Source breakup dynamics in Au + Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV via three-dimensional two-pion source imaging

A three-dimensional correlation function obtained from midrapidity, low p(T), pion pairs in central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV is studied. The extracted model-independent source function indicates a long range tail in the directions of the pion pair transverse momentum (out) and the beam (long). A proper breakup time tau(0) ~ 9 fm/c and a mean proper emission duration Delta tau ~ 2 fm/c, leading to sizable emission time differences ({|Delta t(LCM)|} approximately 12 fm/c), are required to allow models to be successfully matched to these tails. The model comparisons also suggest an outside-in "burning" of the emission source reminiscent of many hydrodynamical models.     

Search for heavy toplike quarks using lepton plus jets events in 1.96 TeV pp collisions

We present the results of a search for pair production of a new heavy toplike quark t' decaying to a W boson and another quark using the Collider Detector at Fermilab II detector in run II of the Tevatron pp collider. Using a data sample corresponding to 760 pb(-1) of integrated luminosity, we fit the observed spectrum of total transverse energy and reconstructed t' quark mass to a combination of standard model processes and t' pair production. We see no evidence for t't' production, and we infer a lower limit of 256 GeV/c(2) on the mass of the t' at 95% C.L. assuming standard strong couplings for the t'.     

Search for a very light CP-odd Higgs boson in top quark decays from pp collisions at sqrt(s)]=1.96 TeV

We present the results of a search for a very light CP-odd Higgs boson a(1)(0) originating from top quark decays t → H(±)b → W(±(*)) a(1)(0)b, and subsequently decaying into τ+ τ-. Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.7 fb(-1) collected by the CDF II detector in pp collisions at 1.96 TeV, we perform a search for events containing a lepton, three or more jets, and an additional isolated track with transverse momentum in the range 3 to 20 GeV/c. Observed events are consistent with background sources, and 95% C.L. limits are set on the branching ratio of t → H(±)b for various masses of H(±) and a(1)(0).     

Templated electrodeposition of silver nanowires in a nanoporous polycarbonate membrane from a nonaqueous ionic liquid electrolyte

Template electrodeposition has been used to prepare a wide range of nanostructures but has generally been restricted to aqueous electrolytes. We report the deposition of silver nanowires in a commercial nuclear track-etched polycarbonate template from the nonaqueous ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]) using silver electrochemically dissolved from the anode. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the nanowires have a very high aspect ratio with an average diameter of 80 nm and length of 5 μm. Ionic liquid electrolytes should greatly extend the range of metals that can be electrodeposited as nanowires using templates. PACS 81.15.Pq; 81.07.-b     

Operating characteristics and modeling of the LLNL 100-kV electricgun

In the electric gun, the explosion of an electrically heated metal foil and the accompanying magnetic forces drive a thin flyer plate up a short barrel. Flyer velocities of up to 18 km/s make the gun useful for hypervelocity impact studies. The authors review the technological evolution of the exploding-metal circuit elements that power the gun, describe the 100-kV electric gun designed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in some detail, and present the general principles of electric gun operation. They compare the experimental performance of the LLNL gun with a simple model and with predictions of a magnetohydrodynamics code     

Search for doubly charged Higgs bosons with lepton-flavor-violating decays involving tau leptons

We search for pair production of doubly charged Higgs particles (H+/- +/-) followed by decays into electron-tau (etau) and muon-tau (mutau) pairs using data (350 pb(-1) collected from [over]pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV by the CDF II experiment. We search separately for cases where three or four final-state leptons are detected, and combine results for exclusive decays to left-handed etau (mutau) pairs. We set an H+/- +/- lower mass limit of 114(112) GeV/c(2) at the 95% confidence level.     

NASA lasers probe planets

NASA is engaged in monitoring the health of planet Earth and exploring the other planets. For the former, global measurements of critical Earth parameters including ice sheet thickness, greenhouse gases, oxygen, wind velocity, and aerosols, are required. Highly specialized lasers, sometimes at new laser wavelengths, are needed to measure these variables. There are three approaches for this laser development being pursued by NASA. First, rather than seeking new lasers employing an empirical approach, a quantum mechanical model is used to predict better new lasers. Second, where lasers exist but the wavelength is not quite right, a technique referred to as compositional tuning was developed. Third, innovative laser designs are devised to produce laser sources at the requisite wavelengths.