8,255 research outputs found
Observations by human subjects on radiation- induced light flashes in fast-neutron, X-ray, and positive-pion beams
Exposure of human subjects to fast neutron beam to determine cause of light flashes observed by astronauts on lunar mission
Human visual response to nuclear particle exposures
Experiments with accelerated helium ions were performed in an effort to localize the site of initial radiation interactions in the eye that lead to light flash observations by astronauts during spaceflight. The character and efficiency of helium ion induction of visual sensations depended on the state of dark adaptation of the retina; also, the same events were seen with different efficiencies and details when particle flux density changed. It was concluded that fast particles cause interactions in the retina, particularly in the receptor layer, and thus give rise to the sensations of light flashes, streaks, and supernovae
Heralded qubit amplifiers for practical device-independent quantum key distribution
Device-independent quantum key distribution does not need a precise quantum
mechanical model of employed devices to guarantee security. Despite of its
beauty, it is still a very challenging experimental task. We compare a recent
proposal by Gisin et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 070501 (2010)] to close the
detection loophole problem with that of a simpler quantum relay based on
entanglement swapping with linear optics. Our full-mode analysis for both
schemes confirms that, in contrast to recent beliefs, the second scheme can
indeed provide a positive key rate which is even considerably higher than that
of the first alternative. The resulting key rates and required detection
efficiencies of approx. 95% for both schemes, however, strongly depend on the
underlying security proof.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Two-dimensional arrays of low capacitance tunnel junctions: general properties, phase transitions and Hall effect
We describe transport properties of two-dimensional arrays of low capacitance
tunnel junctions, such as the current voltage characteristic and its dependence
on external magnetic field and temperature. We discuss several experiments in
which the small capacitance of the junctions plays an important role. In arrays
where the junctions have a relatively large charging energy, (i.e. when they
have a low capacitance) and a high normal state resistance, the low bias
resistance increases with decreasing temperature and eventually at very low
temperature the array becomes insulating even though the electrodes in the
array are superconducting. This transition to the insulating state can be
described by thermal activation. In an intermediate region where the junction
resistance is of the order of the quantum resistance and the charging energy is
of the order of the Josephson coupling energy, the arrays can be tuned between
a superconducting and an insulating state with a magnetic field. We describe
measurements of this magnetic-field-tuned superconductor insulator transition,
and we show that the resistance data can be scaled over several orders of
magnitude. Four arrays follow the same universal function. At the transition
the transverse (Hall) resistance is found to be very small in comparison with
the longitudinal resistance. However, for magnetic field values larger than the
critical value.we observe a substantial Hall resistance. The Hall resistance of
these arrays oscillates with the applied magnetic field. features in the
magnetic field dependence of the Hall resistance can qualitatively be
correlated to features in the derivative of the longitudinal resistance,
similar to what is found in the quantum Hall effect.Comment: 29 pages, 16 eps figures, uses aipproc.sty and epsfig.sty,
contribution to Euroschool on "Superconductivity in Networks and Mesoscopic
Systems", held in Siena, Italy (8-20 september 1997
Wave packet approach to transport in mesoscopic systems
Wave packets provide a well established and versatile tool for studying
time-dependent effects in molecular physics. Here, we demonstrate the
application of wave packets to mesoscopic nanodevices at low temperatures. The
electronic transport in the devices is expressed in terms of scattering and
transmission coefficients, which are efficiently obtained by solving an initial
value problem (IVP) using the time-dependent Schroedinger equation. The
formulation as an IVP makes non-trivial device topologies accessible and by
tuning the wave packet parameters one can extract the scattering properties for
a large range of energies.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure
Field work in the Outback:Planning and processing a geological diploma mapping in Central Australia
Der Finke Gorge National Park liegt im Zentrum des Australischen Kontinents. Aufgrund der großen Dimensionen des Landes sind weite Teile nur unzureichend und kleinmaßstäblich geologisch kartiert. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit sollte der Versuch unternommen werden, den National Park unter Zuhilfenahme von Fernerkundungsdaten, wie Landsat TM-, ASTER-Daten, hochauflösenden stereographischen Luftbildern, digitalen Geländemodellen (DGM) und Vegetationskarten großmaßstäblich zu kartieren (1:10000). Die vorliegende Arbeit knüpft an die Untersuchungen von BUDE & PRINZ (2003) an und soll diese durch Geländebefunde ergänzen. Darüber hinaus soll der Bericht Erfahrungen hinsichtlich der Planung und Durchführung einer derartigen geologischen Geländearbeit vermitteln.The Finke Gorge National Park is situated in the centre of the Australian continent. Due to the great dimension of the outback, most of its parts are mapped geologically at a small scale. In this work we try to produce a detailed 1:10000 geological map of the National Park by applying field methods supported by remote sensing data like Landsat TM-, ASTER-Data, high resolution stereographic aerial views, digital terrain modells (DTM) and detailed geobotanic vegetation maps. This study continues the efforts of BUDE & PRINZ (2003), as it includes ground proof for representative areas. Furthermore this report gives an idea of the essential preparations in the forefield of such a geological field campaign
Revivals of quantum wave-packets in graphene
We investigate the propagation of wave-packets on graphene in a perpendicular
magnetic field and the appearance of collapses and revivals in the
time-evolution of an initially localised wave-packet. The wave-packet evolution
in graphene differs drastically from the one in an electron gas and shows a
rich revival structure similar to the dynamics of highly excited Rydberg
states.
We present a novel numerical wave-packet propagation scheme in order to solve
the effective single-particle Dirac-Hamiltonian of graphene and show how the
collapse and revival dynamics is affected by the presence of disorder. Our
effective numerical method is of general interest for the solution of the Dirac
equation in the presence of potentials and magnetic fields.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figures, 3 movies, to appear in New Journal of Physic
Dynamics of adaptive agents with asymmetric information
We apply path-integral techniques to study the dynamics of agent-based models
with asymmetric information structures. In particular, we devise a batch
version of a model proposed originally by Berg et al. [Quant. Fin. 1 (2001)
203], and convert the coupled multi-agent processes into an effective-agent
problem from which the dynamical order parameters in ergodic regimes can be
derived self-consistently together with the corresponding phase structure. Our
dynamical study complements and extends the available static theory. Results
are confirmed by numerical simulations.Comment: minor revision of text, accepted by JSTA
The formation of ultra-compact dwarf galaxies and nucleated dwarf galaxies
Ultra compact dwarf galaxies (UCDs) have similar properties as massive
globular clusters or the nuclei of nucleated galaxies. Recent observations
suggesting a high dark matter content and a steep spatial distribution within
groups and clusters provide new clues as to their origins. We perform
high-resolution N-body / smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations designed
to elucidate two possible formation mechanisms for these systems: the merging
of globular clusters in the centre of a dark matter halo, or the massively
stripped remnant of a nucleated galaxy. Both models produce density profiles as
well as the half light radii that can fit the observational constraints.
However, we show that the first scenario results to UCDs that are underluminous
and contain no dark matter. This is because the sinking process ejects most of
the dark matter particles from the halo centre. Stripped nuclei give a more
promising explanation, especially if the nuclei form via the sinking of gas,
funneled down inner galactic bars, since this process enhances the central dark
matter content. Even when the entire disk is tidally stripped away, the nucleus
stays intact and can remain dark matter dominated even after severe stripping.
Total galaxy disruption beyond the nuclei only occurs on certain orbits and
depends on the amount of dissipation during nuclei formation. By comparing the
total disruption of CDM subhaloes in a cluster potential we demonstrate that
this model also leads to the observed spatial distribution of UCDs which can be
tested in more detail with larger data sets.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, final version accepted for publication in MNRA
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