Adaptive design of nano-scale dielectric structures for photonics

Using adaptive algorithms, the design of nano-scale dielectric structures for photonic applications is explored. Widths of dielectric layers in a linear array are adjusted to match target responses of optical transmission as a function of energy. Two complementary approaches are discussed. The first approach uses adaptive local random updates and progressively adjusts individual dielectric layer widths. The second approach is based on global updating functions in which large subgroups of layers are adjusted simultaneously. Both schemes are applied to obtain specific target responses of the transmission function within selected energy windows, such as discontinuous cut-off or power-law decay filters close to a photonic band edge. These adaptive algorithms are found to be effective tools in the custom design of nano-scale photonic dielectric structures.Comment: 4 pages Revtex, 4 embedded EPS figure

The Intention to Download Music Files in a P2P Environment: Rational Choice, Fashion, and Ethical Decision Perspectives

Downloading unauthorized music file is deemed illegal and immoral, but the peer-to-peer systems have boosted its popularity. Many authors attributed this phenomenon to the low morality of Internet users, but inconclusive evidence to this argument was found. Extant literature seldom noticed that downloading music files is a new mean of music consumption. People, especially young generation, might rationally choose between downloading music files and buying CDs for greater utility for enjoying and pursuing after the fashion of music. This paper presents a conceptual model of file downloading by looking at and integrating these perspectives. An analysis of 834 samples drew from a questionnaire survey of P2P users in Taiwan generally supports the above assertion

Why People Blog? An Empirical Investigations of the Task Technology Fit Model

Blog has been one of the fastest growing applications in the Internet. Content provided by users has also been an important source of information. Current studies, however, can not explain well why people build their blog. Based on the Task-Technology Fit (TTF) model, this study examines both the impacts of task and technology characteristics on user evaluation of blog and blog usage. Task needs for using blog are described as selfpresentation, self-orientation, and sociality need; technology characteristics refer to the perception of forward and backward social presence. Results of this study show that selfpresentation, sociality need, and the perception of social presence can explain why people build their blog. Interactions between task and technology features also affect user evaluation and blog usage, as predicted by the TTF model

Why Do People Share Music Files in the P2P Environment: An Ethical Decision Perspective

Digitalized information and the Internet have brought great impacts on the music and movies industries. This study tested the ethical decision model of Hunt-Vitell to understand why and how people share unauthorized music files with others in the P2P network. Four scenarios of using P2P system and four norms related to them were proposed in the study. The results indicate that the deontological norm of anti-piracy, whether is theft of intellectual property or not, is not the main factors affecting P2P users’ ethical consideration regarding sharing music with others. The results also suggest the music companies should care more about how to realize the benefits of the digital and network technology to increase the consumers’ welfare instead of just declare the intellectual property they owned and resist the innovations caused by the new technologies

The Number of Alternative Products and the Information about it on the Online Shop

As the Internet can aggregate and distribute a great amount of information to users, providing numerous products for consumers has been recognized as a major advantage of electronic commerce. Causing by the problem of information overload, however, consumers facing many alternatives on the online shop may feel hard to decide which one they prefer. Based on the theory of decision style and prospect theory, this study explores if too many products sold on the online shop will reduce consumers’ subjective status toward their buying decision. A 3×3 between subjects experiment was conducted and showed that the buyers’ decision style, the quantity of alternative products and the information about it will affect consumers’ subjective status. These results suggest that we should consider the role of electronic intermediaries more carefully, and further examine the theory of information overload and the need for information literacy to prepare for the future