2,443 research outputs found
Searches for solar-influenced radioactive decay anomalies using Spacecraft RTGs
Experiments showing a seasonal variation of the nuclear decay rates of a
number of different nuclei, and decay anomalies apparently related to solar
flares and solar rotation, have suggested that the Sun may somehow be
influencing nuclear decay processes. Recently, Cooper searched for such an
effect in Pu nuclei contained in the radioisotope thermoelectric
generators (RTGs) on board the Cassini spacecraft. In this paper we modify and
extend Cooper's analysis to obtain constraints on anomalous decays of
Pu over a wider range of models, but these limits cannot be applied to
other nuclei if the anomaly is composition-dependent. We also show that it may
require very high sensitivity for terrestrial experiments to discriminate among
some models if such a decay anomaly exists, motivating the consideration of
future spacecraft experiments which would require less precision.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures (to appear in Astroparticle Physics
Is violation of Newton's second law possible?
Astrophysical observations (usually explained by dark matter) suggest that
classical mechanics could break down when the acceleration becomes extremely
small (the approach known as modified Newtonian dynamics, or MOND). I present
the first analysis of MOND manifestations in terrestrial (rather than
astrophysical) settings. A new effect is reported: around each equinox date, 2
spots emerge on the Earth where static bodies experience spontaneous
acceleration due to the possible violation of Newton's second law. Preliminary
estimates indicate that an experimental search for this effect can be feasible.Comment: 10 pages; minor changes to match the published versio
Quantum correlations and Nash equilibria of a bi-matrix game
Playing a symmetric bi-matrix game is usually physically implemented by
sharing pairs of 'objects' between two players. A new setting is proposed that
explicitly shows effects of quantum correlations between the pairs on the
structure of payoff relations and the 'solutions' of the game. The setting
allows a re-expression of the game such that the players play the classical
game when their moves are performed on pairs of objects having correlations
that satisfy the Bell's inequalities. If players receive pairs having quantum
correlations the resulting game cannot be considered another classical
symmetric bi-matrix game. Also the Nash equilibria of the game are found to be
decided by the nature of the correlations.Comment: minor correction
Quantized Casimir Force
We investigate the Casimir effect between two-dimensional electron systems
driven to the quantum Hall regime by a strong perpendicular magnetic field. In
the large separation (d) limit where retardation effects are essential we find
i) that the Casimir force is quantized in units of 3\hbar c \alpha^2/(8\pi^2
d^4), and ii) that the force is repulsive for mirrors with same type of
carrier, and attractive for mirrors with opposite types of carrier. The sign of
the Casimir force is therefore electrically tunable in ambipolar materials like
graphene. The Casimir force is suppressed when one mirror is a charge-neutral
graphene system in a filling factor \nu=0 quantum Hall state.Comment: 4.2 page
Limits to differences in active and passive charges
We explore consequences of a hypothetical difference between active charges,
which generate electric fields, and passive charges, which respond to them. A
confrontation to experiments using atoms, molecules, or macroscopic matter
yields limits on their fractional difference at levels down to 10^-21, which at
the same time corresponds to an experimental confirmation of Newtons third law.Comment: 6 pages Revtex. To appear in Phys. Rev.
- …