1,353 research outputs found
Illuminating dark matter and primordial black holes with interstellar antiprotons
Interstellar antiproton fluxes can arise from dark matter annihilating or
decaying into quarks or gluons that subsequently fragment into antiprotons.
Evaporation of primordial black holes also can produce a significant antiproton
cosmic-ray flux. Since the background of secondary antiprotons from spallation
has an interstellar energy spectrum that peaks at \sim 2\gev and falls
rapidly for energies below this, low-energy measurements of cosmic antiprotons
are useful in the search for exotic antiproton sources. However, measurement of
the flux near the earth is challenged by significant uncertainties from the
effects of the solar wind. We suggest evading this problem and more effectively
probing dark-matter signals by placing an antiproton spectrometer aboard an
interstellar probe currently under discussion. We address the experimental
challenges of a light, low-power-consuming detector, and present an initial
design of such an instrument. This experimental effort could significantly
increase our ability to detect, and have confidence in, a signal of exotic,
nonstandard antiproton sources. Furthermore, solar modulation effects in the
heliosphere would be better quantified and understood by comparing results to
inverse modulated data derived from existing balloon and space-based detectors
near the earth.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figure
Flux-free conductance modulation in a helical Aharonov-Bohm interferometer
A novel conductance oscillation in a twisted quantum ring composed of a
helical atomic configuration is theoretically predicted. Internal torsion of
the ring is found to cause a quantum phase shift in the wavefunction that
describes the electron's motion along the ring. The resulting conductance
oscillation is free from magnetic flux penetrating inside the ring, which is in
complete contrast with the ordinary Aharonov-Bohm effect observed in untwisted
quantum rings.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
Neutrino Spin Transitions and the Violation of the Equivalence Principle
The violation of the equivalence principle (VEP) causing neutrino
oscillations is of current interest. We study here the possibility of not only
flavor oscillation but spin flavor oscillation of ultra high energy ( 1
PeV) neutrinos emanating from AGN due to VEP and due to the presence of a large
magnetic field ( 1 Tesla) in AGN. In particular we look at the resonance
spin flavor conversion driven by the AGN potential. Interesting bounds on the
transition magnetic moment of neutrinos may therefore be obtained.Comment: Latex, 12 pages, no figures. To appear in Journal of Physics G:
Nuclear and Particle Physics. Two references adde
Design of an electron microscope phase plate using a focused continuous-wave laser
We propose a Zernike phase contrast electron microscope that uses an intense
laser focus to convert a phase image into a visible image. We present the
relativistic quantum theory of the phase shift caused by the
laser-electron-interaction, study resonant cavities for enhancing the laser
intensity, and discuss applications in biology, soft materials science, and
atomic and molecular physics.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Positron Propagation and Fluxes from Neutralino Annihilation in the Halo
Supersymmetric neutralinos are one of the most promising candidates for the
dark matter in the Universe. If they exist, they should make up some fraction
of the Milky Way halo. We investigate the fluxes of positrons expected at the
Earth from neutralino annihilation in the halo. Positron propagation is treated
in a diffusion model including energy loss. The positron source function
includes contributions from both continuum and monochromatic positrons. We find
that, for a "canonical" halo model and propagation parameters, the fluxes are
generally too low to be visible. Given the large uncertainties in both
propagation and halo structure, it is however possible to obtain observable
fluxes. We also investigate the shapes of the positron spectra, including fits
to a feature indicated by the results of the HEAT experiment.Comment: 16 pages, 19 figures, uses revte
Performance of the AMS-02 Transition Radiation Detector
For cosmic particle spectroscopy on the International Space Station the AMS
experiment will be equipped with a Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) to
improve particle identification. The TRD has 20 layers of fleece radiator with
Xe/CO2 proportional mode straw tube chambers. They are supported in a conically
shaped octagon structure made of CFC-Al-honeycomb. For low power consumption VA
analog multiplexers are used as front-end readout. A 20 layer prototype built
from final design components has achieved proton rejections from 100 to 2000 at
90% electron efficiency for proton beam energies up to 250 GeV with cluster
counting, likelihood and neural net selection algorithms.Comment: 11 pages, 25 figures, espcrc2.sty (elsevier 2-column
Positrons from particle dark-matter annihilation in the Galactic halo: propagation Green's functions
We have made a calculation of the propagation of positrons from dark-matter
particle annihilation in the Galactic halo in different models of the dark
matter halo distribution using our 3D code, and present fits to our numerical
propagation Green's functions. We show that the Green's functions are not very
sensitive to the dark matter distribution for the same local dark matter energy
density. We compare our predictions with computed cosmic ray positron spectra
(``background'') for the ``conventional'' CR nucleon spectrum which matches the
local measurements, and a modified spectrum which respects the limits imposed
by measurements of diffuse Galactic gamma-rays, antiprotons, and positrons. We
conclude that significant detection of a dark matter signal requires favourable
conditions and precise measurements unless the dark matter is clumpy which
would produce a stronger signal. Although our conclusion qualitatively agrees
with that of previous authors, it is based on a more realistic model of
particle propagation and thus reduces the scope for future speculations.
Reliable background evaluation requires new accurate positron measurements and
further developments in modelling production and propagation of cosmic ray
species in the Galaxy.Comment: 8 pages, 6 ps-figures, 3 tables, uses revtex. Accepted for
publication in Physical Review D. More details can be found at
http://www.gamma.mpe-garching.mpg.de/~aws/aws.htm
Energy Spectra, Altitude Profiles and Charge Ratios of Atmospheric Muons
We present a new measurement of air shower muons made during atmospheric
ascent of the High Energy Antimatter Telescope balloon experiment. The muon
charge ratio mu+ / mu- is presented as a function of atmospheric depth in the
momentum interval 0.3-0.9 GeV/c. The differential mu- momentum spectra are
presented between 0.3 and about 50 GeV/c at atmospheric depths between 13 and
960 g/cm^2. We compare our measurements with other recent data and with Monte
Carlo calculations of the same type as those used in predicting atmospheric
neutrino fluxes. We find that our measured mu- fluxes are smaller than the
predictions by as much as 70% at shallow atmospheric depths, by about 20% at
the depth of shower maximum, and are in good agreement with the predictions at
greater depths. We explore the consequences of this on the question of
atmospheric neutrino production.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. D (2000
Midwives\u27 use of best available evidence in practice: An integrative review
Aims and objectives: To synthesise international research that relates to midwives\u27 use of best available evidence in practice settings and identify key issues relating to the translation of latest evidence into everyday maternity care.
Background: Midwifery is a researchâinformed profession. However, a gap persists in the translation of best available evidence into practice settings, compromising gold standard maternity care and delaying the translation of new knowledge into everyday practice.
Design: A fiveâstep integrative review approach, based on a series of articles published by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for conducting systematic reviews, was used to facilitate development of a search strategy, selection criteria and quality appraisal process, and the extraction and synthesis of data to inform an integrative review.
Methods: The databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Implementation Science Journal and Scopus were searched for relevant articles. The screening and quality appraisal process complied with the PRISMA 2009 checklist. Narrative analysis was used to develop subâcategories and dimensions from the data, which were then synthesised to form two major categories that together answer the review question.
Results: The six articles reviewed report on midwives\u27 use of best available evidence in Australia, the UK and Asia. Two major categories emerged that confirm that although midwifery values evidenceâbased practice (EBP), evidenceâinformed maternity care is not always employed in clinical settings. Additionally, closure of the evidenceâtoâpractice gap in maternity care requires a multidimensional approach.
Conclusion: Collaborative partnerships between midwives and researchers are necessary to initiate strategies that support midwives\u27 efforts to facilitate the timely movement of best available evidence into practice.
Relevance to clinical practice: Understanding midwives\u27 use of best available evidence in practice will direct future efforts towards the development of mechanisms that facilitate the timely uptake of latest evidence by all maternity care providers working in clinical settings
Slightly Non-Minimal Dark Matter in PAMELA and ATIC
We present a simple model in which dark matter couples to the standard model
through a light scalar intermediary that is itself unstable. We find this model
has several notable features, and allows a natural explanation for a surplus of
positrons, but no surplus of anti-protons, as has been suggested by early data
from PAMELA and ATIC. Moreover, this model yields a very small nucleon
coupling, well below the direct detection limits. In this paper we explore the
effect of this model in both the early universe and in the galaxy.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, v3: updated for new data, added discussion of
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