Symplectic algorithm for constant-pressure molecular dynamics using a Nose-Poincare thermostat

We present a new algorithm for isothermal-isobaric molecular-dynamics simulation. The method uses an extended Hamiltonian with an Andersen piston combined with the Nos'e-Poincar'e thermostat, recently developed by Bond, Leimkuhler and Laird [J. Comp. Phys., 151, (1999)]. This Nos'e-Poincar'e-Andersen (NPA) formulation has advantages over the Nos'e-Hoover-Andersen approach in that the NPA is Hamiltonian and can take advantage of symplectic integration schemes, which lead to enhanced stability for long-time simulations. The equations of motion are integrated using a Generalized Leapfrog Algorithm and the method is easy to implement, symplectic, explicit and time reversible. To demonstrate the stability of the method we show results for test simulations using a model for aluminum.Comment: 7 page

Geometrical estimators as a test of Gaussianity in the CMB

We investigate the power of geometrical estimators on detecting non-Gaussianity in the cosmic microwave background. In particular the number, eccentricity and Gaussian curvature of excursion sets above (and below) a threshold are studied. We compare their different performance when applied to non-Gaussian simulated maps of small patches of the sky, which take into account the angular resolution and instrumental noise of the Planck satellite. These non-Gaussian simulations are obtained as perturbations of a Gaussian field in two different ways which introduce a small level of skewness or kurtosis in the distribution. A comparison with a classical estimator, the genus, is also shown. We find that the Gaussian curvature is the best of our estimators in all the considered cases. Therefore we propose the use of this quantity as a particularly useful test to look for non-Gaussianity in the CMB.Comment: 9 pages, 6 postscript figures, submitted to MNRA

A Bayesian approach to filter design: detection of compact sources

We consider filters for the detection and extraction of compact sources on a background. We make a one-dimensional treatment (though a generalization to two or more dimensions is possible) assuming that the sources have a Gaussian profile whereas the background is modeled by an homogeneous and isotropic Gaussian random field, characterized by a scale-free power spectrum. Local peak detection is used after filtering. Then, a Bayesian Generalized Neyman-Pearson test is used to define the region of acceptance that includes not only the amplification but also the curvature of the sources and the a priori probability distribution function of the sources. We search for an optimal filter between a family of Matched-type filters (MTF) modifying the filtering scale such that it gives the maximum number of real detections once fixed the number density of spurious sources. We have performed numerical simulations to test theoretical ideas.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures. SPIE Proceedings "Electronic Imaging II", San Jose, CA. January 200

Design and construction of a practical and portable household lifting-aid for the physically impaired

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 40).TV's to mini-fridges, the design of a hand operated lift, to be lightweight and easily disassembled, 200 lbs max. Interviews were conducted and observations were made in order to determine various tasks that proved particularly difficult for those reliant on a wheelchair. From this data, various product ideas were sketched so to determine the potential impact that could be made on improving each respective task. Finally, based on level of need expressed by the user, apparent feasibility of design, and general lack of substitutes already on the market, the decision was made to pursue design of an in-home lifting-aid. The intended function of the device would be to help with moving heavy items from the floor level up to table/desk height with minimal effort by the user. Based on preferences expressed by the user, a functional, hand operated prototype was built that could lift a max of 200 lbs with a 6:1 mechanical advantage. Further discussion explores the possibility of mass production of said device.by Gregory L.B. Sanz.S.B

Bright soliton to quantum droplet transition in a mixture of Bose-Einstein condensates

Attractive Bose-Einstein condensates can host two types of macroscopic self-bound states of different nature: bright solitons and quantum liquid droplets. Here, we investigate the connection between them with a Bose-Bose mixture confined in an optical waveguide. We develop a simple theoretical model to show that, depending on atom number and interaction strength, solitons and droplets can be smoothly connected or remain distinct states coexisting only in a bi-stable region. We experimentally measure their spin composition, extract their density for a broad range of parameters and map out the boundary of the region separating solitons from droplets.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, includes supplementary materia

Kaluza-Klein gravitons at LHC2

In this work we study constraints from new searches for heavy particles at the LHC on the allowed masses and couplings of a KK Graviton in a holographic composite Higgs model. Keeping new electroweak states heavy such that electroweak precision tests are satisfied, we control the mass of the lightest KK graviton using a brane kinetic term. With this we study KK graviton masses from 0.5-3 TeV. In our analysis we also employ Little Randall-Sundrum (RS) Models, characterised by a lower UV scale in the 5D model which in turn implies modified couplings to massless bulk fields. Viewing this scenario as a strongly coupled 4D theory with a composite Higgs boson, the KK graviton is interpreted as a composite spin-2 state and the varying UV scale corresponds to a varying intermediate scale between the cutoff of the low energy effective theory and the Planck scale. We find that KK gravitons with masses in the range 0.5-3 TeV are compatible with current collider constraints, where the most promising channels for detecting these states are the di-photon and ZZ channels. A detection is more likely in the little RS models, in which the dual gauge theory has a larger number of colours than in traditional RS models