Spectrophotometry of comet Kohoutek (1973f) during pre-perihelion period

Scans of the head of comet Kohoutek obtained during the pre-perihelion period with a photoelectric spectrum scanner are discussed. The mean relative flux distributions and the continuum energy distribution of the head of comet Kohoutek are given and normalized to 479 nm. The emission features of CN, C3, Ch, and the principal Swan band sequences of C2 and Na are identified and discussed. The adopted monochromatic values relative to 479 nm are given and plotted along with the energy distribution of the sun

Some statistical and computational challenges, and opportunities in astronomy

The data complexity and volume of astronomical findings have increased in recent decades due to major technological improvements in instrumentation and data collection methods. The contemporary astronomer is flooded with terabytes of raw data that produce enormous multidimensional catalogs of objects (stars, galaxies, quasars, etc.) numbering in the billions, with hundreds of measured numbers for each object. The astronomical community thus faces a key task: to enable efficient and objective scientific exploitation of enormous multifaceted data sets and the complex links between data and astrophysical theory. In recognition of this task, the National Virtual Observatory (NVO) initiative recently emerged to federate numerous large digital sky archives, and to develop tools to explore and understand these vast volumes of data. The effective use of such integrated massive data sets presents a variety of new challenging statistical and algorithmic problems that require methodological advances. An interdisciplinary team of statisticians, astronomers and computer scientists from The Pennsylvania State University, California Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University is developing statistical methodology for the NVO. A brief glimpse into the Virtual Observatory and the work of the Penn State-led team is provided here

Quark-Lepton Quartification

We propose that quarks and leptons are interchangeable entities in the high-energy limit. This naturally results in the extension of [SU(3)]^3 trinification to [SU(3)]^4 quartification. In addition to the unbroken color SU(3)_q of quarks, there is now also a color SU(3)_l of leptons which reduces to an unbroken SU(2)_l. We discuss the natural occurrence of SU(2)_l doublets at the TeV energy scale, which leads remarkably to the unification of all gauge couplings without supersymmetry. Proton decay occurs through the exchange of scalar bosons, with a lifetime in the range 10^{34} - 10^{36} years.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures. Reference adde

Dihedral Families of Quarks, Leptons and Higgs Bosons

We consider finite groups of small order for family symmetry. It is found that the binary dihedral group Q_6, along with the assumption that the Higgs sector is of type II, predicts mass matrix of a nearest neighbor interaction type for quarks and leptons. We present a supersymmetric model based on Q_6 with spontaneously induced CP phases. The quark sector contains 8 real parameters with one independent phase to describe the quark masses and their mixing. Predictions in the |V_{ub}|-bar{eta}, |V_{ub}|-sin 2 beta(phi_1) and |V_{ub}|-|V_{td}/V_{ts}| planes are given. The lepton sector contains also 9 parameters. A normal as well as an inverted spectrum of neutrino masses is possible, and we compute V_{e3}. We find that |V_{e3}|^2 > 10^{-4} in the case of a normal spectrum, and |V_{e3}|^2 >8 10^{-4} in the case of an inverted spectrum. It is also found that Q_6 symmetry forbids all Baryon number violating terms of d=4, and the contributions to EDMs from the A terms vanish in this model.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figure

New Lepton Family Symmetry and Neutrino Tribimaximal Mixing

The newly proposed finite symmetry Sigma(81) is applied to the problem of neutrino tribimaximal mixing. The result is more satisfactory than those of previous models based on A_4 in that the use of auxiliary symmetries (or mechanisms) may be avoided. Deviations from the tribimaximal pattern are expected, but because of its basic structure, only tan^2 (theta_12) may differ significantly from 0.5 (say 0.45) with sin^2 (2 theta_23) remaining very close to one, and theta_13 very nearly zero.Comment: 8 pages, no figur

Eliminating the d=5 proton decay operators from SUSY GUTs

A general analysis is made of the question whether the d=5 proton decay operators coming from exchange of colored Higgsinos can be completely eliminated in a natural way in supersymmetric grand unified models. It is shown that they can indeed be in SO(10) while at the same time naturally solving the doublet-triplet splitting problem, having only two light Higgs doublets, and using no more than a single adjoint Higgs field. Accomplishing all of this requires that the vacuum expectation value of the adjoint Higgs field be proportional to the generator I_{3R} rather than to B-L, as is usually assumed. It is shown that such models can give realistic quark and lepton masses. We also point out a new mechanism for solving the \mu problem in the context of SO(10) SUSY GUTs.Comment: 24 pages in LaTeX, with 3 figure

Natural Gauge Hierarchy in SO(10)

It is shown that a natural gauge hierarchy and doublet-triplet splitting can be achieved in SO(10) using the Dimopoulos-Wilczek mechanism. Artificial cancellations (fine-tuning) and arbitrary forms of the superpotential are avoided, the superpotential being the most general compatible with a symmetry. It is shown by example that the Dimopoulos-Wilczek mechanism can be protected against the effects of higher-dimension operators possibly induced by Planck-scale physics. Natural implementation of the mechanism leads to an automatic Peccei-Quinn symmetry. The same local symmetries that would protect the gauge hierarchy against Planck-scale effects tend to protect the axion also. It is shown how realistic quark and lepton masses might arise in this framework. It is also argued that ``weak suppression'' of proton decay can be implemented more economically than can ``strong suppression'', offering some grounds to hope (in the context of SO(10)) that proton decay could be seen at Superkamiokande.Comment: 26 pages in plain LaTeX, 5 figures available on request, BA-94-0

Impact Welding in a Variety of Geometric Configurations

Magnetic pulse welding is an electromagnetically assisted high strain rate impact welding technology. The physical principle is similar to explosive welding and it also belongs to solid state impact welding. This high velocity oblique impact welding has been applied to various lap joint configurations. Three different geometric configurations on plate-to-plate welding were studied in this paper. They are direct lap joint, pre-flange lap joint, and lap joint with embedded wires. All of the three welding configurations have been used to provide metallurgical bonds between both similar and dissimilar metal pairs. The welded materials include copper alloy, aluminium alloy, and steels. The plates are centimeter or more thick and often centimeter in extent. The critical welding process parameters were instrumentally investigated by Rogowski Coil and Photon Doppler Velocimetry. Metallographic analysis of the welded interface showed refined grain structure. The mechanical properties of the welded plates were studied by lap shearing, peeling and nano-indentation tests. The test results showed that the impact welded interface has a much greater micro-hardness and fracture toughness than the base metals