Renormalization Group results for lattice surface models

We study the phase diagram of statistical systems of closed and open interfaces built on a cubic lattice. Interacting closed interfaces can be written as Ising models, while open surfaces as Z(2) gauge systems. When the open surfaces reduce to closed interfaces with few defects, also the gauge model can be written as an Ising spin model. We apply the lower bound renormalization group (LBRG) transformation introduced by Kadanoff (Phys. Rev. Lett. 34, 1005 (1975)) to study the Ising models describing closed and open surfaces with few defects. In particular, we have studied the Ising-like transition of self-avoiding surfaces between the random-isotropic phase and the phase with broken global symmetry at varying values of the mean curvature. Our results are compared with previous numerical work. The limits of the LBRG transformation in describing regions of the phase diagram where not ferromagnetic ground-states are relevant are also discussed.Comment: 24 pages, latex, 5 figures (available upon request to [email protected]

Space shuttle orbiter reusable surface insulation flight results

The first five flights of the orbiter Columbia provided the initial data required to certify the operational performance of the reusable surface insulation (RSI) thermal protection system (TPS). The flight performance characteristics of the RIS TPS are discussed. The discussion is based primarily on postflight inspections and postflight interpretation of the flight instrumentation. TPS modifications of the future orbiters (OV-099, 103, and subs) are also discussed

Non-perturbative results for the spectrum of surface-disordered waveguides

We calculated the spectrum of normal scalar waves in a planar waveguide with absolutely soft randomly rough boundaries beyond the perturbation theories in the roughness heights and slopes, basing on the exact boundary scattering potential. The spectrum is proved to be a nearly real non-analytic function of the dispersion $\zeta^2$ of the roughness heights (with square-root singularity) as $\zeta^2 \to 0$. The opposite case of large boundary defects is summarized.Comment: REVTEX 3, OSA style, 9 pages, no figures. Submitted to Optics Letter

Surface roughness interpretation of 730 kg days CRESST-II results

The analysis presented in the recent publication of the CRESST-II results finds a statistically significant excess of registered events over known background contributions in the acceptance region and attributes the excess to a possible Dark Matter signal, caused by scattering of relatively light WIMPs. We propose a mechanism which explains the excess events with ion sputtering caused by 206Pb recoils and alpha particles from 210Po decay, combined with realistic surface roughness effects.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures. v2: corrected quenching factor discussion. v3: corrected references. v4: added reference

Surface acoustic wave stabilized oscillators: Additional aging results

Updated aging data for SAW oscillators with aluminum transducers on ST-cut quartz, for gold transducers on ST-cut quartz, and for aluminum transducers on SiO2/LiTaO3. Devices with gold transducers age differently (both and shape of curve) from those having a aluminum transducers indicating the transducer metallization can represent an important aging mechanism

Direction-sensitive dark matter search results in a surface laboratory

We developed a three-dimensional gaseous tracking device and performed a direction-sensitive dark matter search in a surface laboratory. By using 150 Torr carbon-tetrafluoride (CF_4 gas), we obtained a sky map drawn with the recoil directions of the carbon and fluorine nuclei, and set the first limit on the spin-dependent WIMP (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles)-proton cross section by a direction-sensitive method. Thus, we showed that a WIMP-search experiment with a gaseous tracking device can actually set limits. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this method will potentially play a certain role in revealing the nature of dark matter when a low-background large-volume detector is developed.Comment: 9 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

Auxiliary Results of Collection and Classification of Surface Geoelectric Arrays

Recently, we have made a classification of more than one hundred various surface geoelectric arrays ever published in geophysical literature (Szalai and Szarka 2007a, 2007b). The classification is based on three divalent parameters (as “superposition” of measurements, “focusing” of currents and “colinearity” of the array), thus we set up eight groups of geoelectric arrays. One further group was separated for about 10 socalled “composite” arrays, which cannot be classified in the aforementioned way. Here we present some application examples of the classification results. Namely, we call the attention to some hidden relationships among geoelectric arrays: (1) we give an illustration how various arrays can be derived from their root array (besides the Schlumberger-related arrays several other examples will also be given in the presentation); (2) we provide a summary of arrays, capable to measure various partial derivatives of the electric potential. Among the 21 arrays 14 are already published arrays, but there are seven possible, but not-yet-applied arrays. In this way, such missing links in the genealogic trees may lead to creation of reasonable and purposeful new arrays