Constraints on the Star Formation Rate from Supernova Relic Neutrino Observations

We discuss the implication of the observation of supernova relic neutrinos on the study of the star formation rate (SFR) in galaxies. The limit recently obtained at Super-Kamiokande (SK) is already marginally significant: The SFR we derived $\psi(t_0)<0.040M_{\odot}$yr$^{-1}$Mpc$^{-3}$(at a 90% CL) is about twice the SFR estimated from radio observations, and five times the rate from H$\alpha$ allowing for uncertainties in the model supernova neutrino flux.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Laser-induced electron emission from a tungsten nanotip: identifying above threshold photoemission using energy-resolved laser power dependencies

We present an experiment studying the interaction of a strongly focused 25 fs laser pulse with a tungsten nanotip, investigating the different regimes of laser-induced electron emission. We study the dependence of the electron yield with respect to the static electric field applied to the tip. Photoelectron spectra are recorded using a retarding field spectrometer and peaks separated by the photon energy are observed with a 45 % contrast. They are a clear signature of above threshold photoemission (ATP), and are confirmed by extensive spectrally resolved studies of the laser power dependence. Understanding these mechanisms opens the route to control experiment in the strong-field regime on nanoscale objects.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

A Transmissive Optics Approach for Time-Slicing the LCLS X-Ray Pulse

This paper investigates the use of off-axis zone plate optical systems to deliver time-sliced LCLS FEL pulses to users under the 3 energy chirp scenarios elucidated by P. Emma. We present formulas for designing off-axis zone plate optical systems that achieve a given time-slice duration and intensity. The results show that it is feasible to fabricate zone-plate systems capable of providing intense spots of time-sliced 8.275 KeV photons under the scenario of a 2.0% chirp, but that it is beyond current and envisioned fabrication capabilities to create zone-plate systems of similar performance under the scenarios offering energy chirps of &lt; 0.25%. Finally we present results of numerical calculations of the electric fields delivered to the user by an off-axis zone plate optical system producing time-slices of {le} 50 {center_dot} fs with photon densities of 200 photons/{angstrom}{sup 2} under the 2% energy chirp scenario

Measuring the νμ\nu_{\mu} to νμˉ\bar{\nu_{\mu}} Ratio in a High Statistics Atmospheric Neutrino Experiment

By exploiting differences in muon lifetimes it is possible to distinguish $\nu_{\mu}$ from $\bar{\nu_{\mu}}$ charged current interactions in underground neutrino detectors. Such observations would be a useful tool in understanding the source of the atmospheric neutrino anomaly.Comment: 6 pages no figure

A study of atmospheric neutrinos with the IMB detector

A sample of 401 contained neutrino interactions collected in the 3300 metric ton fiducial mass IMB detector was used to study neutrino oscillations, geomagnetic modulation of the flux and to search for point sources. The majority of these events are attributed to neutrino interactions. For the most part, these neutrinos are believed to originate as tertiary products of cosmic ray interactions in the atmosphere. The neutrinos are a mixture of v sub e and v sub micron

Transmission Grating Measurements of Undulator K

This study was undertaken to understand the practicalities of determine K differences in the undulator modules by measuring single-shot x-ray spectra of the spontaneous radiation with a transmissive grating spectrometer under development to measure FEL spectra. Since the quality of the FEL is dependent on a uniform K value in all the undulator modules, being able to measure the relative undulator K values is important. Preliminary results were presented in a presentation, ''Use of FEL Off-Axis Zone Plate Spectrometer to Measure Relative K by the Pinhole/Centroid Method'', at the ''LCLS Beam-Based Undulator K Measurements Workshop'' on November 14, 2005 (UCRL-PRES-217281). This study applies equally well to reflective gratings of the appropriate period and inclinations

Low energy neutrino astronomy with the large liquid scintillation detector LENA

The detection of low energy neutrinos in a large scintillation detector may provide further important information on astrophysical processes as supernova physics, solar physics and elementary particle physics as well as geophysics. In this contribution, a new project for Low Energy Neutrino Astronomy (LENA) consisting of a 50kt scintillation detector is presented.Comment: Proccedings of the International School of Nuclear Physics, Neutrinos in Cosmology, in Astro, Particle and Nuclear Physics, Erice (SICILY) 16 - 24 Sept. 200

Bounds on Dark Matter from the ``Atmospheric Neutrino Anomaly''

Bounds are derived on the cross section, flux and energy density of new particles that may be responsible for the atmospheric neutrino anomaly. $4.6 \times 10^{-45} cm^2 < \sigma <2.4 \times 10^{-34} cm^2$ Decay of primordial homogeneous dark matter can be excluded.Comment: 10 pages, TeX (revtex

Astrophysical constraints on superlight gravitinos

I review the constraints on the mass of gravitinos that follow from considerations on energy loss in stars and from Big Bang Nucleosynthesis arguments.Comment: Invited talk at the 5th Workshop on High Energy Physics Phenomenology(WHEPP-5), Pune, India, 12-26 January 199

Ultra-Transparent Antarctic Ice as a Supernova Detector

We have simulated the response of a high energy neutrino telescope in deep Antarctic ice to the stream of low energy neutrinos produced by a supernova. The passage of a large flux of MeV-energy neutrinos during a period of seconds will be detected as an excess of single counting rates in all individual optical modules. We update here a previous estimate of the performance of such an instrument taking into account the recent discovery of absorption lengths of several hundred meters for near-UV photons in natural deep ice. The existing AMANDA detector can, even by the most conservative estimates, act as a galactic supernova watch.Comment: 9 pages, Revtex file, no figures. Postscript file also available from http://phenom.physics.wisc.edu/pub/preprints/1995/madph-95-888.ps.Z or from ftp://phenom.physics.wisc.edu/pub/preprints/1995/madph-95-888.ps.