11 research outputs found
Combined ion and atom trap for low temperature ion-atom physics
We report an experimental apparatus and technique which simultaneously traps
ions and cold atoms with spatial overlap. Such an apparatus is motivated by the
study of ion-atom processes at temperatures ranging from hot to ultra-cold.
This area is a largely unexplored domain of physics with cold trapped atoms. In
this article we discuss the general design considerations for combining these
two traps and present our experimental setup. The ion trap and atom traps are
characterized independently of each other. The simultaneous operation of both
is then described and experimental signatures of the effect of the ions and
cold-atoms on each other are presented. In conclusion the use of such an
instrument for several problems in physics and chemistry is briefly discussed.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figures. Figures Fixe
Party Polarization and the Business Cycle in the United States
A large literature has studied the trend of greaterpolarization between Democrats and Republicans in Congress.This paper empirically examines the extent to which inflationand unemployment explain cyclical movements ofpolarization over time. An informal application of thestandard Downsian spatial competition model of partiesgenerates the following relationships, ceteris paribus: (1)inflation should be associated with policy convergence, (2)unemployment should be associated with polarization, (3) theeffect of unemployment on polarization should be larger inmagnitude than the effect of inflation on convergence, and (4)the effect of unemployment on polarization should be strongerin the House than in the Senate. We estimate the relationshipbetween vote records and business cycle conditions over the1947â1999 period using a GLS model with varying lags. Ourresults are broadly consistent with these business cyclehypotheses of polarization, though greater support is found inHouse data than in Senate data. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 2004
Collusion, Collective Action and Protection: Theory and Evidence
This paper provides a novel explanation forthe formation of protectionist lobby groupsin imperfectly competitive sectors. Thelevel of collusion is shown to be a crucialdeterminant of the ability of firms tosustain lobbying. We show that greatercollusion reduces firm contributionsto tariff lobbying, when the governmentvalues welfare sufficiently and thecross-price elasticity between the domesticand foreign goods is sufficiently high. The empirical evidence from the U.S.supports the theory. Greater collusionreduces the level of PAC contributions. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 2004
Now that we've found love what are we gonna do with it?: a narrative understanding of black identity
This paper offers an interpretation of the changes in Black identity during the last century. By drawing on psychological literature and cultural artefacts, changing understandings of Blackness are read as different narrative forms. The shift from âNegroâ to âBlackâ is presented as a shift from tragicto romanticnarrative, while the âAfricanâ narrative that now occupies the centre stage of Black identity represents a satiricalstory. It is suggested that with a growing awareness of being both Black and âsomething elseâ, the apparent opposing themes in performing Blackness can be resolved by enacting a comedynarrative. There is some evidence that the comedy narrative is present but it has yet to gain ascendancy