Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Realization Of Random-Field Ising Ferromagnetism In A Molecular Magnet, Bo Wen, P Subedi, Lin Bo, Y Yeshurun, M P. Sarachik, A D. Kent, A J. Millis, Christos Lampropoulos, G Christou

Christos Lampropoulos

The longitudinal magnetic susceptibility of single crystals of the molecular magnet Mn12-acetate obeys a Curie-Weiss law, indicating a transition to a ferromagnetic phase at ∼0.9 K. With increasing magnetic field applied transverse to the easy axis, a marked change is observed in the temperature dependence of the susceptibility, and the suppression of ferromagnetism is considerably more rapid than predicted by mean-field theory for an ordered single crystal. Our results can instead be fit by a Hamiltonian for a random-field Ising ferromagnet in a transverse magnetic field, where the randomness derives from the intrinsic distribution of locally tilted magnetic easy axes …

Experimental Determination Of The Weiss Temperature Of Mn12-Ac And Mn12-Ac-Meoh, Christos Lampropoulos, Shiqi Li, Lin Bo, Bo Wen, M P. Sarachik, P Subedi, A D. Kent, Y Yeshurun, A J. Millis, S Mukherjee, G Christou

Christos Lampropoulos

We report measurements of the susceptibility in the temperature range from 3.5 to 6.0 K of a series of Mn12-ac and Mn12-ac-MeOH samples in the shape of rectangular prisms of length lc and square cross section of side la. The susceptibility obeys a Curie-Weiss law, χ=C/(T−θ), where θ varies systematically with sample aspect ratio. Using published demagnetization factors, we obtain θ for an infinitely long sample corresponding to intrinsic ordering temperatures Tc≈0.85 K and ≈0.74 K for Mn12-ac and Mn12-ac-MeOH, respectively. The difference in Tc for two materials that have nearly identical unit cell volumes and lattice constant ratios suggests …

Water Ice Films In Cryogenic Vacuum Chambers, Jesse Michael Labello

Doctoral Dissertations

The space simulation chambers at Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) allow for the testing and calibration of seeker sensors in cryogenic, high vacuum environments. During operation of these chambers, contaminant films can form on the components in the chamber and disrupt operation. Although these contaminant films can be composed of many molecular species, depending on the species outgassed by warm chamber components and any leaks or virtual leaks (pockets of gas trapped within a vacuum chamber) that may be present, water vapor is most common, and it will be the focus of this dissertation. In this dissertation, some properties of …

Directional Limits On Persistent Gravitational Waves Using Ligo S5 Science Data, J. Abadie, Marco Cavaglia, For Full List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

The gravitational-wave (GW) sky may include nearby pointlike sources as well as stochastic backgrounds. We perform two directional searches for persistent GWs using data from the LIGO S5 science run: one optimized for pointlike sources and one for arbitrary extended sources. Finding no evidence to support the detection of GWs, we present 90% confidence level (C.L.) upper-limit maps of GW strain power with typical values between 2 - 20 x 10^-50 strain² Hz^-1 and 5 - 35 x 10^-49 strain²Hz^-1sr^-1 for pointlike and extended sources, respectively. The latter result is the …

Particle Transport And Stochastic Acceleration In The Giant Lobes Of Centaurus A, Stephen O'Sullivan

Conference papers

The conditions within the giant lobes of Centaurus A are reviewed in light of recent radio and γ‐ray observations. Data from WMAP and ground‐based telescopes in conjunction with measurements from Fermi‐LAT constrain the characteristic field strength and the maximum electron energy. The implications for the transport of energetic particles are discussed in terms of residence times and cooling times within the lobes. Acceleration of electrons and UHECR via the second order Fermi mechanism is discussed.

New Limit On Time-Reversal Violation In Beta Decay, H. P. Mumm, T. E. Chupp, R. L. Cooper, K. P. Coulter, S. J. Freedman, B. K. Fujikawa, A. Garcia, Gordon L. Jones, J. S. Nico, A. K. Thompson, C. A. Trull, J. F. Wilderson, F. E. Wietfeldt

Articles

We report the results of an improved determination of the triple correlation DP . (p(e) x p(v)) that can be used to limit possible time-reversal invariance in the beta decay of polarized neutrons and constrain extensions to the standard model. Our result is D = [-0.96 +/- 1.89(stat) +/- 1.01(sys)] x 10(-4). The corresponding phase between g(A) and g(V) is phi(AV) = 180.013 degrees +/- 0.028 degrees (68% confidence level). This result represents the most sensitive measurement of D in nuclear beta decay.

Time Reversal Invariance Violating And Parity Conserving Effects In Neutron-Deuteron Scattering, Young-Ho Song, Rimantas Lazauskas, Vladimir Gudkov

Faculty Publications

Time reversal invariance violating and parity conserving effects for low-energy elastic neutron-deuteronscattering are calculated for meson exchange and effective field theory type potentials in a distorted wave-bornapproximation using realistic hadronic wave functions, obtained by solving three-body Faddeev equations inconfiguration space.

Fall 2010 Sci 2130: Quantum Physics: Information About Course: Learning Objectives, Stephen Holt

Stephen Holt

Modern Physics is based upon a few fundamental ideas that allow the explanation of phenomena that seem to defy consistency with traditional (Newtonian) physics. The most important of these (in the context of engineering applications) are the principles of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. This course will introduce the basic concepts of Modern Physics, with particular application to atoms, molecules and the materials utilized in modern electronics.

Fall 2010 Sci 2130: Quantum Physics: Course Materials: Homework Overview, Stephen Holt

Stephen Holt

Modern Physics is based upon a few fundamental ideas that allow the explanation of phenomena that seem to defy consistency with traditional (Newtonian) physics. The most important of these (in the context of engineering applications) are the principles of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. This course will introduce the basic concepts of Modern Physics, with particular application to atoms, molecules and the materials utilized in modern electronics.

Fall 2010 Sci 2130: Quantum Physics: Course Materials: Assignments, Stephen Holt

Stephen Holt

Modern Physics is based upon a few fundamental ideas that allow the explanation of phenomena that seem to defy consistency with traditional (Newtonian) physics. The most important of these (in the context of engineering applications) are the principles of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. This course will introduce the basic concepts of Modern Physics, with particular application to atoms, molecules and the materials utilized in modern electronics.

Fall 2010 Sci 2130: Quantum Physics: Information About Course: Course Syllabus, Stephen Holt

Stephen Holt

Modern Physics is based upon a few fundamental ideas that allow the explanation of phenomena that seem to defy consistency with traditional (Newtonian) physics. The most important of these (in the context of engineering applications) are the principles of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. This course will introduce the basic concepts of Modern Physics, with particular application to atoms, molecules and the materials utilized in modern electronics.

An Examination Of The Yang-Baxter Equation, Alexandru Cibotarica

Master's Theses

The Yang-Baxter equation has been extensively studied due to its application in numerous fields of mathematics and physics. This thesis sets out to analyze the equation from the viewpoint of the algebraic product of matrices, i.e., the composition of linear maps, with the intent of characterizing the solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation.

We begin by examining the simple case of 22 matrices where it is possible to fully characterize the solutions. We connect the Yang-Baxter equation to the Cecioni-Frobenius Theorem and focus on obtaining solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation for special matrices where solutions are more easily found. Finally, …

Decay Of Nuclear Hyperpolarization In Silicon Microparticles, M. Lee, M. C. Cassidy, C. Ramanathan, C. M. Marcus

Dartmouth Scholarship

We investigate the low-field relaxation of nuclear hyperpolarization in undoped and highly doped silicon microparticles at room temperature following removal from high field. For nominally undoped particles, two relaxation time scales are identified for ambient fields above 0.2 mT. The slower, T1,s, is roughly independent of ambient field; the faster, T1,f, decreases with increasing ambient field. A model in which nuclear spin relaxation occurs at the particle surface via a two-electron mechanism is shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data, particularly the field independence of T1,s. For boron-doped particles, a single relaxation time scale is observed. This …

Relativistic Transformation Of Phase-Space Distributions, R A. Treumann, R Nakamura, W Baumjohann

Dartmouth Scholarship

We investigate the transformation of the distri- bution function in the relativistic case, a problem of interest in plasma when particles with high (relativistic) velocities come into play as for instance in radiation belt physics, in the electron-cyclotron maser radiation theory, in the vicin- ity of high-Mach number shocks where particles are acceler- ated to high speeds, and generally in solar and astrophysical plasmas. We show that the phase-space volume element is a Lorentz constant and construct the general particle distri- bution function from first principles. Application to thermal equilibrium lets us derive a modified version of the isotropic relativisticthermaldistribution,themodifiedJu …

Time Reversal Invariance Violation In Neutron-Deuteron Scattering, Young-Ho Song, Rimantas Lazauskas, Vladimir Gudkov

Faculty Publications

Time reversal invariance-violating (TRIV) effects in low-energy elastic neutron-deuteron scattering arecalculated using meson exchange and EFT-type TRIV potentials in a distorted-wave Born approximation withrealistic hadronic strong interaction wave functions, obtained by solving the three-body Faddeev equations inconfiguration space. The relation between TRIV and parity-violating observables is discussed.

Growth Direction Modulation And Diameter-Dependent Mobility In Inn Nanowires, Goutam Koley, Zhihua Cai, Ehtesham Bin Quddus, Jie Liu, Muhammad Qazi, Richard A. Webb

Faculty Publications

Diameter-dependent electrical properties of InN nanowires (NWs) grown by chemical vapor deposition have been investigated. The NWs exhibited interesting properties of coplanar deflection at specific angles, either spontaneously, or when induced by other NWs or lithographically patterned barriers. InN NW-based back-gated field effect transistors (FETs) showed excellent gate control and drain current saturation behaviors. Both NW conductance and carrier mobility calculated from the FET characteristics were found to increase regularly with a decrease in NW diameter. The observed mobility and conductivity variations have been modeled by considering NW surface and core conduction paths.

Analysis Of The 2008 Flare Of Markarian 421 Flare With Veritas, Casey Allard

Physics

A theoretical light curve model is fit to an observed short term flare of Markarian (Mrk) 421 in the very high energy spectrum. The flare is characterized by its measured light curve from the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging telescope Array System (VERITAS). The flare we analyzed occurred in May 2008. We successfully fit a theoretical model to the Mrk 421 data light curve. The data appears to agree with the Wagner [1] and Salvati [2] models. These models appear to fit both broad and sharp flaring regions found in the measured light curve. Furthermore the Wagner model is used to …

Causality And Relativistic Localization In One-Dimensional Hamiltonians, R E. Wagner, B T. Shields, M R. Ware, Qichang Su, Rainer Grobe

Faculty publications – Physics

We compare the relativistic time evolution of an initially localized quantum particle obtained from the relativistic Schrodinger, the Klein-Gordon and the Dirac equations. By computing the amount of the spatial probability density that evolves outside the light cone we quantify the amount of causality violation for the relativistic Schrodinger Hamiltonian. We comment on the relationship between quantum field theoretical transition amplitudes, commutators of the fields and their bilinear combinations outside the light cone as indicators of a possible causality violation. We point out the relevance of the relativistic localization problem to this discussion and comment on ideas about the supposed …

Search For Supersymmetry In Pp Collisions At √S = 7 Tev In Events With Two Photons And Missing Transverse Energy, S. A. Chatrchyan, V. Khachatryan, A. M. Sirunyan, Marc M. Baarmand, Marcus Hohlmann, H Kalakhety, Robert M. Ralich, Igor Vodopiyanov, B. Dorney, S. Guragain

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

A search for supersymmetry in the context of general gauge-mediated breaking with the lightest neutralino as the next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle and the gravitino as the lightest is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb 1 recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The search is performed by using events containing two or more isolated photons, at least one hadronic jet, and significant missing transverse energy. No excess of events at high missing transverse energy is observed. Upper limits on the signal cross section for general gauge-mediated supersymmetry between 0.3 and 1.1 pb at the …

Numerical Simulation Of Nonlinear Wave Propagation With Application To Geophysical Prospecting, Andrew M. Smith

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Specifically, this research is intended to extend the use of the seismic reflection method to materials for which traditional linear wave analysis is insufficient.

Examining Type Ia Supernova Progenitors From Local Event Rates, Schuyler Wolff

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

We present the recalculation of the rates of supernovae in local, low redshift (z ≤ 0.1) from the Nearby Galaxies Supernovae Search Project (Strolger, 2003) using an improved baseline designed to maximize SNe yield. Approximately 15 additional SNe of various types and ages have been discovered from the dataset and added to the 42 SNe already detected. This sample is sufficient to obtain an accurate rate of SNe in the local universe. The rates are weighted by volume, total light, and host galaxy type. Further spectroscopic data for the progenitor galaxies of each event will allow us to compare the …

Electron-Positron Pair Creation Induced By Quantum-Mechanical Tunneling, M Jiang, W Su, X Lu, Z M. Sheng, Y T. Li, J Zhang, Rainer Grobe, Qichang Su

Faculty publications – Physics

We study the creation of electron-positron pairs from the vacuum induced by two spatially displaced static electric fields. The strength and spatial width of each localized field is less than required for pair creation. If, however, the separation between the fields is less than the quantum-mechanical tunneling length associated with the corresponding quantum scattering system, the system produces a steady flux of electron-positron pairs. We compute the time dependence of the pair-creation probability by solving the Dirac equation numerically for various external field sequences. For the special case of two very narrow fields we provide an analytical expression for the …

The Economics Of The Atomic Bomb: Cost And Utilization, Jonathan M. Davis Mr.

Senior Honors Theses

Few moments in human history can be compared to the culmination of events that brought the atomic bomb into creation. It is incredible to contemplate that while a nation was fighting a two front war that spanned from Europe into the Pacific, that the United States was able to utilize the time, energy, brains, materials, manpower, and capital to complete a project in four years. That under any other circumstances would have taken greater than half a century to complete.

First, this thesis will discuss breakthroughs in research that led scientists to believe that the atomic weapons could be built, …

Phonons Of Single Quintuple Bi2te3 And Bi2se3 Films And Bulk Materials, Wei Cheng, Shang-Fen Ren

Faculty publications – Physics

Phonons of single quintuple films of Bi2Te3 and Bi2Se3 and corresponding bulk materials are calculated in detail by MedeA (a trademark of Materials Design) and Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP). The calculated results with and without spin-orbit couplings are compared, and the important roles that the spin-orbit coupling plays in these materials are discussed. A symmetry breaking caused by the anharmonic potentials around Bi atoms in the single quintuple films is identified and discussed. The observed Raman intensity features in Bi2Te3 and Bi2Se3 quintuple films are explained.

Plane Gravitational Waves In Real Connection Variables, F. Hinterleitner, Seth Major

Articles

We investigate using plane-fronted gravitational wave space-times as model systems to study loop quantization techniques and dispersion relations. In this classical analysis we start with planar symmetric space-times in the real connection formulation. We reduce via Dirac constraint analysis to a final form with one canonical pair and one constraint, equivalent to the metric and Einstein equations of plane-fronted-with-parallel-rays waves. Because of the symmetries and use of special coordinates, general covariance is broken. However, this allows us to simply express the constraints of the consistent system. A recursive construction of Dirac brackets results in nonlocal brackets, analogous to those of …

Measurement Of Parity-Violating Gamma-Ray Asymmetry In The Capture Of Polarized Cold Neutrons On Protons, M. T. Gericke, R. Alacorn, S. Balascuta, L. Barron-Palos, C. Blessinger, J. D. Bowman, R. D. Carlini, W. Chen, T. E. Chupp, C. Crawford, S. Covrig, M. Dabaghyan, N. Fomin, S. J. Freedman, T. R. Gentile, R. C. Gillis, G. L. Greene, F. W. Hersman, T. Ino, Gordon L. Jones, B. Lauss, M. Leuschner, W. R. Lozowski, R. Mahurin, Y. Masuda, J. Mei, G. S. Mitchell, S. Muto, H. Nann, S. A. Page, S. I. Penttila, W. D. Ramsay, A. Salas-Bacci, S. Santra, M. Sharma, P.-N. Seo, E. I. Sharapov, T. B. Smith, W. M. Snow, W. S. Wilburn, V. Yuan

Articles

The NPDGamma collaboration reports results from the first phase of a measurement of the parity violating up-down asymmetry A(gamma) with respect to the neutron spin direction of gamma rays emitted in the reaction (n) over right arrow + p -> d + gamma using the capture of polarized cold neutrons on the protons in a liquid parahydrogen target. One expects parity-odd effects in the hadronic weak interaction between nucleons to be induced by the weak interaction between quarks. A(gamma) in (n) over right arrow + p -> d + gamma is dominated by a Delta I = 1, S-3(1)-P-3(1) parity-odd …

Parity Violation In Low-Energy Neutron-Deuteron Scattering, Young-Ho Song, Rimantas Lazauskas, Vladimir Gudkov

Faculty Publications

Parity-violating effects for low-energy elastic neutron deuteron scattering are calculated for Desplanques,Donoghue, and Holstein (DDH) and effective field theory types of weak potentials in a distorted-wave Bornapproximation, using realistic hadronic strong interaction wave functions, obtained by solving three-bodyFaddeev equations in configuration space. The resulting relation between physical observables and low-energyconstants can be used to fix low-energy constants from experiments. Potential model dependencies ofparity-violating effects are discussed.

Generation Of Mid-Ir Wavelengths, Deborah Robinson, Robert Hartsock, Kelly Gaffney

STAR Program Research Presentations

Generation of mid-IR wavelengths

Deborah Robinson, Robert Hartsock, and Kelly Gaffney

Abstract

Research to determine basic molecular properties utilizing pump/probe experiments is an on going effort at SLAC. Here we have been given the task to generate mid-IR laser pulses and commission a mid-IR detector for said experiments and research. The mid-IR pulses will be used to probe the changes in molecular properties induced by exciting the electrons in molecules with visible pump pulses. In order to accomplish this, an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) has been set-up and aligned. The pump beam for the OPA is a 40 femtosecond 800nm …

The Density Broadening In A Sodium F=2 Condensate Detected By A Pulse Train, Jianing Han

Physics Faculty Scholarship

The dipole-blockaded sodiumclock transition has been detected by high resolution microwave spectroscopy, the multiple-pulse spectroscopy. This spectroscopic technique has been first used to detect the density broadening and shifting in a Sodium Bose Einstein Condensate (BEC) by probing the sodium clock-transition. Moreover, by narrowing the pulse-width of the pulses, some of the broadening mechanisms can be partially reduced. The results reported here are essential steps toward the ground-statequantum computing, few-body spectroscopy, spin squeezing and quantum metrology.

Using Ohm's Law To Calibrate A Picoammeter To 0.4 Pico-Ampere Precision, Joseph Hashem, Tiankuan Liu, Zhihua Liang, Jingbo Ye

Journal of Undergraduate Research

We present an experimental method based on Ohm’s Law to calibrate the Keithley 6485 picoammeter with the calibration error less than 0.4 pico-ampere (pA), which is specified as the highest sensitivity of this instrument. The maximum calibration difference between the measurement current and the calibration current in the picoammeter’s 2 nano-ampere (nA) range is 0.25 pA. This difference is far less than the highest accuracy, 0.4 pA, specified by the instrument. Measurement errors are estimated and discussed.