Thin Films of 3He -- Implications on the Identification of 3 He -A

Recently the identification of 3He-A with the axial state has been questioned. It is suggested that the A-phase can actually be in the axiplanar state. We point out in the present paper that experiments in a film geometry may be useful to distinguish the above two possibilities. In particular a second order phase transition between an axial and an axiplanar state would occur as a function of thickness or temperature.Comment: 3 pages, no figures latex- revtex aps accepted by J. of Low Temperature Physic

The Origin of the Boson Peak and the Thermal Conductivity Plateau in Low Temperature Glasses

We argue that the intrinsic glassy degrees of freedom in amorphous solids giving rise to the thermal conductivity plateau and the ``boson peak'' in the heat capacity at moderately low temperatures are directly connected to those motions giving rise to the two-level like excitations seen at still lower temperatures. These degrees of freedom can be thought of as strongly anharmonic transitions between the local minima of the glassy energy landscape that are accompanied by ripplon-like domain wall motions of the glassy mosaic structure predicted to occur at $T_g$ by the random first order transition theory. The energy spectrum of the vibrations of the mosaic depends on the glass transition temperature, the Debye frequency and the molecular length scale. The resulting spectrum reproduces the experimental low temperature Boson peak. The ``non-universality'' of the thermal conductivity plateau depends on $k_B T_g/\hbar \omega_D$ and arises from calculable interactions with the phonons.Comment: 4 pages, submitted to PR

Chemical and ecological health of white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C., 2003-04 / by Cherie V. Miller ... [et al.] ; prepared in copoeration with the National Park Service

Several classes of chemicals that are known or suspected contaminants were found in bed sediment in Rock Creek, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalate esters, organochlorine pesticides, dioxins and furans, trace metals and metalloids (mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, silver, and zinc), and polychlorinated biphenyls (total PCBs and selected aroclors). Concentrations of many of these chemicals consistently exceeded thresholdor chronic-effects guidelines for the protection of aquatic life and often exceeded probable effects levels (PELs). Exceedance of PELs was dependent on the amount of total organic carbon in the sediments. Concurrent with the collection of sediment-quality data, white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) were evaluated for gross-external and internal-organ anomalies, whole-body burdens of chemical contaminants, and gut contents to determine prey. The histopathology of internal tissues of white sucker was compared to contaminant levels in fish tissue and bed sediment. Gut contents were examined to determine preferential prey and thus potential pathways for the bioaccumulation of chemicals from bed sediments. Male and female fish were tested separately. Lesions and other necroses were observed in all fish collected during both years of sample collection, indicating that fish in Rock Creek have experienced some form of environmental stress. No direct cause and effect was determined for chemical exposure and compromised fish health, but a substantial weight of evidence indicates that white sucker, which are bottom-eeding fish and low-order consumers in Rock Creek, are experiencing some reduction in vitality, possibly due to immunosuppression. Abnormalities observed in gonads of both sexes of white sucker and observations of abnormal behavior during spawning indicated some interruption in reproductive success

Art As An Encounter: A Personal View

This thesis is an attempt to establish some insight into my personal aesthetic and creative philosophy as it relates to the metaphysical world I perceive. It will bring out points which I consider relevant and will give reference to the role that various past influences have had. This thesis also will attempt to show examples of the chain of events in which my present work evolves from my past work. Since my viewpoints are constantly bombarded by new and various stimuli my endeavors continuously try to deal with those factors

Electric field induced strong localization of electrons on solid hydrogen surface: possible applications to quantum computing

Two-dimensional electron system on the liquid helium surface is one of the leading candidates for constructing large analog quantum computers (P.M. Platzman and M.I. Dykman, Science 284, 1967 (1999)). Similar electron systems on the surfaces of solid hydrogen or solid neon may have some important advantages with respect to electrons on liquid helium in quantum computing applications, such as larger state separation $\Delta E$, absence of propagating capillary waves (or ripplons), smaller vapor pressure, etc. As a result, it may operate at higher temperatures. Surface roughness is the main hurdle to overcome in building a realistic quantum computer using these states. Electric field induced strong localization of surface electrons is shown to be a convenient tool to characterize surface roughness.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure