Stochastic dynamics of a Josephson junction threshold detector

We generalize the stochastic path integral formalism by considering Hamiltonian dynamics in the presence of general Markovian noise. Kramers' solution of the activation rate for escape over a barrier is generalized for non-Gaussian driving noise in both the overdamped and underdamped limit. We apply our general results to a Josephson junction detector measuring the electron counting statistics of a mesoscopic conductor. Activation rate dependence on the third current cumulant includes an additional term originating from the back-action of the measurement circuit.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, discussion of experiment added, typos correcte

Nucleosynthesis in Fast Expansions of High-Entropy, Proton Rich Matter

We demonstrate that nucleosynthesis in rapid, high-entropy expansions of proton-rich matter from high temperature and density can result in a wider variety of abundance patterns than heretofore appreciated. In particular, such expansions can produce iron-group nuclides, p-process nuclei, or even heavy, neutron-rich isotopes. Such diversity arises because the nucleosynthesis enters a little explored regime in which the free nucleons are not in equilibrium with the abundant alpha particles. This allows nuclei significantly heavier than iron to form in t he presence of abundant free nucleons early in the expansion. As the temperature drops, nucleons increasingly assemble into alpha particles and heavier nuclei. If the assembly is efficient, the resulting depletion of free neutrons allows disintegrat ion flows to drive nuclei back down to iron and nickel. If this assembly is inefficient, then the large abundance of free nucleons prevents the disintegration flows and leaves a distribution of heavy nuclei after reaction freezeout. For cases in between, an intermediate abundance distribution, enriched in p-process isotopes, is frozen out. These last expansions may contribute to the solar system's supply of the p-process nuclides if mildly proton-rich, high-entropy matter is ejected from proto-neutron stars winds or other astrophysical sites. Also sign ificant is the fact that, because the nucleosynthesis is primary, the signature of this nucleosyn thesis may be evident in metal poor stars.Comment: 11 pages, 2 tables, 1 figure. Submitted to ApJ Letter

Electrochemical Energy Storage Subsystems Study, Volume 2

The effects on life cycle costs (LCC) of major design and performance technology parameters for multi kW LEO and GEO energy storage subsystems using NiCd and NiH2 batteries and fuel cell/electrolysis cell devices were examined. Design, performance and LCC dynamic models are developed based on mission and system/subsystem requirements and existing or derived physical and cost data relationships. The models are exercised to define baseline designs and costs. Then the major design and performance parameters are each varied to determine their influence on LCC around the baseline values

Electrochemical energy storage subsystems study, volume 1

The effects on life cycle costs (LCC) of major design and performance technology parameters for multi kW LEO and GEO energy storage subsystems using NiCd and NiH2 batteries and fuel cell/electrolysis cell devices were examined. Design, performance and LCC dynamic models are developed based on mission and system/subsystem requirements and existing or derived physical and cost data relationships. The models define baseline designs and costs. The major design and performance parameters are each varied to determine their influence on LCC around the baseline values

The Open State Gating Mechanism of Gramicidin A Requires Relative Opposed Monomer Rotation and Simultaneous Lateral Displacement

SummaryThe gating mechanism of the open state of the gramicidin A (gA) channel is studied by using a new Monte Carlo Normal Mode Following (MC-NMF) technique, one applicable even without a target structure. The results demonstrate that the lowest-frequency normal mode (NM) at ∼6.5 cm−1 is the crucial mode that initiates dissociation. Perturbing the gA dimer in either direction along this NM leads to opposed, nearly rigid-body rotations of the gA monomers around the central pore axis. Tracking this NM by using the eigenvector-following technique reveals the channel's gating mechanism: dissociation via relative opposed monomer rotation and simultaneous lateral displacement. System evolution along the lowest-frequency eigenvector shows that the large-amplitude motions required for gating (dissociation) are not simple relative rigid-body motions of the monomers. Gating involves coupling intermonomer hydrogen bond breaking, backbone realignment, and relative monomer tilt with complex side chain reorganization at the intermonomer junction

Maser Source Finding Methods in HOPS

The {\bf H}$_2${\bf O} Southern Galactic {\bf P}lane {\bf S}urvey (HOPS) has observed 100 square degrees of the Galactic plane, using the Mopra radio telescope to search for emission from multiple spectral lines in the 12\,mm band (19.5\,--\,27.5\,GHz). Perhaps the most important of these spectral lines is the 22.2\,GHz water maser transition. We describe the methods used to identify water maser candidates and subsequent confirmation of the sources. Our methods involve a simple determination of likely candidates by searching peak emission maps, utilising the intrinsic nature of water maser emission - spatially unresolved and spectrally narrow-lined. We estimate completeness limits and compare our method with results from the {\sc Duchamp} source finder. We find that the two methods perform similarly. We conclude that the similarity in performance is due to the intrinsic limitation of the noise characteristics of the data. The advantages of our method are that it is slightly more efficient in eliminating spurious detections and is simple to implement. The disadvantage is that it is a manual method of finding sources and so is not practical on datasets much larger than HOPS, or for datasets with extended emission that needs to be characterised. We outline a two-stage method for the most efficient means of finding masers, using {\sc Duchamp}.Comment: 8 pages, 1 table, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in PASA special issue on Source Finding & Visualisatio

Scalar-tensor cosmology at the general relativity limit: Jordan vs Einstein frame

We consider the correspondence between the Jordan frame and the Einstein frame descriptions of scalar-tensor theory of gravitation. We argue that since the redefinition of the scalar field is not differentiable at the limit of general relativity the correspondence between the two frames is lost at this limit. To clarify the situation we analyse the dynamics of the scalar field in different frames for two distinct scalar-tensor cosmologies with specific coupling functions and demonstrate that the corresponding scalar field phase portraits are not equivalent for regions containing the general relativity limit. Therefore the answer to the question whether general relativity is an attractor for the theory depends on the choice of the frame.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, version appeared in PR

Full counting statistics of nano-electromechanical systems

We develop a theory for the full counting statistics (FCS) for a class of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), describable by a Markovian generalized master equation. The theory is applied to two specific examples of current interest: vibrating C60 molecules and quantum shuttles. We report a numerical evaluation of the first three cumulants for the C60-setup; for the quantum shuttle we use the third cumulant to substantiate that the giant enhancement in noise observed at the shuttling transition is due to a slow switching between two competing conduction channels. Especially the last example illustrates the power of the FCS.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures; minor changes - final version as published in Europhys. Let