The cosmological constant and dark energy in braneworlds

We review recent attempts to address the cosmological constant problem and the late-time acceleration of the Universe based on braneworld models. In braneworld models, the way in which the vacuum energy gravitates in the 4D spacetime is radically different from conventional 4D physics. It is possible that the vacuum energy on a brane does not curve the 4D spacetime and only affects the geometry of the extra-dimensions, offering a solution to the cosmological constant problem. We review the idea of supersymmetric large extra dimensions that could achieve this and also provide a natural candidate for a quintessence field. We also review the attempts to explain the late-time accelerated expansion of the universe from the large-distance modification of gravity based on the braneworld. We use the Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati model to demonstrate how one can distinguish this model from dark energy models in 4D general relativity. Theoretical difficulties in this approach are also addressed.Comment: Invited Review for a special Gen. Rel. Grav. issue on Dark Energy, 22 pages, 13 figures, references adde

Probing Lorentz and CPT violation with space-based experiments

Space-based experiments offer sensitivity to numerous unmeasured effects involving Lorentz and CPT violation. We provide a classification of clock sensitivities and present explicit expressions for time variations arising in such experiments from nonzero coefficients in the Lorentz- and CPT-violating Standard-Model Extension.Comment: 15 page

Assessing Emerging ICT-enabled Governance Models in European Cities: Results from a Mapping Survey

The paper presents the preliminary results of an exploratory survey conducted by the Information Society Unit of the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) of the European Commission. The main goal of the research is to deepen the understanding of the interplay between ICTs and governance processes at city level in the EU by looking at what new ICTenabled governance models are emerging in European cities and what are their key socio-economic implications. In this preliminary phase efforts have been directed towards addressing the following research question: what key city governance policy areas ICTs impact most and what governance changes are driven by ICTs? This questions have been investigated through a questionnaire based online survey. The evidence collected provided a comprehensive mapping of the use of ICTs in European cities as well as the views of policy makers, city government officials, practitioners and researchers, on the way ICTs are influencing governance processes. The evidence collected shows that new ICT-enabled governance models are emerging, and it allowed to identify the main dimensions of change, drivers, barriers, enablers and characteristics, as well as opportunities, risks and challenges associated with them.JRC.DDG.J.4-Information Societ

Temperature and junction-type dependency of Andreev reflection in MgB2

We studied the voltage and temperature dependency of the dynamic conductance of normal metal-MgB2 junctions obtained either with the point-contact technique (with Au and Pt tips) or by making Ag-paint spots on the surface of high-quality single-crystal-like MgB2 samples. The fit of the conductance curves with the generalized BTK model gives evidence of pure s-wave gap symmetry. The temperature dependency of the gap, measured in Ag-paint junctions (dirty limit), follows the standard BCS curve with 2Delta/kTc = 3.3. In out-of-plane, high-pressure point contacts we obtained almost ideal Andreev reflection characteristics showing a single small s-wave gap Delta = 2.6 +/- 0.2 (clean limit). These results support the two-gap model of superconductivity, the presence of a modified layer at the surface of the crystals and an important and non-conventional role of the impurities in MgB2.Comment: 5 pages, 4 eps figures, SNS 2001 conferenc

Thermodynamics with long-range interactions: from Ising models to black-holes

New methods are presented which enables one to analyze the thermodynamics of systems with long-range interactions. Generically, such systems have entropies which are non-extensive, (do not scale with the size of the system). We show how to calculate the degree of non-extensivity for such a system. We find that a system interacting with a heat reservoir is in a probability distribution of canonical ensembles. The system still possesses a parameter akin to a global temperature, which is constant throughout the substance. There is also a useful quantity which acts like a {\it local temperatures} and it varies throughout the substance. These quantities are closely related to counterparts found in general relativity. A lattice model with long-range spin-spin coupling is studied. This is compared with systems such as those encountered in general relativity, and gravitating systems with Newtonian-type interactions. A long-range lattice model is presented which can be seen as a black-hole analog. One finds that the analog's temperature and entropy have many properties which are found in black-holes. Finally, the entropy scaling behavior of a gravitating perfect fluid of constant density is calculated. For weak interactions, the entropy scales like the volume of the system. As the interactions become stronger, the entropy becomes higher near the surface of the system, and becomes more area-scaling.Comment: Corrects some typos found in published version. Title changed 22 pages, 2 figure

High-resolution velocity measurements on fully identified light nuclides produced in 56Fe + hydrogen and 56Fe + titanium systems

New experimental results on the kinematics and the residue production are obtained for the interactions of 56Fe projectiles with protons and (nat)Ti target nuclei, respectively, at theincident energy of 1 A GeV. The titanium-induced reaction serves as a reference case for multifragmentation. Already in the proton-induced reaction, the characteristics of the isotopic cross sections and the shapes of the velocity spectra of light residues indicate that high thermal energy is deposited in the system during the collision. In the 56Fe+p system the high excitation seems to favour the onset of fast break-up decays dominated by very asymmetric partitions of the disassembling system. This configuration leads to the simultaneous formation of one or more light fragments together with one heavy residue.Comment: 24 pages, 21 figures, 1 table, this work forms part of the PhD thesis of P.Napolitani, background information on http://www-w2k.gsi.de/kschmidt

Simulation of Beam-Beam Effects and Tevatron Experience

Effects of electromagnetic interactions of colliding bunches in the Tevatron had a variety of manifestations in beam dynamics presenting vast opportunities for development of simulation models and tools. In this paper the computer code for simulation of weak-strong beam-beam effects in hadron colliders is described. We report the collider operational experience relevant to beam-beam interactions, explain major effects limiting the collider performance and compare results of observations and measurements with simulations.Comment: 23 pages, 17 figure

Supersymmetric Nambu−-Jona-Lasinio Model on N=1/2{\cal N}=1/2 four-dimensional Non(anti)commutative Superspace

We construct the Lagrangian of the ${\cal N}=1$ four-dimensional generalized supersymmetric Nambu$-$Jona-Lasinio (SNJL) model, which has ${\cal N}=1/2$ supersymmetry (SUSY) on non(anti)commutative superspace. A special attention is paid to the examination on the nonperturbative quantum dynamics: The phenomenon of dynamical-symmetry-breaking/mass-generation on the deformed superspace is investigated. The model Lagrangian and the method of SUSY auxiliary fields of composites are examined in terms of component fields. We derive the effective action, examine it, and solve the gap equation for self-consistent mass parameters.Comment: 16 pages, TeX mistakes corrected, accepted for publication in JHEP, 25 Jan. 200

Phase Coherence and Control of Stored Photonic Information

We report the demonstration of phase coherence and control for the recently developed "light storage" technique. Specifically, we use a pulsed magnetic field to vary the phase of atomic spin excitations which result from the deceleration and storing of a light pulse in warm Rb vapor. We then convert the spin excitations back into light and detect the resultant phase shift in an optical interferometric measurement. The coherent storage of photon states in matter is essential for the practical realization of many basic concepts in quantum information processing.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

The Fourth Standard Model Family and the Competition in Standart Model Higgs Boson Search at Tevatron and LHC

The impact of the fourth Standard Model family on Higgs boson search at Tevatron and LHC is reviewed.Comment: 7 pages, 13 figure