1,075 research outputs found
On the spectrum of closed k=2 flux tubes in D=2+1 SU(N) gauge theories
We calculate the energy spectrum of a k=2 flux tube that is closed around a
spatial torus, as a function of its length l. We do so for SU(4) and SU(5)
gauge theories in 2 space dimensions. We find that to a very good approximation
the eigenstates belong to the irreducible representations of the SU(N) group
rather than just to its center, Z_N. We obtain convincing evidence that the
low-lying states are, for l not too small, very close to those of the
Nambu-Goto free string theory (in flat space-time). The correction terms appear
to be typically of O(1) in appropriate units, much as one would expect if the
bosonic string model were an effective string theory for the dynamics of these
flux tubes. This is in marked contrast to the case of fundamental flux tubes
where such corrections have been found to be unnaturally small. Moreover we
find that these corrections appear to be particularly small when the `phonons'
along the string have the same momentum, and large when their momentum is
opposite. This provides information about the detailed nature of the
interactions in the effective string theory. We have searched for, but not
found, extra states that would arise from the excitation of the massive modes
presumably associated with the non-trivial structure of the flux tube.Comment: 37 pages, 16 figures, minor changes to text and figure
The Optical Afterglow of GRB 011211
We present early-time optical photometry and spectroscopy of the optical
afterglow of the gamma-ray burst GRB 011211. The spectrum of the optical
afterglow contains several narrow metal lines which are consistent with the
burst occurring at a redshift of 2.140 +/- 0.001. The optical afterglow decays
as a power law with a slope of alpha = 0.83 +/- 0.04 for the first
approximately two days after the burst at which time there is evidence for a
break. The slope after the break is at least 1.4. There is evidence for rapid
variations in the R-band light approximately 0.5 days after the burst. These
variations suggest that there are density fluctuations near the gamma-ray burst
on spatial scales of approximately 40--125 AU. The magnitude of the break in
the light curve, the spectral slope, and the rate of decay in the optical,
suggest that the burst expanded into an ambient medium that is homogeneous on
large scales. We estimate that the local particle density is between
approximately 0.1 and 10 cm^{-3} and that the total gamma-ray energy in the
burst was 1.2--1.9 x 10^{50} erg. This energy is smaller than, but consistent
with, the ``standard'' value of (5 +/- 2) x 10^{50} erg. Comparing the observed
color of the optical afterglow with predictions of the standard beaming model
suggests that the rest-frame V-band extinction in the host galaxy is less than
approximately 0.03 mag.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, AASTeX 5.02, to appear in AJ Referee's report
incorporated, minor changes in the tex
Interacting classical and quantum particles
We apply Hall and Reginatto's theory of interacting classical and quantum
ensembles to harmonically coupled particles, with a view to understanding its
experimental implications. This hybrid theory has no free parameters and makes
distinctive predictions that should allow it to be experimentally distinguished
from quantum mechanics. It also bears on the questions of quantum measurement
and quantum gravity.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
Electron multiplication CCD detector technology advancement for the WFIRST-AFTA coronagraph
The WFIRST-AFTA (Wide Field InfraRed Survey Telescope-Astrophysics Focused Telescope Asset) is a NASA space observatory. It will host two major astronomical instruments: a wide-field imager (WFI) to search for dark energy and carry out wide field near infrared (NIR) surveys, and a coronagraph instrument (CGI) to image and spectrally characterize extrasolar planets. In this paper, we discuss the work that has been carried out at JPL in advancing Electron Multiplying CCD (EMCCD) technology to higher flight maturity, with the goal of reaching a NASA technology readiness level of 6 (TRL-6) by early-to-mid 2016. The EMCCD has been baselined for both the coronagraph's imager and integral field spectrograph (IFS) based on its sub-electron noise performance at extremely low flux levels - the regime where the AFTA CGI will operate. We present results from a study that fully characterizes the beginning of life performance of the EMCCD. We also discuss, and present initial results from, a recent radiation test campaign that was designed and carried out to mimic the conditions of the WFIRST-AFTA space environment in an L2 orbit, where we sought to assess the sensor's end of life performance, particularly degradation of its charge transfer efficiency, in addition to other parameters such as dark current, electron multiplication gain, clock induced charge and read noise
Korean national Program expedition confirms rich gas hydrate deposit in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea
A 2dF spectroscopic study of globular clusters in NGC 5128: Probing the formation history of the nearest giant Elliptical
We have performed a spectroscopic study of globular clusters (GCs) in the
giant elliptical NGC 5128 using the 2dF facility at the Anglo-Australian
telescope. We obtained integrated optical spectra for a total of 254 GCs, 79 of
which are newly confirmed on the basis of their radial velocities and spectra.
In addition, we obtained an integrated spectrum of the galaxy starlight along
the southern major axis. We derive an empirical metallicity distribution
function (MDF) for 207 GCs (~14 of the estimated total GC system) based upon
Milky Way GCs. This MDF is multimodal at high statistical significance with
peaks at [Z/H]~-1.3 and -0.5. A comparison between the GC MDF and that of the
stellar halo at 20 kpc (~4 Reff) reveals close coincidence at the metal-rich
ends of the distributions. However, an inner 8 kpc stellar MDF shows a clear
excess of metal-rich stars when compared to the GCs. We compare a higher S/N
subsample (147 GCs) with two stellar population models which include non-solar
abundance ratio corrections. The vast majority of our sample (~90%) appears
old, with ages similar to the Milky Way GC system. There is evidence for a
population of intermediate-age (~4-8 Gy) GCs (<15% of the sample) which are on
average more metal-rich than the old GCs. We also identify at least one younger
cluster (~1-2 Gy) in the central regions of the galaxy. Our observations are
consistent with a picture where NGC 5128 has undergone at least two mergers
and/or interactions involving star formation and limited GC formation since
z=1, however the effect of non-canonical hot stellar populations on the
integrated spectra of GCs remains an outstanding uncertainty in our GC age
estimates.Comment: 17 figures, some long table
SO(2N) and SU(N) gauge theories in 2+1 dimensions
We perform an exploratory investigation of how rapidly the physics of SO(2N)
gauge theories approaches its N=oo limit. This question has recently become
topical because SO(2N) gauge theories are orbifold equivalent to SU(N) gauge
theories, but do not have a finite chemical potential sign problem. We consider
only the pure gauge theory and, because of the inconvenient location of the
lattice strong-to-weak coupling 'bulk' transition in 3+1 dimensions, we largely
confine our numerical calculations to 2+1 dimensions. We discuss analytic
expectations in both D=2+1 and D=3+1, show that the SO(6) and SU(4) spectra do
indeed appear to be the same, and show that a number of mass ratios do indeed
appear to agree in the large-N limit. In particular SO(6) and SU(3) gauge
theories are quite similar except for the values of the string tension and
coupling, both of which differences can be readily understood.Comment: 27 pages, 9 figure
Results of the 2016 Indianapolis Biodiversity Survey, Marion County, Indiana
Surprising biodiversity can be found in cities, but urban habitats are understudied. We report on a bioblitz conducted primarily within a 24-hr period on September 16 and 17, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The event focused on stretches of three waterways and their associated riparian habitat: Fall Creek (20.6 ha; 51 acres), Pleasant Run (23.5 ha; 58 acres), and Pogue’s Run (27.1 ha; 67 acres). Over 75 scientists, naturalists, students, and citizen volunteers comprised 14 different taxonomic teams. Five hundred ninety taxa were documented despite the rainy conditions. A brief summary of the methods and findings are presented here. Detailed maps of survey locations and inventory results are available on the Indiana Academy of Science website (https://www.indianaacademyofscience.org/)
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