Neutrino Oscillations from String Theory

We derive the character of neutrino oscillations that results from a model of equivalence principle violation suggested recently by Damour and Polyakov as a plausible consequence of string theory. In this model neutrino oscillations will take place through interaction with a long range scalar field of gravitational origin even if the neutrinos are degenerate in mass. The energy dependence of the oscillation length is identical to that in the conventional mass mixing mechanism. This possibility further highlghts the independence of and need for more exacting direct neutrino mass measurements together with a next generation of neutrinoless double beta decay experiments.Comment: 7 pages LaTE

Pade Interpolation: Methodology and Application to Quarkonium

A novel application of the Pade approximation is proposed in which the Pade approximant is used as an interpolation for the small and large coupling behaviors of a physical system, resulting in a prediction of the behavior of the system at intermediate couplings. This method is applied to quarkonium systems and reasonable values for the c and b quark masses are obtained.Comment: RevTeX, 12 pages; 1 figure (Figure1.GIF) included at the end; to appear in the Journal of Mathematical Physic

Quantum Entanglement Capacity with Classical Feedback

For any quantum discrete memoryless channel, we define a quantity called quantum entanglement capacity with classical feedback ($E_B$), and we show that this quantity lies between two other well-studied quantities. These two quantities - namely the quantum capacity assisted by two-way classical communication ($Q_2$) and the quantum capacity with classical feedback ($Q_B$) - are widely conjectured to be different: there exists quantum discrete memoryless channel for which $Q_2>Q_B$. We then present a general scheme to convert any quantum error-correcting codes into adaptive protocols for this newly-defined quantity of the quantum depolarizing channel, and illustrate with Cat (repetition) code and Shor code. We contrast the present notion with entanglement purification protocols by showing that whilst the Leung-Shor protocol can be applied directly, recurrence methods need to be supplemented with other techniques but at the same time offer a way to improve the aforementioned Cat code. For the quantum depolarizing channel, we prove a formula that gives lower bounds on the quantum capacity with classical feedback from any $E_B$ protocols. We then apply this formula to the $E_B$ protocols that we discuss to obtain new lower bounds on the quantum capacity with classical feedback of the quantum depolarizing channel

Silicon solar cell process development, fabrication and analysis

For UCP Si, randomly selected wafers and wafers cut from two specific ingots were studied. For the randomly selected wafers, a moderate gettering diffusion had little effect. Moreover, an efficiency up to 14% AMI was achieved with advanced processes. For the two specific UCP ingots, ingot #5848-13C displayed severe impurity effects as shown by lower 3sc in the middle of the ingot and low CFF in the top of the ingot. Also the middle portions of this ingot responded to a series of progressively more severe gettering diffusion. Unexplained was the fact that severely gettered samples of this ingot displayed a negative light biased effect on the minority carrier diffusion length while the nongettered or moderately gettered ones had the more conventional positive light biased effect on diffusion length. On the other hand, ingot C-4-21A did not have the problem of ingot 5848-13C and behaved like to the randomly selected wafers. The top half of the ingot was shown to be slightly superior to the bottom half, but moderate gettering helped to narrow the gap

The Application of a Cylindrical-spherical Floating Ring Bearing as a Device to Control Stability of Turbogenerators

The development of a new device to control stability of turbogenerators is described. The device comprises a floating ring installed between the journal and bearing housing of a fluid film bearing. The journal and the inner surface of the ring are cylindrical while the outer surface of the ring and bearing surface are spherical providing axial location of the ring and self-alignment of the bearing. The employment of this device would lead to a consistent machine performance. System stability may be controlled by changing a number of bearing and floating ring parameters. This device also offers an additional advantage of having a very low frictional characteristic. A feasibility study was carried out to investigate the suitability of the new device to turbogenerator applications. Both theoretical analysis and experimental observations were carried out. Initial results suggest that the new floating ring device is a competitive alternative to other conventional arrangements