title:
Propagation of optical excitations by dipolar interactions in metal
  nanoparticle chains

abstract:
  Dispersion relations for dipolar modes propagating along a chain of metal
nanoparticles are calculated by solving the full Maxwell equations, including
radiation damping. The nanoparticles are treated as point dipoles, which means
the results are valid only for a/d <= 1/3, where a is the particle radius and d
the spacing. The discrete modes for a finite chain are first calculated, then
these are mapped onto the dispersion relations appropriate for the infinite
chain. Computed results are given for a chain of 50-nm diameter Ag spheres
spaced by 75 nm. We find large deviations from previous quasistatic results:
Transverse modes interact strongly with the light line. Longitudinal modes
develop a bandwidth more than twice as large, resulting in a group velocity
that is more than doubled. All modes for which k_mode <= w/c show strongly
enhanced decay due to radiation damping.


title:
Flux scaling and plume structure in high Ra - high Sc turbulent
  convection

abstract:
  The arrangement of brine above water across a micro porous permeable membrane
is used to study high Rayleigh Number($10^{11}- 10^{10}$) high Schmidt
number(650)turbulent convection. The flux shows 4/3$^{rd}$ scaling with line
plume as the near wall coherent structures. Shifting of multiple large scale
flow cells result in changing near membrane mean shear directions for large
aspect ratios. Lower aspect ratios show single large scale flow cell and
constant sense of mean shear.


title:
A note: the relativistic transformations for the optical constants of
  media

abstract:
  The Lorentz transformations for the optical constants (electric permittivity,
magnetic permeability and index of refraction) of moving media are considered.


title: On the recombination in high-order harmonic generation in molecules

abstract:
  We show that the dependence of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) on the
molecular orientation can be understood within a theoretical treatment that
does not involve the strong field of the laser. The results for H_2 show
excellent agreement with time-dependent strong field calculations for model
molecules, and this motivates a prediction for the orientation dependence of
HHG from the N_2 3s_g valence orbital. For both molecules, we find that the
polarization of recombination photons is influenced by the molecular
orientation. The variations are particularly pronounced for the N_2 valence
orbital, which can be explained by the presence of atomic p-orbitals.


title:
Strong light fields coax intramolecular reactions on femtosecond time
  scales

abstract:
  Energetic H$_2^+$ ions are formed as a result of intra-molecular
rearrangement during fragmentation of linear alcohols (methanol, ethanol,
propanol, hexanol, and dodecanol) induced by intense optical fields produced by
100 fs long, infrared, laser pulses of peak intensity 8$\times10^{15}$ W
cm$^{-2}$. Polarization dependent measurements show, counterintuitively, that
rearrangement is induced by the strong optical field within a single laser
pulse, and that it occurs before Coulomb explosion of the field-ionized
multiply charged alcohols.


title:
The concept of isochoric central spark ignition and its fuel gain in
  inertial fusion

abstract:
  One of the best methods in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is the concept
of central spark ignition, consisting of two distinct regions named as hot and
cold regions and formed by hydro-dynamical implosion of fuel micro-sphere
central spark ignition method in inertial fusion and fuel pellet design
condition in fusion power plant has been investigated and fuel gain for
isochoric model in this method is calculated. We have shown the effects of
different physical parameters of inertial fusion on fuel gain and optimized
limit for fuel density and fuel pellet radius has been calculated.


title:
Investigation of microwave transitions and nonlinear magneto-optical
  rotation in anti-relaxation-coated cells

abstract:
  Using laser optical pumping, widths and frequency shifts are determined for
microwave transitions between ground-state hyperfine components of $^{85}$Rb
and $^{87}$Rb atoms contained in vapor cells with alkane anti-relaxation
coatings. The results are compared with data on Zeeman relaxation obtained in
nonlinear magneto-optical rotation (NMOR) experiments, a comparison important
for quantitative understanding of spin-relaxation mechanisms in coated cells.
By comparing cells manufactured over a forty-year period we demonstrate the
long-term stability of coated cells, an important property for atomic clocks
and magnetometers.


title: An analysis of the big-bang theory according to classical physics

abstract:
  This paper collects a consistent body of information on the observable
Universe, from which an estimate of the total mass of the Universe is
calculated as a function of the angle whose vertex is at the center of the
Universe, and whose extremities stand on the Earth and on the limits of the
horizon of visibility. This result leads to an analysis of the dynamics of the
Big-Bang, taking into account the limitations imposed by the Schwarzschild
radius, $R_S$. Where if $R_0$ is the radius of the incipient Universe when the
formation of elementary particles has just finished, the value of the quotient
$R_0/R_S$ determines its subsequent evolution. An important conclusion from
this concerns the expansion of the Universe; all signs point to its being
destined to expand indefinitely.


title:
High efficiency symmetric beam splitter for cold atoms with a standing
  wave light pulse sequence

abstract:
  In a recent experiment [1], it was observed that a sequence of two standing
wave square pulses can split a BEC at rest into +/- 2 h_bar k diffraction
orders with almost 100% efficiency. By truncating the Raman-Nath equations to a
2-state model, we provide an intuitive picture that explains this double square
pulse beamsplitter scheme. We further show it is possible to optimize a
standingwave multi square pulse sequence to efficiently diffract an atom at
rest to symmetric superposition of +/- 2n h_bar k diffraction order with n>1.
The approach is considered to be qualitatively different from the traditional
light pulse schemes in the Bragg or the Raman-Nath region, and can be extended
to more complex atomic optical elements that produce various tailored output
momentum states from a cold atom source.


title:
An atom interferometer for measuring loss of coherence from an atom
  mirror

abstract:
  We describe an atom interferometer to study the coherence of atoms reflected
from an evanescent wave mirror. The interferometer is sensitive to the loss of
phase coherence induced by the defects in the mirror. The results are
consistent with and complementary to recent measurements of specular
reflection.


title:
Enhanced transmission versus localization of a light pulse by a
  subwavelength metal slit

abstract:
  The existence of resonant enhanced transmission and collimation of light
waves by subwavelength slits in metal films [for example, see T.W. Ebbesen et
al., Nature (London) 391, 667 (1998) and H.J. Lezec et al., Science, 297, 820
(2002)] leads to the basic question: Can a light pulse be enhanced and
simultaneously localized in space and time by a subwavelength slit? To address
this question, the spatial distribution of the energy flux of an ultrashort
(femtosecond) wave-packet diffracted by a subwavelength (nanometer-size) slit
was analyzed by using the conventional approach based on the Neerhoff and Mur
solution of Maxwell's equations. The results show that a light pulse can be
enhanced by orders of magnitude and simultaneously localized in the near-field
diffraction zone at the nm- and fs-scales. Possible applications in
nanophotonics are discussed.


title:
Absence of saturation for finite injected currents in axially symmetric
  cavity diode

abstract:
  The Child-Langmuir law is investigated numerically using a fully
electromagnetic particle-in-cell code for a closed axially symmetric diode. It
is found that the average current transmitted to the anode increases with the
injected current even after the formation of virtual cathode in both the
non-relativistic and relativistic cases. The increase is found to be a power
law. In other words, the time averaged fraction $f$ of electrons reaching the
anode varies with the input current as, $f\sim J_{\rm IN}^{-\beta}$ where
$\beta < 1$. In contrast, for an infinite parallel plate diode, $f \sim J_{\rm
IN}^{-1}$. The possibility of asymptotic saturation is also discussed.


title:
Numerical simulation of transmission coefficient using c-number Langevin
  equation

abstract:
  We numerically implement the reactive flux formalism on the basis of a
recently proposed c-number Langevin equation [Barik \textit{et al}, J. Chem.
Phys. {\bf 119}, 680 (2003); Banerjee \textit{et al}, Phys. Rev. E {\bf 65},
021109 (2002)] to calculate transmission coefficient. The Kramers' turnover,
the $T^2$ enhancement of the rate at low temperatures and other related
features of temporal behaviour of the transmission coefficient over a range of
temperature down to absolute zero, noise correlation and friction are examined
for a double well potential and compared with other known results. This simple
method is based on canonical quantization and Wigner quasiclassical phase space
function and takes care of quantum effects due to the system order by order.


title:
A Density Functional Study of the Structure and Energetics of Small
  Hetero-Atomic Silicon-Carbon Nanoclusters

abstract:
  The theoretical formalism of the local density approximation (LDA) to density
functional theory (DFT) has been used to study the electronic and geometric
structures of SimCn (1<=m, n<=4;n<=m) clusters. An all electron 6-311++G**
basis set has been used and complete geometry optimizations of different
possible structures for a particular cluster have been carried out. Clusters
with equal numbers of silicon and carbon atoms are found to be particularly
stable. Based on the simultaneous criteria of highest binding energy, high band
gap, high ionization potential, and low electron affinity, we believe that
Si3c3 is a candidate for particularly stable or a so-called "magic cluster". A
complete comparison of the structures and the stabilities of the clusters, and
their dependence on the cluster size and the stochiometry have been studied in
detail. Binding energies, vibrational frequencies, HOMO-LUMO gaps, vertical
ionization potentials and vertical electron affinities of the optimized
clusters have been compared with other experimental and theoretical results
available in the literature.


title:
Laboratory spectroscopy and the search for space-time variation of the
  fine structure constant using QSO spectra

abstract:
  Theories unifying gravity with other interactions suggest spatial and
temporal variation of fundamental ``constants'' in the Universe. A change in
the fine structure constant, alpha, could be detected via shifts in the
frequencies of atomic transitions in quasar absorption systems. Previous
studies of three independent samples of data, containing 143 absorption systems
spread from 2 to 10 billion years after big bang, hint that alpha was smaller 7
- 11 billion years ago.
  To continue this study we urgently need accurate laboratory measurements of
atomic transition frequencies. In this paper, we present a current list of
transitions of importance to the search for alpha variation. They are E1
transitions to the ground state in several different atoms and ions, with
wavelengths ranging from around 900 - 6000 Angstroms, and require an accuracy
of better than 10^(-4) Angstroms. We also discuss isotope shift measurements
that are needed in order to resolve systematic effects in the study.
  Researchers who are interested in performing these measurements should
contact the authors directly.


title: Complex networks of earthquakes and aftershocks

abstract:
  We invoke a metric to quantify the correlation between any two earthquakes.
This provides a simple and straightforward alternative to using space-time
windows to detect aftershock sequences and obviates the need to distinguish
main shocks from aftershocks. Directed networks of earthquakes are constructed
by placing a link, directed from the past to the future, between pairs of
events that are strongly correlated. Each link has a weight giving the relative
strength of correlation such that the sum over the incoming links to any node
equals unity for aftershocks, or zero if the event had no correlated
predecessors. A correlation threshold is set to drastically reduce the size of
the data set without losing significant information. Events can be aftershocks
of many previous events, and also generate many aftershocks. The probability
distribution for the number of incoming and outgoing links are both scale free,
and the networks are highly clustered. The Omori law holds for aftershock rates
up to a decorrelation time that scales with the magnitude, $m$, of the
initiating shock as $t_{\rm cutoff} \sim 10^{\beta m}$ with $\beta \simeq 3/4$.
Another scaling law relates distances between earthquakes and their aftershocks
to the magnitude of the initiating shock. Our results are inconsistent with the
hypothesis of finite aftershock zones. We also find evidence that seismicity is
dominantly triggered by small earthquakes. Our approach, using concepts from
the modern theory of complex networks, together with a metric to estimate
correlations, opens up new avenues of research, as well as new tools to
understand seismicity.


title: Scattering length of the helium atom - helium dimer collision

abstract:
  We present our recent results on the scattering length of ^4He-^4He_2
collisions. These investigations are based on the hard-core version of the
Faddeev differential equations. As compared to our previous calculations of the
same quantity, a much more refined grid is employed, providing an improvement
of about 10%. Our results are compared with other ab initio, and with model
calculations.


title:
Identifying high power breakdowns in accelerating structures with
  acoustic sensors

abstract:
  To increase the energy of Particle Accelarators to reach the requirements of
the Linear Collider or of the Super KEK-B factory, new accelerating structures
with a higher accelerating gradient need to be developped. These accelerating
structures are often affected by high power breakdowns. Knowing the exact
location where these breakdowns occured helps to redesign the structure and
improve its performances. This can be done with acoustic sensors.


title: Towards gravitationally assisted negative refraction of light by vacuum

abstract:
  Propagation of electromagnetic plane waves in some directions in
gravitationally affected vacuum over limited ranges of spacetime can be such
that the phase velocity vector casts a negative projection on the time-averaged
Poynting vector. This conclusion suggests, inter alia, gravitationally assisted
negative refraction by vacuum.


title: Cat's Dilemma - transitivity vs. intransitivity

abstract:
  We study a simple example of a sequential game illustrating problems
connected with making rational decisions that are universal for social
sciences. The set of chooser's optimal decisions that manifest his preferences
in case of a constant strategy of the adversary (the offering player), is
investigated. It turns out that the order imposed by the player's rational
preferences can be intransitive. The presented quantitative results imply a
revision of the "common sense" opinions stating that preferences showing
intransitivity are paradoxical and undesired.


title: Stable Spatial Langmuir Solitons

abstract:
  We study localized two- and three-dimensional Langmuir solitons in the
framework of model based on generalized nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation that
accounts for local and nonlocal contributions to electron-electron
nonlinearity. General properties of solitons are investigated analytically and
numerically. Evolution of three-dimensional localized wave packets has been
simulated numerically. The additional nonlinearities are shown to be able to
stabilize both azimuthally symmetric two-dimensional and spherically symmetric
three-dimensional Langmuir solitons.


title:
Image of optical diffraction radiation (ODR) source and spatial
  resolution of ODR beam profile monitor

abstract:
  The approach to obtain the image shape of an optical diffraction radiation
(ODR) source focused by lens on a detector with taking into account the
"pre-wave zone" effect has been developed. In full analogy with optical
transition radiation source the characteristic size of ODR slit image doesn't
depend on the Lorentz-factor and is defined by slit width, wavelength and lens
aperture. If a beam is passed through a narrow slit the shape of a slit image
depends on a beam size. ODR generated by extremely ultrarelativistic beam
passing through a narrow slit may be used to determine the beam size from ODR
slit image.


title:
The novel aspect of hydrogen atom: the fine structure and spin can be
  derived by single component wavefunction

abstract:
  The fine structure of hydrogen energy was calculated by using the usual
momentum-wavefunction relation directly, rather than establishing the
well-known Dirac wave equation. As the results, the energy levels are
completely the same as that of the Dirac wave equation, while the wavefunction
is single component that is quite different from Dirac's four component
wavefunction, the most important thing is that the present calculation brings
out electronic spin in a new way which has never been reported and indicates
that the electronic spin is a kind of orbital motion.


title:
Detection of Phase Jumps of Free Core Nutation of the Earth and their
  Concurrence with Geomagnetic Jerks

abstract:
  We detected phase jumps of the Free Core Nutation (FCN) of the Earth directly
from the analysis of the Very Long Baseline Interferometer (VLBI) observation
of the Earth rotation for the period 1984-2003 by applying the Weighted Wavelet
Z-Transform (WWZ) method and the Short-time Periodogram with the Gabor function
(SPG) method. During the period, the FCN had two significant phase jumps in
1992 and 1998. These epochs coincide with the reported occurrence of
geomagnetic jerks.


title: Complex-Dynamic Cosmology and Emergent World Structure

abstract:
  Universe structure emerges in the unreduced, complex-dynamic interaction
process with the simplest initial configuration (two attracting homogeneous
fields, quant-ph/9902015). The unreduced interaction analysis gives
intrinsically creative cosmology, describing the real, explicitly emerging
world structure with dynamic randomness on each scale. Without imposing any
postulates or entities, we obtain physically real space, time, elementary
particles with their detailed structure and intrinsic properties, causally
complete and unified version of quantum and relativistic behaviour, the origin
and number of naturally unified fundamental forces, and classical behaviour
emergence in closed systems (gr-qc/9906077). Main problems of standard
cosmology and astrophysics are consistently solved in this extended picture
(without introduction of any additional entities), including those of quantum
cosmology and gravity, entropy growth and time, "hierarchy" of elementary
particles, "anthropic" difficulties, space-time flatness, and "missing"
("dark") mass and energy. The observed universe structure and laws can be
presented as manifestations of the universal symmetry (conservation) of
complexity providing the unified, irregular, but exact (never "broken") Order
of the World (physics/0404006).


title: High Density Mesoscopic Atom Clouds in a Holographic Atom Trap

abstract:
  We demonstrate the production of micron-sized high density atom clouds of
interest for meso- scopic quantum information processing. We evaporate atoms
from 60 microK, 3x10^14 atoms/cm^3 samples contained in a highly anisotropic
optical lattice formed by interfering di racted beams from a holographic phase
plate. After evaporating to 1 microK by lowering the con ning potential, in
less than a second the atom density reduces to 8x10^13 cm^- 3 at a phase space
density approaching unity. Adiabatic recompression of the atoms then increases
the density to levels in excess of 1x10^15 cm^-3. The resulting clouds are
typically 8 microns in the longest dimension. Such samples are small enough to
enable mesoscopic quantum manipulation using Rydberg blockade and have the high
densities required to investigate new collision phenomena.


title: Larmor radius effects on impurity transport in turbulent plasmas

abstract:
  Test particle transport determined by the Lorentz force in turbulent
magnetized plasmas is studied. The time dependent diffusion coefficient, valid
for the whole range of parameters, is obtained by developing the decorrelation
trajectory method. The effects of Larmor gyration in the presence of trapping
are analyzed and several transport regimes are evidenced.


title: Soliton eigenvalue control with optical lattices

abstract:
  We address the dynamics of higher-order solitons in optical lattices, and
predict their self-splitting into the set of their single-soliton constituents.
The splitting is induced by the potential introduced by the lattice, together
with the imprinting of a phase tilt onto the initial multisoliton states. The
phenomenon allows the controllable generation of several coherent solitons
linked via their Zakharov-Shabat eigenvalues. Application of the scheme to the
generation of correlated matter waves in Bose-Einstein condensates is
discussed.


title:
75%-efficiency blue generation from an intracavity PPKTP frequency
  doubler

abstract:
  We report on a high-efficiency 461 nm blue light conversion from an external
cavity-enhanced second-harmonic generation of a 922 nm diode laser with a
quasi-phase-matched KTP crystal (PPKTP). By choosing a long crystal (LC=20 mm)
and twice looser focusing (w0=43 $\mu$m) than the "optimal" one, thermal
lensing effects due to the blue power absorption are minimized while still
maintaining near-optimal conversion efficiency. A stable blue power of 234 mW
with a net conversion efficiency of eta=75% at an input mode-matched power of
310 mW is obtained. The intra-cavity measurements of the conversion efficiency
and temperature tuning bandwidth yield an accurate value d33(461 nm)=15 pm/V
for KTP and provide a stringent validation of some recently published linear
and thermo-optic dispersion data of KTP.


title:
Phenylxylylethane (PXE): a high-density, high-flashpoint organic liquid
  scintillator for applications in low-energy particle and astrophysics
  experiments

abstract:
  We report on the study of a new liquid scintillator target for neutrino
interactions in the framework of the research and development program of the
BOREXINO solar neutrino experiment. The scintillator consists of
1,2-dimethyl-4-(1-phenylethyl)-benzene (phenyl-o-xylylethane, PXE) as solvent
and 1,4-diphenylbenzene (para-Terphenyl, p-Tp) as primary and
1,4-bis(2-methylstyryl)benzene (bis-MSB) as secondary solute. The density close
to that of water and the high flash point makes it an attractive option for
large scintillation detectors in general. The study focused on optical
properties, radioactive trace impurities and novel purification techniques of
the scintillator. Attenuation lengths of the scintillator mixture of 12 m at
430 nm were achieved after purification with an alumina column. A radio carbon
isotopic ratio of C-14/C-12 = 9.1 * 10^{-18}$ has been measured in the
scintillator. Initial trace impurities, e.g. U-238 at 3.2 * 10^{-14} g/g could
be purified to levels below 10^{-17} g/g by silica gel solid column
purification.


title: "Information, please... ?"

abstract:
  Stephen Hawking's recent concession that black holes do not irretrievably
eradicate information after all has garnered much attention. It is refreshing
to see the public focused, if just for a moment, on an important conundrum that
has fascinated theoretical physicists for three decades, and prompted much
conceptual progress. The scientific issues, however, remain much less settled
than Dr. Hawking's celebrated wager on the question.

categories: physics.pop-ph gr-qc hep-th physics.hist-ph physics.soc-ph quant-ph


title: New Pedagogy for Using Internet-Based Teaching Tools in Physics Course

abstract:
  Acquiring the mathematical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills required
in university-level physics courses is hard work, and the average student often
lacks the knowledge and study skills they need to succeed in the introductory
courses. Here we propose a new pedagogical model and a straight-forwardly
reproducible set of internet-based testing tools. Our work to address some of
the most important student deficiencies is based on three fundamental
principles: balancing skill level and challenge, providing clear goals and
feedback at every stage, and allowing repetition without penalty. Our tools
include an Automated Mathematics Evaluation System (AMES), a Computerized
Homework Assignment Grading System (CHAGS), and a set of after-homework quizzes
and mini-practice exams (QUizzes Intended to Consolidate Knowledge, or QUICK).
We describe how these tools are incorporated into the course, and present some
preliminary results on their effectiveness.


title: Limitations on the Use of Acoustic Sensors in RF Breakdown Localization

abstract:
  X-band accelerator structures, meeting the Next Linear Collider (NLC) design
requirements, have been found to suffer damage due to radio frequency (RF)
breakdown when processed to high gradients. Improved understanding of these
breakdown events is desirable for the development of structure designs,
fabrication procedures, and processing techniques that minimize structure
damage. Using an array of acoustic sensors, we have been able to pinpoint the
location of individual breakdown events. However, a more accurate localization
is required to understand the interaction between the phonon or the sound wave
with the OFE copper.


title:
Low-Frequency Instability of Linearly and
  Circularly-Polarized-Microwave-Field Produced Plasmas

abstract:
  The gas breakdown produced by high-power pulsed linearly and circularly
polarized microwave fields which are much weaker than the atomic fields is
investigated in the non-relativistic limit. Obtained the electron distribution
function produced by the interaction with intense linearly and circularly
polarized microwave fields, it is shown that it is non-equilibrium and
anisotropic. Finding the general dispersion relation and analyzing it, we
firstly obtain the low frequency oscillations and secondly we show that an
instability may develop in the aforementioned system. It will be shown that for
linearly polarized microwave fields this instability may always develop but for
the circular polarization fields it grows only when ion density is higher than
a critical density.


title:
On the astronomical content of the sacred landscape of Cusco in Inka
  times

abstract:
  The sacred landscape of the Inka capital Cusco was conceived in accordance
with a complex cosmographic view in which religion and astronomy were
intimately connected. Some previously unnoticed possibilities in interpreting
these connections are proposed.


title: Towards a definition of climate science

abstract:
  The intrinsic difficulties in building realistic climate models and in
providing complete, reliable and meaningful observational datasets, and the
conceptual impossibility of testing theories against data imply that the usual
Galilean scientific validation criteria do not apply to climate science. The
different epistemology pertaining to climate science implies that its answers
cannot be singular and deterministic; they must be plural and stated in
probabilistic terms. Therefore, in order to extract meaningful estimates of
future climate change from a model, it is necessary to explore the model'
uncertainties. In terms of societal impacts of scientific knowledge, it is
necessary to accept that any political choice in a matter involving complex
systems is made under unavoidable conditions of uncertainty. Nevertheless,
detailed probabilistic results in science can provide a baseline for a sensible
process of decision making.

categories: physics.ao-ph physics.data-an physics.geo-ph physics.soc-ph


title:
On Bayesian Treatment of Systematic Uncertainties in Confidence Interval
  Calculation

abstract:
  In high energy physics, a widely used method to treat systematic
uncertainties in confidence interval calculations is based on combining a
frequentist construction of confidence belts with a Bayesian treatment of
systematic uncertainties. In this note we present a study of the coverage of
this method for the standard Likelihood Ratio (aka Feldman & Cousins)
construction for a Poisson process with known background and Gaussian or
log-Normal distributed uncertainties in the background or signal efficiency.
For uncertainties in the signal efficiency of upto 40 % we find over-coverage
on the level of 2 to 4 % depending on the size of uncertainties and the region
in signal space. Uncertainties in the background generally have smaller effect
on the coverage. A considerable smoothing of the coverage curves is observed. A
software package is presented which allows fast calculation of the confidence
intervals for a variety of assumptions on shape and size of systematic
uncertainties for different nuisance parameters. The calculation speed allows
experimenters to test the coverage for their specific conditions.


title: Rydberg Atoms in a Magnetic Guide

abstract:
  We investigate electronically excited atoms in a magnetic guide. It turns out
that the Hamiltonian describing this system possesses a wealth of both unitary
as well as antiunitary symmetries that constitute an uncommon extensive
symmetry group. One consequence is the two-fold degeneracy of any energy level.
The spectral properties are investigated for a wide range of field gradients
and the spatial distributions of the spin polarization are analyzed. Wave
lengths, oscillator strengths and selection rules are provided for the
corresponding electromagnetic transitions. The effects due to an additional
homogeneous bias field constituting a Ioffe-Pritchard trap are explored
equally.


title:
Quantitative photoluminescence of broad band absorbing melanins: A
  procedure to correct for inner filter and re-absorption effects

abstract:
  We report methods for correcting the photoluminescence emission and
excitation spectra of highly absorbing samples for re-absorption and inner
filter effects. We derive the general form of the correction, and investigate
various methods for determining the parameters. Additionally, the correction
methods are tested with highly absorbing fluorescein and melanin (broadband
absorption) solutions; the expected linear relationships between absorption and
emission are recovered upon application of the correction, indicating that the
methods are valid. These procedures allow accurate quantitative analysis of the
emission of low quantum yield samples (such as melanin) at concentrations where
absorption is significant.


title:
Core excitation in Ozone localized to one of two symmetry-equivalent
  chemical bonds - molecular alignment through vibronic coupling

abstract:
  Core excitation from terminal oxygen O$_T$ in O$_3$ is shown to be an
excitation from a localized core orbital to a localized valence orbital. The
valence orbital is localized to one of the two equivalent chemical bonds. We
experimentally demonstrate this with the Auger Doppler effect which is
observable when O$_3$ is core-excited to the highly dissociative
O$_{T}$1s$^{-1}$7a$_1^1$ state. Auger electrons emitted from the atomic oxygen
fragment carry information about the molecular orientation relative to the
electromagnetic field vector at the moment of excitation. The data together
with analytical functions for the electron-peak profiles give clear evidence
that the preferred molecular orientation for excitation only depends on the
orientation of one bond, not on the total molecular orientation. The
localization of the valence orbital "7a$_1$" is caused by mixing of the valence
orbital "5b$_2$" through vibronic coupling of anti-symmetric stretching mode
with b$_2$-symmetry. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first discussion
of the localization of a core excitation of O$_3$. This result explains the
success of the widely used assumption of localized core excitation in
adsorbates and large molecules.


title:
Geometrically-Derived Anisotropy in Cubically Nonlinear Dielectric
  Composites

abstract:
  We consider an anisotropic homogenized composite medium (HCM) arising from
isotropic particulate component phases based on ellipsoidal geometries. For
cubically nonlinear component phases, the corresponding zeroth-order
strong-permittivity-fluctuation theory (SPFT) (which is equivalent to the
Bruggeman homogenization formalism) and second-order SPFT are established and
used to estimate the constitutive properties of the HCM. The relationship
between the component phase particulate geometry and the HCM constitutive
properties is explored. Significant differences are highlighted between the
estimates of the Bruggeman homogenization formalism and the second-order SPFT
estimates. The prospects for nonlinearity enhancement are investigated.


title:
An Analytical Theory for the Early Stage of the Development of
  Hurricanes: Part II

abstract:
  In this series of papers, an analytical theory for the early stage (tropical
storm stage) of hurricane development is proposed. In Part I, a linear theory
and a nonlinear theory have been formulated. It was found in Part I that the
linear theory, a kind of the 2D Rankine vortex, gives some unrealistic
properties for hurricane development at the upper half of the atmosphere. In
the nonlinear theory, the analytical solutions agree well in many dynamical
respects with observations at the tropical stage of hurricane development.
Particularly, these solutions offer new insights which have not been shown
before. However, this nonlinear theory has a disturbing point: a discontinuity
of tangential wind and geopotential with radius. In this second Part, this
discontinuity will be eliminated satisfactorily without any significant changes
to the results obtained in Part I. In addition, the frictional effects will be
investigated, which has not been done considered in Part I.


title: Correlation length facilitates Voigt wave propagation

abstract:
  Under certain circumstances, Voigt waves can propagate in a biaxial composite
medium even though the component material phases individually do not support
Voigt wave propagation. This phenomenon is considered within the context of the
strong--permittivity--fluctuation theory. A generalized implementation of the
theory is developed in order to explore the propagation of Voigt waves in any
direction. It is shown that the correlation length--a parameter characterizing
the distributional statistics of the component material phases--plays a crucial
role in facilitating the propagation of Voigt waves in the homogenized
composite medium.


title:
Depolarization volume and correlation length in the homogenization of
  anisotropic dielectric composites

abstract:
  In conventional approaches to the homogenization of random particulate
composites, both the distribution and size of the component phase particles are
often inadequately taken into account. Commonly, the spatial distributions are
characterized by volume fraction alone, while the electromagnetic response of
each component particle is represented as a vanishingly small depolarization
volume. The strong-permittivity-fluctuation theory (SPFT) provides an
alternative approach to homogenization wherein a comprehensive description of
distributional statistics of the component phases is accommodated. The
bilocally-approximated SPFT is presented here for the anisotropic homogenized
composite which arises from component phases comprising ellipsoidal particles.
The distribution of the component phases is characterized by a two-point
correlation function and its associated correlation length. Each component
phase particle is represented as an ellipsoidal depolarization region of
nonzero volume. The effects of depolarization volume and correlation length are
investigated through considering representative numerical examples. It is
demonstrated that both the spatial extent of the component phase particles and
their spatial distributions are important factors in estimating coherent
scattering losses of the macroscopic field.


title:
de'Broglie's paradox, relativistic Doppler effect, and the derivation of
  mass-energy relation in special relativity

abstract:
  Three related topics are discussed to show the "simplicity, harmony and
beauty" of the theory of special relativity (SR): (1) How can de'Broglie
discover his famous relation between the particle's momentum and a wave length
-- a paradox stemming from the time dilatation effect of SR. (2) The
relativistic Doppler effect, especially the distinction between the transverse
Doppler effect and the time dilatation effect. (3) Three particular examples
are examined to derive the general mass-energy relation in SR by induction
method.


title:
Radiation-Hard Asics for Optical Data Transmission in the Atlas Pixel
  Detector

abstract:
  We have developed two radiation-hard ASICs for optical data transmission in
the ATLAS pixel detector at the LHC at CERN: a driver chip for a Vertical
Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) diode for 80 Mbit/s data transmission
from the detector, and a Bi-Phase Mark decoder chip to recover the control data
and 40 MHz clock received optically by a PIN diode. We have successfully
implemented both ASICs in 0.25 mm CMOS technology using enclosed layout
transistors and guard rings for increased radiation hardness. We present
results from circuits of final design and from irradiation studies with 24 GeV
protons up to 80 Mrad (2.6 x 10^15 p/cm^2).


title:
The nonrelativistic limit of Dirac-Fock codes: the role of Brillouin
  configurations

abstract:
  We solve a long standing problem with relativistic calculations done with the
widely used Multi-Configuration Dirac-Fock Method (MCDF). We show, using
Relativistic Many-Body Perturbation Theory (RMBPT), how even for relatively
high-$Z$, relaxation or correlation causes the non-relativistic limit of states
of different total angular momentum but identical orbital angular momentum to
have different energies. We show that only large scale calculations that
include all single excitations, even those obeying the Brillouin's theorem have
the correct limit. We reproduce very accurately recent high-precision
measurements in F-like Ar, and turn then into precise test of QED. We obtain
the correct non-relativistic limit not only for fine structure but also for
level energies and show that RMBPT calculations are not immune to this problem.


title: Diffraction gratings of isotropic negative phase-velocity materials

abstract:
  Diffraction of electromagnetic plane waves by the gratings made by
periodically corrugating the exposed planar boundaries of homogeneous,
isotropic, linear dielectric--magnetic half--spaces is examined. The phase
velocity vector in the diffracting material can be either co-parallel or
anti-parallel to the time-averaged Poynting vector, thereby allowing for the
material to be classified as of either the positive or the negative negative
phase-velocity (PPV or NPV) type. Three methods used for analyzing dielectric
gratings - the Rayleigh-hypothesis method, a perturbative approach, and the C
formalism - are extended here to encompass NPV gratings by a careful
consideration of field representation inside the refracting half--space.
Corrugations of both symmetric as well as asymmetric shapes are studied, as
also the diversity of grating response to the linear polarization states of the
incident plane wave. The replacement of PPV grating by its NPV analog affects
only nonspecular diffraction efficiencies when the corrugations are shallow,
and the effect on specular diffraction efficiencies intensifies as the
corrugations deepen. Whether the type of the refracting material is NPV or PPV
is shown to affect surface wave propagation as well as resonant excitation of
surface waves.


title: Siegert pseudostates: completeness and time evolution

abstract:
  Within the theory of Siegert pseudostates, it is possible to accurately
calculate bound states and resonances. The energy continuum is replaced by a
discrete set of states. Many questions of interest in scattering theory can be
addressed within the framework of this formalism, thereby avoiding the need to
treat the energy continuum. For practical calculations it is important to know
whether a certain subset of Siegert pseudostates comprises a basis. This is a
nontrivial issue, because of the unusual orthogonality and overcompleteness
properties of Siegert pseudostates. Using analytical and numerical arguments,
it is shown that the subset of bound states and outgoing Siegert pseudostates
forms a basis. Time evolution in the context of Siegert pseudostates is also
investigated. From the Mittag-Leffler expansion of the outgoing-wave Green's
function, the time-dependent expansion of a wave packet in terms of Siegert
pseudostates is derived. In this expression, all Siegert pseudostates--bound,
antibound, outgoing, and incoming--are employed. Each of these evolves in time
in a nonexponential fashion. Numerical tests underline the accuracy of the
method.


title:
Sub-collision hyperfine structure of nonlinear-optical resonance with
  field scanning

abstract:
  Some experimental evidences for methane are produced that the simple
transition from frequency scanning of nonlinear-optical resonances to magnetic
one may be accompanied with transition from sub-Doppler collisionally broadened
structure to sub-collision hyperfine one. It is conditioned by nonlinearity of
splitting of hyperfine sublevel for molecules in the adiabatically varied
magnetic field and respectively breaking the analogy of magnetic and frequency
scannings. The exact calculation of the resonance structure is considered for
molecules with only one spin subsystem. The approximately spin-additive
calculation of the structure is given for sufficiently fast rotating molecules
with greater number of spin subsystems. Within the same approximation an
example of hyperfine doubling in the magnetic and electric spectra of
nonlinear-optical resonance is considered for fluoromethane.


title: The nature of electronic charge

abstract:
  Advances in gauge theories and unified theories have not thrown light on the
meaning of electron. The problem of the origin of electronic charge is made
precise, new insights gained from Weyl space are summarized, and the origin of
charge in terms of fractional spin is suggested. New perspective on the abelian
Chern-Simons theory is presented to explain charge.


title: Radiation measurements in the new tandem accelerator FEL

abstract:
  The measurements of both spontaneous and stimulated emissions of radiation in
the newly configured Israeli EA-FEL are made for the first time. The radiation
at the W-band was measured and characterized. The results match the predictions
of our earlier theoretical modeling and calculations.


title:
Performance of Hamamatsu 64-anode photomultipliers for use with
  wavelength--shifting optical fibres

abstract:
  Hamamatsu R5900-00-M64 and R7600-00-M64 photomultiplier tubes will be used
with wavelength--shifting optical fibres to read out scintillator strips in the
MINOS near detector. We report on measurements of the gain, efficiency,
linearity, crosstalk, and dark noise of 232 of these PMTs, of which 219 met
MINOS requirements.


title: About Gravitation

abstract:
  We consider different deductions of the mysterious Weinberg formula and show
that this leads us back to the model of fluctuational cosmology which correctly
predicted in advance, dark energy driven, accelerating universe with a small
cosmological constant. All this also provides us with an interpretation of
Gravitation as the distributional effect of the residual energy of the
universe.


title: Prompt Beta Spectroscopy as a Diagnostic for Mix in Ignited NIF Capsules

abstract:
  The National Ignition Facility (NIF) technology is designed to drive
deuterium-tritium (DT) internal confinement fusion (ICF) targets to ignition
using indirect radiation from laser beam energy captured in a hohlraum.
Hydrodynamical instabilities at interfaces in the ICF capsule leading to mix
between the DT fue l and the ablator shell material are of fundamental physical
interest and can affect the performance characteristics of the capsule. In this
Letter we describe new radiochemical diagnostics for mix processes in ICF
capsules with plastic or Be (0.9%Cu) ablator shells. Reactions of high-energy
tritons with shell material produce high-energy $\beta$-emitters.
  We show that mix between the DT fuel and the shell material enhances
high-energy prompt beta emission from these reactions by more than an order of
magnitude over that expected in the absence of mix.


title: Engines at molecular scales

abstract:
  In recent literature there has been a lot of interest in the phenomena of
noise induced transport in the absence of an average bias occurring in
spatially periodic systems far from equilibrium. One of the main motivations in
this area is to understand the mechanism behind the operation of biological
motors at molecular scale. These molecular motors convert chemical energy
available during the hydrolysis of ATP into mechanical motion to transport
cargo and vesicles in living cells with very high reliability, adaptability and
efficiency in a very noisy environment. The basic principle behind such a
motion, namely the Brownian ratchet principle, has applications in
nanotechnology as novel nanoparticle separation devices. Also, the mechanism of
ratchet operation finds applications in game theory. Here, we briefly focus on
the physical concepts underlying the constructive role of noise in assisting
transport at a molecular level. The nature of particle currents, the energetic
efficiency of these motors, the entropy production in these systems and the
phenomenon of resonance/coherence are discussed.


title: The rest mass

abstract:
  A relation connecting the {\it{rest mass}} and {\it{separation of events in
space-time continuum}} is suggested and the idea of Compton scattering is used
as a method for the determination of rest mass. An experiment involving
collision of photons resulting in creation of rest mass is discussed
theoretically in order to illustrate the connection formula.


title:
Further Explanation of the Cosmological Constant Problem by Discrete
  Space-time through Modified Holographic Principle

abstract:
  The author proposed in his previous papers in 2001 that the problem of the
cosmological constant could be resolved and its calculated value agrees
excellently with the observations by assuming that the space-time itself, as
the phase of Higgs condensate, is discrete in nature. Further to such idea, a
different approach involving the concept of vacuum entropy that is constrained
by the modified Holographic Principle is being used in the calculation of the
cosmological constant value at three different phase transition times in the
early universe. It is interesting and quite unexpected that it arrives at the
same conclusion as the previous approach. It therefore reveals that something
fundamental is present in the theory. The problem on the preservation of
Lorentz invariance in discrete space-time is also discussed.


title:
Solution of a Model for the Oceanic Pycnocline Depth: Scaling of
  Overturning Strength and Meridional Pressure Difference

abstract:
  We present an analysis of the model by Gnanadesikan [1999] for the pycnocline
depth in the ocean. An analytic solution for the overturning strength as a
function of the meridional pressure difference is derived and used to discuss
their mutual scaling. We show that scaling occurs only in two unphysical
regimes of the model. In the absence of the Southern Ocean (SO) processes, i.e.
for a northern overturning cell, the volume transport is proportional to the
square root of the pressure difference. Linear scaling is seen when the
overturning is restricted entirely to the SO, i.e. when no northern downwelling
exists. For comparison, we present simulations with the coupled climate model
CLIMBER-3$\alpha$ which show linear scaling over a large regime of pressure
differences in the North Atlantic (NA). We conclude that the pycnocline model
is not able to reproduce the linear scaling between its two central variables,
pressure and volume transport.


title:
Dynamic sea level changes following changes in the thermohaline
  circulation

abstract:
  Using the coupled climate model CLIMBER-3a, we investigate changes in sea
surface elevation due to a weakening of the thermohaline circulation (THC). In
addition to a global sea level rise due to a warming of the deep sea, this
leads to a regional dynamic sea level change which follows
quasi-instantaneously any change in the ocean circulation. We show that the
magnitude of this dynamic effect can locally reach up to ~1m, depending on the
initial THC strength. In some regions the rate of change can be up to 20-25
mm/yr. The emerging patterns are discussed with respect to the oceanic
circulation changes. Most prominent is a south-north gradient reflecting the
changes in geostrophic surface currents. Our results suggest that an analysis
of observed sea level change patterns could be useful for monitoring the THC
strength.


title: Statistical mechanics of columnar DNA assemblies

abstract:
  Many physical systems can be mapped onto solved or "solvable" models of
magnetism. In this work, we have mapped the statistical mechanics of columnar
phases of ideally helical rigid DNA -- subject to the earlier found unusual,
frustrated pair potential [A. A. Kornyshev and S. Leikin, J. Chem. Phys. 107,
3656 (1997)] -- onto an exotic, unknown variant of the XY model on a fixed or
restructurable lattice. Here the role of the 'spin' is played by the azimuthal
orientation of the molecules. We have solved this model using a Hartree-Fock
approximation, ground state calculations, and finite temperature Monte Carlo
simulations. We have found peculiar spin order transitions, which may also be
accompanied by positional restructuring, from hexagonal to rhombohedric
lattices. Some of these have been experimentally observed in dense columnar
aggregates. Note that DNA columnar phases are of great interest in biophysical
research, not only because they are a useful in vitro tool for the study of DNA
condensation, but also since these structures have been detected in living
matter. Within the approximations made, our study provides insight into the
statistical mechanics of these systems.


title:
Resonant Structures in the Low-Energy Electron Continuum for Single
  Ionization of Atoms in the Tunneling Regime

abstract:
  We present results of high-resolution experiments on single ionization of He,
Ne and Ar by ultra-short (25 fs, 6 fs) 795 nm laser pulses at intensities
0.15-2.0x10^15 W/cm^2. We show that the ATI-like pattern can survive deep in
the tunneling regime and that the atomic structure plays an important role in
the formation of the low-energy photoelectron spectra even at high intensities.
The absence of ponderomotive shifts, the splitting of the peaks and their
degeneration for few-cycle pulses indicate that the observed structures
originate from a resonant process.


title:
Correlated multi-electron dynamics in ultrafast laser pulse - atom
  interactions

abstract:
  We present the results of the detailed experimental study of multiple
ionization of Ne and Ar by 25 and 7 fs laser pulses. For Ne the highly
correlated "instantaneous" emission of up to four electrons is triggered by a
recollisional electron impact, whereas in multiple ionization of Ar different
mechanisms, involving field ionization steps and recollision-induced
excitations, play a major role. Using few-cycle pulses we are able to suppress
those processes that occur on time scales longer than one laser cycle.


title: Hiawatha's Valence Bonding

abstract:
  There is increasing circumstantial evidence that the cuprate superconductors,
and correlated-electron materials generally, defy simple materials
categorization because of their proximity to one or more continuous
zero-temperature phase transitions. This implies that the fifteen-year
confusion about the cuprates is not fundamental at all but simply
overinterpreted quantum criticality--an effect that seems mysterious by virtue
of its hypersensitivity to perturbations, i.e. to sample imperfections in
experiment and small modifications of approximation schemes in theoretical
modeling, but is really just an unremarkable phase transition of some kind
masquerading as something important, a sheep in wolf's clothing. This
conclusion is extremely difficult for most physicists even to think about
because it requires admitting that an identifiable physical phenomenon might
cause the scientific method to fail in some cases. For this reason I have
decided to explain the problem in a way that is nonthreatening, easy to read,
and fun--as a satire modeled after a similar piece of Lewis Carroll's I once
read. My story is humorous fiction. Any similarity of the characters to living
persons is accidental. My apologies to Henry W. Longfellow.


title:
KDTREE 2: Fortran 95 and C++ software to efficiently search for near
  neighbors in a multi-dimensional Euclidean space

abstract:
  Many data-based statistical algorithms require that one find \textit{near or
nearest neighbors} to a given vector among a set of points in that vector
space, usually with Euclidean topology. The k-d data structure and search
algorithms are the generalization of classical binary search trees to higher
dimensional spaces, so that one may locate near neighbors to an example vector
in $O(\log N)$ time instead of the brute-force O(N) time, with $N$ being the
size of the data base. KDTREE2 is a Fortran 95 module, and a parallel set of
C++ classes which implement tree construction and search routines to find
either a set of $m$ nearest neighbors to an example, or all the neighbors
within some Euclidean distance $r.$ The two versions are independent and
function fully on their own. Considerable care has been taken in the
implementation of the search methods, resulting in substantially higher
computational efficiency (up to an order of magnitude faster) than the author's
previous Internet-distributed version. Architectural improvements include
rearrangement for memory cache-friendly performance, heap-based priority queues
for large $m$searches, and more effective pruning of search paths by
geometrical constraints to avoid wasted effort. The improvements are the most
potent in the more difficult and slowest cases: larger data base sizes, higher
dimensionality manifolds containing the data set, and larger numbers of
neighbors to search for. The C++ implementation requires the Standard Template
Library as well as the BOOST C++ library be installed.


title: The Study of Geometric Phase in Twisted Crystal

abstract:
  The polarization matrix ($2\times2$) obtained from two component
eigen-spinors of spherical harmonics help us to evaluate the differential
matrix $N$ of the anisotropic optical medium. The geometric phase is realized
through {\it helicity} of photon, assuming the transmission of polarized light
through the crystal which has been twisted about the normal to its surface over
a closed path.


title:
Determination of the characteristic directions of lossless linear
  optical elements

abstract:
  We show that the problem of finding the primary and secondary characteristic
directions of a linear lossless optical element can be reformulated in terms of
an eigenvalue problem related to the unimodular factor of the transfer matrix
of the optical device. This formulation makes any actual computation of the
characteristic directions amenable to pre-implemented numerical routines,
thereby facilitating the decomposition of the transfer matrix into equivalent
linear retarders and rotators according to the related Poincare equivalence
theorem. The method is expected to be useful whenever the inverse problem of
reconstruction of the internal state of a transparent medium from optical data
obtained by tomographical methods is an issue.


title: The mass and spin of the mesons, baryons and leptons

abstract:
  The rest masses of the stable mesons and baryons and the rest masses of their
antiparticles, as well as the rest masses of the mu (+,-) and tau (+,-) leptons
can be explained, within 1% accuracy, with the standing wave model, which uses
only photons, neutrinos, charge and the weak nuclear force. And we can explain
the spin of the stable mesons and baryons and the spin of the mu (+,-) and tau
(+,-) leptons without any additional assumption. We can also determine the rest
masses of the electron-, mu- and tau-neutrinos.


title:
Rotational friction on small globular proteins: Combined dielectric and
  hydrodynamic effect

abstract:
  Rotational friction on proteins and macromolecules is known to derive
contributions from at least two distinct sources -- hydrodynamic (due to
viscosity) and dielectric friction (due to polar interactions). In the existing
theoretical approaches, the effect of the latter is taken into account in an
{\it ad hoc} manner, by increasing the size of the protein with the addition of
a hydration layer. Here we calculate the rotational dielectric friction on a
protein ($\zeta_{DF}$) by using a generalized arbitrary charge distribution
model (where the charges are obtained from quantum chemical calculation) and
the hydrodynamic friction with stick boundary condition,
($\zeta_{hyd}^{stick}$) by using the sophisticated theoretical technique known
as tri-axial ellipsoidal method, formulated by Harding [S. E. Harding, Comp.
Biol. Med. {\bf 12}, 75 (1982)]. The calculation of hydrodynamic friction is
done with only the dry volume of the protein (no hydration layer). We find that
the total friction obtained by summing up $\zeta_{DF}$ and
$\zeta_{hyd}^{stick}$ gives reasonable agreement with the experimental results,
i.e., $\zeta_{exp} \approx \zeta_{DF} + \zeta_{hyd}^{stick}$.


title: Inspecting plastic deformation of Pd by means of fractal geometry

abstract:
  The influence of phase transformation-induced plastic deformation in Pd|H
system on the electrode surface was investigated. Since the Pd surface is
subject of severe plastic deformation during this process, the structure and
roughness of the electrode surface significantly changes. Quantitative analysis
of the electrode surfaces for comparative study of such changes is a valuable
tool to inspect the plastic deformation induced. Fractal dimension can be used
as a quantitative measure for this purpose. Since inappropriate methods may
lead to significant errors, an appropriate approach was proposed for the
determination of fractal dimensions in such systems. It was demonstrated that
the surface roughness generated is mainly due to the plastic deformation
induced, not the other side processes. The methodology is of general interest
for the investigation of plastic deformations. The methodology is of general
interest for the investigation of plastic deformations, and also other
solid-state structural changes.


title: DAFNE operation with the FINUDA experiment

abstract:
  DAFNE operation restarted in September 2003, after a six month shut-down for
the installation of FINUDA, a magnetic detector dedicated to the study of
hypernuclear physics. FINUDA is the third experiment running on DAFNE and
operates while keeping on place the other detector KLOE. During the shut-down
both Interaction Regions have been equipped with remotely controlled
quadrupoles in order to operate at different solenoid fields. Among many other
hardware upgrades one of the most significant is the reshaping of the wiggler
pole profile to improve the field quality and the machine dynamic aperture.
Commissioning of the collider in the new configuration has been completed in
short time. The peak luminosity delivered to FINUDA has reached 6 10^31
s-1cm-2, with a daily integrated value close to 4 pb-1.


title:
Detectors for Time-of-Flight Fast-Neutron Radiography: 1. Neutron
  Counting Gas Detector

abstract:
  One of our two methods for fast-neutron imaging with spectrometric capability
is presented here. It is a neutron-counting technique based on a hydrogenous
neutron converter coupled to Gaseous Electron Multipliers (GEM). The principles
of the detection techniques and the optimization of the converter, electron
amplification and the readout are described. Evaluation of the properties are
derived from a experiment in a pulsed neutron beam of spectral distribution
between 2 and 10 MeV


title: Optical properties of bialkali photocathodes

abstract:
  The optical properties of the `bialkali' KCsSb and RbCsSb photomultiplier
cathodes have been experimentally investigated in the visible range. The
measurements carried out include the absolute reflectance at near-normal
incidence, the polarization-dependent relative reflectance at various angles
and the change in polarization upon reflection from the photocathode. These
experimental inputs have been combined with a theoretical model to determine
the complex refractive index of the photocathodes in the wavelength range 380
to 680 nm and their thickness. As a result of this work, we derive a model
which predicts the fraction of light impinging on a photomultiplier tube that
is reflected, absorbed or transmitted, as a function of wavelength and angle,
and dependent on the medium to which the photomultiplier is coupled.


title: Time-resolved fast neutron imaging: simulation of detector performance

abstract:
  We have analyzed and compared the performance of two novel fast-neutron
imaging methods with time-of-flight spectroscopy capability. Using MCNP and
GEANT code simulations of neutron and charged-particle transport in the
detectors, key parameters such as detection efficiency, the amount of energy
deposited in the converter and the spatial resolution of both detector variants
have been evaluated.


title: Henri Poincare and Relativity Theory

abstract:
  The book presents ideas by H. Poincare and H. Minkowski according to those
the essence and the main content of the relativity theory are the following:
the space and time form a unique four-dimensional continuum supplied by the
pseudo-Euclidean geometry. All physical processes take place just in this
four-dimensional space. Comments to works and quotations related to this
subject by L. de Broglie, P.A.M. Dirac, A. Einstein, V.L. Ginzburg, S.
Goldberg, P. Langevin, H.A. Lorentz, L.I. Mandel'stam, H. Minkowski, A. Pais,
W. Pauli, M. Planck, A. Sommerfeld and H. Weyl are given in the book. It is
also shown that the special theory of relativity has been created not by A.
Einstein only but even to a greater extent by H. Poincare. The book is designed
for scientific workers, post-graduates and upper-year students majoring in
theoretical physics.


title: Some comments on the universal constants

abstract:
  Recent references to the commonly accepted expression for the entropy of a
black hole to questions concerning the constancy of some of the so-called
'universal constants of nature' are questioned, as is the validity of the said
entropy expression.


title:
The relations of the homogeneous Maxwell's equations to the theory of
  functions

abstract:
  The thesis developed by Cornelius Lanczos in his doctoral dissertation is
that electrodynamics is a pure field theory which is hyperanalytic over the
algebra of biquaternions. In this theory Maxwell's homogeneous equations
correspond to a generalization of the Cauchy-Riemann regularity conditions to
four complex variables, and electrons to singularities in the Maxwell field.
Since there are no material particles in Lanczos electrodynamics, the same
action principle applies to both regular and singular Maxwell fields.
Therefore, the usual action integral of classical electrodynamics is {not} an
input in that theory, but rather a consequence which {derives} from the
application of Hamilton's principle to a superposition of two or more
homogeneous Maxwell fields. This leads to a fully consistent electrodynamics
which, moreover, can be shown to be finite. As byproducts to this remarkable
thesis Lanczos anticipated the Moisil-Fueter theory of quaternion-analytic
functions by more than ten years; showed that Maxwell's equations are invariant
in both spin-1 and spin-1/2 Lorentz transformations; that displacing a
singularity into imaginary space adds an intrinsic magnetic-like field to its
electric field; and that his theory does even include gravitation -- although
not in the general relativistic form of Einstein to whom Lanczos dedicated his
dissertation.


title: Angular momentum of a strongly focussed Gaussian beam

abstract:
  A circularly polarized rotationally symmetric paraxial laser beams carries
hbar angular momentum per photon as spin. Focussing the beam with a
rotationally symmetric lens cannot change this angular momentum flux, yet the
focussed beam must have spin less than hbar per photon. The remainder of the
original spin is converted to orbital angular momentum, manifesting itself as a
longitudinal optical vortex at the focus. This demonstrates that optical
orbital angular momentum can be generated by a rotationally symmetric optical
system which preserves the total angular momentum of the beam.


title:
On the characterisation of a Bragg spectrometer with X-rays from an ECR
  source

abstract:
  Narrow X-ray lines from helium-like argon emitted from a dedicated ECR source
have been used to determine the response function of a Bragg crystal
spectrometer equipped with large area spherically bent silicon (111) or quartz
(10$\bar{1}$) crystals. The measured spectra are compared with simulated ones
created by a ray-tracing code based on the expected theoretical crystal's
rocking curve and the geometry of the experimental set-up.


title:
Escape patterns due to ergodic magnetic limiters in tokamaks with
  reversed magnetic shear

abstract:
  In this work we study the ergodic magnetic limiters (EML) action on field
lines from the point of view of a chaotic scattering process, considering the
so-called exit basins, or sets of points in the chaotic region which originate
field lines hitting the wall in some specified region. We divide the tokamak
wall into three areas of equal poloidal angular length, corresponding to
different exits for a chaotic field line. In order to obtain the exit basins we
used a fine grid chosen inside a small rectangle which comprises a
representative part of the chaotic region near the wall. Thus, exit basins were
obtained for a tokamak wall with reversed magnetic shear. The nontwist mapping
describes the perturbed magnetic field lines with two twin chains of magnetic
islands and chaotic field lines in their vicinity. For a perturbing resonant
magnetic field with a fixed helicity, the observed escape pattern changes with
the perturbation intensity.


title:
Interelectronic-interaction effect on the transition probability in
  high-Z He-like ions

abstract:
  The interelectronic-interaction effect on the transition probabilities in
high-Z He-like ions is investigated within a systematic quantum electrodynamic
approach. The calculation formulas for the interelectronic-interaction
corrections of first order in 1/Z are derived using the two-time Green function
method. These formulas are employed for numerical evaluations of the magnetic
transition probabilities in heliumlike ions. The results of the calculations
are compared with experimental values and previous calculations.


title: The classical diffusion limited Kronig-Penney system

abstract:
  We have previously discussed the classical diffusive system of the bounded
one-dimensional multitrap using the transfer-matrix method which is generally
applied for studying the energy spectrum of the unbounded quantum Kronig-Penney
multibarrier. It was shown, by this method, that for certain values of the
relevant parameters the bounded multitrap array have unity transmission and a
double-peak phase transitional behaviour. We discuss in this work, using the
same transfer matrix method, the energy related to the diffusion through the
unbounded one-dimensional multitrap and find that it may be expressed in two
entirely different ways with different results and consequences. Also, it is
shown that, unlike the barriers in the Kronig-Penney case, the energies at one
face of the imperfect trap greatly differ from the energies at the other face
of the same trap.


title:
Phase Separation of Saturated and Mono-unsaturated Lipids as determined
  from a Microscopic Model

abstract:
  A molecular model is proposed of a bilayer consisting of fully saturated DPPC
and mono unsaturated DOPC. The model not only encompasses the constant density
within the hydrophobic core of the bilayer, but also the tendency of chain
segments to align. It is solved within self-consistent field theory. A model
bilayer of DPPC undergoes a main chain transition to a gel phase, while a
bilayer of DOPC does not do so above zero degrees centigrade because of the
double bond which disrupts order. We examine structural and thermodynamic
properties of these membranes and find our results in reasonable accord with
experiment. In particular, order-parameter profiles are in good agreement with
NMR experiments. A phase diagram is obtained for mixtures of these lipids in a
membrane at zero tension. The system undergoes phase separation below the
main-chain transition temperature of the saturated lipid. Extensions to the
ternary DPPC, DOPC, and cholesterol system are outlined.


title:
Optimal choice of dividing surface for the computation of quantum
  reaction rates

abstract: See http://pubs.acs.org/journals/jpcafh/ for the latest revision


title:
Calculation of van der Walls coefficients of alkali metal clusters by
  hydrodynamic approach to time-dependent density-functional theory

abstract:
  In this paper we employ the hydrodynamic formulation of time-dependent
density functional theory to obtain the van der Waal coefficients $C_{6}$ and
$C_{8}$ of alkali-metal clusters of various sizes including very large
clusters. Such calculation becomes computationally very demanding in the
orbital-based Kohn-Sham formalism, but quite simple in the hydrodynamic
approach. We show that for interactions between the clusters of same sizes,
$C_{6}$ and $C_{8}$ sale as the sixth and the eighth power of the cluster
radius rsepectively, and approach the respective classically predicted values
for the large size clusters.


title: Classical diffusion in double-delta-kicked particles

abstract:
  We investigate the classical chaotic diffusion of atoms subjected to {\em
pairs} of closely spaced pulses (`kicks) from standing waves of light (the
$2\delta$-KP). Recent experimental studies with cold atoms implied an
underlying classical diffusion of type very different from the well-known
paradigm of Hamiltonian chaos, the Standard Map.
  The kicks in each pair are separated by a small time interval $\epsilon \ll
1$, which together with the kick strength $K$, characterizes the transport.
Phase space for the $2\delta$-KP is partitioned into momentum `cells' partially
separated by momentum-trapping regions where diffusion is slow. We present here
an analytical derivation of the classical diffusion for a $2\delta$-KP
including all important correlations which were used to analyze the
experimental data.
  We find a new asymptotic ($t \to \infty$) regime of `hindered' diffusion:
while for the Standard Map the diffusion rate, for $K \gg 1$, $D \sim K^2/2[1-
J_2(K)..]$ oscillates about the uncorrelated, rate $D_0 =K^2/2$, we find
analytically, that the $2\delta$-KP can equal, but never diffuses faster than,
a random walk rate.
  We argue this is due to the destruction of the important classical
`accelerator modes' of the Standard Map.
  We analyze the experimental regime $0.1\lesssim K\epsilon \lesssim 1$, where
quantum localisation lengths $L \sim \hbar^{-0.75}$ are affected by fractal
cell boundaries. We find an approximate asymptotic diffusion rate $D\propto
K^3\epsilon$, in correspondence to a $D\propto K^3$ regime in the Standard Map
associated with 'golden-ratio' cantori.


title:
Fractal space-time fluctuations: A signature of quantumlike chaos in
  dynamical systems

abstract:
  Dynamical systems in nature such as fluid flows, heart beat patterns,
rainfall variability, stock market price fluctuations, etc. exhibit selfsimilar
fractal fluctuations on all scales in space and time. Power spectral analyses
of fractal fluctuations exhibit inverse power law form indicating long-range
space-time correlations, identified as self-organized criticality. The author
has proposed a general systems theory, which predicts the observed
self-organized criticality as signatures of quantumlike chaos. The model shows
that (1) the fractal fluctuations result from an overall logarithmic spiral
trajectory with the quasiperiodic Penrose tiling pattern for the internal
structure. Conventional power spectral analysis of such a logarithmic spiral
trajectory will show a continuum of eddies with progressive increase in phase.
(2) Power spectral analyses of fractal fluctuations of dynamical systems
exhibit the universal inverse power law form of the statistical normal
distribution. Such a result indicates that the additive amplitudes of eddies,
when squared (namely the variance) represent the probabilities, a
characteristic exhibited by the subatomic dynamics of quantum systems such as
the electron or photon. Further, long-range space-time correlations or
non-local connections such as that exhibited by macroscale dynamical systems
characterize quantum systems also. Therefore selfsimilar fractal fluctuations
generic to dynamical systems of all scales in nature is a signature of
quantumlike chaos. The model concepts are applied to show that the frequency
distribution of bases A, C, G, T in Human Chromosome Y DNA exhibit long-range
spatial correlations.


title:
Complex Impedance as a Diagnostic Tool for Characterizing Thermal
  Detectors

abstract:
  The complex ac impedance of a bolometer or microcalorimeter detector is
easily measured and can be used to determine thermal time constants, thermal
resistances, heat capacities, and sensitivities. Accurately extracting this
information requires an understanding of the electrical and thermal properties
of both the detector and the measurement system. We show that this is a
practical method for measuring parameters in detectors with moderately complex
thermal systems.


title: Beyond the Linear Damping Model for Mechanical Harmonic Oscillators

abstract:
  The steady state motion of a folded pendulum has been studied using
frequencies of drive that are mainly below the natural (resonance) frequency of
the instrument. Although the free-decay of this mechanical oscillator appears
textbook exponential, the steady state behavior of the instrument for
sub-resonance drive can be remarkably complex. Although the response cannot be
explained by linear damping models, the general features can be understood with
the nonlinear, modified Coulomb damping model developed by the author.


title: Spontaneous pinch-off in rotating Hele-Shaw flows

abstract:
  The dynamics of the interface between two immiscible fluids in a rotating
Hele-Shaw cell are studied experimentally, theoretically and by phase-field
simulations of the H-S equations. As the central, denser fluid is centrifuged,
it forms fingering patterns with long, thin radial filaments ended by a
droplet, alternating with incoming fingers of the outer fluid. Simulations show
the length (width) of the filaments to grow (decay) roughly exponentially, and
the incoming finger tips to asymptotically approach a finite radius for n-fold
symmetric initial conditions; these thus tend to a stationary-shape, which is
calculated. The filament width decays with a time constant which depends only
on the viscosity contrast, whereas its length exhibits a completely universal
growth rate, related to the run away of an isolated droplet, for which we give
an exact solution. The exponential behavior is clear for high, but not low
viscosity contrasts A. Both experiments and simulations show systematic
pinch-off of the droplets at the tips of the filaments for low and not for high
A. A lubrication approximation is derived and successfully accounts for the
filament thinning; it explains why pure exponential thinning is not observed
for low A, and it could clarify the presence or absence of finite-time
pinch-off, since the (morphological) agreement of experiments and simulations
suggests that this phenomenon is contained in the Hele-Shaw equations. For low
A, the experimental time constant appears to be different from that predicted
by standard Hele-Shaw boundary conditions and observed in simulations. An
effective slip condition for the Poiseuille flow of inner liquid across the
cell gap in the case of two liquids gives a possible explanation of this
discrepancy.


title: Retarded Many-Sphere Hydrodynamic Interactions in a Viscous Fluid

abstract:
  An alternative method is suggested for the description of the velocity and
pressure fields in an unbounded incompressible viscous fluid induced by an
arbitrary number of spheres moving and rotating in it. Within the framework of
this approach, we obtain the general relations for forces and torques exerted
by the fluid on the spheres. The behavior of the translational, rotational, and
coupled friction and mobility tensors in various frequency domains are analyzed
up to the terms of the third order in the dimensionless parameter equal to the
ratio of a typical radius of a sphere to the penetration depth of transverse
waves and a certain power of the dimensionless parameter equal to the ratio of
a typical radius of a sphere to the distance between the centers of two
spheres. We establish that the retardation effects can essentially affect the
character of the hydrodynamic interactions between the spheres.


title:
Construction of an ESR-STM for Single Molecular Based Magnets anchored
  at Surfaces

abstract:
  Reading and manipulating the spin status of single magnetic molecules is of
paramount importance both for applicative and fundamental purposes. The
possibility to combine Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) and Scanning Tunnelling
Microscopy (STM) has been explored one decade ago. A few experiments have
raised the question whether or not an EPR spectrum of single molecule is
detachable. Only a few data have been reported in modern surface science
literature. To date it has yet to be proven to which extent ESR can be reliably
and reproducibly performed on single molecules. We are setting up a new ESR-STM
(spectrometer) to verify and study the effect of spin-spin correlations in the
frequency spectrum of the tunneling current which flows through a single
magnetic adsorbate and a metal surface. Here we discuss, the major experimental
challenges that we are attempting to overcome.


title:
Patterning molecular scale paramagnets at Au Surface: A root to
  Magneto-Molecular-Electronics

abstract:
  Few examples of the exploitation of molecular magnetic properties in
molecular electronics are known to date. Here we propose the realization of
Self assembled monolayers (SAM) of a particular stable organic radical. This
radical is meant to be used as a standard molecule on which to prove the
validity of a single spin reading procedure known as ESR-STM. We also discuss a
range of possible applications, further than ESR-STM, of magnetic monolayers of
simple purely organic magnetic molecule.


title: Hydro-dynamical models for the chaotic dripping faucet

abstract:
  We give a hydrodynamical explanation for the chaotic behaviour of a dripping
faucet using the results of the stability analysis of a static pendant drop and
a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) of the complete dynamics. We find that
the only relevant modes are the two classical normal forms associated with a
Saddle-Node-Andronov bifurcation and a Shilnikov homoclinic bifurcation. This
allows us to construct a hierarchy of reduced order models including maps and
ordinary differential equations which are able to qualitatively explain prior
experiments and numerical simulations of the governing partial differential
equations and provide an explanation for the complexity in dripping. We also
provide a new mechanical analogue for the dripping faucet and a simple
rationale for the transition from dripping to jetting modes in the flow from a
faucet.


title: Novel Gravity Probe B Gravitational Wave Detection

abstract:
  The Gravity Probe B (GP-B) satellite experiment will measure the precession
of on-board gyroscopes to extraordinary accuracy. Such precessions are
predicted by General Relativity (GR), and one component of this precession is
the `frame-dragging' or Lense-Thirring effect, which is caused by the rotation
of the earth, and the other is the geodetic effect. A new theory of gravity
predicts, however, a second and much larger `frame-dragging' or vorticity
induced spin precession. This spin precession component will also display the
effects of novel gravitational waves which are predicted by the new theory of
gravity, and which have already been seen in several experiments. The magnitude
and signature of these gravitational wave induced precession effects is given
for comparison with the GP-B experimental data.


title: On the observed irregular melting temperatures of free sodium clusters

abstract:
  Density--functional simulations have been performed on Na$_{55}$, Na$_{92}$
and Na$_{142}$ clusters in order to understand the experimentally observed
melting properties [M. Schmidt \textit{et al.}, Nature (London) \textbf{393},
238 (1998)]. The calculated melting temperatures are in excellent agreement
with the experimental ones. The calculations reveal a rather subtle interplay
between geometric and electronic shell effects, and bring out the fact that the
quantum mechanical description of the metallic bonding is crucial for
understanding quantitatively the variation in melting temperatures observed
experimentally.


title: Very viscous drops cannot break up

abstract:
  We consider an axisymmetric, freely suspended fluid drop with surface
tension, whose viscosity is so large that both inertia and forcing by an
external fluid can be ignored. We show that whatever be the initial condition,
pinchoff can never occur.


title: More on the early interpretation of the Schwarzschild solution

abstract:
  Lemaitre was apparently the first to make an explicit coordinate
transformation resulting in the removal of the singularity at r = a = 2m in the
Schwarzschild metric, while Lanczos was the first to express doubts on the
physical reality of that singularity since it could be introduced or removed by
a transformation of coordinates.


title: Tacoma Bridge Failure-- a Physical Model

abstract:
  The cause of the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge has been a topic of
much debate and confusion since the day it fell. Many mischaracterizations of
the observed phenomena have limited the widespread understanding of the
problem. Nevertheless, there has always been an abundance of evidence in favour
of a negative damping model. Negative damping, or positive feedback, is
responsible for many large amplitude oscillations observed in many
applications. In this paper, we will explain some well-known examples of
positive feedback. We will then present a feedback model, derived from
fundamental physics, capable of explaining a number of features observed in the
instabilities of many bridge decks. This model is supported by computational,
experimental and historical data.


title:
Ferromagnetic/superconducting bilayer structure: A model system for spin
  diffusion length estimation

abstract:
  We report detailed studies on ferromagnet--superconductor bilayer structures.
Epitaxial bilayer structures of half metal--colossal magnetoresistive
La$_{\mathrm{2/3}}$Ca$_{\mathrm{1/3}}$MnO$_{\mathrm{3}}$ (HM--CMR) and
high--$T_{\mathrm{c}}$ superconducting
YBa$_{\mathrm{2}}$Cu$_{\mathrm{3}}$O$_{\mathrm{7-\delta}}$(HTSC) are grown on
SrTiO$_3$ (100) single--crystalline substrates using pulsed laser deposition.
Magnetization $M$(T) measurements show the coexistence of ferromagnetism and
superconductivity in these structures at low temperatures. Using the HM--CMR
layer as an electrode for spin polarized electrons, we discuss the role of spin
polarized self injection into the HTSC layer. The experimental results are in
good agreement with a presented theoretical estimation, where the spin
diffusion length $\xi_{\mathrm {FM}}$ is found to be in the range of
$\xi_{\mathrm{FM}} \approx$ 10 nm.


title: A right-handed isotropic medium with a negative refractive index

abstract:
  The sign of the refractive index of any medium is soley determined by the
requirement that the propagation of an electromagnetic wave obeys Einstein
causality. Our analysis shows that this requirement predicts that the real part
of the refractive index may be negative in an isotropic medium even if the
electric permittivity and the magnetic permeability are both positive. Such a
system may be a route to negative index media at optical frequencies. We also
demonstrate that the refractive index may be positive in left-handed media that
contain two molecular species where one is in its excited state.


title:
Squared-field amplitude modulus and radiation intensity nonequivalence
  within nonlinear slabs

abstract:
  This paper presents a novel approach to wave propagation inside the
Fabry-Perot framework. It states that the time-averaged Poynting vector modulus
could be nonequivalent with the squared-field amplitude modulus. This fact
permits the introduction of a new kind of nonlinear medium whose nonlinearity
is proportional to the time-averaged Poynting vector modulus. Its transmittance
is calculated and found to differ with that obtained for the Kerr medium, whose
nonlinearity is proportional to the squared-field amplitude modulus. The latter
emphasizes the nonequivalence of these magnitudes. A space-time symmetry
analysis shows that the Poynting nonlinearity should be only possible in
noncentrosymmetric materials.


title: Chirality Selection Models in a Closed System

abstract:
  Recently the first chemical systems which show the amplification of
enantiometric excess (ee) was found. Inspired by these experiments, we propose
a few chemical reaction models in a closed system. The reactions consist of
autocatalytic production of chiral molecules and their decomposition processes.
By means of flow diagrams in the phase space of enatiometric concentrations,
chiral symmetry breaking is studied.
  Without any destruction processes, the quadratic autocatalysis leads to the
amplification of ee, but the flow is attracted to a fixed line, which is only
marginally stable. The destruction processes alter the attractor structure
completely. With a cross inhibition the linear autocatalysis is sufficient for
the chiral symmetry breaking with a complete homochirality. With a back
reaction, the quadratic autocatalysis is necessary to bring about the chiral
symmetry breaking. The final ee is not complete if there is a racemization
process.


title:
X-ray energies of circular transitions and electrons screening in kaonic
  atoms

abstract:
  The QED contribution to the energies of the circular (n,l=n-1), 2 ≤ n
≤ 19 transitions have been calculated for several kaonic atoms throughout
the periodic table, using the current world average kaon mass. Calculations
were done in the framework of the Klein-Gordon equation, with finite nuclear
size and all-order Uelhing vacuum polarization corrections, as well as Kallen
and Sabry and Wichmann and Kroll corrections. These energy level values are
compared with other computed values. The circular transition energies are
compared with available measured and theoretical transition energy. Electron
screening is evaluated using a Dirac-Fock model for the electronic part of the
wave function. The effect of electronic wavefunction correlation is evaluated
for the first time.


title:
Relativistic Calculation of two-Electron one-Photon and Hypersatellite
  Transition Energies for $12\leq Z\leq30$ Elements

abstract:
  Energies of two-electron one-photon transitions from initial double K-hole
states were computed using the Dirac-Fock model. The transition energies of
competing processes, the K$\alpha$ hypersatellites, were also computed. The
results are compared to experiment and to other theoretical calculations.


title: Fast Detector Simulation Using Lelaps

abstract:
  Lelaps is a fast detector simulation program which reads StdHep generator
files and produces SIO or LCIO output files. It swims particles through
detectors taking into account magnetic fields, multiple scattering and dE/dx
energy loss. It simulates parameterized showers in EM and hadronic calorimeters
and supports gamma conversions and decays.


title: GATE : a simulation toolkit for PET and SPECT

abstract:
  Monte Carlo simulation is an essential tool in emission tomography that can
assist in the design of new medical imaging devices, the optimization of
acquisition protocols, and the development or assessment of image
reconstruction algorithms and correction techniques. GATE, the Geant4
Application for Tomographic Emission, encapsulates the Geant4 libraries to
achieve a modular, versatile, scripted simulation toolkit adapted to the field
of nuclear medicine. In particular, GATE allows the description of
time-dependent phenomena such as source or detector movement, and source decay
kinetics. This feature makes it possible to simulate time curves under
realistic acquisition conditions and to test dynamic reconstruction algorithms.
A public release of GATE licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License
can be downloaded at the address http://www-lphe.epfl.ch/GATE/.


title: Radiation spectra of laser-driven quantum relativistic electrons

abstract:
  A procedure to calculate the radiation spectrum emitted by an arbitrarily
prepared Dirac wave packet is developed. It is based on the Dirac charge
current and classical electrodynamic theory. Apart from giving absolute
intensity values, it is exact in terms of relativistic retardation effects and
angular dependence. We employ a laser driven free electron to demonstrate the
advantages of our method as compared to traditional ones that merely rely on
the Fourier transform of the dipole operator's expectation value. Classical
reference calculations confirm the results obtained for the low-frequency part
of the spectrum, especially in terms of the observed red-shifts, which clearly
deviate from non-relativistic calculations. In the high-frequency part of the
spectrum, we note appreciable deviations to the purely classical calculations
which may be linked to quantum averaging effects.


title:
Time before Time - Classifications of universes in contemporary
  cosmology, and how to avoid the antinomy of the beginning and eternity of the
  world

abstract:
  Did the universe have a beginning or does it exist forever, i.e. is it
eternal at least in relation to the past? This fundamental question was a main
topic in ancient philosophy of nature and the Middle Ages. Philosophically it
was more or less banished then by Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. But
it used to have and still has its revival in modern physical cosmology both in
the controversy between the big bang and steady state models some decades ago
and in the contemporary attempts to explain the big bang within a quantum
cosmological framework. This paper has two main goals: First a conceptual
clarification and distinction of different notions of "big bang" and "universe"
is suggested, as well as a multiverse taxonomy and a classification of initial
and eternal cosmologies. Second, and with the help of this analysis, it is
shown how a conceptual and perhaps physical solution of the temporal aspect of
Immanuel Kant's "first antinomy of pure reason" is possible, i.e. how our
universe in some respect could have both a beginning and an eternal existence.
Therefore, paradoxically, there might have been a time before time or a
beginning of time in time. - Keywords: cosmology, big bang, big crunch,
universe, multiverse, time, general relativity, quantum cosmology, loop quantum
cosmology, string cosmology, world models, quantum vacuum, cosmic inflation,
anthropic principle, closed timelike loops, Abhay Ashtekar, Hans-Joachim Blome,
Martin Bojowald, George F. R. Ellis, Maurizio Gasperini, John Richard Gott III,
Alan Guth, Jim Hartle, Stephen Hawking, Mark Israelit, Claus Kiefer, Li-Xin Li,
Andrei Linde, Wolfgang Priester, Eckhard Rebhan, Paul Steinhardt, Neil Turok,
Gabriele Veneziano, Alexander Vilenkin, H. Dieter Zeh.


title:
Dynamics of the Free Surface of a Conducting Liquid in a Near-Critical
  Electric Field

abstract:
  Near-critical behavior of the free surface of an ideally conducting liquid in
an external electric field is considered. Based on an analysis of three-wave
processes using the method of integral estimations, sufficient criteria for
hard instability of a planar surface are formulated. It is shown that the
higher-order nonlinearities do not saturate the instability, for which reason
the growth of disturbances has an explosive character.


title:
A Dynamic model for the Lagrangian Averaged Navier-Stokes-$\alpha$
  Equations

abstract:
  A dynamic procedure for the Lagrangian Averaged Navier-Stokes-$\alpha$
(LANS-$\alpha$) equations is developed where the variation in the parameter
$\alpha$ in the direction of anisotropy is determined in a self-consistent way
from data contained in the simulation itself. The dynamic model is initially
tested in forced and decaying isotropic turbulent flows where $\alpha$ is
constant in space but it is allowed to vary in time. It is observed that by
using the dynamic LANS-$\alpha$ procedure a more accurate simulation of the
isotropic homogeneous turbulence is achieved. The energy spectra and the total
kinetic energy decay are captured more accurately as compared with the
LANS-$\alpha$ simulations using a fixed $\alpha$. In order to evaluate the
applicability of the dynamic LANS-$\alpha$ model in anisotropic turbulence, a
priori test of a turbulent channel flow is performed. It is found that the
parameter $\alpha$ changes in the wall normal direction. Near a solid wall, the
length scale $\alpha$ is seen to depend on the distance from the wall with a
vanishing value at the wall. On the other hand, away from the wall, where the
turbulence is more isotropic, $\alpha$ approaches an almost constant value.
Furthermore, the behavior of the subgrid scale stresses in the near wall region
is captured accurately by the dynamic LANS-$\alpha$ model. The dynamic
LANS-$\alpha$ model has the potential to extend the applicability of the
LANS-$\alpha$ equations to more complicated anisotropic flows.


title: Charge confinement by Casimir forces

abstract:
  Laboratory observation of high-density filamentation or clustering of
electronic charge suggests that under certain conditions strong coulomb
repulsion can be overcome by cohesive forces as yet imprecisely defined.
Following an earlier suggestion by Casimir, we investigate here the possibility
that Casimir forces can lead to charge clustering of the type observed, and
conclude that such forces may play a role in the generation of robust
high-charge-density effects.


title:
Sufficient integral criteria for instability of the free charged surface
  of an ideal liquid

abstract:
  Applying the method of integral estimates to the analysis of three-wave
processes we derive the sufficient criteria for the hard loss of stability of
the charged plane surface of liquids with different physical properties. The
influence of higher-order wave interactions on the instability dynamics is also
discussed.


title:
Monte Carlo Calculation of the Single-Particle Spin-Echo Small-Angle
  Neutron Scattering Correlation Function

abstract:
  A Monte Carlo algorithm for calculating the single-particle spin-echo
small-angle neutron scattering (SESANS) correlation function is presented. It
is argued that the algorithm provides a general and efficient way of
calculating SESANS data for any given shape and structure.


title:
Physical Insight into the 'Growing' Evanescent Fields of Double-Negative
  Metamaterial Lenses Using their Circuit Equivalence

abstract:
  Pendry in his paper [Phys. Rev. Lett., 85, 3966 (2000)] put forward an idea
for a lens made of a lossless metamaterial slab with n = -1, that may provide
focusing with resolution beyond the conventional limit. In his analysis, the
evanescent wave inside such a lossless double-negative (DNG) slab is 'growing',
and thus it 'compensates' the decaying exponential outside of it, providing the
sub-wavelength lensing properties of this system. Here, we examine this debated
issue of 'growing exponential' from an equivalent circuit viewpoint by
analyzing a set of distributed-circuit elements representing evanescent wave
interaction with a lossless slab of DNG medium. Our analysis shows that, under
certain conditions, the current in series elements and the voltage at the
element nodes may attain the dominant increasing due to the suitable resonance
of the lossless circuit, providing an alternative physical explanation for
'growing exponential' in Pendry's lens and similar sub-wavelength imaging
systems.


title:
Braving the Challenges of Being Small--The Unique Physics Program at
  Manhattanville College

abstract:
  We present the formulation and development of the unique physics program at
Manhattanville College. By addressing challenges faced by small physics
departments in liberal arts colleges, such as the lack of critical mass, lack
of significant funding, and under-staffing, we share our efforts and
experiences in revitalization of the program into one that is small but of
rigor and vitality, with unique features that take advantage of the resources
available, including adoption of computer technology in instructional
laboratory, collaborations with nearby institutions, and joint efforts with
colleagues of other departments/schools. Also included are some discussions on
the balance between service and the major, on the relationship with K-12
physics education, and on the rigor of the curriculum, particularly in view of
the opposite but converging trends in US and in China.