28,132 research outputs found
Bose-Einstein condensates in `giant' toroidal magnetic traps
The experimental realisation of gaseous Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in
1995 sparked considerable interest in this intriguing quantum fluid. Here we
report on progress towards the development of an 87Rb BEC experiment in a large
(~10cm diameter) toroidal storage ring. A BEC will be formed at a localised
region within the toroidal magnetic trap, from whence it can be launched around
the torus. The benefits of the system are many-fold, as it should readily
enable detailed investigations of persistent currents, Josephson effects, phase
fluctuations and high-precision Sagnac or gravitational interferometry.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures (Figs. 1 and 2 now work
Aerosol particle molecular spectroscopy
The molecular spectroscopy of a solution particle by structure resonance modulation spectroscopy is discussed [S. Arnold and A. B. Pluchino, "Infrared Spectrum of a Single Aerosol Particle by Photothermal Modulation of Structure Resonances," Appl. Opt. 21, 4194 (1982); S. Arnold et al., "Molecular Spectroscopy of a Single Aerosol Particle," Opt. Lett. 9, 4 (1984)]. Analytical equations are derived for time dependence of the particle radius as it interacts with a low intensity IR source (<20 mW/cm^2). This formalism is found to be in good agreement with pulsed experiments. Working equations for the spectroscopy are derived for both constant and periodic IR excitation
Satellite Precipitation and Cloud Experiment (SPACE)
An experiment plan was formulated to support an investigation of the precipitation processes associated with mesoscale systems and the interaction of rain producing cloud complexes with the meso and macro-scale environment. The field program necessary to accomplish the scientific goals is designed to incorporate satellite information (VIS and IR as well as VAS data), special radiosonde and surface observing capabilities, radar observations of storms development, special observations from aircraft and ground based lightning measurements. The observing network comprises rawinsonde stations located in northern Alabama and eastern Tennessee. A high density raingauge network and the MSFC lightning location network also cover the area. Coordination with NASA U2 and ER2 aircraft programs and with the operational requirements of the microburst severe thunderstorm program can assure the most efficient utilization of the observing resources
Spatial interference from well-separated condensates
We use magnetic levitation and a variable-separation dual optical plug to
obtain clear spatial interference between two condensates axially separated by
up to 0.25 mm -- the largest separation observed with this kind of
interferometer. Clear planar fringes are observed using standard (i.e.
non-tomographic) resonant absorption imaging. The effect of a weak inverted
parabola potential on fringe separation is observed and agrees well with
theory.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures - modified to take into account referees'
improvement
Atmospheric observations for STS-1 landing
A summary of synoptic weather conditions existing over the western United States is given for the time of shuttle descent into Edwards Air Force Base, California. The techniques and methods used to furnish synoptic atmospheric data at the surface and aloft for flight verification of the STS-1 orbiter during its descent into Edwards Air Force Base are specified. Examples of the upper level data set are given
Investigation of double beta decay with the NEMO-3 detector
The double beta decay experiment NEMO~3 has been taking data since February
2003. The aim of this experiment is to search for neutrinoless
() decay and investigate two neutrino double beta decay in
seven different isotopically enriched samples (Mo, Se,
Ca, Zr, Cd, Te and Nd). After analysis of
the data corresponding to 3.75 y, no evidence for decay in the
Mo and Se samples was found. The half-life limits at the 90%
C.L. are y and y, respectively.
Additionally for decay the following limits at the 90% C.L.
were obtained, y for Ca, y
for Zr and y for Nd. The
decay half-life values were precisely measured for all investigated isotopes.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 5 tables; talk at conference on "Fundamental
Interactions Physics" (ITEP, Moscow, November 23-27, 2009
A large magnetic storage ring for Bose-Einstein condensates
Cold atomic clouds and Bose-Einstein condensates have been stored in a 10cm
diameter vertically-oriented magnetic ring. An azimuthal magnetic field enables
low-loss propagation of atomic clouds over a total distance of 2m, with a
heating rate of less than 50nK/s. The vertical geometry was used to split an
atomic cloud into two counter-rotating clouds which were recombined after one
revolution. The system will be ideal for studying condensate collisions and
ultimately Sagnac interferometry.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
NASA/MSFC FY88 Global Scale Atmospheric Processes Research Program Review
Interest in environmental issues and the magnitude of the environmental changes continues. One way to gain more understanding of the atmosphere is to make measurements on a global scale from space. The Earth Observation System is a series of new sensors to measure globally atmospheric parameters. Analysis of satellite data by developing algorithms to interpret the radiance information improves the understanding and also defines requirements for these sensors. One measure of knowledge of the atmosphere lies in the ability to predict its behavior. Use of numerical and experimental models provides a better understanding of these processes. These efforts are described in the context of satellite data analysis and fundamental studies of atmospheric dynamics which examine selected processes important to the global circulation
Adaptable-radius, time-orbiting magnetic ring trap for Bose-Einstein condensates
We theoretically investigate an adjustable-radius magnetic storage ring for
laser-cooled and Bose-condensed atoms. Additionally, we discuss a novel
time-dependent variant of this and other ring traps. Time-orbiting ring traps
provide a high optical access method for spin-flip loss prevention near a
storage ring's circular magnetic field zero. Our scalable storage ring will
allow one to probe the fundamental limits of condensate Sagnac interferometry.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. accepted in J Phys
Enhanced frequency up-conversion in Rb vapor
We demonstrate highly efficient generation of coherent 420nm light via
up-conversion of near-infrared lasers in a hot rubidium vapor cell. By
optimizing pump polarizations and frequencies we achieve a single-pass
conversion efficiency of 260% per Watt, significantly higher than in previous
experiments. A full exploration of the coherent light generation and
fluorescence as a function of both pump frequencies reveals that coherent blue
light is generated close to 85Rb two-photon resonances, as predicted by theory,
but at high vapor pressure is suppressed in spectral regions that do not
support phase matching or exhibit single-photon Kerr refraction. Favorable
scaling of our current 1mW blue beam power with additional pump power is
predicted.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Modified to include referees' improvement
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