997 research outputs found
Anomalous quantum reflection of Bose-Einstein condensates from a silicon surface: the role of dynamical excitations
We investigate the effect of inter-atomic interactions on the
quantum-mechanical reflection of Bose-Einstein condensates from regions of
rapid potential variation. The reflection process depends critically on the
density and incident velocity of the condensate. For low densities and high
velocities, the atom cloud has almost the same form before and after
reflection. Conversely, at high densities and low velocities, the reflection
process generates solitons and vortex rings that fragment the condensate. We
show that this fragmentation can explain the anomalously low reflection
probabilities recently measured for low-velocity condensates incident on a
silicon surface.Comment: 5 figures, 5 pages, references correcte
Creation of solitons and vortices by Bragg reflection of Bose-Einstein condensates in an optical lattice
We study the dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensates in an optical lattice and
harmonic trap. The condensates are set in motion by displacing the trap and
initially follow simple semiclassical paths, shaped by the lowest energy band.
Above a critical displacement, the condensate undergoes Bragg reflection. For
high atom densities, the first Bragg reflection generates a train of solitons
and vortices, which destabilize the condensate and trigger explosive expansion.
At lower densities, soliton and vortex formation requires multiple Bragg
reflections, and damps the center-of-mass motion.Comment: 5 pages including 5 figures (for higher resolution figures please
email the authors
Flight range, fuel load and the impact of climate change on the journeys of migrant birds
Collection of biometric data was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NE/I028068/1) to JAT and the USUK Fulbright Commission and the Oxford Clarendon Fund to C.S. This research was funded by a Durham University Seedcorn grant to SGW. Production of the underlying SDMs was funded by a National Environment Research Council training grant (NE/J500215/1).Climate change is predicted to increase migration distances for many migratory species, but the physiological and temporal implications of longer migratory journeys have not been explored. Here, we combine information about species' flight range potential and migratory refuelling requirements to simulate the number of stopovers required and the duration of current migratory journeys for 77 bird species breeding in Europe. Using tracking data, we show that our estimates accord with recorded journey times and stopovers for most species. We then combine projections of altered migratory distances under climate change with models of avian flight to predict future migratory journeys. We find that 37% of migratory journeys undertaken by long-distance migrants will necessitate an additional stopover in future. These greater distances and the increased number of stops will substantially increase overall journey durations of many long-distance migratory species, a factor not currently considered in climate impact studies.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe
Not in my back yard! Sports stadia location and the property market
In recent years sports stadia have been built in the UK, not only for their intended sporting purpose but with the twin aim of stimulating economic and physical regeneration. However, proposals to locate stadia in urban areas often prompt a negative reaction from local communities, fearing a decline in property prices. This paper will use a case study of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the City of Manchester Stadium to illustrate that in contrast to this widely held belief, sports stadia can actually enhance the value of residential property. Furthermore, it will argue that stadia also contribute indirectly to property value through the creation of pride, confidence and enhanced image of an area.</p
Termination Casts: A Flexible Approach to Termination with General Recursion
This paper proposes a type-and-effect system called Teqt, which distinguishes
terminating terms and total functions from possibly diverging terms and partial
functions, for a lambda calculus with general recursion and equality types. The
central idea is to include a primitive type-form "Terminates t", expressing
that term t is terminating; and then allow terms t to be coerced from possibly
diverging to total, using a proof of Terminates t. We call such coercions
termination casts, and show how to implement terminating recursion using them.
For the meta-theory of the system, we describe a translation from Teqt to a
logical theory of termination for general recursive, simply typed functions.
Every typing judgment of Teqt is translated to a theorem expressing the
appropriate termination property of the computational part of the Teqt term.Comment: In Proceedings PAR 2010, arXiv:1012.455
Reliably Classifying Novice Programmer Exam Responses using the SOLO Taxonomy
Abstract: Past papers of the BRACElet project have described an approach to teaching and assessing students where the students are presented with short pieces of code, and are instructed to explain, in plain English, what the code does. The student responses to these types of questions can be analysed according to the SOLO taxonomy. Some students display an understanding of the code as a single, functional whole, while other students cannot âsee the forest for the treesâ . However, classifying student responses into the taxonomy is not always straightforward. This paper analyses the reliability of the SOLO taxonomy as a means of categorising student responses. The paper derives an augmented set of SOLO categories for application to the programming domain, and proposes a set of guidelines for researchers to use
A Demonstration of LISA Laser Communication
Over the past few years questions have been raised concerning the use of
laser communications links between sciencecraft to transmit phase information
crucial to the reduction of laser frequency noise in the LISA science
measurement. The concern is that applying medium frequency phase modulations to
the laser carrier could compromise the phase stability of the LISA fringe
signal. We have modified the table-top interferometer presented in a previous
article by applying phase modulations to the laser beams in order to evaluate
the effects of such modulations on the LISA science fringe signal. We have
demonstrated that the phase resolution of the science signal is not degraded by
the presence of medium frequency phase modulations.Comment: minor corrections found in the CQG versio
A Model for the Voltage Steps in the Breakdown of the Integer Quantum Hall Effect
In samples used to maintain the US resistance standard the breakdown of the
dissipationless integer quantum Hall effect occurs as a series of dissipative
voltage steps. A mechanism for this type of breakdown is proposed, based on the
generation of magneto-excitons when the quantum Hall fluid flows past an
ionised impurity above a critical velocity. The calculated generation rate
gives a voltage step height in good agreement with measurements on both
electron and hole gases. We also compare this model to a hydrodynamic
description of breakdown.Comment: 4 pages including 3 figure
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