3,989 research outputs found
Simulation of MeV/atom cluster correlations in matter
We present an efficient algorithm able to predict the trajectories of individual cluster constituents as they penetrate relatively thick amorphous targets. Our algorithm properly treats both the intracluster Coulomb repulsion and the collisions between cluster constituents and target atoms. We have compared our simulation predictions to experimental measurements of the distribution of lateral exit velocities, and demonstrated that the in-target Coulomb explosion of 2MeV/atom carbon clusters in carbon foils must be shielded with a screening length of less than 2.5 Å. We also present a simple phenomenological model for the suppression of the exit-side charge of ions in clusters which depends on the enhanced ionization potential that an electron near an ion feels due to the ion’s charged comoving neighbors. By using our simulation algorithm we have predicted the exit correlations of the cluster constituents and verified that the charge suppression model fits the observed charge suppression of ions in clusters to within the experimental uncertainties
The elusiveness of old neutron stars
Old neutron stars (ONSs) which have radiated away their internal and
rotational energy may still shine if accreting the interstellar medium. Despite
their large number, only two promising candidates have been detected so far and
rather stringent limits on their observability follow from the analysis of
ROSAT surveys. This contrasts with optimistic theoretical estimates that
predicted a large number of sources in ROSAT fields. We have reconsidered the
issue of ONSs observability, accounting for the spin and magnetic field
evolution over the neutron star lifetime. In the framework of a spin-induced
field decay model, we show that the total number of ONSs which are, at present,
in the accretion stage is reduced by a factor ~5 over previous figures if the
characteristic timescale for crustal current dissipation is ~ 10^8 - 10^9 yr.
This brings theoretical predictions much closer to observational limits. Most
ONSs should be at present in the propeller phase and, if subject to episodic
flaring, they could be observable.Comment: 10 pages Latex, 5 ps figures. To be formatted with the AASTeX
package. Accepted for publication in Ap
The EGRET high energy gamma ray telescope
The Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) is sensitive in the energy range from about 20 MeV to about 30,000 MeV. Electron-positron pair production by incident gamma photons is utilized as the detection mechanism. The pair production occurs in tantalum foils interleaved with the layers of a digital spark chamber system; the spark chamber records the tracks of the electron and positron, allowing the reconstruction of the arrival direction of the gamma ray. If there is no signal from the charged particle anticoincidence detector which surrounds the upper part of the detector, the spark chamber array is triggered by two hodoscopes of plastic scintillators. A time of flight requirement is included to reject events moving backward through the telescope. The energy of the gamma ray is primarily determined by absorption of the energies of the electron and positron in a 20 cm deep NaI(Tl) scintillator
The EGRET data products
We describe the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) data products which we anticipate will suffice for virtually all guest and archival investigations. The production process, content, availability, format, and the associated software of each product is described. Supplied here is sufficient detail for each researcher to do analysis which is not supported by extant software
Accelerated gas-liquid visible light photoredox catalysis with continuous-flow photochemical microreactors
In this protocol, we describe the construction and use of an operationally simple photochemical microreactor for gas-liquid photoredox catalysis using visible light. The general procedure includes details on how to set up the microreactor appropriately with inlets for gaseous reagents and organic starting materials, and it includes examples of how to use it to achieve continuous-flow preparation of disulfides or trifluoromethylated heterocycles and thiols. The reported photomicroreactors are modular, inexpensive and can be prepared rapidly from commercially available parts within 1 h even by nonspecialists. Interestingly, typical reaction times of gas-liquid visible light photocatalytic reactions performed in microflow are lower (in the minute range) than comparable reactions performed as a batch process (in the hour range). This can be attributed to the improved irradiation efficiency of the reaction mixture and the enhanced gas-liquid mass transfer in the segmented gas-liquid flow regime
Conditional probabilities in quantum theory, and the tunneling time controversy
It is argued that there is a sensible way to define conditional probabilities
in quantum mechanics, assuming only Bayes's theorem and standard quantum
theory. These probabilities are equivalent to the ``weak measurement''
predictions due to Aharonov {\it et al.}, and hence describe the outcomes of
real measurements made on subensembles. In particular, this approach is used to
address the question of the history of a particle which has tunnelled across a
barrier. A {\it gedankenexperiment} is presented to demonstrate the physically
testable implications of the results of these calculations, along with graphs
of the time-evolution of the conditional probability distribution for a
tunneling particle and for one undergoing allowed transmission. Numerical
results are also presented for the effects of loss in a bandgap medium on
transmission and on reflection, as a function of the position of the lossy
region; such loss should provide a feasible, though indirect, test of the
present conclusions. It is argued that the effects of loss on the pulse {\it
delay time} are related to the imaginary value of the momentum of a tunneling
particle, and it is suggested that this might help explain a small discrepancy
in an earlier experiment.Comment: 11 pages, latex, 4 postscript figures separate (one w/ 3 parts
Quantum phase transition in a minimal model for the Kondo effect in a Josephson junction
We propose a minimal model for the Josephson current through a quantum dot in
a Kondo regime. We start with the model that consists of an Anderson impurity
connected to two superconducting (SC) leads with the gaps
, where for the lead at left and right. We show that, when one of the SC gaps is
much larger than the others , the starting model can
be mapped exactly onto the single-channel model, which consists of the right
lead of and the Anderson impurity with an extra onsite SC gap of
. Here and are
defined with respect to the starting model, and is the level width
due to the coupling with the left lead. Based on this simplified model, we
study the ground-state properties for the asymmetric gap, , using the numerical renormalization group (NRG) method. The
results show that the phase difference of the SC gaps , which induces the Josephson current, disturbs the screening of the
local moment to destabilize the singlet ground state typical of the Kondo
system. It can also drive the quantum phase transition to a magnetic doublet
ground state, and at the critical point the Josephson current shows a
discontinuous change. The asymmetry of the two SC gaps causes a re-entrant
magnetic phase, in which the in-gap bound state lies close to the Fermi level.Comment: 23 pages, 13 figures, typos are correcte
Experiences, adherence and satisfaction with a combined exercise and dietary intervention for patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy:A mixed-methods study
Objective: This study examined experiences, adherence and satisfaction with a combined exercise and dietary intervention in patients with ovarian cancer and their healthcare professionals (HCPs) as part of the randomized PADOVA trial. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used in 24 patients with ovarian cancer receiving first-line chemotherapy who were randomly allocated to a combined exercise and dietary intervention or usual care with counseling sessions post-treatment. Qualitative data on intervention experiences, adherence and satisfaction was collected using semi-structured interviews with patients and their HCPs (n = 18 physical therapists; n = 5 dietitians). Quantitative data on adherence and satisfaction was collected to provide context to qualitative data. Results: Exercise relative dose intensity ranged from 36 to 100% (median 72%) and patients attended 33–133% (median 100%) of the prescribed dietary counseling sessions. Patients appreciated guidance on exercise and nutrition and perceived benefits including improved physical fitness, quality of life, peer support and recovery after surgery and/or chemotherapy cycles. Both patients and HCPs were satisfied with the intervention and perceived that participation exceeded prior expectations. Median patient satisfaction score with the intervention was 8.5 out of 10. Suggestions for improving the intervention included further personalization of the number, content and scheduling of the sessions to preferences of patients and HCPs. Patients in the usual care group reported counseling sessions post-chemotherapy to be too little too late. Conclusions: Patients with ovarian cancer adhered well to the intervention. Numerous perceived benefits of the intervention were reported by patients and HCPs. Good adherence and positive experiences support successful implementation in clinical practice
Observation of a large parity nonconserving analyzing power in Xe
A large parity nonconserving longitudinal analyzing power was discovered in polarized-neutron transmission through Xe. An analyzing power of 4.3±0.2% was observed in a p-wave resonance at En=3.2 eV. The measurement was performed with a liquid Xe target of natural isotopic abundance that was placed in the polarized epithermal neutron beam, flight path 2, at the Manuel Lujan Neutron Science Center. This apparatus was constructed by the TRIPLE Collaboration, and has been used for studies of parity symmetry in compound nuclear resonances. Part of the motivation of the experiment was to discover a nucleus appropriate for a sensitive test of time-reversal invariance in polarized-neutron transmission. The large analyzing power of the observed resonance may make it possible to design a test of time reversal invariance using a polarized-Xe target
How much time does a tunneling particle spend in the barrier region?
The question in the title may be answered by considering the outcome of a
``weak measurement'' in the sense of Aharonov et al. Various properties of the
resulting time are discussed, including its close relation to the Larmor times.
It is a universal description of a broad class of measurement interactions, and
its physical implications are unambiguous.Comment: 5 pages; no figure
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