1,937 research outputs found
Ab-initio study of structure and dynamics properties of crystalline ice
We investigated the structural and dynamical properties of a tetrahedrally
coordinated crystalline ice from first principles based on density functional
theory within the generalized gradient approximation with the projected
augmented wave method. First, we report the structural behaviour of ice at
finite temperatures based on the analysis of radial distribution functions
obtained by molecular dynamics simulations. The results show how the ordering
of the hydrogen bonding breaks down in the tetrahedral network of ice with
entropy increase in agreement with the neutron diffraction data. We also
calculated the phonon spectra of ice in a 3x1x1 supercell by using the direct
method. So far, due to the direct method used in this calculation, the phonon
spectra is obtained without taking into account the effect of polarization
arising from dipole-dipole interactions of water molecules which is expected to
yield the splitting of longitudinal and transverse optic modes at the
Gamma-point. The calculated longitudinal acoustic velocities from the initial
slopes of the acoustic mode is in a reasonable agreement with the neutron
scatering data. The analysis of the vibrational density of states shows the
existence of a boson peak at low energy of translational region a
characteristic common to amorphous systems.Comment: International symposium on structure and dynamics of heterogeneous
system SDHS'0
Scintillation counter with MRS APD light readout
START, a high-efficiency and low-noise scintillation detector for ionizing
particles, was developed for the purpose of creating a high-granular system for
triggering cosmic muons. Scintillation light in START is detected by MRS APDs
(Avalanche Photo-Diodes with Metal-Resistance-Semiconductor structure),
operated in the Geiger mode, which have 1 mm^2 sensitive areas. START is
assembled from a 15 x 15 x 1 cm^3 scintillating plastic plate, two MRS APDs and
two pieces of wavelength-shifting optical fiber stacked in circular coils
inside the plastic. The front-end electronic card is mounted directly on the
detector. Tests with START have confirmed its operational consistency, over 99%
efficiency of MIP registration and good homogeneity. START demonstrates a low
intrinsic noise of about 10^{-2} Hz. If these detectors are to be
mass-produced, the cost of a mosaic array of STARTs is estimated at a moderate
level of 2-3 kUSD/m^2.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
Softening of Cu-O bond stretching phonon in tetragonal HgBaCuO
Phonons in nearly optimally doped HgBaCuO were studied by
inelastic X-ray scattering. The dispersion of the low energy modes is well
described by a shell model, while the Cu-O bond stretching mode at high energy
shows strong softening towards the zone boundary, which deviates strongly from
the model. This seems to be common in the hole-doped high-
superconducting cuprates, and, based on this work, not related to a lattice
distortion specific to each material.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let
Light response of pure CsI calorimeter crystals painted with wavelength-shifting lacquer
We have measured scintillation properties of pure CsI crystals used in the
shower calorimeter built for a precise determination of the pi+ -> pi0 e+ nu
decay rate at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). All 240 individual crystals
painted with a special wavelength-shifting solution were examined in a
custom-build detection apparatus (RASTA=radioactive source tomography
apparatus) that uses a 137Cs radioactive gamma source, cosmic muons and a light
emitting diode as complementary probes of the scintillator light response. We
have extracted the total light output, axial light collection nonuniformities
and timing responses of the individual CsI crystals. These results predict
improved performance of the 3 pi sr PIBETA calorimeter due to the painted
lateral surfaces of 240 CsI crystals. The wavelength-shifting paint treatment
did not affect appreciably the total light output and timing resolution of our
crystal sample. The predicted energy resolution for positrons and photons in
the energy range of 10-100 MeV was nevertheless improved due to the more
favorable axial light collection probability variation. We have compared
simulated calorimeter ADC spectra due to 70 MeV positrons and photons with a
Monte Carlo calculation of an ideal detector light response.Comment: Elsevier LaTeX, 35 pages in e-print format, 15 Postscript Figures and
4 Tables, also available at
http://pibeta.phys.virginia.edu/~pibeta/subprojects/csipro/tomo/rasta.p
LiBC by polarized Raman spectroscopy: Evidence for lower crystal symmetry ?
The paper presents polarized Raman scattering study on a few-micron-size
crystallite of LiBC with natural faces. The experiment on as grown sample has
revealed a four lattice modes with frequencies at 1276 cm^-1, 830 cm^-1, 546
cm^-1 and 170 cm^-1, respectively. The number of observed Raman lines and their
selection rules are incompatible with the assumed D6h symmetry. The modes at
1276 cm^-1 and 170 cm^-1 correspond to the expected Raman active modes. In
contrast with the superconducting compound MgB2, the B-C bond stretching mode
(at 1276 cm^-1) has rather small damping. The two "forbidden" modes (at 830
cm^-1 and 546 cm^-1) disappeared after subsequent thermal treatment.Comment: 4 pages, LaTeX, complementary experimental resul
A High-resolution Scintillating Fiber Tracker With Silicon Photomultiplier Array Readout
We present prototype modules for a tracking detector consisting of multiple
layers of 0.25 mm diameter scintillating fibers that are read out by linear
arrays of silicon photomultipliers. The module production process is described
and measurements of the key properties for both the fibers and the readout
devices are shown. Five modules have been subjected to a 12 GeV/c proton/pion
testbeam at CERN. A spatial resolution of 0.05 mm and light yields exceeding 20
detected photons per minimum ionizing particle have been achieved, at a
tracking efficiency of more than 98.5%. Possible techniques for further
improvement of the spatial resolution are discussed.Comment: 31 pages, 27 figures, pre-print version of an article published in
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A, Vol. 62
- …