigated using data from a long-term survey off the polluted lake. The characteristics of aquatic freshwater communities observed in the study area 10, 11 and 22 years after the spill (1994) were compared to find out the rate of natural recovery of the ecosystem after oil decontamination of bottom sediments. The concentrations of fifteen trace metals (Al, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Pb, U, Bi, Th) were analyzed in the tissues (muscle) of three fish species. The concentrations of Al (3-309 mg/kg), Cr (0,1-3,71 mg/kg), Fe (8,6-317 mg/kg), and Cu (0,09-99 mg/kg) in fishes from polluted lake resulted in most cases higher than reference thresholds. Quantitative and qualitative indicators of aquatic invertebrates from polluted lake reach those one of unpolluted lake but do not fully recover 22 years after the spill, despite that oil concentration in water column and in bottom sediments was lower than reference tresholds. We conclude that natural recovery rate of aquatic freshwater ecosystems in northern regions after oil pollution is extremely low. The purification of water and bottom sediments of oil-polluted northern water bodies is necessary for stimulation of ecosystem restoration

Предварительная оценка энергоэффективности зданий в условиях резко континентального климата

Construction of energy-efficient buildings becomes a top priority for many countries. Yet certain obstacles in achieving internal environment comfort standards remain in regions with extreme continental climate. In addition to engineering and economic challenges, there exist design process issues since design data should closely correspond with resulting performance of the building. This paper focuses on accurate energy demand estimation during design stage. Two types of buildings designed for Ural-Siberian region of Russia and for Kazakhstan are examined: detached and medium-rise apartment buildings. Most influential factors are taken into consideration and general recommendations on improving energy efficiency using effective combination of structural and engineering solutions are given. Adaptation of design procedure in terms of extreme continental climate made by means of simplified but precise Passive House planning tool is demonstrated.Строительство энергоэффективных зданий является приоритетным направлением для многих стран. Однако в регионах с суровым климатом часто возникают проблемы достижения нормативных показателей комфорта внутренней среды. В идеале проектные значения потребностей в электроэнергии на отопление и кондиционирование здания должны точно соответствовать итоговым показателям. В этой статье рассматриваются методики точного прогнозирования энергопотребления на стадии проектирования. Исследовано два типа зданий, проектируемых для Урало-Сибирского региона России и Казахстана: индивидуальный дом и многоквартирный дом средней этажности. Даны рекомендации по снижению энергопотребления зданий путем эффективного сочетания конструктивных и инженерных решений. Показан учет основных факторов, влияющих на энергетический баланс зданий. На примере Пакета проектирования пассивного дома 2007 приведен пример адаптации упрощенной, но достаточно точной методики расчета к резко континентальным климатическим условиям

Method for vibration measurement in pipelines of residential buildings

The article is devoted to the problem of insufficiency and incompleteness of existing methods for measuring vibration in pipelines of residential buildings. Existing methods for measuring vibrations in pipelines are considered and their effectiveness is analyzed. The assessment of complexity, cost efficiency and accuracy of the existing vibration measurement methods is made. An improved method for measuring the vibration of a pipeline section with a tap based on the analysis of the trace of blurring a circular mark and the Doppler Effect is proposed. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd