Optical constants in the IR from thin film interference and reflectance: the reststrahlen region of muscovite mica

A new technique for determining the IR optical constants of materials that can be formed into thin films is presented. At a given wavelength the thickness of the film t, the index of refraction n, and the extinction coefficient k combine to produce interference effects in the film, which in turn control reflectance from the film. When reflectance is plotted vs thickness the resultant curve is a unique function of n and k. Values of n and k are determined by curve fitting. The technique is illustrated using thin films of muscovite mica, and values of n and k are reported for wave numbers from 1200 to 400 cm-1, which include the reststrahlen region of mica.     

Transfer of powerful laser radiation in optical media: Appearance of “optical turbulence”

The passage of powerful laser radiation in a flat layer of diathermal medium with specularly reflecting and diffusely emitting boundaries is studied. The conditions under which optical turbulence arises are examined. It is shown that the optical characteristics of the boundaries of the flat layer are bifurcational parameters.Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 61, No. 1, pp. 21–25, July, 1991.     

Survey of new technology now on the job

Protecting the Environment

Survey of new technology now on the job     

Oxygen transport in the system niobium-uranium dioxide

Luch Technological Society. Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 71, No. 1, pp. 62–64, July, 1991.     

Artificial Life Algorithm for Management of Multi-reservoir River Systems

The design and operation of civil engineering systems, particularly water resources systems, has been pursued from the perspective of minimizing costs and related negative impacts, maximizing benefits, or a combination thereof. Due to the complex, nonlinear nature of the majority of systems, together with an increase in digital computing capabilities, global search algorithms are becoming a common means of meeting these objectives. This paper employs an artificial life algorithm, derived from the artificial life paradigm. The algorithm is evaluated using standard optimization test functions and is subsequently applied to determine optimal dam operations in multi-reservoir river systems. The optimal dam operation scheme is that which indirectly minimizes environmental impacts caused by short-term water level fluctuations. Optimal releases are sought by coupling an artificial life algorithm with FLDWAV, a one-dimensional, steady flow simulation model. The resulting multi-reservoir management model is successfully applied to a portion of the Illinois River Waterway.