36,225 research outputs found
Relation Between Einstein And Quantum Field Equations
We show that there exists a choice of scalar field modes, such that the
evolution of the quantum field in the zero-mass and large-mass limits is
consistent with the Einstein equations for the background geometry. This choice
of modes is also consistent with zero production of these particles and thus
corresponds to a preferred vacuum state preserved by the evolution. In the
zero-mass limit, we find that the quantum field equation implies the Einstein
equation for the scale factor of a radiation-dominated universe; in the
large-mass case, it implies the corresponding Einstein equation for a
matter-dominated universe. Conversely, if the classical radiation-dominated or
matter-dominated Einstein equations hold, there is no production of scalar
particles in the zero and large mass limits, respectively. The suppression of
particle production in the large mass limit is over and above the expected
suppression at large mass. Our results hold for a certain class of conformally
ultrastatic background geometries and therefore generalize previous results by
one of us for spatially flat Robertson-Walker background geometries. In these
geometries, we find that the temporal part of the graviton equations reduces to
the temporal equation for a massless minimally coupled scalar field, and
therefore the results for massless particle production hold also for gravitons.
Within the class of modes we study, we also find that the requirement of zero
production of massless scalar particles is not consistent with a non-zero
cosmological constant. Possible implications are discussed.Comment: Latex, 24 pages. Minor changes in text from original versio
Inflation, Renormalization, and CMB Anisotropies
In single-field, slow-roll inflationary models, scalar and tensorial
(Gaussian) perturbations are both characterized by a zero mean and a non-zero
variance. In position space, the corresponding variance of those fields
diverges in the ultraviolet. The requirement of a finite variance in position
space forces its regularization via quantum field renormalization in an
expanding universe. This has an important impact on the predicted scalar and
tensorial power spectra for wavelengths that today are at observable scales. In
particular, we find a non-trivial change in the consistency condition that
relates the tensor-to-scalar ratio "r" to the spectral indices. For instance,
an exact scale-invariant tensorial power spectrum, n_t=0, is now compatible
with a non-zero ratio r= 0.12 +/- 0.06, which is forbidden by the standard
prediction (r=-8n_t). Forthcoming observations of the influence of relic
gravitational waves on the CMB will offer a non-trivial test of the new
predictions.Comment: 4 pages, jpconf.cls, to appear in the Proceedings of Spanish
Relativity Meeting 2009 (ERE 09), Bilbao (Spain
Spatial curvature effects on molecular transport by diffusion
For a substance diffusing on a curved surface, we obtain an explicit relation
valid for very small values of the time, between the local concentration, the
diffusion coefficient, the intrinsic spatial curvature and the time. We recover
the known solution of Fick's law of diffusion in the flat space limit. In the
biological context, this result would be useful in understanding the variations
in the diffusion rates of integral proteins and other molecules on membranes.Comment: 10 page
Thomas-Fermi versus one- and two-dimensional regimes of a trapped dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate
We derive the criteria for the Thomas-Fermi regime of a dipolar Bose-Einstein
condensate in cigar, pancake and spherical geometries. This also naturally
gives the criteria for the mean-field one- and two-dimensional regimes. Our
predictions, including the Thomas-Fermi density profiles, are shown to be in
excellent agreement with numerical solutions. Importantly, the anisotropy of
the interactions has a profound effect on the Thomas-Fermi/low-dimensional
criteria.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
Jupiters radiation belts and their effects on spacecraft
The effects of electron and proton radiation on spacecraft which will operate in the trapped radiation belts of the planet Jupiter are described, and the techniques and results of the testing and simulation used in the radiation effects program are discussed. Available data from the Pioneer 10 encounter of Jupiter are compared with pre-encounter models of the Jupiter radiation belts. The implications that the measured Jovian radiation belts have for future missions are considered
Preliminary characterization of a one-axis acoustic system
The acoustic fields and levitation forces produced along the axis of a single-axis resonance system were measured. The system consisted of a St. Clair generator and a planar reflector. The levitation force was measured for bodies of various sizes and geometries (i.e., spheres, cylinders, and discs). The force was found to be roughly proportional to the volume of the body until the characteristic body radius reaches approximately 2/k (k = wave number). The acoustic pressures along the axis were modeled using Huygens principle and a method of imaging to approximate multiple reflections. The modeled pressures were found to be in reasonable agreement with those measured with a calibrated microphone
Some gamma-ray shielding measurements made at altitudes greater than 115000 feet using large Ge(Li) detectors
A series of balloon-flight experiments at altitudes greater than 115,000 feet were conducted to gain information relative to the use of composite shields (passive and/or active) for shielding large-volume, lithium-drifted, germanium (Ge(Li)) detectors used in gamma-ray spectrometers. Data showing the pulse-height spectra of the environmental gamma radiation as measured at 5.3 and 3.8 gms sq cm residual atmosphere with an unshielded diode detector are also presented
Chemical modification of poly(p-phenylene) for use in ablative compositions
Development of ablative materials based on modification of polyphenylene compounds is discussed. Chemical and physical properties are analyzed for application as heat resistant materials. Synthesis of linear polyphenylenes is described. Effects of exposure to oxyacetylene flame and composition of resultant char layer are presented
Populations of Pear Thrips, \u3ci\u3eTaeniothrips Inconsequens\u3c/i\u3e (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Sugar Maple Stands in Vermont: 1989-2005
Development of an effective IPM strategy for pear thrips, Taeniothrips inconsequens (Uzel) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a pest of sugar maple, Acer saccharum Marshall, demands an understanding of their population fluctuations over time. Pear thrips populations were monitored using a standardized soil sampling method every fall from 1989 – 2005 in 14 counties of Vermont (U.S.). Data from individual sites were combined into north, central and south regions. High numbers of thrips emerged from soil sampled in 1989, 1990, 1993 and 2001, particularly in the north region (Washington, Lamoille, and Franklin counties). The central and south regions had lower pear thrips populations over all years. These results provide, for the first time, fundamental knowledge of pear thrips populations across a wide geographical area of Vermont and will assist in the design of suitable control strategies for pear thrips in the future
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