Inversion of polarimetric data from eclipsing binaries

We describe a method for determining the limb polarization and limb darkening of stars in eclipsing binary systems, by inverting photometric and polarimetric light curves. Because of the ill-conditioning of the problem, we use the Backus-Gilbert method to control the resolution and stability of the recovered solution, and to make quantitative estimates of the maximum accuracy possible. Using this method we confirm that the limb polarization can indeed be recovered, and demonstrate this with simulated data, thus determining the level of observational accuracy required to achieve a given accuracy of reconstruction. This allows us to set out an optimal observational strategy, and to critcally assess the claimed detection of limb polarization in the Algol system. The use of polarization in stars has been proposed as a diagnostic tool in microlensing surveys by Simmons et al. (1995), and we discuss the extension of this work to the case of microlensing of extended sources.Comment: 10pp, 5 figures. To appear in A&

Hidden Order in URu2Si2URu_2Si_2

We review current attempts to characterize the underlying nature of the hidden order in $URu_2Si_2$. A wide variety of experiments point to the existence of two order parameters: a large primary order parameter of unknown character which co-exists with secondary antiferromagnetic order. Current theories can be divided into two groups determined by whether or not the primary order parameter breaks time-reversal symmetry. We propose a series of experiments designed to test the time-reversal nature of the underlying primary order in $URu_2Si_2$ and to characterize its local single-ion physics

The Kondo lattice model from strong-coupling viewpoint

We present some preliminary results on the phase diagram of the 2D S=1/2 Kondo lattice model at finite doping. As a starting point the Hamiltonian is written in terms of local spin and charge excitations, and the interactions between these modes are subsequently treated in various perturbative schemes. We find that a paramagnetic-magnetic quantum phase transition does occur, and, at least on a superficial level, the Kondo effect does not break down at the critical point. The latter result however might well be a consequence of the inherent bias of our starting point and/or the level of approximation.Comment: 4 pages, to appear in the Proceedings of SCES 2001, Ann Arbor, August 200

Atomic Model of Susy Hubbard Operators

We apply the recently proposed susy Hubbard operators to an atomic model. In the limiting case of free spins, we derive exact results for the entropy which are compared with a mean field + gaussian corrections description. We show how these results can be extended to the case of charge fluctuations and calculate exact results for the partition function, free energy and heat capacity of an atomic model for some simple examples. Wavefunctions of possible states are listed. We compare the accuracy of large N expansions of the susy spin operators with those obtained using `Schwinger bosons' and `Abrikosov pseudo-fermions'. For the atomic model, we compare results of slave boson, slave fermion, and susy Hubbard operator approximations in the physically interesting but uncontrolled limiting case of N->2. For a mixed representation of spins we estimate the accuracy of large N expansions of the atomic model. In the single box limit, we find that the lowest energy saddle-point solution reduces to simply either slave bosons or slave fermions, while for higher boxes this is not the case. The highest energy saddle-point solution has the interesting feature that it admits a small region of a mixed representation, which bears a superficial resemblance to that seen experimentally close to an antiferromagnetic quantum critical point.Comment: 17 pages + 7 pages Appendices, 14 figures. Substantial revision

Vacuum Decay in Theories with Symmetry Breaking by Radiative Corrections

The standard bounce formalism for calculating the decay rate of a metastable vacuum cannot be applied to theories in which the symmetry breaking is due to radiative corrections, because in such theories the tree-level action has no bounce solutions. In this paper I derive a modified formalism to deal with such cases. As in the usual case, the bubble nucleation rate may be written in the form $A e^{-B}$. To leading approximation, $B$ is the bounce action obtained by replacing the tree-level potential by the leading one-loop approximation to the effective potential, in agreement with the generally adopted {\it ad hoc} remedy. The next correction to $B$ (which is proportional to an inverse power of a small coupling) is given in terms of the next-to-leading term in the effective potential and the leading correction to the two-derivative term in the effective action. The corrections beyond these (which may be included in the prefactor) do not have simple expressions in terms of the effective potential and the other functions in the effective action. In particular, the scalar-loop terms which give an imaginary part to the effective potential do not explicitly appear; the corresponding effects are included in a functional determinant which gives a manifestly real result for the nucleation rate.Comment: 39 pages, CU-TP-57

Microlensing of Extended Stellar Sources

We investigate the feasibility of reconstructing the radial intensity profile of extended stellar sources by inverting their microlensed light curves. Using a simple, linear, limb darkening law as an illustration, we show that the intensity profile can be accurately determined, at least over the outer part of the stellar disc, with realistic light curve sampling and photometric errors. The principal requirement is that the impact parameter of the lens be less than or equal to the stellar radius. Thus, the analysis of microlensing events provides a powerful method for testing stellar atmosphere models.Comment: 4 pages LaTeX, to appear in New Astronomy Reviews - proceedings of the Oxford Workshop `Gravitational Lensing: Nature's Own Weighing Scales'. Uses elsart.cls. Paper also available at ftp://info.astro.gla.ac.uk/pub/martin/extended.p

Local Moments in an Interacting Environment

We discuss how local moment physics is modified by the presence of interactions in the conduction sea. Interactions in the conduction sea are shown to open up new symmetry channels for the exchange of spin with the localized moment. We illustrate this conclusion in the strong-coupling limit by carrying out a Schrieffer Wolff transformation for a local moment in an interacting electron sea, and show that these corrections become very severe in the approach to a Mott transition. As an example, we show how the Zhang Rice reduction of a two-band model is modified by these new effects.Comment: Latex file with two postscript figures. Revised version, with more fully detailed calculation

Co-operative Kondo Effect in the two-channel Kondo Lattice

We discuss the possibility of a co-operative Kondo effect driven by channel interference in a Kondo lattice where local moments are coupled to a single Fermi sea via two orthogonal scattering channels. In this situation, the channel quantum number is not conserved. We argue that the absence of channel conservation causes the Kondo effect in the two channels to constructively interfere, giving rise to a superconducting condensate of composite pairs, formed between the local moments and the conduction electrons. Our arguments are based on the observation that a heavy Fermi surface gives rise to zero modes for Kondo singlets to fluctuate between screening channels of different symmetry, producing a divergent composite pair susceptibility. Secondary screening channels couple to these divergent fluctuations, promoting an instability into a state with long-range composite order. We present detailed a detailed mean-field theory for this superconducting phase, and discuss the possible implications for heavy fermion physics.Comment: 23 double column pages. 9 fig

Insulation bonding test system

A method and a system for testing the bonding of foam insulation attached to metal is described. The system involves the use of an impacter which has a calibrated load cell mounted on a plunger and a hammer head mounted on the end of the plunger. When the impacter strikes the insulation at a point to be tested, the load cell measures the force of the impact and the precise time interval during which the hammer head is in contact with the insulation. This information is transmitted as an electrical signal to a load cell amplifier where the signal is conditioned and then transmitted to a fast Fourier transform (FFT) analyzer. The FFT analyzer produces energy spectral density curves which are displayed on a video screen. The termination frequency of the energy spectral density curve may be compared with a predetermined empirical scale to determine whether a igh quality bond, good bond, or debond is present at the point of impact

On the Integrability of the Bukhvostov-Lipatov Model

The integrability of the Bukhvostov-Lipatov four-fermion model is investigated. It is shown that the classical model possesses a current of Lorentz spin 3, conserved both in the bulk and on the half-line for specific types of boundary actions. It is then established that the conservation law is spoiled at the quantum level -- a fact that might indicate that the quantum Bukhvostov-Lipatov model is not integrable, contrary to what was previously believed.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX2e, AMS; new references adde