New Experimental limit on Optical Photon Coupling to Neutral, Scalar Bosons

We report on the first results of a sensitive search for scalar coupling of photons to a light neutral boson in the mass range of approximately 1.0 milli-electron volts and coupling strength greater than 10$^-6$ GeV$^-1$ using optical photons. This was a photon regeneration experiment using the "light shining through a wall" technique in which laser light was passed through a strong magnetic field upstream of an optical beam dump; regenerated laser light was then searched for downstream of a second magnetic field region optically shielded from the former. Our results show no evidence for scalar coupling in this region of parameter space.Comment: pdf-file, 10 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Surface Core-Level Shifts and Atomic Coordination at a Stepped W(110) Surface

Core-level 4f7/2 photoemission spectra have been measured from a single, bifacial W crystal, which has both a flat W(110) and a vicinal, stepped W(110) [W(320)] surface. This procedure reduces uncertainties in the quantitative description of peaks in the spectra from W(320). Various analyses, including nonlinear least-squares curve fitting, show that the average surface core-level shift (SCS) for W(320) is only ∼-140 meV, compared to -310 meV for W(110) and that, at a maximum, only two of five terrace rows are isoelectronic to W(110) surface atoms. The absence of a large SCS for the step-edge atoms contradicts earlier interpretations of W(320) core-level spectra and departs significantly from expectations based on atomic-coordination models or tight-binding calculations of a bulk truncated surface. We suggest that systematic errors are responsible for the differences in reported core-level shifts for W(320). Implications of possible step-edge-driven atomic rearrangements are discussed

Core-Level Spectroscopy of the Pd/W(110) Interface: Evidence of Long-Range Pd-Island—WInteractions at Submonolayer Coverages

We have measured W 4f7/2 core-level photoemission spectra from W(1 1 0) in the presence of Pd overlayers for coverages up to ∼1 pseudomorphic monolayer (ML). At coverages close to 0.05 ML a striking change in the W core-level spectrum is observed, which we interpret as indicating a long-range lateral effect of 2D Pd islands upon the W electronic structure in both the first and second W layers. As the coverage increases the long-range effect weakens and finally vanishes near 0.85 ML. Above this coverage the W spectra are typical for a W-based bimetallic interface, with the first-layer W atoms exhibiting a small interfacial core-level shift (−95 ± 5 meV) compared to the bulk atoms

Threshold meson production and cosmic ray transport

An interesting accident of nature is that the peak of the cosmic ray spectrum, for both protons and heavier nuclei, occurs near the pion production threshold. The Boltzmann transport equation contains a term which is the cosmic ray flux multiplied by the cross section. Therefore when considering pion and kaon production from proton-proton reactions, small cross sections at low energy can be as important as larger cross sections at higher energy. This is also true for subthreshold kaon production in nuclear collisions, but not for subthreshold pion production.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur

Core-Level Spectroscopy of the Ni/W(110) Interface: Correlation of W Interfacial Core LevelShifts with First-Layer Ni Phases

We have measured W 4f7/2 core-level photoemission spectra from W(1 1 0) in the presence of Ni overlayers, from ∼0.2 to ∼3 monolayers. Interfacial core-level shifts associated with first-layer Ni phases have been identified: −230 ± 15 meV for the 1 × 1 pseudomorphic phase and −70 ± 7 meV for the 7 × 1 close-packed commensurate phase. At higher Ni coverages the interfacial core-level shift is −100 ± 10 meV. These shifts are analyzed using the partial-shift model of Nilsson et al. [Phys. Rev. B 38 (1988) 10357]; the analysis indicates that the difference in binding energies between the 1 × 1 and 7 × 1 phases has a large contribution from structural differences between the two phases

A Process and Outcome Evaluation of a Shelter for Homeless Young Women

To evaluate the processes and outcomes of a short-term shelter, both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered via participant observation, focus group interviews with shelter staff and residents, and individual interviews with a sample of 40 young women who had been homeless prior to using the shelter. The process evaluation showed that the shelter staff strived to utilize an empowerment philosophy in their relationships with residents, but that there were many challenges to implementing this philosophy. The outcome evaluation showed that, at a 3-month follow-up, the participants reported significant improvements in housing, income, independence, and life satisfaction, but most continued to experience poverty and a number of other difficulties. The results were discussed in terms of the implications for future research and the value and limitations of shelters for dealing with homeless youth. The need for more sustained and comprehensive program interventions and supportive social policies was underscored