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The Laplace transform analytic element method (LT-AEM), applies the traditionally steady-state analytic element method (AEM) to the Laplace-transformed diffusion equation (Furman and Neuman, 2003). This strategy preserves the accuracy and elegance of the AEM while extending the method to transient phenomena. The approach taken here utilizes eigenfunction expansion to derive analytic solutions to the modified Helmholtz equation, then back-transforms the LT-AEM results with a numerical inverse Laplace transform algorithm. The two-dimensional elements derived here include the point, circle, line segment, ellipse, and infinite line, corresponding to polar, elliptical and Cartesian coordinates. Each element is derived for the simplest useful case, an impulse response due to a confined, transient, single-aquifer source. The extension of these elements to include effects due to leaky, unconfined, multi-aquifer, wellbore storage, and inertia is shown for a few simple elements (point and line), with ready extension to other elements. General temporal behavior is achieved using convolution between these impulse and general time functions; convolution allows the spatial and temporal components of an element to be handled independently.Comparisons are made between inverse Laplace transform algorithms; the accelerated Fourier series approach of de Hoog et al. (1982) is found to be the most appropriate for LT-AEM applications. An application and synthetic examples are shown for several illustrative forward and parameter estimation simulations to illustrate LT-AEM capabilities. Extension of LT-AEM to three-dimensional flow and non-linear infiltration are discussed.

An expansion method for the stationary Schrodinger equation of a particle moving freely in an arbitrary axisymmeric three dimensional region defined by an analytic function is introduced. The region is transformed into the unit ball by means of coordinate substitution. As a result the Schrodinger equation is considerably changed. The wavefunction is expanded into a series of spherical harmonics, thus, reducing the transformed partial differential equation to an infinite system of coupled ordinary differential equations. A Fourier-Bessel expansion of the solution vector in terms of Bessel functions with real orders is employed, resulting in a generalized matrix eigenvalue problem. The method is applied to two particular examples. The first example is a prolate spheroidal billiard which is also treated by using an alternative method. The numerical results obtained by using both the methods are compared. The second exampleis a billiard family depending on a parameter. Numerical results concerning the second example include the statistical analysis of the eigenvalues.

[pt] Plasma é um dos quatro estados fundamentais da matéria, presente em forma natural na Terra na ionosfera, em relâmpagos e nas chamas resultantes de combustão, assim como em forma artificial em lâmpadas de neônio, lâmpadas fluorescentes e processos industriais. O comportamento de plasmas é extraordinariamente complexo e variado, como por exemplo a formação espontânea de características espaciais interessantes em variadas escalas diferentes de comprimento. Uma antena de plasma, por sua vez, é uma estrutura radiante baseada em um elemento de plasma em vez de um condutor metálico, o que gera diversas vantagens e características úteis de um ponto de vista tecnológico. Nesse presente trabalho, uma investigação da propagação eletromagnética dentro de estruturas de plasma é realizada através de métodos teóricos e numéricos como um primeiro passo em direção ao desenvolvimento de modelos apropriados para o estudo de antenas de plasma. / [en] Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter, present on Earth in natural form at the ionosphere, in lightning strikes and in the flames resulting from combustion, as well as in artificial form in neon signs, fluorescent light bulbs and industrial processes. Plasma behaviour is extraordinarily complex and varied, e.g. the spontaneous formation of interesting spatial features over a wide range of length scales. A plasma antenna, on the other hand, is a radiating structure based in a plasma element instead of a metallic conductor, which creates several technological advantages and useful characteristics. In this present work, an investigation of electromagnetic propagation inside of plasma structures is performed through both theoretical and numerical means as a first step towards constructing appropriate models for the study of plasma antennas.

The presented diploma thesis deals with the problem of determining the stress singularity exponent of the V-notch. This task can be divided into two parts. The first deals with the theoretical background, that means the basic relations of mechanics and the basic concepts of fracture mechanics. The second part deals with the elaboration of the Williams method and the creation of a program for calculating the stress singularity exponent.