20,945 research outputs found
Quantum Resonances of Weakly Linked, Mesoscopic, Superconducting Dots
We examine quantum properties of mesoscopic, Josephson coupled
superconducting dots, in the limit that charging effects and quantization of
energy levels within the dots are negligible, but quasi-particle transmission
into the weak link is not. We demonstrate that quasi-particle resonances lead
to current-phase relations, which deviate markedly from those of weak links
connecting macroscopic superconductors. Results for the steady state dc
Josephson current of two coupled dots are presented.Comment: Tex, 3 figures available on request to [email protected] (Andy
Martin
Peculiar Nature of Snake States in Graphene
We study the dynamics of the electrons in a non-uniform magnetic field
applied perpendicular to a graphene sheet in the low energy limit when the
excitation states can be described by a Dirac type Hamiltonian. We show that as
compared to the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) snake states in graphene
exibit peculiar properties related to the underlying dynamics of the Dirac
fermions. The current carried by snake states is locally uncompensated even if
the Fermi energy lies between the first non-zero energy Landau levels of the
conduction and valence bands. The nature of these states is studied by
calculating the current density distribution. It is shown that besides the
snake states in finite samples surface states also exist.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
Determination of failure limits for sterilizable solid rocket motor
A structural evaluation to establish probable failure limits and a series of environmental tests involving temperature cycling, sustained acceleration, and vibration were conducted on an 18-inch diameter solid rocket motor. Despite the fact that thermal, acceleration and vibration loads representing a severe overtest of conventional environmental requirements were imposed on the sterilizable motor, no structural failure of the grain or flexible support system was detected. The following significant conclusions are considered justified. It is concluded that: (1) the flexible grain retention system, which permitted heat sterilization at 275 F on the test motor, can readily be adopted to meet the environmental requirements of an operational motor design, and (2) if further substantiation of structural integrity is desired, the motor used is considered acceptable for static firing
Rubidium and lead abundances in giant stars of the globular clusters M 13 and NGC 6752
We present measurements of the neutron-capture elements Rb and Pb in five
giant stars of the globular cluster NGC 6752 and Pb measurements in four giants
of the globular cluster M 13. The abundances were derived by comparing
synthetic spectra with high resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra
obtained using HDS on the Subaru telescope and MIKE on the Magellan telescope.
The program stars span the range of the O-Al abundance variation. In NGC 6752,
the mean abundances are [Rb/Fe] = -0.17 +/- 0.06 (sigma = 0.14), [Rb/Zr] =
-0.12 +/- 0.06 (sigma = 0.13), and [Pb/Fe] = -0.17 +/- 0.04 (sigma = 0.08). In
M 13 the mean abundance is [Pb/Fe] = -0.28 +/- 0.03 (sigma = 0.06). Within the
measurement uncertainties, we find no evidence for a star-to-star variation for
either Rb or Pb within these clusters. None of the abundance ratios [Rb/Fe],
[Rb/Zr], or [Pb/Fe] are correlated with the Al abundance. NGC 6752 may have
slightly lower abundances of [Rb/Fe] and [Rb/Zr] compared to the small sample
of field stars at the same metallicity. For M 13 and NGC 6752 the Pb abundances
are in accord with predictions from a Galactic chemical evolution model. If
metal-poor intermediate-mass asymptotic giant branch stars did produce the
globular cluster abundance anomalies, then such stars do not synthesize
significant quantities of Rb or Pb. Alternatively, if such stars do synthesize
large amounts of Rb or Pb, then they are not responsible for the abundance
anomalies seen in globular clusters.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap
Demonstration of a sterilizable solid rocket motor system
A solid propellant rocket motor containing 60.9 Kg (134-lb) of propellant was successfully static fired after being subjected to eight heat sterilization cycles (three 54-hour cycles plus five 40-hour cycles) at 125 C (257 F). The test motor, a modified SVM-3 chamber, incorporated a flexible grain retention system of EPR rubber to relieve thermal shrinkage stresses. The propellant used in the motor was ANB-3438, and 84 wt% solids system (18 wt% aluminum) containing 66 wt% stabilized ammonium perchlorate oxidizer and a saturated hydroxylterminated polybutadiene binder. Bonding of the propellant to the EPR insulation (GenGard V-4030) was provided by the use of SD-886, an epoxy urethane restriction
Lithium abundances in nearby FGK dwarf and subgiant stars: internal destruction, Galactic chemical evolution, and exoplanets
We derive atmospheric parameters and lithium abundances for 671 stars and
include our measurements in a literature compilation of 1381 dwarf and subgiant
stars. First, a "lithium desert" in the effective temperature (Teff) versus
lithium abundance (A_Li) plane is observed such that no stars with Teff~6075 K
and A_Li~1.8 are found. We speculate that most of the stars on the low A_Li
side of the desert have experienced a short-lived period of severe surface
lithium destruction as main-sequence or subgiant stars. Next, we search for
differences in the lithium content of thin-disk and thick-disk stars, but we
find that internal processes have erased from the stellar photospheres their
possibly different histories of lithium enrichment. Nevertheless, we note that
the maximum lithium abundance of thick-disk stars is nearly constant from
[Fe/H]=-1.0 to -0.1, at a value that is similar to that measured in very
metal-poor halo stars (A_Li~2.2). Finally, differences in the lithium abundance
distribution of known planet-host stars relative to otherwise ordinary stars
appear when restricting the samples to narrow ranges of Teff or mass, but they
are fully explained by age and metallicity biases. We confirm the lack of a
connection between low lithium abundance and planets. However, we find that no
low A_Li planet-hosts are found in the desert Teff window. Provided that subtle
sample biases are not responsible for this observation, this suggests that the
presence of gas giant planets inhibit the mechanism responsible for the lithium
desert.Comment: ApJ, in press. Complete Tables 1 and 3 are available upon reques
Giant Conductance Oscillations In Mesoscopic Andreev Interferometers
We analyze the electrical conductance of a two-dimensional, phase
coherent structure in contact with two superconductors, which is known to be an
oscillatory function of the phase difference between the
superconductors. It is predicted that for a metallic sample, the amplitude of
oscillation is enhanced by placing a normal barrier at the interface and that,
by tuning the strength of the barrier, can be orders of magnitude greater than
values observed in recent experiments. Giant oscillations can also be obtained
without a barrier, provided a crucial sum rule is broken. This can be achieved
by disorder induced normal scattering. In the absence of zero phase
inter-channel scattering, the conductance possesses a zero phase minimum.Comment: 4 pages of Revtex, 6 figures available on reques
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