89,608 research outputs found
Vacuum polarization for neutral particles in 2+1 dimensions
In 2+1 dimensions there exists a duality between a charged Dirac particle
coupled minimally to a background vector potential and a neutral one coupled
nonminimally to a background electromagnetic field strength. A constant uniform
background electric current induces in the vacuum of the neutral particle a
fermion current which is proportional to the background one. A background
electromagnetic plane wave induces no current in the vacuum. For constant but
nonuniform background electric charge, known results for charged particles can
be translated to give the induced fermion number. Some new examples with
infinite background electric charge are presented. The induced spin and total
angular momentum are also discussed.Comment: REVTeX, 7 pages, no figur
: An Excellent Candidate of Tetraquarks
We analyze various possible interpretations of the narrow state
which lies 100 MeV above threshold. This interesting state
decays mainly into instead of . If this relative branching
ratio is further confirmed by other experimental groups, we point out that the
identification of either as a state or more generally
as a state in the representation is probably
problematic. Instead, such an anomalous decay pattern strongly indicates
is a four quark state in the representation
with the quark content . We discuss its
partners in the same multiplet, and the similar four-quark states composed of a
bottom quark . Experimental searches of other members
especially those exotic ones are strongly called for
Curvature and Acoustic Instabilities in Rotating Fluid Disks
The stability of a rotating fluid disk to the formation of spiral arms is
studied in the tightwinding approximation in the linear regime. The dispersion
relation for spirals that was derived by Bertin et al. is shown to contain a
new, acoustic instability beyond the Lindblad resonances that depends only on
pressure and rotation. In this regime, pressure and gravity exchange roles as
drivers and inhibitors of spiral wave structures. Other instabilities that are
enhanced by pressure are also found in the general dispersion relation by
including higher order terms in the small parameter 1/kr for wavenumber k and
radius r. These instabilities are present even for large values of Toomre's
parameter Q. Unstable growth rates are determined in four cases: a
self-gravitating disk with a flat rotation curve, a self-gravitating disk with
solid body rotation, a non-self-gravitating disk with solid body rotation, and
a non-self-gravitating disk with Keplerian rotation. The most important
application appears to be as a source of spiral structure, possibly leading to
accretion in non-self-gravitating disks, such as some galactic nuclear disks,
disks around black holes, and proto-planetary disks. All of these examples have
short orbital times so the unstable growth time can be small.Comment: 30 pages, 5 figures, scheduled for ApJ 520, August 1, 199
Meteorological factors in Earth-satellite propagation
Using the COMSTAR D/4 28.56 GHz beacon as a source, a differential gain experiment was performed by connecting a 5-meter paraboloidal antenna and a 0.6-meter paraboloidal antenna alternately to the same receiver. Substantial differential gain changes were observed during some, but not all, rain events. A site-diversity experiment was implemented which consists of two 28.56 GHz radiometers separated by 9 km. The look-angle corresponds to that of the D/4 beacon, and data were obtained with one radiometer during several weeks of concurrent beacon operation to verify the system calibration. A theoretical study of the effect of scattering from a nonuniform rain distribution along the path is under way to aid in interpreting the results of this experiment. An improved empirical site diversity-gain model was derived from data in the literature relating to 34 diversity experiments. Work on the experiment control and data acquisition system is continuing with a view toward future experiments
The Giant Flare of December 27, 2004 from SGR 1806-20
The giant flare of December 27, 2004 from SGR 1806-20 represents one of the
most extraordinary events captured in over three decades of monitoring the
gamma-ray sky. One measure of the intensity of the main peak is its effect on
X- and gamma-ray instruments. RHESSI, an instrument designed to study the
brightest solar flares, was completely saturated for ~0.5 s following the start
of the main peak. A fortuitous alignment of SGR 1806-20 near the Sun at the
time of the giant flare, however, allowed RHESSI a unique view of the giant
flare event, including the precursor, the main peak decay, and the pulsed tail.
Since RHESSI was saturated during the main peak, we augment these observations
with Wind and RHESSI particle detector data in order to reconstruct the main
peak as well. Here we present detailed spectral analysis and evolution of the
giant flare. We report the novel detection of a relatively soft fast peak just
milliseconds before the main peak, whose timescale and sizescale indicate a
magnetospheric origin. We present the novel detection of emission extending up
to 17 MeV immediately following the main peak, perhaps revealing a
highly-extended corona driven by the hyper-Eddington luminosities. The spectral
evolution and pulse evolution during the tail are presented, demonstrating
significant magnetospheric twist and evolution during this phase. Blackbody
radii are derived for every stage of the flare, which show remarkable agreement
despite the range of luminosities and temperatures covered. Finally, we place
significant upper limits on afterglow emission in the hundreds of seconds
following the giant flare.Comment: 32 pages, 14 figures, submitted to Ap
Distinct mechanisms underlie pattern formation in the skin and skin appendages
Patterns form with the break of homogeneity and lead to the emergence of new structure or arrangement. There are different physiological and pathological mechanisms that lead to the formation of patterns. Here, we first introduce the basics of pattern formation and their possible biological basis. We then discuss different categories of skin patterns and their potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Some patterns, such as the lines of Blaschko and Naevus, are based on cell lineage and genetic mosaicism. Other patterns, such as regionally specific skin appendages, can be set by distinct combinatorial molecular codes, which in turn may be set by morphogenetic gradients. There are also some patterns, such as the arrangement of hair follicles (hair whorls) and fingerprints, which involve genetics as well as stochastic epigenetic events based on physiochemical principles. Many appendage primordia are laid out in developmental waves. In the adult, some patterns, such as those involving cycling hair follicles, may appear as traveling waves in mice. Since skin appendages can renew themselves in regeneration, their size and shape can still change in the adult via regulation by hormones and the environment. Some lesion patterns are based on pathological changes involving the above processes and can be used as diagnostic criteria in medicine. Understanding the different mechanisms that lead to patterns in the skin will help us appreciate their full significance in morphogenesis and medical research. Much remains to be learned about complex pattern formation, if we are to bridge the gap between molecular biology and organism phenotypes. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 78:280-291, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc
Nonlinear propagation of planet-generated tidal waves
The propagation and evolution of planet-generated density waves in
protoplanetary disks is considered. The evolution of waves, leading to the
shock formation and wake dissipation, is followed in the weakly nonlinear
regime. The local approach of Goodman & Rafikov (2001) is extended to include
the effects of surface density and temperature variations in the disk as well
as the disk cylindrical geometry and nonuniform shear. Wave damping due to
shocks is demonstrated to be a nonlocal process spanning a significant fraction
of the disk. Torques induced by the planet could be significant drivers of disk
evolution on timescales of the order 1-10 Myr even in the absence of strong
background viscosity. A global prescription for angular momentum deposition is
developed which could be incorporated into the study of gap formation in a
gaseous disk around the planet.Comment: AASTeX, 26 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, submitted to Ap
Short-time critical dynamics at perfect and non-perfect surface
We report Monte Carlo simulations of critical dynamics far from equilibrium
on a perfect and non-perfect surface in the 3d Ising model. For an ordered
initial state, the dynamic relaxation of the surface magnetization, the line
magnetization of the defect line, and the corresponding susceptibilities and
appropriate cumulant is carefully examined at the ordinary, special and surface
phase transitions. The universal dynamic scaling behavior including a dynamic
crossover scaling form is identified. The exponent of the surface
magnetization and of the line magnetization are extracted. The impact
of the defect line on the surface universality classes is investigated.Comment: 11figure
- …