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Gill, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Gill, D..

New determination of the branching ratio of the structure dependent radiative K + → e + ν e γ

The branching ratio of the structure dependent (SD) radiative K + → e + ν e γ decay relative to that of the K + → e + ν e (γ) decay including the internal bremsstrahlung (IB) process (K e2 (γ) ) has been measured in the J-PARC E36 experiment using plastic scintillator/lead sandwich detectors, in contrast to the previous E36 measurement, which used a CsI(Tl) calorimeter. In the analysis, the effect of IB was also taken into account in the SD radiative decay as $K$$^{SD}_{e2γ(γ)}$. By combining the new data with the previous E36 result after revision for the IB correction for $K$$^{SD}_{e2γ(γ)}$, a new value Br($K$$^{SD}_{e2γ(γ)}$)/Br(Ke 2(γ) ) = 1.20 ± 0.07 has e2γ(γ) e2γ(γ) been determined. This is consistent with a recent lattice QCD calculation, but larger than the expectation of Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT) at order O(p 4 ) and the previous KLOE value. Using the method to relate form factor and branching ratio described in the KLOE paper, the present result is also consistent with the form factor prediction based on a gauged nonlocal chiral quark model, but larger than that from ChPT at order O(p 6 ).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Requirements and an approach for coating the Gravity Probe B gyroscope rotor

A process to coat a quartz gyroscope rotor uniformly with superconducting niobium as part of a NASA sponsored experiment to test general relativity is described. The requirements for uniformity, film adhesion, and superconducting properties of the niobium thin film rotor coating are discussed. A uniformity of 1.5 percent (peak to valley) (38 nm) with good adhesion, no pinholes larger than 0.25 mm, transition temperature of 9.8 K, and the ability to survive repeated thermal cycling to 4.2 K have been achieved. Problems concerning abrasive damage and electrical arc damage during earthbound testing have been observed. Many hours of ground-based gyro operation demonstrate the applicability of this approach to rotor coating.

Gill, D.↗

Hardware development for Gravity Probe-B

Gravity Probe-B (GP-B), also known as the Stanford Relativity Gyroscope Experiment, will test two fundamental predictions of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity by precise measurement of the precessions of nearly perfect gyroscopes in earth orbit. This endeavor embodies state-of-the-art technologies in many fields, including gyroscope fabrication and readout, cryogenics, superconductivity, magnetic shielding, precision optics and alignment methods, and satellite control systems. These technologies are necessary to enable measurement of the predicted precession rates to the milliarcsecond/year level, and to reduce to 'near zero' all non-General Relativistic torques on the gyroscopes. This paper provides a brief overview of the experiment followed by descriptions of several specific hardware items with highlights on progress to date and plans for future development and tests.

Bardas, D.↗