Fluctuations of topological disclination lines in nematics: renormalization of the string model

The fluctuation eigenmode problem of the nematic topological disclination line with strength $\pm 1/2$ is solved for the complete nematic tensor order parameter. The line tension concept of a defect line is assessed, the line tension is properly defined. Exact relaxation rates and thermal amplitudes of the fluctuations are determined. It is shown that within the simple string model of the defect line the amplitude of its thermal fluctuations is significantly underestimated due to the neglect of higher radial modes. The extent of universality of the results concerning other systems possessing line defects is discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

A Coupled Map Lattice Model for Rheological Chaos in Sheared Nematic Liquid Crystals

A variety of complex fluids under shear exhibit complex spatio-temporal behaviour, including what is now termed rheological chaos, at moderate values of the shear rate. Such chaos associated with rheological response occurs in regimes where the Reynolds number is very small. It must thus arise as a consequence of the coupling of the flow to internal structural variables describing the local state of the fluid. We propose a coupled map lattice (CML) model for such complex spatio-temporal behaviour in a passively sheared nematic liquid crystal, using local maps constructed so as to accurately describe the spatially homogeneous case. Such local maps are coupled diffusively to nearest and next nearest neighbours to mimic the effects of spatial gradients in the underlying equations of motion. We investigate the dynamical steady states obtained as parameters in the map and the strength of the spatial coupling are varied, studying local temporal properties at a single site as well as spatio-temporal features of the extended system. Our methods reproduce the full range of spatio-temporal behaviour seen in earlier one-dimensional studies based on partial differential equations. We report results for both the one and two-dimensional cases, showing that spatial coupling favours uniform or periodically time-varying states, as intuitively expected. We demonstrate and characterize regimes of spatio-temporal intermittency out of which chaos develops. Our work suggests that such simplified lattice representations of the spatio-temporal dynamics of complex fluids under shear may provide useful insights as well as fast and numerically tractable alternatives to continuum representations.Comment: 32 pages, single column, 20 figure

Local density of states in the vortex lattice in a type II superconductor

Local density of states (LDOS) in the triangular vortex lattice is investigated based on the quasi-classical Eilenberger theory. We consider the case of an isotropic s-wave superconductor with the material parameter appropriate to NbSe_2. At a weak magnetic field, the spatial variation of the LDOS shows cylindrical structure around a vortex core. On the other hand, at a high field where the core regions substantially overlap each other, the LDOS is sixfold star-shaped structure due to the vortex lattice effect. The orientation of the star coincides with the experimental data of the scanning tunneling microscopy. That is, the ray of the star extends toward the nearest-neighbor (next nearest-neighbor) vortex direction at higher (lower) energy.Comment: 10 pages, RevTex, 32 figure

Comparison between wind waves at sea and in the laboratory

Correlations between laboratory and geophysical data are presented for certain statistical properties of wind waves. The parameters chosen include: (i) relationships between wave height and the height of the highest one-third or one-tenth waves, as given by a Rayleigh probability distribution, and (ii) amplitude spectra for waves, as given by Phillips\u27 equilibrium theory. The correlation between laboratory results and geophysical data is satisfactory over a wide range of wave size

What Influences the Diffusion of Grassroots Innovations for Sustainability? Investigating Community Currency Niches

Community action for sustainability is a promising site of socio-technical innovation. Here we test the applicability of co-evolutionary niche theories of innovation diffusion (Strategic Niche Management, SNM) to the context of ‘grassroots innovations’. We present new empirical findings from an international study of 12 community currency niches (such as LETS, time banks, local currencies). These are parallel systems of exchange, designed to operate alongside mainstream money, meeting additional sustainability needs. Our findings confirm SNM predictions that niche-level activity correlates with diffusion success, but we highlight additional or confounding factors, and how niche theories might be adapted to better fit civil-society innovations. In so doing, we develop a model of grassroots innovation niche diffusion which builds on existing work and tailors it to this specific context. The paper concludes with a series of theoretically-informed recommendations for practitioners and policymakers to support the development and potential of grassroots innovations

JPL preferred parts list: Reliable electronic components

The JPL Preferred Parts List was prepared to provide a basis for selection of electronic parts for JPL spacecraft programs. Supporting tests for the listed parts were designed to comply with specific spacecraft environmental requirements. The list tabulates the electronic, magnetic, and electromechanical parts applicable to all JPL electronic equipment wherein reliability is a major concern. The parts listed are revelant to equipment supplied by subcontractors as well as fabricated at the laboratory