Weak Lensing of Intensity Mapping: the Cosmic Infrared Background

Gravitational lensing deflects the paths of cosmic infrared background (CIB) photons, leaving a measurable imprint on CIB maps. The resulting statistical anisotropy can be used to reconstruct the matter distribution out to the redshifts of CIB sources. To this end, we generalize the CMB lensing quadratic estimator to any weakly non-Gaussian source field, by deriving the optimal lensing weights. We point out the additional noise and bias caused by the non-Gaussianity and the `self-lensing' of the source field. We propose methods to reduce, subtract or model these non-Gaussianities. We show that CIB lensing should be detectable with Planck data, and detectable at high significance for future CMB experiments like CCAT-Prime. The CIB thus constitutes a new source image for lensing studies, providing constraints on the amplitude of structure at intermediate redshifts between galaxies and the CMB. CIB lensing measurements will also give valuable information on the star formation history in the universe, constraining CIB halo models beyond the CIB power spectrum. By laying out a detailed treatment of lens reconstruction from a weakly non-Gaussian source field, this work constitutes a stepping stone towards lens reconstruction from continuum or line intensity mapping data, such as the Lyman-alpha emission, absorption, and the 21cm radiation.Comment: Accepted in Physical Review

Finite frequency noise for edge states at filling factor ν=2/5\nu=2/5

We investigate the properties of the finite frequency noise in a quantum point contact geometry for the fractional quantum Hall state at filling factor $\nu=2/5$. The results are obtained in the framework of the Wen's hierarchical model. We show that the peak structure of the colored noise allows to discriminate among different possible excitations involved in the tunneling. In particular, optimal values of voltage and temperature are found in order to enhance the visibility of the peak associated with the tunneling of a 2-agglomerate, namely an excitation with charge double of the fundamental one associated to the single quasiparticle.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, to be published in the Proceedings of the Conference on the Frontiers of Quantum and Mesoscopic Thermodynamics (FQMT11

The optical companion to the binary millisecond pulsar J1824-2452H in the globular cluster M28

We report on the optical identification of the companion star to the eclipsing millisecond pulsar PSR J1824-2452H in the galactic globular cluster M28 (NGC 6626). This star is at only 0.2" from the nominal position of the pulsar and it shows optical variability (~ 0.25 mag) that nicely correlates with the pulsar orbital period. It is located on the blue side of the cluster main sequence, ~1.5 mag fainter than the turn-off point. The observed light curve shows two distinct and asymmetric minima, suggesting that the companion star is suffering tidal distortion from the pulsar. This discovery increases the number of non-degenerate MSP companions optically identified so far in globular clusters (4 out of 7), suggesting that these systems could be a common outcome of the pulsar recycling process, at least in dense environments where they can be originated by exchange interactions.Comment: accepted for publication on ApJ, 17 pages, 5 figure

Anomalous charge tunneling in the fractional quantum Hall edge states at filling factor \nu = 5/2

We explain effective charge anomalies recently observed for fractional quantum Hall edge states at $\nu=5/2$ [M. Dolev, Y. Gross, Y. C. Chung, M. Heiblum, V. Umansky, and D. Mahalu, Phys.Rev. B. \textbf{81}, 161303(R) (2010)]. The experimental data of differential conductance and excess noise are fitted, using the anti-Pfaffian model, by properly take into account renormalizations of the Luttinger parameters induced by the coupling of the system with an intrinsic $1/f$ noise. We demonstrate that a peculiar agglomerate excitation with charge $e/2$, double of the expected $e/4$ charge, dominates the transport properties at low energies.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Trigger :a musical theatre actor's guide to belting at gunpoint in the audition

In the world of Musical Theatre performance, auditioning is the first way for anyone to get a foot in the door. My thesis spends time figuring out a simple, helpful way in which actors can jump into their work within an audition setting through an audition trigger sheet that builds upon technique and tools that are easily accessible in an actor's armory. These 16 to 32 bars of music are what show directors and casting directors what an actor can do, and whether or not they are right for the part. Most of my time over the next few years will be spent auditioning for countless musicals. I will need a wide range of songs to choose from at a moment's notice, whether I am auditioning for a Golden Age Rogers + Hammerstein show or a contemporary Jason Robert Brown musical. This project includes a list of songs that I have in my book at every audition with all of the required analysis done. Each song has with it the trigger sheet that I have developed in order to activate a solid, compelling audition. The songs themselves each possess a specific internal audition cut. The trigger sheet I developed will be extremely helpful to me when I am at an audition, standing outside the door waiting for my time to enter. I can spend my time identifying with each of these songs and focusing on the story I want to tell. It will be an invaluable tool for me over the beginning years of my acting career.Thesis (B.?)Honors Colleg

Environmental induced renormalization effects in quantum Hall edge states

We propose a general mechanism for renormalization of the tunneling exponents in edge states of the fractional quantum Hall effect. Mutual effects of the coupling with out-of-equilibrium 1/f noise and dissipation are considered both for the Laughlin sequence and for composite co- and counter-propagating edge states with Abelian or non-Abelian statistics. For states with counter-propagating modes we demonstrate the robustness of the proposed mechanism in the so called disorder-dominated phase. Prototypes of these states, such as \nu=2/3 and \nu=5/2, are discussed in detail and the rich phenomenology induced by the presence of a noisy environment is presented. The proposed mechanism justifies the strong renormalizations reported in many experimental observations carried out at low temperatures. We show how environmental effects could affect the relevance of the tunneling excitations, leading to important implications in particular for the \nu=5/2 case.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

Charge tunneling in fractional edge channels

We explain recent experimental observations on effective charge of edge states tunneling through a quantum point contact in the weak backscattering regime. We focus on the behavior of the excess noise and on the effective tunneling charge as a function of temperature and voltage. By introducing a minimal hierarchical model different filling factors, \nu=p/(2p+1), in the Jain sequence are treated on equal footing, in presence also of non-universal interactions. The agreement found with the experiments for \nu=2/3 and \nu=2/5 reinforces the description of tunneling of bunching of quasiparticles at low energies and quantitatively defines the condition under which one expects to measure the fundamental quasiparticle charge. We propose high-order current cumulant measurement to cross-check the validity of the above scenario and to better clarify the peculiar temperature behavior of the effective charges measured in the experiments.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure