3,219 research outputs found
Rydberg trimers and excited dimers bound by internal quantum reflection
Quantum reflection is a pure wave phenomena that predicts reflection of a
particle at a changing potential for cases where complete transmission occurs
classically. For a chemical bond, we find that this effect can lead to
non-classical vibrational turning points and bound states at extremely large
interatomic distances. Only recently has the existence of such ultralong-range
Rydberg molecules been demonstrated experimentally. Here, we identify a broad
range of molecular lines, most of which are shown to originate from two
different novel sources: a single-photon associated triatomic molecule formed
by a Rydberg atom and two ground state atoms and a series of excited dimer
states that are bound by a so far unexplored mechanism based on internal
quantum reflection at a steep potential drop. The properties of the Rydberg
molecules identified in this work qualify them as prototypes for a new type of
chemistry at ultracold temperatures.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
Irreversibility and Polymer Adsorption
Physisorption or chemisorption from dilute polymer solutions often entails
irreversible polymer-surface bonding. We present a theory of the
non-equilibrium layers which result. While the density profile and loop
distribution are the same as for equilibrium layers, the final layer comprises
a tightly bound inner part plus an outer part whose chains make only fN surface
contacts where N is chain length. The contact fractions f follow a broad
distribution, P(f) ~ f^{-4/5}, in rather close agreement with strong
physisorption experiments [H. M. Schneider et al, Langmuir v.12, p.994 (1996)].Comment: 4 pages, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let
By design : negotiating flexible learning in the built environment discipline
The term ‘flexible education’ is now firmly entrenched within Australian higher education discourse, yet the term is a contested one imbued with a multiplicity of meanings. This paper describes a process designed to elucidate how the idea of flexible education can be translated into teaching models that are informed by the specific demands of disciplinary contexts. The process uses a flexible learning ‘matching’ tool to articulate the understandings and preferences of students and academics of the Built Environment to bridge the gap between student expectations of flexibility and their teacher’s willingness and ability to provide that flexibility within the limits of the pedagogical context and teaching resources. The findings suggest an informed starting point for educators in the Built Environment and other creative disciplines from which to traverse the complexities inherent in negotiating flexibility in an increasingly digital world
Explaining Evidence Denial as Motivated Pragmatically Rational Epistemic Irrationality
This paper introduces a model for evidence denial that explains this behavior as a manifestation of rationality and it is based on the contention that social values (measurable as utilities) often underwrite these sorts of responses. Moreover, it is contended that the value associated with group membership in particular can override epistemic reason when the expected utility of a belief or belief system is great. However, it is also true that it appears to be the case that it is still possible for such unreasonable believers to reverse this sort of dogmatism and to change their beliefs in a way that is epistemically rational. The conjecture made here is that we should expect this to happen only when the expected utility of the beliefs in question dips below a threshold where the utility value of continued dogmatism and the associated group membership is no longer sufficient to motivate defusing the counter-evidence that tells against such epistemically irrational beliefs
Self-diffusion in binary blends of cyclic and linear polymers
A lattice model is used to estimate the self-diffusivity of entangled cyclic
and linear polymers in blends of varying compositions. To interpret simulation
results, we suggest a minimal model based on the physical idea that constraints
imposed on a cyclic polymer by infiltrating linear chains have to be released,
before it can diffuse beyond a radius of gyration. Both, the simulation, and
recently reported experimental data on entangled DNA solutions support the
simple model over a wide range of blend compositions, concentrations, and
molecular weights.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure
Topological effects in ring polymers: A computer simulation study
Unconcatenated, unknotted polymer rings in the melt are subject to strong
interactions with neighboring chains due to the presence of topological
constraints. We study this by computer simulation using the bond-fluctuation
algorithm for chains with up to N=512 statistical segments at a volume fraction
\Phi=0.5 and show that rings in the melt are more compact than gaussian chains.
A careful finite size analysis of the average ring size R \propto N^{\nu}
yields an exponent \nu \approx 0.39 \pm 0.03 in agreement with a Flory-like
argument for the topologica interactions. We show (using the same algorithm)
that the dynamics of molten rings is similar to that of linear chains of the
same mass, confirming recent experimental findings. The diffusion constant
varies effectively as D_{N} \propto N^{-1.22(3) and is slightly higher than
that of corresponding linear chains. For the ring sizes considered (up to 256
statistical segments) we find only one characteristic time scale \tau_{ee}
\propto N^{2.0(2); this is shown by the collapse of several mean-square
displacements and correlation functions onto corresponding master curves.
Because of the shrunken state of the chain, this scaling is not compatible with
simple Rouse motion. It applies for all sizes of ring studied and no sign of a
crossover to any entangled regime is found.Comment: 20 Pages,11 eps figures, Late
Quantum computation with trapped polar molecules
We propose a novel physical realization of a quantum computer. The qubits are
electric dipole moments of ultracold diatomic molecules, oriented along or
against an external electric field. Individual molecules are held in a 1-D trap
array, with an electric field gradient allowing spectroscopic addressing of
each site. Bits are coupled via the electric dipole-dipole interaction. Using
technologies similar to those already demonstrated, this design can plausibly
lead to a quantum computer with qubits, which can perform CNOT gates in the anticipated decoherence time of s.Comment: 4 pages, RevTeX 4, 2 figures. Edited for length and converted to
RevTeX, but no substantial changes from earlier pdf versio
What’s Sex (Composition) Got to Do with It? The Importance of Sex Composition of Gangs for Female and Male Members’ Offending and Victimization
Sex composition of groups has been theorized in organizational sociology and found in prior work to structure female and male members’ behaviors and experiences. Peer group and gang literature similarly finds that the sex gap in offending varies across groups of differing sex ratios. Drawing on this and other research linking gang membership, offending, and victimization, we examine whether sex composition of gangs is linked to sex differences in offending in this sample, further assess whether sex composition similarly structures females’ and males’ victimization experiences, and if so, why. Self-report data from gang members in a multi-site, longitudinal study of 3,820 youths are employed. Results support previous findings about variations in member delinquency by both sex and sex composition of the gang and also indicate parallel variations in members’ victimization. These results are further considered within the context of facilitating effects such as gender dynamics, gang characteristics, and normative orientation
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