A Tracking Fiber Detector based on Silicon Photomultipliers for the Kaos Spectrometer

A tracking detector based on two meters long scintillating fibers read out by silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) is being developed for the Kaos spectrometer at the Mainz Microtron MAMI. Results from a prototype setup using 2 mm square fibers and large area SiPM readout are presented. The detection efficiency of such a combination was measured to be between 83 and 100% depending on the threshold on the SiPM amplitude. A Monte Carlo simulation based on a physical model was employed in order to extract the photon detection efficiency of the SiPM devices.Comment: Contributed to 2008 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, 19-25 October 2008, Dresden, German

Power spectra in extended tachyon cosmologies

In the present work the power spectrum of a particular class of tachyon fields is compared with the one corresponding to a cosmological constant model. This is done for different barotropic indexes $\gamma_0$ and the background space time is assumed to be of the spatially flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker type. The differential equation describing the perturbations is solved numerically and the power spectrum at the scale factor value $a=1$ is plotted for each case. The result is that the power spectrum of the standard tachyon field differs in many magnitude orders from the $\Lambda$CDM. However, the one with $\gamma_0=1.91$, which corresponds to a complementary tachyon field, coincides fairly well with the concordance model. Therefore, we conclude that the perturbed solutions constitute an effective method to distinguish between the different $\gamma_0$ values for the tachionization $\Lambda$CDM model and the fiducial model. The Statefinder parameters $\{r, s\}$, measuring the deviations of the analysed model from the concordance model, are also explicitly calculated. Our result suggest that, depending on the value of $\gamma_0$, these models can explain the observed expansion history or the perturbation power spectrum of the universe, but they may have problems in describing both features simultaneously.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in General Relativity and Gravitatio

Evolutionary game theory: Temporal and spatial effects beyond replicator dynamics

Evolutionary game dynamics is one of the most fruitful frameworks for studying evolution in different disciplines, from Biology to Economics. Within this context, the approach of choice for many researchers is the so-called replicator equation, that describes mathematically the idea that those individuals performing better have more offspring and thus their frequency in the population grows. While very many interesting results have been obtained with this equation in the three decades elapsed since it was first proposed, it is important to realize the limits of its applicability. One particularly relevant issue in this respect is that of non-mean-field effects, that may arise from temporal fluctuations or from spatial correlations, both neglected in the replicator equation. This review discusses these temporal and spatial effects focusing on the non-trivial modifications they induce when compared to the outcome of replicator dynamics. Alongside this question, the hypothesis of linearity and its relation to the choice of the rule for strategy update is also analyzed. The discussion is presented in terms of the emergence of cooperation, as one of the current key problems in Biology and in other disciplines.Comment: Review, 48 pages, 26 figure