Scattering of low-energy electrons and positrons by atomic beryllium: Ramsauer-Townsend effect

Total cross sections for the scattering of low-energy electrons and positrons by atomic beryllium in the energy range below the first inelastic thresholds are calculated. A Ramsauer-Townsend minimum is seen in the electron scattering cross sections, while no such effect is found in the case of positron scattering. A minimum total cross section of 0.016 a.u. at 0.0029 eV is observed for the electron case. In the limit of zero energy, the cross sections yield a scattering length of -0.61 a.u. for electron and +13.8 a.u. for positron scattering

Criteria for generalized macroscopic and mesoscopic quantum coherence

We consider macroscopic, mesoscopic and "S-scopic" quantum superpositions of eigenstates of an observable, and develop some signatures for their existence. We define the extent, or size $S$ of a superposition, with respect to an observable \hat{x}, as being the range of outcomes of \hat{x} predicted by that superposition. Such superpositions are referred to as generalized $S$-scopic superpositions to distinguish them from the extreme superpositions that superpose only the two states that have a difference $S$ in their prediction for the observable. We also consider generalized $S$-scopic superpositions of coherent states. We explore the constraints that are placed on the statistics if we suppose a system to be described by mixtures of superpositions that are restricted in size. In this way we arrive at experimental criteria that are sufficient to deduce the existence of a generalized $S$-scopic superposition. The signatures developed are useful where one is able to demonstrate a degree of squeezing. We also discuss how the signatures enable a new type of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen gedanken experiment.Comment: 15 pages, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Recent advances in Ni-H2 technology at NASA Lewis Research Center

The NASA Lewis Research Center has concentrated its efforts on advancing the Ni-H2 system technology for low Earth orbit applications. Component technology as well as the design principles were studied in an effort to understand the system behavior and failure mechanisms in order to increase performance and extend cycle life. The design principles were previously addressed. The component development is discussed, in particular the separator and nickel electrode and how these efforts will advance the Ni-H2 system technology

Dynamic precession damper for spin stabilized vehicles Patent

Dynamic precession damping of spin-stabilized vehicles by using rate gyroscope and angular acceleromete

Attitude orientation of spin-stabilized space vehicles Patent

Attitude orientation control of spin stabilized final stage space vehicles, using horizon scanner

Bell inequalities for continuous-variable correlations

We derive a new class of correlation Bell-type inequalities. The inequalities are valid for any number of outcomes of two observables per each of n parties, including continuous and unbounded observables. We show that there are no first-moment correlation Bell inequalities for that scenario, but such inequalities can be found if one considers at least second moments. The derivation stems from a simple variance inequality by setting local commutators to zero. We show that above a constant detector efficiency threshold, the continuous variable Bell violation can survive even in the macroscopic limit of large n. This method can be used to derive other well-known Bell inequalities, shedding new light on the importance of non-commutativity for violations of local realism.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. v2: New results on detector efficiencies and macroscopic limit, new co-author, changed title and abstract, changed figure, added journal reference and DO

Becoming Indigenous: The ‘Speculative Turn’ in Anthropology and the (Re)colonization of Indigeneity

The indigenous have become central to contemporary critical and governmental imaginaries as the West tries to cope with planetary crises imbricated in the legacies of modernity and settler-colonialism. As such, indigenous methods and practices are increasingly constructed as offering futural possibilities for ‘becoming’ rather than belonging to the archives of an underdeveloped past. Central to this transformation has been the speculative or ontological turn in anthropological discourse, which we argue has opened up new possibilities for a Western and colonial appropriation of indigeneity. This turn is the subject of this article and is critically engaged with to pursue a number of avenues which problematise this form of ‘ontopolitical anthropology’. The reduction of indigenous lives to the speculative ‘other’ of Western modernity inherently tends to reify or ‘exoticise’ indigenous thought and practices or, as we state, to ‘ontologize indigeneity’. This, we argue, is particularly problematic in the context where critical imaginaries of precarious ‘life in the ruins’ tend to affirm contemporary governmental approaches rather than challenge them. Ironically, rather than opening up alternative possibilities, these approaches reduce the reality of indigenous struggles and sufferings to a mere foil for the speculative imaginaries of a privileged white Eurocentric academic elite

Dynamical preparation of EPR entanglement in two-well Bose-Einstein condensates

We propose to generate Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) entanglement between groups of atoms in a two-well Bose-Einstein condensate using a dynamical process similar to that employed in quantum optics. The local nonlinear S-wave scattering interaction has the effect of creating a spin squeezing at each well, while the tunneling, analogous to a beam splitter in optics, introduces an interference between these fields that results in an inter-well entanglement. We consider two internal modes at each well, so that the entanglement can be detected by measuring a reduction in the variances of the sums of local Schwinger spin observables. As is typical of continuous variable (CV) entanglement, the entanglement is predicted to increase with atom number, and becomes sufficiently strong at higher numbers of atoms that the EPR paradox and steering non-locality can be realized. The entanglement is predicted using an analytical approach and, for larger atom numbers, stochastic simulations based on truncated Wigner function. We find generally that strong tunnelling is favourable, and that entanglement persists and is even enhanced in the presence of realistic nonlinear losses.Comment: 15 pages, 19 figure

New Measurements of the Radio Photosphere of Mira based on Data from the JVLA and ALMA

We present new measurements of the millimeter wavelength continuum emission from the long period variable Mira ($o$ Ceti) at frequencies of 46 GHz, 96 GHz, and 229 GHz ($\lambda$~7 mm, 3 mm, and 1 mm) based on observations obtained with the Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The measured millimeter flux densities are consistent with a radio photosphere model derived from previous observations, where flux density, $S_{\nu}\propto\nu^{1.86}$. The stellar disk is resolved, and the measurements indicate a decrease in the size of the radio photosphere at higher frequencies, as expected if the opacity decreases at shorter wavelengths. The shape of the radio photosphere is found to be slightly elongated, with a flattening of ~10-20%. The data also reveal evidence for brightness non-uniformities on the surface of Mira at radio wavelengths. Mira's hot companion, Mira B was detected at all three observed wavelengths, and we measure a radius for its radio-emitting surface of $\approx2.0\times10^{13}$ cm. The data presented here highlight the power of the JVLA and ALMA for the study of the atmospheres of evolved stars.Comment: Accepted to ApJ; 27 pages, 7 figure