The design and performance estimates for the propulsion module for the booster of a TSTO vehicle

A NASA study of the propulsion systems for possible low-risk replacements for the Space Shuttle is presented. Results of preliminary studies to define the USAF two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) concept to deliver 10,000 pounds to low polar orbit are described. The booster engine module consists of an over/under turbine bypass engines/ramjet engine design for acceleration from takeoff to the staging point of Mach 6.5 and approximately 100,000 feet altitude. Propulsion system performance and weight are presented with preliminary mission study results of vehicle size

Searching for signatures of planet formation in stars with circumstellar debris discs

(Abridged) Tentative correlations between the presence of dusty debris discs and low-mass planets have been presented. In parallel, detailed chemical abundance studies have reported different trends between samples of planet and non-planet hosts. We determine in a homogeneous way the metallicity, and abundances of a sample of 251 stars including stars with known debris discs, with debris discs and planets, and only with planets. Stars with debris discs and planets have the same [Fe/H] behaviour as stars hosting planets, and they also show a similar -Tc trend. Different behaviour in the -Tc trend is found between the samples of stars without planets and the samples of planet hosts. In particular, when considering only refractory elements, negative slopes are shown in cool giant planet hosts, whilst positive ones are shown in stars hosting low-mass planets. Stars hosting exclusively close-in giant planets show higher metallicities and positive -Tc slope. A search for correlations between the -Tc slopes and the stellar properties reveals a moderate but significant correlation with the stellar radius and as well as a weak correlation with the stellar age. The fact that stars with debris discs and stars with low-mass planets do not show neither metal enhancement nor a different -Tc trend might indicate a correlation between the presence of debris discs and the presence of low-mass planets. We extend results from previous works which reported differences in the -Tc trends between planet hosts and non hosts. However, these differences tend to be present only when the star hosts a cool distant planet and not in stars hosting exclusively low-mass planets.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Tunneling spectroscopy of the superconducting state of URu2Si2

We present measurements of the superconducting gap of URu$_2$Si$_2$ made with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) using a superconducting tip of Al. We find tunneling conductance curves with a finite value at the Fermi level. The density of states is V shaped at low energies, and the quasiparticle peaks are located at values close to the expected superconducting gap from weak coupling BCS theory. Our results point to rather opened gap structures and gap nodes on the Fermi surface

Flux-cutting and flux-transport effects in type-II superconductor slabs in a parallel rotating magnetic field

The magnetic response of irreversible type-II superconductor slabs subjected to in-plane rotating magnetic field is investigated by applying the circular, elliptic, extended-elliptic, and rectangular flux-line-cutting critical-state models. Specifically, the models have been applied to explain experiments on a PbBi rotating disk in a fixed magnetic field ${\bm H}_a$, parallel to the flat surfaces. Here, we have exploited the equivalency of the experimental situation with that of a fixed disk under the action of a parallel magnetic field, rotating in the opposite sense. The effect of both the magnitude $H_a$ of the applied magnetic field and its angle of rotation $\alpha_s$ upon the magnetization of the superconductor sample is analyzed. When $H_a$ is smaller than the penetration field $H_P$, the magnetization components, parallel and perpendicular to ${\bm H_a}$, oscillate with increasing the rotation angle. On the other hand, if the magnitude of the applied field, $H_a$, is larger than $H_P$, both magnetization components become constant functions of $\alpha_s$ at large rotation angles. The evolution of the magnetic induction profiles inside the superconductor is also studied.Comment: 12 pages, 29 figure

Tracking Advanced Planetary Systems (TAPAS) with HARPS-N. V.: A Massive Jupiter orbiting the very low metallicity giant star BD+03 2562 and a possible planet around HD~103485

We present two evolved stars from the TAPAS (Tracking Advanced PlAnetary Systems) with HARPS-N project devoted to RV precision measurements of identified candidates within the PennState - Torun Centre for Astronomy Planet Search. Evolved stars with planets are crucial to understand the dependency of the planet formation mechanism on the mass and metallicity of the parent star and to study star-planet interactions. The paper is based on precise radial velocity (RV) measurements, for HD 103485 we collected 57 epochs over 3317 days with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope and its High Resolution Spectrograph and 18 ultra-precise HARPS-N data over 919 days. For BD+03 2562 we collected 46 epochs of HET data over 3380 days and 19 epochs of HARPS-N data over 919 days. We present the analysis of the data and the search for correlations between the RV signal and stellar activity, stellar rotation and photometric variability. Based on the available data, we interpret the RV variations measured in both stars as Keplerian motion. Both stars have masses close to Solar (1.11 and 1.14), very low metallicities ([Fe/H]=-0.50 and -0.71), and, both have Jupiter planetary mass companions (m sin i=7 and 6.4 Mj), in close to terrestrial orbits (1.4 and 1.3~au), with moderate eccentricities (e=0.34 and 0.2). However, we cannot totally exclude that the signal in the case of HD~103485 is due to rotational modulation of active regions. Based on the current data, we conclude that BD+03 2562 has a bona fide planetary companion while for HD 103485 we cannot totally exclude that the best explanation for the RV signal modulations is not the existence of a planet but stellar activity. If, the interpretation remains that both stars have planetary companions they represent systems orbiting very evolved stars with very low metallicities, a challenge to the conditions required for the formation of massive giant gas planets.Comment: Acepted A&A 12 pages, 11 figure

Radiative decay Z_H-> \gamma A_H in the little Higgs model with T-parity

In the little Higgs model with T-parity (LHTM), the only tree-level kinematically allowed two-body decay of the Z_H boson is Z_H-> A_H H and thus one-loop induced two-body decays may have a significant rate. We study the Z_H-> \gamma A_H decay, which is induced at the one-loop level by a fermion triangle and is interesting as it depends on the mechanism of anomaly cancellation of the model. All the relevant two- and three-body decays of the Z_H gauge boson arising at the tree-level are also calculated. We consider a small region of the parameter space where the scale of the symmetry breaking f is still allowed to be as low as 500 GeV by electroweak precision data. We first analyze the scenario of a Higgs boson with a mass of 120 GeV. We found that the Z_H->\gamma A_H branching ratio can be of the order of a tree-level three-body decay and may be at the reach of detection at the LHC for f close to 500 GeV, but it may be difficult to detect for f=1 TeV. There is also an scenario where the Higgs boson has an intermediate mass such that the Z_H-> A_H H decay is closed, the Z_H-> \gamma A_H gets considerably enhanced and the chances of detection get a large boost.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures, 2 table

Designing OLMs for reflection about group brainstorming at interactive tabletops

Brainstorming is a valuable and widely-used group technique to enhance creativity. Interactive tabletops have the potential to support brainstorming and, by exploiting learners' trace data, they can provide Open Learner Models (OLMs) to support reflection on a brainstorming session. We describe our design of such OLMs to enable an individual to answer core questions: C1) how much did I contribute? C2) at what times was the group or an individual stuck? and C3) where did group members seem to 'spark' off each other? We conducted 24 brainstorming sessions and analysed them to create core brainstorming models underlying the OLMs. We evaluated the OLMs in a think-aloud study designed to see whether learners could interpret the OLMs to answer the core questions. Results indicate the OLMs were effective and that it is valuable, that learners benefit from guidance in their reflection and from drawing on an example of an excellent group's OLM. Our contributions are: i) the first OLMs supporting reflection on brainstorming; ii) models of brainstorming that underlie the OLMs; and iii) a user study demonstrating that learners can use the OLMs to answer the core reflection questions

Strain balanced quantum posts

Quantum posts are assembled by epitaxial growth of closely spaced quantum dot layers, modulating the composition of a semiconductor alloy, typically InGaAs. In contrast with most self-assembled nanostructures, the height of quantum posts can be controlled with nanometer precision, up to a maximum value limited by the accumulated stress due to the lattice mismatch. Here we present a strain compensation technique based on the controlled incorporation of phosphorous, which substantially increases the maximum attainable quantum post height. The luminescence from the resulting nanostructures presents giant linear polarization anisotropy.Comment: Submitted to Applied Physics Letters (7th March 2011). 4 pages, 4 figure