15,881 research outputs found
Topologically Alice Strings and Monopoles
Symmetry breaking can produce ``Alice'' strings, which alter scattered
charges and carry monopole number and charge when twisted into loops. Alice
behavior arises algebraically, when strings obstruct unbroken symmetries -- a
fragile criterion. We give a topological criterion, compelling Alice behavior
or deforming it away. Our criterion, that \pi_o(H) acts nontrivially on
\pi_1(H), links topologically Alice strings to topological monopoles. We twist
topologically Alice loops to form monopoles. We show that Alice strings of
condensed matter systems (nematic liquid crystals, helium 3A, and related
non-chiral Bose condensates and amorphous chiral superconductors) are
topologically Alice, and support fundamental monopole charge when twisted into
loops. Thus they might be observed indirectly, not as strings, but as loop-like
point defects. We describe other models, showing Alice strings failing our
topological criterion; and twisted Alice loops supporting deposited, but not
fundamental, monopole number.Comment: 2 figures; this paper consolidates preprints hep-th/0304161 and
hep-th/0304162, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Ensemble versus individual system in quantum optics
Modern techniques allow experiments on a single atom or system, with new
phenomena and new challenges for the theoretician. We discuss what quantum
mechanics has to say about a single system. The quantum jump approach as well
as the role of quantum trajectories are outlined and a rather sophisticated
example is given.Comment: Fundamental problems in quantum theory workshop, invited lecture. 11
pages Latex + 7 figures. To appear in Fortschr. d. Physi
A digital imaging photometry system for cometary data acquisition
This report describes a digital imaging photometry system developed in the Space Science Laboratory at the Marshall Space Flight center. The photometric system used for cometary data acquisition is based on an intensified secondary electron conduction (ISEC) vidicon coupled to a versatile data acquisition system which allows real-time interactive operation. Field tests on the Orion and Rosette nebulas indicate a limiting magnitude of approximately m sub v = 14 over the 40 arcmin field-of-view. Observations were conducted of Comet Giacobini-Zinner in August 1985. The resulting data are discussed in relation to the capabilities of the digital analysis system. The development program concluded on August 31, 1985
Three dimensional viscous analysis of a hypersonic inlet
The flow fields in supersonic/hypersonic inlets are currently being studied at NASA Lewis Research Center using 2- and 3-D full Navier-Stokes and Parabolized Navier-Stokes solvers. These tools have been used to analyze the flow through the McDonnell Douglas Option 2 inlet which has been tested at Calspan in support of the National Aerospace Plane Program. Comparisons between the computational and experimental results are presented. These comparisons lead to better overall understanding of the complex flows present in this class of inlets. The aspects of the flow field emphasized in this work are the 3-D effects, the transition from laminar to turbulent flow, and the strong nonuniformities generated within the inlet
Testing the transition layer model of quasi-periodic oscillations in neutron star X-ray binarie
We compare the theoretical predictions of the transition layer model with
some observational features of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in neutron
star X-ray binaries. We found that the correlation between horizontal branch
oscillation (HBO) frequencies and kilohertz (kHz) QPO frequencies, the
difference between the low-frequency QPOs in atoll sources and HBOs in Z
sources, and the correlation between the frequencies of low-frequency QPOs and
break frequencies can be well explained by the transition layer model, provided
the neutron star mass is around 1.4 solar mass and the angle between
magnetosphere equator and accretion disk plane is around 6 degree. The observed
decrease of peak separation between two kHz QPO frequencies with the increase
of kHz QPO frequencies and the increase of QPO frequencies with the increase of
inferred mass accretion rate are also consistent with the theoretical
predictions of transition layer model. In addition, we derive a simple equation
that can be adopted to estimate the angle () between magnetosphere
equator and accretion disk plane by use of the simultaneously observed QPO
frequency data. We estimate these angles, in the range of 4 to 8 degrees, for
five Z sources and two atoll sources. The nearly constant value for
each source, derived from the different sets of simultaneously observed QPO
frequency data, provides a strong test of the theoretical model. Finally, we
suggest that the similar transition layer oscillations may be also responsible
for the observed QPOs in accretion-powered millisecond X-ray pulsar and
Galactic black hole candidates.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, to appear in ApJ, Vol. 55
Integrated assurance assessment of a reconfigurable digital flight control system
The integrated application of reliability, failure effects and system simulator methods in establishing the airworthiness of a flight critical digital flight control system (DFCS) is demonstrated. The emphasis was on the mutual reinforcement of the methods in demonstrating the system safety
Multi-objective integer programming: An improved recursive algorithm
This paper introduces an improved recursive algorithm to generate the set of
all nondominated objective vectors for the Multi-Objective Integer Programming
(MOIP) problem. We significantly improve the earlier recursive algorithm of
\"Ozlen and Azizo\u{g}lu by using the set of already solved subproblems and
their solutions to avoid solving a large number of IPs. A numerical example is
presented to explain the workings of the algorithm, and we conduct a series of
computational experiments to show the savings that can be obtained. As our
experiments show, the improvement becomes more significant as the problems grow
larger in terms of the number of objectives.Comment: 11 pages, 6 tables; v2: added more details and a computational stud
Novel methods for the characterisation of nanosponges/drug complexes with fluorimetry. Detection and Quantification in human serum
Cyclodextrins are oligosaccharides formed from a cyclic structure of 1,4-linked α-D-glucopyranose units, hydrophilic on the outside, and hydrophobic within they are able to form hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces and hydrophobic interactions with non-polar guest molecules, including pharmaceuticals, altering their solubility and spectral properties, they are able to overcome biological barriers and be absorbed [1]. Cross-linking β-cyclodextrin with epichlorohydrin can create polymers, with modifiable properties, and greater solubility, which can form stronger inclusion complexes through both encapsulation, and adsorbing guest molecules to their exterior. Although this complexation has been investigated with some pharmaceuticals, enhancing their solubility [2], and yielding higher percentage recoveries than when monomeric β-cyclodextrin was used [3], it has also been found that an increase in the intensity of fluorimetric analytical signal also occurs as a result of this interaction, along with a shift in the maximum wavelength peak [4]. The inclusion complex doesn't appear to have been utilised for analytical chemistry purposes, therefore the drug-β-cyclodextrin polymer-complex was explored through fluorimetry, as it is anticipated that this will allow for lower pharmaceutical detection limits; this technique was then applied for the determination of drugs in human serum and canal water. This poster will illustrate how β-cyclodextrin polymer can be utilised to enhance the fluorimetric signal of drugs, and be applied for the detection of pharmaceuticals in human serum and canal water
New collections of p-subgroups and homology decompositions for classifying spaces of finite groups
Let G be a finite group and p a prime dividing its order. We define new
collections of p-subgroups of G. We study the homotopy relations among them and
with the standard collections of p-subgroups. We determine their ampleness and
sharpness properties.Comment: 14 pages, some revisions made, final version to appear in
Communications in Algebr
Measurement of the Parallax of PSR B0950+08 Using the VLBA
A new technique has been developed to remove the ionosphere's distorting
effects from low frequency VLBI data. By fitting dispersive and non-dispersive
components to the phases of multi-frequency data, the ionosphere can be
effectively removed from the data without the use of {\em a priori} calibration
information. This technique, along with the new gating capability of the VLBA
correlator, was used to perform accurate astrometry on pulsar B0950+08,
resulting in a much improved measurement of this pulsar's proper motion
( mas/yr, mas/yr)
and parallax ( mas). This puts the pulsar at a distance of
parsecs, about twice as far as previous estimates, but in good
agreement with models of the electron density in the local bubble.Comment: 5 pages, Latex with AASTEX. Accepted for publication in Ap
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