On the formation of current sheets in response to the compression or expansion of a potential magnetic field

The compression or expansion of a magnetic field that is initially potential is considered. It was recently suggested by Janse & Low [2009, ApJ, 690, 1089] that, following the volumetric deformation, the relevant lowest energy state for the magnetic field is another potential magnetic field that in general contains tangential discontinuities (current sheets). Here we examine this scenario directly using a numerical relaxation method that exactly preserves the topology of the magnetic field. It is found that of the magnetic fields discussed by Janse & Low, only those containing magnetic null points develop current singularities during an ideal relaxation, while the magnetic fields without null points relax toward smooth force-free equilibria with finite non-zero current.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Corrections to deuterium hyperfine structure due to deuteron excitations

We consider the corrections to deuterium hyperfine structure originating from the two-photon exchange between electron and deuteron, with the deuteron excitations in the intermediate states. In particular, the motion of the two intermediate nucleons as a whole is taken into account. The problem is solved in the zero-range approximation. The result is in good agreement with the experimental value of the deuterium hyperfine splitting.Comment: 7 pages, LaTe

Balian-Low Theorems in Several Variables

Recently, Nitzan and Olsen showed that Balian-Low theorems (BLTs) hold for discrete Gabor systems defined on $\mathbb{Z}_d$. Here we extend these results to a multivariable setting. Additionally, we show a variety of applications of the Quantitative BLT, proving in particular nonsymmetric BLTs in both the discrete and continuous setting for functions with more than one argument. Finally, in direct analogy of the continuous setting, we show the Quantitative Finite BLT implies the Finite BLT.Comment: To appear in Approximation Theory 16 conference proceedings volum

Gaps tunable by electrostatic gates in strained graphene

We show that when the pseudomagnetic fields created by long wavelength deformations are appropriately coupled with a scalar electric potential, a significant energy gap can emerge due to the formation of a Haldane state. Ramifications of this physical effect are examined through the study of various strain geometries commonly seen in experiments, such as strain superlattices and wrinkled suspended graphene. Of particular technological importance, we consider setup where this gap can be tunable through electrostatic gates, allowing for the design of electronic devices not realizable with other materials.Comment: See accompanying Physics Synopsis at http://physics.aps.org/synopsis-for/10.1103/PhysRevB.83.19543

Abelian family symmetries and the simplest models that give theta13=0 in the neutrino mixing matrix

I construct predictive models of neutrino mass and mixing that have fewer parameters, both in the lepton sector and overall, than the default seesaw model. The predictions are theta13=0 and one massless neutrino, with the models having a Z4 or Z2 symmetry and just one extra degree of freedom: one real singlet Higgs field. It has been shown that models with an unbroken family symmetry, and with no Higgs fields other than the Standard Model Higgs doublet produce masses and mixing matrices that have been ruled out by experiment. Therefore, this article investigates the predictions of models with Abelian family symmetries that involve Higgs singlets, doublets and triplets, in the hope that they may produce the maximal and minimal mixing angles seen in the best fit neutrino mixing matrix. I demonstrate that these models can only produce mixing angles that are zero, maximal or unconfined by the symmetry. The maximal mixing angles do not correspond to physical mixing, so an Abelian symmetry can, at best, ensure that theta13=0, while leaving the solar and atmospheric mixing angles as free parameters. To generate more features of the best-fit mixing matrix a model with a non-Abelian symmetry and a complicated Higgs sector would have to be used.Comment: 16 pages, no figure

Unification via intermediate symmetry breaking scales with the quartification gauge group

The idea of quark-lepton universality at high energies has been introduced as a natural extension to the standard model. This is achieved by endowing leptons with new degrees of freedom -- leptonic colour, an analogue of the familiar quark colour. Grand and partially unified models which utilise this new gauge symmetry SU(3)_\ell have been proposed in the context of the quartification gauge group SU(3)^4. Phenomenologically successful gauge coupling constant unification without supersymmetry has been demonstrated for cases where the symmetry breaking leaves a residual SU(2)_\ell unbroken. Though attractive, these schemes either incorporate ad hoc discrete symmetries and non-renormalisable mass terms, or achieve only partial unification. We show that grand unified models can be constructed where the quartification group can be broken fully [i.e. no residual SU(2)_\ell] to the standard model gauge group without requiring additional discrete symmetries or higher dimension operators. These models also automatically have suppressed nonzero neutrino masses. We perform a systematic analysis of the renormalisation-group equations for all possible symmetry breaking routes from SU(3)^4 --> SU(3)_q x SU(2)_L x U(1)_Y. This analysis indicates that gauge coupling unification can be achieved for several different symmetry breaking patterns and we outline the requirements that each gives on the unification scale. We also show that the unification scenarios of those models which leave a residual SU(2)_\ell symmetry are not unique. In both symmetry breaking cases, some of the scenarios require new physics at the TeV scale, while others do not allow for new TeV phenomenology in the fermionic sector.Comment: 25 page

Modeling Infiltration Kinetics Of Liquids Into Porous Alumina Preforms

MODELING INFILTRATION KINETICS OF LIQUIDS INTO POROUS ALUMINA PREFORMS. Alpha-alumina preform was infiltrated with different infiltrant and pressure for studying the infiltration kinetic. Effects of pre-sintering temperature, type of infiltrant, pressure and multiple infiltrations on the rate of infiltration into porous alumina preforms were described. The pore radius of alumina preform is calculated based on the preform water system by using Washburn model. The pore radius from this model, r of 0.0147 μm is good agreement to the average pore radius found by using mercury porosity measurement, r of 0.0170 μm. The pore radius of 0.0147 μm is used to calculate the rate of infiltration, k. The k factors are 64.83 x 10-5 ms½ and 27.11 x 10-5 ms½ for water and TiCl3 respectively without involving pressure in the calculation. On the other hand, by using pressure, the k factors are 75.14 x 10-5 ms½ and 31.40 x 10-5 ms½ for water and TiCl3 respectively. Other formulas were also included as comparisons. The kinetic of water and titanium trichloride alumina preform system is parabolic in time or linier in square root of time

Minimal Flavour Violation and Beyond

Starting from the effective-theory framework for Minimal Flavour Violation, we give a systematic definition of next-to-minimal (quark) flavour violation in terms of a set of spurion fields exhibiting a particular hierarchy with respect to a small (Wolfenstein-like) parameter. A few illustrative examples and their consequences for charged and neutral decays with different quark chiralities are worked out in some detail. Our framework can be used as a model-independent classification scheme for the parameterization of flavour structure from physics beyond the Standard Model.Comment: 17 pages, no figures, phenomenological discussion extended, references adde

Top quark chromomagnetic dipole moment in the littlest Higgs model with T-parity

The littlest Higgs model with T-parity, which is called $LHT$ model, predicts the existence of the new particles, such as heavy top quark, heavy gauge bosons, and mirror fermions. We calculate the one-loop contributions of these new particles to the top quark chromomagnetic dipole moment $(CMDM)$ $\Delta K$. We find that the contribution of the $LHT$ model is one order of magnitude smaller than the standard model prediction value.Comment: latex files, 12 pages, 3 figure

The Multi-Colored Hot Interstellar Medium of "The Antennae" Galaxies (NGC 4038/39)

We report the results of the analysis of the extended soft emission discovered in the Chandra ACIS pointing at the merging system NGC 4038/39 (the Antennae). We present a `multi-color' X-ray image that suggests both extensive absorption by the dust in this system, peaking in the contact region, as well as variations in the temperature of different emitting regions of the hot interstellar medium (ISM). Spectral fits to multi-component thermal emission models confirm this picture and give a first evaluation of the parameters of the hot plasma. We compare the diffuse X-ray emission with radio continuum (6cm), HI, CO, and H$\alpha$ images to take a first look at the multi-phase ISM of the Antennae galaxies. We find that the hot (X-ray) and cold (CO) gas have comparable thermal pressures in the two nuclear regions. We also conclude that the displacement between the peak of the diffuse X-ray emission in the north of the galaxy system, towards the inner regions of the northern spiral arm (as defined by H$\alpha$, radio continuum and HI), could result from ram pressure of infalling HI clouds.Comment: Accepted by Ap