8,523 research outputs found
Model-independent Limits from Spin-dependent WIMP Dark Matter Experiments
Spin-dependent WIMP searches have traditionally presented results within an
odd group approximation and by suppressing one of the spin-dependent
interaction cross sections. We here elaborate on a model-independent analysis
in which spin-dependent interactions with both protons and neutrons are
simultaneously considered. Within this approach, equivalent current limits on
the WIMP-nucleon interaction at WIMP mass of 50 GeV/c are either
pb, pb or ,
depending on the choice of cross section or coupling strength
representation. These limits become less restrictive for either larger or
smaller masses; they are less restrictive than those from the traditional odd
group approximation regardless of WIMP mass. Combination of experimental
results are seen to produce significantly more restrictive limits than those
obtained from any single experiment. Experiments traditionally considered
spin-independent are moreover found to severely limit the spin-dependent phase
space. The extension of this analysis to the case of positive signal
experiments is explored.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Dynamics of active membranes with internal noise
We study the time-dependent height fluctuations of an active membrane
containing energy-dissipating pumps that drive the membrane out of equilibrium.
Unlike previous investigations based on models that neglect either curvature
couplings or random fluctuations in pump activities, our formulation explores
two new models that take both of these effects into account. In the first
model, the magnitude of the nonequilibrium forces generated by the pumps is
allowed to fluctuate temporally. In the second model, the pumps are allowed to
switch between "on" and "off" states. We compute the mean squared displacement
of a membrane point for both models, and show that they exhibit distinct
dynamical behaviors from previous models, and in particular, a superdiffusive
regime specifically arising from the shot noise.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Heisenberg exchange in magnetic monoxides
The superexchange intertacion in transition-metal oxides, proposed initially
by Anderson in 1950, is treated using contemporary tight-binding theory and
existing parameters. We find also a direct exchange for nearest-neighbor metal
ions, larger by a factor of order five than the superexchange. This direct
exchange arises from Vddm coupling, rather than overlap of atomic charge
densities, a small overlap exchange contribution which we also estimate. For
FeO and CoO there is also an important negative contribution, related to Stoner
ferromagnetism, from the partially filled minority-spin band which broadens
when ionic spins are aligned. The corresponding J1 and J2 parameters are
calculated for MnO, FeO, CoO, and NiO. They give good accounts of the Neel and
the Curie-Weiss temperatures, show appropriate trends, and give a reasonable
account of their volume dependences. For MnO the predicted value for the
magnetic susceptibility at the Neel temperature and the crystal distortion
arising from the antiferromagnetic transition were reasonably well given.
Application to CuO2 planes in the cuprates gives J=1220oK, compared to an
experimental 1500oK, and for LiCrO2 gives J1=4 50oK compared to an experimental
230oK.Comment: 21 pages, 1 figure, submitted to Phys. Rev. B 1/19/07. Realized
J=4V^2/U applies generally, as opposed to J=2V^2/U from one-electron theory
(1/28 revision
A basal ganglia inspired model of action selection evaluated in a robotic survival task.
The basal ganglia system has been proposed as a possible neural substrate for action selection in the vertebrate brain. We describe a robotic implementation of a model of the basal ganglia and demonstrate the capacity of this system to generate adaptive switching between several acts when embedded in a robot that has to "survive" in a laboratory environment. A comparison between this brain-inspired selection mechanism and classical "winner-takes-all" selection highlights some adaptive properties specific to the model, such as avoidance of dithering and energy-saving. These properties derive, in part, from the capacity of simulated basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loops to generate appropriate "behavioral persistence"
Heavy Superheated Droplet Detectors as a Probe of Spin-independent WIMP Dark Matter Existence
At present, application of Superheated Droplet Detectors (SDDs) in WIMP dark
matter searches has been limited to the spin-dependent sector, owing to the
general use of fluorinated refrigerants which have high spin sensitivity. Given
their recent demonstration of a significant constraint capability with
relatively small exposures and the relative economy of the technique, we
consider the potential impact of heavy versions of such devices on the
spin-independent sector. Limits obtainable from a -loaded SDD
are estimated on the basis of the radiopurity levels and backgrounds already
achieved by the SIMPLE and PICASSO experiments. With 34 kgd exposure,
equivalent to the current CDMS, such a device may already probe to below
10 pb in the spin-independent cross section.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted Phys. Rev.
Polarization state of the optical near-field
The polarization state of the optical electromagnetic field lying several
nanometers above complex dielectric structures reveals the intricate
light-matter interaction that occurs in this near-field zone. This information
can only be extracted from an analysis of the polarization state of the
detected light in the near-field. These polarization states can be calculated
by different numerical methods well-suited to near--field optics. In this
paper, we apply two different techniques (Localized Green Function Method and
Differential Theory of Gratings) to separate each polarisation component
associated with both electric and magnetic optical near-fields produced by
nanometer sized objects. The analysis is carried out in two stages: in the
first stage, we use a simple dipolar model to achieve insight into the physical
origin of the near-field polarization state. In the second stage, we calculate
accurate numerical field maps, simulating experimental near-field light
detection, to supplement the data produced by analytical models. We conclude
this study by demonstrating the role played by the near-field polarization in
the formation of the local density of states.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
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