Bounds for partial derivatives: necessity of UMD and sharp constants

We prove the necessity of the UMD condition, with a quantitative estimate of the UMD constant, for any inequality in a family of $L^p$ bounds between different partial derivatives $\partial^\beta u$ of $u\in C^\infty_c(\mathbb{R}^n,X)$. In particular, we show that the estimate $\|u_{xy}\|_p\leq K(\|u_{xx}\|_p+\|u_{yy}\|_p)$ characterizes the UMD property, and the best constant $K$ is equal to one half of the UMD constant. This precise value of $K$ seems to be new even for scalar-valued functions.Comment: v2: corrected typo in the reference

The fractional Bessel equation in H\"older spaces

Motivated by the Poisson equation for the fractional Laplacian on the whole space with radial right hand side, we study global H\"older and Schauder estimates for a fractional Bessel equation. Our methods stand on the so-called semigroup language. Indeed, by using the solution to the Bessel heat equation we derive pointwise formulas for the fractional operators. Appropriate H\"older spaces, which can be seen as Campanato-type spaces, are characterized through Bessel harmonic extensions and fractional Carleson measures. From here the regularity estimates for the fractional Bessel equations follow. In particular, we obtain regularity estimates for radial solutions to the fractional Laplacian.Comment: 36 pages. To appear in Journal of Approximation Theor

High Resolution Ionization of Ultracold Neutral Plasmas

Collective effects, such as waves and instabilities, are integral to our understanding of most plasma phenomena. We have been able to study these in ultracold neutral plasmas by shaping the initial density distribution through spatial modulation of the ionizing laser intensity. We describe a relay imaging system for the photoionization beam that allows us to create higher resolution features and its application to extend the observation of ion acoustic waves to shorter wavelengths. We also describe the formation of sculpted density profiles to create fast expansion of plasma into vacuum and streaming plasmas

Emergence of Kinetic Behavior in Streaming Ultracold Neutral Plasmas

We create streaming ultracold neutral plasmas by tailoring the photoionizing laser beam that creates the plasma. By varying the electron temperature, we control the relative velocity of the streaming populations, and, in conjunction with variation of the plasma density, this controls the ion collisionality of the colliding streams. Laser-induced fluorescence is used to map the spatially resolved density and velocity distribution function for the ions. We identify the lack of local thermal equilibrium and distinct populations of interpenetrating, counter-streaming ions as signatures of kinetic behavior. Experimental data is compared with results from a one-dimensional, two-fluid numerical simulation.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure