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At least 271 records · Page 15

Dynamical complexity of the Brans-Dicke cosmology

The dynamics of the Brans-Dicke theory with a quadratic scalar field potential function and barotropic matter is investigated. The dynamical system methods are used to reveal complexity of dynamical evolution in homogeneous and isotropic cosmological models. The structure of phase space crucially depends on the parameter of the theory ω{sub BD} as well as barotropic matter index w{sub m}. In our analysis these parameters are treated as bifurcation parameters. We found sets of values of these parameters which lead to generic evolutional scenarios. We show that in isotropic and homogeneous models in the Brans-Dicke theory with a quadratic potential function the de Sitter state appears naturally. Stability conditions of this state are fully investigated. It is shown that these models can explain accelerated expansion of the Universe without the assumption of the substantial form of dark matter and dark energy. The Poincare construction of compactified phase space with a circle at infinity is used to show that phase space trajectories in a physical region can be equipped with a structure of a vector field on nontrivial topological closed space. For ω{sub BD} < −3/2 we show new types of early and late time evolution leading from the anti-de Sitter to the de Sitter state through an asymmetric bounce. In the theory without a ghost we find bouncing solutions and the coexistence of the bounces and the singularity. Following the Peixoto theorem some conclusions about structural stability are drawn.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

High pressure study of B{sub 12}As{sub 2}: Electrical transport behavior and the role of grain boundaries

Using a diamond anvil cell, the evolutions of alternate-current impedance spectra and direct- current resistivity in B{sub 12}As{sub 2} have been investigated up to 51.9 GPa. The results provide evidence for the existence of grain and grain boundary effects that are separated in the frequency region. The grain boundary resistance shows a relatively smaller contribution to the total resistance above 16.8 GPa. By using the double-Schottky barrier model, the space charge potential was obtained. A pressure-induced inversion of charge defect concentration in the space charge layer was found at 20.7 GPa. The high-temperature resistivity measurements indicate that the transport activation energy is determined by defect energy levels in the band gap.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A Method for Assessing Material Flammability for Micro-Gravity Environments

On a spacecraft, one of the greatest fears during a mission is the outbreak of a fire. Since spacecraft are enclosed spaces and depend highly on technical electronics, a small fire could cause a large amount of damage. NASA uses upward flame spread as a "worst case scenario" evaluation for materials and the Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates Test to assess the damage potential of a fire. Details of these tests and the protocols followed are provided by the "Flammability, Odor, Offgassing, and Compatibility Requirements and Test Procedures for Materials in Environments that Support Combustion" document. As pointed by Ohlemiller and Villa, the upward flame spread test does not address the effect of external radiation on ignition and spread. External radiation, as that coming from an overheated electrical component, is a plausible fire scenario in a space facility and could result in a reversal of the flammability rankings derived from the upward flame spread test. The "Upward Flame Propagation Test" has been the subject of strong criticism in the last few years. In many cases, theoretical exercises and experimental results have demonstrated the possibility of a reversal in the material flammability rankings from normal to micro-gravity. Furthermore, the need to incorporate information on the effects of external radiation and opposed flame spread when ranking materials based on their potential to burn in micro-gravity has been emphasized. Experiments conducted in a 2.2 second drop tower with an ethane burner in an air cross flow have emphasized that burning at the trailing edge is deterred in micro-gravity due to the decreased oxygen transport. For very low air flow velocities (U<0.005 m/s) the flame envelopes the burner and a slight increase in velocity results in extinction of the trailing edge (U>0.01 m/s). Only for U>0.l m/s extinction is observed at the leading edge (blow-off). Three dimensional numerical calculations performed for thin cellulose centrally ignited with an axisymmetric source have shown that under the presence of a forced flow slower than 0.035 m/s flames spreads only opposing the flow. Extinction is observed at the trailing edge with no concurrent propagation. Experiments conducted by the same authors at the JAMIC 10 second drop tower verified these calculations. Reducing the oxygen supply to the flame also results in a decrease of the Damk6hler number which might lead to extinction. Greyson et al. and Ferkul conducted experiments in micro-gravity (5 second drop tower) with thin paper and observed that at very low flow velocities concurrent flame spread will stop propagating and the flame will reduce in size and extinguish. They noted that quenching differs significantly from blow-off in that the upstream leading edge will remain anchored to the burn out edge.

Steinhaus, T.↗

Controllable transition from positive space charge to negative space charge in an inverted cylindrical magnetron

The combined effect of magnetic field (B), gas pressure (P), and the corresponding discharge voltage on the discharge properties of argon in inverted cylindrical magnetron has been investigated. In the experiment, anode is biased with continuous 10 ms sinusoidal half wave. It is observed that at a comparatively higher magnetic field (i.e., >200 gauss) and lower operating pressure (i.e., <1 × 10{sup −3} mbar), the discharge extinguishes and demands a high voltage to reignite. Discharge current increases with increase in magnetic field and starts reducing at sufficiently higher magnetic field for a particular discharge voltage due to restricted electron diffusion towards the anode. It is observed that B/P ratio plays an important role in sustaining the discharge and is constant for a discharge voltage. The discharge is transformed to negative space charge regime from positive space charge regime at certain B/P ratio and this ratio varies linearly with the discharge voltage. The space charge reversal is indicated by the radial profile of the floating potential and plasma potential in between two electrodes for different magnetic fields. At a particular higher magnetic field (beyond 100 gauss), the floating potential increases gradually with the radial distance from cathode, whereas it remains almost constant at lower magnetic field.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Parallel momentum input by tangential neutral beam injections in stellarator and heliotron plasmas

The configuration dependence of parallel momentum inputs to target plasma particle species by tangentially injected neutral beams is investigated in non-axisymmetric stellarator/heliotron model magnetic fields by assuming the existence of magnetic flux-surfaces. In parallel friction integrals of the full Rosenbluth-MacDonald-Judd collision operator in thermal particles' kinetic equations, numerically obtained eigenfunctions are used for excluding trapped fast ions that cannot contribute to the friction integrals. It is found that the momentum inputs to thermal ions strongly depend on magnetic field strength modulations on the flux-surfaces, while the input to electrons is insensitive to the modulation. In future plasma flow studies requiring flow calculations of all particle species in more general non-symmetric toroidal configurations, the eigenfunction method investigated here will be useful.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Radial acceleration of ions by a laser pulse in a plasma channel

The approximate analytic solution of the Cauchy problem is constructed for a system of kinetic equations of an electron–ion plasma that describe the acceleration of ions and the collisionless heating of electrons caused by the radial ponderomotive force of a laser beam that propagates in the transparent plasma of a gas or other low-density target. Under conditions where the Debye radius, r{sub De}, of the electrons is considerably smaller than the characteristic localization scale, L, of the laser beam along the radius, ε = r{sub De}/L ≪ 1, this solution is found by a group transformation that is specified by the operator of approximate renormalization-group symmetries over small parameters, ε and μ = √(Zm/M), of the initial distribution functions of particles. For an axially symmetric geometry of the laser beam, the temporal and spatial dependences of the distribution functions of particles are obtained and their integral characteristics, such as the density, mean velocity, temperature, and energy spectrum, are found. The formation of a cylindrical density cusp and the localized heating of electrons at the laser-channel boundary are analytically described.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Study of Critical Current and n-Values of 2G HTS Tapes: Their Magnetic Field-Angular Dependence

Since many applications of YBCO tapes operate in external magnetic fields, it is necessary to investigate the magneto-angular dependence of critical current and n-values in coated conductors. In this paper, five commercial YBCO tapes with different microstructures produced by three different manufacturers are chosen. The selected samples have a width of 2.0, 4.0, 4.8, 6.0 or 12 mm, with copper, brass or stainless steel laminations. The critical current density dependence J{sub c}(B, θ) and n-values characteristics n(B, θ) of the tapes are comprehensively measured under various magnetic fields and orientations. Afterwards, the obtained experimental data sets are successfully fitted using a novel multi-objective model which considers the material anisotropy. By using this approach, a fitting function I{sub c}(B, θ) can always be obtained to accurately describe the experimental data, regardless of the fabrication and width differences of the superconducting tapes. Moreover, our experiment shows that when subject to different external magnetic fields, the angular dependence of n-values characteristics is directly correlated with the corresponding critical current profiles. Our results are helpful to predict the critical current of electromagnetically interacting 2G HTS wires, thereby improving the design and performance of the devices made from YBCO tapes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Relation Between Observers and Effects of Number Valuation in Science

This paper is a small step towards the goal of constructing a coherent theory of physic and mathematics together. It is based on two ideas, the localization of mathematical systems in space or space time, and the separation of the concepts of number from number value. The separation of number from number value along with the freedom of choice of number values at different points of space or space time enables the introduction of a space or space time dependent number valuation field. The presence of a location dependent number value field affects theoretical descriptions of many physical and geometric quantities. A simple geometric example is worked out in detail, that of the length of a path. The localization of mathematical systems and the separation of number from number value or meaning both emphasize the role of observers. The separation of number from number value shows the role of observers in that value or meaning are conscious observer related concepts. Nothing, including numbers, has value or meaning to an unconscious observer. The localization of mathematical systems also shows the role of observers in that the mathematics that is potentially available to an observer is that at the same position as is the observer. This represents the mathematical knowledge that can reside in an observers brain. As an observer moves in space or space time, the mathematical knowledge potentially available to the observer is the collection of mathematical systems at the same location as the observer. It is hoped that this work, which was begun in 2010, will lead to a better understanding of the relation between the foundations of mathematics and physics, and the role that observers play in this relation.

choice freedom of number values↗

STUDYING INTERCLUSTER GALAXY FILAMENTS THROUGH STACKING gmBCG GALAXY CLUSTER PAIRS

We present a method to study the photometric properties of galaxies in filaments by stacking the galaxy populations between pairs of galaxy clusters. Using Sloan Digital Sky Survey data, this method can detect the intercluster filament galaxy overdensity with a significance of {approx}5{sigma} out to z = 0.40. Using this approach, we study the g - r color and luminosity distribution of filament galaxies as a function of redshift. Consistent with expectation, filament galaxies are bimodal in their color distribution and contain a larger blue galaxy population than clusters. Filament galaxies are also generally fainter than cluster galaxies. More interestingly, the observed filament population seems to show redshift evolution at 0.12 < z < 0.40: the blue galaxy fraction has a trend to increase at higher redshift; such evolution is parallel to the ''Butcher-Oemler effect'' of galaxy clusters. We test the dependence of the observed filament density on the richness of the cluster pair: richer clusters are connected by higher density filaments. We also test the spatial dependence of filament galaxy overdensity: this quantity decreases when moving away from the intercluster axis between a cluster pair. This method provides an economical way to probe the photometric properties of filament galaxies and should prove useful for upcoming projects like the Dark Energy Survey.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Magnetic configuration dependence of magnetoresistance in a Fe-porphyrin-like carbon nanotube spintronic device

By using nonequilibrium Green's functions in combination with the density functional theory, we investigate the spin-dependent transport properties in a Fe-porphyrin-like carbon nanotube spintronic device. The results show that magnetoresistance ratio is strongly dependent on the magnetic configuration of the Fe-porphyrin-like carbon nanotube. Under the application of the external magnetic field, the magnetoresistance ratio of the device can be increased from about 19% to about 1020% by tuning the magnetic configuration in the device. Our results confirm that the magnetic configuration is a key factor for obtaining a high-performance spintronic device.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Graphene on boron-nitride: Moiré pattern in the van der Waals energy

The spatial dependence of the van der Waals (vdW) energy between graphene and hexagonal boron-nitride (h-BN) is investigated using atomistic simulations. The van der Waals energy between graphene and h-BN shows a hexagonal superlattice structure identical to the observed Moiré pattern in the local density of states, which depends on the lattice mismatch and misorientation angle between graphene and h-BN. Our results provide atomistic features of the weak van der Waals interaction between graphene and BN which are in agreement with experiment and provide an analytical expression for the size of the spatial variation of the weak van der Waals interaction. We also found that the A-B-lattice symmetry of graphene is broken along the armchair direction.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Three-dimensional simulation of thermal harmonic lasing free electron laser with detuning of the fundamental

Detuning of the fundamental is a way to enhance harmonic generation. By this method, the wiggler is composed of two segments in such a way that the fundamental resonance of the second segment to coincide with the third harmonic of the first segment of the wiggler to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation and x-ray emission. A set of coupled, nonlinear, and first-order differential equations in three dimensions describing the evolution of the electron trajectories and the radiation field with warm beam is solved numerically by CYRUS 3D code in the steady-state for two models (1) seeded free electron laser (FEL) and (2) shot noise on the electron beam (self-amplified spontaneous emission FEL). Thermal effects in the form of longitudinal velocity spread are considered. Three-dimensional simulation describes self-consistently the longitudinal spatial dependence of radiation waists, curvatures, and amplitudes together with the evaluation of the electron beam. The evolutions of the transverse modes are investigated for the fundamental resonance and the third harmonic. Also, the effective modes of the third harmonic are studied. In this paper, we found that detuning of the fundamental with shot noise gives more optimistic result than the seeded FEL.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Dose and Spatial Effects in Long-Distance Radiation Signaling In Vivo: Implications for Abscopal Tumorigenesis

Purpose: To investigate the dose and spatial dependence of abscopal radiation effects occurring in vivo in the mouse, along with their tumorigenic potential in the central nervous system (CNS) of a radiosensitive mouse model. Methods and Materials: Patched1 (Ptch1){sup +/−} mice, carrying a germ-line heterozygous inactivating mutation in the Ptch1 gene and uniquely susceptible to radiation damage in neonatal cerebellum, were exposed directly to ionizing radiation (1, 2, or 3 Gy of x-rays) or treated in a variety of partial-body irradiation protocols, in which the animals' head was fully protected by suitable lead cylinders while the rest of the body was exposed to x-rays in full or in part. Apoptotic cell death was measured in directly irradiated and shielded cerebellum shortly after irradiation, and tumor development was monitored in lifetime groups. The same endpoints were measured using different shielding geometries in mice irradiated with 3 or 10 Gy of x-rays. Results: Although dose-dependent cell death was observed in off-target cerebellum for all doses and shielding conditions tested, a conspicuous lack of abscopal response for CNS tumorigenesis was evident at the lowest dose of 1 Gy. By changing the amount of exposed body volume, the shielding geometry could also significantly modulate tumorigenesis depending on dose. Conclusions: We conclude that interplay between radiation dose and exposed tissue volume plays a critical role in nontargeted effects occurring in mouse CNS under conditions relevant to humans. These findings may help understanding the mechanisms of long-range radiation signaling in harmful effects, including carcinogenesis, occurring in off-target tissues.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Dust-polarization Maps and Interstellar Turbulence

Perhaps the most intriguing result of Planck’s dust-polarization measurements is the observation that the power in the E-mode polarization is twice that in the B mode, as opposed to pre-Planck expectations of roughly equal dust powers in the E and B modes. Here we show how the E- and B-mode powers depend on the detailed properties of the fluctuations in the magnetized interstellar medium (ISM). These fluctuations can be decomposed into slow, fast, and Alfvén magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves, which comprise a complete basis that can be used to describe linear fluctuations of a magnetized fluid. They can alternatively be decomposed in terms of one longitudinal and two transverse components of a fluid-displacement field. The intensity (T) and E- and B-mode amplitudes induced by each of the three types of waves, in both decompositions, are then calculated. To illustrate how these tools can be applied, we consider a toy model of the ISM in which dust traces a single component of plasma, and obtain the EE/BB ratio and TE correlation for several ansatzes for the power in slow/fast/Alfvén waves and in longitudinal/transverse waves. Although our model may be too simplistic to properly describe the nonlinear structure of interstellar magnetic fields, we find that the observed EE/BB ratio (and its scale invariance) and positive TE correlation—as well as the observed power-law index for the angular spectrum of these fluctuations—are not easily accommodated in terms of simple MHD turbulence prescriptions for the expected powers in slow, fast, and Alfvén waves. We speculate that the ∼0.1–30 pc length scales probed by these dust-polarization measurements are not described by MHD turbulence, but rather probe the large-scale physics that drives ISM turbulence. We find that a slightly anisotropic spectrum of random fluid displacements produces EE/BB≃2 and a positive TE cross-correlation. Furthermore, we find that large EE/BB and positive TE are due primarily to longitudinal, rather than transverse, modes in the random-displacement field, providing, perhaps, some clue to the mechanism that stirs the ISM. Future investigations involving the spatial dependence of the EE/BB ratio, TE correlation, and local departures from statistical isotropy in dust-polarization maps, as well as further tests of some of the assumptions in this analysis, are outlined. This work may also aid in the improvement of foreground-separation techniques for studies of cosmic microwave background polarization.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Planetary and satellite x ray spectroscopy: A new window on solid-body composition by remote sensing

The rings and most of the satellites of the outer planets orbit within the radiation belts of their parent bodies. This is an environment with intense fluxes of energetic electrons. As a result, these objects are strong emitters of X-rays. The characteristic X-ray lines from these bodies depend on atomic composition, but they are not sensitive to how the material is arranged in compounds or mixtures. X-ray fluorescence spectral analysis has demonstrated its unique value in the laboratory as a qualitative and quantitative analysis tool. This technique has yet to be fully exploited in a planetary instrument for remote sensing. The characteristic X-ray emissions provide atomic relative abundances. These results are complementary to the molecular composition information obtained from IR, visible, and UV emission spectra. The atomic relative abundances are crucial to understanding the formation and evolution of these bodies. They are also crucial to the proper interpretation of the molecular composition results from the other sensors. The intensities of the characteristic X-ray emissions are sufficiently strong to be measured with an instrument of modest size. Recent developments in X-ray detector technologies and electronic miniaturization have made possible space-flight X-ray imaging and nonimaging spectrometers of high sensitivity and excellent energy resolution that are rugged enough to survive long-duration space missions. Depending on the application, such instruments are capable of resolving elemental abundances of elements from carbon through iron. At the same time, by measuring the bremsstrahlung intensity and energy spectrum, the characteristics of the source electron flux can be determined. We will discuss these concepts, including estimated source strengths, and will describe a small instrument capable of providing this unique channel of information for future planetary missions. We propose to build this instrument using innovative electronics packaging methods to minimize size and weight.

Chenette, D. L.↗

Strong domain configuration dependence of the nonlinear dielectric response in (K,Na)NbO{sub 3}-based ceramics

The nonlinear dielectric response in (Na{sub 0.52}K{sub 0.4425}Li{sub 0.0375})(Nb{sub 0.92−x}Ta{sub x}Sb{sub 0.08})O{sub 3} ceramics with different amounts of Ta was measured using subcoercive electric fields and quantified by the Rayleigh model. The irreversible extrinsic contribution, mainly caused by the irreversible domain wall translation, was strongly dependent on the domain configuration. The irreversible extrinsic contributions remained approximately the same within the single-phase regions, either orthorhombic or tetragonal, due to the similar domain morphology. However, in the polymorphic phase transition region, the domain wall density was increased by minimized domain size, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. This resulted in constrained domain wall motion due to self-clamping and reduced the irreversible extrinsic contribution.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Low symmetry configurations of vacancy-oxygen complexes in irradiated silicon

Two new electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, labeled KU2 and KU3, emerge as a result of annealing of γ-ray irradiated silicon crystals in the temperature range 360–560 °C. The EPR intensities of KU2 and KU3 increase in the upper range of the annealing temperature where the EPR peaks of the vacancy-oxygen complex (A-center) diminish. The angular dependence study shows that the EPR spectra of KU2 and KU3 resemble that of SL1, the excited triplet (spin S = 1) state of A-centers, but with slightly different g and D-tensors representing lowering in symmetries. Microscopic lattice distortions caused by capturing of extra interstitial oxygen atoms by the A-centers are proposed to be the source of lowering of the symmetries associated with KU2 and KU3.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Phase-controllable spin wave generation in iron garnet by linearly polarized light pulses

A phase-controlled spin wave was non-thermally generated in bismuth-doped rare-earth iron garnet by linearly polarized light pulses. We controlled the initial phase of the spin wave continuously within a range of 180° by changing the polarization azimuth of the excitation light. The azimuth dependences of the initial phase and amplitude of the spin wave were attributed to a combination of the inverse Cotton-Mouton effect and photoinduced magnetic anisotropy. Temporally and spatially resolved spin wave propagation was observed with a CCD camera, and the waveform was in good agreement with calculations. A nonlinear effect of the spin excitation was observed for excitation fluences higher than 100 mJ/cm{sup 2}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗