1,074 research outputs found
SAMPEX
The DSN (Deep Space Network) mission support requirements for SAMPEX are summarized. SAMPEX is the first mission of the GSFC Small Explorer Satellite program (SMEX). Its primary scientific objectives are to measure the elemental and isotopic composition of solar energetic particles, anomalous cosmic rays, and galactic cosmic rays over the energy range from approximately one to several hundred MeV per nucleon. The SAMPEX mission objectives are outlined and the DSN support requirements are defined through the presentation of tables and narratives describing the spacecraft flight profile; DSN support coverage; frequency assignments; support parameters for telemetry, command and support systems; and tracking support responsibility
Signatures of Earth-scattering in the direct detection of Dark Matter
Direct detection experiments search for the interactions of Dark Matter (DM)
particles with nuclei in terrestrial detectors. But if these interactions are
sufficiently strong, DM particles may scatter in the Earth, affecting their
distribution in the lab. We present a new analytic calculation of this
`Earth-scattering' effect in the regime where DM particles scatter at most once
before reaching the detector. We perform the calculation self-consistently,
taking into account not only those particles which are scattered away from the
detector, but also those particles which are deflected towards the detector.
Taking into account a realistic model of the Earth and allowing for a range of
DM-nucleon interactions, we present the EarthShadow code, which we make
publicly available, for calculating the DM velocity distribution after
Earth-scattering. Focusing on low-mass DM, we find that Earth-scattering
reduces the direct detection rate at certain detector locations while
increasing the rate in others. The Earth's rotation induces a daily modulation
in the rate, which we find to be highly sensitive to the detector latitude and
to the form of the DM-nucleon interaction. These distinctive signatures would
allow us to unambiguously detect DM and perhaps even identify its interactions
in regions of the parameter space within the reach of current and future
experiments.Comment: 27 pages + appendices, 9 figures. Code (and animations) available at
https://github.com/bradkav/EarthShadow (Astrophysics Source Code Library,
record ascl:1611.012). v2: added references, matches version published in
JCA
Axion-Dilaton Cosmology and Dark Energy
We discuss a class of flat FRW cosmological models based on D=4 axion-dilaton
gravity universally coupled to cosmological background fluids. In particular,
we investigate the possibility of recurrent acceleration, which was recently
shown to be generically realized in a wide class of axion-dilaton models, but
in absence of cosmological background fluids. We observe that, once we impose
the existence of radiation -and matter- dominated earlier stages of cosmic
evolution, the axion-dilaton dynamics is altered significantly with respect to
the case of pure axion-dilaton gravity. During the matter dominated epoch the
scalar fields remain either frozen, due to the large expansion rate, or enter a
cosmological scaling regime. In both cases, oscillations of the effective
equation of state around the acceleration boundary value are impossible. Models
which enter an oscillatory stage in the low redshift regime, on the other hand,
are disfavored by observations. We also comment on the viability of the
axion-dilaton system as a candidate for dynamical dark energy. In a certain
subclass of models, an intermediate scaling regime is succeeded by eternal
acceleration. We also briefly discuss the issue of dependence on initial
conditions.Comment: 28 pages, 11 figure
SUSY dark matter(s)
We review here the status of different dark matter candidates in the context
of supersymmetric models, in particular the neutralino as a realization of the
WIMP-mechanism and the gravitino. We give a summary of the recent bounds in
direct and indirect detection and also of the LHC searches relevant for the
dark matter question. We discuss also the implications of the Higgs discovery
for the supersymmetric dark matter models and give the prospects for the future
years.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figure
Einstein and Jordan frames reconciled: a frame-invariant approach to scalar-tensor cosmology
Scalar-Tensor theories of gravity can be formulated in different frames, most
notably, the Einstein and the Jordan one. While some debate still persists in
the literature on the physical status of the different frames, a frame
transformation in Scalar-Tensor theories amounts to a local redefinition of the
metric, and then should not affect physical results. We analyze the issue in a
cosmological context. In particular, we define all the relevant observables
(redshift, distances, cross-sections, ...) in terms of frame-independent
quantities. Then, we give a frame-independent formulation of the Boltzmann
equation, and outline its use in relevant examples such as particle freeze-out
and the evolution of the CMB photon distribution function. Finally, we derive
the gravitational equations for the frame-independent quantities at first order
in perturbation theory. From a practical point of view, the present approach
allows the simultaneous implementation of the good aspects of the two frames in
a clear and straightforward way.Comment: 15 pages, matches version to be published on Phys. Rev.
Dark Matter Relic Abundance and Scalar-Tensor Dark Energy
Scalar-tensor theories of gravity provide a consistent framework to
accommodate an ultra-light quintessence scalar field. While the equivalence
principle is respected by construction, deviations from General Relativity and
standard cosmology may show up at nucleosynthesis, CMB, and solar system tests
of gravity. After imposing all the bounds coming from these observations, we
consider the expansion rate of the universe at WIMP decoupling, showing that it
can lead to an enhancement of the dark matter relic density up to few orders of
magnitude with respect to the standard case. This effect can have an impact on
supersymmetric candidates for dark matter.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures; V2: references added, matches published versio
Proposal and investigation of an artificial intelligence (Ai)-based cloud resource allocation algorithm in network function virtualization architectures
The high time needed to reconfigure cloud resources in Network Function Virtualization network environments has led to the proposal of solutions in which a prediction based-resource allocation is performed. All of them are based on traffic or needed resource prediction with the minimization of symmetric loss functions like Mean Squared Error. When inevitable prediction errors are made, the prediction methodologies are not able to differently weigh positive and negative prediction errors that could impact the total network cost. In fact if the predicted traffic is higher than the real one then an over allocation cost, referred to as over-provisioning cost, will be paid by the network operator; conversely, in the opposite case, Quality of Service degradation cost, referred to as under-provisioning cost, will be due to compensate the users because of the resource under allocation. In this paper we propose and investigate a resource allocation strategy based on a Long Short Term Memory algorithm in which the training operation is based on the minimization of an asymmetric cost function that differently weighs the positive and negative prediction errors and the corresponding over-provisioning and under-provisioning costs. In a typical traffic and network scenario, the proposed solution allows for a cost saving by 30% with respect to the case of solution with symmetric cost function
Dynamical Relaxation of the Dark Matter to Baryon Ratio
A scalar field interacting differently with dark matter and baryons may
explain why their ratio is of order unity today. We provide three working
examples, checking them against the observations of CMB, Large Scale Structure,
supernovae Ia, and post-newtonian tests of gravity. Such a scenario could make
life much easier for supersymmetric dark matter candidates.Comment: 7 pages, 5 .eps figures. Discussion of the approach of the field to
the fixed point added. Figures modified accordingly. Conclusions unchanged.
Version to be published on Phys Rev.
Monocular electro-optical stereo scanner
MEOSS is a single optics and single spectral band camera. Three CCD's working in pushbroom mode are mounted perpendicular to the flight direction on a common focal plate. Their oblique views of + and - 23 degrees forward and backward, as well as nadir oriented, lead to threefold stereoscopic images. This principle allows a nearly simultaneous generation of all three images of a stereo triplet. The time gap between the forward and aft looking images guarantees constant illumination conditions. The ground resolution of MEOSS will be 52 by 80 m ground pixel size, height resolution of 55 m and swath width of 255 km. The drifting ground coverage pattern of MEOSS is unique compared to polar orbiting satellites and will allow images of an area to be taken at different times of the day. A scene will consist of 3144 scan lines, with each having 3236 pixels. The data will be received by the Deep Space Network of JPL Goldstone and mailed to Goddard
Cosmic-ray antiproton constraints on light dark matter candidates
Some direct detection experiments have recently collected excess events that
could be interpreted as a dark matter (DM) signal, pointing to particles in the
10 GeV mass range. We show that scenarios in which DM can self-annihilate
with significant couplings to quarks are likely excluded by the cosmic-ray (CR)
antiproton data, provided the annihilation is S-wave dominated when DM
decouples in the early universe. These limits apply to most of supersymmetric
candidates, eg in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) and in the
next-to-MSSM (NMSSM), and more generally to any thermal DM particle with
hadronizing annihilation final states.Comment: Contribution to the proceedings of TAUP-2011 (Munich, 5-9 IX 2011). 4
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