Sliderule-like property of Wigner's little groups and cyclic S-matrices for multilayer optics

It is noted that two-by-two S-matrices in multilayer optics can be represented by the Sp(2) group whose algebraic property is the same as the group of Lorentz transformations applicable to two space-like and one time-like dimensions. It is noted also that Wigner's little groups have a sliderule-like property which allows us to perform multiplications by additions. It is shown that these two mathematical properties lead to a cyclic representation of the S-matrix for multilayer optics, as in the case of ABCD matrices for laser cavities. It is therefore possible to write the N-layer S-matrix as a multiplication of the N single-layer S-matrices resulting in the same mathematical expression with one of the parameters multiplied by N. In addition, it is noted, as in the case of lens optics, multilayer optics can serve as an analogue computer for the contraction of Wigner's little groups for internal space-time symmetries of relativistic particles.Comment: RevTex 13 pages, Secs. IV and V revised and expande

Robust IR Remote Sensing Technique of the Total Column of Trace Gases Including Carbon Dioxide and Methane

Progress on the development of a differential radiometer based upon the Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) for methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (C02) detection in the atmosphere is presented. Methane measurements are becoming increasingly important as a component of NASA's programs to understand the global carbon cycle and quantifY the threat of global warming. Methane is the third most important greenhouse gas in the Earth's radiation budget (after water vapor and carbon dioxide) and the second most important anthropogenic contributor to global warming. The importance of global warming and air quality to society caused the National Research Council to recommend that NASA develop the following missions [1]: ASCENDS (Active Sensing of C02 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons), GEOCAPE (Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events), and GACM (Global Atmosphere Composition Mission). Though methane measurements are not specifically called out in these missions, ongoing environmental changes have raised the importance of understanding the methane budget. In the decadal survey is stated that "to close the carbon budget, we would also address methane, but the required technology is not obvious at this time. If appropriate and cost-effective methane technology becomes available, we strongly recommend adding a methane capability". In its 2007 report the International Panel on Climate Change identified methane as a key uncertainty in our understanding saying that the causes of recent changes in the growth rate of atmospheric CH4 are not well understood. What we do know is that methane arises from a number of natural sources including wet lands and the oceans plus man made sources from agriculture, as well as coal and petroleum production and distribution. It has recently been pointed out that large amount of methane are frozen in the permafrost of Canada and Siberia. There is a fear that melting of this permafrost driven by global warming may release large amounts of methane very suddenly further exacerbating climate change [2]. Last year our group began a joint effort with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory to investigate the possibility of developing a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped to measure greenhouse gases-particularly methane. Although we are targeting our system for smaller UAV's the instrument will be directly applicable to missions involving larger NASA UAV's such as Global Hawk or even on missions utilizing manned aircraft. Because of its small size, inherent ruggedness and simplicity some version of our proposed instrument may find a role as a satellite instrument for NASA or NOAA

Comparison between the results of a new version of the AVACTA II atmospheric diffusion model and tracer experiments

A new version of the AVACTA II code (a code recommended by EPA) has been implemented and evaluated. AVACTA II is a code based on a mixed segmentpuff approach, which allows numerical simulations of both non-stationary and nonhomogeneous conditions. In our version, the wind field is calculated through the 3D mass-consistent code WINDS developed at the Department of Physics of the University of Genoa, Italy. The model evaluation of this new version of the AVACTA II code has been performed using field experiment data on flat, but rough, terrain (Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center (KNRC) tracer experiments) and wind tunnel measurements(EPA Rushil experiments) both in flat and complex terrain. A comparison is made between simulated and measured concentration distributions. The results of these evaluations are very encouraging

A New Remote Sensing Filter Radiometer Employing a Fabry-Perot Etalon and a CCD Camera for Column Measurements of Methane in the Earth Atmosphere

A portable remote sensing system for precision column measurements of methane has been developed, built and tested at NASA GSFC. The sensor covers the spectral range from 1.636 micrometers to 1.646 micrometers, employs an air-gapped Fabry-Perot filter and a CCD camera and has a potential to operate from a variety of platforms. The detector is an XS-1.7-320 camera unit from Xenics Infrared solutions which combines an uncooled InGaAs detector array working up to 1.7 micrometers. Custom software was developed in addition to the graphical user basic interface X-Control provided by the company to help save and process the data. The technique and setup can be used to measure other trace gases in the atmosphere with minimal changes of the etalon and the prefilter. In this paper we describe the calibration of the system using several different approaches

A Broad Bank Lidar for Precise Atmospheric CO2 Column Absorption Measurement from Space

Accurate global measurement of carbon dioxide column with the aim of discovering and quantifying unknown sources and sinks has been a high priority for the last decade. In order to uncover the "missing sink" that is responsible for the large discrepancies in the budget the critical precision for a measurement from space needs to be on the order of 1 ppm. To better understand the CO2 budget and to evaluate its impact on global warming the National Research Council (NRC) in its recent decadal survey report (NACP) to NASA recommended a laser based total CO2 mapping mission in the near future. That's the goal of Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS) mission - to significantly enhance the understanding of the role of CO2 in the global carbon cycle. Our current goal is to develop an ultra precise, inexpensive new lidar system for column measurements of CO2 changes in the lower atmosphere that uses a Fabry-Perot interferometer based system as the detector portion of the instrument and replaces the narrow band laser commonly used in lidars with a high power broadband source. This approach reduces the number of individual lasers used in the system and considerably reduces the risk of failure. It also tremendously reduces the requirement for wavelength stability in the source putting this responsibility instead on the Fabry- Perot subsystem

Isospin symmetry breaking in an algebraic pairing Sp(4) model

An exactly solvable sp(4) algebraic approach extends beyond the traditional isospin conserving nuclear interaction to bring forward effects of isospin symmetry breaking and isospin mixing resulting from a two-body nuclear interaction that includes proton-neutron (pn) and like-particle isovector pairing correlations plus significant isoscalar pn interactions. The model yields an estimate for the extent to which isobaric analog 0+ states in light and medium mass nuclei may mix with one another and reveals possible, but still extremely weak, non-analog beta-decay transitions.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

INTERACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANTS IN TEAMWORK AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL „ST. MARINA – VARNA“

The relationship of medical staff raise many important issues in medical practice, which must include not only professional competence but also the implementation of effective professional communication, observation and interaction. Good professional communication in medical practice is achieved through the strict observance of the established rules of medical ethics. Compliance with both the universal and the specific rules for medical professionals to communicate. Creating an atmosphere of trust, support and empathy in the process of working with medical staff from different departments in the hospital environment. The article is an analysis of opinion on the interaction between technicians, nurses and doctors in a hospital environment. The study was conducted among 66 respondents in the University Hospital „St. Marina – Varna“The relationship of medical staff raise many important issues in medical practice, which must include not only professional competence but also the implementation of effective professional communication, observation and interaction. Good professional communication in medical practice is achieved through the strict observance of the established rules of medical ethics. Compliance with both the universal and the specific rules for medical professionals to communicate. Creating an atmosphere of trust, support and empathy in the process of working with medical staff from different departments in the hospital environment. The article is an analysis of opinion on the interaction between technicians, nurses and doctors in a hospital environment. The study was conducted among 66 respondents in the University Hospital „St. Marina – Varna