Semiclassical Accuracy in Phase Space for Regular and Chaotic Dynamics

A phase-space semiclassical approximation valid to $O(\hbar)$ at short times is used to compare semiclassical accuracy for long-time and stationary observables in chaotic, stable, and mixed systems. Given the same level of semiclassical accuracy for the short time behavior, the squared semiclassical error in the chaotic system grows linearly in time, in contrast with quadratic growth in the classically stable system. In the chaotic system, the relative squared error at the Heisenberg time scales linearly with $\hbar_{\rm eff}$, allowing for unambiguous semiclassical determination of the eigenvalues and wave functions in the high-energy limit, while in the stable case the eigenvalue error always remains of the order of a mean level spacing. For a mixed classical phase space, eigenvalues associated with the chaotic sea can be semiclassically computed with greater accuracy than the ones associated with stable islands.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures; to appear in Physical Review

Capabilities of the GRO/BATSE for monitoring of discrete sources

Although the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) to be flown on the Gamma Ray Observatory has as its primary objective the detection of gamma ray bursts, its uncollimated design will enable it to serve a unique function as an all-sky monitor for bright hard X-ray and low-energy gamma ray sources. Pulsating sources may be detected by conventional techniques such as summed-epoch and Fourier analyses. The BATSE will, in addition, be able to use Earth occultation in an unprecedented way to monitor sufficiently bright sources as often as several times per day over approx. 85% of the sky. Estimates of the expected BATSE sensitivity using both of these techniques are presented

Acceleration Mechanics in Relativistic Shocks by the Weibel Instability

Plasma instabilities (e.g., Buneman, Weibel and other two-stream instabilities) created in collisionless shocks may be responsible for particle (electron, positron, and ion) acceleration. Using a 3-D relativistic electromagnetic particle (REMP) code, we have investigated long-term particle acceleration associated with relativistic electron-ion or electron-positron jet fronts propagating into an unmagnetized ambient electron-ion or electron-positron plasma. These simulations have been performed with a longer simulation system than our previous simulations in order to investigate the nonlinear stage of the Weibel instability and its particle acceleration mechanism. The current channels generated by the Weibel instability are surrounded by toroidal magnetic fields and radial electric fields. This radial electric field is quasi stationary and accelerates particles which are then deflected by the magnetic field.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ, A full resolution ot the paper can be found at http://gammaray.nsstc.nasa.gov/~nishikawa/accmec.pd

Double Exchange in a Magnetically Frustrated System

This work examines the magnetic order and spin dynamics of a double-exchange model with competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic Heisenberg interactions between the local moments. The Heisenberg interactions are periodically arranged in a Villain configuration in two dimensions with nearest-neighbor, ferromagnetic coupling $J$ and antiferromagnetic coupling $-\eta J$. This model is solved at zero temperature by performing a $1/\sqrt{S}$ expansion in the rotated reference frame of each local moment. When $\eta$ exceeds a critical value, the ground state is a magnetically frustrated, canted antiferromagnet. With increasing hopping energy $t$ or magnetic field $B$, the local moments become aligned and the ferromagnetic phase is stabilized above critical values of $t$ or $B$. In the canted phase, a charge-density wave forms because the electrons prefer to sit on lines of sites that are coupled ferromagnetically. Due to a change in the topology of the Fermi surface from closed to open, phase separation occurs in a narrow range of parameters in the canted phase. In zero field, the long-wavelength spin waves are isotropic in the region of phase separation. Whereas the average spin-wave stiffness in the canted phase increases with $t$ or $\eta$, it exhibits a more complicated dependence on field. This work strongly suggests that the jump in the spin-wave stiffness observed in Pr$_{1-x}$Ca$_x$MnO$_3$ with $0.3 \le x \le 0.4$ at a field of 3 T is caused by the delocalization of the electrons rather than by the alignment of the antiferromagnetic regions.Comment: 28 pages, 12 figure

Stable Quantum Resonances in Atom Optics

A theory for stabilization of quantum resonances by a mechanism similar to one leading to classical resonances in nonlinear systems is presented. It explains recent surprising experimental results, obtained for cold Cesium atoms when driven in the presence of gravity, and leads to further predictions. The theory makes use of invariance properties of the system, that are similar to those of solids, allowing for separation into independent kicked rotor problems. The analysis relies on a fictitious classical limit where the small parameter is {\em not} Planck's constant, but rather the detuning from the frequency that is resonant in absence of gravity.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Energy transfer in binary collisions of two gyrating charged particles in a magnetic field

Binary collisions of the gyrating charged particles in an external magnetic field are considered within a classical second-order perturbation theory, i.e., up to contributions which are quadratic in the binary interaction, starting from the unperturbed helical motion of the particles. The calculations are done with the help of a binary collisions treatment which is valid for any strength of the magnetic field and involves all harmonics of the particles cyclotron motion. The energy transfer is explicitly calculated for a regularized and screened potential which is both of finite range and nonsingular at the origin. The validity of the perturbation treatment is evaluated by comparing with classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) calculations which also allow to investigate the strong collisions with large energy and velocity transfer at low velocities. For large initial velocities on the other hand, only small velocity transfers occur. There the nonperturbative numerical CTMC results agree excellently with the predictions of the perturbative treatment.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Induced radioactivity in LDEF components

A systematic study of the induced radioactivity of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) is being carried out in order to gather information about the low earth orbit radiation environment and its effects on materials. The large mass of the LDEF spacecraft, its stabilized configuration, and long mission duration have presented an opportunity to determine space radiation-induced radioactivities with a precision not possible before. Data presented include preliminary activities for steel and aluminum structural samples, and activation subexperiment foils. Effects seen in the data show a clear indication of the trapped proton anisotropy in the South Atlantic Anomaly and suggest contributions from different sources of external radiation fluxes

Induced activation study of LDEF

Analysis of the induced radioactivity of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) is continuing with extraction of specific activities for various spacecraft materials. Data and results of activation measurements from eight facilities are being collected for interpretation at Eastern Kentucky University and NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center. The major activation mechanism in LDEF components is the proton flux in the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA). This flux is highly anisotropic, and could be sampled by taking advantage of the gravity-gradient stabilization of the LDEF. The directionally-dependent activation due to these protons was clearly observed in the data from aluminum experiment tray clamps (reaction product Na-22), steel trunnions (reaction product Mn-54 and others) and is also indicated by the presence of a variety of nuclides in other materials. A secondary production mechanism, thermal neutron capture, was observed in cobalt, indium, and tantalum, which are known to have large capture cross sections. Experiments containing samples of these metals and significant amounts of thermalizing low atomic number (Z) material showed clear evidence of enhanced activation of Co-60, In-114m, and Ta-182. Other mechanisms which activate spacecraft material that are not as easily separable from SAA proton activation, such as galactic proton bombardment and secondary production by fast neutrons, are being investigated by comparison to radiation environmental calculations. Deviations from one-dimensional radiation models indicate that these mechanisms are more important at greater shielding depths. The current status of the induced radioactivity measurements as of mid-year 1992 are reviewed. Specific activities for a number of materials which show SAA effects and thermal neutron capture are presented. The results for consistency by combining data from the participating institutions is also examined