16,428 research outputs found
Elasticity of highly cross-linked random networks
Starting from a microscopic model of randomly cross-linked particles with
quenched disorder, we calculate the Laudau-Wilson free energy S for arbitrary
cross-link densities. Considering pure shear deformations, S takes the form of
the elastic energy of an isotropic amorphous solid state, from which the shear
modulus can be identified. It is found to be an universal quantity, not
depending on any microscopic length-scales of the model.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
Clustering of Meteors as Detected by the Use of Radio Technique
Author Institution: Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, and Wright Air Development Center, Dayton, Ohi
Sperm mobility: mechanisms of fertilizing efficiency, genetic variation and phenotypic relationship with male status in the domestic fowl, Gallus gallus domesticus
When females are sexually promiscuous, sexual selection continues after insemination through sperm
competition and cryptic female choice, and male traits conveying an advantage in competitive fertilization
are selected for. Although individual male and ejaculate traits are known to influence paternity in a competitive
scenario, multiple mechanisms co-occur and interact to determine paternity. The way in which
different traits interact with each other and the mechanisms through which their heritability is maintained
despite selection remain unresolved. In the promiscuous fowl, paternity is determined by the number of
sperm inseminated into a female, which is mediated by male social dominance, and by the quality of the
sperm inseminated, measured as sperm mobility. Here we show that: (i) the number of sperm inseminated
determines how many sperm reach the female sperm-storage sites, and that sperm mobility mediates the
fertilizing efficiency of inseminated sperm, mainly by determining the rate at which sperm are released
from the female storage sites, (ii) like social status, sperm mobility is heritable, and (iii) subdominant
males are significantly more likely to have higher sperm mobility than dominant males. This study indicates
that although the functions of social status and sperm mobility are highly interdependent, the lack of
phenotypic integration of these traits may maintain the variability of male fitness and heritability of fertilizing
efficiency
Goldstone fluctuations in the amorphous solid state
Goldstone modes in the amorphous solid state, resulting from the spontaneous
breaking of translational symmetry due to random localisation of particles, are
discussed. Starting from a microscopic model with quenched disorder, the broken
symmetry is identified to be that of relative translations of the replicas.
Goldstone excitations, corresponding to pure shear deformations, are
constructed from long wavelength distortions of the order parameter. The
elastic free energy is computed, and it is shown that Goldstone fluctuations
destroy localisation in two spatial dimensions, yielding a two-dimensional
amorphous solid state characterised by power-law correlations.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure
Random solids and random solidification: What can be learned by exploring systems obeying permanent random constraints?
In many interesting physical settings, such as the vulcanization of rubber,
the introduction of permanent random constraints between the constituents of a
homogeneous fluid can cause a phase transition to a random solid state. In this
random solid state, particles are permanently but randomly localized in space,
and a rigidity to shear deformations emerges. Owing to the permanence of the
random constraints, this phase transition is an equilibrium transition, which
confers on it a simplicity (at least relative to the conventional glass
transition) in the sense that it is amenable to established techniques of
equilibrium statistical mechanics. In this Paper I shall review recent
developments in the theory of random solidification for systems obeying
permanent random constraints, with the aim of bringing to the fore the
similarities and differences between such systems and those exhibiting the
conventional glass transition. I shall also report new results, obtained in
collaboration with Weiqun Peng, on equilibrium correlations and
susceptibilities that signal the approach of the random solidification
transition, discussing the physical interpretation and values of these
quantities both at the Gaussian level of approximation and, via a
renormalization-group approach, beyond.Comment: Paper presented at the "Unifying Concepts in Glass Physics" workshop,
International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy (September
15-18, 1999
TORCH: A Cherenkov Based Time-of-Flight Detector
TORCH is a novel high-precision time-of-flight detector suitable for large area applications and
covering the momentum range up to 10 GeV/c. The concept uses Cherenkov photons produced
in a fused silica radiator which are propagated to focussing optics coupled to fast photodetectors.
For this purpose, custom MCP-PMTs are being produced in collaboration with industrial partners.
The development is divided into three phases. Phase 1 addresses the lifetime requirements for
TORCH, Phase 2 will customize the MCP-PMT granularity and Phase 3 will deliver prototypes
that meet the TORCH requirements. Phase 1 devices have been successfully delivered and initial
tests show stable gain performance for integrated anode current >5 C/cm2
and a single photon
time resolution of ≤ 30 ps. Initial simulations indicate the single photon timing resolution of the
TORCH detector will be ∼70 ps
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