Path-Integral Quantization of the (2,2) String

A complete treatment of the (2,2) NSR string in flat (2+2) dimensional space-time is given, from the formal path integral over N=2 super Riemann surfaces to the computational recipe for amplitudes at any loop or gauge instanton number. We perform in detail the superconformal gauge fixing, discuss the spectral flow, and analyze the supermoduli space with emphasis on the gauge moduli. Background gauge field configurations in all instanton sectors are constructed. We develop chiral bosonization on punctured higher-genus surfaces in the presence of gauge moduli and instantons. The BRST cohomology is recapitulated, with a new space-time interpretation for picture-changing. We point out two ways of combining left- and right-movers, which lead to different three-point functions.Comment: 36 pages, LaTeX; published version (typos & eq.(7.12) corrected

First Season QUIET Observations: Measurements of Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization Power Spectra at 43 GHz in the Multipole Range 25 ≤ ℓ ≤ 475

The Q/U Imaging ExperimenT (QUIET) employs coherent receivers at 43 GHz and 94 GHz, operating on the Chajnantor plateau in the Atacama Desert in Chile, to measure the anisotropy in the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). QUIET primarily targets the B modes from primordial gravitational waves. The combination of these frequencies gives sensitivity to foreground contributions from diffuse Galactic synchrotron radiation. Between 2008 October and 2010 December, over 10,000 hr of data were collected, first with the 19 element 43 GHz array (3458 hr) and then with the 90 element 94 GHz array. Each array observes the same four fields, selected for low foregrounds, together covering ≈1000 deg^2. This paper reports initial results from the 43 GHz receiver, which has an array sensitivity to CMB fluctuations of 69 μK√s. The data were extensively studied with a large suite of null tests before the power spectra, determined with two independent pipelines, were examined. Analysis choices, including data selection, were modified until the null tests passed. Cross-correlating maps with different telescope pointings is used to eliminate a bias. This paper reports the EE, BB, and EB power spectra in the multipole range ℓ = 25-475. With the exception of the lowest multipole bin for one of the fields, where a polarized foreground, consistent with Galactic synchrotron radiation, is detected with 3σ significance, the E-mode spectrum is consistent with the ΛCDM model, confirming the only previous detection of the first acoustic peak. The B-mode spectrum is consistent with zero, leading to a measurement of the tensor-to-scalar ratio of r = 0.35^(+1.06)_(–0.87). The combination of a new time-stream "double-demodulation" technique, side-fed Dragonian optics, natural sky rotation, and frequent boresight rotation leads to the lowest level of systematic contamination in the B-mode power so far reported, below the level of r = 0.1

Optimal Filling of Shapes

We present filling as a type of spatial subdivision problem similar to covering and packing. Filling addresses the optimal placement of overlapping objects lying entirely inside an arbitrary shape so as to cover the most interior volume. In n-dimensional space, if the objects are polydisperse n-balls, we show that solutions correspond to sets of maximal n-balls. For polygons, we provide a heuristic for finding solutions of maximal discs. We consider the properties of ideal distributions of N discs as N approaches infinity. We note an analogy with energy landscapes.Comment: 5 page

Implantation temperature effects on the nanoscale optical pattern fabrication in a-SiC:H films by Ga+ focused ion beams

ArticleProceedings of the IX International Conference on Ion Implantation and Other Applications of Ions and Electrons ION 2012, Kazimierz Dolny, Poland, June 25-28, 2012This work is related to a novel approach of providing some new generation ultrastable (> 50 years), ultrahigh density (> 1 Tbit/sq.in.) data storage for archival applications. We used ion-implantation to write nanoscale data into hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) films. Wide bandgap a-SiC:H samples, Ga+ focused ion beam implanted, have been prepared. A range of samples has been focused ion beam patterned under different implantation conditions, with emphasis on different substrate temperatures (typically from 0°C temperature to around room temperature). Some of the room temperature implanted samples were further annealed at + 250°C in vacuum. The focused ion beam patterned samples were then analysed using near-field techniques, like atomic force microscopy, to define optimum implantation conditions and the resulting consequences for archival data storage applications. The atomic force microscopy analysis of Ga+ focused ion beam implanted a-Si1 - xCx:H samples at room temperature and at 0°C revealed an increase of both the depth and the width of the individual lines within the focused ion beam written patterns at the lower temperature, as a result of an increased ion beam induced sputtering yield, in good agreement with the previous results for the case of Ga+ broad beam implantation in a-Si1-xCx:H and again suggesting that the best conditions for optical data storage for archival storage applications would be using Ga+ ion implantation in a-SiC:H films with an optimal dose at room temperatures. Similarly, the atomic force microscopy results confirm that no advantage is expected to result from post-implantation annealing treatments.This work has been supported by the European Community as an Integrating Activity “Support of Public and Industrial Research using Ion Beam Technology (SPIRIT)” under EC contract No. 227012. The support of EC funded project BG051PO001/3.3.-05.001 for this publication is gratefully acknowledged. The Marie Curie Fellowship for T. Tsvetkova was also supported by the European Community under the contract PIEF-GA-2009-251845. The help of D. Dimova-Malinovska and O. Angelov with the samples preparation and useful discussions is also gratefully acknowledged

Boundary non-crossings of Brownian pillow

Let B_0(s,t) be a Brownian pillow with continuous sample paths, and let h,u:[0,1]^2\to R be two measurable functions. In this paper we derive upper and lower bounds for the boundary non-crossing probability \psi(u;h):=P{B_0(s,t)+h(s,t) \le u(s,t), \forall s,t\in [0,1]}. Further we investigate the asymptotic behaviour of $\psi(u;\gamma h)$ with $\gamma$ tending to infinity, and solve a related minimisation problem.Comment: 14 page

Short-term emission line and continuum variations in Mrk110

We present results of a variability campaign of Mrk110 performed with the 9.2-m Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) at McDonald Observatory. The high S/N spectra cover most of the optical range. They were taken from 1999 November through 2000 May. The average interval between the observations was 7.3 days and the median interval was only 3.0 days. Mrk110 is a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy. During our campaign the continuum flux was in a historically low stage. Considering the delays of the emission lines with respect to the continuum variations we could verify an ionization stratification of the BLR. We derived virial masses of the central black hole from the radial distances of the different emission lines and from their widths. The calculated central masses agree within 20%. Furthermore, we identified optical HeI singlet emission lines emitted in the broad-line region. The observed line fluxes agree with theoretical predictions. We show that a broad wing on the red side of the [OIII]5007 line is caused by the HeI singlet line at 5016A.Comment: 11 pages, 16 figures, A&A Latex. Accepted for publication in A&A Main Journa