Models in thermoluminescence

The aim of this paper is to give a review of the main models of thermoluminescence, from the most simple postulated by Randal and Wilkins in 1945. After that, a computer simulation emphasizes some problems relative to the use of the models to describe the behaviour of the thermoluminescent glow curve. Some suggestions are also given for obtaining a correct interpretation from the experimental data.     

The effect of home storage conditions and packaging materials on the quality of frozen green beans

Home storage is the final step of the frozen foods distribution chain, and little is known on how it affects the products quality. The present research describes frozen green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) quality retention profile during the recommended ‘star marking’ system dates, at the storage temperatures of +5, −6, −12 and −18 °C (along 1, 4, 14 and 60 days, respectively).

The quality profile was assessed by a simulation system. Simulations were set by a response surface methodology to access the effect of different packaging materials (thermal conductivities and thickness), surface heat transfer coefficient, and refrigerator dynamics (effect of refrigeration cycles at the different storage temperatures) on the average retentions of Ascorbic Acid, total vitamin C, colour and flavour.

Green beans quality losses along frozen storage are significantly influenced by temperature, refrigerator dynamics and kinetic properties. Quality is also highly dependent on packaging materials thermal insulation (e.g. at temperatures above the melting point). Temperature cycles inside frozen chambers have a long term effect, and at the higher storage temperatures (e.g. T>−6 °C) are detrimental to frozen green beans quality after shorter periods.     

Ability of a contactless inductive device for the characterization of the critical current versus temperature in superconducting rings at temperatures close to TC

Critical current measurements for three polycrystalline rings of YBCO, three Bi-2223, and one YBCO + Ag were developed from a temperature close to 80 K to the critical temperature using a previously reported contactless inductive device based on the transformer method. These data were used to analyze the ability of this device to characterize, in superconducting rings, the Ginzburg-Landau, Ambegaokar-Baratoff, and De Gennes regimes as well as the crossover temperature between them.     

An Experimental Investigation of the Coagulation of Aerosol in a Tube in the Vicinity of Subharmonic Resonance

Nonlinear oscillation of aerosol in the vicinity of a resonance frequency that is twice lower than the first eigenfrequency (subharmonic resonance) is experimentally investigated in tubes with different conditions at the ends. The time dependence of the number density of aerosol droplets is determined, and the effect of the frequency and intensity of oscillation on the process of coagulation of droplets is studied. The nonmonotonic pattern of the dependence of the time of coagulation of aerosol droplets on the frequency of excitation with a minimal value at resonance is found. Ordered space-time structures (alternation of denser and looser regions of aerosol) are revealed in the visible region in the vicinity of the middle of a closed tube.     

Calculation of the Thermodynamic Properties of Diatomic Substances Based on the Ornstein-Zernike Equation

The new method of calculation of intermolecular distribution functions is used to calculate various thermodynamic properties of diatomic substances (oxygen, nitrogen, ethane). Good agreement is demonstrated between the calculation and experimental data.     

The Structure of Clusters and Jets of Pulsed Plasma Expanding into Vacuum

The space-time distribution of the basic kinetic parameters of a plasma is experimentally determined under conditions of expansion of plasma clusters and jets into vacuum. It is demonstrated that the dynamics and structure of plasmoids injected by pulsed erosion plasma accelerators of the electrothermal type are characterized by two successive stages or two modes of acceleration, namely, the Joule heating of electrons in the initial region of the path and the collisionless expansion of rarefied plasma.     

Spectrally pure excitation signals: only a dream?

For accurate testing of a nonlinear device-under-test (DUT), the spectral purity of the input signal is utterly important. This paper describes a method to create very pure signals, such as sine waves, dual-tones, or multitones, using only power measurements. The signals are generated with an arbitrary waveform generator. Any unwanted spectral line is removed, independent of its exact origin. This allows to apply the correct signal to the DUT, even if the signal source is not perfect or is followed by filters or amplifiers with a small nonlinear distortion. Measurements are used to demonstrate the capabilities of the method.