Physics Commons^™

A Theoretical Proton-Proton Pair Production Cross-Section Calculation, Jay W. Phippen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The calculation of both electron-pair and muon-pair production cross-sections was made using Feynman's quantum electrodynamics. Pseudo-scaler coupling was used between the nucleons and vector coupling was used between the photon and the Fermions. The protons were considered as Dirac particles and radiative corrections were omitted.

Eight fourth-order Feynman-Dyson diagrams were used. The subsequent sixty-four TRACES were reduced to seven basic topologically different TRACES. From the seven basic TRACES, it was possible to generate the sixty-four TRACES by the proper permutations of the variables.

With the mathematics and the corresponding computer programs written down, data (energies and momenta which represent the …

Unity In The Theory Of Elementary Particles Through Group Theory, Douglas Karl Lemon

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Science is the process of seeking unity in the diversity of natural phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that group theory brings unity to the theory of elementary particles. The prime motivations are first, to find a quantitative representation of the Lorentz transformation, and second, to find a quantitative representation of angular momentum. Since both of these have continuous parameters, groups with continuous parameters, particularly Lie groups, are of interest.

The first portion of the paper develops the definition of Lie groups and their associated Lie algebras. The prerequisite definitions of transformations, groups, group representations, and continuous …

The Thermolysis Of Bornyl And Iso-Bornyl Acetates, Allen Reed Jensen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Recent investigations in the area of acetate gas phase thermolysis indicate a mechanism which involves a similar transition state despite the acetate used. The reaction preferentially goes through a cis-elimination with the β-hydrogen atoms, proceeding through a six-membered ring transition state.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a strained bicyclic ring system upon the mechanism of acetate thermolysis. Throuqh kinetic studies and product identification of the pyrolyzed products of bornyl and iso-bornyl acetate, an insight into the preferred mechanism can be obtained. A previous study (cited later) indicated that the accepted six-membered cis …

Combined Airglow And Incoherent Scatter Observations As A Technique For Studying Neutral Atmospheric Variations, L L. Cogger, Vincent B. Wickwar, Herbert C. Carlson

All Physics Faculty Publications

Night airglow 6300 Å intensities and electron density altitude profiles observed at Arecibo have been combined with dissociative recombination theory to obtain information about the nighttime variation of F-region N₂ and O₂ densities. The application of this technique is illustrated using data from two nights in March 1971. The gross nighttime variation shows reasonable similarity to the Jacchia [1970] model, and also follows the time variation of the measured exospheric temperature. However, on both nights there is evidence of a postmidnight enhancement of the O₂/N₂ density ratio associated with a rapid decrease in the …

Incoherent Scatter Radar Observations Of Westward Electric Fields And Plasma Densities In The Auroral Ionosphere, 1, M P. Banks, C L. Rino, Vincent B. Wickwar

All Physics Faculty Publications

This paper reports the results of incoherent scatter radar observations of high-altitude ion drifts and other plasma parameters made February 24, 1972, at Chatanika, Alaska (L = 5.7), during a period of magnetic disturbance. For this experiment, conducted between 0909 to 1303 UT (2309 to 0303 AST), the radar line of sight was held fixed in the magnetic meridian plane so that the observed north-south ion drifts could be interpreted in terms of a westward electric field that ranged in magnitude from −10 to +35 mV m⁻¹. The results confirm many effects found previously through other experimental …

Incoherent-Scatter Radar Observations Of Westward Electric Fields, 2, C L. Rino, Vincent B. Wickwar, P M. Banks, E Rieger, S Akasofu

All Physics Faculty Publications

In this paper we describe the results of a series of geomagnetic meridian plane radar incoherent scatter plasma transport measurements. From such data the eastward (zonal) component of the electric field can be deduced. The results show that the electric field has an eastward component whenever the discrete auroras are northward of the region of the measurement. The zonal field component turns westward as the discrete auroras move equatorward of the region of the measurement. Thus there is an eastward electric field boundary near the equatorward limit of the discrete aurora, which is the poleward boundary of the diffuse aurora …