Incompressibility in finite nuclei and nuclear matter

The incompressibility (compression modulus) $K_{\rm 0}$ of infinite symmetric nuclear matter at saturation density has become one of the major constraints on mean-field models of nuclear many-body systems as well as of models of high density matter in astrophysical objects and heavy-ion collisions. We present a comprehensive re-analysis of recent data on GMR energies in even-even $^{\rm 112-124}$Sn and $^{\rm 106,100-116}$Cd and earlier data on 58 $\le$ A $\le$ 208 nuclei. The incompressibility of finite nuclei $K_{\rm A}$ is expressed as a leptodermous expansion with volume, surface, isospin and Coulomb coefficients $K_{\rm vol}$, $K_{\rm surf}$, $K_\tau$ and $K_{\rm coul}$. \textit{Assuming} that the volume coefficient $K_{\rm vol}$ is identified with $K_{\rm 0}$, the $K_{\rm coul}$ = -(5.2 $\pm$ 0.7) MeV and the contribution from the curvature term K$_{\rm curv}$A$^{\rm -2/3}$ in the expansion is neglected, compelling evidence is found for $K_{\rm 0}$ to be in the range 250 $< K_{\rm 0} <$ 315 MeV, the ratio of the surface and volume coefficients $c = K_{\rm surf}/K_{\rm vol}$ to be between -2.4 and -1.6 and $K_{\rm \tau}$ between -840 and -350 MeV. We show that the generally accepted value of $K_{\rm 0}$ = (240 $\pm$ 20) MeV can be obtained from the fits provided $c \sim$ -1, as predicted by the majority of mean-field models. However, the fits are significantly improved if $c$ is allowed to vary, leading to a range of $K_{\rm 0}$, extended to higher values. A self-consistent simple (toy) model has been developed, which shows that the density dependence of the surface diffuseness of a vibrating nucleus plays a major role in determination of the ratio K$_{\rm surf}/K_{\rm vol}$ and yields predictions consistent with our findings.Comment: 26 pages, 13 figures; corrected minor typos in line with the proof in Phys. Rev.

Resonance Lineshapes in Quasi-One-Dimensional Scattering

An S matrix approach is developed to describe elastic scattering resonances of systems where the scattered particle is asymptotically confined and the scattering potential lacks continuous symmetry. Examples are conductance resonances in microstructures or transmission resonances in waveguide junctions. The generic resonance is shown to have the asymmetric Fano lineshape. The asymmetry parameter q is independent of coupling to the quasi-bound level implying a scaling property of the resonances which can be tested in transport experiments.Comment: 4 pages, Revtex 3.0, Figure available in Postscrip

Dark Matter Seeding in Neutron Stars

We present a mechanism that may seed compact stellar objects with stable lumps of quark matter, or {\it strangelets}, through the self-annihilation of gravitationally accreted WIMPs. We show that dark matter particles with masses above a few GeV may provide enough energy in the nuclear medium for quark deconfinement and subsequent strangelet formation. If this happens this effect may then trigger a partial or full conversion of the star into a strange star. We set a new limit on the WIMP mass in the few-GeV range that seems to be consistent with recent indications in dark matter direct detection experiments.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure. Prepared for 19th Particles and Nuclei International Conference (PANIC 2011), Boston, USA 25-29 Jul 201

Constraining the Sub-AU-Scale Distribution of Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide Gas around Young Stars with the Keck Interferometer

We present Keck Interferometer observations of T Tauri and Herbig Ae/Be stars with a spatial resolution of a few milliarcseconds and a spectral resolution of ~2000. Our observations span the K-band, and include the Br gamma transition of Hydrogen and the v=2-0 and v=3-1 transitions of carbon monoxide. For several targets we also present data from Keck/NIRSPEC that provide higher spectral resolution, but a seeing-limited spatial resolution, of the same spectral features. We analyze the Br gamma emission in the context of both disk and infall/outflow models, and conclude that the Br gamma emission traces gas at very small stellocentric radii, consistent with the magnetospheric scale. However some Br gamma-emitting gas also seems to be located at radii of >0.1 AU, perhaps tracing the inner regions of magnetically launched outflows. CO emission is detected from several objects, and we generate disk models that reproduce both the KI and NIRSPEC data well. We infer the CO spatial distribution to be coincident with the distribution of continuum emission in most cases. Furthermore the Br gamma emission in these objects is roughly coincident with both the CO and continuum emission. We present potential explanations for the spatial coincidence of continuum, Br gamma, and CO overtone emission, and explore the implications for the low occurrence rate of CO overtone emission in young stars. Finally, we provide additional discussion of V1685 Cyg, which is unusual among our sample in showing large differences in emitting region size and spatial position as a function of wavelength.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Noise of model target type thrust reversers for engine-over-the-wing applications

The results of experiments on the noise generated by V-gutter and semicylindrical target reversers with circular and short-aspect-ratio slot nozzles having diameters of about 5 cm are presented. The experiments were conducted with cold-flow jets at velocities from 190-290 m/sec. The reversers at subsonic jet velocities had a more uniform noise distribution and higher frequency than the nozzles alone. The reverser shape was shown to be more important than the nozzle shape in determining the noise characteristics. The maximum sideline pressure level varied with the sixth power of the jet velocity, and the data were correlated for angles along the sideline. An estimate of the noise level along the 152 m sideline for an engine-over-the-wing powered-lift airplane was made

Status of noise technology for advanced supersonic cruise aircraft

Developments in acoustic technology applicable to advanced supersonic cruise aircraft, particularly those which relate to jet noise and its suppression are reviewed. The noise reducing potential of high radius ratio, inverted velocity profile coannular jets is demonstrated by model scale results from a wide range of nozzle geometries, including some simulated flight cases. These results were verified statistically at large scale on a variable cycle engine (VCE) testbed. A preliminary assessment of potential VCE noise sources such as fan and core noise is made, based on the testbed data. Recent advances in the understanding of flight effects are reviewed. The status of component noise prediction methods is assessed on the basis of recent test data, and the remaining problem areas are outlined

Noise tests of a high-aspect-ratio slot nozzle with various V-gutter target thrust reversers

The results of experiments on the noise generated by a 1.33- by 91.4 cm slot nozzle with various V-gutter reversers, and some thrust measurements are presented. The experiments were conducted with near-ambient temperature jets at nozzle pressure ratios of 1.25 to 3.0, yielding jet velocities of about 190 to 400 m/sec. At pressure ratios of 2 or less, the reversers, in addition to being noisier than the nozzle alone, also had a more uniform directional distribution and more high-frequency noise. At pressure ratios above 2, the nozzle alone generated enough shock noise that the levels were about the same as for the reversers. The maximum overall sound pressure level and the effective overall sound power level both varied with the sixth power of jet velocity over the range tested. The data were scaled up to a size suitable for reversing the wing-flap slot nozzle flow of a 45 400-kg augmentor-wing-type airplane on the ground, yielding perceived noise levels well above 95 PNdB on a 152-m sideline

School Choice and Student Performance: Are Private Schools Really Better?

Are private schools really better than public schools, or is it simply that better students attend private schools? Although a number of recent studies find that students perform better in private schools (more specifically, Catholic schools), others do not. Typically, however, the instruments used to adjust for nonrandom selection are weak. This study employs uniquely detailed local instruments and jointly models selection into religious and nonreligious private high schools, relative to public high schools—improving instrument power in predicting private sector attendance to roughly three times that of prior studies. Failing to correct adequately for selection leads to a systematic upward bias in the estimated treatment effect for religious schools, but a downward bias for nonreligious private schools. With adequate correction, religious schools are modestly inferior in mathematics and science, while nonreligious schools are substantially superior. However, minority students, particularly in urban areas, benefit from religious schools. Other factors that may make both religious and nonreligious private schools attractive include possibly better retention rates, increased security and discipline, and greater opportunities for a variety of specialized school-day and extracurricular activities.

Dispersion interactions between semiconducting wires

The dispersion energy between extended molecular chains (or equivalently infinite wires) with non-zero band gaps is generally assumed to be expressible as a pair-wise sum of atom-atom terms which decay as $R^{-6}$. Using a model system of two parallel wires with a variable band gap, we show that this is not the case. The dispersion interaction scales as $z^{-5}$ for large interwire separations $z$, as expected for an insulator, but as the band gap decreases the interaction is greatly enhanced; while at shorter (but non-overlapping) separations it approaches a power-law scaling given by $z^{-2}$, \emph{i.e.} the dispersion interaction expected between \emph{metallic} wires. We demonstrate that these effects can be understood from the increasing length scale of the plasmon modes (charge fluctuations), and their increasing contribution to the molecular dipole polarizability and the dispersion interaction, as the band gaps are reduced. This result calls into question methods which invoke locality assumptions in deriving dispersion interactions between extended small-gap systems.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure