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A. Romeo

Publications and source records attributed to A. Romeo.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2016

IBIC analysis of CdTe/CdS solar cells

This paper reports on the investigation of the electronic properties of a thin film CdS/CdTe solar cell with the Ion Beam Induced Charge (IBIC) technique. The device under test is a thin film (total thickness around 10 um) multilayer heterojunction solar cell, displaying an efficiency of 14% under AM1.5 illumination conditions. The IBIC measurements were carried out using focused 3.150 MeV He ions raster scanned onto the surface of the back electrode. The charge collection efficiency (CCE) maps show inhomogeneous response of the cell to be attributed to the polycrystalline nature of the CdTe bulk material. Finally, the evolution of the IBIC signal vs. the ion fluence was studied in order to evaluate the radiation hardness of the CdS/CdTe solar cells in view of their use in solar modules for space applications.

physics.ins-det↗
arXiv2010

Dissecting the spin distribution of Dark Matter halos

(Abridged) We apply a very general statistical theorem introduced by Cramer (1936) to study the origin of the deviations of the halo spin PDF from the reference lognormal shape. We find that these deviations originate from correlations between two quantities entering the definition of spin, namely the ratio $J/M^{5/2}$ (which depends only on mass) and the total gravitational binding energy $E$. To reach this conclusion, we have made usage of the results deduced from two high spatial- and mass resolution simulations. Our simulations cover a relatively small volume and produce a sample of more than 16.000 gravitationally bound halos, each traced by at least 300 particles. We verify that our results are stable to different systematics, by comparing our results with those derived by the GIF2 and by a more recent simulation performed by Maccio' et al. We find that the spin probability distribution function shows systematic deviations from a lognormal, at all redshifts z <= 1. These deviations depend on mass and redshift: at small masses they change little with redshift, and also the best lognormal fits are more stable. The J-M relationship is well described by a power law of exponent $α$ very near to the linear theory prediction (alpha=5/3), but systematically lower than this at z<= 0.3. We argue that the fact that deviations from a lognormal PDF are present only for high-spin halos could point to a role of large-scale tidal fields in the evolution of the spin PDF.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2008

How Does Quantum Vacuum Energy Accelerate?

We show that Casimir energy for a configuration of parallel plates gravitates according to the equivalence principle both for the finite and divergent parts. This shows that the latter can be absorbed by a process of renormalization.

hep-th↗
arXiv2001

Casimir effect for scalar fields under Robin boundary conditions on plates

We study the Casimir effect for scalar fields with general curvature coupling subject to mixed boundary conditions $(1+β_{m}n^μ\partial_μ)ϕ=0$ at $x=a_{m}$ on one ($m=1$) and two ($m=1,2$) parallel plates at a distance $a\equiv a_{2}-a_{1}$ from each other. Making use of the generalized Abel-Plana formula previously established by one of the authors \cite{Sahrev}, the Casimir energy densities are obtained as functions of $β_{1}$ and of $β_{1}$,$β_{2}$,$a$, respectively. In the case of two parallel plates, a decomposition of the total Casimir energy into volumic and superficial contributions is provided. The possibility of finding a vanishing energy for particular parameter choices is shown, and the existence of a minimum to the surface part is also observed. We show that there is a region in the space of parameters defining the boundary conditions in which the Casimir forces are repulsive for small distances and attractive for large distances. This yields to an interesting possibility for stabilizing the distance between the plates by using the vacuum forces.

hep-th↗
arXiv2001

Photon Propagation in Space-Time with a Compactified Spatial Dimension

The one-loop effects of vacuum polarization induced by untwisted fermions in QED in a nonsimply connected space-time with topology $S^{1}\times R^{3}$ are investigated. It is found that photon propagation in this system is anisotropic, appearing several massive photon modes and a superluminal transverse mode. For small compactification radius $a$, the superluminal velocity increases logarithmically with $a$. At low energies the photon masses lead to an effective confinement of the gauge fields into a (2+1)-dimensional manifold transverse to the compactified direction. The system shows a topologically induced directional superconductivity.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2001

Spontaneous CPT Violation in Confined QED

Symmetry breaking induced by untwisted fermions in QED in a nonsimply connected spacetime with topology $S^{1}\times R^{3}$ is investigated. It is found that the discrete CPT symmetry of the theory is spontaneously broken by the appearance of a constant vacuum expectation value of the electromagnetic potential along the direction of space periodicity. The constant potential is shown to be gauge nonequivalent to zero in the nonsimply connected spacetime under consideration. Due to the symmetry breaking, one of the electromagnetic modes of propagation is massive with a mass that depends on the inverse of the compactification length. As a result, the system exhibits a sort of topological directional superconductivity.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1999

Data Processing and Compression of Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropies on Board the PLANCK Satellite

We present a simple way of coding and compressing the data on board the Planck instruments (HFI and LFI) to address the problem of the on board data reduction. This is a critical issue in the Planck mission. The total information that can be downloaded to Earth is severely limited by the telemetry allocation. This limitation could reduce the amount of diagnostics sent on the stability of the radiometers and, as a consequence, curb the final sensitivity of the CMB anisotropy maps. Our proposal to address this problem consists in taking differences of consecutive circles at a given sky pointing. To a good approximation, these differences are independent of the external signal, and are dominated by thermal (white) instrumental noise. Using simulations and analytical predictions we show that high compression rates, $c_r \simeq 10$, can be obtained with minor or zero loss of CMB sensitivity. Possible effects of digital distortion are also analized. The proposed scheme allows for flexibility to optimize the relation with other critical aspects of the mission. Thus, this study constitutes an important step towards a more realistic modeling of the final sensitivity of the CMB temperature anisotropy maps.

astro-ph↗
arXiv1998

Data compression on board the PLANCK Satellite Low Frequency Instrument: optimal compression rate

Data on board the future PLANCK Low Frequency Instrument (LFI), to measure the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropies, consist of $N$ differential temperature measurements, expanding a range of values we shall call $R$. Preliminary studies and telemetry allocation indicate the need of compressing these data by a ratio of $c_r \simgt 10$. Here we present a study of entropy for (correlated multi-Gaussian discrete) noise, showing how the optimal compression $c_{r,opt}$, for a linearly discretized data set with $N_{bits}=\log_2{N_{max}}$ bits is given by: $c_r \simeq {N_{bits}/\log_2(\sqrt{2πe} ~σ_e/Δ)}$, where $σ_e\equiv (det C)^{1/2N}$ is some effective noise rms given by the covariance matrix $C$ and $Δ\equiv R / N_{max}$ is the digital resolution. This $Δ$ only needs to be as small as the instrumental white noise RMS: $Δ\simeq σ_T \simeq 2 mK$ (the nominal $μK$ pixel sensitivity will only be achieved after averaging). Within the currently proposed $N_{bits}=16$ representation, a linear analogue to digital converter (ADC) will allow the digital storage of a large dynamic range of differential temperature $R= N_{max} Δ$ accounting for possible instrument drifts and instabilities (which could be reduced by proper on-board calibration). A well calibrated signal will be dominated by thermal (white) noise in the instrument: $σ_e \simeq σ_T$, which could yield large compression rates $c_{r,opt} \simeq 8$. This is the maximum lossless compression possible. In practice, point sources and $1/f$ noise will produce $σ_e > σ_T$ and $c_{r,opt} < 8$. This strategy seems safer than non-linear ADC or data reduction schemes (which could also be used at some stage).

astro-ph↗
arXiv1998

Energy of the vacuum with a perfectly conducting and infinite cylindrical surface

Values for the vacuum energy of scalar fields under Dirichlet and Neuman boundary conditions on an infinite clylindrical surface are found, and they happen to be of opposite signs. In contrast with classical works, a complete zeta function regularization scheme is here applied. These fields are regarded as interesting both by themselves and as the key to describing the electromagnetic (e.m.) case. With their help, the figure for the e.m. Casimir effect in the presence of this surface, found by De Raad and Milton, is now confirmed.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Renormalization Group Properties of Higher-Derivative Quantum Gravity with Matter in $4-\varepsilon$ Dimensions

We investigate the phase structure and the infrared properties of higher-derivative quantum gravity (QG) with matter, in $4-\varepsilon$ dimensions. The renormalization group (RG) equations in $4-\varepsilon$ dimensions are analysed for the following types of matter: the $fφ^4$-theory, the $O(N) φ^4$-theory, scalar electrodynamics, and the $SU(2)$ model with scalars. New fixed points for the scalar coupling appear ---one of which is IR stable--- being some of them induced by QG. The IR stable fixed point perturbed by QG leads to a second-order phase transition for the theory at non-zero temperature. The RG improved effective potential in the $SU(2)$ theory (which can be considered as the confining phase of the standard model) is calculated at nonzero temperature and it is shown that its shape is clearly influenced by QG.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

GUTs in Curved Spacetime: Running Gravitational Constants, Newtonian Potential and the Quantum Corrected Gravitational Equations

The running coupling constants (in particular, the gravitational one) are studied in asymptotically free GUTs and in finite GUTs in curved spacetime, with explicit examples. The running gravitational coupling is used to calculate the leading quantum GUT corrections to the Newtonian potential, which turn out to be of logarithmic form in asymptotically free GUTs. A comparison with the effective theory for the conformal factor ---where leading quantum corrections to the Newtonian potential are again logarithmic--- is made. A totally asymptotically free $O(N)$ GUT with quantum higher derivative gravity is then constructed, using the technique of introducing renormalization group (RG) potentials in the space of couplings. RG equations for the cosmological and gravitational couplings in this theory are derived, and solved numerically, showing the influence of higher-derivative quantum gravity on the Newtonian potential. The RG-improved effective gravitational Lagrangian for asymptotically free massive GUTs is calculated in the strong (almost constant) curvature regime, and the non-singular De Sitter solution to the quantum corrected gravitational equations is subsequently discussed. Finally, possible extensions of the results here obtained are briefly outlined.

hep-th↗
arXiv1993

Dynamical Determination of the Metric Signature in Spacetime of Nontrivial Topology

The formalism of Greensite for treating the spacetime signature as a dynamical degree of freedom induced by quantum fields is considered for spacetimes with nontrivial topology of the kind ${\bf R}^{D-1} \times {\bf T}^1$, for varying $D$. It is shown that a dynamical origin for the Lorentzian signature is possible in the five-dimensional space ${\bf R}^4 \times {\bf T}^1$ with small torus radius (periodic boundary conditions), as well as in four-dimensional space with trivial topology. Hence, the possibility exists that the early universe might have been of the Kaluza-Klein type, \ie multidimensional and of Lorentzian signature.

hep-th↗
arXiv1992

Spectral Zeta Functions for Spherical Aharonov-Bohm Quantum Bags

We study the sum $\dsζ_H(s)=\sum_j E_j^{-s}$ over the eigenvalues $E_j$ of the Schrdinger equation in a spherical domain with Dirichlet walls, threaded by a line of magnetic flux. Rather than using Green's function techniques, we tackle the mathematically nontrivial problem of finding exact sum rules for the zeros of Bessel functions $J_ν$, which are extremely helpful when seeking numerical approximations to ground state energies. These results are particularly valuable if $ν$ is neither an integer nor half an odd one.

hep-th↗