title:
In search of the electron electric dipole moment: relativistic
  correlation calculations of the P,T-violation effect in the ground state of
  HI$^+$

abstract:
  We report the first results of ab initio relativistic correlation calculation
of the effective electric field on the electron, E_eff, in the ground state of
the HI$^+$ cation. This value is required for interpretation of the suggested
experiment on search for the electron electric dipole moment. The generalized
relativistic effective core potential, Fock-space relativistic coupled cluster
with single and double cluster amplitudes and spin-orbit direct configuration
interaction methods are used, followed by nonvariational one-center restoration
of the four-component wavefunction in the iodine core. The calculated value of
E_eff by the coupled cluster method is E_eff=0.345\times 10^{24}Hz/e*cm.
Configuration interaction study gives E_eff=0.336\times 10^{24}Hz/e*cm (our
final value). The structure of chemical bonding and contributions to E_eff in
HI$^+$ is clarified and significant deviation of our value from that obtained
in Ravaine etal Phys.Rev.Lett., 94, 013001 (2005) is explained.


title: Shock wave formation in Rosenau's extended hydrodynamics

abstract:
  We study the extended hydrodynamics proposed by Philip Rosenau [Phys. Rev. A
40, 7193 (1989)] in the context of a regularization of the Chapman-Enskog
expansion. We are able to prove that shock waves appear in finite time in
Rosenau's extended Burgers' equation, and we discuss the physical implications
of this fact and its connection with a possible extension of hydrodynamics to
the short wavelength domain.


title: Laser Control of Atomic Motion inside Diatomic Molecules

abstract:
  Globally optimal solution describing a phase conjugated field of Raman
scattering on the resonant $B\gets X$ transition of iodine $I_2$ is studied.
Maximum optical coherence is found as a top eigenvalue problem. A reversibility
theorem has been stated. This provides sufficient conditions for a tightly
localized waveform and molecular hologram to exist. A noisy picosecond pulse
has been computed to show how femtosecond polarization is regained at target
time.


title: On Emerging Fields of Quantum Chemistry at Finite Temperature

abstract:
  In this article, we present an emerging field of quantum chemistry at finite
temperature. We discuss its recent developments on both theoretical and
experimental fronts.We describe and analyze several experimental investigations
related to the temperature effects on the structure, electronic spectra,or bond
rupture forces for molecules. This includes the study of the temperature impact
on the pathway shifts for the protein unfolding by atomic force microscopy, the
temperature dependence of the absorption spectra of electrons in solvents, and
temperature influence over the intermolecular forces measured by the AFM. On
the theoretical side, we review a recent advancement made by the author in the
coming fields of quantum chemistry at finite temperature. Starting from Bloch
equation, we have derived the sets of hierarchy equations for the reduced
density operators in both canonical and grand canonical ensembles. They provide
a law according to which the reduced density operators vary in temperature for
the identical and interacting many-body particles. By taking the independent
particle approximation, we have solved the equation in the case of a grand
canonical ensemble, and obtained an eigenequation for the molecular orbitals at
finite temperature. The explicit expression for the temperature-dependent Fock
operator is also given. They will form a foundation for the study of the
molecular electronic structures and their interplay with the finite
temperature. Furthermore, we clarify the physics concerning the temperature
effect on the electronic structure or processes of molecules which is crucial
for both theoretical understanding and computational study.Finally,we summarize
our discussion and point out the theoretical and computational issues for the
future explorations in the fields of quantum chemistry at finite temperature.


title: Multiple Thresholds and Many-Atom Dynamics in the Cavity QED Microlaser

abstract:
  This thesis describes a study of a cavity QED microlaser in which many atoms
are present simultaneously and atom-cavity interaction is well-defined. The
microlaser is found to display multiple thresholds analogous to first-order
phase transitions of the cavity field. Hysteresis is observed as a function of
atom-cavity detuning and number of atoms. Data is compared with a rate equation
model and fully quantized treatment based on micromaser theory. Good agreement
between theory and experiment is found when the cavity is resonant with atoms
of the most probable velocity, but long lifetimes of metastable states preclude
the observation of true steady-state transition points. For nonzero atom-cavity
detuning the microlaser displays broadenings and shifts which are not yet
well-understood. Quantum trajectory simulations are performed to investigate
many-atom and finite transit time effects in the microlaser. We show that over
a wide range of parameters the many-atom microlaser scales with the single-atom
theory, with a perturbation in the photon statistics due to cavity decay during
the atom transit time.


title: Variable Step Random Walks and Self-Similar Distributions

abstract:
  We study a scenario under which variable step random walks give anomalous
statistics. We begin by analyzing the Martingale Central Limit Theorem to find
a sufficient condition for the limit distribution to be non-Gaussian. We note
that the theorem implies that the scaling index $\zeta$ is 1/2. For
corresponding continuous time processes, it is shown that the probability
density function $W(x;t)$ satisfies the Fokker-Planck equation. Possible forms
for the diffusion coefficient are given, and related to $W(x,t)$. Finally, we
show how a time-series can be used to distinguish between these variable
diffusion processes and L\'evy dynamics.


title:
Negative capacitance and related instabilities in theoretical models of
  the electric double layer and membrane capacitors

abstract:
  Various models leading to predictions of negative capacitance, C, are briefly
reviewed. Their relation to the nature of electric control is discussed. We
reconfirm that the calculated double layer capacitance can be negative under
S-control - an artificial construct that requires uniform distribution of the
electrode surface charge density, S. It is shown that the combined relaxation
of the ionic and electronic contributions can result in C<0 even for the local
statistical ionic models with strictly positive diffuse layer capacitance. In
reality, however, only the total charge q (or the average surface charge
density S) can be experimentally fixed in isolated cell studies (q-control).
For those S where C becomes negative under S-control, the transition to
q-control (i.e. relaxing the lateral charge density distribution, fixing its
mean value to S) leads to instability of the uniform distribution and a
transition to a non-uniform phase. As an illustration, a "membrane capacitor"
model is discussed. This exactly solvable model, allowing for both uniform and
inhomogeneous relaxation of the electrical double layer, helps to demonstrate
both the onset and some important features of the instability. Perspectives for
further development are discussed briefly.


title:
Enhanced diffraction by a rectangular grating made of a negative
  phase--velocity (or negative index) material

abstract:
  The diffraction of electromagnetic plane waves by a rectangular grating
formed by discrete steps in the interface of a homogeneous, isotropic, linear,
negative phase--velocity (negative index) material with free space is studied
using the semi--analytic C method. When a nonspecular diffracted order is of
the propagating type, coupling to that order is significantly larger for a
negative index material than for conventional material. The computed coupling
strengths reported here are in agreement with recent experiments, and
illustrate the role of evanescent fields localized at the grating interface in
producing this enhanced coupling.


title:
Detection of liquid xenon scintillation light with a Silicon
  Photomultiplier

abstract:
  We have studied the feasibility of a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) to detect
liquid xenon (LXe) scintillation light. The SiPM was operated inside a small
volume of pure LXe, at -95 degree Celsius, irradiated with an internal Am-241
alpha source. The gain of the SiPM at this temperature was estimated to be 1.8
x 10^6 with bias voltage at 52 V. Based on the geometry of the setup, the
quantum efficiency of the SiPM was estimated to be 22% at the Xe wavelength of
178 nm. The low excess noise factor, high single photoelectron detection
efficiency, and low bias voltage of SiPMs make them attractive alternative UV
photon detection devices to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) for liquid xenon
detectors, especially for experiments requiring a very low energy detection
threshold, such as neutralino dark matter searches.


title: Micromegas in a Bulk

abstract:
  In this paper we present a novel way to manufacture the bulk Micromegas
detector. A simple process based on the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) technology
is employed to produce the entire sensitive detector. Such fabrication process
could be extended to very large area detectors made by the industry. The low
cost fabrication together with the robustness of the electrode materials will
make it extremely attractive for several applications ranging from particle
physics and astrophysics to medicine


title:
Experiments with rotating collimators cutting out pencil of
  alpha-particles at radioactive decay of Pu-239 evidence sharp anisotropy of
  space

abstract:
  As shown in our previous experiments fine structure of histograms of
alpha-activity measurements serve as a sensitive tool for investigation of
cosmo-physical influences. Particularly, the histograms structure is changed
with the period equal to sidereal (1436 min) and solar (1440) day. It is
similar with the high probability in different geographic points at the same
local (longitude) time. More recently investigations were carried out with
collimators, cutting out separate flows of total alpha-particles flying out at
radioactive decay of 239Pu. These experiments revealed sharp dependence the
histogram structure on the direction of alpha-particles flow. In the presented
work measurements were made with collimators rotating in the plane of sky
equator. It was shown that during rotation the shape of histograms changes with
periods determined by number of revolution. These results correspond to the
assumption that the histogram shapes are determined by a picture of the
celestial sphere, and also by interposition of the Earth, the Sun and the Moon.


title: Charge Transport Scalings in Turbulent Electroconvection

abstract:
  We describe a local-power law scaling theory for the mean dimensionless
electric current $Nu$ in turbulent electroconvection. The experimental system
consists of a weakly conducting, submicron thick liquid crystal film supported
in the annulus between concentric circular electrodes. It is driven into
electroconvection by an applied voltage between its inner and outer edges. At
sufficiently large voltage differences, the flow is unsteady and electric
charge is turbulently transported between the electrodes. Our theoretical
development, which closely parallels the Grossmann-Lohse model for turbulent
thermal convection, predicts the local-power law $Nu \sim F(\Gamma) {\cal
R}^{\gamma} {\cal P}^{\delta}$. ${\cal R}$ and ${\cal P}$ are dimensionless
numbers that are similar to the Rayleigh and Prandtl numbers of thermal
convection, respectively. The dimensionless function $F(\Gamma)$, which is
specified by the model, describes the dependence of $Nu$ on the aspect ratio
$\Gamma$. We find that measurements of $Nu$ are consistent with the theoretical
model.


title: Channeling of high-energy particles in a multi-wall nanotube

abstract:
  Channeling of high-energy particles in straight and bent multi-wall nanotubes
(MWNT) has been studied in computer simulations and compared to the channeling
properties of single-wall nanotubes (SWNT) and bent crystal lattices. It is
demonstrated that MWNT can efficiently channel positively-charged high-energy
particles trapped between the walls of MWNT. Bending dechanneling in MWNT has
been computed as a function of the particle momentum to nanotube curvature
radius ratio, $pv/R$. It is found that a bent MWNT can steer a particle beam
with bending capabilities similar to those of bent silicon crystal lattice and
to those of best (i.e. the narrowest) SWNT. In view of channeling applications
at particle accelerators, MWNT appear favored as compared to SWNT, because MWNT
can be produced quite straight (and in aligned array), while SWNT is typically
very curved, thus posing a severe problem for channeling applications.
Therefore, we suggest that MWNT provide a better candidate for channeling than
SWNT.


title: Emergence of Classical Orbits in Few-Cycle Above-Threshold Ionization

abstract:
  The time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation for atomic hydrogen in few-cycle
laser pulses is solved numerically. Introducing a positive definite quantum
distribution function in energy-position space, a straightforward comparison of
the numerical ab initio results with classical orbit theory is facilitated.
Integration over position space yields directly the photoelectron spectra so
that the various pathways contributing to a certain energy in the photoelectron
spectra can be established in an unprecedented direct and transparent way.


title: Optical Production of Ultracold Polar Molecules

abstract:
  We demonstrate the production of ultracold polar RbCs molecules in their
vibronic ground state, via photoassociation of laser-cooled atoms followed by a
laser-stimulated state transfer process. The resulting sample of $X ^1\Sigma^+
(v=0)$ molecules has a translational temperature of $\sim100 \mu$K and a narrow
distribution of rotational states. With the method described here it should be
possible to produce samples even colder in all degrees of freedom, as well as
other bi-alkali species.


title: Single atom detection of calcium isotopes by atom trap trace analysis

abstract:
  We demonstrate a combination of an isotopically purified atom beam and a
magneto-optical trap which enables the single atom detection of all stable
isotopes of calcium (40, 42, 43, 44, 46 and 48). These isotopes range in
abundance from 96.9 % (40Ca) to 0.004 (46Ca). The trap is loaded from an atomic
beam which is decelerated in a Zeeman slower and subsequently deflected over an
angle of 30 degrees by optical molasses. The isotope selectivity of the Zeeman
slower and the deflection stage is investigated experimentally and compared
with Monte Carlo simulations.


title: A New Algorithm to Smooth Quantization Errors

abstract:
  We have devised a simple numerical technique to treat rugged data points that
arise due to the insufficient gain setting error (or quantization error) of a
digital instrument. This is a very wide spread problem that all
experimentalists encounter some time or the other and they are forced to deal
with it by suitable adjustments of instrument gains and other relevant
parameters. But mostly this entails one to repeat the experiment,this may be
inconvenient at the least. Here we prescribe a method that would actually
attempt to smoothen the data set that is already so obtained. Our method is
based on an entirely different algorithm that is not available anywhere else.
This method mimics what one would do by intuitive visual inspection and not
like the arcane digital filtering, spline fitting etc. that is available in the
market. Nor does it depend on any instrumental parameter tweaking. This makes
the program totally general purpose and also intellectually more satisfying.


title: Localization and Pattern Formation in BBGKY Hierarchy

abstract:
  A fast and efficient numerical-analytical approach is proposed for modeling
complex behaviour in the BBGKY hierarchy of kinetic equations. Numerical
modeling shows the creation of various internal structures from localized
modes, which are related to the localized or chaotic type of behaviour and the
corresponding patterns (waveletons) formation.


title:
Approximation of the energy levels of the particle on a segment by
  energy levels of the particle in monomial potential well

abstract:
  This simple text considers an application of Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization
rule. It might be of interest for the students of physics.


title: Computational methods in Coupled Electron-Ion Monte Carlo

abstract:
  In the last few years we have been developing a Monte Carlo simulation method
to cope with systems of many electrons and ions in the Born-Oppenheimer (BO)
approximation, the Coupled Electron-Ion Monte Carlo Method (CEIMC). Electronic
properties in CEIMC are computed by Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) rather than by
Density Functional Theory (DFT) based techniques. CEIMC can, in principle,
overcome some of the limitations of the present DFT based ab initio dynamical
methods. Application of the new method to high pressure metallic hydrogen has
recently appeared. In this paper we present a new sampling algorithm that we
have developed in the framework of the Reptation Quantum Monte Carlo (RQMC)
method chosen to sample the electronic degrees of freedom, thereby improving
its efficiency. Moreover, we show here that, at least for the case of metallic
hydrogen, variational estimates of the electronic energies lead to an accurate
sampling of the proton degrees of freedom.


title:
Numerical study of the temperature and porosity effects on the fracture
  propagation in a 2D network of elastic bonds

abstract:
  This article reports results concerning the fracture of a 2d triangular
lattice of atoms linked by springs. The lattice is submitted to controlled
strain tests and the influence of both porosity and temperature on failure is
investigated. The porosity is found on one hand to decrease the stiffness of
the material but on the other hand it increases the deformation sustained prior
to failure. Temperature is shown to control the ductility due to the presence
of cavities that grow and merge. The rough surfaces resulting from the
propagation of the crack exhibit self-affine properties with a roughness
exponent $\zeta = 0.59 \pm 0.07$ over a range of length scales which increases
with temperature. Large cavities also have rough walls which are found to be
fractal with a dimension, $D$, which evolves with the distance from the crack
tip. For large distances, $D$ is found to be close to 1.5, and close to 1.0 for
cavities just before their coalescence with the main crack.


title: Cluster formation in complex multi-scale systems

abstract:
  Based on the competition between members of a hierarchy of length scales in
complex multi-scale systems, it is shown how clustering of active quantities
into concentrated sets, like bubbles in a Swiss cheese, is a generic property
that dominates the intermittent structure. The halo-like surfaces of these
clusters have scaling exponents lower than that of their kernels, which can be
as high as the domain dimension. Examples include spots in fluid turbulence and
droplets in spin-glasses.


title: Molecular recognition in a lattice model: An enumeration study

abstract:
  We investigate the mechanisms underlying selective molecular recognition of
single heteropolymers at chemically structured planar surfaces. To this end, we
study systems with two-letter (HP) lattice heteropolymers by exact enumeration
techniques. Selectivity for a particular surface is defined by an adsorption
energy criterium. We analyze the distributions of selective sequences and the
role of mutations. A particularly important factor for molecular recognition is
the small-scale structure on the polymers.


title: Discreteness-Induced Transitions in Autocatalytic Systems

abstract:
  To study the dynamics of chemical processes, we often adopt rate equations to
observe the change in chemical concentrations. However, when the number of the
molecules is small, the fluctuations cannot be neglected. We often study the
effects of fluctuations with the help of stochastic differential equations.
  Chemicals are composed of molecules on a microscopic level. In principle, the
number of molecules must be an integer, which must only change discretely.
However, in analysis using stochastic differential equations, the fluctuations
are regarded as continuous changes. This approximation can only be valid if
applied to fluctuations that involve a sufficiently large number of molecules.
In the case of extremely rare chemical species, the actual discreteness of the
molecules may critically affect the dynamics of the system.
  To elucidate the effects of the discreteness, we study an autocatalytic
system consisting of several interacting chemical species with a small number
of molecules through stochastic particle simulations. We found novel states,
which were characterized as an extinction of molecule species, due to the
discrete nature of the molecules. We also observed a strong dependence of the
chemical concentrations on the size of the system, which was caused by
transitions to the novel states.


title:
A Hilbert-space formulation of and variational principle for spontaneous
  wiggler radiation

abstract:
  Within the framework of Hilbert space theory, we derive a maximum-power
variational principle applicable to classical spontaneous radiation from
prescribed harmonic current sources. Results are first derived in the paraxial
limit, then appropriately generalized to non-paraxial situations. The
techniques were developed within the context of undulator radiation from
relativistic electron beams, but are more broadly applicable.


title: The Burgers equation as electrohydrodynamic model in plasma physics

abstract:
  It is shown that the Poisson equation for the electric field in a plasma,
yields to a Burgers type equation which may be solved analyticaly for a
constant source term. The solution of the obtained equation shows an elastix
behaviour of the associated electric force in the long time limit


title:
The asymptotic quasi-stationary states of the two-dimensional
  magnetically confined plasma and of the planetary atmosphere

abstract:
  We derive the differential equation governing the asymptotic quasi-stationary
states of the two dimensional plasma immersed in a strong confining magnetic
field and of the planetary atmosphere. These two systems are related by the
property that there is an intrinsic constant length: the Larmor radius and
respectively the Rossby radius and a condensate of the vorticity field in the
unperturbed state related to the cyclotronic gyration and respectively to the
Coriolis frequency. Although the closest physical model is the
Charney-Hasegawa-Mima (CHM) equation, our model is more general and is related
to the system consisting of a discrete set of point-like vortices interacting
in plane by a short range potential. A field-theoretical formalism is developed
for describing the continuous version of this system. The action functional can
be written in the Bogomolnyi form (emphasizing the role of Self-Duality of the
asymptotic states) but the minimum energy is no more topological and the
asymptotic structures appear to be non-stationary, which is a major difference
with respect to traditional topological vortex solutions. Versions of this
field theory are discussed and we find arguments in favor of a particular form
of the equation. We comment upon the significant difference between the CHM
fluid/plasma and the Euler fluid and respectively the Abelian-Higgs vortex
models.


title: Environmental Physics: Physical Principles and Applications

abstract:
  Environmental science almost invariably proposes problems of extreme
complexity, typically characterized by strongly nonlinear evolution dynamics.
The systems under investigation have many degrees of freedom - which makes them
complicated - and feature nonlinear interactions of several different
components taking place on a vast range of time-space scales - which makes them
complex. Such systems evolve under the action of macroscopic driving (typically
the solar heating) and modulating (e.g. the Earth's rotation and gravitation)
agents. The most comprehensive example is the entire climatic system. The
description of the macroscopic dynamics of environmental systems is based on
the systematic use of dominant balances derived on a phenomenological basis in
order to specialize the dynamical equations. Such balances are suitable classes
of approximate solutions of the evolution equations which represent a
reasonably good approximation to the actual observed fields when sufficiently
large spatial or temporal averages are considered. Actually, different balances
have to be considered depending on the time and space scales we are focusing
our interest on. Such an approach reflects the fundamentally
heuristic-inductive nature of the scientific research in environmental
sciences, where the traditional reductionistic scientific attitude is not
always effective. In order to exemplify this procedure, we consider the very
relevant case of the motion of the fluids that permit the existence of life on
the Earth, air and water: the so-called geophysical fluids.

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


title: Study of the collapse of granular columns using DEM numerical simulation

abstract:
  Numerical simulations of the collapse and spreading of granular columns onto
an horizontal plane using the Contact Dynamics method are presented. The final
shape of the deposit seems to depend only on the aspect ratio $a$ of the
columns; these results are in good agreement with previous experimental work.
In particular, the renormalised runout distance shows a power law dependence on
the aspect ratio $a$, which is incompatible with a simple friction model. The
dynamics of the collapse is shown to be mostly controlled by the free fall of
the column. The energy dissipation at the base of the column can be described
simply by a coefficient of restitution. Hence the energy available for the
sideways flow is proportional to the initial potential energy $E_0$. The
dissipation process within the flow is well approximated by basal friction,
contrary to the behaviour of the runout distance. The mass ejected sideways is
showned to play a determining role in the spreading process. As $a$ increases,
the same fraction of initial potential energy $E_0$ drives more mass against
friction. This additional dissipation give a possible explanation for power-law
dependence of the runout distance on $a$. Beyond the frictional properties of
the material, we show that the flow characteristics strongly depend on the
early dynamics of the collapse. We propose a new scaling for the runout
distance that matches the data well, is compatible with a friction model, and
provide a qualitative explanation to the column collapse phenomenology.


title:
Accurate interaction energies from perturbation theory based on
  Kohn-Sham model

abstract:
  The density-functional based symmetry-adapted perturbation theory [SAPT(DFT)]
has been applied to the argon, krypton, and benzene dimers. It is shown
that--at a small fraction of computational costs--SAPT(DFT) can provide similar
accuracies for the interaction energies as high-level wave-function based
methods with extrapolations to the complete basis set limits. This accuracy is
significantly higher than that of any other DFT or DFT-based approaches
proposed to date.


title: Study Report of the Booster Transition Jump System

abstract:
  There are more than 15 years since the transition-jump system (TJS) was
installed. Because of the quad steering, which is caused by the beam not being
well centered through all the gamma-T quads, the TJS has never been used in the
operation. Based upon the recent calculation, the short 12 gamma-T quad had the
worst offset in the vertical direction, and it was lowered 4 mm. Afterwards,
the orbit error caused by the gamma-T quad steering has been largely removed,
and this encourages our efforts of commissioning the TJS to reach its design
goal.


title: Booster 6-GeV Study

abstract:
  Since a wider aperture has been obtained along the Booster beam line, this
opens the opportunity for Booster running a higher intensity beam than ever
before. Sooner or later, the available RF accelerating voltage will become a
new limit for the beam intensity. Either by increasing the RFSUM or by reducing
the accelerating rate can achieve the similar goal. The motivation for the
6-GeV study is to gain the relative accelerating voltage via a slower
acceleration.


title:
Reshape of the Bunch-by-bunch BPM Signal to a Turn-by-turn Matrix during
  the Fast RF Frequency-sweeping Time in Booster

abstract:
  The bunch-by-bunch BPM signal array has to be reshaped into a turn-by-turn
(TBT) matrix in order to make the TBT beam position information of a single
bunch available for further data analysis, such as via the Fourier transform to
obtain the synchrotron tune and betatron tune, etc. Since the RF frequency
sweeps more than 10 MHz in the first 8 ms of a Booster cycle, the revolution
time decreases more than 20%. The number of data points for each Booster turn
(BT) should be varied in the same pace with the revolution time since the
sampling rate of a digital oscilloscope is usually fixed. And this can be done
by pre-determining the relationship between the RF frequency and the time in a
cycle via the curve fit.


title: Improvement in RF Curves for Booster Running at High Intensities

abstract:
  A feed-forward ramp can be implemented in Booster to compensate the beam
energy loss at different beam intensities for the purpose of minimizing the
radial error signal. This can be done only when we have a good understanding
about the dependence between the beam energy loss per turn and the beam
intensity experimentally. Besides, based upon this understanding we can predict
the required accelerating voltage at the transition crossing for different beam
intensities, which can be extremely helpful for Booster running at higher beam
intensities than ever before.


title:
Booster High-level RF Frequency Tracking Improvement Via Bias-Curve
  Optimization

abstract:
  It is important to improve the frequency tracking between the RF drive and
the cavity field for the purpose of reducing longitudinal phase oscillations
and increasing the effective accelerating voltage. And this is especially
beneficial for Booster running at higher intensity with smaller beam emittance.
Optimizing the bias supply current curve for the ferrite tuners can reduce the
phase error between the RF drive and the cavity field, and also improve the
HLRF-to-LLRF frequency tracking efficiency.


title:
Numerical Reconstruction of the Linac Beam De-bunching in the
  DC-operated Booster

abstract:
  It is difficult for us to measure the Booster ring impedance up to the GHz
range due to the instrumentation limit. Since the de-bunching process in the
Linac to Booster transfer is determined by the complex impedance of the Booster
ring, one can obtain an impedance model, which has the best match to the
machine impedance, just by searching the optimal fit between the simulated and
measured turn-by-turn resistive wall signal (RWS).


title: Analytical Solution for BPM Reading the Multi-bunch Average in Booster

abstract:
  The BPM system in Booster only can provide the beam position from the average
of about 15 bunches due to the electronic limitation. Numerically calculating
the difference made by this average can nearly give all the information, which
is needed for extrapolating the BPM data. It is still useful to derive the
analytical expression for the BPM reading, which can be helpful in getting the
insight for the BPM system optimization.


title: Beam-Based Determination of the Offset of Booster gamma-T Quads

abstract:
  Twelve pulsed gamma-T quads have been installed in the Booster to provide
fast transition crossing. The less time the beam stays in the non-adiabatic
period near transition, the less the longitudinal emittance grows. From the
past experience, the gamma-T quads are not well aligned relative to the usual
closed orbit. Quad steering can cause beam loss and a dispersion wave after
transition. To make the gamma-T quads routinely operational, procedures for
finding the center of the beam relative to the quads and centering the beam
through all of them are very important. A program, which uses the difference in
the closed orbits when gamma-T quads are on and off and calculates the offsets
of the beam relative to gamma-T quads, has been developed and tested. A radial
orbit offset (ROF) of about 3 mm has been experimentally determined to be
nearly the optimal radial position for centering the beam through all the
gamma-T quads, thereby eliminating the immediate need for repositioning the
quads.


title: On the use of the $V^{N-M}$ approximation in atomic calculations

abstract:
  We demonstrate that $V^{N-M}$ approximation is a good starting point for the
configuration interaction calculations for many-electron atoms and ions. $N$ is
the total number of electrons in the neutral atom, $M$ is the number of valence
electrons. $V^{N-M}$ is the self-consistent Hartree Fock potential for a
closed-shell ion with all valence electrons removed. Using of the $V^{N-M}$
approximation considerably simplifies the many-body perturbation theory for the
core-valence correlations. It makes it easier to include higher-order
correlations which often significantly improves the accuracy of the
calculations. Calculations for krypton and barium and their positive ions are
presented for illustration.


title: Anharmonic mixing in a magnetic trap

abstract:
  We have experimentally observed re-equilibration of a magnetically trapped
cloud of metastable neon atoms after it was put in a non-equilibrium state.
Using numerical simulations we show that anharmonic mixing, equilibration due
to the collisionless dynamics of atoms in a magnetic trap, is the dominant
process in this equilibration. We determine the dependence of its time on trap
parameters and atom temperature. Furthermore we observe in the simulations a
resonant energy exchange between the radial and axial trap dimensions at a
ratio of trap frequencies \omega_r / \omega_z = 3/2. This resonance is
explained by a simple oscillator model.


title: Stochastic Ion Heating by a Lower Hybrid Wave: II

abstract:
  The motion of an ion in a coherent lower hybrid wave (characterized by
|k_parallel| << |k_perp| and omega >> Omega_i) in a tokamak plasma is studied.
For ions satisfying v_perp > omega/k_perp, the Lorentz force law for the ions
is reduced to a set of difference equations which give the Larmor radius and
phase of an ion on one cyclotron orbit in terms of these quantities a cyclotron
period earlier. From these difference equations an earlier result [Phys. Fluids
21, 1584 (1978)] that above a certain wave amplitude the ion motion is
stochastic, is readily obtained. The stochasticity threshold is given a simple
physical interpretation. In addition, the difference equations are used to
derive a diffusion equation governing the heating of the ions above the
stochasticity threshold. By including the effects of collisions, the heating
rate for the bulk ions is obtained.


title:
Velocity-Space Diffusion in a Perpendicularly Propagating Electrostatic
  Wave

abstract:
  The motion of ions in the fields B = B_0 zhat and E = E_0 yhat cos(k_perp y -
omega t) is considered. When omega >> Omega_i and v_perp > omega/k_perp, the
equations of motion may be reduced to a set of difference equations. These
equations exhibit stochastic behavior when E_0 exceeds a threshold. The
diffusion coefficient above the threshold is determined. Far above the
threshold, ion Landau damping is recovered. Extension of the method to include
parallel propagation is outlined.


title:
Performance of a Chamber for Studying the Liquid Xenon Response to
  Nuclear Recoils

abstract:
  The design and performance of a 1.2 liter liquid xenon chamber equipped with
7 two-inch photomultiplier tubes, with the purpose of studying the
scintillation response of xenon to gamma-rays and neutrons, is described.
Measurements with gamma-rays indicate a high VUV light collection efficiency
resulting in ~5.5 photoelectrons per 1 keV of deposited energy. The energy
resolution (FWHM) is 18% and 22%, for 122 keV and 511 keV gamma-rays,
respectively. An algorithm for the reconstruction of the scintillation
coordinates in (x,y) plane was developed and tested. The position resolution is
estimated to be 6.9 mm (sigma) for 122 keV gamma-rays.


title:
Origin of Mass. Mass and Mass-Energy Equation from Classical-Mechanics
  Solution

abstract:
  We establish the classical wave equation for a particle formed of a massless
oscillatory elementary charge generally also traveling, and the resulting
electromagnetic waves, of a generally Doppler-effected angular frequency $\w$,
in the vacuum in three dimensions. We obtain from the solutions the total
energy of the particle wave to be $\eng=\hbarc\w$, $2\pi \hbarc$ being a
function expressed in wave-medium parameters and identifiable as the Planck
constant. In respect to the train of the waves as a whole traveling at the
finite velocity of light $c$, $\eng=mc^2$ represents thereby the translational
kinetic energy of the wavetrain, $m=\hbarc\w/c^2$ being its inertial mass and
thereby the inertial mass of the particle. Based on the solutions we also write
down a set of semi-empirical equations for the particle's de Broglie wave
parameters. From the standpoint of overall modern experimental indications we
comment on the origin of mass implied by the solution.


title: Non-Orthogonal Density Matrix Perturbation Theory

abstract:
  Density matrix perturbation theory [Phys. Rev. Lett. Vol. 92, 193001 (2004)]
provides an efficient framework for the linear scaling computation of response
properties [Phys. Rev. Lett. Vol. 92, 193002 (2004)]. In this article, we
generalize density matrix perturbation theory to include properties computed
with a perturbation dependent non-orthogonal basis. Such properties include
analytic derivatives of the energy with respect to nuclear displacement, as
well as magnetic response computed with a field dependent basis. The
non-orthogonal density matrix perturbation theory is developed in the context
of recursive purification methods, which are briefly reviewed.


title:
Anomalous diffusion, clustering, and pinch of impurities in plasma edge
  turbulence

abstract:
  The turbulent transport of impurity particles in plasma edge turbulence is
investigated. The impurities are modeled as a passive fluid advected by the
electric and polarization drifts, while the ambient plasma turbulence is
modeled using the two-dimensional Hasegawa--Wakatani paradigm for resistive
drift-wave turbulence. The features of the turbulent transport of impurities
are investigated by numerical simulations using a novel code that applies
semi-Lagrangian pseudospectral schemes. The diffusive character of the
turbulent transport of ideal impurities is demonstrated by relative-diffusion
analysis of the evolution of impurity puffs. Additional effects appear for
inertial impurities as a consequence of compressibility. First, the density of
inertial impurities is found to correlate with the vorticity of the electric
drift velocity, that is, impurities cluster in vortices of a precise
orientation determined by the charge of the impurity particles. Second, a
radial pinch scaling linearly with the mass--charge ratio of the impurities is
discovered. Theoretical explanation for these observations is obtained by
analysis of the model equations.


title:
Comparison of Nonlinear Phase Noise and Intrachannel Four-Wave-Mixing
  for RZ-DPSK Signals in Dispersive Transmission Systems

abstract:
  Self-phase modulation induced nonlinear phase noise is reduced with the
increase of fiber dispersion but intrachannel four-wave-mixing (IFWM) is
increased with dispersion. Both degrading DPSK signals, the standard deviation
of nonlinear phase noise induced differential phase is about three times that
from IFWM even in highly dispersive transmission systems.


title: Sonochemical effects on single-bubble sonoluminescence

abstract:
  A refined hydrochemical model for single-bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) is
presented. The processes of water vapor evaporation and condensation, mass
diffusion, and chemical reactions are taken into account. Numerical simulations
of Xe-, Ar- and He-filled bubbles are carried out. The results show that the
trapped water vapor in conjunction with its endothermic chemical reactions
significantly reduces the temperature within the bubble so that the degrees of
ionization are generally very low. The chemical radicals generated from water
vapor are shown to play an increasingly important role in the light emission
from Xe to He bubbles. Light spectra and pulses are then computed from an
optically thin model. It is found that the resulting spectrum intensities are
too small and the pulse widths are too short to fit to recent experimental
results within stable SBSL range. Addition of a finite-size blackbody core to
the optically thin model improves the fitting. Suggestions on how to reconcile
the conflict are given.


title:
Thin films of van der Waals fluid: From interface interactions to
  wetting transitions

abstract:
  We present a theoretical study of wetting phenomena and interactions between
liquid-vapor interfaces based on the density functional theory. The focus is
mostly on the impact of long-range van der Waals interactions both within the
fluid and between the fluid and substrate. For the latter, we consider two
models-hard wall and soft wall approximations-differing by the role of steric
effects and leading to a qualitatively different character of phase
transitions. We compute numerically the disjoining and conjoining potentials
(which are important dynamically for spreading, spinodal dewetting, and
coarsening in thin films, as well as resolution of interfacial singularities),
and loci of intermediate and complete wetting transitions as functions of the
Hamaker constant and temperature. We find that taking into account short-range
interactions is essential for the description of wetting transitions in the
soft wall limit. We derive an analytical form of the disjoining potential and
analyze it in the context of the complete, frustrated and partial wetting.


title:
The Local Space-Time Lorentz Transformation: a New Formulation of
  Special Relativity Compatible with Translational Invariance

abstract:
  The apparent times and positions of moving clocks as predicted by both
`non-local' and `local' Lorentz Transformations are considered. Only local
transformations respect translational invariance. Such transformations change
temporal but not spatial intervals, so breaking space-time exchange symmetry
and forbidding relativity of simultaneity and length contraction. Two
satellite-borne experiments to test these predictions are proposed.


title: Puzzles of Large Scale Structure and Gravitation

abstract:
  We consider the puzzle of cosmic voids bounded by two dimensional structures
of galactic clusters as also a puzzle pointed out by Weinberg: How can the mass
of a typical elementary particle depend on a cosmic parameter like the Hubble
constant? An answer to the first puzzle is proposed in terms of ``Scaled''
Quantum Mechanical like behaviour which appears at large scales. The second
puzzle can be answered by showing that the Gravitational mass of an elementary
particle has a Machian character.


title:
Proposal for a Satellite-Borne Experiment to Test Relativity of
  Simultaneity in Special Relativity

abstract:
  An orbiting `photon clock' is proposed to test directly the relativity of
simultaneity of special relativity. This is done by comparison of the arrival
times at a ground station of three microwave signals transmitted by two
satellites following the same low Earth orbit.


title:
Construction of a PZT Sensor Network for Low and Hypervelocity Impact
  Detection

abstract:
  Orbital debris is a constraint on the long-term health of any spacecraft and
must be considered during mission planning. Varying mechanisms have been
proposed to quantify the problem. Assessment of orbital debris employing
ground-based methods such as radar can help determine where debris clouds are
located as well as their density or orbital trajectory. Such data is invaluable
to computer simulations and can allow predictions of the debris environment
over specific time periods [1]. Accurate in-situ data is essential as well with
various types of sensors designed to detect orbital debris impacts employed on
space missions since the 1950's [2]. One of the most common of these is the PZT
(piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate) which is often used in-situ to measure
the momentum of a particle at the time of impact. This paper will discuss a
multiple PZT sensor system capable of determining both impactor momentum and
location currently in development within CASPER.


title:
Temporal Evolution of Lower Hybrid Waves in the Presence of
  Ponderomotive Density Fluctuations

abstract:
  The propagation of lower hybrid waves in the presence of ponderomotive
density fluctuations is considered. The problem is treated in two dimensions
and, in order to be able to correctly impose the boundary conditions, the waves
are allowed to evolve in time. The fields are described by i v_tau - \int v_xi
dzeta + v_{zeta zeta} + |v|^2 v = 0 where v is proportional to the electric
field, tau to time, and zeta and xi measure distances across and along the
lower hybrid ray. The behavior of the waves is investigated numerically. If the
amplitude of the waves is large enough, the spectrum of the waves broadens and
their parallel wavelength becomes shorter. The assumptions made in the
formulation preclude the application of these results to the lower hybrid
heating experiment on Alcator-A. Nevertheless, there are indications that the
physics embodied in this problem are responsible for some of the results of
that experiment.


title: Magnetic Storm-substorm Relationship and Some Associated Issues

abstract:
  The impinging solar wind and its magnetic field perturbed the Earth's
magnetosphere and create magnetic storms and substorms. The Earth's
magnetosphere expands (contracts) during periods of southward (northward) IMF.
It is shown that these magnetospheric expansions and contractions account for
poorly understood aspects of magnetic storm-substorm relationship, bifurcation
of the magnetotail and the appearance of theta aurora. Quantitative theory and
calculations in agreement with the suggested model of solar
wind/IMF-magnetosphere coupling are presented. Pre-noon and post-noon dents on
the magnetopause are expected to appear during a long period of strong
northward IMF. The contracting and expanding magnetosphere accumulates solar
wind plasma and its magnetic field. The accumulated energy is delivered into
the polar regions and creates auroral activity intensification.


title:
Apparent Clustering and Apparent Background Earthquakes Biased by
  Undetected Seismicity

abstract:
  In models of triggered seismicity and in their inversion with empirical data,
the detection threshold m_d is commonly equated to the magnitude m_0 of the
smallest triggering earthquake. This unjustified assumption neglects the
possibility of shocks below the detection threshold triggering observable
events. We introduce a formalism that distinguishes between the detection
threshold m_d and the minimum triggering earthquake m_0 < m_d. By considering
the branching structure of one complete cascade of triggered events, we derive
the apparent branching ratio n_a (which is the apparent fraction of aftershocks
in a given catalog) and the apparent background source S_a that are observed
when only the structure above the detection threshold m_d is known due to the
presence of smaller undetected events that are capable of triggering larger
events. If earthquake triggering is controlled in large part by the smallest
magnitudes as several recent analyses have shown, this implies that previous
estimates of the clustering parameters may significantly underestimate the true
values: for instance, an observed fraction of 55% of aftershocks is
renormalized into a true value of 75% of triggered events.


title:
Photosystem 0, a proposed ancestral photosystem without reducing power
  that synthesized ATP during light-dark cycling

abstract:
  Photosystem 0 concerns a primitive mechanism for free energy gain as ATP from
fluctuating light during early evolution. The PS0 reaction centers had no
reducing power: charge transport was only temporary. Light induced within the
reaction centers metastable dipoles that generated a membrane potential. This
in turn drove ATP synthesis by protons moving through the ATP synthase enzyme.
After the decay of the dipole potential in the dark, the protons either (1)
returned across the membrane by conduction or (2) were pumped back by ATP
synthase, backwards active as ATPase at a higher H+/ATP ratio. PS0 constitutes
a link to previously proposed free energy sources for early evolution that
worked on thermal cycling. Several contemporary photosynthetic phenomena may be
relics of PS0.


title: The Speed of Light and the Einstein Legacy: 1905-2005

abstract:
  That the speed of light is always c=300,000km/s relative to any observer in
nonaccelerating motion is one of the foundational concepts of physics.
Experimentally this was supposed to have been first revealed by the 1887
Michelson-Morley experiment, and was made one of Einstein's key postulates of
Special Relativity in 1905. However in 2002 the actual 1887 fringe shift data
was analysed for the first time with a theory for the Michelson interferometer
that used both the Fitzgerald-Lorentz contraction effect, as well as the effect
of the air in the interferometer on the speed of light. That analysis showed
that the data gave an absolute motion speed in excess of 300km/s. So far six
other experiments have been shown to give the same result. This implies that
the foundations of physics require significant revision. As well data shows
that both Newtonian gravity and General Relativity are also seriously flawed,
and a new theory of gravity is shown to explain various so-called gravitational
`anomalies', including the `dark matter' effect. Most importantly absolute
motion is now understood to be the cause of the various relativistic effects,
in accord with the earlier proposal by Lorentz.


title: ALTRO and TPC Performance of ALICE

abstract:
  The extraction and optimisation of the ALTRO Parameters out of the ALICE TPC
data is described, including the performance measurment of this set. The ion
tail of a signal pulse and the variation is firstly measured and quantified.


title:
Wave-Function Reconstruction for the Determination of the Scattering
  Length of Sr

abstract:
  We have investigated the photoassociation (PA) spectra of ultracold $^{88}$Sr
atoms near the $5s^2 ^1S_0+5s5p ^1P_1$ atomic asymptote. The intensity
modulation of the PA lines was used to reconstruct the ground-state scattering
wave function, whose nodal point inferred the s-wave scattering length of
$a=1.1(2)$ nm. The observed PA resonances also determined a precise lifetime of
the $^1P_1$ state to be 5.263(4) ns.


title:
Evidence from the Special Relativity and Blackbody Radiation Theories
  for the Existence of Photons Possessing Zero Kinetic Energy

abstract:
  The traditional interpretation of radiative emission and absorption asserts
that photons are created and annihilated in such processes. A Gedanken
experiment is considered in which kinetic energy from observed photons is
systematically removed until a limit of zero is reached. With the help of the
relativistic Doppler effect it is shown that even for infinitesimally small
kinetic energies the photons continue to exist, since in other inertial systems
they will be observed to have a much higher energy/frequency falling in an
easily detectable range. It is possible to formulate an alternative explanation
for absorption and emission processes on this basis in terms of real photons
with exactly zero kinetic energy being present before or after radiative
interactions. Bolstering this hypothesis is the fact that the statistical
mechanical treatment of photons interacting with oscillators in blackbody
radiation theory predicts an infinite density of photons of this energy, both
in the original Planck formulation employing Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics and
in the subsequent Bose-Einstein description. These considerations demonstrate
that the E = 0 state is greatly preferred as the product of absorption because
of the requirement to have the interaction occur in a relatively narrow region
of space- time. There is thus strong evidence that photons are not created and
annihilated in radiative processes but simply have their kinetic energy changed
either to or from a zero value. Accordingly a very high density of zero-energy
photons is expected to exist uniformly throughout the universe. Finally, this
development suggests that one should subject the creation-annihilation
hypothesis to careful scrutiny in other areas of physics as well.


title: Analysis of PIN1 WW domain through a simple Statistical Mechanics Model

abstract:
  We have applied a simple statistical-mechanics G$\bar{\text{o}}$-like model
to the analysis of the PIN1 WW domain, resorting to Mean Field and Monte Carlo
techniques to characterize its thermodynamics, and comparing the results with
the wealth of available experimental data. PIN1 WW domain is a 39-residues
protein fragment which folds on an antiparallel $\beta$-sheet, thus
representing an interesting model system to study the behavior of these
secondary structure elements. Results show that the model correctly reproduces
the two-state behavior of the protein, and also the trends of the experimental
$\phi_T$-values. Moreover, there is a good agreement between Monte Carlo
results and the Mean-Field ones, which can be obtained with a substantially
smaller computational effort.


title: Of the Black Hole Thermodynamics

abstract:
  About thirty years ago, Bekenstein and Hawking introduced three basic
concepts relating to black hole, namely, the "area entropy", "gravitation
temperature" and "thermal radiation". The author analyzes these concepts
systematically and concludes that they are mostly inadequate or wrong. He
points out that a black hole's taking in thermal radiation from the space is an
energy-gathering process. It is special, even extraordinary. It reduces
entropy, violating Clausius' second law.


title: Diffraction-contrast imaging of cold atoms

abstract:
  We consider the inverse problem of in-line holography, applied to
minimally-destructive imaging of cold atom clouds. Absorption imaging
near-resonance provides a simple, but destructive measurement of atom column
density. Imaging off resonance greatly reduces heating, and sequential images
may be taken. Under the conditions required for off-resonant imaging, the
generally-intractable inverse problem may be linearized. A
minimally-destructive, quantitative and high-resolution image of the atom cloud
column density is then retrieved from a single diffraction pattern.


title: Efficiency of Current Drive by Fast Waves

abstract:
  The Rosenbluth form for the collision operator for a weakly relativistic
plasma is derived. The formalism adopted by Antonsen and Chu can then be used
to calculate the efficiency of current drive by fast waves in a relativistic
plasma. Accurate numerical results and analytic asymptotic limits for the
efficiencies are given.


title: Current in Wave Driven Plasmas

abstract:
  A theory for the generation of current in a toroidal plasma by
radio-frequency waves is presented. The effect of an opposing electric field is
included, allowing the case of time varying currents to be studied. The key
quantities that characterize this regime are identified and numerically
calculated. Circuit equations suitable for use in ray-tracing and transport
codes are given.


title:
Empty space-time, general relativity principle and covariant ether
  theories

abstract:
  We look for the properties of empty space-time proceeding from the general
relativity principle. An infinite number of the so-called covariant ether
theories (CETs) has been found, which, like the special relativity theory
(SRT), satisfy all known experimental facts in the physics of empty space-time.
In this connection a new approach to the problem of experimental testing of SRT
is discussed. In particular, we show that covariant ether theories predict a
dependence of Thomas-Wigner angle on an absolute velocity of a reference frame
of observation. Hence, a measurement of this dependence is capable to
distinguish SRT and CETs. It has been shown that the Lorentz ether theory is
one of CETs, corresponding to the admissible Galilean transformations in
physical space-time. Hence, we conclude that SRT and Lorentz ether theory can
be distinguished experimentally, at least in principle. A crucial experiments,
based on the Moessbauer effect, has been proposed.


title: Dynamic Force Spectroscopy: Looking at the Total Harmonic Distortion

abstract:
  Tapping mode atomic force microscopy is a standard technique for inspection
and analysis at the nanometer scale. The understanding of the non-linear
dynamics of the system due to the tip sample interaction is an important
prerequisite for a correct interpretation data acquired by dynamic AFM. Here,
the system response in tapping-mode atomic force microscope (AFM) simulated
numerically. In the computer model the AFM microcantilever is treated as a
distributed parameter system. With this multiple-degree-of-freedom (MDOF)
approach the the total harmonic distortion in dynamic AFM spectroscopy is
simulated.


title: Quantum theory of SASE FEL

abstract:
  We describe a free-electron laser (FEL) in the Self Amplified Spontaneous
Emission (SASE) regime quantizing the electron motion and taking into account
propagation effects. We demonstrate quantum purification of the SASE spectrum,
i.e., in a properly defined quantum regime the spiking behavior disappears and
the SASE power spectrum becomes very narrow.


title:
Dedicated front-end electronics for the next generation of linear
  collider electromagnetic calorimeter

abstract:
  This paper describes an R&D electronic program for the next generation of
linear collider electromagnetic calorimeter. After a brief presentation of the
requirements, a global scheme of the electronics is given. Then, we describe
the three different building blocks developed in 0.35\mum CMOS technology: an
amplifier, a comparator and finally the pipelined ADC


title:
Integrating transport equations by combining transfer matrices,
  transmission-reflection matrices, and Green's matrices, in the context of
  light propagation in foliage

abstract:
  In many problems, it is necessary to integrate a transport equation. Here we
consider specifically light incident on a horizontally homogeneous foliage
('the canopy'), modeled as a turbid medium. This is often treated by
integrating numerically the light transport equation, assuming initial values
for the reflected radiances, and iterating until the radiances stabilize. We
here present a method combining transfer matrices, transmission-reflection
matrices, and Green's matrices (TTRG). This method is both fast and accurate,
especially if one must do many computations on the same canopy, for different
incident fluxes and internal emissions. There exist (artificial) extreme light
trapping situations for which iterative integration is hardly practical, while
TTRG remains as efficient.


title:
Terahertz pulse generation via optical rectification in photonic crystal
  microcavities

abstract:
  Using a 3D fully-vectorial nonlinear time-domain analysis we numerically
investigate the generation of terahertz radiation by pumping a photonic crystal
microcavity out of resonance. High quality factors and a quadratic
susceptibility lead to few-cycle terahertz pulses via optical rectification.
Material dispersion as well as linear and nonlinear anisotropy is fully
accounted for.


title: Fokker-Planck and Quasilinear Codes

abstract:
  The interaction of radio-frequency waves with a plasma is described by a
Fokker-Planck equation with an added quasilinear term. Methods for solving this
equation on a computer are discussed.


title: Differential Form of the Collision Integral for a Relativistic Plasma

abstract:
  The differential formulation of the Landau-Fokker-Planck collision integral
is developed for the case of relativistic electromagnetic interactions.


title: Biologically Enhanced Energy and Carbon Cycling on Titan?

abstract:
  With the Cassini-Huygens Mission in orbit around Saturn, the large moon
Titan, with its reducing atmosphere, rich organic chemistry, and heterogeneous
surface, moves into the astrobiological spotlight. Environmental conditions on
Titan and Earth were similar in many respects 4 billion years ago, the
approximate time when life originated on Earth. Life may have originated on
Titan during its warmer early history and then developed adaptation strategies
to cope with the increasingly cold conditions. If organisms originated and
persisted, metabolic strategies could exist that would provide sufficient
energy for life to persist, even today. Metabolic reactions might include the
catalytic hydrogenation of photochemically produced acetylene, or involve the
recombination of radicals created in the atmosphere by UV radiation. Metabolic
activity may even contribute to the apparent youth, smoothness, and high
activity of the surface of Titan via biothermal energy.


title: Modeling Na clusters in Ar matrices

abstract:
  We present a microscopic model for Na clusters embedded in raregas matrices.
The valence electrons of the Na cluster are described by time-dependent
density-functional theory at the level of the local-density approximation
(LDA). Particular attention is paid to the semi-classical picture in terms of
Vlasov-LDA. The Na ions and Argon atoms are handled as classical particles
whereby the Ar atoms carry two degrees of freedom, position and dipole
polarization. The interaction between Na ions and electrons is mediated through
local pseudo-potentials. The coupling to the Ar atoms is described by
(long-range) polarization potentials and (short-range) repulsive cores. The
ingredients are taken from elsewhere developed standards. A final fine-tuning
is performed using the NaAr molecule as benchmark. The model is then applied to
embedded systems Na8ArN. By close comparison with quantum-mechanical results,
we explore the capability of the Vlasov-LDA to describe such embedded clusters.
We show that one can obtain a reasonable description by appropriate adjustments
in the fine-tuning phase of the model.


title: Inter-base Electronic Coupling for transport through DNA

abstract:
  We develop a new approach to derive single state tight binding (SSTB) model
for electron transport in the vicinity of valence-conduction bands of
poly(G)-poly(C) and poly(A)-poly(T) DNA. The SSTB parameters are derived from
{\it first principles} and are used to model charge transport through finite
length DNA. We investigate the rigor of reducing the full DNA Hamiltonian to
SSTB model to represent charge transport in the vicinity of valence-conduction
band. While the transmission coefficient spectrum is preserved, its position
shifts in energy. Thymine is poorly represented and its peak height is
substantially reduced. This is attributed to the abstraction of the HOMO-LUMO
coupling to other eigen-states in the nearest neighbor DNA bases, and can be
corrected within $2^{nd}$ order time independent perturbation theory.
Inter-strand charge transport has also been analyzed and it is found that
hopping to the nearest neighbor in the complementary strand is the most
important process except in the valence band of poly(G)-poly(C), where hopping
to the second nearest neighbor between $3'-$ends is the most dominant process.
As a result, transport between $3'-$ends and $5'-$ends in the vicinity of
valence band of poly{G}-poly{C} is asymmetric.


title: 6D Ionization Muon Cooling with Tabletop Rings

abstract:
  Progress on six dimensional ionization muon cooling with relatively small
rings of magnets is described. Lattices being explored include scaling sector
cyclotrons with edge focusing and strong focusing, fixed field alternating
gradient (FFAG) rings. Ionization cooling is provided by high pressure hydrogen
gas which removes both transverse and longitudinal momentum. Lost longitudinal
momentum is replaced using radio frequency (RF) cavities, giving a net
transverse emittance reduction. The longer path length in the hydrogen of
higher momentum muons decreases longitudinal emittance at the expense of
transverse emittance. Thus emittance exchange allows these rings to cool in all
six dimensions and not just transversely. Alternatively, if the RF is located
after the ring, it may be possible to cool the muons by stopping them as they
spiral adiabatically into a central swarm. As momentum goes to zero, the
momentum spread goes to zero. The resulting cooled muons can lead to an intense
muon beam which could be a source for neutrino factories or muon colliders.


title: Bandgap properties of two-dimensional low-index photonic crystals

abstract:
  We study the bandgap properties of two-dimensional photonic crystals created
by a lattice of rods or holes conformed in a symmetric or asymmetric triangular
structure. Using the plane-wave analysis, we calculate a minimum value of the
refractive index contrast for opening both partial and full two-dimensional
spectral gaps for both TM and TE polarized waves. We also analyze the effect of
ellipticity of rods and holes and their orientation on the threshold value and
the relative size of the bandgap.


title: The Heider balance - a continuous approach

abstract:
  The Heider balance (HB) is investigated in a fully connected graph of $N$
nodes. The links are described by a real symmetric array r(i,j), i,j=1,...,N.
In a social group, nodes represent group members and links represent relations
between them, positive (friendly) or negative (hostile). At the balanced state,
r(i,j)r(j,k)r(k,i)>0 for all the triads (i,j,k). As follows from the structure
theorem of Cartwright and Harary, at this state the group is divided into two
subgroups, with friendly internal relations and hostile relations between the
subgroups. Here the system dynamics is proposed to be determined by a set of
differential equations. The form of equations guarantees that once HB is
reached, it persists. Also, for N=3 the dynamics reproduces properly the
tendency of the system to the balanced state. The equations are solved
numerically. Initially, r(i,j) are random numbers distributed around zero with
a symmetric uniform distribution of unit width. Calculations up to N=500 show
that HB is always reached. Time to get the balanced state varies with the
system size N as N^{-1/2}. The spectrum of relations, initially narrow, gets
very wide near HB. This means that the relations are strongly polarized. In our
calculations, the relations are limited to a given range around zero. With this
limitation, our results can be helpful in an interpretation of somestatistical
data.


title: Unidirectional Magnetostatic Waves

abstract:
  Dispersion characteristics of magnetostatic waves in tangentially magnetized
to saturation ferrite film with a "magnetic wall" condition (tangential
component of microwave magnetic field is equal to zero) on the one of the film
surface were calculated. It is found, that unidirectional magnetostatic waves
appear in this geometry: they can transfer energy only in one direction and
fundamentally cannot transfer energy in an opposite direction.


title:
Stable one-dimensional periodic waves in Kerr-type saturable and
  quadratic nonlinear media

abstract:
  We review the latest progress and properties of the families of bright and
dark one-dimensional periodic waves propagating in saturable Kerr-type and
quadratic nonlinear media. We show how saturation of the nonlinear response
results in appearance of stability (instability) bands in focusing (defocusing)
medium, which is in sharp contrast with the properties of periodic waves in
Kerr media. One of the key results discovered is the stabilization of
multicolor periodic waves in quadratic media. In particular, dark-type waves
are shown to be metastable, while bright-type waves are completely stable in a
broad range of energy flows and material parameters. This yields the first
known example of completely stable periodic wave patterns propagating in
conservative uniform media supporting bright solitons. Such results open the
way to the experimental observation of the corresponding self-sustained
periodic wave patterns.


title: Stable multicolor periodic-wave arrays

abstract:
  We study the existence and stability of cnoidal periodic wave arrays
propagating in uniform quadratic nonlinear media and discover that they become
completely stable above a threshold light intensity. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first example in physics of completely stable periodic
wave patterns propagating in conservative uniform media supporting bright
solitons.


title:
The effect of the primary collimator and flattening filter on asymmetric
  fields for a Siemens PRIMUS linear accelerator

abstract:
  Homogeneity for highly asymmetric fields has been studied for a Siemens
PRIMUS linear accelerator. The flattening filter has a radius smaller than the
primary collimator one, creating inhomogeneities that affect large fields in
areas far from the collimator axis, and asymmetric fields with large offset.
Profiles and absolute dose have been measured in fields with two jaws at
maximal position (20 cm) and the other two at maximal overtravel (10 cm.),
corresponding to 10 x 10 fields with extreme offset. Profiles have a remarkable
gradient decreasing towards the beam edge, making these fields unsuitable for
treatments. Results show that the design of the primary collimator and
flattening filter assembly has direct consequences in homogeneity. This can
have clinical consequences for treatments involving fields that include these
inhomogeneous areas. Comparisons with the treatment planning system (Philips
Pinnacle) calculations, that computes under the hypotheses of a uniformly
flattened beam, result in severe discrepancies.


title: Autocatalytic chemical smoke rings

abstract:
  Buoyant plumes, evolving free of boundary constraints, may develop
well-defined mushroom shaped heads. In normal plumes, overturning flow in the
head entrains less buoyant fluid from the surroundings as the head rises,
robbing the plume of its driving force. We consider here a new type of plume in
which the source of buoyancy is an autocatalytic chemical reaction. The
reaction occurs at a sharp front which separates reactants from less dense
products. In this type of plume, entrainment assists the reaction, producing
new buoyancy which fuels an accelerating plume head. When the head has grown to
a critical size, it detaches from the upwelling conduit, forming an
accelerating, buoyant vortex ring. This vortex is analogous to a rising smoke
ring. A second-generation head then develops at the point of
detachment.Multiple generations of chemical vortex rings can detach from a
single triggering event.


title: QED calculation of the n=1 and n=2 energy levels in He-like ions

abstract:
  We perform ab initio QED calculations of energy levels for the $n=1$ and
$n=2$ states of He-like ions with the nuclear charge in the range $Z = 12$-100.
The complete set of two-electron QED corrections is evaluated to all orders in
the parameter $\aZ$. Uncalculated contributions to energy levels come through
orders $\alpha^3 (\aZ)^2$, $\alpha^2 (\aZ)^7$, and higher. The calculation
presented is the first treatment for excited states of He-like ions complete
through order $\alpha^2 (\aZ)^4$. A significant improvement in accuracy of
theoretical predictions is achieved, especially in the high-$Z$ region.


title: Pyramidal Atoms: Berylliumlike Hollow States

abstract:
  Based on the idea that four excited electrons arrange themselves around the
nucleus in the corners of a pyramid in order to minimize their mutual
repulsion, we present an analytical model of quadruply excited states. The
model shows excellent comparison with ab initio results and provides a clear
physical picture of the intrinsic motion of the four electrons. The model is
used to predict configuration-mixing fractions and spectra of these highly
correlated states.


title: A Quantum Approach to Cosmology

abstract:
  We present a theory based upon the treatment of the gravitational field as a
sea of gravity quanta, as defined elsewhere. The resultant model for the
Universe is a static one, like Einstein first saw, with a new feature: a local
shrinking quantum world that completely explains the Hubble red shift under a
new point of view. The presently accepted expansion of the Universe is
interpreted here as an apparent effect, as seen from the Lab system of
reference. The static Universe has immersed in it a local shrinking atomic
world: a fundamental change in the interpretation of the Hubble's observations.
The conservation principles (momentum, angular momentum and energy) can be
dealt with under 2 different points of view: local (apparent) and COSMOLOGICAL
("real"). The 2 are in complete agreement with observation. They are also free
of well known contradictions or paradoxes/incoherencies (i.e. in the Big Bang
model). By dealing now with very well known first principles (Heisenberg, Mach,
de Broglie, Weinberg's relation) under the same 2 points of view, we arrive at
the conclusion that our new approach is in accordance with the Einstein's field
equations of General Relativity, and Quantum Mechanics. We consider this to be
a promising first step towards the way of dealing with the gravitational field
coherently both from the General Relativity and from the Quantum Mechanical
theories. The agreement with the present values of the cosmological parameters
is very satisfactory.


title:
Semi-analytical approach to short-wavelength dispersion and modal
  properties of photonic crystal fibers

abstract:
  We consider photonic crystal fibers made from arbitrary base materials and
derive a unified semi-analytical approach for the dispersion and modal
properties which applies to the short-wavelength regime. In particular we
calculate the dispersion and the effective index and comparing to
fully-vectorial plane wave simulations we find excellent agreement. We also
calculate asymptotic results for the mode-field diameter and the V-parameter
and from the latter we predict that the fibers are endlessly single mode for a
normalized air-hole diameter smaller than 0.42, independently of the base
material.


title: Solar Oblateness from Archimedes to Dicke

abstract:
  The non-spherical shape of the Sun has been invoked to explain the anomalous
precession of Mercury. A brief history of some methods for measuring solar
diameter is presented. Archimedes was the first to give upper and lower values
for solar diameter in third century before Christ; we also show the method of
total eclipses, used after Halley's observative campaign of 1715 eclipse; the
variant of partial eclipses useful to measure different chords of the solar
disk; the method of Dicke which correlates oblateness with luminous excess in
the equatorial zone.


title: Charged Particle Motion in a Highly Ionized Plasma

abstract:
  A recently introduced method utilizing dimensional continuation is employed
to compute the energy loss rate for a non-relativistic particle moving through
a highly ionized plasma. No restriction is made on the charge, mass, or speed
of this particle. It is, however, assumed that the plasma is not strongly
coupled in the sense that the dimensionless plasma coupling parameter
g=e^2\kappa_D/ 4\pi T is small, where \kappa_D is the Debye wave number of the
plasma. To leading and next-to-leading order in this coupling, dE/dx is of the
generic form g^2 \ln[C g^2]. The precise numerical coefficient out in front of
the logarithm is well known. We compute the constant C under the logarithm
exactly for arbitrary particle speeds. Our exact results differ from
approximations given in the literature. The differences are in the range of 20%
for cases relevant to inertial confinement fusion experiments. The same method
is also employed to compute the rate of momentum loss for a projectile moving
in a plasma, and the rate at which two plasmas at different temperatures come
into thermal equilibrium. Again these calculations are done precisely to the
order given above. The loss rates of energy and momentum uniquely define a
Fokker-Planck equation that describes particle motion in the plasma. The
coefficients determined in this way are thus well-defined, contain no arbitrary
parameters or cutoffs, and are accurate to the order described. This
Fokker-Planck equation describes the longitudinal straggling and the transverse
diffusion of a beam of particles. It should be emphasized that our work does
not involve a model, but rather it is a precisely defined evaluation of the
leading terms in a well-defined perturbation theory.


title:
A time dependent solution for the operation of ion chambers in a high
  ionization background

abstract:
  We have derived a time dependent solution describing the development of space
charge inside an ion chamber subjected to an externally caused ionization rate
N. The solution enables the derivation of a formula that the operational
parameters of the chamber must satisfy for saturation free operation. This
formula contains a correction factor to account for the finite duration of the
ionization rate N.


title:
Electron Trapping by Polar Molecules in Alkane Liquids: Cluster
  Chemistry in Dilute Solution

abstract:
  Monomers and small clusters of such molecules can reversibly trap conduction
band electrons in dilute alkane solutions. The dynamics and energetics of this
trapping have been studied using pulse radiolysis - transient absorption
spectroscopy and time-resolved photoconductivity. Binding energies, thermal
detrapping rates, and absorption spectra of excess electrons attached to
monomer and multimer solute traps are obtained and possible structures for
these species are discussed. "Dipole coagulation" (stepwise growth of the
solute cluster around the cavity electron) predicted by Mozumder in 1972 is
observed. Acetonitrile monomer is shown to solvate the electron by its methyl
group, just like the alkane solvent does. The electron is dipole-bound to the
CN group; the latter points away from the cavity. The resulting negatively
charged species has a binding energy of 0.4 eV and absorbs in the infrared.
Molecules of straight-chain aliphatic alcohols solvate the excess electron by
their OH groups; at equilibrium, the predominant electron trap is a trimer or a
tetramer; the binding energy of this solute trap is ca. 0.8 eV. Trapping by
smaller clusters is opposed by the entropy which drives the equilibrium towards
the electron in a solvent trap. For alcohol monomers, the trapping does not
occur; a slow proton transfer reaction occurs instead. For acetonitrile
monomer, the trapping is favored energetically but the thermal detachment is
rapid (ca. 1 ns).


title:
A Bayesian Estimator for Linear Calibration Error Effects in Thermal
  Remote Sensing

abstract:
  The Bayesian Land Surface Temperature estimator previously developed has been
extended to include the effects of imperfectly known gain and offset
calibration errors. It is possible to treat both gain and offset as nuisance
parameters and, by integrating over an uninformative range for their
magnitudes, eliminate the dependence of surface temperature and emissivity
estimates upon the exact calibration error.


title:
Collisional and thermal ionization of sodium Rydberg atoms I. Experiment
  for nS and nD atoms with n=8-20

abstract:
  Collisional and thermal ionization of sodium nS and nD Rydberg atoms with
n=8-20 has been studied. The experiments were performed using a two-step pulsed
laser excitation in an effusive atomic beam at atom density of about 2 10^{10}
cm^{-3}. Molecular and atomic ions from associative, Penning, and thermal
ionization processes were detected. It has been found that the atomic ions were
created mainly due to photoionization of Rydberg atoms by photons of blackbody
radiation at the ambient temperature of 300K. Blackbody ionization rates and
effective lifetimes of Rydberg states of interest were determined. The
molecular ions were found to be from associative ionization in Na(nL)+Na(3S)
collisions. Rate constants of associative ionization have been measured using
an original method based on relative measurements of Na_{2}^{+} and Na^{+} ion
signals.


title: Role of spatial coherence in polarization tomography

abstract:
  We analyze an experimental setup in which a quasi-monochromatic spatially
coherent beam of light is used to probe a paraxial optical scatterer. We
discuss the effect of the spatial coherence of the probe beam on the Mueller
matrix representing the scatterer. We show that according to the degree of
spatial coherence of the beam, the \emph{same} scattering system can be
represented by \emph{different} Mueller matrices. This result should serve as a
warning for experimentalists.


title: A novel absorption resonance for all-optical atomic clocks

abstract:
  We report an experimental study of an all-optical three-photon-absorption
resonance (known as a "N-resonance") and discuss its potential application as
an alternative to atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping (CPT). We
present measurements of the N-resonance contrast, width and light-shift for the
D1 line of 87Rb with varying buffer gases, and find good agreement with an
analytical model of this novel resonance. The results suggest that N-resonances
are promising for atomic clock applications.


title:
Confinement of hydrodynamic modes on a free surface and their quantum
  analogs

abstract:
  A subtle procedure to confine hydrodynamic modes on the free surface of a
fluid is presented here. The experiment consists of a square vessel with an
immersed square central well vibrating vertically so that the surface waves
generated by the meniscus at the vessel boundary interfere with the bound
states of the well. This is a classical analogy of a quantum well where some
fundamental phenomena, such as bonding of states and interference between free
waves and bound states, can be visualized and controlled. The above mentioned
interference leads to a novel hydrodynamic transition from quasiperiodic to
periodic patterns. Tight binding numerical calculations are performed here to
show that our results could be transferred to design quantum confinements
exhibiting electronic quasiperiodic surface states and their rational
approximants for the first time.


title: An AC electric trap for ground-state molecules

abstract:
  We here report on the realization of an electrodynamic trap, capable of
trapping neutral atoms and molecules in both low-field and high-field seeking
states. Confinement in three dimensions is achieved by switching between two
electric field configurations that have a saddle-point at the center of the
trap, i.e., by alternating a focusing and a defocusing force in each direction.
AC trapping of 15ND3 molecules is experimentally demonstrated, and the
stability of the trap is studied as a function of the switching frequency. A 1
mK sample of 15ND3 molecules in the high-field seeking component of the
|J,K>=|1,1> level, the ground-state of para-ammonia, is trapped in a volume of
about 1 mm^3.


title: Identifying Student Difficulties with Understanding Induced EMF

abstract:
  This paper reports on a study of student understanding of induced EMF.
Students enrolled in a physics lab course completed a pretest and posttest that
included questions about induced EMF. Following the posttest, some of those
students participated in interviews in which they elaborated on their ideas.
Pretest and posttest data are presented in the article, as well as sample
interview text. After instruction in the lab course, most students were able to
identify that moving a magnet near a coil would induce a current. However,
nearly half were unable to correctly determine the direction of the induced
current. Many students also demonstrated difficulty with the idea that an EMF
is induced by a changing magnetic flux, not just a changing magnetic field.


title: Theoretical infra-red, Raman, and Optical spectra of the B36N36 cage

abstract:
  The B36N36 fullerene-like cage structure was proposed as candidate structure
for the single-shell boron-nitride cages observed in electron-beam irradiation
experiment. We have performed all electron density functional calculations,
with large polarized Gaussian basis sets, on the B36N36 cage. We show that the
cage is energetically and vibrationally stable. The infra-red, Raman and
optical spectra are calculated. The predicted spectra, in combination with
experimentally measured spectra, will be useful in conclusive assignment of the
proposed B36N36 cage. The vertical and adiabatic ionization potentials as well
as static dipole polarizability are also reported.


title: Innovative Experimental Particle Physics through Technological Advances

abstract:
  This mini-course gives an introduction to the techniques used in experimental
particle physics with an emphasis on the impact of technological advances. The
basic detector types and particle accelerator facilities will be briefly
covered with examples of their use and with comparisons. The mini-course ends
with what can be expected in the near future from current technology advances.
The mini-course is intended for graduate students and post-docs and as an
introduction to experimental techniques for theorists.


title: Instability of a moving contact line

abstract:
  We study a solid plate plunging into or being withdrawn from a liquid bath,
to highlight the fundamental difference between the local behavior of an
advancing or a receding contact line, respectively. It is assumed that the
liquid partially wets the solid, making a finite contact angle in equilibrium.
In our hydrodynamic description which neglects the presence of the outer gas
atmosphere, an advancing dynamic wetting line persists to arbitrarily high
speeds. The receding wetting line, on the other hand, vanishes at a critical
speed set by the competition between viscous and surface tension forces. In the
advancing case, we apply existing matching techniques to the plunging plate
geometry, to significantly improve on existing theories. For the receding
contact line, we demonstrate for the first time how the local contact line
solution can be matched to the far-field meniscus. In doing so, we confirm our
very recent criterion for the instability of the receding contact line. The
results of both the advancing and the receding cases are tested against
simulations of the full model equations.


title: Interlinguistic similarity and language death dynamics

abstract:
  We analyze the time evolution of a system of two coexisting languages
(Castillian Spanish and Galician, both spoken in northwest Spain) in the
framework of a model given by Abrams and Strogatz [Nature 424, 900 (2003)]. It
is shown that, contrary to the model's initial prediction, a stable bilingual
situation is possible if the languages in competition are similar enough.
Similarity is described with a simple parameter, whose value can be estimated
from fits of the data.


title:
Geminate recombination of hydroxyl radicals generated in 200 nm
  photodissociation of aqueous hydrogen peroxide

abstract:
  The picosecond dynamics of hydroxyl radicals generated in 200 nm photoinduced
dissociation of aqueous hydrogen peroxide have been observed through their
transient absorbance at 266 nm. It is shown that these kinetics are nearly
exponential, with a decay time of ca. 30 ps. The prompt quantum yield for the
decomposition of H2O2 is 0.56, and the fraction of hydroxyl radicals escaping
from the solvent cage to the water bulk is 64-68%. These recombination kinetics
suggest strong caging of the geminate hydroxyl radicals by water.
Phenomenologically, these kinetics may be rationalized in terms of the
diffusion of hydroxide radicals out of a shallow potential well (a solvent
cage) with an Onsager radius of 0.24 nm.


title:
Euler buckling in red blood cells: An optically driven biological
  micromotor

abstract:
  We investigate the physics of an optically-driven micromotor of biological
origin. A single, live red blood cell, when placed in an optical trap folds
into a rod-like shape. If the trapping laser beam is circularly polarized, the
folded RBC rotates. A model based on the concept of buckling instabilities
captures the folding phenomenon; the rotation of the cell is simply understood
using the Poincar\`e sphere. Our model predicts that (i) at a critical
intensity of the trapping beam the RBC shape undergoes large fluctuations and
(ii) the torque is proportional to the intensity of the laser beam. These
predictions have been tested experimentally. We suggest a possible mechanism
for emergence of birefringent properties in the RBC in the folded state.


title: Extended Hylleraas three-electron integral

abstract:
  A closed form expression for the three-electron Hylleraas integral involving
the inverse quadratic power of one inter-particle coordinate is obtained, and
recursion relations are derived for positive powers of other coordinates. This
result is suited for high precision calculations of relativistic effects in
lithium and light lithium-like ions.


title: Fractal Dimension of the Cantor Moire Structures

abstract:
  In a recently published paper (J. of Modern Optics 50 (9) (2003) 1477-1486) a
qualitative analysis of the moire effect observed by superposing two grids
containing Cantor fractal structures was presented. It was shown that the moire
effect is sensible to variations in the order of growth, dimension and
lacunarity of the Cantor fractal. It was also verified that self-similarity of
the original fractal is inherited by the moire pattern. In this work it is
shown that these Cantor moire structures are also fractals and the fractal
dimension associated with them is theoretically determined and experimentally
measured attending the size of rhombuses in the different orders of growth.


title:
Distribution of the Largest Aftershocks in Branching Models of Triggered
  Seismicity: Theory of the Universal Bath's law

abstract:
  Using the ETAS branching model of triggered seismicity, we apply the
formalism of generating probability functions to calculate exactly the average
difference between the magnitude of a mainshock and the magnitude of its
largest aftershock over all generations. This average magnitude difference is
found empirically to be independent of the mainshock magnitude and equal to
1.2, a universal behavior known as Bath's law. Our theory shows that Bath's law
holds only sufficiently close to the critical regime of the ETAS branching
process. Allowing for error bars +- 0.1 for Bath's constant value around 1.2,
our exact analytical treatment of Bath's law provides new constraints on the
productivity exponent alpha and the branching ratio n: $0.9 <= alpha <= 1$ and
0.8 <= n <= 1. We propose a novel method for measuring alpha based on the
predicted renormalization of the Gutenberg-Richter distribution of the
magnitudes of the largest aftershock. We also introduce the ``second Bath's law
for foreshocks: the probability that a main earthquake turns out to be the
foreshock does not depend on its magnitude.


title: Plans for laser spectroscopy of trapped cold hydrogen-like HCI

abstract:
  Laser spectroscopy studies are being prepared to measure the 1s ground state
hyperfine splitting in trapped cold highly charged ions. The purpose of such
experiments is to test quantum electrodynamics in the strong electric field
regime. These experiments form part of the HITRAP project at GSI. A brief
review of the planned experiments is presented.


title:
Characterization of laser propagation through turbulent media by
  quantifiers based on the wavelet transform: dynamic study

abstract:
  We analyze, within the wavelet theory framework, the wandering over a screen
of the centroid of a laser beam after it has propagated through a time-changing
laboratory-generated turbulence. Following a previous work (Fractals 12 (2004)
223) two quantifiers are used, the Hurst parameter, $H$, and the Normalized
Total Wavelet Entropy, $\text{NTWS}$. The temporal evolution of both
quantifiers, obtained from the laser spot data stream is studied and compared.
This allows us to extract information of the stochastic process associated to
the turbulence dynamics.


title: Wavelet entropy and fractional Brownian motion time series

abstract:
  We study the functional link between the Hurst parameter and the Normalized
Total Wavelet Entropy when analyzing fractional Brownian motion (fBm) time
series--these series are synthetically generated. Both quantifiers are mainly
used to identify fractional Brownian motion processes (Fractals 12 (2004) 223).
The aim of this work is understand the differences in the information obtained
from them, if any.


title: Instrumentation for atmospheric ion measurements

abstract:
  Small ions are part of the atmospheric aerosol spectrum, and study of
ion-aerosol interactions is fundamental in atmospheric physics. Air ion physics
and instrumentation are reviewed, including the historical context. A
miniaturised Gerdien condenser for ion measurement, operating in situ to
minimise inlet errors, is described. Two operating modes using independent
current and voltage decay measurements are employed. A more sophisticated
self-calibrating and fully programmable ion mobility spectrometer (PIMS) based
on the same principles, is also discussed. Detailed analysis of error terms and
application of new technology is demonstrated to greatly improve its
capability. Self-consistent experimental approaches, including ionisation and
ion concentration instruments, are used for calibration. In developing and
characterising the individual components of the PIMS, favourable and
unfavourable operating regimes are identified: this approach can also be
applied to other aspiration ion counting techniques. Use of a sophisticated
programmable electrometer permits compensation for leakage terms.
Electrically-charged aerosol particles have been found to complicate the ion
measurements. Consequently, conventional ion-aerosol theory, which neglects the
particulate concentration, is thought to be incomplete. The polymodal ion
mobility spectrum is also found to influence the instrument's operation.
Development of the novel programmable ion instrumentation, in conjunction with
consideration of the ion mobility spectrum yields an improved and flexible
approach to in situ atmospheric ion measurements.


title:
The constrained-search--variational method: application to the ground
  state of Helium atom

abstract:
  n a recent paper we proposed the expansion of the space of variations in
energy calculations by considering the approximate wave function $\psi$ to be a
functional of functions $\chi: \psi = \psi[\chi]$ rather than a function. For
the determination of such a wave function functional, a constrained search is
first performed over the subspace of all functions $\chi$ such that
$\psi[\chi]$ satisfies a physical constraint or leads to the known value of an
observable. A rigorous upper bound to the energy is then obtained by
application of the variational principle. To demonstrate the advantages of the
expansion of variational space, we apply the constrained-search--variational
method to the ground state of the negative ion of atomic Hydrogen, the Helium
atom, and its isoelectronic sequence. The method is equally applicable to
excited states, and its extension to such states in conjunction with the
theorem of Theophilou is also described.


title:
Late-Night Thoughts About the Significance of a Small Count of Nuclear
  or Particle Events

abstract:
  Reconciliation of frequentist and Bayesian approaches to elementary treatment
of data in nuclear and particle physics is attempted. Unique procedure to
express the significance of a small count in presence of background is
henceforth proposed and discussed in some detail.


title:
Creating Ioffe-Pritchard micro-traps from permanent magnetic film with
  in-plane magnetization

abstract:
  We present designs for Ioffe-Pritchard type magnetic traps using planar
patterns of hard magnetic material. Two samples with different pattern designs
were produced by spark erosion of 40 $\mu$m thick FePt foil. The pattern on the
first sample yields calculated axial and radial trap frequencies of 51 Hz and
6.8 kHz, respectively. For the second sample the calculated frequencies are 34
Hz and 11 kHz. The structures were used successfully as a magneto-optical trap
for $^{87}$Rb and loaded as a magnetic trap. A third design, based on
lithographically patterned 250 nm thick FePt film on a Si substrate, yields an
array of 19 traps with calculated axial and radial trap frequencies of 1.5 kHz
and 110 kHz, respectively.


title:
Saturation mechanism of the Weibel instability in weakly magnetized
  plasmas

abstract:
  The saturation mechanism of the Weibel instability is investigated
theoretically by considering the evolution of currents in numerous cylindrical
beams that are generated in the initial stage of the instability. Based on a
physical model of the beams, it is shown that the magnetic field strength
attains a maximum value when the currents in the beams evolve into the Alfven
current and that there exist two saturation regimes. The theoretical prediction
of the magnetic field strength at saturation is in good agreement with the
results of two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations for a wide range of
initial anisotropy.


title:
Classical position probability densities for spherically symmetric
  potentials

abstract:
  A simple position probability density formulation is presented for the motion
of a particle in a spherically symmetric potential. The approach provides an
alternative to Newtonian methods for presentation in an elementary course, and
requires only elementary algebra and one tabulated integral. The method is
applied to compute the distributions for the Kepler-Coulomb and isotropic
harmonic oscillator potentials. Formulas are also deduced for the average
values for powers of the radial coordinate, and applied to describe
perturbations to these systems. The classical results are also compared with
quantum mechanical calculations using the Einstein-Brillouin-Keller
semiclassical quantization.