Emission-Line Properties of z > 4 Quasars

We present results of a program of high signal-to-noise spectroscopy for 44 QSOs at redshifts > 4 using the MMT and Keck observatories. The quasar spectra cover 1100 -- 1700 A in the rest frame for sources spanning a luminosity range of approximately 2 orders of magnitude. Comparisons between these data and spectra of lower redshift quasars reveal a high degree of similarity, although differences are present in the profiles and the strengths of some emission features. An examination of the luminosity dependence of the emission lines reveals evidence for a weak or absent Baldwin effect among z > 4 QSOs. We compare measurements for objects in our sample with results from other high redshift surveys characterized by different selection techniques. Distributions of equivalent widths for these different ensembles are consistent with a common parent population, suggesting that our sample is not strongly biased, or in any case, subject to selection effects that are not significantly different from other surveys, including the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Based on this comparison, we tentatively conclude that the trends identified here are representative of high z QSOs. In particular, the data bolster indications of supersolar metallicities in these luminous, high-z sources, which support scenarios that assume substantial star formation at epochs preceding or concurrent with the QSO phenomena.Comment: 26 pages (incl. 9 figures), AASTeX v5.0, to appear in The Astrophysical Journa

Kinetics of photoinduced ordering in azo-dye films: two-state and diffusion models

We study the kinetics of photoinduced ordering in the azo-dye SD1 photoaligning layers and present the results of modeling performed using two different phenomenological approaches. A phenomenological two state model is deduced from the master equation for an ensemble of two-level molecular systems. Using an alternative approach, we formulate the two-dimensional (2D) diffusion model as the free energy Fokker-Planck equation simplified for the limiting regime of purely in-plane reorientation. The models are employed to interpret the irradiation time dependence of the absorption order parameters extracted from the available experimental data by using the exact solution to the light transmission problem for a biaxially anisotropic absorbing layer. The transient photoinduced structures are found to be biaxially anisotropic whereas the photosteady and the initial states are uniaxial.Comment: revtex4, 34 pages, 9 figure

On the presentation of the LHC Higgs Results

We put forth conclusions and suggestions regarding the presentation of the LHC Higgs results that may help to maximize their impact and their utility to the whole High Energy Physics community.Comment: Conclusions from the workshops "Likelihoods for the LHC Searches", 21-23 January 2013 at CERN, "Implications of the 125 GeV Higgs Boson", 18-22 March 2013 at LPSC Grenoble, and from the 2013 Les Houches "Physics at TeV Colliders" workshop. 16 pages, 3 figures. Version 2: Comment added on the first publication of signal strength likelihoods in digital form by ATLA

The X-ray Telescope of CAST

The Cern Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) is in operation and taking data since 2003. The main objective of the CAST experiment is to search for a hypothetical pseudoscalar boson, the axion, which might be produced in the core of the sun. The basic physics process CAST is based on is the time inverted Primakoff effect, by which an axion can be converted into a detectable photon in an external electromagnetic field. The resulting X-ray photons are expected to be thermally distributed between 1 and 7 keV. The most sensitive detector system of CAST is a pn-CCD detector combined with a Wolter I type X-ray mirror system. With the X-ray telescope of CAST a background reduction of more than 2 orders off magnitude is achieved, such that for the first time the axion photon coupling constant g_agg can be probed beyond the best astrophysical constraints g_agg < 1 x 10^-10 GeV^-1.Comment: 19 pages, 25 figures and images, replaced by the revised version accepted for publication in New Journal of Physic

Local critical behaviour at aperiodic surface extended perturbation in the Ising quantum chain

The surface critical behaviour of the semi--infinite one--dimensional quantum Ising model in a transverse field is studied in the presence of an aperiodic surface extended modulation. The perturbed couplings are distributed according to a generalized Fredholm sequence, leading to a marginal perturbation and varying surface exponents. The surface magnetic exponents are calculated exactly whereas the expression of the surface energy density exponent is conjectured from a finite--size scaling study. The system displays surface order at the bulk critical point, above a critical value of the modulation amplitude. It may be considered as a discrete realization of the Hilhorst--van Leeuwen model.Comment: 13 pages, TeX file + 6 figures, epsf neede

Physical parameters and classification of eight galactic nuclei from the Second Byurakan Survey

Spectroscopic observations with a resolution of 4.5 Angst were performed for a sample of eight galactic nuclei extracted from the Second Byurakan Survey, and one companion galaxy of SBS 1204+505B. The EW and FWHM of the emission lines were measured, and useful line ratios and diagnostic diagrams were used for object classification and reddening estimates. Intrinsic reddening quantities were calculated for all non QSO,i.e. seven objects. Particularly the amount of reddening, BV color excess, extinction coefficient and optical depths in the V band, at Halpha and Hbeta wavelengths, and at 5100 Angst. The broad line region size was also estimated for seven objects, as well as the central black hole masses. Three mass estimates were usually performed for each object and compared. A peculiar line, probably He I lambda 5048, is detected in the QSO SBS 1626+554. Evidence for a stratified narrow line region is found for the two narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxies included in the sample. A revised classification is proposed for two objects, and the companion galaxy of SBS 1204+505B is reported as a nuclear starburst galaxy.Comment: To appear in PAS

Phase Control of Nonadiabaticity-induced Quantum Chaos in An Optical Lattice

The qualitative nature (i.e. integrable vs. chaotic) of the translational dynamics of a three-level atom in an optical lattice is shown to be controllable by varying the relative laser phase of two standing wave lasers. Control is explained in terms of the nonadiabatic transition between optical potentials and the corresponding regular to chaotic transition in mixed classical-quantum dynamics. The results are of interest to both areas of coherent control and quantum chaos.Comment: 3 figures, 4 pages, to appear in Physical Review Letter

Atributos de los genotipos de maíz sometido a la tasa de nitrógeno en los diferentes niveles de paja.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resposta de genótipos de milho (Zea mays L.), cultivado em sistema de plantio direto, a diferentes quantidades de palha de aveia-preta (Avena strigosa Schreb.) e doses de nitrogênio. O experimento foi conduzido em um Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso em parcelas subsubdivididas, com três repetições. As parcelas principais foram representadas pelas quantidades de palha na superfície do solo (sem palha, 5,16 e 10,32 Mg ha-1). As subparcelas foram representadas por três genótipos de milho e as subsubparcelas constituíram-se das doses 0, 60, 120, 180 e 240 kg ha-1 de nitrogênio. O aumento da dose de nitrogênio reduziu a requeima das folhas e promoveu o suprimento adequado de nitrogênio das plantas de milho em todos os tratamentos com palha de aveia-preta. Os genótipos de milho diferenciaram-se quanto à produtividade de grãos, ao aproveitamento do nitrogênio mineralizado da palha e ao comprimento do sistema radicular, quando submetidos a diferentes quantidades de palha de aveia-preta e de nitrogênio.The objective of this work was to assess the performance of corn (Zea mays L.) genotypes as affected by inputs of black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) residues applied on the soil surface and nitrogen fertilization under no-tillage system in a Typical Haplustox. The experiment was carried out in a complete randomized block design, arranged in split-split plots with three replicates. The main plots consisted of the amount of crop residues on the soil surface (no crop residue, 5.16 and 10.32 Mg ha-1). The split plots were three corn genotypes, and the split-split plots were five nitrogen rates: 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha-1. An increase in the nitrogen rates decreased nitrogen deficiency and provided an adequate nitrogen supply for corn, under all the amounts of black oat residues. The corn genotypes grown with different amounts of black oat residues and nitrogen rates had different grain yield responses, use of mineralized nitrogen from crop residues, and root growth.El nitrógeno (N) es considerado uno de los principales factores responsables de la producción para aumentar la productividad de los granos de maíz. Este trabajo se llevó a cabo para evaluar la respuesta de los atributos de genotipos de maíz para el efecto de la aplicación del contenido de paja y las tasas de nitrógeno en sistema de labranza. El experimento fue un complot subsubdivididas al azar en tres bloques. El tratamiento se compone de tres elementos esenciales de paja (sin paja; 5,16 ton ha-1 y 10,32 ton ha-1). Los tratamientos fueron establecidos lado de tres genotipos de maíz (AG 9020®, AG 6018® y AG 8021®). Y la subsubtratamentos que consta de cinco niveles de nitrógeno (0, 60, 120, 180 y 240 kg ha-1). La metodología utilizada para cuantificar la longitud de raíz en el perfil del suelo es a través del procesamiento de imágenes digitales. Los genotipos mostraron un comportamiento diferente en la productividad, tiempo para la deficiencia de N, el contenido de nitrógeno en hoja índice y la longitud de raíces, lo que indica que cada genotipo presenta características peculiares. Con sólo 60 kg de N ha-1 fue casi suficiente para lograr el mayor rendimiento de grano del experimento. Los genotipos mostraron un comportamiento diferente en relación con el uso del N mineralizado de rastrojos