Monopoles and Knots in Skyrme Theory

We show that the Skyrme theory actually is a theory of monopoles which allows a new type of solitons, the topological knots made of monopole-anti-monopole pair,which is different from the well-known skyrmions. Furthermore, we derive a generalized Skyrme action from the Yang-Mills action of QCD, which we propose to be an effective action of QCD in the infra-red limit. We discuss the physical implications of our results.Comment: 4 pages. Phys. Rev. Lett. in pres

Free wake analysis of hover performance using a new influence coefficient method

A new approach to the prediction of helicopter rotor performance using a free wake analysis was developed. This new method uses a relaxation process that does not suffer from the convergence problems associated with previous time marching simulations. This wake relaxation procedure was coupled to a vortex-lattice, lifting surface loads analysis to produce a novel, self contained performance prediction code: EHPIC (Evaluation of Helicopter Performance using Influence Coefficients). The major technical features of the EHPIC code are described and a substantial amount of background information on the capabilities and proper operation of the code is supplied. Sample problems were undertaken to demonstrate the robustness and flexibility of the basic approach. Also, a performance correlation study was carried out to establish the breadth of applicability of the code, with very favorable results

Simulation of Relativistic Force-free Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

We present numerical studies of 3-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in a strongly magnetized medium in the extremely relativistic limit, in which the inertia of the charge carriers can be neglected. We have focused on strong Alfvenic turbulence in the limit. We have found the following results. First, the energy spectrum is consistent with a Kolmogorov spectrum: $E(k)\sim k^{-5/3}$. Second, turbulence shows a Goldreich-Sridhar type anisotropy: $k_{\|} \propto k_{\perp}^{2/3}$, where $k_{\|}$ and $k_{\perp}$ are wavenumbers along and perpendicular to the local mean magnetic field directions, respectively. These scalings are in agreement with earlier theoretical predictions by Thompson & Blaes.Comment: 4 pages; 3 figures; APJL, submitte

Confining Configurations in QCD and Relation to Rigid Strings

The gauge field configurations of QCD gauge fields in the infrared regime are obtained by magnetic symmetry condition. The effective dual action exhibits dual Meissner effect with quarks included. A string representation of this action corresponds to rigid string.Comment: 3 pages, Latex file, usepackage fleqn, espcrc2. Talk given in the parallel session of the XVIII International Sympposium on Lattice Field Theory, August 2000, held at Bangalore, Indi

Chemical network problems solved on NASA/Goddard's massively parallel processor computer

The single instruction stream, multiple data stream Massively Parallel Processor (MPP) unit consists of 16,384 bit serial arithmetic processors configured as a 128 x 128 array whose speed can exceed that of current supercomputers (Cyber 205). The applicability of the MPP for solving reaction network problems is presented and discussed, including the mapping of the calculation to the architecture, and CPU timing comparisons

New Regime of MHD Turbulence: Cascade Below Viscous Cutoff

In astrophysical situations, e.g. in the interstellar medium (ISM), neutrals can provide viscous damping on scales much larger than the magnetic diffusion scale. Through numerical simulations, we have found that the magnetic field can have a rich structure below the dissipation cutoff scale. This implies that magnetic fields in the ISM can have structures on scales much smaller than parsec scales. Our results show that the magnetic energy contained in a wavenumber band is independent of the wavenumber and magnetic structures are intermittent and extremely anisotropic. We discuss the relation between our results and the formation of the tiny-scale atomic structure (TSAS).Comment: ApJ Letters, accepted (Feb. 10, 2002; ApJ, 566, L...); 10 pages, 3 figure

In Situ Nanomechanical Measurements of Interfacial Strength in Membrane-Embedded Chemically Functionalized Si Microwires for Flexible Solar Cells

Arrays of vertically aligned Si microwires embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have emerged as a promising candidate for use in solar energy conversion devices. Such structures are lightweight and concurrently demonstrate competitive efficiency and mechanical flexibility. To ensure reliable functioning under bending and flexing, strong interfacial adhesion between the nanowire and the matrix is needed. In situ uniaxial tensile tests of individual, chemically functionalized, Si microwires embedded in a compliant PDMS matrix reveal that chemical functionality on Si microwire surfaces is directly correlated with interfacial adhesion strength. Chemical functionalization can therefore serve as an effective methodology for accessing a wide range of interfacial adhesion between the rigid constituents and the soft polymer matrix; the adhesion can be quantified by measuring the mechanical strength of such systems