Isotope separation using metallic vapor lasers

The isotope U235 is separated from a gasified isotope mixture of U235 and U238 by selectively exciting the former from the ground state utilizing resonant absorption of radiation from precisely tuned lasers. The excited isotope is then selectively ionized by electron bombardment. It then is separated from the remaining isotope mixture by electromagnetic separation

Lattice ϕ4\phi^4 theory of finite-size effects above the upper critical dimension

We present a perturbative calculation of finite-size effects near $T_c$ of the $\phi^4$ lattice model in a $d$-dimensional cubic geometry of size $L$ with periodic boundary conditions for $d > 4$. The structural differences between the $\phi^4$ lattice theory and the $\phi^4$ field theory found previously in the spherical limit are shown to exist also for a finite number of components of the order parameter. The two-variable finite-size scaling functions of the field theory are nonuniversal whereas those of the lattice theory are independent of the nonuniversal model parameters.One-loop results for finite-size scaling functions are derived. Their structure disagrees with the single-variable scaling form of the lowest-mode approximation for any finite $\xi/L$ where $\xi$ is the bulk correlation length. At $T_c$, the large-$L$ behavior becomes lowest-mode like for the lattice model but not for the field-theoretic model. Characteristic temperatures close to $T_c$ of the lattice model, such as $T_{max}(L)$ of the maximum of the susceptibility $\chi$, are found to scale asymptotically as $T_c - T_{max}(L) \sim L^{-d/2}$, in agreement with previous Monte Carlo (MC) data for the five-dimensional Ising model. We also predict $\chi_{max} \sim L^{d/2}$ asymptotically. On a quantitative level, the asymptotic amplitudes of this large -$L$ behavior close to $T_c$ have not been observed in previous MC simulations at $d = 5$ because of nonnegligible finite-size terms $\sim L^{(4-d)/2}$ caused by the inhomogeneous modes. These terms identify the possible origin of a significant discrepancy between the lowest-mode approximation and previous MC data. MC data of larger systems would be desirable for testing the magnitude of the $L^{(4-d)/2}$ and $L^{4-d}$ terms predicted by our theory.Comment: Accepted in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Optimal entanglement criterion for mixed quantum states

We develop a strong and computationally simple entanglement criterion. The criterion is based on an elementary positive map Phi which operates on state spaces with even dimension N >= 4. It is shown that Phi detects many entangled states with positive partial transposition (PPT) and that it leads to a class of optimal entanglement witnesses. This implies that there are no other witnesses which can detect more entangled PPT states. The map Phi yields a systematic method for the explicit construction of high-dimensional manifolds of bound entangled states.Comment: 4 pages, no figures, replaced by published version (minor changes), Journal-reference adde

Dielectric Breakdown Strength of Polyethylene Nanocomposites

The term “nanometric dielectrics” or simply “nanodielectrics” was introduced in 1994 when Lewis [1] anticipated the potential property changes that would benefit electrical insulation due to nano-sized inclusion. Such materials, containing homogenous dispersion of small amount (normally less than 10wt%) of nanoparticles (with at least one dimension in nanometre range) in host matrix, are of specific dielectric interest. Although much effort has been put forth to investigate the potential dielectric benefit of such newly emerging materials, many uncertainties remain unanswered, and much remains to be explored [2]. Current experimental work is to investigate the preparation of nanodielectrics via solution blending approach. Polyethylene blend composed of 20wt% of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in low density polyethylene (LDPE) is proposed as the base polymer, with varying content of nanosilica (between 0wt% and 10wt%) as the fillers. Although expensive, solution blending method, when compared with melt compounding method, is expected to provide better dispersion of nanoparticles in polymers, thus providing qualitative data in understanding the behaviour of nanodielectrics [3]. Upon successful preparation of polyethylene nanocomposites, breakdown strength based on ASTM Standard D149-87 is to be conducted to determine the feasibility of such dielectric materials in engineering point of view. Figure 1 illustrates the schematic diagram of the breakdown test configuration. The samples are placed between two 6.3mm diameter steel ball bearings immersed in silicone fluid. AC voltage at a preset ramp rate will be applied until the samples fail and the values of breakdown voltages will be recorded and analysed using two-parameter Weibull distribution. Based upon top-down research approach, the underlying physics and chemistry associated with dielectric property changes will then be explored

A transportable 50 kA dual mode lightning simulator

A transportable lightning simulator was designed, built and tested, which is capable of delivering more than 50 kA to an 8 micro-H test object. The simulator was designed to be a versatile device in the lightning laboratory while meeting the requirements of MIL-STD-1757A for component E current waveforms. The system is capable of operating in either a ringing mode with a Q greater than 5 and a nominal frequency of 160 kHz, or a unipolar mode with no hardware configuration changes. The ringing mode is obtained by the LCR series circuit formed by the pulse generator and test object. The unipolar mode is obtained by closing an electrically triggered crowbar switch at peak current. The simulator exceeds the peak current requirement and rate of rise requirements for MIL-STD-1757A in both the ringing and unipolar modes. The pulse half width in the unipolar mode is in excess of 50 microsec and the action is in excess of 10(exp 5) A(exp 2)s. The design, component values, and test results are presented

Comparison of the Geometrical Characters Inside Quark- and Gluon-jet Produced by Different Flavor Quarks

The characters of the angular distributions of quark jets and gluon jets with different flavors are carefully studied after introducing the cone angle of jets. The quark jets and gluon jets are identified from the 3-jet events which are produced by Monte Carlo simulation Jetset7.4 in e+e- collisions at $\sqrt s$=91.2GeV. It turns out that the ranges of angular distributions of gluon jets are obviously wider than that of quark jets at the same energies. The average cone angles of gluon jets are much larger than that of quark jets. As the multiplicity or the transverse momentum increases, the cone-angle distribution without momentum weight of both the quark jet and gluon jet all increases, i.e the positive linear correlation are present, but the cone-angle distribution with momentum weight decreases at first, then increases when n > 4 or p_t > 2 GeV. The characters of cone angular distributions of gluon jets produced by quarks with different flavors are the same, while there are obvious differences for that of the quark jets with different flavors.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, to be published on the International Journal of Modern Physics

Simple choreographies of the planar Newtonian NN-body Problem

In the $N$-body problem, a simple choreography is a periodic solution, where all masses chase each other on a single loop. In this paper we prove that for the planar Newtonian $N$-body problem with equal masses, $N \ge 3$, there are at least $2^{N-3} + 2^{[(N-3)/2]}$ different main simple choreographies. This confirms a conjecture given by Chenciner and etc. in \cite{CGMS02}.Comment: 31pages, 6 figures. Refinements in notations and proof

Kinetic Scale Density Fluctuations in the Solar Wind

We motivate the importance of studying kinetic scale turbulence for understanding the macroscopic properties of the heliosphere, such as the heating of the solar wind. We then discuss the technique by which kinetic scale density fluctuations can be measured using the spacecraft potential, including a calculation of the timescale for the spacecraft potential to react to the density changes. Finally, we compare the shape of the density spectrum at ion scales to theoretical predictions based on a cascade model for kinetic turbulence. We conclude that the shape of the spectrum, including the ion scale flattening, can be captured by the sum of passive density fluctuations at large scales and kinetic Alfven wave turbulence at small scales

A Two-Step Etching Method to Fabricate Nanopores in Silicon

A cost effectively method to fabricate nanopores in silicon by only using the conventional wet-etching technique is developed in this research. The main concept of the proposed method is a two-step etching process, including a premier double-sided wet etching and a succeeding track-etching. A special fixture is designed to hold the pre-etched silicon wafer inside it such that the track-etching can be effectively carried out. An electrochemical system is employed to detect and record the ion diffusion current once the pre-etched cavities are etched into a through nanopore. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method can cost effectively fabricate nanopores in silicon.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDA Publishing Association (http://irevues.inist.fr/EDA-Publishing