Vibration isolation system for the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

The Vibration Isolation System for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is studied. Included are discussions of the various concepts, design goals, concerns, and the proposed configuration for the Vibration Isolation System

Primordial Perturbations from Multifield Inflation with Nonminimal Couplings

Realistic models of particle physics include many scalar fields. These fields generically have nonminimal couplings to the Ricci curvature scalar, either as part of a generalized Einstein theory or as necessary counterterms for renormalization in curved background spacetimes. We develop a gauge-invariant formalism for calculating primordial perturbations in models with multiple nonminimally coupled fields. We work in the Jordan frame (in which the nonminimal couplings remain explicit) and identify two distinct sources of entropy perturbations for such models. One set of entropy perturbations arises from interactions among the multiple fields. The second set arises from the presence of nonminimal couplings. Neither of these varieties of entropy perturbations will necessarily be suppressed in the long-wavelength limit, and hence they can amplify the curvature perturbation, $\zeta$, even for modes that have crossed outside the Hubble radius. Models that overproduce long-wavelength entropy perturbations endanger the close fit between predicted inflationary spectra and empirical observations.Comment: 16 pages, no figures. References added to match published versio

Chiral dynamics of Σ\Sigma-hyperons in the nuclear medium

Using SU(3) chiral perturbation theory we calculate the density-dependent complex mean field $U_\Sigma(k_f)+ i W_\Sigma(k_f)$ of a $\Sigma$-hyperon in isospin-symmetric nuclear matter. The leading long-range $\Sigma N$-interaction arises from one-kaon exchange and from two-pion exchange with a $\Sigma$- or a $\Lambda$-hyperon in the intermediate state. We find from the $\Sigma N\to \Lambda N$ conversion process at nuclear matter saturation density $\rho_0 = 0.16$fm$^{-3}$ an imaginary single-particle potential of $W_\Sigma(k_{f0}) =-21.5$ MeV, in fair agreement with existing empirical determinations. The genuine long-range contributions from iterated (second order) one-pion exchange with an intermediate $\Sigma$- or $\Lambda$-hyperon sum up to a moderately repulsive real single-particle potential of $U_\Sigma(k_{f0})= 59$ MeV. Recently measured $(\pi^-,K^+$) inclusive spectra related to $\Sigma^-$-formation in heavy nuclei give evidence for a $\Sigma$-nucleus repulsion of similar size. Our results suggest that the net effect of the short-range $\Sigma N$-interaction on the $\Sigma$-nuclear mean field could be small.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, published in: Phys. Rev. C 71, 068201 (2005

Nuclear pairing from chiral pion-nucleon dynamics

We use a recently improved version of the chiral nucleon-nucleon potential at next-to-next-to-leading order to calculate the $^1S_0$ pairing gap in isospin-symmetric nuclear matter. The pairing potential consists of the long-range one- and two-pion exchange terms and two short-distance NN-contact couplings. We find that the inclusion of the two-pion exchange at next-to-next-to-leading order reduces substantially the cut-off dependence of the $^1S_0$ pairing gap determined by solving a regularised BCS equation. Our results are close to those obtained with the universal low-momentum nucleon-nucleon potential $V_{\rm low-k}$ or the phenomenological Gogny D1S force.Comment: 9 pages, 3 eps figures, submitted to PR

Making electromagnetic wavelets

Electromagnetic wavelets are constructed using scalar wavelets as superpotentials, together with an appropriate polarization. It is shown that oblate spheroidal antennas, which are ideal for their production and reception, can be made by deforming and merging two branch cuts. This determines a unique field on the interior of the spheroid which gives the boundary conditions for the surface charge-current density necessary to radiate the wavelets. These sources are computed, including the impulse response of the antenna.Comment: 29 pages, 4 figures; minor corrections and addition

The partially averaged field approach to cosmic ray diffusion

The kinetic equation for particles interacting with turbulent fluctuations is derived by a new nonlinear technique which successfully corrects the difficulties associated with quasilinear theory. In this new method the effects of the fluctuations are evaluated along particle orbits which themselves include the effects of a statistically averaged subset of the possible configurations of the turbulence. The new method is illustrated by calculating the pitch angle diffusion coefficient D sub Mu Mu for particles interacting with slab model magnetic turbulence, i.e., magnetic fluctuations linearly polarized transverse to a mean magnetic field. Results are compared with those of quasilinear theory and also with those of Monte Carlo calculations. The major effect of the nonlinear treatment in this illustration is the determination of D sub Mu Mu in the vicinity of 90 deg pitch angles where quasilinear theory breaks down. The spatial diffusion coefficient parallel to a mean magnetic field is evaluated using D sub Mu Mu as calculated by this technique. It is argued that the partially averaged field method is not limited to small amplitude fluctuating fields and is hence not a perturbation theory

A new approach to cosmic ray diffusion theory

An approach is presented for deriving a diffusion equation for charged particles in a static, random magnetic field. The approach differs from the usual, quasi-linear one, in that particle orbits in the average field are replaced by particle orbits in a partially averaged field. In this way the fluctuating component of the field significantly modifies the particle orbits in those cases where the orbits in the average field are unrealistic. The method permits the calculation of a finite value for the pitch angle diffusion coefficient for particles with a pitch angle of 90 rather than the divergent or ambiguous results obtained by quasi-linear theories. Results of the approach are compared with results of computer simulations using Monte Carlo techniques

Driven collective instabilities in magneto-optical traps: a fluid-dynamical approach

We present a theoretical model to describe an instability mechanism in ultra-cold gases, where long-range interactions are taken into account. Focusing on the nonlinear coupling between the collective (plasma-like) and the center-of-mass modes, we show that the resulting dynamics is governed by a parametric equation of the generalized Mathieu type and compute the corresponding stability chart. We apply our model to typical ranges of magneto-optical traps (MOT) parameters and find a good agreement with previous experimental observations.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Some minor changes in the published version