11,764 research outputs found
Constraints on the Brans-Dicke gravity theory with the Planck data
Based on the new cosmic CMB temperature data from the Planck satellite, the 9
year polarization data from the WMAP, the BAO distance ratio data from the SDSS
and 6dF surveys, we place a new constraint on the Brans-Dicke theory. We adopt
a parametrization \zeta=\ln(1+1/\omega}), where the general relativity (GR)
limit corresponds to . We find no evidence of deviation from general
relativity. At 95% probability, , correspondingly,
the region is excluded. If we restrict ourselves to
the (i.e. ) case, then the 95% probability interval is
. We can also translate this
result to a constraint on the variation of gravitational constant, and find the
variation rate today as yr ( error bar), the integrated change since the epoch of
recombination is ( error
bar). These limits on the variation of gravitational constant are comparable
with the precision of solar system experiments.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 2 table
Smooth Flow in Diamond: Atomistic Ductility and Electronic Conductivity
Diamond is the quintessential superhard material widely known for its stiff and brittle nature and large electronic band gap. In stark contrast to these established benchmarks, our first-principles studies unveil surprising intrinsic structural ductility and electronic conductivity in diamond under coexisting large shear and compressive strains. These complex loading conditions impede brittle fracture modes and promote atomistic ductility, triggering rare smooth plastic flow in the normally rigid diamond crystal. This extraordinary structural change induces a concomitant band gap closure, enabling smooth charge flow in deformation created conducting channels. These startling soft-and-conducting modes reveal unprecedented fundamental characteristics of diamond, with profound implications for elucidating and predicting diamond’s anomalous behaviors at extreme conditions
Global analysis of quadrupole shape invariants based on covariant energy density functionals
Coexistence of different geometric shapes at low energies presents a
universal structure phenomenon that occurs over the entire chart of nuclides.
Studies of the shape coexistence are important for understanding the
microscopic origin of collectivity and modifications of shell structure in
exotic nuclei far from stability. The aim of this work is to provide a
systematic analysis of characteristic signatures of coexisting nuclear shapes
in different mass regions, using a global self-consistent theoretical method
based on universal energy density functionals and the quadrupole collective
model. The low-energy excitation spectrum and quadrupole shape invariants of
the two lowest states of even-even nuclei are obtained as solutions of
a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian (5DCH) model, with parameters
determined by constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations based on the
relativistic energy density functional PC-PK1, and a finite-range pairing
interaction. The theoretical excitation energies of the states: ,
, , , , as well as the
values, are in very good agreement with the corresponding experimental values
for 621 even-even nuclei. Quadrupole shape invariants have been implemented to
investigate shape coexistence, and the distribution of possible
shape-coexisting nuclei is consistent with results obtained in recent
theoretical studies and available data. The present analysis has shown that,
when based on a universal and consistent microscopic framework of nuclear
density functionals, shape invariants provide distinct indicators and reliable
predictions for the occurrence of low-energy coexisting shapes. This method is
particularly useful for studies of shape coexistence in regions far from
stability where few data are available.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
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