Particle Correlation Results from the ALICE Experiment at LHC

Measurements of two-particle correlations of inclusive and identified charged particles performed with the ALICE detector in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76 TeV$ are presented. The near-side jet shape is analyzed in the low $p_{\rm T}$ regions ($1<$p_{\rm T}$<8GeV/c$). While the RMS of the peak in $\Delta\varphi$-direction is independent of centrality within uncertainties, we find significant broadening in $\Delta\eta$-direction from peripheral to central collisions. The near-side $p/\pi$ ratio of particles associated to a trigger particle from jet fragmentation in the central Pb--Pb collisions is consistent with vacuum fragmentation in the measured momentum region ($1.5<$p_{\rm T}<4.5GeV\c).Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, proceeding for Physics at LHC 2012, vancouver, Canad

Potential contributions of noncontact atomic force microscopy for the future Casimir force measurements

Surface electric noise, i.e., the non-uniform distribution of charges and potentials on a surface, poses a great experimental challenge in modern precision force measurements. Such a challenge is encountered in a number of different experimental circumstances. The scientists employing atomic force microscopy (AFM) have long focused their efforts to understand the surface-related noise issues via variants of AFM techniques, such as Kelvin probe force microscopy or electric force microscopy. Recently, the physicists investigating quantum vacuum fluctuation phenomena between two closely-spaced objects have also begun to collect experimental evidence indicating a presence of surface effects neglected in their previous analyses. It now appears that the two seemingly disparate science communities are encountering effects rooted in the same surface phenomena. In this report, we suggest specific experimental tasks to be performed in the near future that are crucial not only for fostering needed collaborations between the two communities, but also for providing valuable data on the surface effects in order to draw the most realistic conclusion about the actual contribution of the Casimir force (or van der Waals force) between a pair of real materials.Comment: The paper appeared in the Proceedings to the 12th International Conference on Noncontact Atomic Force Microscopy (NC-AFM 2009) and Casimir 2009 Satellite Worksho