1,156 research outputs found
Comet ShoemakerâLevy 9: No effect on the Io plasma torus
Observations of the Io plasma torus made before, during, and after the impact of Comet ShoemakerâLevy 9 with Jupiter reveal no cometâinduced changes. Three weeks of high spectralâresolution groundâbased visible spectroscopy show no changes larger than typical dayâtoâday variations in the torus densities, ion temperatures, or rotation velocities. Comparison with six months of identically obtained data from 1991 and 1992 also shows no differences
On in situ Determination of Earth Matter Density in Neutrino Factory
We point out that an accurate in situ determination of the earth matter
density \rho is possible in neutrino factory by placing a detector at the magic
baseline, L = \sqrt{2} \pi / G_{F} N_{e} where N_{e} denotes electron number
density. The accuracy of matter density determination is excellent in a region
of relatively large theta_{13} with fractional uncertainty \delta \rho / \rho
of about 0.43%, 1.3%, and \lsim 3% at 1 sigma CL at sin^2 2theta_{13}=0.1,
10^{-2}, and 3 x 10^{-3}, respectively. At smaller theta_{13} the uncertainty
depends upon the CP phase delta, but it remains small, 3%-7% in more than 3/4
of the entire region of delta at sin^2 2theta_{13} = 10^{-4}. The results would
allow us to solve the problem of obscured CP violation due to the uncertainty
of earth matter density in a wide range of theta_{13} and delta. It may provide
a test for the geophysical model of the earth, or it may serve as a method for
stringent test of the MSW theory of neutrino propagation in matter once an
accurate geophysical estimation of the matter density is available.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures, version to appear in PR
Physics and optimization of beta-beams: From low to very high gamma
The physics potential of beta beams is investigated from low to very high
gamma values and it is compared to superbeams and neutrino factories. The gamma
factor and the baseline are treated as continuous variables in the optimization
of the beta beam, while a fixed mass water Cherenkov detector or a totally
active scintillator detector is assumed. We include in our discussion also the
gamma dependence of the number of ion decays per year. For low gamma, we find
that a beta beam could be a very interesting alternative to a superbeam
upgrade, especially if it is operated at the second oscillation maximum to
reduce correlations and degeneracies. For high gamma, we find that a beta beam
could have a potential similar to a neutrino factory. In all cases, the
sensitivity of the beta beams to CP violation is very impressive if similar
neutrino and anti-neutrino event rates can be achieved.Comment: 34 pages, 16 figures, Fig. 2 modified, discussion improved, refs.
added, version to appear in PR
A Slowly Precessing Disk in the Nucleus of M31 as the Feeding Mechanism for a Central Starburst
We present a kinematic study of the nuclear stellar disk in M31 at infrared
wavelengths using high spatial resolution integral field spectroscopy. The
spatial resolution achieved, FWHM = 0."12 (0.45 pc at the distance of M31), has
only previously been equaled in spectroscopic studies by space-based long-slit
observations. Using adaptive optics-corrected integral field spectroscopy from
the OSIRIS instrument at the W. M. Keck Observatory, we map the line-of-sight
kinematics over the entire old stellar eccentric disk orbiting the supermassive
black hole (SMBH) at a distance of r<4 pc. The peak velocity dispersion is
381+/-55 km/s , offset by 0.13 +/- 0.03 from the SMBH, consistent with previous
high-resolution long-slit observations. There is a lack of near-infrared (NIR)
emission at the position of the SMBH and young nuclear cluster, suggesting a
spatial separation between the young and old stellar populations within the
nucleus. We compare the observed kinematics with dynamical models from Peiris &
Tremaine (2003). The best-fit disk orientation to the NIR flux is [,
, ] = [-33 +/- 4, 44 +/- 2, -15 +/-
15], which is tilted with respect to both the larger-scale galactic
disk and the best-fit orientation derived from optical observations. The
precession rate of the old disk is = 0.0 +/- 3.9 km/s/pc, lower than
the majority of previous observations. This slow precession rate suggests that
stellar winds from the disk will collide and shock, driving rapid gas inflows
and fueling an episodic central starburst as suggested in Chang et al. (2007).Comment: accepted by Ap
Lattice Kinetics of Diffusion-Limited Coalescence and Annihilation with Sources
We study the 1D kinetics of diffusion-limited coalescence and annihilation
with back reactions and different kinds of particle input. By considering the
changes in occupation and parity of a given interval, we derive sets of
hierarchical equations from which exact expressions for the lattice coverage
and the particle concentration can be obtained. We compare the mean-field
approximation and the continuum approximation to the exact solutions and we
discuss their regime of validity.Comment: 24 pages and 3 eps figures, Revtex, accepted for publication in J.
Phys.
MEMPHYS:A large scale water Cerenkov detector at Fr\'ejus
A water \v{C}erenkov detector project, of megaton scale, to be installed in
the Fr\'ejus underground site and dedicated to nucleon decay, neutrinos from
supernovae, solar and atmospheric neutrinos, as well as neutrinos from a
super-beam and/or a beta-beam coming from CERN, is presented and compared with
competitor projects in Japan and in the USA. The performances of the European
project are discussed, including the possibility to measure the mixing angle
and the CP-violating phase .Comment: 1+33 pages, 14 figures, Expression of Interest of MEMPHYS projec
Overview of NATO Background on Scramjet Technology
The purpose of the present overview is to summarize the current knowledge of the NATO contributors. All the topics will be addressed in this chapter, with references and some examples. This background enhances the level of knowledge of the NATO scramjet community, which will be used for writing the specific chapters of the Report. Some previous overviews have been published on scramjet technology worldwide. NASA, DOD, the U.S. industry and global community have studied scramjet-powered hypersonic vehicles for over 40 years. Within the U.S. alone, NASA, DOD (DARPA, U.S. Navy and USAF), and industry have participated in hypersonic technology development. Over this time NASA Langley Research Center continuously studied hypersonic system design, aerothermodynamics, scramjet propulsion, propulsion-airframe integration, high temperature materials and structural architectures, and associated facilities, instrumentation and test methods. These modestly funded programs were substantially augmented during the National Aero-Space Plane (X-30) Program, which spent more than $3B between 1984 and 1995, and brought the DOD and other NASA Centers, universities and industry back into hypersonics. In addition, significant progress was achieved in all technologies required for hypersonic flight, and much of that technology was transferred into other programs, such as X-33, DC-X, X-37, X-43, etc. In addition, technology transfer impacted numerous other industries, including automotive, medical, sports and aerospace
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