Band 10, Heft 5

Newtonian mechanics posited mass as a primary quality of matter, incapable of further elucidation. We now see Newtonian mass as an emergent property. That mass-concept is tremendously useful in the approximate description of baryon-dominated matter at low energy — that is, the standard “matter” of everyday life, and of most of science and engineering — but it originates in a highly contingent and non-trivial way from more basic concepts. Most of the mass of standard matter, by far, arises dynamically, from back-reaction of the color gluon fields of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Additional quantitatively small, though physically crucial, contributions come from the intrinsic masses of elementary quanta (electrons and quarks). The equations for massless particles support extra symmetries — specifically scale, chiral, and gauge symmetries. The consistency of the standard model relies on a high degree of underlying gauge and chiral symmetry, so the observed non-zero masses of many elementary particles (W and Z bosons, quarks, and leptons) requires spontaneous symmetry breaking. Superconductivity is a prototype for spontaneous symmetry breaking and for mass-generation, since photons acquire mass inside superconductors. A conceptually similar but more intricate form of all-pervasive (i.e. cosmic) superconductivity, in the context of the electroweak standard model, gives us a successful, economical account of W and Z boson masses. It also allows a phenomenologically successful, though profligate, accommodation of quark and lepton masses. The new cosmic superconductivity, when implemented in a straightforward, minimal way, suggests the existence of a remarkable new particle, the so-called Higgs particle. The mass of the Higgs particle itself is not explained in the theory, but appears as a free parameter. Earlier results suggested, and recent observations at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) may indicate, the actual existence of the Higgs particle, with mass m H ≈ 125 GeV. In addition to consolidating our understanding of the origin of mass, a Higgs particle with m H ≈ 125 GeV could provide an important clue to the future, as it is consistent with expectations from supersymmetry.

The problem of proton-antiproton motion in the H-$\bar H$ system is investigated by means of the variational method. We introduce a modified nuclear interaction through mass-scaling of the Born-Oppenheimer potential. This improved treatment of the interaction includes the nondivergent part of the otherwise divergent adiabatic correction and shows the correct threshold behaviour. Using this potential we calculate the vibrational energy levels with angular momentum 0 and 1 and the corresponding nuclear wave functions, as well as the S-wave scattering length. We obtain a full set of all bound states together with a large number of discretized continuum states that might be utilized in variational four-body calculations. The results of our calculations gives an indication of resonance states in the hydrogen-antihydrogen system.

Cold atom experiments often use images of the atom clouds as their exclusive source of experimental information. The most commonly used technique is absorption imaging, which provides accurate information about the shapes of the atom clouds, but requires care when seeking the absolute atom number for small atom samples. In this paper, we present an independent, absolute calibration of the atom numbers. We directly compare the atom number detected using dark-ground imaging to the one observed by fluorescence imaging of the same atoms in a magneto-optical trap. We normalise the signal using single-atom resolved fluorescence imaging. In order to be able to image the absorption of the very low atom numbers involved, we use diffractive dark-ground imaging as a novel, ultra-sensitive method of in situ imaging for untrapped atom clouds down to only 100 atoms. We demonstrate that the Doppler shift due to the acceleration of the atoms by the probe beam has to be taken into account when measuring the atom-number.

We propose an alternative scheme for one-step implementing three-qubit controlled phase-flip gate of spin qubits in spatially separated double quantum dots with a superconducting stripline resonator (SSR). Due to the switchable coupling effect between the double quantum dots and SSR, the present scheme could be easily generalized for multi-qubits. The feasibility of the present scheme is characterized by exact numerical simulations that incorporate various sources of experimental noise. Our results show the possibility to realize this proposed scheme within current experimental technologies.

In this paper, we examine the interacting dark energy model in f(T) cosmology. We assume dark energy as a perfect fluid and choose a specific cosmologically viable form f(T) = β√T. We show that there is one attractor solution to the dynamical equation of f(T) Friedmann equations. Further we investigate the stability in phase space for a general f(T) model with two interacting fluids. By studying the local stability near the critical points, we show that the critical points lie on the sheet u* = (c − 1)v* in the phase space, spanned by coordinates (u, v, Ω, T). From this critical sheet, we conclude that the coupling between the dark energy and matter c ∈ (−2, 0).

We classify six-dimensional F-theory compactifications in terms of simple features of the divisor structure of the base surface of the elliptic fibration. This structure controls the minimal spectrum of the theory. We determine all irreducible configurations of divisors (“clusters”) that are required to carry nonabelian gauge group factors based on the intersections of the divisors with one another and with the canonical class of the base. All 6D F-theory models are built from combinations of these irreducible configurations. Physically, this geometric structure characterizes the gauge algebra and matter that can remain in a 6D theory after maximal Higgsing. These results suggest that all 6D supergravity theories realized in F-theory have a maximally Higgsed phase in which the gauge algebra is built out of summands of the types su(3), so(8), f4, e6, e8, e8, (g2 ⊕ su(2)); and su(2) ⊕ so(7) ⊕ su(2), with minimal matter content charged only under the last three types of summands, corresponding to the non-Higgsable cluster types identified through F-theory geometry. Although we have identified all such geometric clusters, we have not proven that there cannot be an obstruction to Higgsing to the minimal gauge and matter configuration for any possible F-theory model. We also identify bounds on the number of tensor fields allowed in a theory with any fixed gauge algebra; we use this to bound the size of the gauge group (or algebra) in a simple class of F-theory bases.

In this contribution, we discuss the nonrelativistic limit of the Dirac equation for a neutral particle with a permanent electric dipole moment interacting with external fields in a noninertial frame. We show a case where the geometry of the manifold can play the role of a hard-wall confining potential due to noninertial effects, and can yield bound states analogous to a confinement of the spin-half neutral particle interacting with external fields to a quantum dot described by a hard-wall confining potential [33].

In this paper, we propose an observer-based fractional order chaotic synchronization scheme. Our method concerns fractional order chaotic systems in Brunovsky canonical form. Using sliding mode theory, we achieve synchronization of fractional order response with fractional order drive system using a classical Lyapunov function, and also by fractional order differentiation and integration, i.e. differintegration formulas, state synchronization proved to be established in a finite time. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed scheme, fractional order version of a well-known chaotic system; Arnodo-Coullet system is considered as illustrative examples.

We present a study of the ferromagnetic spin chain with both first- and second-neighbor interactions. We obtain the condition for the appearance and stability of bright and dark solitons for arbitrary wave number in the Brillouin zone. The influence of the second-neighbor interaction and the anisotropy on the soliton properties is considered. The scattering of dark solitons from point defects in the discrete spin chain is investigated numerically.

The effects of an externally imposed linear shear profile in the Vicsek model of self-propelled particles is investigated via computer simulations. We find that the applied field changes in a relevant way both the equilibrium and dynamical properties of the original model. Indeed, short time dynamics analysis shows that the order-disordered phase transition disappears under shear, because the flow acts as a symmetry breaking field. Moreover, the coarsening of particle domains is arrested at a characteristic length-scale inversely proportional to shear rate. A generalization of the original Vicsek model where the velocity of particles depends on the local value of the density is also introduced and shows to affect the domain formation.

The procedure of derivation of a new dynamical equation governing the vorticity mode that is generated by sound, is discussed in detail. It includes instantaneous quantities and does not require averaging over sound period. The resulting equation applies to both periodic and aperiodic sound as the origin of the vorticity mode. Under certain conditions, the direction of streamlines of the vorticity mode may be inverted as compared with that in a fluid with standard attenuation. This reflects an anomalous absorption of sound, when transfer of momentum of the vorticity mode into momentum of sound occurs. The theory is illustrated by a representative example of the generation of vorticity in a vibrationally relaxing gas in the field of periodic weakly diffracting acoustic beam.

The STAR data on the multiplicity correlations between narrow pseudorapidity bins in the pp and AuAu collisions are discussed. The PYTHIA 8.145 generator is used for the pp data, and a naïve superposition model is presented for the AuAu data. It is shown that the PYTHIA generator with default parameter values describes the pp data reasonably well, whereas the superposition model fails to reproduce the centrality dependence seen in the data. Some possible reasons for this failure and a comparison with other models are presented.

Hanburry-Brown-Twiss (HBT) correlation functions and radii of negatively charged pions from C+C, Si+Si, Cu+Cu, and In+In at lower RHIC/SPS energies are calculated with the UrQMD transport model and the CRAB analyzing program. We find a minimum in the excitation function of the pion freeze-out volume at low transverse momenta and around E lab ∼ 20–30AGeV which can be related to the change from initial string emission to bulk emission from the created resonance matter. For small systems, we predict a local minimum in the excitation function of the HBT (freeze-out) volume which is explained by the competition of two mechanisms of the particle production, namely resonance decays and string formation/fragmentation.

This paper presents results of new far-infrared and middle-infrared measurements (wavenumber range of 4000–100 cm−1) of the CoFe2O4 ceramic in the temperature range from 300 K to 8 K. The band positions and their shapes remain constant across the wide temperature range. The quality of the sample was investigated by X-ray, EDS and EPMA studies. The CoFe2O4 retains the cubic structure (Fd - 3m) across the temperature range from 85 K to 360 K without any traces of distortion. Based on current knowledge the polycrystalline CoFe2O4 does not exhibit any phase transitions across the temperature range from 8 K to 300 K.

Various electronic and optical properties of Zn1−x CaxO ternary alloys of wurtzite structure are calculated using a first-principles approach based on the framework of the generalized gradient approximation to density-functional theory. In particular, on-site Coulomb interactions are introduced, which can reasonably well predict the electronic properties and band gaps of the Zn1−x CaxO (0≤x≤0.25) system. The imaginary part of the calculated dielectric function indicates that the optical transition between O 2p states in the valence band and Zn 4s states in the conduction band shifts to the high-energy range as the Ca concentration increases. The calculated band gap shows a significant increase with increasing Ca concentration. Therefore, Zn1−x CaxO ternary alloys may be a potential candidate alloy for optoelectronic materials, and especially for light-emitters and detectors.

An analytical study is presented for the problem of unsteady hydromagnetic heat and mass transfer for a micropolar fluid bounded by semi-infinite vertical permeable plate in the presence of first-order chemical reaction, thermal radiation and heat absorption. A uniform magnetic field acts perpendicularly to the porous surface which absorbs the micropolar fluid with a time-dependent suction velocity. The basic partial differential equations are reduced to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations which are solved analytically using perturbation technique. Numerical calculations for the analytical expressions are carried out and the results are shown graphically. The effects of the various dimensionless parameters related to the problem on the velocity, angular velocity, temperature and concentration fields are discussed in detail.

The basic features and multi-dimensional instability of electrostatic (EA) solitary waves propagating in an ultra-relativistic degenerate dense magnetized plasma (containing inertia-less electrons, inertia-less positrons, and inertial ions) have been theoretically investigated by reductive perturbation method and small-k perturbation expansion technique. The Zakharov-Kuznetsov (ZK) equation has been derived, and its numerical solutions for some special cases have been analyzed to identify the basic features (viz. amplitude, width, instability, etc.) of these electrostatic solitary structures. The implications of our results in some compact astrophysical objects, particularly white dwarfs and neutron stars, are briefly discussed.

A bimorph-based xz scanner and an amplifier, increasing the capacitance and current measurement sensitivities 250-times and 1000-times, respectively, have been built into the cryostat of a deep level transient spectrometer. The setup renders point by point local capacitance-voltage (C–V) at 1 MHz and dc currentvoltage (I–V) measurements using a sharp tip placed into tunnelling distance from the surface of analysed semiconductor sample. The C–V measurements revealed a strong dependence on the probe/sample separation, ranging from MOS-type at small tunnelling currents to Schottky-type at currents exceeding approximately 10 pA. Marked hysteresis was observed, indicating changes of surface state occupancy. These slow states are otherwise hardly detected, since they are absent in semiconductor/metal contacts and in MOS structures they would become mostly passivated interface states. The setup enables calibrated, fixed zero level capacitance measurement. The stray capacitance is the dominant component of the measured capacitance but it can be easily discarded.

The aim of the presented study is to investigate the applicability of electrochemical oxidation of aromatic compounds containing heteroatoms, e.g. waste from production of pesticides or pharmaceutics, at a borondoped diamond (BDD) electrode. The BDD electrodes were synthesized by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (MW PE CVD). Investigation of the electrode surface by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the synthesized layer was continuous and formed a densely packed grain structure with an average roughness of less than 0:5 μm. The influence of important electrochemical parameters: current density, kind of reactor, pH or mixing operation, on the efficiency of the oxidation was investigated. The fouling of electrode’s surface caused by the deposition of organic material was observed during CV and galvanostatic experiments. At low current density the oxidation rate constant k was low, but the current efficiency was relatively high. The BDD can be used successfully to remove heterogeneous aromatic compounds existing either as molecules or cations. During 4 h of electrolysis 95% of aromatic compounds were electrochemically decomposed to mineral forms. It was observed that the influence of the initial pH on mineralization was marginal.

Studies have been carried out aimed at the development of structures and technology for making special multi-layer textile-polymeric systems of shielding electromagnetic field (EMF). The use of textiles as EMF shielding materials is commonly known, however the EMF attenuation obtained practically exclusively results from the reflection of EMF, while the materials used for this purpose as a rule, show poor EMF absorption abilities. The basic assumption for a new solution is the exploitation of the multiple internal reflection of incident EMF either in textile-polymeric coating materials containing fine-particle electromagnetic materials or in special textile structures. This paper presents the results of investigating the EMF shielding effectiveness of several selected and developed textile-polymeric materials in respect of both their practical applications (protective clothing elements, technical materials, masking elements, etc.) and the structure and content of components with various EMF reflection and absorption properties. The measurement method for independent determination of reflection and transmission coefficients with a wavequide applicator was used. The results obtained with the 2.5 GHz to 18 GHz frequency range show a low value of transmission coefficient (min. −35 dB) and accepted reflection attenuation from about −4 dB to −15 dB for higher frequencies.

Nature inspires the design of synthetic materials with superhydrophobic properties, which can be used for applications ranging from self-cleaning surfaces to microfluidic devices. Their water repellent properties are due to hierarchical (micrometer- and nanometre-scale) surface morphological structures, either made of hydrophobic substances or hydrophobized by appropriate surface treatment. In this work, the efficiency of two surface treatment procedures, with a hydrophobic fluoropolymer, synthesized and deposited from 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane (PFOTS) is investigated. The procedures involved reactions from the gas and liquid phases of the PFOTS/hexane solutions. The hierarchical structure is created in an epoxy nanocomposite surface, by filling the resin with alumina nanoparticles and micron-sized glass beads and subsequent sandblasting with corundum microparticles. The chemical structure of the deposited fluoropolymer was examined using XPS spectroscopy. The topography of the modified surfaces was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hydrophobic properties of the modified surfaces were investigated by water contact and sliding angles measurements. The surfaces exhibited water contact angles of above 150° for both modification procedures, however only the gas phase modification provided the non-sticking behaviour of water droplets (sliding angle of 3°). The discrepancy is attributed to extra surface roughness provided by the latter procedure.

In order to find a relationship between electrical and microstructural properties, yttrium-doped strontium titanate (7 mol%) with various values of strontium nonstoichiometry was investigated and shown in this work. It has been observed that yttrium doping can affect the electrical properties of SrTiO3 to a great extent. Moreover, the microstructural and electrical properties can be influenced by strontium nonstoichiometry. The defect chemistry explaining obtained results was also suggested and discussed.

The forefront of the anti-viral defence is sometimes aimed at virion attachment to a host membrane. This step or, more specifically, virion contacts with cellular membrane receptors (or, e.g., glycolipids) can be inhibited by antibodies (or specially chosen or designed compounds) via their association with virions. In this case, the full-scale attachment of virions to a host membrane occurs via a subtle interplay of the formation and rupture of multiple virion-inhibitor and virion-receptor bonds. We present a kinetic model describing this interplay and illustrating general trends in the process under consideration.

A scheme to observe Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in an optomechanical system is proposed in the current paper. We treat a narrowband squeezed field as the weak probe field. We find that EIT dips exist in the output field. Moreover, the dependence of the EIT dips on the effective cavity detuning Δ and the input power ζ are explored. We show that the width of the EIT dips can be controlled by the parameters ξ and the detuning Δ.

In this study, we introduce a dual Hopf algebra in the sense of Sudbery for the quantum space(3) whose coordinates satisfy the commutation relations with two parameters and we show that the dual algebra is isomorphic to the quantum Lie algebra corresponding to the Cartan-Maurer right invariant differential forms on the quantum space(3). We also observe that the quantum Lie algebra generators are commutative as those of the undeformed Lie algebra and the deformation becomes apparent when one studies the Leibniz rules for the generators.