Quasi-local energy and the choice of reference

A quasi-local energy for Einstein's general relativity is defined by the value of the preferred boundary term in the covariant Hamiltonian formalism. The boundary term depends upon a choice of reference and a time-like displacement vector field (which can be associated with an observer) on the boundary of the region. Here we analyze the spherical symmetric cases. For the obvious analytic choice of reference based on the metric components, we find that this technique gives the same quasi-local energy values using several standard coordinate systems and yet can give different values in some other coordinate systems. For the homogeneous-isotropic cosmologies, the energy can be non-positive, and one case which is actually flat space has a negative energy. As an alternative, we introduce a way to determine the choice of both the reference and displacement by extremizing the energy. This procedure gives the same value for the energy in different coordinate systems for the Schwarzschild space, and a non-negative value for the cosmological models, with zero energy for the dynamic cosmology which is actually Minkowski space. The timelike displacement vector comes out to be the dual mean curvature vector of the two-boundary.Comment: 21 pages; revised version to appear in CQ

“Mirror Image Effect” Space Charge Distribution in XLPE Power Cable under Opposite Stressing Voltage Polarity

The paper presents space charge distributions under opposite voltage polarities in full size cross-linked polyethylene power cables using the pulsed electro-acoustic technique. Under both positive and negative polarities, space charge distributions possess similar profiles but opposite polarities. A similar phenomenon had been reported previously in plaque samples and was termed the “mirror image effect”. By comparing the results between cables treated by degassing under different conditions, the paper concludes that the “mirror image” charge distribution is mainly attributed to a bulk effect within the volume of the insulation, whilst electron transfer by tunneling through an electrode/insulator interface contributes to the generation of homo “mirror image” close to the electrodes

Hidden Conformal Symmetry of Extremal Kerr-Bolt Spacetimes

We show that extremal Kerr-Bolt spacetimes have a hidden conformal symmetry. In this regard, we consider the wave equation of a massless scalar field propagating in extremal Kerr-Bolt spacetimes and find in the "near region", the wave equation in extremal limit can be written in terms of the $SL(2,R)$ quadratic Casimir. Moreover, we obtain the microscopic entropy of the extremal Kerr-Bolt spacetimes also we calculate the correlation function of a near-region scalar field and find perfect agreement with the dual 2D CFT.Comment: 13 page

A survey of load methodologies for shuttle orbiter payloads

Loads methods currently being used to design shuttle orbiter payloads are summarized. Methods used for the design of payloads launched by expendable launch vehicles are described in historical perspective. Experiences gained from expendable launch vehicle payloads are used to develop methodologies for the space shuttle orbiter payloads. The objectives for the development of a new methodology for the shuttle payloads are to reduce the cost and schedule for the payload load analysis by decoupling the payload analysis from the launch vehicle to the maximum extent possible. Methods are described for payload member load estimation or obtaining upper bounds for dynamic loads, as well as load prediction or calculating actual transient member load time histories

Prediction of the bias voltage dependent magnetic contrast in spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy

This work is concerned with the theoretical description of the contrast, i.e., the apparent height difference between two lateral surface positions on constant current spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM) images. We propose a method to predict the bias voltage dependent magnetic contrast from single point tunneling current or differential conductance measurements, without the need of scanning large areas of the surface. Depending on the number of single point measurements, the bias positions of magnetic contrast reversals and of the maximally achievable magnetic contrast can be determined. We validate this proposal by simulating SP-STM images on a complex magnetic surface employing a recently developed approach based on atomic superposition. Furthermore, we show evidence that the tip electronic structure and magnetic orientation have a major effect on the magnetic contrast. Our theoretical prediction is expected to inspire experimentalists to considerably reduce measurement efforts for determining the bias dependent magnetic contrast on magnetic surfaces.Comment: 28 pages manuscript, 1 table, 6 figure

Extracting forward strong amplitudes from elastic differential cross sections

The feasibility of a model-independent extraction of the forward strong amplitude from elastic nuclear cross section data in the Coulomb-nuclear interference region is assessed for $\pi$ and $K^+$ scattering at intermediate energies. Theoretically-generated "data" are analyzed to provide criteria for optimally designing experiments to measure these amplitudes, whose energy dependence (particularly that of the real parts) is needed for disentangling various sources of medium modifications of the projectile-nucleon interaction. The issues considered include determining the angular region over which to make the measurements, the role of the most forward angles measured, and the effects of statistical and systematic errors. We find that there is a region near the forward direction where Coulomb-nuclear interference allows reliable extraction of the strong forward amplitude for both pions and the $K^+$ from .3 to 1 GeV/c.Comment: 16 pages plus 12 separate postscript figure