Limits on the monopole magnetic field from measurements of the electric dipole moments of atoms, molecules and the neutron

A radial magnetic field can induce a time invariance violating electric dipole moment (EDM) in quantum systems. The EDMs of the Tl, Cs, Xe and Hg atoms and the neutron that are produced by such a field are estimated. The contributions of such a field to the constants, $\chi$ of the T,P-odd interactions $\chi_e {\bf N} \cdot {\bf s}/s$ and $\chi_N {\bf N} \cdot {\bf I}/I$ are also estimated for the TlF, HgF and YbF molecules (where ${\bf s}$ (${\bf I}$) is the electron (nuclear) spin and ${\bf N}$ is the molecular axis). The best limit on the contact monopole field can be obtained from the measured value of the Tl EDM. The possibility of such a field being produced from polarization of the vacuum of electrically charged magnetic monopoles (dyons) by a Coulomb field is discussed, as well as the limit on these dyons. An alternative mechanism involves chromomagnetic and chromoelectric fields in QCD.Comment: Uses RevTex, 16 pages, 4 postscript figures. An explanation of why there is no orbital contribution to the EDM has been added, and the presentation has been improved in genera

Reevaluation of the role of nuclear uncertainties in experiments on atomic parity violation with isotopic chains

In light of new data on neutron distributions from experiments with antiprotonic atoms [ Trzcinska {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 082501 (2001)], we reexamine the role of nuclear-structure uncertainties in the interpretation of measurements of parity violation in atoms using chains of isotopes of the same element. With these new nuclear data, we find an improvement in the sensitivity of isotopic chain measurements to ``new physics'' beyond the standard model. We compare possible constraints on ``new physics'' with the most accurate to date single-isotope probe of parity violation in the Cs atom. We conclude that presently isotopic chain experiments employing atoms with nuclear charges Z < 50 may result in more accurate tests of the weak interaction.Comment: 6 pages, 1 fig., submitted to Phys. Rev.

The Weak Charge of the Proton and New Physics

We address the physics implications of a precision determination of the weak charge of the proton, QWP, from a parity violating elastic electron proton scattering experiment to be performed at the Jefferson Laboratory. We present the Standard Model (SM) expression for QWP including one-loop radiative corrections, and discuss in detail the theoretical uncertainties and missing higher order QCD corrections. Owing to a fortuitous cancellation, the value of QWP is suppressed in the SM, making it a unique place to look for physics beyond the SM. Examples include extra neutral gauge bosons, supersymmetry, and leptoquarks. We argue that a QWP measurement will provide an important complement to both high energy collider experiments and other low energy electroweak measurements. The anticipated experimental precision requires the knowledge of the order alpha_s corrections to the pure electroweak box contributions. We compute these contributions for QWP, as well as for the weak charges of heavy elements as determined from atomic parity violation.Comment: 22 pages of LaTeX, 5 figure

Default Mode Network in the Effects of ¿9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on Human Executive Function

Evidence is increasing for involvement of the endocannabinoid system in cognitive functions including attention and executive function, as well as in psychiatric disorders characterized by cognitive deficits, such as schizophrenia. Executive function appears to be associated with both modulation of active networks and inhibition of activity in the default mode network. In the present study, we examined the role of the endocannabinoid system in executive function, focusing on both the associated brain network and the default mode network. A pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was conducted with a placebo-controlled, cross-over design, investigating effects of the endocannabinoid agonist ¿9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on executive function in 20 healthy volunteers, using a continuous performance task with identical pairs. Task performance was impaired after THC administration, reflected in both an increase in false alarms and a reduction in detected targets. This was associated with reduced deactivation in a set of brain regions linked to the default mode network, including posterior cingulate cortex and angular gyrus. Less deactivation was significantly correlated with lower performance after THC. Regions that were activated by the continuous performance task, notably bilateral prefrontal and parietal cortex, did not show effects of THC. These findings suggest an important role for the endocannabinoid system in both default mode modulation and executive function. This may be relevant for psychiatric disorders associated with executive function deficits, such as schizophrenia and ADH

Trapped ions in the strong excitation regime: ion interferometry and non--classical states

The interaction of a trapped ion with a laser beam in the strong excitation regime is analyzed. In this regime, a variety of non--classical states of motion can be prepared either by using laser pulses of well defined area, or by an adiabatic passage scheme based on the variation of the laser frequency. We show how these states can be used to investigate fundamental properties of quantum mechanics. We also study possible applications of this system to build an ion interferometer.Comment: 9 pages, Revtex format, 5 compressed postscript figure

Physics of Solar Prominences: II - Magnetic Structure and Dynamics

Observations and models of solar prominences are reviewed. We focus on non-eruptive prominences, and describe recent progress in four areas of prominence research: (1) magnetic structure deduced from observations and models, (2) the dynamics of prominence plasmas (formation and flows), (3) Magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) waves in prominences and (4) the formation and large-scale patterns of the filament channels in which prominences are located. Finally, several outstanding issues in prominence research are discussed, along with observations and models required to resolve them.Comment: 75 pages, 31 pictures, review pape

Neutron and hard X-ray measurements during pellet deposition in TFTR

Measurements of neutrons and hard x rays are made with a pair of plastic scintillators during injection of deuterium pellets into deuterium TFTR plasmas. Three cases are investigated. During ohmic heating in plasmas with few runaway electrons, the neutron emission does not increase when a pellet is injected, indicating that strong acceleration of the pellet ions does not occur. In ohmic plasmas with low but detectable levels of runaway electrons, an x-ray burst is observed on a detector near the pellet injector as the pellet ablates, while a detector displaced 126/sup 0/ toroidally from the injector does not measure a synchronous burst. Reduced pellet penetration correlates with the presence of x-ray emission, suggesting that the origin of the burst is bremsstrahlung from runaway electrons that strike the solid pellet. In deuterium beam-heated discharges, an increase in the d-d neutron emission is observed when the pellet ablates. In this case, the increase is due to fusion reactions between beam ions and the high density neutral and plasma cloud produced by ablation of the pellet; this localized density perturbation equilibrates in about 700 ..mu..sec. Analysis of the data indicates that the density propagates without forming a sharp shock front with a rapid initial propagation velocity (greater than or equal to 2 x 10/sup 7/ cm/sec) that subsequently decreases to around 3 x 10/sup 6/ cm/sec. Modelling suggests that the electron heat flux into the pellet cloud is much less than the classical Spitzer value

Scientific Prospects for Hard X-ray Polarimetry

X-ray polarimetry promises to give qualitatively new information about high-energy sources. Examples of interesting source classes are binary black hole systems, rotation and accretion powered neutron stars, Microquasars, Active Galactic Nuclei and Gamma-Ray Bursts. Furthermore, X-ray polarimetry affords the possibility for testing fundamental physics, e.g. to observe signatures of light bending in the strong gravitational field of a black hole, to detect third order Quantum Electrodynamic effects in the magnetosphere of Magnetars, and to perform sensitive tests of Lorentz Invariance. In this paper we discuss scientific drivers of hard (>10 keV) X-ray polarimetry emphasizing how observations in the hard band can complement observations at lower energies (0.1 - 10 keV). Subsequently, we describe four different technical realizations of hard X-ray polarimeters suitable for small to medium sized space borne missions, and study their performance in the signal-dominated case based on Monte Carlo simulations. We end with confronting the instrument requirements for accomplishing the science goals with the capabilities of the four polarimeters.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physic