8,140 research outputs found
Improved limits on photon velocity oscillations
The mixing of the photon with a hypothetical sterile paraphotonic state would
have consequences on the cosmological propagation of photons. The absence of
distortions in the optical spectrum of distant Type Ia supernov\ae allows to
extend by two orders of magnitude the previous limit on the Lorentz-violating
parameter associated to the photon-paraphoton transition, extracted
from the abscence of distortions in the spectrum of the cosmic microwave
background. The new limit is consistent with the interpretation of the dimming
of distant Type Ia supernov\ae as a consequence of a nonzero cosmological
constant. Observations of gamma-rays from active galactic nuclei allow to
further extend the limit on by ten orders of magnitude.Comment: 10 pages, 4 Postscript figures, use epsfig, amssym
Model of Centauro and strangelet production in heavy ion collisions
We discuss the phenomenological model of Centauro event production in
relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions. This model makes quantitative
predictions for kinematic observables, baryon number and mass of the Centauro
fireball and its decay products. Centauros decay mainly to nucleons, strange
hyperons and possibly strangelets. Simulations of Centauro events for the
CASTOR detector in Pb-Pb collisions at LHC energies are performed. The
signatures of these events are discussed in detail.Comment: 19 pages, LaTeX+revtex4, 14 eps-figures and 3 table
Boosting infrared energy transfer in 3D nanoporous gold antennas
The applications of plasmonics to energy transfer from free-space radiation to molecules are currently limited to the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum due to the intrinsic optical properties of bulk noble metals that support strong electromagnetic field confinement only close to their plasma frequency in the visible/ultraviolet range. In this work, we show that nanoporous gold can be exploited as a plasmonic material for the mid-infrared region to obtain strong electromagnetic field confinement, co-localized with target molecules into the nanopores and resonant with their vibrational frequency. The effective optical response of the nanoporous metal enables the penetration of optical fields deep into the nanopores, where molecules can be loaded thus achieving a more efficient light–matter coupling if compared to bulk gold. In order to realize plasmonic resonators made of nanoporous gold, we develop a nanofabrication method based on polymeric templates for metal deposition and we obtain antenna arrays resonating at mid-infrared wavelengths selected by design. We then coat the antennas with a thin (3 nm) silica layer acting as the target dielectric layer for optical energy transfer. We study the strength of the light–matter coupling at the vibrational absorption frequency of silica at 1240 cm−1 through the analysis of the experimental Fano lineshape that is benchmarked against identical structures made of bulk gold. The boost in the optical energy transfer from free-space mid-infrared radiation to molecular vibrations in nanoporous 3D nanoantenna arrays can open new application routes for plasmon-enhanced physical–chemical reactions
Comment on "Why quantum mechanics cannot be formulated as a Markov process"
In the paper with the above title, D. T. Gillespie [Phys. Rev. A 49, 1607,
(1994)] claims that the theory of Markov stochastic processes cannot provide an
adequate mathematical framework for quantum mechanics. In conjunction with the
specific quantum dynamics considered there, we give a general analysis of the
associated dichotomic jump processes. If we assume that Gillespie's
"measurement probabilities" \it are \rm the transition probabilities of a
stochastic process, then the process must have an invariant (time independent)
probability measure. Alternatively, if we demand the probability measure of the
process to follow the quantally implemented (via the Born statistical
postulate) evolution, then we arrive at the jump process which \it can \rm be
interpreted as a Markov process if restricted to a suitable duration time.
However, there is no corresponding Markov process consistent with the
event space assumption, if we require its existence for all times .Comment: Latex file, resubm. to Phys. Rev.
On the zig-zag pilot-wave approach for fermions
We consider a pilot-wave approach for the Dirac theory that was recently
proposed by Colin and Wiseman. In this approach, the particles perform a
zig-zag motion, due to stochastic jumps of their velocity. We respectively
discuss the one-particle theory, the many-particle theory and possible
extensions to quantum field theory. We also discuss the non-relativistic limit
of the one-particle theory. For a single particle, the motion is always
luminal, a feature that persists in the non-relativistic limit. For more than
one particle the motion is in general subluminal.Comment: 23 pages, no figures, LaTe
Results from RHIC with Implications for LHC
Results from the PHENIX experiment at RHIC in p-p and Au+Au collisions are
reviewed from the perspective of measurements in p-p collisions at the CERN-ISR
which serve as a basis for many of the techniques used. Issues such as J/Psi
suppression and hydrodynamical flow in A+A collisions require data from
LHC-Ions for an improved understanding. Suppression of high pT particles in
Au+Au collisions, first observed at RHIC, also has unresolved mysteries such as
the equality of the suppression of inclusive pi0 (from light quarks and gluons)
and direct-single electrons (from the decay of heavy quarks) in the transverse
momentum range 4< pT < 9 GeV/c. This disfavors a radiative explanation of
suppression and leads to a fundamental question of whether the Higgs boson
gives mass to fermions. Observation of an exponential distribution of direct
photons in central Au+Au collisions for 1< pT <2 GeV/c where hard-processes are
negligible and with no similar exponential distribution in p-p collisions
indicates thermal photon emission from the medium at RHIC, making PHENIX at the
moment ``the hottest experiment in Physics''.Comment: Invited lectures at the International School of Subnuclear Physics,
47th Course, "The most unexpected at LHC and the status of High Energy
Frontier'', Erice, Sicily, Italy, August 29-September 7. 2009. 32 pages, 22
figure
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