Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons^™

New Constraints On Quantum Gravity From X-Ray And Gamma-Ray Observations, Eric S. Perlman, Saul A. Rappaport, Wayne A. Christiansen, Yeejack Ng, John G. Devore, David A. Pooley

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

One aspect of the quantum nature of spacetime is its “foaminess” at very small scales. Many models for spacetime foam are defined by the accumulation power α, which parameterizes the rate at which Planck-scale spatial uncertainties (and the phase shifts they produce) may accumulate over large path lengths. Here α is defined by the expression for the path-length fluctuations, dℓ, of a source at distance ℓ, wherein dℓ  ℓ1-aℓ a P , with ℓP being the Planck length. We reassess previous proposals to use astronomical observations of distant quasars and active galactic nuclei to test models of spacetime foam. …

Metal-Poor, Strongly Star-Forming Galaxies In The Deep2 Survey: The Relationship Between Stellar Mass, Temperature-Based Metallicity, And Star Formation Rate, Chun Ly, Jane R. Rigby, Michael Cooper, Renbin Yan

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report on the discovery of 28 z ≈ 0.8 metal-poor galaxies in DEEP2.

For the remainder of the abstract, please download this article or visit https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/805/1/45.

Isolation Of Flow And Nonflow Correlations By Two- And Four-Particle Cumulant Measurements Of Azimuthal Harmonics In √SNn=200 Gev Au+Au Collisions, James K. Adkins, Renee H. Fatemi, Suvarna Ramachandran, N. M. Abdelwahab, L. Adamczyk, G. Agakishiev, M. M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed, I. Alekseev, J. Alford, C. D. Anson, A. Aparin, D. Arkhipkin

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

A data-driven method was applied to Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV made with the STAR detector at RHIC to isolate pseudorapidity distance Δη-dependent and Δη-independent correlations by using two- and four-particle azimuthal cumulant measurements. We identified a Δη-independent component of the correlation, which is dominated by anisotropic flow and flow fluctuations. It was also found to be independent of η within the measured range of pseudorapidity |η| < 1. In 20–30% central Au+Au colli- sions, the relative flow fluctuation was found to be 34% ± 2%(stat.) ± 3%(sys.) for particles with transverse momentum P_T less than 2 GeV/c. The Δη-dependent part, attributed to nonflow correlations, is found to be 5% ± 2%(sys.) relative to the flow …

Fermi-Bounce Cosmology And The Fermion Curvaton Mechanism, Stephon Alexander, Yi-Fu Cai, Antonino Marcianò

Dartmouth Scholarship

A nonsingular bouncing cosmology can be achieved by introducing a fermion field with BCS condensation occurring at high energy scales. In this paper we are able to dilute the anisotropic stress near the bounce by means of releasing the gap energy density near the phase transition between the radiation and condensate states. In order to explain the nearly scale-invariant CMB spectrum, another fermion field is required. We investigate one possible curvaton mechanism by involving one another fermion field without condensation where the mass is lighter than the background field. We show that, by virtue of the fermion curvaton mechanism, our …

Galaxy Pairs In The Sloan Digital Sky Survey - Xii. The Fuelling Mechanism Of Low-Excitation Radio-Loud Agn, Sara L. Ellison, David R. Patton, Ryan C. Hickox

Dartmouth Scholarship

We investigate whether the fuelling of low-excitation radio galaxies (LERGs) is linked to major galaxy interactions. Our study utilizes a sample of 10 800 spectroscopic galaxy pairs and 97 post-mergers selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey with matches to multiwavelength data sets. The LERG fraction amongst interacting galaxies is a factor of 3.5 higher than that of a control sample matched in local galaxy density, redshift and stellar mass. However, the LERG excess in pairs does not depend on projected separation and remains elevated out to at least 500 h70−1" role="presentation">h−170

kpc, suggesting that major mergers are not …

Disappearance Of Plasmaspheric Hiss Following Interplanetary Shock, Zhenpeng Su, Hui Zhu, Fuliang Xiao, Yuming Wang, Chao Shen, Min Zhang, Shui Wang, C A. Kletzing, W. S. Kurth, G. B. Hospodarsky, Harlan E. Spence, Geoffrey Reeves, H. O. Funsten, J. B. Blake, D. N. Baker, J. R. Wygant

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract Plasmaspheric hiss is one of the important plasma waves controlling radiation belt dynamics. Its spatiotemporal distribution and generation mechanism are presently the object of active research. We here give the first report on the shock-induced disappearance of plasmaspheric hiss observed by the Van Allen Probes on 8 October 2013. This special event exhibits the dramatic variability of plasmaspheric hiss and provides a good opportunity to test its generation mechanisms. The origination of plasmaspheric hiss from plasmatrough chorus is suggested to be an appropriate prerequisite to explain this event. The shock increased the suprathermal electron fluxes, and then the enhanced …

Unprecedented Study Of The Broadband Emission Of Mrk 421 During Flaring Activity In March 2010, P. T. Reynolds, Et. Al.

Physical Sciences Publications

Context. Because of its proximity, Mrk 421 is one of the best sources on which to study the nature of BL Lac objects. Its proximity allows us to characterize its broadband spectral energy distribution (SED).

Aims. The goal is to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the broadband emission and the temporal evolution of Mrk 421. These mechanisms may also apply to more distant blazars that cannot be studied with the same level of detail.

Methods. A flare occurring in March 2010 was observed for 13 consecutive days (from MJD 55 265 to MJD 55 277) with unprecedented wavelength coverage …

High-Energy Electronic Excitations In Sr2Iro4 Observed By Raman Scattering, Jhih-An Yang, Yi-Ping Huang, Michael Hermele, Tongfei Qi, Gang Cao, Dmitry Reznik

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Spin-orbit interaction in Sr₂IrO₄ leads to the realization of the J_eff=1/2 state and also induces an insulating behavior. Using large-shift Raman spectroscopy, we found two high-energy excitations of the d-shell multiplet at 690 and 680 meV with A_1g and B_1g symmetry, respectively. As temperature decreases, the A_1g and B_1g peaks narrow, and the A_1g peak shifts to higher energy while the energy of the B_1g peak remains the same. When 25% of Ir is substituted with Rh the A_1g peak softens by 10% but the B …

Study The Mechanism Of The Prompt Emission Of Gamma-Ray Bursts, Wei Deng

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The prompt emission of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) has been detected over 40 years, but the mechanism of the prompt emission is still a mystery. The problem can be summarized as several debatable questions: What is the energy composition of the jets/outflows? What is the energy dissipation mechanism? How are the particles accelerated during the energy dissipation process? What is the radiation mechanism to produce the observed prompt emission? In order to solve these problems, several theoretical models have been proposed, including the classical "internal shock (IS)" model, the "dissipative photosphere" model, the "magnetic dissipation" model, and so on. Different models …

Multiperiodicity, Modulations, And Flip-Flops In Variable Star Light Curves. Iii. Carrier Fit Analysis Of Lq Hydrae Photometry For 1982–2014, Nigul Olspert, Maarit J. Käpylä, Jaan Pelt, Elizabeth M. Cole, Thomas Hackman, Jyri J. Lehtinen, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Aims. We study LQ Hya photometry for 1982–2014 with the carrier fit (CF) method and compare our results to earlier photometric analysis and recent Doppler imaging maps.

Methods. As the rotation period of the object is not known a priori, we utilize different types of statistical methods first (least-squares fit of harmonics, phase dispersion statistics) to estimate various candidates for the carrier period for the CF method. Secondly, a global fit to the whole data set and local fits to shorter segments are computed with the period that is found to be optimal.

Results. The harmonic least-squares analysis of all …

Ultrafast Photoconductivity Measurements Of A Thermoelectric Nanocomposite: Tellurium Nanowire/Pedot:Pss, Brittany A. Ehmann

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

This project explores the conductivity properties of a novel thermoelectric hybrid material (Tellurium nanowires in a conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS) using both static and time-resolved conductivity measurements. We find that the effect of the conducting polymer PEDOT is weak and that the observed differences in conductivity measurements between the hybrid and non-hybrid material are most likely caused by the different sizes of the nanowires.

Mid-Ir Excitation Of Graphene, Andrew R. Banman, James Heyman

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

In this research we investigate how the conductivity of graphene changes in response to mid-infrared photoexcitation. Our p-type sample was formed through chemical vapor deposition. Pump/probe methodology produced the time-resolved Terahertz transmission, from which the photoconductivity was calculated. We probed the sample with energies above and below the Fermi energy, which was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Our results support a model in which heating of the electron gas, leading to high carrier scattering rates, is responsible for a decrease in conductivity. We observe this negative photoconductivity at all pump energies, allowing us to rule out the possibility of …

The Role Of Cold Gas In Low-Level Supermassive Black Hole Activity, Erik D. Alfvin

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

The nature of the relationship between low-level supermassive black hole activity and galactic cold gas, if any, is currently unclear. It has been hypothesized that feedback may heat or expel gas and quench star formation; alternatively, central black holes may feed at higher rates (either directly or as a secondary effect from stellar winds) in gas-rich galaxies. We use a combination of radio data from the on-going ALFALFA survey and from the literature, along with archival X-ray flux measurements from the Chandra X-ray observatory, to investigate this potential relationship. We construct a sample of 136 late-type galaxies, with MB < −18 out to 50 Mpc, that have both HI masses and sensitive X-ray coverage. Of these, 76 host a nuclear X-ray source, a 56% detection fraction. There is a highly significant correlation between LX and Mstar with a slope of 1.5±0.2, and a tentative correlation (significant at the 2.5σ level) between LX and MHI. However, a joint fit to LX as a function of both Mstar and MHI finds no significant dependence on MHI, and similarly the residuals of LX − LX(Mstar) show no trend with MHI. We conclude that the galaxy-wide cold gas content in these spirals does not strongly influence their low-level supermassive black hole activity.

The 2d Distribution Of Iron-Rich Ejecta In The Remnant Of Sn 1885 In M31, Robert A. Fesen, Peter A. Höflich, Andrew J. S. Hamilton

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) ultraviolet Fe i and Fe ii images of the remnant of Supernova 1885 (S And) which is observed in absorption against the bulge of the Andromeda galaxy, M31. We compare these Fe i and Fe ii absorption line images to previous HST absorption images of S And, of which the highest quality and theoretically cleanest is Ca ii H and K. Because the remnant is still in free expansion, these images provide a 2D look at the distribution of iron synthesized in this probable Type Ia explosion, thus providing insights and constraints …

Accurate Determination Of The Free–Free Gaunt Factor – Ii. Relativistic Gaunt Factors, P. A. M. Van Hoof, Gary J. Ferland, R. J. R. Williams, K. Volk, Marios Chatzikos, M. Lykins, R. L. Porter

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

When modelling an ionized plasma, all spectral synthesis codes need the thermally averaged free–free Gaunt factor defined over a very wide range of parameter space in order to produce an accurate prediction for the spectrum. Until now no data set exists that would meet these needs completely. We have therefore produced a table of relativistic Gaunt factors over a much wider range of parameter space than has ever been produced before. We present tables of the thermally averaged Gaunt factor covering the range ¹⁰log γ² = −6 to 10 and ¹⁰log u = −16 to 13 for …

Precision Measurements Of AN1 In The Deep Inelastic Regime, K. Allada, C. Dutta, A. Kolarkar, Wolfgang Korsch, D. S. Parno, D. Flay, M. Posik, W. Armstrong, T. Averett, F. Benmokhtar, W. Bertozzi, A. Camsonne, M. Canan, G. D. Cates

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We have performed precision measurements of the double-spin virtual-photon asymmetry A₁ on the neutron in the deep inelastic scattering regime, using an open-geometry, large-acceptance spectrometer and a longitudinally and transversely polarized ³He target. Our data cover a wide kinematic range 0.277 ≤ x ≤ 0.548 at an average Q² value of 3.078 (GeV/c)², doubling the available high-precision neutron data in this x range. We have combined our results with world data on proton targets to make a leading-order extraction of the ratio of polarized-to-unpolarized parton distribution functions for up quarks and for down quarks in …

P-Manga: Gradients In Recent Star Formation Histories As Diagnostics For Galaxy Growth And Death, Cheng Li, Enci Wang, Lin Lin, Matthew A. Bershady, Kevin Bundy, Christy A. Tremonti, Ting Xiao, Renbin Yan, Dmitry Bizyaev, Michael Blanton, Sabrina Cales, Brian Cherinka, Edmond Cheung, Niv Drory, Eric Emsellem, Hai Fu, Joseph Gelfand, David R. Law, Lahwai Lin, Nick Macdonald, Claudia Maraston, Karen L. Masters, Michael R. Merrifield, Kaike Pan, S. F. Sánchez, Donald P. Schneider, Daniel Thomas, David Wake, Lixin Wang, Anne-Marie Weijmans, David Wilkinson, Peter Yoachim, Kai Zhang, Tiantian Zheng

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present an analysis of the data produced by the MaNGA prototype run (P-MaNGA), aiming to test how the radial gradients in recent star formation histories, as indicated by the 4000 Å break (D_n(4000)), Hδ absorption (EW(Hδ_A)), and Hα emission (EW(Hα)) indices, can be useful for understanding disk growth and star formation cessation in local galaxies. We classify 12 galaxies observed on two P-MaNGA plates as either centrally quiescent (CQ) or centrally star-forming (CSF), according to whether D_n(4000) measured in the central spaxel of each datacube exceeds 1.6. For …

A Wfc3 Grism Emission Line Redshift Catalog In The Goods-South Field, Aaron M. Morris, Dale D. Kocevski, Jonathan R. Trump, Benjamin J. Weiner, Nimish P. Hathi, Guillermo Barro, Tomas Dahlen, Sandra M. Faber, Steven L. Finkelstein, Adriano Fontana, Henry C. Ferguson, Norman A. Grogin, Ruth Grützbauch, Yicheng Guo, Li-Ting Hsu, Anton M. Koekemoer, David C. Koo, Bahram Mobasher, Janine Pforr, Mara Salvato, Tommy Wiklind, Stijn Wuyts

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We combine Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Wide Field Camera3 (WFC3) imaging and G141 grism observations from the Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey (CANDELS) and 3D-HST surveys to produce a catalog of grism spectroscopic redshifts for galaxies in the CANDELS/GOODS-South field. The WFC3/G141 grism spectra cover a wavelength range of 1.1 ≼ λ ≼ 1.7 μm with a resolving power of R ~ 130 for point sources, thus providing rest-frame optical spectra for galaxies out to z ~ 3.5. The catalog is selected in the H-band (F160W) and includes both galaxies with and without previously …

Periodicity In Some Light Curves Of The Solar Analogue V352 Canis Majoris, Perttu Kajatkari, Lauri Jetsu, Elizabeth M. Cole, Thomas Hackman, Gregory W. Henry, Sirkka-Liisa Joutsiniemi, Jyri J. Lehtinen, V. Mäkelä, Sebastian Porceddu, Kyösti Ryynänen, V. Solea

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Aims. We applied the Continuous Period Search (CPS) method to 14 yr of V-band photometry of the active G6.5 solar analog V352 CMa. Our aim was to show that CPS can successfully model the presence or absence of periodicity in low-amplitude light curves.

Methods. CPS computes values for the mean brightness, photometric period, amplitude and minimum of selected datasets. We also applied the Power Spectrum Method (PSM) to these datasets and compared the performance of this frequently applied method to that of CPS.

Results. We found an apparent 11.7 ± 0.5 yr cycle in the mean brightness. The mean of …

Bootstrapping Dielectronic Recombination From Second-Row Elements And The Orion Nebula, N. R. Badnell, Gary J. Ferland, T. W. Gorczyca, D. Nikolić, Gururaj Anil Wagle

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Dielectronic recombination (DR) is the dominant recombination process for most heavy elements in photoionized clouds. Accurate DR rates for a species can be predicted when the positions of autoionizing states are known. Unfortunately such data are not available for most third- and higher-row elements. This introduces an uncertainty that is especially acute for photoionized clouds, where the low temperatures mean that DR occurs energetically through very low-lying autoionizing states. This paper discusses S²⁺ → S⁺ DR, the process that is largely responsible for establishing the [S iii]/[S ii] ratio in nebulae. We derive an empirical rate coefficient using …

Magnetism Of Fept Nanoclusters In Polyimide, Mircea Chipara, Tom George, Yingfan Xu, Ralph Skomski, Lanping Yue, Nasar Ali, David J. Sellmyer

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

FePt nanoclusters have been implanted onto polyimide films and subjected to thermal annealing in order to obtain a special magnetic phase (L10) dispersed within the polymer. SQUID measurements quantified the magnetic features of the as-prepared and annealed hybrid films. As-implanted FePt nanoparticles in polyimide films exhibited a blocking temperature of 70 ± 5 K. Thermal annealing in zero and 10 kOe applied magnetic field increased the magnetic anisotropy and coercivity of the samples. Wide Angle X-Ray Scattering confirmed the presence of FePt and L10 phase. All samples (as deposited and annealed) exhibited electron spin resonance spectra consisting of two overlapping …

Atomic Data For Zn Ɪɪ: Improving Spectral Diagnostics Of Chemical Evolution In High-Redshift Galaxies, Romas Kisielius, Varsha P. Kulkarni, Gary J. Ferland, Pavel Bogdanovich, Debopam Som, Matt L. Lykins

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Damped Lyα (DLA) and sub-DLA absorbers in quasar spectra provide the most sensitive tools for measuring the element abundances of distant galaxies. The estimation of abundances from absorption lines depends sensitively on the accuracy of the atomic data used. We have started a project to produce new atomic spectroscopic parameters for optical and UV spectral lines using state-of-the-art computer codes employing a very broad configuration interaction (CI) basis. Here we report our results for Zn ii, an ion used widely in studies of the interstellar medium (ISM) as well as DLAs and sub-DLAs. We report new calculations of many …

Unraveling The Drivers Of The Storm Time Radiation Belt Response, E. K.J. Kilpua, H. Hietala, D. L. Turner, H. E.J. Koskinen, T. I. Pulkkinen, J. V. Rodriguez, Geoffrey Reeves, S. Claudepierre, Harlan E. Spence

Physics & Astronomy

We present a new framework to study the time evolution and dynamics of the outer Van Allen belt electron fluxes. The framework is entirely based on the large-scale solar wind storm drivers and their substructures. The Van Allen Probe observations, revealing the electron flux behavior throughout the outer belt, are combined with continuous, long-term (over 1.5 solar cycles) geosynchronous orbit data set from GOES and solar wind measurements A superposed epoch analysis, where we normalize the timescales for each substructure (sheath, ejecta, and interface region) allows us to avoid smearing effects and to distinguish the electron flux evolution during various …

Section Abstracts: Astronomy, Mathematics And Physics With Material Science

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics with Material Science Section for the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 21-23, 2015, James Madison University, Richmond, Virginia

Energetic, Relativistic And Ultra-Relativistic Electrons: Comparison Of Long-Term Verb Code Simulations With Van Allen Probes Measurements, A. Drozdov, Y. Y. Shprits, K. Orlova, A. C. Kellerman, D. A. Subbotin, D. N. Baker, Harlan E. Spence, Geoffrey Reeves

Physics & Astronomy

In this study, we compare long-term simulations performed by the Versatile Electron Radiation Belt (VERB) code with observations from the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer and Relativistic Electron-Proton Telescope instruments on the Van Allen Probes satellites. The model takes into account radial, energy, pitch angle and mixed diffusion, losses into the atmosphere, and magnetopause shadowing. We consider the energetic (>100 keV), relativistic (~0.5–1 MeV), and ultrarelativistic (>2 MeV) electrons. One year of relativistic electron measurements (μ = 700 MeV/G) from 1 October 2012 to 1 October 2013 are well reproduced by the simulation during varying levels of geomagnetic …

Analysis Of Plasmaspheric Hiss Wave Amplitudes Inferred From Low-Altitude Poes Electron Data: Technique Sensitivity Analysis, M. De Soria-Santacruz, W. Li, R. M. Thorne, Q. Ma, J. Bortnik, B. Ni, C A. Kletzing, W. S. Kurth, G. B. Hospodarsky, Harlan E. Spence, Geoffrey Reeves, J. B. Blake, Joseph F. Fennell

Physics & Astronomy

A novel technique capable of inferring wave amplitudes from low-altitude electron measurements from the Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) spacecraft has been previously proposed to construct a global dynamic model of chorus and plasmaspheric hiss waves. In this paper we focus on plasmaspheric hiss, which is an incoherent broadband emission that plays a dominant role in the loss of energetic electrons from the inner magnetosphere. We analyze the sensitivity of the POES technique to different inputs used to infer the hiss wave amplitudes during three conjunction events with the Van Allen Probes. These amplitudes are calculated with different input models …

How Elevated Is The Dynamical-To-Stellar Mass Ratio Of The Ultracompact Dwarf S999?, Joachim Janz, Duncan Forbes, Mark Norris, Jay Strader, Samantha Penny, Martina Fagioli, Aaron Romanowsky

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Measurement Of The Formation Rate Of Muonic Hydrogen Molecules, V. A. Andreev, T. I. Banks, R. M. Carey, T. A. Case, S. M. Clayton, K. M. Crowe, J. Deutsch, J. Egger, S. J. Freedman, V. A. Ganzha, Tim Gorringe, F. E. Gray, D. W. Hertzog, M. Hildebrandt, P. Kammel, B. Kiburg, S. Knaack, P. A. Kravtsov, A. G. Krivshich, B. Lauss, K. R. Lynch, E. M. Maev, O. E. Maev, F. Mulhauser, C. Petitjean, G. E. Petrov, R. Prieels, G. N. Schapkin, G. G. Semenchuk, M. A. Soroka, Vladimir Tishchenko, A. A. Vasilyev, A. A. Vorobyov, M. E. Vznuzdaev, P. Winter

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Background: The rate λ_ppμ characterizes the formation of ppμ molecules in collisions of muonic pμ atoms with hydrogen. In measurements of the basic weak muon capture reaction on the proton to determine the pseudoscalar coupling g_P, capture occurs from both atomic and molecular states. Thus knowledge of λ_ppμ is required for a correct interpretation of these experiments.

Purpose: Recently the MuCap experiment has measured the capture rate Λ_S from the singlet pμ atom, employing a low-density active target to suppress ppμ formation [V. Andreev et al. (MuCap Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 012504 (2013) …

High-Precision Time-Series Photometry For The Discovery And Characterization Of Transiting Exoplanets., Karen Alicia Collins 1962-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The discovery of more than a thousand planets orbiting stars other than the Sun (i.e. exoplanets) over the past 20 years has shown that planetary systems are commonplace in the Milky Way galaxy. However, these discoveries are only a starting point in the quest to answer one of the most compelling questions posed by mankind for centuries – "are we alone in the universe?". This research aims to help build the foundation needed to search for that answer by optimizing data reduction techniques, determining and refining fundamental properties of known exoplanets, and searching for new exoplanets. Many exoplanets have been …

A Slow Neutron Polarimeter For The Measurement Of Parity-Odd Neutron Rotary Power, W. M. Snow, E. Anderson, L. Barrón-Palos, C. D. Bass, T. D. Bass, B. E. Crawford, Christopher Crawford, J. M. Dawkins, D. Esposito, J. Fry, H. Gardiner, K. Gan, C. Haddock, B. R. Heckel, A. T. Holley, J. C. Horton, C. Huffer, J. Lieffers, D. Luo, M. Maldonado-Velázquez, D. M. Markoff, A. M. Micherdzinska, H. P. Mumm, J. S. Nico, M. Sarsour, S. Santra, E. I. Sharapov, H. E. Swanson, S. B. Walbridge, V. Zhumabekova

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present the design, description, calibration procedure, and an analysis of systematic effects for an apparatus designed to measure the rotation of the plane of polarization of a transversely polarized slow neutron beam as it passes through unpolarized matter. This device is the neutron optical equivalent of a crossed polarizer/analyzer pair familiar from light optics. This apparatus has been used to search for parity violation in the interaction of polarized slow neutrons in matter. Given the brightness of existing slow neutron sources, this apparatus is capable of measuring a neutron rotary power of dϕ/dz = 1 × 10⁻⁷ rad/m.