Positronium ions and molecules

Recent theoretical studies on positronium ions and molecules are discussed. A positronium ion is a three particle system consisting of two electrons in singlet spin state, and a positron. Recent studies include calculations of its binding energy, positron annihilation rate, and investigations of its doubly excited resonant states. A positronium molecule is a four body system consisting of two positrons and two electrons in an overall singlet spin state. The recent calculations of its binding energy against the dissociation into two positronium atoms, and studies of auto-detaching states in positronium molecules are discussed. These auto-dissociating states, which are believed to be part of the Rydberg series as a result of a positron attaching to a negatively charged positronium ion, Ps-, would appear as resonances in Ps-Ps scattering

Toward 'generalized control theory'

Optimization problems in control theory in terms of criterion function, controller, and information available to controlle

An informal paper on large-scale dynamic systems

Large scale systems are defined as systems requiring more than one decision maker to control the system. Decentralized control and decomposition are discussed for large scale dynamic systems. Information and many-person decision problems are analyzed

Reply to Hagen & Sudarshan's Comment

We show that the argument in Phys Rev Lett 70 (1993) 1360 is correct and consistent, and that Hagen & Sudarshan's solution has inconsistency leading to non-vanishing commutators of $[P^1, P^2]$ and $[P^j, H]$ even in physical states. This proves that many of HS's statements in their Comment are based merely on incorrect guess, but not on careful algebra.Comment: one page, UMN-TH-1245/9

Temperature effect on space charge dynamics in XLPE insulation

This paper reports on space charge evolution in crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) planar samples approximately 1.20 mm thick subjected to electric stress level of 30 kVdc/mm under four temperature 25 oC, 50 oC, 70 oC and 90 oC for 24 hours. Space charge profiles in both as-received and degassed samples were measured using the laser induced pressure pulse (LIPP) technique. The dc threshold stresses at which space charge initiates are greatly affected by testing temperatures. The results suggest that testing temperature has numerous effects on space charge dynamics such as enhancement of ionic dissociation of polar crosslinked by-products, charge injection, charge mobility and electrical conductivity. Space charge distributions of very different nature were seen at lower temperatures when comparing the results of as-received samples with degassed samples. However at higher temperature, the space charge distribution took the same form, although of lower concentration in degassed samples. Space charge distributions are dominated by positive charge when tested at high temperatures regardless of sample treatment and positive charge propagation enhances as testing temperature increases. This can be a major cause of concern as positive charge propagation has been reported to be related to insulation breakdown

The effect of degassing on morphology and space charge

It is believed that space charge buildup in cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation is the main cause for premature failure of underground power cables. The space charge activities in XLPE depend on many factors such as additives, material treatment, ambient temperature, insulator/electrode interface, etc. Degassing is one of the material treatment process commonly employ in cable manufacturing to improve insulation performance. In this paper, investigation on the effect of degassing period has on the morphology and space charge was carried out. Planar XLPE samples of the same composite were subjected to different degassing time. It is discovered that apart from removing volatile by-products, degassing also anneal XLPE material; changing the morphology as a result

Multiple Chern-Simons Fields on a Torus

Intertwined multiple Chern-Simons gauge fields induce matrix statistics among particles. We analyse this theory on a torus, focusing on the vacuum structure and the Hilbert space. The theory can be mimicked, although not completely, by an effective theory with one Chern-Simons gauge field. The correspondence between the Wilson line integrals, vacuum degeneracy and wave functions for these two theories are discussed. Further, it is obtained in both of these cases that the two total momenta and Hamiltonian commute only in the physical Hilbert space.Comment: 20 pages, UMN-TH-1128/93, plain Te

Characterization of volatile organic compounds at a roadside environment in Hong Kong: An investigation of influences after air pollution control strategies

Vehicular emission is one of the important anthropogenic pollution sources for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Four characterization campaigns were conducted at a representative urban roadside environment in Hong Kong between May 2011 and February 2012. Carbon monoxide (CO) and VOCs including methane (CH4), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), halocarbons, and alkyl nitrates were quantified. Both mixing ratios and compositions of the target VOCs show ignorable seasonal variations. Except CO, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tracers of propane, i-butane and n-butane are the three most abundant VOCs, which increased significantly as compared with the data measured at the same location in 2003. Meanwhile, the mixing ratios of diesel- and gasoline tracers such as ethyne, alkenes, aromatics, halogenated, and nitrated hydrocarbons decreased by at least of 37%. The application of advanced multivariate receptor modeling technique of positive matrix factorization (PMF) evidenced that the LPG fuel consumption is the largest pollution source, accounting for 60 ± 5% of the total quantified VOCs at the roadside location. The sum of ozone formation potential (OFP) for the target VOCs was 300.9 μg-O3 m-3, which was 47% lower than the value of 567.3 μg-O3 m-3 measured in 2003. The utilization of LPG as fuel in public transport (i.e., taxis and mini-buses) contributed 51% of the sum of OFP, significantly higher than the contributions from gasoline- (16%) and diesel-fueled (12%) engine emissions. Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of the switch from diesel to LPG-fueled engine for taxis and mini-buses implemented by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government between the recent ten years, in additional to the execution of substitution to LPG-fueled engine and restrictions of the vehicular emissions in compliance with the updated European emission standards