17174387
N-flation: Observable predictions from the random matrix mass spectrum
We carry out numerical investigations of the perturbations in N-flation models where the mass spectrum is generated by random matrix theory. The tensor-to-scalar ratio and non-Gaussianity are already known to take the single-field values, and so the density perturbation spectral index is the main parameter of interest. We study several types of random field initial conditions and compute the spectral index as a function of mass spectrum parameters. Comparison with microwave anisotropy data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe shows that the model is currently viable in the majority of its parameter space.
14036761
Dynamics of assisted quintessence
We explore the dynamics of assisted quintessence, where more than one scalar field is present with the same potential. For potentials with tracking solutions, the fields naturally approach the same values — in the context of inflation this leads to the assisted inflation phenomenon where several fields can cooperate to drive a period of inflation though none is able to individually. For exponential potentials, we study the fixed points and their stability confirming results already in the literature, and then carry out a numerical analysis to show how assisted quintessence is realized. For inverse power-law potentials, we find by contrast that there is no assisted behaviour — indeed those are the unique (monotonic) potentials where several fields together behave just as a single field in the same potential. More generally, we provide an algorithm for generating a single-field potential giving equivalent dynamics to multi-field assisted quintessence.
17082200
N-flation: Multifield inflationary dynamics and perturbations
We carry out numerical investigations of the dynamics and perturbations in the Nflation model of Dimopoulos et al. (2005). This model features large numbers of scalar fields with different masses, which can cooperate to drive inflation according to the assisted inflation mechanism. We extend previous work to include random initial conditions for the scalar fields, and explore the predictions for density perturbations and the tensor-to-scalar ratio. The tensor-to-scalar ratio depends only on the number of e-foldings and is independent of the number of fields, their masses, and their initial conditions. It therefore always has the same value as for a single massive field. By contrast, the scalar spectral index has significant dependence on model parameters. While normally multi-field inflation models make predictions for observable quantities which depend also on the unknown field initial conditions, we find evidence of a ‘thermodynamic’ regime whereby the predicted spectral index becomes independent of initial conditions if there are enough fields. Only in parts of parameter space where the mass spectrum of the fields is extremely densely packed is the model capable of satisfying the tight observational constraints from WMAP3 observations.
18442902
Tracking Performance of the Scintillating Fiber Detector in the K2K Experiment
The K2K long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment uses a Scintillating Fiber Detector (SciFi) to reconstruct charged particles produced in neutrino interactions in the near detector. We describe the track reconstruction algorithm and the performance of the SciFi after 3 years of operation.
14570068
N-Body Simulations of Compact Young Clusters near the Galactic Center
We investigate the dynamical evolution of compact young star clusters (CYCs) near the Galactic center using Aarseth's Nbody6 codes. The relatively small number of stars in the cluster (5000-20,000) makes real-number N-body simulations for these clusters feasible on current workstations. Using Fokker-Planck (F-P) models, Kim, Morris, & Lee made a survey of cluster lifetimes for various initial conditions and have found that clusters with a mass 2 × 104 M☉ evaporate in ~10 Myr. These results were, however, to be confirmed by N-body simulations because some extreme cluster conditions, such as strong tidal forces and a large stellar mass range participating in the dynamical evolution, might violate assumptions made in F-P models. Here we find that, in most cases, the CYC lifetimes of previous F-P calculations are 5%-30% shorter than those from the present N-body simulations. The comparison of projected number density profiles and stellar mass functions between N-body simulations and Hubble Space Telescope/NICMOS observations by Figer and colleagues in 1999 suggests that the current tidal radius of the Arches cluster is ~1.0 pc and that the parameters for the initial conditions of that cluster are as follows: total mass of 2 × 104 M☉ and mass function slope for intermediate to massive stars of 1.75 (the Salpeter function has 2.35). We also find that the lower stellar mass limit, the presence of primordial binaries, the amount of initial mass segregation, and the choice of initial density profile (King or Plummer models) do not significantly affect the dynamical evolution of CYCs.
123122242
OBSERVATION OF THE TOP QUARK
Top-quark production is observed in collisions at at the Fermilab Tevatron. The CDF and DO collaborations observe signals consistent with to but inconsistent with the background prediction by 4.8σ (CDF) and 4.6σ (DO). Additional evidence for the top quark is provided by a peak in the reconstructed mass distribution. The kinematic properties of the excess events are consistent with the top-quark decay. The top-quark mass has been measured to be 176±8(stat.) ±10(sys.)GeV/c2 (CDF) and ±22(sys.)GeV/c2 (DO), and the -production cross section to be and 6.4±2.2 pb (DO).
18183448
Two-Component Fokker-Planck Models for the Evolution of Isolated Globular Clusters
Two-component (normal and degenerate stars) models are the simplest realization of clusters with a mass spectrum because high-mass stars evolve quickly into degenerates, while low-mass stars remain on the main sequence for the age of the universe. Here we examine the evolution of isolated globular clusters by using two-component Fokker-Planck (FP) models that include heating by binaries formed in tidal capture and in three-body encounters. Three-body binary heating dominates, and the postcollapse expansion is self-similar, at least in models with total mass M ≤ 3 × 105 M☉, initial half-mass radius rh,i ≥ 5 pc, component mass ratio m2/m1 ≥ 2, and number ratio N1/N2 ≤ 300, when m2 = 1.4 M☉. We derive scaling laws for ρc, vi, rc, and rh as functions of m1/m2, N, M, and time t from simple energy-balance arguments; these agree well with the FP simulations. We have studied the conditions under which gravothermal oscillations (GTOs) occur. If Etot and Ec are the energies of the cluster and of the core, respectively, and trh and tc are their relaxation times, then ≡ (Etot/trh)/(Ec/trc) is a good predictor of GTOs: all models with > 0.01 are stable, and all but one with < 0.01 oscillate. We derive a scaling law for against N and m1/m2 and compare them with our numerical results. Clusters with larger m2/m1 or smaller N are stabler.
119232936
Existence of a critical point in the phase diagram of the ideal relativistic neutral Bose gas
We explore the phase transitions of the ideal relativistic neutral Bose gas confined in a cubic box, without assuming the thermodynamic limit nor continuous approximation. While the corresponding non-relativistic canonical partition function is essentially a one-variable function depending on a particular combination of temperature and volume, the relativistic canonical partition function is genuinely a two-variable function of them. Based on an exact expression for the canonical partition function, we performed numerical computations for up to 105 particles. We report that if the number of particles is equal to or greater than a critical value, which amounts to 7616, the ideal relativistic neutral Bose gas features a spinodal curve with a critical point. This enables us to depict the phase diagram of the ideal Bose gas. The consequent phase transition is first order below the critical pressure or second order at the critical pressure. The exponents corresponding to the singularities are 1/2 and 2/3, respectively. We also verify the recently observed 'Widom line' in the supercritical region.