Low-truncation-error finite difference equations for photonicssimulation. II. Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

For part I see, ibid., p. 134, 1998. The basic approach outlined in the previous article is applied to the difficult problem of computing the optical modes of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The formulation utilizes a finite difference equation based upon the lowest order term of an infinite series solution of the scalar Helmholtz equation in a local region. This difference equation becomes exact in the one-dimensional (1-D) limit, and is thus ideally suited for nearly 1-D devices such as vertical-cavity lasers. The performance of the resulting code is tested on both a simple cylindrical cavity with known solutions and an oxide-confined vertical-cavity laser structure, and the results compared against second-order-accurate code based upon Crank-Nicolson differencing     

A biased percolation model for the analysis of electronic-device degradation

The biased percolation model is proposed for investigating device degradation and failure associated with the generation of defects due to local Joule heating. The degradation processes of a thin conducting or semiconducting film is monitored by a set of relevant indicators, such as: the evolution of damage pattern, the current distribution, the film resistance and its fluctuations, the defect concentration, the film lifetime, etc. The conductor-insulator (CI) and conductor-superconductor (CS) like degradation processes are considered. The results can be used to propose non-destructive indicators to test the reliability of samples and to interpret the corresponding experiments.     

On the reliability of Landsat TM for estimating forest variables byregression techniques: a methodological analysis

In order to build models that relate thematic mapper (TM) imagery to field forest variables, several regression techniques, such as the ones based on the Mallows' C_p and the adjusted R² statistics, were applied. Nevertheless, although the best created models had good fittings (R²>0.65) apparently supported by a clear statistical significance (p<0.0001), later trials tested with additional plots showed that these models were, in fact, nonrobust models (models with very low-predictive capabilities). Two factors were pointed out as causes of these inconsistencies between predicted and observed values: a relatively small number of available field plots and a relatively high number of possible independent variables. Actually, different trials suggested much lower fittings for the expected “really” predictive models. Some restrictions of TM satellite data, such as its radiometric, spectral, and spatial limitations, together with restrictions arising from gathering and processing of field data, might have led to these poor relations. This study shows the need for guarantees stronger than the usual ones before concluding that there is a clear possibility of using satellite information to estimate forest parameters by means of regression techniques     

Soft commutation in capacitive idling converters

The capacitive idling converters derived from the Cuk, SEPIC, Zeta, and flyback topologies allow soft commutation of power switches without the need for additional circuitry, making it possible to increase the switching frequency while maintaining high efficiency     

一种多晶硅高温压力传感器

制作压力传感器时，在二氧化硅层上淀积多晶硅膜，既可利用优良的机械特性，又可保证压敏电阻与衬底间具有良好的绝缘性，由此可大大提高器件的温度特性。介绍了一种多晶硅压力传感器的原理和设计。实验结果表明，这类传感器具有灵敏度好，精度高等特点，电路工作范围为０－２５０℃，且具有良好的温度稳定性。     

Analysis of low bit rate image transform coding

Calculations based on high-resolution quantizations prove that the distortion rate D(R¯) of an image transform coding is proportional to 2^-2R when R¯ is large enough. In wavelet and block cosine bases, we show that if R¯<1 bit/pixel, then D(R¯) varies like R¯^1-2γ, where γ remains of the order of 1 for most natural images. The improved performance of embedded codings in wavelet bases is analyzed. At low bit rates, we show that the compression performance of an orthonormal basis depends mostly on its ability to approximate images with a few nonzero vectors     

Cultural adaptation and information design: two contrasting views

Approaches to using visual language in a cultural context can be placed on a continuum, with global (universal) on one end and culture-focused on the other. Each approach reveals contrasting assumptions about three central design issues: perception, aesthetics and pragmatics. The global approach is characterized by attempts to invent an objective, universal visual language or to define such a language through perceptual principles and empirical research. The culture-focused perspective is founded on the principle that visual communication is intimately bound to experience and hence can function only within a given cultural context, to which designers must be sensitive. While the modernist, universal approach has been losing ground to the postmodern, culture-focused approach, the two complement each other in a variety of ways and, depending on the rhetorical situation, offer pragmatic benefits and drawbacks     

UHF频段卫星移动通信系统若干问题的探讨

本文根据我国陆海空移动用户的需求与特点，借鉴国外经验，提出了建设ＵＨＦ频段卫星移动通信系统的建议；对照已建成的Ｃ波段卫星固定通信系统，分析了其优缺点；最后深入探讨了应用中的若干技术问题。     

移动式宽频带高产额中子发生器

多用途中子发生器有着广阔的市场和应用领域 ,文章对移动式宽频带高产额中子发生器 ,在设计制造过程中所涉及到的技术难点 :绝缘尺寸小、频率适应范围宽、为中子管提供靶压的高压负载特性好等作了技术分析 ,使多用途中子发生器在更广阔的范围内应用 ,提供了广阔前景。