Physics Commons^™

Nondipole Effects In The Photoionization Of Xe 4d5/2 And 4d3/2: Evidence For Quadrupole Satellites, Oliver Hemmers, Renaud Guillemin, D. Rolles, A. Wolska, Dennis W. Lindle, K. T. Cheng, W. R. Johnson, H. L. Zhou, S. T. Manson

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

Measurements of nondipole parameters in spin-orbit-resolved Xe 4d photoionization demonstrate dynamical differences arising from relativistic effects. The experimental data do not agree with relativistic random-phase approximation calculations of single ionization dipole and quadrupole channels. It is suggested that the discrepancy is due to the omission of multiple-excitation quadrupole channels, i.e., quadrupole satellite transitions.

Afci Quarterly Input – Unlv July Through September, 2004, Harry Reid Center For Environmental Studies. Nuclear Science And Technology Division

Transmutation Research Program Reports (TRP)

Quarterly report highlighting research projects, activities and objectives of the Transmutation Research Program at the Nuclear Science & Technology Division, Harry Reid Research Center.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas supports the AFCI through research and development of technologies for economic and environmentally sound refinement of spent nuclear fuel. The UNLV program has four components: infrastructure, international collaboration, student-based research, and management and program support.

Probing Cation Antisite Disorder In Gd2ti2o7 Pyrochlore By Site-Specific Nexafs And Xps, Ponnusamy Nachimuthu, S. Thevuthasan, Mark H. Engelhard, W. J. Weber, D. K. Shuh, N. M. Hamdan, B. S. Mun, E. M. Adams, D. E. Mccready, V. Shutthanandan, Dennis W. Lindle, G. Balakrishnan, R. C. Ewing

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

Disorder in Gd₂Ti₂O₇ is investigated by near-edge x-ray-absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). NEXAFS shows Ti⁴⁺ ions occupy octahedral sites with a tetragonal distortion induced by vacant oxygen sites. O 1s XPS spectra obtained with a charge neutralization system from Gd₂Ti₂O₇(100) and the Gd₂Ti₂O₇ pyrochlore used by Chen et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 105901 (2002)], both yielded a single peak, unlike the previous result on the latter that found two peaks. The current results give no evidence for …

Dissolution, Reactor, And Environmental Behavior Of Zro2-Mgo Inert Fuel Matrix: Quarterly Report, July 2004 To September 2004, Kenneth Czerwinski, Earl Wolfram

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

This project will examine inert fuels containing ZrO₂ and MgO as the inert matrix, with the relative amount of MgO varied from 30% to 70% in ZrO₂. Reactor physics calculations will be used to examine suitable quantities of burnable poisons from the candidate elements Gd, Er, or Hf with reactor grade Pu providing the fissile component, with up to 10 % of ²³⁹Pu. Ceramics will be synthesized and characterized based on the reactor physics results. The solubility the fuel ceramics, in reactor conditions, reprocessing conditions, and repository conditions, will be investigated in a manner to provide …

Dissolution, Reactor, And Environmental Behavior Of Zro2-Mgo Inert Fuel Matrix: Neutronic Evaluation Of Zro2-Mgo Inert Fuels, E. Fridman, A. Galperin, E. Shwageraus

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

This progress report presents results of analysis performed within the framework of “Dissolution, Reactor, and Environmental Behavior of ZrO₂-MgO Inert Fuel Matrix” project managed by University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies.

The BGU working program includes the following four tasks:

1. Benchmark of computational tools

2. Determination of fissile Pu loading

3. Evaluation of burnable poison designs

4. Evaluation of reactivity feedback coefficients

This progress report presents the results of Task 1. The main objective of this task is to confirm the validity of the ELCOS ¹ code system for inert matrix …

Mechanical Properties Of Carbon Nanotubes Composites, David Hui, Mircea Chipara, Jagannathan Sankar, K. T. Lau

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

A critical review of theoretical models aiming to explain the physical properties of composites based on polymeric matrices reinforced with carbon nanotubes is presented. Attention is paid to descriptions based on molecular dynamics, continuum mechanics, and finite element analysis. It is shown that both the continuum mechanics approximation and the finite size element analyses fail to describe composites with very thin interfaces, while the performances of molecular dynamics simulations are still restricted by computer's performances. The limitations of the continuum mechanics approximation are analyzed in detail.

Analysis Of Adsorbed Contaminants Of Caf/Sub 2/ Surfaces By Infrared Laser Induced Desorption, Jinmei Fu, Yamini Surapaneni, Susan D. Allen

Mechanical Engineering - Daytona Beach

157 nm photolithography technologies are currently under development and have been accepted as the leading candidate for fabrication of the next generation semiconductor devices after 193 nm. At this and shorter wavelengths, molecular contamination of surfaces becomes a serious problem as almost all molecules absorb at 157 nm and below. The light transmitted by a photolithographic tool can be significantly decreased by the presence of a few monolayers adsorbed on its many optical surfaces. We have developed a laser induced desorption, electron impact ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LID TOFMS) to study contaminants on 157nm and other ultraviolet optics, e.g., polished …

Development Of Dose Conversion Coefficients For Radionuclides Produced In Spallation Neutron Sources: Quarterly Progress Report 5/1/04 – 8/31/04, Phillip W. Patton, Mark Rudin

Transmutation Sciences Physics (TRP)

The research consortium comprised of representatives from several universities and national laboratories has successfully generated internal and external dose conversion coefficients for twenty radionuclides produced in spallation neutron sources. These dose coefficients fill data gaps exist in Federal Guide Report No. 11 and in Publications 68 and 72 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Currently, more nuclear data is needed for the rare radionuclides produced from a mercury target.

Exotic Versus Conventional Scaling And Universality In A Disordered Bilayer Quantum Heisenberg Antiferromagnet, Rastko Sknepnek, Thomas Vojta, Matthias Vojta

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present Monte Carlo simulations of a two-dimensional bilayer quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet with random dimer dilution. In contrast with exotic scaling scenarios found in other random quantum systems, the quantum phase transition in this system is characterized by a finite-disorder fixed point with power-law scaling. After accounting for corrections to scaling, with a leading irrelevant exponent of ω ≈ 0.48, we find universal critical exponents z = 1.310(6) and ν = 1.16(3). We discuss the consequences of these findings and suggest new experiments.

Reply To “Comment On Gravitational Slingshot,” By C. L. Cook [Am. J. Phys. 73 (4), 363 (2005)], Asim Gangopadhyaya, Asim Gangopadhyaya, Robert Cacioppo, John J. Dykla

Physics: Faculty Publications and Other Works

No abstract provided.

Inhomogeneous Fragmentation Of The Rolling Tachyon, Gary Felder, Lev Kofman

Physics: Faculty Publications

Dirac-Born-Infeld type effective actions reproduce many aspects of string theory classical tachyon dynamics of unstable Dp-branes. The inhomogeneous tachyon field rolling from the top of its potential forms topological defects of lower codimensions. In between them, as we show, the tachyon energy density fragments into a p-dimensional web-like high density network evolving with time. We present an analytic asymptotic series solution of the non-linear equations for the inhomogeneous tachyon and its stress energy. The generic solution for a tachyon field with a runaway potential in arbitrary dimensions is described by the free streaming of noninteracting massive particles whose initial velocities …

Vertical Nanowire Transistors With Low Leakage Current, Jie Chen, M. C. Lux-Steiner, Rolf Kӧnenkamp, S. Klaumünzer

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

A vertical field-effect transistor based on semiconductor nanowires is reported. The fabrication of the device uses a self-supporting flexible nanostructured polymer foil as a template and an electrochemical growth technique for the preparation of the semiconductor. The fabrication process is substantially simpler, and the mechanical robustness is strongly increased as compared to the original device. The channel region of the transistor has a diameter of ∼100 nm and a length of ∼50 nm. Operation in the hole depletion mode allows a change of the transfer conductance by ∼50% when the gate voltages is changed in the range ∓1 V. The …

Entropy And The Approach To The Thermodynamic Limit In Three-Dimensional Simplicial Gravity, Simon Catterall, John B. Kogut, R. Renken

Physics - All Scholarship

We present numerical results supporting the existence of an exponential bound in the dynamical triangulation model of three-dimensional quantum gravity.Both the critical coupling and various other quantities show a slow power law approach to the infinite volume limit.

Broadening Of A Nonequilibrium Phase Transition By Extended Structural Defects, Thomas Vojta

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We study the effects of quenched extended impurities on nonequilibrium phase transitions in the directed percolation universality class. We show that these impurities have a dramatic effect: they completely destroy the sharp phase transition by smearing. This is caused by rare strongly coupled spatial regions which can undergo the phase transition independently from the bulk system. We use extremal statistics to determine the stationary state as well as the dynamics in the tail of the smeared transition, and we illustrate the results by computer simulations.

Casimir Force Between Eccentric Cylinders, D. A. R. Dalvit, F. C. Lombardo, F. D D. Mazzitelli, R Onofrio

Dartmouth Scholarship

We consider the Casimir interaction between a cylinder and a hollow cylinder, both conducting, with parallel axis and slightly different radii. The Casimir force, which vanishes in the coaxial situation, is evaluated for both small and large eccentricities using the proximity approximation. The cylindrical configuration offers various experimental advantages with respect to the parallel planes or the plane-sphere geometries, leading to favourable conditions for the search of extra-gravitational forces in the micrometer range and for the observation of finite-temperature corrections.

Observation Of The Narrow State X(3872) J/Ψ Π+ Π- In Pp̅ Collisions At √S =1.96 Tev, Darin Acosta, Kenneth A. Bloom, Collider Detector At Fermilab Collaboration

Kenneth Bloom Publications

We report the observation of a narrow state decaying into J/ψ π⁺ π^- and produced in 220 pb^-1 of p̅p collisions at √s =1.96 TeV in the CDF II experiment. We observe 730±90 decays. The mass is measured to be 3871.3±0.7(stat)±0.4(syst) MeV/c², with an observed width consistent with the detector resolution. This is in agreement with the recent observation by the Belle Collaboration of the X(3872) meson.

Measurement Of The Polar-Angle Distribution Of Leptons From W Boson Decay As A Function Of The W Transverse Momentum In P̅P Collisions At √S=1.8 Tev, Darin Acosta, Kenneth A. Bloom, Collider Detector At Fermilab Collaboration

Kenneth Bloom Publications

We present a measurement of the polar-angle distribution of leptons from W boson decay, as a function of the W transverse momentum. The measurement uses an 80±4 pb^-1 sample of pp̅ collisions at √s =1.8 TeV collected by the CDF detector and includes data from both the W→e+ν and W→µ+ν decay channels. We fit the W boson transverse mass distribution to a set of templates from a Monte Carlo event generator and detector simulation in several ranges of the W transverse momentum. The measurement agrees with the standard model expectation, whereby the ratio of longitudinally to transversely …

Observation Of Isolated High-ET Photons In Deep Inelastic Scattering, S. Chekanov, M. Derrick, J. H. Loizides, S. Magill, S. Miglioranzi, B. Musgrave, J. Repond, R. Yoshida, Margarita C. K. Mattingly, N. Pavel, P. Antonioli, G. Bari, M. Basile, L. Bellagamba, D. Boscherini, A. Bruni, G. Bruni, G. Cara Romeo, L. Cifarelli, F. Cindolo, A. Contin, M. Corradi, S. De Pasquale, P. Giusti, G. Iacobucci, A. Margotti, A. Montanari, R. Nania, F. Palmonari, A. Pesci, L. Rinaldi

Faculty Publications

First measurements of cross sections for isolated prompt photon production in deep inelastic ep scattering have been made using the ZEUS detector at the HERA electron-proton collider using an integrated luminosity of 121 pb -1. A signal for isolated photons in the transverse energy and rapidity ranges 5

N-Type Boron-Carbide Semiconductor Polytype And Method Of Fabricating The Same, Peter A. Dowben, Anthony N. Caruso, Yaroslav B. Losovyj

Peter Dowben Publications

A non-doped n-type boron carbide semiconductor polytype and a method of fabricating the same is provided. The n-type boron carbide polytype may be used in a device for detecting neutrons, electric power conversion, and pulse counting. Such a device may include an n-type boron carbide layer coupled with a substrate where the boron carbide may be an electrically active part of the device. This n-type boron carbide layer may be fabricated through the use of closo-1, 7-dicarbadodecaborane (metacarborane). Specifically, the non-doped n-type polytype may be fabricated using SR-CVD by placing the substrate in a vacuum chamber, cooling the substrate, introducing …

Inclusive Search For Anomalous Production Of High-PT Like-Sign Lepton Pairs In Pp̅ Collisions At √S =1.8 Tev, Darin Acosta, Kenneth A. Bloom, Collider Detector At Fermilab Collaboration

Kenneth Bloom Publications

We report on a search for anomalous production of events with at least two charged, isolated, like-sign leptons, each with -p_T>11 GeV/c using a 107 pb^-1 sample of 1.8 TeV pp̅ collisions collected by the CDF detector. We define a signal region containing low background from standard model processes. To avoid bias, we fix the final cuts before examining the event yield in the signal region using control regions to test the Monte Carlo predictions. We observe no events in the signal region, consistent with an expectation of 0.63_-0.07^+0.84 events. We present 95% confidence …

Dna Strand Breaks Induced By 0–4 Ev Electrons: The Role Of Shape Resonances, Frédéric Martin, Paul Burrow, Zhongli Cai, Pierre Cloutier, Darel Hunting, Léon Sanche

Paul Burrow Publications

Collisions of 0– 4 eV electrons with thin DNA films are shown to produce single strand breaks. The yield is sharply structured as a function of electron energy and indicates the involvement of π* shape resonances in the bond breaking process. The cross sections are comparable in magnitude to those observed in other compounds in the gas phase in which π* electrons are transferred through the molecule to break a remote bond. The results therefore support aspects of a theoretical study by Barrios et al. [J. Phys. B 106, 7991 (2002)] indicating that such a mechanism could produce strand breaks …

Boron-Carbide Solid State Neutron Detector And Method Of Using The Same, Peter A. Dowben, Shireen Adenwalla, Brian W. Robertson, Mengjun Bai

Peter Dowben Publications

A boron carbide solid state neutron detector and method of using the detector is disclosed, wherein the detector includes a layer of boron carbide wherein the boron carbide layer is an electrically active part of the detection device, a sensing mechanism inherent to said boron carbide layer, wherein the sensing mechanism detects changes in the boron carbide layer caused by the interception of neutrons and a monitoring device coupled to the sensing mechanics.

Quantitative Analysis Of Nanoscale Switching In Srbi2Ta2O9 Thin Films By Piezoresponse Force Microscopy, Sergei V. Kalinin, Alexei Gruverman, Dawn Bonnell

Alexei Gruverman Publications

Local switching properties in SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ thin films have been studied by spatially resolved piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and spectroscopy. Variations in PFM contrast of individual grains due to their random crystallographic orientation are consistent with the grain switching behavior examined via vertical and lateral hysteresis loops. Theoretical description of vertical hysteresis loop shape obtained in the point-charge approximation is shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data. Dependence of the hysteresis loop parameters on the grain crystallographic orientation is analyzed. It has been found that grain deviation from the ideal (010) orientation when …

High-Resolution Kinetic Energy Release Distributions And Dissociation Energies For Fullerene Ions C(N)(+), 42 <= N <= 90, K. Gluch, S. Matt-Leubner, Olof E. Echt, B. Concina, P. Scheier, T. D. Mark

Physics & Astronomy

We have measured the kinetic energy released in the unimolecular dissociation of fullerene ions, C(n)(+)-->C(n-2)(+)+C(2), for sizes 42less than or equal tonless than or equal to90. A three-sector-field mass spectrometer equipped with two electric sectors has been used in order to ensure that contributions from isotopomers of different masses do not distort the experimental kinetic energy release distributions. We apply the concept of microcanonical temperature to derive from these data the dissociation energies of fullerene cations. They are converted to dissociation energies of neutral fullerenes with help of published adiabatic ionization energies. The results are compared with literature values. …

Results From The Middle Atmosphere With The Rayleigh-Scatter Lidar At Usu’S Atmospheric Lidar Observatory, Vincent B. Wickwar, Joshua P. Herron, Troy A. Wynn, Eric M. Lundell

Posters

No abstract provided.

First Nearglobal Retrievals Of Oh Rotational Temperatures From Satellite-Based Meinel Band Emission Measurements, C. Von Savigny, C. U. Eichmann, E. J. Llewellyn, H. Bovensmann, J. P. Burrows, M. Bittner, K. Hoppner, D. Offermann, Michael J. Taylor, Y. Zhao, W. Steinbrecht, P. Winkler

All Physics Faculty Publications

For the first time near-global retrievals of mesopause OH rotational temperatures from satellite-borne Meinel band emission measurements are presented. The measurements of the OH (3-1) Meinel band near 1.5 micron were performed with the SCIAMACHY instrument on the European Space Agency’s environmental satellite Envisat. The derived OH (3-1) rotational temperatures are shown to be in reasonable agreement with the CIRA (1986) atmosphere temperatures for the seasons and latitudes considered. The derived temperatures are in good agreement with groundbased measurements of the OH rotational temperature performed with a CEDAR Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (MTM) at Maui, Hawaii (21N/204E), with the GRound based …

Femtosecond Spectrotemporal Magneto-Optics, J.-Y. Bigot, L. Guidoni, E. Beaurepaire, Peter N. Saeta

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

A new method to measure and analyze the time and spectrally resolved polarimetric response of magnetic materials is presented. It allows us to study the ultrafast magnetization dynamics of a CoPt₃ ferromagnetic film. The analysis of the pump-induced rotation and ellipticity detected by a broad spectrum probe beam shows that magneto-optical signals predominantly reflect the spin dynamics in ferromagnets.

How We Think About And Prepare To Teach Physics, Dewey I. Dykstra

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

We have been preparing physics teachers in the same manner for many decades. Yet, physics education research reveals for some observers disturbing evidence of little or no change in understanding the phenomena occurs as a direct result of physics instruction from elementary school through the college years. The apparent compatibility between these learning results and prevailing paradigm enables the construction of a description the paradigm. If it can be demonstrated that there is even just one alternative paradigm from which powerful alternative pedagogical practice is derived, are we not obligated to change how we prepare to teach physics?

Co2+ Dissociative Recombination: A Source Of Thermal And Nonthermal C On Mars, Jane L. Fox

Physics Faculty Publications

CO₂ ⁺ dissociative recombination has been assumed in the past to proceed overwhelmingly by the channel that produces CO + O. Although the channel that leads to the products C + O₂ is energetically possible, the significant rearrangement of bonds that is required has led to the belief that this channel contributes minimally. Seiersen et al. [2003] have recently measured the branching ratio for the latter channel, and they have reported a value of ∼9% of the total. We have constructed both low and high solar activity models of the Martian thermosphere, and we have tested the effect …

Hot Carbon Densities In The Exosphere Of Venus, Michael W. Liemohn, Jane L. Fox, Andrew F. Nagy, Xiaohua Fang

Physics Faculty Publications

The results of calculations of hot carbon densities in the exosphere of Venus are presented. The calculation is a two-step process. First a two-stream transport code is used to solve for the distribution function at the exobase, and then these results are used in a Liouville equation solution above the exobase. It is found that generally, photodissociation of carbon monoxide is the largest source of hot carbon atoms in the upper atmosphere of Venus, larger than dissociative recombination of CO⁺ and significantly larger than the creation of hot carbon through collisions with hot oxygen atoms. It is also found …