Bound-free pair production in ultra-relativistic ion collisions at the LHC collider: Analytic approach to the total and differential cross sections

A theoretical investigation of the bound-free electron-positron pair production in relativistic heavy ion collisions is presented. Special attention is paid to the positrons emitted under large angles with respect to the beam direction. The measurement of these positrons in coincidence with the down--charged ions is in principle feasible by LHC experiments. In order to provide reliable estimates for such measurements, we employ the equivalent photon approximation together with the Sauter approach and derive simple analytic expressions for the differential pair--production cross section, which compare favorably to the results of available numerical calculations. Based on the analytic expressions, detailed calculations are performed for collisions of bare Pb$^{82+}$ ions, taking typical experimental conditions of the LHC experiments into account. We find that the expected count rate strongly depends on the experimental parameters and may be significantly enhanced by increasing the positron-detector acceptance cone.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Casimir Effect on the Worldline

We develop a method to compute the Casimir effect for arbitrary geometries. The method is based on the string-inspired worldline approach to quantum field theory and its numerical realization with Monte-Carlo techniques. Concentrating on Casimir forces between rigid bodies induced by a fluctuating scalar field, we test our method with the parallel-plate configuration. For the experimentally relevant sphere-plate configuration, we study curvature effects quantitatively and perform a comparison with the ``proximity force approximation'', which is the standard approximation technique. Sizable curvature effects are found for a distance-to-curvature-radius ratio of a/R >~ 0.02. Our method is embedded in renormalizable quantum field theory with a controlled treatment of the UV divergencies. As a technical by-product, we develop various efficient algorithms for generating closed-loop ensembles with Gaussian distribution.Comment: 27 pages, 10 figures, Sect. 2.1 more self-contained, improved data for Fig. 6, minor corrections, new Refs, version to be published in JHE

Improved tests of extra-dimensional physics and thermal quantum field theory from new Casimir force measurements

We report new constraints on extra-dimensional models and other physics beyond the Standard Model based on measurements of the Casimir force between two dissimilar metals for separations in the range 0.2--1.2 $\mu$m. The Casimir force between an Au-coated sphere and a Cu-coated plate of a microelectromechanical torsional oscillator was measured statically with an absolute error of 0.3 pN. In addition, the Casimir pressure between two parallel plates was determined dynamically with an absolute error of $\approx 0.6$ mPa. Within the limits of experimental and theoretical errors, the results are in agreement with a theory that takes into account the finite conductivity and roughness of the two metals. The level of agreement between experiment and theory was then used to set limits on the predictions of extra-dimensional physics and thermal quantum field theory. It is shown that two theoretical approaches to the thermal Casimir force which predict effects linear in temperture are ruled out by these experiments. Finally, constraints on Yukawa corrections to Newton's law of gravity are strengthened by more than an order of magnitude in the range 56 nm to 330 nm.Comment: Revtex 4, 35 pages, 14 figures in .gif format, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Constraints on Non-Newtonian Gravity from Recent Casimir Force Measurements

Corrections to Newton's gravitational law inspired by extra dimensional physics and by the exchange of light and massless elementary particles between the atoms of two macrobodies are considered. These corrections can be described by the potentials of Yukawa-type and by the power-type potentials with different powers. The strongest up to date constraints on the corrections to Newton's gravitational law are reviewed following from the E\"{o}tvos- and Cavendish-type experiments and from the measurements of the Casimir and van der Waals force. We show that the recent measurements of the Casimir force gave the possibility to strengthen the previously known constraints on the constants of hypothetical interactions up to several thousand times in a wide interaction range. Further strengthening is expected in near future that makes Casimir force measurements a prospective test for the predictions of fundamental physical theories.Comment: 20 pages, crckbked.cls is used, to be published in: Proceedings of the 18th Course of the School on Cosmology and Gravitation: The Gravitational Constant. Generalized Gravitational Theories and Experiments (30 April- 10 May 2003, Erice). Ed. by G. T. Gillies, V. N. Melnikov and V. de Sabbata, 20pp. (Kluwer, in print, 2003

Влияние процессов сегрегации и термодиффузии на формирование границ раздела в наноструктурных и многоэлементных покрытиях (Ti-Hf-Zr-V-Nb)N

Впервые были исследованы сверхтвердые наноструктурные покрытия на основе (Ti-Hf-Zr-V-Nb) до и после отжига при 600oC. Было обнаружено, что захват позитронов дефектами происходит по границам нанозерен и на интерфейсах (вакансиях и нанопорах, входящих в тройные и более стыки нанозерен). Получены карты распределения элементов в 3D-измерениях в сверхтвердом покрытии, измеренные методом mu-PIXE (микропучка протонов). Профили элементов и дефектов (полученные микропучком позитронов) позволяют понять физическую картину процессов, связанных с формированием границ раздела (интерфейсов) и субграниц в наноструктурном покрытии (Ti-Zr-Hf-V-Nb)N. При цитировании документа, используйте ссылку http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3393

Multicomponent (Ti-Zr-Hf-V-Nb)N nanostructure coatings fabrication, high hardness and wear resistance

First results in the field of synthesis and research of the multicomponent (Ti-Zr-Hf-V-Nb)N nanostructured coatings are presented in the paper. Influence of processes of spinodal segregation and mass-transfer on single--layered or multilayered crystal boundary (second phase) forming were explored. Superhard nanostructured coatings were investigated before and after annealing at the temperature 600 C using unique methods (slow positron beam, proton microbeam particle induced X-ray emission, Rutherford backscattering-analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis was performed using DRON-4 and nanoindentor). Di raction spectra were taken point-by-point, with a scanning step 2 = 0.05 to 0.1. We detected that positron trapping by defects was observed on the nanograins boundaries and interfaces (vacancies and nanopores which are the part of triple and larger grain's boundary junction). The 3D distribution maps of elements obtained by the proton microbeam (particle induced X-ray emission- ) together with the results obtained by slow positron microbeam gave us comprehensive information about physical basis of the processes, connected with diffusion and spinodal segregation in superhard coatings. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3393

Nonlinear Spin Dynamics in Nuclear Magnets

A method is developed for solving nonlinear systems of differential, or integrodifferential, equations with stochastic fields. The method makes it possible to give an accurate solution for an interesting physical problem: What are the peculiarities of nonlinear spin dynamics in nonequilibrium nuclear magnets coupled with a resonator? Evolution equations for nuclear spins are derived basing on a Hamiltonian with dipole interactions. The ensemble of spins is coupled with a resonator electric circuit. Seven types of main relaxation regimes are found: free induction, collective induction, free relaxation, collective relaxation, weak superradiance, pure superradiance, and triggered superradiance. The initial motion of spins can be originated by two reasons, either by an imposed initial coherence or by local spin fluctuations due to nonsecular dipole interactions. The relaxation regimes caused by the second reason cannot be described by the Bloch equations. Numerical estimates show good agreement with experiment.Comment: 1 file, 47 pages, LaTe

Evidence for a mixed mass composition at the `ankle' in the cosmic-ray spectrum

We report a first measurement for ultra-high energy cosmic rays of the correlation between the depth of shower maximum and the signal in the water Cherenkov stations of air-showers registered simultaneously by the fluorescence and the surface detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Such a correlation measurement is a unique feature of a hybrid air-shower observatory with sensitivity to both the electromagnetic and muonic components. It allows an accurate determination of the spread of primary masses in the cosmic-ray flux. Up till now, constraints on the spread of primary masses have been dominated by systematic uncertainties. The present correlation measurement is not affected by systematics in the measurement of the depth of shower maximum or the signal in the water Cherenkov stations. The analysis relies on general characteristics of air showers and is thus robust also with respect to uncertainties in hadronic event generators. The observed correlation in the energy range around the `ankle' at $\lg(E/{\rm eV})=18.5-19.0$ differs significantly from expectations for pure primary cosmic-ray compositions. A light composition made up of proton and helium only is equally inconsistent with observations. The data are explained well by a mixed composition including nuclei with mass $A > 4$. Scenarios such as the proton dip model, with almost pure compositions, are thus disfavoured as the sole explanation of the ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray flux at Earth.Comment: Published version. Added journal reference and DOI. Added Report Numbe

Are biological systems poised at criticality?

Many of life's most fascinating phenomena emerge from interactions among many elements--many amino acids determine the structure of a single protein, many genes determine the fate of a cell, many neurons are involved in shaping our thoughts and memories. Physicists have long hoped that these collective behaviors could be described using the ideas and methods of statistical mechanics. In the past few years, new, larger scale experiments have made it possible to construct statistical mechanics models of biological systems directly from real data. We review the surprising successes of this "inverse" approach, using examples form families of proteins, networks of neurons, and flocks of birds. Remarkably, in all these cases the models that emerge from the data are poised at a very special point in their parameter space--a critical point. This suggests there may be some deeper theoretical principle behind the behavior of these diverse systems.Comment: 21 page