438 research outputs found
Singular Laplacian Growth
The general equations of motion for two dimensional Laplacian growth are
derived using the conformal mapping method. In the singular case, all
singularities of the conformal map are on the unit circle, and the map is a
degenerate Schwarz-Christoffel map. The equations of motion describe the
motions of these singularities. Despite the typical fractal-like outcomes of
Laplacian growth processes, the equations of motion are shown to be not
particularly sensitive to initial conditions. It is argued that the sensitivity
of this system derives from a novel cause, the non-uniqueness of solutions to
the differential system. By a mechanism of singularity creation, every solution
can become more complex, even in the absence of noise, without violating the
growth law. These processes are permitted, but are not required, meaning the
equation of motion does not determine the motion, even in the small.Comment: 8 pages, Latex, 4 figures, Submitted to Phys. Rev.
Seismic data reveal eastern Black Sea Basin structure
Rifted continental margins are formed by progressive extension of the lithosphere. The development of these margins plays an integral role in the plate tectonic cycle, and an understanding of the extensional process underpins much hydrocarbon exploration. A key issue is whether the lithosphere extends uniformly, or whether extension varies\ud
with depth. Crustal extension may be determined using seismic techniques. Lithospheric extension may be inferred from the waterloaded subsidence history, determined from\ud
the pattern of sedimentation during and after rifting. Unfortunately, however, many rifted margins are sediment-starved, so the subsidence history is poorly known.\ud
To test whether extension varies between the crust and the mantle, a major seismic experiment was conducted in February–March 2005 in the eastern Black Sea Basin (Figure 1), a deep basin where the subsidence history is recorded\ud
by a thick, post-rift sedimentary sequence. The seismic data from the experiment indicate the presence of a thick, low-velocity zone, possibly representing overpressured sediments. They also indicate that the basement and\ud
Moho in the center of the basin are both several kilometers shallower than previously inferred. These initial observations may have considerable impact on thermal models of the petroleum system in the basin. Understanding\ud
the thermal history of potential source rocks is key to reducing hydrocarbon exploration risk. The experiment, which involved collaboration between university groups in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Turkey, and BP and\ud
Turkish Petroleum (TPAO), formed part of a larger project that also is using deep seismic reflection and other geophysical data held by the industry partners to determine the subsidence history and hence the strain evolution of\ud
the basin
Tracing Ghost Cavities with Low Frequency Radio Observations
We present X-ray and multi-frequency radio observations of the central radio
sources in several X-ray cavity systems. We show that targeted radio
observations are key to determining if the lobes are being actively fed by the
central AGN. Low frequency observations provide a unique way to study both the
lifecycle of the central radio source as well as its energy input into the ICM
over several outburst episodes.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, To appear in the Proceedings of "Heating vs.
Cooling in Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies", eds. H. Boehringer, P.
Schuecker, G. W. Pratt & A. Finoguenov (ESO Astrophysics Symposia,
Springer-Verlag), Garching (Germany), August 200
Calculation and optical measurement of laser trapping forces on non-spherical particles
Optical trapping, where microscopic particles are trapped and manipulated by
light is a powerful and widespread technique, with the single-beam gradient
trap (also known as optical tweezers) in use for a large number of biological
and other applications.
The forces and torques acting on a trapped particle result from the transfer
of momentum and angular momentum from the trapping beam to the particle.
Despite the apparent simplicity of a laser trap, with a single particle in a
single beam, exact calculation of the optical forces and torques acting on
particles is difficult. Calculations can be performed using approximate
methods, but are only applicable within their ranges of validity, such as for
particles much larger than, or much smaller than, the trapping wavelength, and
for spherical isotropic particles.
This leaves unfortunate gaps, since wavelength-scale particles are of great
practical interest because they are readily and strongly trapped and are used
to probe interesting microscopic and macroscopic phenomena, and non-spherical
or anisotropic particles, biological, crystalline, or other, due to their
frequent occurance in nature, and the possibility of rotating such objects or
controlling or sensing their orientation.
The systematic application of electromagnetic scattering theory can provide a
general theory of laser trapping, and render results missing from existing
theory. We present here calculations of force and torque on a trapped particle
obtained from this theory and discuss the possible applications, including the
optical measurement of the force and torque.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure
Finite element simulation of three-dimensional free-surface flow problems
An adaptive finite element algorithm is described for the stable solution of three-dimensional free-surface-flow problems based primarily on the use of node movement. The algorithm also includes a discrete remeshing procedure which enhances its accuracy and robustness. The spatial discretisation allows an isoparametric piecewise-quadratic approximation of the domain geometry for accurate resolution of the curved free surface.
The technique is illustrated through an implementation for surface-tension-dominated viscous flows modelled in terms of the Stokes equations with suitable boundary conditions on the deforming free surface. Two three-dimensional test problems are used to demonstrate the performance of the method: a liquid bridge problem and the formation of a fluid droplet
Astrophysical Reaction Rates for B(p,)Be and B(p,)Be From a Direct Model
The reactions B(p,)Be and B(p,)Be
are studied at thermonuclear energies using DWBA calculations. For both
reactions, transitions to the ground states and first excited states are
investigated. In the case of B(p,)Be, a resonance at
keV can be consistently described in the potential model, thereby
allowing the extension of the astrophysical -factor data to very low
energies. Strong interference with a resonance at about keV
require a Breit-Wigner description of that resonance and the introduction of an
interference term for the reaction B(p,)Be. Two
isospin resonances (at keV and keV)
observed in the B+p reactions necessitate Breit-Wigner resonance and
interference terms to fit the data of the B(p,)Be
reaction. -factors and thermonuclear reaction rates are given for each
reaction. The present calculation is the first consistent parametrization for
the transition to the ground states and first excited states at low energies.Comment: 27 pages, 5 Postscript figures, uses RevTex and aps.sty; preprint
also available at http://quasar.physik.unibas.ch/ Phys. Rev. C, in pres
Quasars and their host galaxies
This review attempts to describe developments in the fields of quasar and
quasar host galaxies in the past five. In this time period, the Sloan and 2dF
quasar surveys have added several tens of thousands of quasars, with Sloan
quasars being found to z>6. Obscured, or partially obscured quasars have begun
to be found in significant numbers. Black hole mass estimates for quasars, and
our confidence in them, have improved significantly, allowing a start on
relating quasar properties such as radio jet power to fundamental parameters of
the quasar such as black hole mass and accretion rate. Quasar host galaxy
studies have allowed us to find and characterize the host galaxies of quasars
to z>2. Despite these developments, many questions remain unresolved, in
particular the origin of the close relationship between black hole mass and
galaxy bulge mass/velocity dispersion seen in local galaxies.Comment: Review article, to appear in Astrophysics Update
Keeping calm in the face of change: towards optimisation of FRP by reasoning about change
Functional Reactive Programming (FRP) is an approach to reactive programming where systems are structured as networks of functions operating on signals (time-varying values). FRP is based on the synchronous data-flow paradigm and supports both (an approximation to) continuous-time and discrete-time signals (hybrid systems).What sets FRP apart from most other languages for similar applications is its support for systems with dynamic structure and for higher-order reactive constructs. This paper contributes towards advancing the state of the art of FRP implementation by studying the notion of signal change and change propagation in a setting of structurally dynamic networks of n-ary signal functions operating on mixed continuous-time and discrete-time signals. We first define an ideal denotational semantics (time is truly continuous) for this kind of FRP, along with temporal properties, expressed in temporal logic, of signals and signal functions pertaining to change and change propagation. Using this framework, we then show how to reason about change; specifically, we identify and justify a number of possible optimisations, such as avoiding recomputation of unchanging values. Note that due to structural dynamism, and the fact that the output of a signal function may change because time is passing even if the input is unchanging, the problem is significantly more complex than standard change propagation in networks with static structure
Horizontal Branch Stars: The Interplay between Observations and Theory, and Insights into the Formation of the Galaxy
We review HB stars in a broad astrophysical context, including both variable
and non-variable stars. A reassessment of the Oosterhoff dichotomy is
presented, which provides unprecedented detail regarding its origin and
systematics. We show that the Oosterhoff dichotomy and the distribution of
globular clusters (GCs) in the HB morphology-metallicity plane both exclude,
with high statistical significance, the possibility that the Galactic halo may
have formed from the accretion of dwarf galaxies resembling present-day Milky
Way satellites such as Fornax, Sagittarius, and the LMC. A rediscussion of the
second-parameter problem is presented. A technique is proposed to estimate the
HB types of extragalactic GCs on the basis of integrated far-UV photometry. The
relationship between the absolute V magnitude of the HB at the RR Lyrae level
and metallicity, as obtained on the basis of trigonometric parallax
measurements for the star RR Lyrae, is also revisited, giving a distance
modulus to the LMC of (m-M)_0 = 18.44+/-0.11. RR Lyrae period change rates are
studied. Finally, the conductive opacities used in evolutionary calculations of
low-mass stars are investigated. [ABRIDGED]Comment: 56 pages, 22 figures. Invited review, to appear in Astrophysics and
Space Scienc
Observation of exclusive DVCS in polarized electron beam asymmetry measurements
We report the first results of the beam spin asymmetry measured in the
reaction e + p -> e + p + gamma at a beam energy of 4.25 GeV. A large asymmetry
with a sin(phi) modulation is observed, as predicted for the interference term
of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering and the Bethe-Heitler process. The
amplitude of this modulation is alpha = 0.202 +/- 0.028. In leading-order and
leading-twist pQCD, the alpha is directly proportional to the imaginary part of
the DVCS amplitude.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
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