Calculation of Spin Tunneling Effects in the Presence of an Applied Magnetic Field

The tunneling splitting of the energy levels of a ferromagnetic particle in the presence of an applied magnetic field - previously derived only for the ground state with the path integral method - is obtained in a simple way from Schroedinger theory. The origin of the factors entering the result is clearly understood, in particular the effect of the asymmetry of the barriers of the potential. The method should appeal particularly to experimentalists searching for evidence of macroscopic spin tunneling.Comment: 10 pages, LaTex, 4 figures included using graphic

The Wess-Zumino term and quantum tunneling

The significance of the Wess--Zumino term in spin tunneling is explored, and a formula is established for the splitting of energy levels of a particle with large fermionic spin as an applied magnetic field is switched on.Comment: Latex, 7 page

Direct detection and solar capture of dark matter with momentum and velocity dependent elastic scattering

We explore the momentum and velocity dependent elastic scattering between the dark matter (DM) particles and the nuclei in detectors and the Sun. In terms of the non-relativistic effective theory, we phenomenologically discuss ten kinds of momentum and velocity dependent DM-nucleus interactions and recalculate the corresponding upper limits on the spin-independent DM-nucleon scattering cross section from the current direct detection experiments. The DM solar capture rate is calculated for each interaction. Our numerical results show that the momentum and velocity dependent cases can give larger solar capture rate than the usual contact interaction case for almost the whole parameter space. On the other hand, we deduce the Super-Kamiokande's constraints on the solar capture rate for eight typical DM annihilation channels. In contrast to the usual contact interaction, the Super-Kamiokande and IceCube experiments can give more stringent limits on the DM-nucleon elastic scattering cross section than the current direct detection experiments for several momentum and velocity dependent DM-nucleus interactions. In addition, we investigate the mediator mass's effect on the DM elastic scattering cross section and solar capture rate.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables. minor changes and a reference added, published in Nuclear Physics

Sustained Acceleration of Over-dense Plasmas by Colliding Laser Pulses

We review recent PIC simulation results which show that double-sided irradiaton of a thin overdense plasma slab by ultra-intense laser pulses from both sides can lead to sustained comoving acceleration of surface electrons to energies much higher than the conventional ponderomotive limit. The acceleration stops only when the electrons drift transversely out of the laser beam. We show results of parameter studies based on this concept and discuss future laser experiments that can be used to test these computer results.Comment: 9 pages 6 figures. AIP Conference Proceedings for 2005 Varenna Conf. on Superstrong Fields in Plasmas (AIP, NY 2006