The CO A-X System for Constraining Cosmological Drift of the Proton-Electron Mass Ratio

The $\textrm{A}^1\Pi-\textrm{X}^1\Sigma^+$ band system of carbon monoxide, which has been detected in six highly redshifted galaxies ($z=1.6-2.7$), is identified as a novel probe method to search for possible variations of the proton-electron mass ratio ($\mu$) on cosmological time scales. Laboratory wavelengths of the spectral lines of the A-X ($v$,0) bands for $v=0-9$ have been determined at an accuracy of $\Delta\lambda/\lambda=1.5 \times 10^{-7}$ through VUV Fourier-transform absorption spectroscopy, providing a comprehensive and accurate zero-redshift data set. For the (0,0) and (1,0) bands, two-photon Doppler-free laser spectroscopy has been applied at the $3 \times 10^{-8}$ accuracy level, verifying the absorption data. Sensitivity coefficients $K_{\mu}$ for a varying $\mu$ have been calculated for the CO A-X bands, so that an operational method results to search for $\mu$-variation.Comment: 7 pages (main article), 3 figures, includes supplementary materia

Compression of Atomic Phase Space Using an Asymmetric One-Way Barrier

We show how to construct asymmetric optical barriers for atoms. These barriers can be used to compress phase space of a sample by creating a confined region in space where atoms can accumulate with heating at the single photon recoil level. We illustrate our method with a simple two-level model and then show how it can be applied to more realistic multi-level atoms

Remineralization of demineralized dentin using a dual analog system.

ObjectiveImproved methods are needed to remineralize dentin caries in order to promote conservation of dentin tissue and minimize the surgical interventions that are currently required for clinical treatment. Here, we test the hypothesis that bulk substrates can be effectively mineralized via a dual analog system proposed by others, using a tripolyphosphate (TPP) "templating analog" and a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(aspartic acid) (pAsp) "sequestration analog," the latter of which generates the polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) mineralization process studied in our laboratory.Material & methodsDemineralized human dentin slices were remineralized with and without pre-treatment with TPP, using either PAA or pAsp as the PILP process-directing agent. A control experiment with no polymer present was used for comparison.ResultsNo mineralization was observed in any of the PAA groups. In both the pAsp and no polymer groups, TPP inhibited mineralization on the surfaces of the specimens but promoted mineralization within the interiors. Pre-treatment with TPP enhanced overall mineralization of the pAsp group. However, when analysed via TEM, regions with little mineral were still present.ConclusionPoly(acrylic acid) was unable to remineralize demineralized dentin slices under the conditions employed, even when pre-treated with TPP. However, pre-treatment with TPP enhanced overall mineralization of specimens that were PILP-remineralized using pAsp

Berry phase correction to electron density of states in solids

Liouville's theorem on the conservation of phase space volume is violated by Berry phase in the semiclassical dynamics of Bloch electrons. This leads to a modification of the phase space density of states, whose significance is discussed in a number of examples: field modification of the Fermi-sea volume, connection to the anomalous Hall effect, and a general formula for orbital magnetization. The effective quantum mechanics of Bloch electrons is also sketched, where the modified density of states plays an essential role.Comment: Minor revision. Journal info updat

Statistical Mechanics of an Optical Phase Space Compressor

We describe the statistical mechanics of a new method to produce very cold atoms or molecules. The method results from trapping a gas in a potential well, and sweeping through the well a semi-permeable barrier, one that allows particles to leave but not to return. If the sweep is sufficiently slow, all the particles trapped in the well compress into an arbitrarily cold gas. We derive analytical expressions for the velocity distribution of particles in the cold gas, and compare these results with numerical simulations.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Exciton Optical Absorption in Self-Similar Aperiodic Lattices

Exciton optical absorption in self-similar aperiodic one-dimensional systems is considered, focusing our attention on Thue-Morse and Fibonacci lattices as canonical examples. The absorption line shape is evaluated by solving the microscopic equations of motion of the Frenkel-exciton problem on the lattice, in which on-site energies take on two values, according to the Thue-Morse or Fibonacci sequences. Results are compared to those obtained in random lattices with the same stechiometry and size. We find that aperiodic order causes the occurrence of well-defined characteristic features in the absorption spectra which clearly differ from the case of random systems, indicating a most peculiar exciton dynamics. We successfully explain the obtained spectra in terms of the two-center problem. This allows us to establish the origin of all the absorption lines by considering the self-similar aperiodic lattices as composed of two-center blocks, within the same spirit of the renormalization group ideas.Comment: 16 pages in REVTeX 3.0. 2 figures on request to F. D-A ([email protected]

Precise determination of stellar parameters of the ZZ Ceti and DAZ white dwarf GD 133 through asteroseismology

An increasing number of white dwarf stars show atmospheric chemical composition polluted by heavy elements accreted from debris disk material. The existence of such debris disks strongly suggests the presence of one or more planet(s) whose gravitational interaction with rocky planetesimals is responsible for their disruption by tidal effect. The ZZ Ceti pulsator and polluted DAZ white dwarf GD 133 is a good candidate for searching for such a potential planet. We started in 2011 a photometric follow-up of its pulsations. As a result of this work in progress, we used the data gathered from 2011 to 2015 to make an asteroseismological analysis of GD 133, providing the star parameters from a best fit model with $M$/$M_{\odot}$ = 0.630 $\pm$ 0.002, $T_{\rm eff}$ = 12400 K $\pm$ 70 K, log($M_{\rm He}/M$) = -2.00 $\pm$ 0.02, log($M_{\rm H}/M$) = -4.50 $\pm$ 0.02 and determining a rotation period of $\approx$ 7 days.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figures, accepted by MNRA

Precision of Quantization of the Hall Conductivity in a Sample of Finite Size: Power Law

A microscopic calculation of the conductivity in the integer quantum Hall effect (IQHE) regime is carried out. The problem of precision of quantization is analyzed for samples of finite size. It is demonstrated that the precision of quantization shows a power-law dependence on the sample size. A new scaling parameter describing a dependence of this kind is introduced. It is also demonstrated that the precision of quantization linearly depends on the ratio between the amplitude of the chaotic potential and the cyclotron energy. The results obtained are compared with the magnetotransport measurements in mesoscopic samples.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure