6,193 research outputs found
Calibration of the EDGES High-Band Receiver to Observe the Global 21-cm Signature from the Epoch of Reionization
The EDGES High-Band experiment aims to detect the sky-average brightness
temperature of the -cm signal from the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) in the
redshift range . To probe this redshifted signal,
EDGES High-Band conducts single-antenna measurements in the frequency range
MHz from the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western
Australia. In this paper, we describe the current strategy for calibration of
the EDGES High-Band receiver and report calibration results for the instrument
used in the observational campaign. We propagate uncertainties in
the receiver calibration measurements to the antenna temperature using a Monte
Carlo approach. We define a performance objective of ~mK residual RMS after
modeling foreground subtraction from a fiducial temperature spectrum using a
five-term polynomial. Most of the calibration uncertainties yield residuals of
~mK or less at confidence. However, current uncertainties in the
antenna and receiver reflection coefficients can lead to residuals of up to
mK even in low-foreground sky regions. These dominant residuals could be
reduced by 1) improving the accuracy in reflection measurements, especially
their phase 2) improving the impedance match at the antenna-receiver interface,
and 3) decreasing the changes with frequency of the antenna reflection phase.Comment: Updated to match version accepted by Ap
Difference score correlations in relationship research: A conceptual primer
The practice of computing correlations between “difference” or “discrepancy” scores and an outcome variable is common in many areas of social science. Relationship researchers most commonly use difference scores to index the (dis)similarity of members of two-person relationships. Using an intuitive, graphical approach—and avoiding formulas and pointing fingers—we illustrate problems with using difference score correlations in relationship research, suggest ways to ensure that difference score correlations are maximally informative, and briefly review alternatives to difference score correlations in studying similarity, accuracy, and related constructs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73008/1/j.1475-6811.1999.tb00206.x.pd
Quantum reflection of ultracold atoms from thin films, graphene, and semiconductor heterostructures
We show that thin dielectric films can be used to enhance the performance of
passive atomic mirrors by enabling quantum reflection probabilities of over 90%
for atoms incident at velocities ~1 mm/s, achieved in recent experiments. This
enhancement is brought about by weakening the Casimir-Polder attraction between
the atom and the surface, which induces the quantum reflection. We show that
suspended graphene membranes also produce higher quantum reflection
probabilities than bulk matter. Temporal changes in the electrical resistance
of such membranes, produced as atoms stick to the surface, can be used to
monitor the reflection process, non-invasively and in real time. The resistance
change allows the reflection probability to be determined purely from
electrical measurements without needing to image the reflected atom cloud
optically. Finally, we show how perfect atom mirrors may be manufactured from
semiconductor heterostructures, which employ an embedded two-dimensional
electron gas to tailor the atom-surface interaction and so enhance the
reflection by classical means.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
Toward Empirical Constraints on the Global Redshifted 21 cm Brightness Temperature During the Epoch of Reionization
Preliminary results are presented from a simple, single-antenna experiment
designed to measure the all-sky radio spectrum between 100 and 200 MHz. The
system used an internal comparison-switching scheme to reduce non-smooth
instrumental contaminants in the measured spectrum to 75 mK. From the
observations, we place an initial upper limit of 450 mK on the relative
brightness temperature of the redshifted 21 cm contribution to the spectrum due
to neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium (IGM) during the epoch of
reionization, assuming a rapid transition to a fully ionized IGM at a redshift
of 8. With refinement, this technique should be able to distinguish between
slow and fast reionization scenarios. To constrain the duration of reionization
to dz > 2, the systematic residuals in the measured spectrum must be reduced to
3 mK.Comment: Submitted to ApJ. 9 pages including 6 figure
Geometric scaling in the spectrum of an electron captured by a stationary finite dipole
We examine the energy spectrum of a charged particle in the presence of a
{\it non-rotating} finite electric dipole. For {\emph{any}} value of the dipole
moment above a certain critical value p_{\mathrm{c}}$ an infinite series of
bound states arises of which the energy eigenvalues obey an Efimov-like
geometric scaling law with an accumulation point at zero energy. These
properties are largely destroyed in a realistic situation when rotations are
included. Nevertheless, our analysis of the idealised case is of interest
because it may possibly be realised using quantum dots as artificial atoms.Comment: 5 figures; references added, outlook section reduce
Addition theorems for spin spherical harmonics. II Results
Based on the results of part I, we obtain the general form of the addition
theorem for spin spherical harmonics and give explicit results in the cases
involving one spin- and one spin- spherical harmonics with ,
1, 3/2, and , 1. We obtain also a fully general addition theorem for
one scalar and one tensor spherical harmonic of arbitrary rank. A variety of
bilocal sums of ordinary and spin spherical harmonics are given in explicit
form, including a general explicit expression for bilocal spherical harmonics
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