Some Remarks on a Nongeometrical Interpretation of Gravity and the Flatness Problem

In a nongeometrical interpretation of gravity,the metric g(x) = + (x)is interpreted as an effective metric, whereas(x) is interpreted as afundamental gravitational field, propagated in spacetime which isactually flat. Some advantages and disadvantages of suchan interpretation are discussed. The main advantage isa natural resolution of the flatness problem.     

Kinetic theory of granular shear flow: Constitutive relations for the hard-disk model

A kinetic theory for the constitutive Theological relations of rapid granular shear flow of hard circular disks, characterized by a coefficient of restitutione and a surface roughness coefficient, is formulated. From a set of general constitutive equations for single-particle dynamical variables, the approximate expressions for the limit of small and large dimensionless dissipative parameterR _t are obtained. HereR _t is defined as the ratio /, where is the fluctuation of translational velocity from the mean flow velocity, is the diameter of a disk, and is the shear rate. At smallR _t the theoretical predictions can be compared with exact computer simulation results of granular dynamics that are also reported. The agreement between theory and simulation is better than expected; the present theory is accurate up to high packing density in this region ofR _t .     

A matrix method for estimating the Liapunov exponent of one-dimensional systems

Let : [0, 1][0, 1] be a piecewise monotonie expanding map. Then admits an absolutely continuous invariant measure. A result of Kosyakin and Sandler shows that can be approximated by a sequence of absolutely continuous measures _n invariant under piecewise linear Markov maps _itn. Each _itn is constructed on the inverse images of the turning points of . The easily computable measures _n are used to estimate the Liapunov exponent of . The idea of using Markov maps for estimating the Liapunov exponent is applied to both expanding and nonexpanding maps.     

High efficiency cw far infrared lasers at 119 μm and 127 μm

The optically pumped FIR laser lines at 119 m from CH₃OH and at 127 m from¹³CD₃OH are known to be the most powerful in the far infrared spectral region. We report on efficiency measurements for our waveguide laser system. The effect of various parameters was investigated, resulting in the highest efficiency ever reported for the 119 m line. The Stark effect and others parameters of the 127 m were measured, and a new¹³CD₃OH laser line at 175 m discovered, with the same pump transition. These measurements are helpful for completing the assignment already proposed for the 127 m line.     

Excited states of the molecular ion (H2μ)+

The rotation-vibration spectrum of (H₂ )⁺ is computed. Radiative lifetimes of the excited states are of order 10^–4 s or more. These times can be considered infinite compared to the lifetime of ⁺. For the ion in a crystal the lifetimes are significantly decreased by interaction with polarized molecules of the lattice. Transition rates to the ground state are calculated for (H₂ )⁺ in a hydrogen crystal. The results make it possible to interpret the experimental data from SR investigations of hydrogen, deuterium and hydrogen-deuterium mixtures.     

A μSR study of spin density wave condensation in Cr85Mo15

Zero field SR spectra from Cr₈₅Mo₁₅ are well described by the sum of a lightly damped (0.02s^–1<₁<0.2s^–1) and a heavily damped (2s^–1<₂<15s^–1) exponential. The temperature dependence of these components is discussed in relation to the condensation of the incommensurate spin density wave and the onset of the antiferromagnetic state in this Cr-like alloy below T_N=120K. Evidence is presented for the nucleation of the spin density wave at temperatures greater than 1.5T_N.     

Determination of the Coefficient of Laser Radiation Reflection from Dielectric Targets in Vacuum

We present the results of experimental determination of the coefficients of laser radiation reflection (₁ 10.6 m and ₂ 1.06 m) from dielectric targets of complex chemical composition in vacuum with allowance for a regime of developed plasma formation.     

Covariant Newtonian limit of Lorentz space-times

The formulation of this limit given by Dautcourt [1] is slightly improved using the notions of Galilei manifold and Newtonian connection. It is then shown under what conditions the conservation equations = 0 for an arbitrary relativistic continuum have the correct (also covariantly formulated) Newtonian limit. For electromagnetism one obtains a curved space generalization of the electric or magnetic Galileian theory of LeBellac and Lévy-Leblond [4] depending on whether the contravariant or the covariant Maxwell tensor is required to have a regular Galileian limit.Supported in part by the National Research Council.     

Thermal conductivity of the Nb3Ge layer prepared by the continuous deposition method

The paper describes the measurement of thermal conductivity of the stainless steel tape on which the superconductive Nb₃Ge layer was vapour-deposited on both sides by the continuous method. The stainless steel 50 m substrate covered by the 2 m Nb layer was deposited with the layer of Nb₃Ge of the thickness of 10 m. Thermal conductivity in the temperature range within 5 up to 80 K was measured in lengthwise direction using the thermopotentiometric method in the bath cryostat. In the same experimental arrangement the measurement of thermal conductivity of the substrate and of the tape with the deposited layer of Nb₃Ge was performed. Specific thermal conductivity of the Nb₃Ge layer was calculated on the basis of measured values.     

Loss in low-finesse Ti:LiNbO3 optical waveguide resonators

We propose to measure the contrast of Fabry-Perot resonances in low-finesse (end face polished) integrated optical resonators to determine an upper limit of the waveguide attenuation coefficient. The method is discussed; its absolute accuracy increases with decreasing loss. As example, experimental results are presented for 3 and 10 m wide Ti: LiNbO₃ strip guides; the attenuation coefficients are 0.46 dB/cm (EH₁₁) in the narrower guide at =0.63 m, respectively 0.19 dB/cm (EH₁₁) and 0.09 dB/cm (HE₁₁) in the 10 m wide guide at =1.15 m.     

Correlations of Spin States for Icosahedral Double Group

The irreducible bases of the icosahedral double groups I and I_h are explicitly presented in their respective group spaces. Applying these bases to the spin states |j, , we obtain a simple formula for combining the spin states into the symmetry-adapted bases which belong to a given row of given irreducible representations of I and I_h.     

Muon catalyzed fusion: old and new aspects of energy production

Muon catalyzed fusion of deuterium and tritium (CF) yields the same energy gain per reaction as fusion with magnetic or inertial confinement (17.6 MeV). The crucial points of Cf are, however, very different, namely (a) the energy costW ₍₎ for production of one ^– and (b) the numbern of reactions a single muon can catalyze on the average. (b) is ultimately limited by theeffective sticking probability _f :n1/ _f. With standard methods one hasW ₍₎5 GeV, _f=0.5%. Hence a standard CF reactor can never reach a net energy gain. To solve this problem, ways discussed since about a decade are to increase the efficiency by both (i) energy multiplication using a fissionable blanket and (ii) breeding. A new way to increase the safety of fission devices mostly due to Yu. Petrov is outlined. On the other hand there is a hope to lowerW ₍₎ slightly and _f drastically, the latter by artificial reactivation. New theoretical results for beam cooling in an omegatron type driven integrated CF reactor, important forW ₍₎ and, in particular, _f, is presented.     

SO(3,1)-Valued Yang-Mills Fields

SO(3,1)-valued Yang-Mills fields are constructed on the four-dimensional manifold M₄ = M₂ × S₂, where M₂ is a semiinfinite strip. It is shown that these fields have action proportional to the winding number of S₂ and the width of the strip and satisfy a self-duality relation of the form *F = –i₅F. The Einstein tensor for the metric considered is found to be G = 3g.     

A broadband photon drag detector for pulsed, high-power radiation detection

A broadband detector based on the photon drag effect in semiconductors has been used for radiation detection from 600 m to 1 cm wavelengths. The measured responsivity of the detector at the longer wavelengths is 3 V/W.     

Experimental survey of the sticking problem in muon catalyzed dt fusion

The sticking process dt + n, which constitutes the most severe limit to the number of fusions which a muon can catalyze, is reviewed. Many attempts were made to determine by calculations and measurements the probability for initial sticking _s ⁰ (immediately after dt fusion) and for final sticking _s (after the came to rest). Previous results based on neutron disappearance rates and on the observation of -X-rays were controversial and also in some disagreement with theory. New data are reported from PSI on direct observation of final sticking, using a setup with the St. Petersburg ionization chamber. These data mark a significant improvement in reliability and may clarify questions concerning previous discrepancies. The new results is _s(0.56±0.04)%, lower than the theory prediction _s=(0.65±0.03)%, at medium density.     

Infrared absorption of glassy silicon dioxide

The infrared reflectivity of glassy silicon dioxide has been measured in the region of 2–35 m at room temperature. The reflectivity curve has been analyzed by means of Kramers-Kronig analysis and the optical constants have been determined. In addition to the three known peaks at 9 m, 12·5 and 22·5 m, the absorption curve exhibits further peaks at 17·5 and 11 m. A correlation with the transmissivity measurements has shown that in this region even the transmissivity curve exhibits a decrease. An attempt has been made at an interpretation of the spectrum according to Matossi's model of vibrations of the free tetrahedron SiO₄.The authors thanks Dr. A. Vako for enabling us to perform the measurement with the adapter for absolute reflectance and Dr. V. iek for his permission to use the computer programme and for stimulating discussions.     

Systematic study of muon transfer to sulphur dioxide

In a systematic study of the transfer process to sulphur dioxide, in seven different H₂ + SO₂ gas mixtures, the time spectra of the muonic sulphur X-rays yield muon transfer rates to the SO₂ molecule, deduced from the lifetimes of the p atoms, which agree all well with each other. The muonic oxygen time spectra show an additional structure as if p atoms of another kind were present. Reduced transfer rates_O are reproducible if one uses the model of ephemeral p atoms. The intensity ratios between the different kinds of p atoms are also discussed in the framework of this model and the one of black and white p atoms.     

Internal Lifschitz singularities of disordered finite-difference Schrödinger operators

The integrated density of states has C-like singularities, ln|k(E)–k(E _c )|=–|E–E _c |^–v/2 _c (E), with _c >0, a milder function at the edges of the spectral gaps which appear when the distribution function of the potentiald has a sufficiently large gap. The behaviour of _c nearE _c is determined by the local continuity properties ofd near the relevant edge: _c (E)=O(1) ifd has an atom and =O(ln|E–E _c |) if is (absolutely) continuous and power bounded.     

Fock representations of the affine Lie algebraA 1 (1)

The aim of this note is to show that the affine Lie algebraA ₁ ⁽¹⁾ has a natural family _, ,v of Fock representations on the spaceC[x _i,y _j;i andj ], parametrized by (,v) C ². By corresponding the highest weight _, of _, to each (,), the parameter spaceC ₂ forms a double cover of the weight spaceC₀C –₁ with singularities at linear forms of level –2; this number is (–1)-times the dual Coxeter number. Our results contain explicit realizations of irreducible non-integrable highest wieghtA ₁ ⁽¹⁾ -modules for generic (,v).     

μ + SR studies of UM2Al3, M=Ni,Pd

Positive-muon spin rotation ( ⁺ SR) measurements have been carried out in the new heavy-fermion superconductors UM₂Al₃, M=Ni and Pd. In UNi₂Al₃ the observed ⁺ frequencies in zero applied field indicate commensurate antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering of U moments 0.1 _B /U atom. These moments coexist with superconductivity and have the highest values observed in an AF heavy-fermion superconductor. The absence of well-defined frequencies in zero-field ⁺ SR in the AF state of UPd₂Al₃ suggests symmetric ⁺ stopping sites. In this system ⁺ SR linewidths belowT _c yield a preliminary value of 8000 Å for the London penetration depth.