Is there a universal scale of time?

The assumption that the same universal scale of time applies for different physical laws depends uponthe hypothesis that there is a unique universal scale of time in the universe. Intrinsic to that hypothesis is the assumption that if extraneous factors that affect physical clocks and processes that run on different physical principles could be removed, all clocks are synchronizable with one another. The consequences of that hypothesis not being true are considered. It was found thatclock asynchrony implies that: (1) a mass variation theory is probable; (2) there is a need for multiple clocks; and (3) t in the equations of physics is referring to clocks rather than time such that the properties of time are reduced to its direction (as characterized by thermodynamics and cosmology).     

Characterisation of martian soil simulants for the ExoMars rover testbed

The European Space Agency (ESA) ExoMars mission involves landing a rover on the surface of Mars on an exobiology mission to extend the search for life. The locomotion capabilities of the ExoMars rover will enable it to use its scientific instruments in a wide variety of locations. Before it is sent to Mars, this locomotion system must be tested and its performance limitations understood. To test the locomotion performance of the ExoMars rover, three martian regolith simulants were selected: a fine dust analogue, a fine Aeolian sand analogue, and a coarse sand analogue. To predict the performance of the ExoMars rover locomotion system in these three regolith simulants, it is necessary to measure some fundamental macroscopic properties of the materials: cohesion, friction angle, and various bearing capacity constants. This paper presents the tests conducted to determine these properties. During these tests, emphasis was placed on preparing the regolith simulants at different levels of density in order to evaluate its impact on the value of the parameters in particular. It was shown that compaction can influence the Bekker coefficients of pressure-sinkage. The shear properties are consistent with the critical state model at normal stresses similar to those of the ExoMars rover in all but one of the simulants, which showed behaviour more consistent with transitional soil behaviour. It is necessary to give due consideration to these variations to ensure a robust test regime is developed when testing the tractive ability of the ExoMars mobility system.     

Numerical solution of the optimized random phase approximation

An accurate, efficient and robust numerical method for the solution of the optimized random phase approximation (ORPA) of classical liquids is presented. The uniqueness of the solution of the ORPA is proved rigorously. The method, hinging on the characterization of the generating functional, improves significantly on previous algorithms. Higher accuracy is obtained by using the values of the unknown functions on the grid points as independent variables instead of the usual coefficients of an expansion in orthogonal polynomials. It is shown that minimizing a suitably modified functional with a conjugate-gradient algorithm results in a very efficient and robust algorithm.     

High resolution Ne KLL Auger spectra produced by H+ and He+ bombardment

Ne KLL Auger satellite lines are measured with an energy resolution of 0.02% FWHM. The relative intensities of initial 2p vacancy satellite lines are observed to be four times larger with He⁺ than with H⁺ bombardment. The He⁺ beam also produces new satellite lines which are assigned to double initial 2p vacancies.     

Proton spectra from the 6,7Li(γ,p) 5,6He reactions at Eγ = 60 MeV

The ${}^{\mathrm{6,7}}\text{Li}\text{(γ,}\text{p}\text{)}$ reactions have been investigated for E_γ = 60 MeV. Excitation of residual (1p)^?1 and (1s)^?1 hole states is evident from the proton spectra measured at ?_p = 45°. The data are compared with a theoretical calculation which includes short-range correlations.     

A one step synthesis of 4-substituted imidazoles. An important observation when N-alkylating imidazoles

Imidazoles substituted in the 2-position with methyl, 1e , phenyl, 1a , 2-imidazole, 1b-d , or t-butyldiphenylsilyl, If, react with soft electrophiles 2 to give modest yields of 4(5)-C-alkylated-imidazoles 3 and N-alkylated products 5. These two products are readily separated by flash chromatography.     

Two-dimensional interferogram of an exploding selenium foil using asoft X-ray laser interferometer

We have developed a soft X-ray interferometer capable of probing large high-density plasmas with micron spatial resolutions. A neon-like yttrium X-ray laser operating at 155 Å was combined with the Mach-Zehnder interferometer to obtain electron density profiles of a laser-produced exploding selenium foil plasma. The plasma was produced with one Nova laser beam using a 120-μm line focus, the same conditions used to create a selenium X-ray laser. The interferogram of the selenium plasma was obtained from an end-on perspective