906 research outputs found
Constraints on Light Pseudoscalars Implied by Tests of the Gravitational Inverse-Square Law
The exchange of light pseudoscalars between fermions leads to a
spin-independent potential in order g^4, where g is the Yukawa
pseudoscalar-fermion coupling constant. This potential gives rise to detectable
violations of both the weak equivalence principle (WEP) and the gravitational
inverse-square law (ISL), even if g is quite small. We show that when
previously derived WEP constraints are combined with those arisingfrom ISL
tests, a direct experimental limit on the Yukawa coupling of light
pseudoscalars to neutrons can be inferred for the first time (g_n^2/4pi < 1.6
\times 10^-7), along with a new (and significantly improved) limit on the
coupling of light pseudoscalars to protons.Comment: 12 pages, Revtex, with 1 Postscript figure (submitted to Physical
Review Letters
Testing the Dirac equation
The dynamical equations which are basic for the description of the dynamics
of quantum felds in arbitrary space--time geometries, can be derived from the
requirements of a unique deterministic evolution of the quantum fields, the
superposition principle, a finite propagation speed, and probability
conservation. We suggest and describe observations and experiments which are
able to test the unique deterministic evolution and analyze given experimental
data from which restrictions of anomalous terms violating this basic principle
can be concluded. One important point is, that such anomalous terms are
predicted from loop gravity as well as from string theories. Most accurate data
can be obtained from future astrophysical observations. Also, laboratory tests
like spectroscopy give constraints on the anomalous terms.Comment: 11 pages. to appear in: C. L\"ammerzahl, C.W.F. Everitt, and F.W.
Hehl (eds.): Gyros, Clocks, Interferometers...: Testing Relativistic Gravity
in Space, Lecture Notes in Physics 562, Springer 200
Experimental procedures for precision measurements of the Casimir force with an Atomic Force Microscope
Experimental methods and procedures required for precision measurements of
the Casimir force are presented. In particular, the best practices for
obtaining stable cantilevers, calibration of the cantilever, correction of
thermal and mechanical drift, measuring the contact separation, sphere radius
and the roughness are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure
Peritoneal dialysis prescription in children: bedside principles for optimal practice
There is no unique optimal peritoneal dialysis prescription for all children, although the goals of ultrafiltration and blood purification are universal. In turn, a better understanding of the physiology of the peritoneal membrane, as a dynamic dialysis membrane with an exchange surface area recruitment capacity and unique permeability characteristics, results in the transition from an empirical prescription process based on clinical experience alone to the potential for a personalized prescription with individually adapted fill volumes and dwell times. In all cases, the prescribed exchange fill volume should be scaled for body surface area (ml/m2), and volume enhancement should be conducted based on clinical tolerance and intraperitoneal pressure measurements (IPP; cmH2O). The exchange dwell times should be determined individually and adapted to the needs of the patient, with particular attention to phosphate clearance and ultrafiltration capacity. The evolution of residual kidney function and the availability of new, more physiologic, peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) also influence the prescription process. An understanding of all of these principles is integral to the provision of clinically optimal PD
Rigorous approach to the comparison between experiment and theory in Casimir force measurements
In most experiments on the Casimir force the comparison between measurement
data and theory was done using the concept of the root-mean-square deviation, a
procedure that has been criticized in literature. Here we propose a special
statistical analysis which should be performed separately for the experimental
data and for the results of the theoretical computations. In so doing, the
random, systematic, and total experimental errors are found as functions of
separation, taking into account the distribution laws for each error at 95%
confidence. Independently, all theoretical errors are combined to obtain the
total theoretical error at the same confidence. Finally, the confidence
interval for the differences between theoretical and experimental values is
obtained as a function of separation. This rigorous approach is applied to two
recent experiments on the Casimir effect.Comment: 10 pages, iopart.cls is used, to appear in J. Phys. A (special issue:
Proceedings of QFEXT05, Barcelona, Sept. 5-9, 2005
Casimir Effect as a Test for Thermal Corrections and Hypothetical Long-Range Interactions
We have performed a precise experimental determination of the Casimir
pressure between two gold-coated parallel plates by means of a micromachined
oscillator. In contrast to all previous experiments on the Casimir effect,
where a small relative error (varying from 1% to 15%) was achieved only at the
shortest separation, our smallest experimental error (%) is achieved
over a wide separation range from 170 nm to 300 nm at 95% confidence. We have
formulated a rigorous metrological procedure for the comparison of experiment
and theory without resorting to the previously used root-mean-square deviation,
which has been criticized in the literature. This enables us to discriminate
among different competing theories of the thermal Casimir force, and to resolve
a thermodynamic puzzle arising from the application of Lifshitz theory to real
metals. Our results lead to a more rigorous approach for obtaining constraints
on hypothetical long-range interactions predicted by extra-dimensional physics
and other extensions of the Standard Model. In particular, the constraints on
non-Newtonian gravity are strengthened by up to a factor of 20 in a wide
interaction range at 95% confidence.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures, Sixth Alexander Friedmann International Seminar
on Gravitation and Cosmolog
The Dipole Coupling of Atoms and Light in Gravitational Fields
The dipole coupling term between a system of N particles with total charge
zero and the electromagnetic field is derived in the presence of a weak
gravitational field. It is shown that the form of the coupling remains the same
as in flat space-time if it is written with respect to the proper time of the
observer and to the measurable field components. Some remarks concerning the
connection between the minimal and the dipole coupling are given.Comment: 10 pages, LaTe
Photon-Neutrino Interactions in Magnetic Field through Neutrino Magnetic Moment
We study the neutrino-photon processes like in
the presence of uniform external magnetic field for the case when neutrinos can
couple to the electromagnetic field directly through their dipole magnetic
moment and obtain the stellar energy loss. The process would be of special
relevance in astrophysical situations where standard left-handed neutrinos are
trapped and the right handed neutrinos produced through the spin flip
interaction induced by neutrino magnetic moment alone can freely stream out.Comment: LaTex2e file, 9 page
Long range neutrino forces in the cosmic relic neutrino background
Neutrinos mediate long range forces among macroscopic bodies in vacuum. When
the bodies are placed in the neutrino cosmic background, these forces are
modified. Indeed, at distances long compared to the scale , the relic
neutrinos completely screen off the 2-neutrino exchange force, whereas for
small distances the interaction remains unaffected.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure
- …