19,510 research outputs found
Float zone experiments in space
The molten zone/freezing crystal interface system and all the mechanisms were examined. If Marangoni convection produces oscillatory flows in the float zone of semiconductor materials, such as silicon, then it is unlikely that superior quality crystals can be grown in space using this process. The major goals were: (1) to determine the conditions for the onset of Marangoni flows in molten tin, a model system for low Prandtl number molten semiconductor materials; (2) to determine whether the flows can be suppressed by a thin oxide layer; and (3) based on experimental and mathematical analysis, to predict whether oscillatory flows will occur in the float zone silicon geometry in space, and if so, could it be suppressed by thin oxide or nitride films. Techniques were developed to analyze molten tin surfaces in a UHV system in a disk float zone geometry to minimize buoyancy flows. The critical Marangoni number for onset of oscillatory flows was determined to be greater than 4300 on atomically clean molten tin surfaces
Invariance of the correlation energy at high density and large dimension in two-electron systems
We prove that, in the large-dimension limit, the high-density correlation
energy \Ec of two opposite-spin electrons confined in a -dimensional space
and interacting {\em via} a Coulomb potential is given by \Ec \sim -1/(8D^2)
for any radial confining potential . This result explains the observed
similarity of \Ec in a variety of two-electron systems in three-dimensional
space.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Modelling the hepatitis B vaccination programme in prisons
A vaccination programme offering hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine at reception into prison has been introduced into selected prisons in England and Wales. Over the coming years it is anticipated this vaccination programme will be extended. A model has been developed to assess the potential impact of the programme on the vaccination coverage of prisoners, ex-prisoners, and injecting drug users (IDUs). Under a range of coverage scenarios, the model predicts the change over time in the vaccination status of new entrants to prison, current prisoners and IDUs in the community. The model predicts that at baseline in 2012 57% of the IDU population will be vaccinated with up to 72% being vaccinated depending on the vaccination scenario implemented. These results are sensitive to the size of the IDU population in England and Wales and the average time served by an IDU during each prison visit. IDUs that do not receive HBV vaccine in the community are at increased risk from HBV infection. The HBV vaccination programme in prisons is an effective way of vaccinating this hard-to-reach population although vaccination coverage on prison reception must be increased to achieve this
A tight Tsirelson inequality for infinitely many outcomes
We present a novel tight bound on the quantum violations of the CGLMP
inequality in the case of infinitely many outcomes. Like in the case of
Tsirelson's inequality the proof of our new inequality does not require any
assumptions on the dimension of the Hilbert space or kinds of operators
involved. However, it is seen that the maximal violation is obtained by the
conjectured best measurements and a pure, but not maximally entangled, state.
We give an approximate state which, in the limit where the number of outcomes
tends to infinity, goes to the optimal state for this setting. This state might
be potentially relevant for experimental verifications of Bell inequalities
through multi-dimenisonal entangled photon pairs.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures; improved presentation, change in title, as
published
Foundations for Relativistic Quantum Theory I: Feynman's Operator Calculus and the Dyson Conjectures
In this paper, we provide a representation theory for the Feynman operator
calculus. This allows us to solve the general initial-value problem and
construct the Dyson series. We show that the series is asymptotic, thus proving
Dyson's second conjecture for QED. In addition, we show that the expansion may
be considered exact to any finite order by producing the remainder term. This
implies that every nonperturbative solution has a perturbative expansion. Using
a physical analysis of information from experiment versus that implied by our
models, we reformulate our theory as a sum over paths. This allows us to relate
our theory to Feynman's path integral, and to prove Dyson's first conjecture
that the divergences are in part due to a violation of Heisenberg's uncertainly
relations
Analytic Representation of The Dirac Equation
In this paper we construct an analytical separation (diagonalization) of the
full (minimal coupling) Dirac equation into particle and antiparticle
components. The diagonalization is analytic in that it is achieved without
transforming the wave functions, as is done by the Foldy-Wouthuysen method, and
reveals the nonlocal time behavior of the particle-antiparticle relationship.
We interpret the zitterbewegung and the result that a velocity measurement (of
a Dirac particle) at any instant in time is, as reflections of the fact that
the Dirac equation makes a spatially extended particle appear as a point in the
present by forcing it to oscillate between the past and future at speed c. From
this we infer that, although the form of the Dirac equation serves to make
space and time appear on an equal footing mathematically, it is clear that they
are still not on an equal footing from a physical point of view. On the other
hand, the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation, which connects the Dirac and square
root operator, is unitary. Reflection on these results suggests that a more
refined notion (than that of unitary equivalence) may be required for physical
systems
Point Estimation of States of Finite Quantum Systems
The estimation of the density matrix of a -level quantum system is studied
when the parametrization is given by the real and imaginary part of the entries
and they are estimated by independent measurements. It is established that the
properties of the estimation procedure depend very much on the invertibility of
the true state. In particular, in case of a pure state the estimation is less
efficient. Moreover, several estimation schemes are compared for the unknown
state of a qubit when one copy is measured at a time. It is shown that the
average mean quadratic error matrix is the smallest if the applied observables
are complementary. The results are illustrated by computer simulations.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure
What Influences the Diffusion of Grassroots Innovations for Sustainability? Investigating Community Currency Niches
Community action for sustainability is a promising site of socio-technical innovation. Here we test the applicability of co-evolutionary niche theories of innovation diffusion (Strategic Niche Management, SNM) to the context of ‘grassroots innovations’. We present new empirical findings from an international study of 12 community currency niches (such as LETS, time banks, local currencies). These are parallel systems of exchange, designed to operate alongside mainstream money, meeting additional sustainability needs. Our findings confirm SNM predictions that niche-level activity correlates with diffusion success, but we highlight additional or confounding factors, and how niche theories might be adapted to better fit civil-society innovations. In so doing, we develop a model of grassroots innovation niche diffusion which builds on existing work and tailors it to this specific context. The paper concludes with a series of theoretically-informed recommendations for practitioners and policymakers to support the development and potential of grassroots innovations
Effects of two contrast training programs on jump performance in rugby union players during a competition phase
Purpose: There is little literature comparing contrast training programs typically performed by team-sport athletes within a competitive phase. We compared the effects of two contrast training programs on a range of measures in high-level rugby union players during the competition season. Methods: The programs consisted of a higher volume-load (strength-power) or lower volume-load (speed-power) resistance training; each included a tapering of loading (higher force early in the week, higher velocity later in the week) and was performed twice a week for 4 wk. Eighteen players were assessed for peak power during a bodyweight countermovement jump (BWCMJ), bodyweight squat jump (BWSJ), 50 kg countermovement jump (50CMJ), 50 kg squat jump (50SJ), broad jump (BJ), and reactive strength index (RSI; jump height divided by contact time during a depth jump). Players were then randomized to either training group and were reassessed following the intervention. Inferences were based on uncertainty in outcomes relative to thresholds for standardized changes. Results: There were small between-group differences in favor of strength-power training for mean changes in the 50CMJ (8%; 90% confidence limits, ±8%), 50SJ (8%; ±10%), and BJ (2%; ±3%). Differences between groups for BWCMJ, BWSJ, and reactive strength index were unclear. For most measures there were smaller individual differences in changes with strength-power training. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that high-level rugby union athletes should be exposed to higher volume-load contrast training which includes one heavy lifting session each week for larger and more uniform adaptation to occur in explosive power throughout a competitive phase of the season
- …