1,167 research outputs found
Testing the Hubble Law with the IRAS 1.2 Jy Redshift Survey
We test and reject the claim of Segal et al. (1993) that the correlation of
redshifts and flux densities in a complete sample of IRAS galaxies favors a
quadratic redshift-distance relation over the linear Hubble law. This is done,
in effect, by treating the entire galaxy luminosity function as derived from
the 60 micron 1.2 Jy IRAS redshift survey of Fisher et al. (1995) as a distance
indicator; equivalently, we compare the flux density distribution of galaxies
as a function of redshift with predictions under different redshift-distance
cosmologies, under the assumption of a universal luminosity function. This
method does not assume a uniform distribution of galaxies in space. We find
that this test has rather weak discriminatory power, as argued by Petrosian
(1993), and the differences between models are not as stark as one might expect
a priori. Even so, we find that the Hubble law is indeed more strongly
supported by the analysis than is the quadratic redshift-distance relation. We
identify a bias in the the Segal et al. determination of the luminosity
function, which could lead one to mistakenly favor the quadratic
redshift-distance law. We also present several complementary analyses of the
density field of the sample; the galaxy density field is found to be close to
homogeneous on large scales if the Hubble law is assumed, while this is not the
case with the quadratic redshift-distance relation.Comment: 27 pages Latex (w/figures), ApJ, in press. Uses AAS macros,
postscript also available at
http://www.astro.princeton.edu/~library/preprints/pop682.ps.g
On the Fixed-Point Structure of Scalar Fields
In a recent Letter (K.Halpern and K.Huang, Phys. Rev. Lett. 74 (1995) 3526),
certain properties of the Local Potential Approximation (LPA) to the Wilson
renormalization group were uncovered, which led the authors to conclude that
dimensional scalar field theories endowed with {\sl non-polynomial}
interactions allow for a continuum of renormalization group fixed points, and
that around the Gaussian fixed point, asymptotically free interactions exist.
If true, this could herald very important new physics, particularly for the
Higgs sector of the Standard Model. Continuing work in support of these ideas,
has motivated us to point out that we previously studied the same properties
and showed that they lead to very different conclusions. Indeed, in as much as
the statements in hep-th/9406199 are correct, they point to some deep and
beautiful facts about the LPA and its generalisations, but however no new
physics.Comment: Typos corrected. A Comment - to be published in Phys. Rev. Lett. 1
page, 1 eps figure, uses LaTeX, RevTex and eps
Parallel quantized charge pumping
Two quantized charge pumps are operated in parallel. The total current
generated is shown to be far more accurate than the current produced with just
one pump operating at a higher frequency. With the application of a
perpendicular magnetic field the accuracy of quantization is shown to be 20
ppm for a current of pA. The scheme for parallel pumping presented in
this work has applications in quantum information processing, the generation of
single photons in pairs and bunches, neural networking and the development of a
quantum standard for electrical current. All these applications will benefit
greatly from the increase in output current without the characteristic decrease
in accuracy as a result of high-frequency operation
Critical behavior in colloid-polymer mixtures: theory and simulation
We extensively investigated the critical behavior of mixtures of colloids and
polymers via the two-component Asakura-Oosawa model and its reduction to a
one-component colloidal fluid using accurate theoretical and simulation
techniques. In particular the theoretical approach, hierarchical reference
theory [Adv. Phys. 44, 211 (1995)], incorporates realistically the effects of
long-range fluctuations on phase separation giving exponents which differ
strongly from their mean-field values, and are in good agreement with those of
the three-dimensional Ising model. Computer simulations combined with
finite-size scaling analysis confirm the Ising universality and the accuracy of
the theory, although some discrepancy in the location of the critical point
between one-component and full-mixture description remains. To assess the limit
of the pair-interaction description, we compare one-component and two-component
results.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.
Crossover scaling from classical to nonclassical critical behavior
We study the crossover between classical and nonclassical critical behaviors.
The critical crossover limit is driven by the Ginzburg number G. The
corresponding scaling functions are universal with respect to any possible
microscopic mechanism which can vary G, such as changing the range or the
strength of the interactions. The critical crossover describes the unique flow
from the unstable Gaussian to the stable nonclassical fixed point. The scaling
functions are related to the continuum renormalization-group functions. We show
these features explicitly in the large-N limit of the O(N) phi^4 model. We also
show that the effective susceptibility exponent is nonmonotonic in the
low-temperature phase of the three-dimensional Ising model.Comment: 5 pages, final version to appear in Phys. Rev.
Flow Equations for U_k and Z_k
By considering the gradient expansion for the wilsonian effective action S_k
of a single component scalar field theory truncated to the first two terms, the
potential U_k and the kinetic term Z_k, I show that the recent claim that
different expansion of the fluctuation determinant give rise to different
renormalization group equations for Z_k is incorrect. The correct procedure to
derive this equation is presented and the set of coupled differential equations
for U_k and Z_k is definitely established.Comment: 5 page
Effective average action in statistical physics and quantum field theory
An exact renormalization group equation describes the dependence of the free
energy on an infrared cutoff for the quantum or thermal fluctuations. It
interpolates between the microphysical laws and the complex macroscopic
phenomena. We present a simple unified description of critical phenomena for
O(N)-symmetric scalar models in two, three or four dimensions, including
essential scaling for the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition.Comment: 34 pages,5 figures,LaTe
Recommended from our members
Saharan dust plume charging observed over the UK
A plume of Saharan dust and Iberian smoke was carried across the southern UK on 16th October 2017, entrained into an Atlantic cyclone which had originated as Hurricane Ophelia. The dust plume aloft was widely noticed as it was sufficiently dense to redden the visual appearance of the sun. Time series of backscatter from ceilometers at Reading and Chilbolton show two plumes: one carried upwards to 2.5 km, and another below 800m into the boundary layer, with a clear slot between.
Steady descent of particles at about 50 cmsâ1 continued throughout the morning, and coarse mode particles reached the surface. Plumes containing dust are frequently observed to be strongly charged,often through frictional effects. This plume passed over atmospheric electric field sensors at Bristol, Chilbolton and Reading. Consistent measurements at these three sites indicated negative plume charge. The lower edge plume charge density was (â8.0±3.3) nCmâ2, which is several times greater than that typical for stratiform water clouds, implying an active in situ charge generation mechanism
such as turbulent triboelectrification. A meteorological radiosonde measuring temperature and humidity was launched into the plume at 1412 UTC, specially instrumented with charge and turbulence sensors. This detected charge in the boundary layer and in the upper plume region, and strong turbulent mixing was observed throughout the atmosphereâs lowest 4 km. The clear slot
region, through which particles sedimented, was anomalously dry compared with modelled values, with water clouds forming intermittently in the air beneath. Electrical aspects of dust should be included in numerical models, particularly the charge-related effects on cloud microphysical properties, to accurately represent particle behaviour and transport
Field Theory Entropy, the -theorem and the Renormalization Group
We consider entropy and relative entropy in Field theory and establish
relevant monotonicity properties with respect to the couplings. The relative
entropy in a field theory with a hierarchy of renormalization group fixed
points ranks the fixed points, the lowest relative entropy being assigned to
the highest multicritical point. We argue that as a consequence of a
generalized theorem Wilsonian RG flows induce an increase in entropy and
propose the relative entropy as the natural quantity which increases from one
fixed point to another in more than two dimensions.Comment: 25 pages, plain TeX (macros included), 6 ps figures. Addition in
title. Entropy of cutoff Gaussian model modified in section 4 to avoid a
divergence. Therefore, last figure modified. Other minor changes to improve
readability. Version to appear in Phys. Rev.
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