Dark forces at the Tevatron

A simple explanation of the W+dijet excess recently reported by the CDF collaboration involves the introduction of a new gauge boson with sizable couplings to quarks, but with no or highly suppressed couplings to leptons. Anomaly-free theories which include such a leptophobic gauge boson must also include additional particle content, which may include a stable and otherwise viable candidate for dark matter. Based on the couplings and mass of the Z^′ required to generate the CDF excess, we predict such a dark matter candidate to possess an elastic scattering cross section with nucleons on the order of σ∼¹⁰−40 cm², providing a natural explanation for the signals reported by the CoGeNT and DAMA/LIBRA collaborations. In this light, CDF may be observing the gauge boson responsible for the force which mediates the interactions between the dark and visible matter of our universe.     

Molecular dynamics simulation studies of the influence of imidazolium structure on the properties of imidazolium/azide ionic liquids

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were performed on 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium azide [bmim][N(3)], 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium azide [bmmim][N(3)], and 1-butynyl-3-methyl-imidazolium azide [bumim][N(3)] ionic liquids. The many-body polarizable APPLE&P force field was augmented with parameters for the azide anion and the bumim cation. Good agreement between the experimentally determined and simulated crystal structure of [bumim][N(3)] as well as the liquid-state density and ionic conductivity of [bmmim][N(3)] were found. Methylation of bmim (yielding bmmim) resulted in dramatic changes in ion structuring in the liquid and slowing of ion motion. Conversely, replacing the butyl group of bmim with the smaller 2-butynyl group resulted in an increase of ion dynamics.     

The Effects of Air and Underwater Blast on Composite Sandwich Panels and Tubular Laminate Structures

The resistance of glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) sandwich panels and laminate tubes to blast in air and underwater environments has been studied. Procedures for monitoring the structural response of such materials during blast events have been devised. High-speed photography was employed during the air-blast loading of GFRP sandwich panels, in conjunction with digital image correlation (DIC), to monitor the deformation of these structures under shock loading. Failure mechanisms have been revealed by using DIC and confirmed in post-test sectioning. Strain gauges were used to monitor the structural response of similar sandwich materials and GFRP tubular laminates during underwater shocks. The effect of the backing medium (air or water) of the target facing the shock has been identified during these studies. Mechanisms of failure have been established such as core crushing, skin/core cracking, delamination and fibre breakage. Strain gauge data supported the mechanisms for such damage. These studies were part of a research programme sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) investigating blast loading of composite naval structures. The full-scale experimental results presented here will aid and assist in the development of analytical and computational models. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of support and boundary conditions with regards to blast resistant design.     

On the blast resistance of laminated glass

Blast resistant glazing systems typically use laminated glass to reduce the risk of flying glass debris in the event of an explosion. Laminated glass has one or more bonded polymer interlayers to retain glass fragments upon fracture. With good design, the flexibility of the interlayer and the adhesion between layers enable laminated glass to continue to resist blast after the glass layers fracture. This gives protection from significantly higher blast loads when compared to a monolithic pane. Full-scale open-air blast tests were performed on laminated glass containing a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer. Test windows of size 1.5 m × 1.2 m were secured to robust frames using structural silicone sealant. Blast loads were produced using charge masses of 15 kg and 30 kg (TNT equivalent) at distances of 10–16 m. Deflection and shape measurements of deforming laminated glass were obtained using high-speed digital image correlation. Measurements of loading at the joint, between the laminated glass and the frame, were obtained using strain gauges. The main failure mechanisms observed were the cohesive failure of the bonded silicone joint and delamination between the glass and interlayer at the pane edge. A new finite element model of laminated glass is developed and calibrated using laboratory based tests. Predictions from this model are compared against the experimental results.     

Sandwich Panel Cores for Blast Applications: Materials and Graded Density

Sandwich composites are of interest in marine applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and tailorable mechanical properties, but their resistance to air blast loading is not well understood. Full-scale 100 kg TNT equivalent air blast testing at a 15 m stand-off distance was performed on glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) sandwich panels with polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polymethacrylimid (PMI); and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) foam cores, all possessing the same thickness and density. Further testing was performed to assess the blast resistance of a sandwich panel containing a stepwise graded density SAN foam core, increasing in density away from the blast facing side. Finally a sandwich panel containing compliant polypropylene (PP) fibres within the GFRP front face-sheet, was subjected to blast loading with the intention of preventing front face-sheet cracking during blast. Measurements of the sandwich panel responses were made using high-speed digital image correlation (DIC), and post-blast damage was assessed by sectioning the sandwich panels and mapping the damage observed. It was concluded that all cores are effective in improving blast tolerance and that the SAN core was the most blast tolerant out of the three foam polymer types, with the DIC results showing a lower deflection measured during blast, and post-blast visual inspections showing less damage suffered. By grading the density of the core it was found that through thickness crack propagation was mitigated, as well as damage in the higher density foam layers, thus resulting in a smoother back face-sheet deflection profile. By incorporating compliant PP fibres into the front face-sheet, cracking was prevented in the GFRP, despite damage being present in the core and the interfaces between the core and face-sheets.     

Laser-optical fiber Bragg grating anemometer for measuring gas flows: application to measuring the electric wind

A novel laser-optical fiber Bragg grating anemometer (FBGA) has been devised for measuring the speed of a moving gas in the range 0-1.5 m s(-1). As a test, the FBGA was applied to measuring the speed of the electric wind generated in the particularly harsh, high-voltage environment of a dc, negative-polarity, partial (corona) discharge in atmospheric air. The instrument proved more stable and yielded an order-of-magnitude improvement in sensitivity (deltav approximately 4 x 10(-3) ms(-1)) compared with other optical-fiber-based anemometers. On-axis wind speeds ranging from zero to 1.1 m s(-1) were measured in the vicinity of the corona discharge.     

Electronic Structure of Manganese Complexes of the Redox‐Non‐innocent Tetrazene Ligand and Evidence for the Metal‐Azide/Imido Cycloaddition Intermediate

The first synthetic manganese tetrazene complexes are described as a redox pair comprising anionic [Mn(N₄Ad₂)₂]^? ( 1 ) and neutral Mn(N₄Ad₂)₂ ( 2 ) complexes (N₄Ad₂=[Ad‐N?N=N?N‐Ad]^2?). Compound 1 is obtained in two forms as lithium salts, one as a cationic Li₂Mn cluster, and one as a Mn–Li 1D ionic polymer. Compound 1 is electronically described as a Mn^III center with two [N₄Ad₂]^2? ligands. The one‐electron oxidized 2 is crystalized in two morphologies, one as pure 2 and one as an acetonitrile adduct. Despite similar composition, the behavior of 2 differs in the two morphologies. Compound 2 ‐ MeCN is relatively air and temperature stable. Crystalline 2 , on the other hand, exhibits a compositional, dynamic disorder wherein the tetrazene metallacycle ring‐opens into a metal imide/azide complex detectable by X‐ray crystallography and FTIR spectroscopy. Electronic structure of 2 was examined by EPR and XPS spectroscopies and DFT calculations, which indicate 2 is best described as a Mn^III ion with an anion radical delocalized across the two ligands through spin‐polarization effects.