Fabrication of large ceramic electrolyte disks

Process for sintering compressed ceramic powders produces large ceramic disks for use as electrolytes in high-temperature electrolytic cells. Thin, strain-free uniformly dense disks as large as 30 cm squared have been fabricated by slicing ceramic slugs produced by this technique

Revisiting the displacement operator for quantum systems with position-dependent mass

Recently R. N. Costa Filho et al. (PRA 84, 050102(R) (2011)) have introduced a position dependent infinitesimal translation operator which corresponds to a position dependent linear momentum and consequently to a position dependent effective mass quantum particle. Although there is no doubt in novelty of the idea and the formalism, we believe that some aspects of the quantum mechanics could be complemented in their original work. Here in this letter first we address those points and then an alternative will be introduced. Finally we apply the formalism for a quantum particle under a null potential confined in a square well and the results will be compared with those in the paper mentioned above.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Final version to appear in Phys. Rev.

A physiological marker of recognition memory in adults with autism spectrum disorder? The Pupil Old/New Effect

This study investigated the pupil Old/New effect in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and typical development (TD). Participants studied verbal and visual meaningful and meaningless materials in black and white on a computer screen. Pupil sizes were measured while participants performed a Remember (episodic memory with context) /Know (semantic memory, no context) recognition memory test. ASD compared to TD individuals showed significantly reduced recognition rates for all materials. Both groups showed better memory for visual compared to verbal (picture superiority effect) and meaningful compared to meaningless materials. A pupil size ratio (pupil size for test item divided by baseline) for old (studied) and new (unstudied) materials indicated larger pupils for old compared to new materials only for the TD but not the ASD group. Pupil size in response to old versus new items was positively related to recognition accuracy, confirming that the pupil Old/New effect reflects a memory phenomenon in the ASD group. In addition, this study suggests an involvement of the noradrenergic neurotransmitter system in the abnormal hippocampal functioning in ASD. Implications of these findings as well as their underlying neurophysiology will be discussed in relation to current theories of memory in ASD

Pairing correlations in nuclei on the neutron-drip line

Paring correlations in weakly bound nuclei on the edge of neutron drip line is studied by using a three-body model. A density-dependent contact interaction is employed to calculate the ground state of halo nuclei $^{6}$He and $^{11}$Li, as well as a skin nucleus $^{24}$O. Dipole excitations in these nuclei are also studied within the same model. We point out that the di-neutron type correlation plays a dominant role in the halo nuclei $^{6}$He and $^{11}$Li having the coupled spin of the two neutrons $S$=0, while the correlation similar to the BCS type is important in $^{24}$O. Contributions of the spin $S$=1 and S=0 configurations are separately discussed in the low energy dipole excitations.Comment: 6 pages, 12 eps figure

Graphite/epoxy composite adapters for the Space Shuttle/Centaur vehicle

The decision to launch various NASA satellite and Air Force spacecraft from the Space Shuttle created the need for a high-energy upper stage capable of being deployed from the cargo bay. Two redesigned versions of the Centaur vehicle which employed a graphite/epoxy composite material for the forward and aft adapters were selected. Since this was the first time a graphite/epoxy material was used for Centaur major structural components, the development of the adapters was a major effort. An overview of the composite adapter designs, subcomponent design evaluation test results, and composite adapter test results from a full-scale vehicle structural test is presented

Covariant density functional theory for antimagnetic rotation

Following the previous letter on the first microscopic description of the antimagnetic rotation (AMR) in 105Cd, a systematic investigation and detailed analysis for the AMR band in the frame-work of tilted axis cranking (TAC) model based on covariant density functional theory are carried out. After performing the microscopic and self-consistentTAC calculations with an given density functional, the configuration for the observed AMR band in 105Cd is obtained from the single-particle Routhians. With the configuration thus obtained, the tilt angle for a given rotational frequency is determined self-consistently by minimizing the total Routhian with respect to the tilt angle. In such a way, the energy spectrum, total angular momenta, kinetic and dynamic moments of inertia, and the B(E2) values for the AMR band in 105Cd are calculated. Good agreement with the data is found. By investigating microscopically the contributions from neutrons and protons to the total angular momentum, the "two-shears-like" mechanism in the AMR band is clearly illus-trated. Finally, the currents leading to time-odd mean fields in the Dirac equation are presented and discussed in detail. It is found that they are essentially determined by the valence particles and/or holes. Their spatial distribution and size depend onthe specific single-particle orbitals and the rotational frequency.Comment: 35 pages, 17 figures, accepted by Phys. Rev.