How to Define the Equality of Durations in Measurement of Time

We develop the research on measurement of time worked by Poincarh, Einstein, Landau and other researchers. Based on the convention that the velocity of light is isotropic and is a constant in empty spacetime, we not only answer the question about the definition of the synchronization of rate of clocks located at different places, but also find the solution to the issue of how to define the equality of two durations in measurement of time.     

Geodetic Precession in Schwarzschild Spacetime Surrounded by Quintessence

We investigate the geodetic precession of light in the Schwarzschild spacetime surrounded by quintessence. With the analysis and numerical methods, we find that the geodetic precession of light in the Schwarzschild spacetime surrounded by quintessence increases when the normalization factor c increases, and the geodetic precession decreases when the quintessential state parameter ωq increases.     

A new class of plane symmetric solution

A new class of static plane symmetric solution of Einstein field equation generated by a perfect fluid source is put forward. A special family of this new solution is investigated in detail. The constraints on the parameters by different energy conditions are studied. The classical stability of this solution is discussed. The junction conditions matching to Minkowski metric and Taub metric are analyzed respectively.     

Gravitational Collapse of Radiating Dyon Solution and Cosmic Censorship Hypothesis

We investigate the possibility of cosmic censorship violation in the gravitational collapse of radiating dyon solution. It is shown that the final outcome of the collapse depends sensitively on the electric and magnetic charge parameters. The graphs of the outer apparent horizon, inner Cauchy horizon for different values of parameters are drawn. It is found that the electric and magnetic components push the apparent horizon towards the retarded time-coordinate axis, which in turn reduces the radius of the apparent horizon in Valdya spacetime. Also, we extend the earlier work of Chamorro and Virbhadra [Pramana, J. Phys. 45 （1995） 181].     

Approach to a Cauchy Problem in Stability Study of the Schwarzschild Black Hole

Generally, the Schwarzschild black hole is proven to be stable by two different methods： the mode-decomposition method and the integral method. We show that the integral method can only apply to the initial data vanishing at both the horizon and the spatial infinity. It can not treat the initial data only vanishing at the spatial infinity. We give an example to show the misleading information caused by the use of tortoise coordinates in the perturbation equations. Subsequently, the perturbation equations in the Schwarzschild coordinates are shown to be insuftlcient for the stability study.     

Non-Spherical Gravitational Collapse of Strange Quark Matter

We study the non-spherical gravitational collapse of the strange quark null fluid. The interesting feature which emerges is that the non-spherical collapse of charged strange quark matter leads to a naked singularity whereas the gravitational collapse of neutral quark matter proceeds to form a black hole. We extend the earlier work of Harko and Cheng [Phys. Lett. A 266 （2000） 249] to the non-spherical case.     

A brief history of gravitational wave research

For the benefit of the readers of this journal, the editors requested that we prepare a brief review of the history of the development of the theory, the experimental attempts to detect them, and the recent direct observations of gravitational waves (GWs). The theoretical ideas and disputes beginning with Einstein in 1916 regarding the existence and nature of gravitational waves and the extent to which one can rely on the electromagnetic analogy, especially the controversies regarding the quadrupole formula and whether gravitational waves carry energy, are discussed. The theoretical conclusions eventually received strong observational support from the binary pulsar. This provided compelling, although indirect, evidence for gravitational waves carrying away energy—as predicted by the quadrupole formula. On the direct detection experimental side, Joseph Weber started more than fifty years ago. In 1966, his bar for GW detection reached a strain sensitivity of a few times ${10}^{?16}$. His announcement of coincident signals (now considered spurious), stimulated many experimental efforts from room temperature resonant masses to cryogenic detectors and laser-interferometers. Now there are km-sized interferometric detectors (LIGO Hanford, LIGO Livingston, Virgo and KAGRA). Advanced LIGO first reached a strain sensitivity of the order of ${10}^{?22}$. During their first 130 days of observation (O1 run), with the aid of templates generated by numerical relativity, they did make the first detections: two 5-σ GW events and one likely event. Besides earth-based GW detectors, the drag-free sensitivity of the LISA Pathfinder has already reached to the LISA goal level, paving the road for space GW detectors. Over the whole GW spectrum (from aHz to THz) there are efforts for detection, notably the very-low-frequency band (pulsar timing array [PTA], 300 pHz – 100 nHz) and the extremely-low (Hubble)-frequency (cosmic microwave background [CMB] experiment, 1 aHz – 10 fHz).     

A Class of Calogero Type Reductions of Free Motion on a Simple Lie Group

The reductions of the free geodesic motion on a non-compact simple Lie group G based on the G ₊ × G ₊ symmetry given by left- and right-multiplications for a maximal compact subgroup are investigated. At generic values of the momentum map this leads to (new) spin Calogero type models. At some special values the ‘spin’ degrees of freedom are absent and we obtain the standard BC _n Sutherland model with three independent coupling constants from SU(n + 1,n) and from SU(n,n). This generalization of the Olshanetsky-Perelomov derivation of the BC _n model with two independent coupling constants from the geodesics on G/G ₊ with G = SU(n + 1,n) relies on fixing the right-handed momentum to a non-zero character of G ₊. The reductions considered permit further generalizations and work at the quantized level, too, for non-compact as well as for compact G.      

Preparation and characterization of indium tin oxide films formed by oxygen ion beam assisted deposition

Indium tin oxide (ITO) films were produced by low-energy oxygen ion beam assisted electron-beam evaporation. The dependence of surface morphology, electrical and optical properties on evaporation rate, oxygen ion beam energy and density, as well as substrate temperatures was characterized by atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Hall-effect and optical transmittance measurements. The results show that high-quality ITO films (resistivity of 7.0×10⁻⁴ Ω cm, optical transmittance above 85% at wavelength 550 nm, surface roughness of 0.6 nm in root mean square) can be obtained at room temperature.     

A Parametric Dynamic Model of Dark Energy

The double complex symmetric gravitational theory is extended to the parametric symmetric gravitational theory by introducing a parameter β. Hence parametric Friedmann-Robertson-Walker equations are obtained and some characters of dark energy in corresponding spaces are discussed by taking different values of β. In our method some previous results can be included as the special case of our results. It is worth noting that some characters of dark energy can be more intuitively described in our model. By analysis, we can predict that the fate of universe would be a Big Rip in the future, and also find that the state parameters for the two different constraint conditions wФ are consistent with the present cosmological observations.     

A theory of cosmic rays

We present a theory of non-solar cosmic rays (CRs) in which the bulk of their observed flux is due to a single type of CR source at all energies. The total luminosity of the Galaxy, the broken power-law spectra with their observed slopes, the position of the ‘knee(s)’ and ‘ankle’, and the CR composition and its variation with energy are all predicted in terms of very simple and completely ‘standard’ physics. The source of CRs is extremely ‘economical’: it has only one parameter to be fitted to the ensemble of all of the mentioned data. All other inputs are ‘priors’, that is, theoretical or observational items of information independent of the properties of the source of CRs, and chosen to lie in their pre-established ranges. The theory is part of a ‘unified view of high-energy astrophysics’ — based on the ‘Cannonball’ model of the relativistic ejecta of accreting black holes and neutron stars. The model has been extremely successful in predicting all the novel properties of Gamma Ray Bursts recently observed with the help of the Swift satellite. If correct, this model is only lacking a satisfactory theoretical understanding of the ‘cannon’ that emits the cannonballs in catastrophic processes of accretion.     

Total Fragmentation Cross Section of 158A GeV Lead Projectiles in Cu Target

Total fragmentation cross section for the reaction 158A Pb ions ＋ Cu target is measured using the most sensitive track detector CR-39. Measured values are compared with calculations. Exposures of target-detector stack with 158A P5 projectiles are made at CERN-SPS beam facility. Results of calibration of CR-39 detector in a charge region （63 ≤ Z ≤ 83） are also reported, which can be used for high energy particle identification using CR-39 and in determination of partial charge changing cross sections. The charge resolution δz achieved by this technique is about 0.2e. A systematic dependence of total fragmentation cross section on target properties is revealed and the corresponding results are presented.     

On the motion of high-energy wave packets and the transition radiation by “half-bare” electron

The problem of the motion of high-energy wave packets combined of free electromagnetic waves is considered. It is demonstrated that the transformation of such packets to the packet of spherically diverging waves happens on long distances along the packet's motion direction, that substantially exceed the radiated wavelength. The transition radiation by the “half-bare” ultrarelativistic electron is considered. It is demonstrated that the transition radiation by such an electron on the targets located inside and outside the coherence length of the radiation process would be substantially different.     

Scattering and extinction of evanescent waves by small particles

Received: 14 May 1998/Revised version: 31 July 1998     

A Unique Method to Describe the Bonding Strength in a Bonded Solid-S-olid Interface by Contact Acoustic Nonlinearity

We present a unique method to describe the bonding strength at a bonded solid-solid interface in a multilayered composite material by contact acoustic nonlinearity （CAN） parameter. A CAN model on the bonded solid-solid interface is depicted. It can be seen from the model that CAN parameter is very sensitive to the bonding strength at the interface. When an incident focusing acoustic longitudinal wave scans the interface in two dimensions, the transmitted wave can be used to extract CAN parameter. The contour of the bonding strength for a sample is obtained by CAN parameter. The results show that the region with weak bonding strength can be easily distinguished from the contour.     

A Variational Formulation of Analytical Mechanics in an Affine Space

Variational formulations of statics and dynamics of mechanical systems controlled by external forces are presented as examples of variational principles.     

Stationary solutions for the parity-even sector of the CPT-even and Lorentz-covariance-violating term of the standard model extension

In this work, we focus on some properties of the parity-even sector of the CPT-even electrodynamics of the standard model extension. We analyze how the six non-birefringent terms belonging to this sector modify the static and stationary classical solutions of the usual Maxwell theory. We observe that the parity-even terms do not couple the electric and magnetic sectors (at least in the stationary regime). The Green’s method is used to obtain solutions for the field strengths E and B at first order in the Lorentz-covariance-violating parameters. Explicit solutions are attained for point-like and spatially extended sources, for which a dipolar expansion is achieved. Finally, an Earth-based experiment is presented that can lead (in principle) to an upper bound on the anisotropic coefficients as stringent as      

Mechanism of neoclassical tearing modes triggering by a magnetic perturbation

A new mechanism whereby Neoclassical Tearing Modes (NTMs) can be triggered through toroidal mode coupling to a magnetic perturbation is proposed. The physical picture is the presence of a relatively small “pre-NTM” magnetic island whose frequency is modified by the perturbation, changing polarization current effects from stabilizing to destabilizing.     

Bias-induced spatially resolved growth and removal of Si-oxide by atomic force microscopy

Three mechanisms for spatially resolved growth and removal of oxide on silicon substrates have been investigated. Thermally grown oxide layers with thicknesses in the range 2–6 nm were the distinctive feature of the system. The layers were characterized and manipulated by methodologies based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) with conducting probes in a vacuum environment of 10^-2–10^-3 Pa. The probe is then effectively a travelling electrode that generates an electrostatic field between the tip and the substrate. Oxide growth was induced for a positive sample bias greater than 5 V, but below the level corresponding to dielectric breakdown. Application of a short pulse of amplitude marginally above that corresponding to dielectric breakdown, on the other hand, had the effect of producing pits of inner diameter of about 10 nm in the pre-existing oxide layer at the point of tip-to-oxide contact. Application of a low positive sample bias (less than that required for measurable oxide growth) in combination with high linear scan speed had the effect of removing a pre-existing oxide layer from the scanned field of view. The most plausible mechanisms are based on transverse ionic diffusion (for oxide growth), controlled dielectric breakdown (for formation of pits) and lateral transport of silicaceous species (for oxide removal). Received: 24 October 2001 / Accepted: 6 January 2002 / Published online: 3 June 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +617-3875-7656, E-mail: s.myhra@sct.gu.edu.au     

Gravitational lensing of transient neutrino sources by black holes

In this work we study gravitational lensing of neutrinos by Schwarzschild black holes. In particular, we analyze the case of a neutrino transient source associated with a gamma-ray burst lensed by a supermassive black hole located at the center of an interposed galaxy. We show that the primary and secondary images have an angular separation beyond the resolution of forthcoming km-scale detectors, but the signals from each image have time delays between them that in most cases are longer than the typical duration of the intrinsic events. In this way, the signal from different images can be detected as separate events coming from the very same location in the sky. This would render an event that otherwise might have had a low signal-to-noise ratio a clear detection, since the probability of a repetition of a signal from the same direction is negligible. The relativistic images are so faint and proximate that are beyond the sensitivity and resolution of the next-generation instruments.