Equilibration in Quark Gluon Plasma

The hydrodynamic expansion rate of quark gluon plasma (QGP) is evaluated and compared with the scattering rate of quarks and gluons within the system. Partonic scattering rates evaluated within the ambit of perturbative Quantum Choromodynamics (pQCD) are found to be smaller than the expansion rate evaluated with ideal equation of state (EoS) for the QGP. This indicate that during the space-time evolution the system remains out of equilibrium. Enhancement of pQCD cross sections and a more realistic EoS keep the partons closer to the equilibrium.Comment: To be published in the Quark Matter 2008 poster proceeding

Acceptance Dependence of Fluctuation in Particle Multiplicity

The effect of limiting the acceptance in rapidity on event-by-event multiplicity fluctuations in nucleus-nucleus collisions has been investigated. Our analysis shows that the multiplicity fluctuations decrease when the rapidity acceptance is decreased. We explain this trend by assuming that the probability distribution of the particles in the smaller acceptance window follows binomial distribution. Following a simple statistical analysis we conclude that the event-by-event multiplicity fluctuations for full acceptance are likely to be larger than those observed in the experiments, since the experiments usually have detectors with limited acceptance. We discuss the application of our model to simulated data generated using VENUS, a widely used event generator in heavy-ion collisions. We also discuss the results from our calculations in presence of dynamical fluctuations and possible observation of these in the actual data.Comment: To appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

How Many Templates for GW Chirp Detection? The Minimal-Match Issue Revisited

In a recent paper dealing with maximum likelihood detection of gravitational wave chirps from coalescing binaries with unknown parameters we introduced an accurate representation of the no-signal cumulative distribution of the supremum of the whole correlator bank. This result can be used to derive a refined estimate of the number of templates yielding the best tradeoff between detector's performance (in terms of lost signals among those potentially detectable) and computational burden.Comment: submitted to Class. Quantum Grav. Typing error in eq. (4.8) fixed; figure replaced in version

Polyaryl ethers and related polysiloxane copolymer molecular coatings preparation and radiation degrdation

Poly(arylene ether sulfones) comprise a class of materials known as engineering thermoplastics which have a variety of important applications. These polymers are tough, rigid materials with good mechanical properties over a wide temperature range, and they are processed by conventional methods into products typically having excellent hydrolytic, thermal, oxidative and dimensional stability. Wholly aromatic random copolymers of hydroquinone and biphenol with 4.4 prime dichlorodiphenyl sulfone were synthesized via mechanical nucleophilic displacement. Their structures were characterized and mechanical behavior studied. These tough, ductile copolymers show excellent radiation resistance to electron beam treatment and retain much of the mechanical properties up to at least 700 Mrads under argon

Search algorithm for a gravitational wave signal in association with Gamma Ray Burst GRB030329 using the LIGO detectors

One of the brightest Gamma Ray Burst ever recorded, GRB030329, occurred during the second science run of the LIGO detectors. At that time, both interferometers at the Hanford, WA LIGO site were in lock and acquiring data. The data collected from the two Hanford detectors was analyzed for the presence of a gravitational wave signal associated with this GRB. This paper presents a detailed description of the search algorithm implemented in the current analysis.Comment: To appear in the Proceedings of 8th Gravitational Wave Data Analysis Workshop (Milwaukee, WI) (Class. Quantum Grav.