SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

S. Wells

Publications and source records attributed to S. Wells.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

A variational approach to relativistic superfluid vortex elasticity

It is well known that a superfluid rotates by forming an array of quantized vortices. A relativistic formulation for superfluid vortex dynamics is required for a range of problems in astrophysics and cosmology, from neutron star interiors and radio pulsar glitches to possible dark matter condensates on galactic scales. This paper develops a formalism for such systems, extending the well-established variational approach to relativistic fluids to account for the presence of a collection of quantized vortices. The model is firmly anchored in the geometry of the problem (drawing on aspects from basic string dynamics) and accounts for elastic aspects associated with a vortex array, providing a precise foundation for applications which have so far been based on somewhat ad hoc phenomenology.

gr-qc

Quantised vortices and mutual friction in relativistic superfluids

We consider the detailed dynamics of an array of quantised superfluid vortices in the framework of general relativity, as required for quantitative modelling of realistic neutron star cores. Our model builds on the variational approach to relativistic (multi-) fluid dynamics, where the vorticity plays a central role. The description provides a natural extension of, and as it happens a better insight into, existing Newtonian models. In particular, we account for the mutual friction associated with scattering of a second "normal" component in the mixture off of the superfluid vortices.

gr-qc

The MOLLER Experiment: An Ultra-Precise Measurement of the Weak Mixing Angle Using Møller Scattering

The physics case and an experimental overview of the MOLLER (Measurement Of a Lepton Lepton Electroweak Reaction) experiment at the 12 GeV upgraded Jefferson Lab are presented. A highlight of the Fundamental Symmetries subfield of the 2007 NSAC Long Range Plan was the SLAC E158 measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry $A_{PV}$ in polarized electron-electron (Møller) scattering. The proposed MOLLER experiment will improve on this result by a factor of five, yielding the most precise measurement of the weak mixing angle at low or high energy anticipated over the next decade. This new result would be sensitive to the interference of the electromagnetic amplitude with new neutral current amplitudes as weak as $\sim 10^{-3}\cdot G_F$ from as yet undiscovered dynamics beyond the Standard Model. The resulting discovery reach is unmatched by any proposed experiment measuring a flavor- and CP-conserving process over the next decade, and yields a unique window to new physics at MeV and multi-TeV scales, complementary to direct searches at high energy colliders such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The experiment takes advantage of the unique opportunity provided by the upgraded electron beam energy, luminosity, and stability at Jefferson Laboratory and the extensive experience accumulated in the community after a round of recent successfully completed parity-violating electron scattering experiments

nucl-ex

Observation of the Helium 7 Lambda hypernucleus by the (e,e'K+) reaction

An experiment with a newly developed high-resolution kaon spectrometer (HKS) and a scattered electron spectrometer with a novel configuration was performed in Hall C at Jefferson Lab (JLab). The ground state of a neutron-rich hypernucleus, He 7 Lambda, was observed for the first time with the (e,e'K+) reaction with an energy resolution of ~0.6 MeV. This resolution is the best reported to date for hypernuclear reaction spectroscopy. The he 7 Lambda binding energy supplies the last missing information of the A=7, T=1 hypernuclear iso-triplet, providing a new input for the charge symmetry breaking (CSB) effect of ΛN potential.

nucl-ex

The Qweak Experiment: A Search for New Physics at the TeV Scale via a Measurement of the Proton's Weak Charge

We propose a new precision measurement of parity-violating electron scattering on the proton at very low Q^2 and forward angles to challenge predictions of the Standard Model and search for new physics. A unique opportunity exists to carry out the first precision measurement of the proton's weak charge, $Q_W =1 - 4\sin^2θ_W$. A 2200 hour measurement of the parity violating asymmetry in elastic ep scattering at Q^2=0.03 (GeV/c)^2 employing 180 $μ$A of 85% polarized beam on a 35 cm liquid Hydrogen target will determine the proton's weak charge with approximately 4% combined statistical and systematic errors. The Standard Model makes a firm prediction of $Q_W$, based on the running of the weak mixing angle from the Z0 pole down to low energies, corresponding to a 10 sigma effect in this experiment.

physics.ins-det

Hypernuclear Spectroscopy using the (e,e'K+) Reaction

A pioneering experiment in Lambda hypernuclear spectroscopy, undertaken at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jlab), was recently reported. The experiment used the high- precision, continuous electron beam at Jlab, and a special arrangement of spectrometer magnets to measure the spectrum from {nat}C and 7Li targets using the (e,e' K+)reaction. The 12B hypernuclear spectrum was previously published. This experiment is now reported in more detail, with improved results for the 12B hypernuclear spectrum. In addition, unpublished results of the 7He hypernuclear spectrum are also shown. This later spectrum indicates the need for a more detailed few-body calculation of the hypernucleus and the reaction process. The success of this experiment demonstrates that the (e,e'K+) reaction can be effectively used as a high resolution tool to study hypernuclear spectra, ant its use should be vigorously pursued.

nucl-ex

A High Power Hydrogen Target for Parity Violation Experiments

Parity-violating electron scattering measurements on hydrogen and deuterium, such as those underway at the Bates and CEBAF laboratories, require luminosities exceeding $10^{38}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$, resulting in large beam power deposition into cryogenic liquid. Such targets must be able to absorb 500 watts or more with minimal change in target density. A 40~cm long liquid hydrogen target, designed to absorb 500~watts of beam power without boiling, has been developed for the SAMPLE experiment at Bates. In recent tests with 40~$μ$A of incident beam, no evidence was seen for density fluctuations in the target, at a sensitivity level of better than 1\%. A summary of the target design and operational experience will be presented.

nucl-ex

SAMPLE: Parity Violating Electron Scattering from Hydrogen and Deuterium

Recently, there has been considerable theoretical interest in determining strange quark contributions to hadronic matrix elements. Such matrix elements can be accessed through the nucleon's neutral weak form factors as determined in parity violating electron scattering. The SAMPLE experiment will measure the strange magnetic form factor $G_M^s$ at low momentum transfer. By combining measurements from hydrogen and deuterium the theoretical uncertainties in the measurement can be greatly reduced and the result will be limited by experimental errors only. A summary of recent progress on the SAMPLE experiment is presented.

nucl-ex