Gravitation as Anholonomy

A gravitational field can be seen as the anholonomy of the tetrad fields. This is more explicit in the teleparallel approach, in which the gravitational field-strength is the torsion of the ensuing Weitzenboeck connection. In a tetrad frame, that torsion is just the anholonomy of that frame. The infinitely many tetrad fields taking the Lorentz metric into a given Riemannian metric differ by point-dependent Lorentz transformations. Inertial frames constitute a smaller infinity of them, differing by fixed-point Lorentz transformations. Holonomic tetrads take the Lorentz metric into itself, and correspond to Minkowski flat spacetime. An accelerated frame is necessarily anholonomic and sees the electromagnetic field strength with an additional term.Comment: RevTeX4, 10 pages, no figures. To appear in Gen. Rel. Gra

The Equivalence Principle Revisited

A precise formulation of the strong Equivalence Principle is essential to the understanding of the relationship between gravitation and quantum mechanics. The relevant aspects are reviewed in a context including General Relativity, but allowing for the presence of torsion. For the sake of brevity, a concise statement is proposed for the Principle: "An ideal observer immersed in a gravitational field can choose a reference frame in which gravitation goes unnoticed". This statement is given a clear mathematical meaning through an accurate discussion of its terms. It holds for ideal observers (time-like smooth non-intersecting curves), but not for real, spatially extended observers. Analogous results hold for gauge fields. The difference between gravitation and the other fundamental interactions comes from their distinct roles in the equation of force.Comment: RevTeX, 18 pages, no figures, to appear in Foundations of Physic

Quantitative assessment of geosites with national and international relevance in Portugal: methodological procedures

During the last years geoscientists of various institutions have developed a project aiming the establishment of a geoconservation strategy in Portugal. One of the main goals of this project was the inventory of the most important Portuguese the definition of the frameworks representing the most important geological features in Portugal and considering all geodiversity. With the participation of more than seventy geoscientists, twenty-seven geological frameworks were defined according to their scientific value at both national and international levels. The scientific value together with the vulnerability was numerically assessed in order to obtain a sorted list of all geosites with scientific value. The first step geosites. The Portuguese geosites inventory will be used in nature conservation policies and land-use strategies in different levels of country's administration

Thulium and ytterbium-doped titanium oxide thin films deposited by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

Thin films of thulium and ytterbium-doped titanium oxide were grown by metal-organic spray pyrolysis deposition from titanium(IV)oxide bis(acetylacetonate), thulium(III) tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) and ytterbium(III) tris(acetylacetonate). Deposition temperatures have been investigated from 300{\deg}C to 600{\deg}C. Films have been studied regarding their crystallity and doping quality. Structural and composition characterisations of TiO2:Tm,Yb were performed by electron microprobe, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The deposition rate can reach 0.8 \mum/h. The anatase phase of TiO2 was obtained after synthesis at 400{\deg}C or higher. Organic contamination at low deposition temperature is eliminated by annealing treatments.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure