42,152 research outputs found
Phase Fluctuations in Strongly Coupled -Wave Superconductors
We present a numerically exact solution for the BCS Hamiltonian at any
temperature, including the degrees of freedom associated with classical phase,
as well as amplitude, fluctuations via a Monte Carlo (MC) integration. This
allows for an investigation over the whole range of couplings: from weak
attraction, as in the well-known BCS limit, to the mainly unexplored
strong-coupling regime of pronounced phase fluctuations. In the latter, for the
first time two characteristic temperatures and , associated with
short- and long-range ordering, respectively, can easily be identified in a
mean-field-motivated Hamiltonian. at the same time corresponds to the
opening of a gap in the excitation spectrum. Besides introducing a novel
procedure to study strongly coupled d-wave superconductors, our results
indicate that classical phase fluctuations are not sufficient to explain the
pseudo-gap features of high-temperature superconductors (HTS).Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
A Renormalization Group Analysis of the NCG constraints m_{top} = 2\,m_W},
We study the evolution under the renormalization group of the restrictions on
the parameters of the standard model coming from Non-Commutative Geometry,
namely and . We adopt the point of
view that these relations are to be interpreted as {\it tree level} constraints
and, as such, can be implemented in a mass independent renormalization scheme
only at a given energy scale . We show that the physical predictions on
the top and Higgs masses depend weakly on .Comment: 7 pages, FTUAM-94/2, uses harvma
Observational Constraints on Transverse Gravity: a Generalization of Unimodular Gravity
We explore the hypothesis that the set of symmetries enjoyed by the theory
that describes gravity is not the full group of diffeomorphisms Diff(M), as in
General Relativity, but a maximal subgroup of it, TransverseDiff(M), with its
elements having a jacobian equal to unity; at the infinitesimal level, the
parameter describing the coordinate change, xi^mu (x), is transverse, i.e.,
partial_mu(xi^mu)=0. Incidentally, this is the smaller symmetry one needs to
propagate consistently a graviton, which is a great theoretical motivation for
considering these theories. Also, the determinant of the metric, g, behaves as
a "transverse scalar", so that these theories can be seen as a generalization
of the better-known unimodular gravity. We present our results on the
observational constraints on transverse gravity, in close relation with the
claim of equivalence with general scalar-tensor theory. We also comment on the
structure of the divergences of the quantum theory to the one-loop order.Comment: Prepared for the First Mediterranean Conference on Classical and
Quantum Gravity, MCCQG, Kolymbari (Crete, Greece), 14-18 September, 2009;
also, ERE2009: Gravitation in the Large, Bilbao (Spain), 7-11 September, 200
Analysis of process variables via CFD to evaluate the performance of a FCC riser
Feedstock conversion and yield products are studied through a 3D model simulating the main reactor of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) is used with Eulerian-Eulerian approach to predict the fluid catalytic cracking behavior. The model considers 12 lumps with catalyst deactivation by coke and poisoning by alkaline nitrides and polycyclic aromatic adsorption to estimate the kinetic behavior which, starting from a given feedstock, produces several cracking products. Different feedstock compositions are considered. The model is compared with sampling data at industrial operation conditions. The simulation model is able to represent accurately the products behavior for the different operating conditions considered. All the conditions considered were solved using a solver ANSYS CFX 14.0. The different operation process variables and hydrodynamic effects of the industrial riser of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) are evaluated. Predictions from the model are shown and comparison with experimental conversion and yields products are presented; recommendations are drawn to establish the conditions to obtain higher product yields in the industrial process
Gauge Symmetry and Consistent Spin-Two Theories
We study Lagrangians with the minimal amount of gauge symmetry required to
propagate spin-two particles without ghosts or tachyons. In general, these
Lagrangians also have a scalar mode in their spectrum. We find that, in two
cases, the symmetry can be enhanced to a larger group: the whole group of
diffeomorphisms or a enhancement involving a Weyl symmetry. We consider the
non-linear completions of these theories. The intuitive completions yield the
usual scalar-tensor theories except for the pure spin-two cases, which
correspond to two inequivalent Lagrangians giving rise to Einstein's equations.
A more constructive self-consistent approach yields a background dependent
Lagrangian.Comment: 7 pages, proceedings of IRGAC'06; typo correcte
Searching for Very High Energy Emission from Pulsars Using the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory
There are currently over 160 known gamma-ray pulsars. While most of them are
detected only from space, at least two are now seen also from the ground. MAGIC
and VERITAS have measured the gamma ray pulsed emission of the Crab pulsar up
to hundreds of GeV and more recently MAGIC has reported emission at
TeV. Furthermore, in the Southern Hemisphere, H.E.S.S. has detected the Vela
pulsar above 30 GeV. In addition, non-pulsed TeV emission coincident with
pulsars has been detected by many groups, including the Milagro Collaboration.
These GeV-TeV observations open the possibility of searching for
very-high-energy (VHE, > 100GeV) pulsations from gamma-rays pulsars in the HAWC
field of view.Comment: Presented at the 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2015),
The Hague, The Netherlands. See arXiv:1508.03327 for all HAWC contribution
Monitoring luminous yellow massive stars in M33: new yellow hypergiant candidates
The evolution of massive stars surviving the red supergiant (RSG) stage
remains unexplored due to the rarity of such objects. The yellow hypergiants
(YHGs) appear to be the warm counterparts of post-RSG classes located near the
Humphreys-Davidson upper luminosity limit, which are characterized by
atmospheric instability and high mass-loss rates. We aim to increase the number
of YHGs in M33 and thus to contribute to a better understanding of the
pre-supernova evolution of massive stars. Optical spectroscopy of five
dust-enshrouded YSGs selected from mid-IR criteria was obtained with the goal
of detecting evidence of extensive atmospheres. We also analyzed BVI photometry
for 21 of the most luminous YSGs in M33 to identify changes in the spectral
type. To explore the properties of circumstellar dust, we performed SED-fitting
of multi-band photometry of the 21 YSGs. We find three luminous YSGs in our
sample to be YHG candidates, as they are surrounded by hot dust and are
enshrouded within extended, cold dusty envelopes. Our spectroscopy of star 2
shows emission of more than one H component, as well as emission of
CaII, implying an extended atmospheric structure. In addition, the long-term
monitoring of the star reveals a dimming in the visual light curve of amplitude
larger than 0.5 mag that caused an apparent drop in the temperature that
exceeded 500 K. We suggest the observed variability to be analogous to that of
the Galactic YHG Cas. Five less luminous YSGs are suggested as post-RSG
candidates showing evidence of hot or/and cool dust emission. We demonstrate
that mid-IR photometry, combined with optical spectroscopy and time-series
photometry, provide a robust method for identifying candidate YHGs. Future
discovery of YHGs in Local Group galaxies is critical for the study of the late
evolution of intermediate-mass massive stars.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures, 7 Tables. A&A in pres
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