12,343 research outputs found
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}{\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
Coulomb Drag between One-Dimensional Wigner Crystal Rings
We consider the Coulomb drag between two metal rings in which the long range
Coulomb interaction leads to the formation of a Wigner crystal. The first ring
is threaded by an Ahranov Bohm flux creating a persistent current J_0. The
second ring is brought in close proximity to the second and due to the Coulomb
interaction between the two rings a drag current J_D is produced in the second.
We investigate this system at zero temperature for perfect rings as well as the
effects of impurities. We show that the Wigner crystal state can in principle
lead to a higher ratio of drag current to drive current J_D/J_0 than in weakly
interacting electron systems.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure
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