A Low-Energy 'Off Switch' for Quark-Gluon Plasma
systematically varying the amount of energy involved in collisions of gold nuclei, scientists have shown that the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) exists in collisions at energies from 200 billion electron volts (GeV) at least to 19.6 GeV. However, its production appears to be "turned off" at the lowest collision energy, 3 GeV. The "off" signal shows up as a sign change in data that describe the distribution of protons produced in these collisions. The findings will help physicists further study the QGP and phases of nuclear matter.
Early Universe Crackled With Bursts of Star Formation, Webb Shows
With its large, light-gathering mirror and infrared sensitivity, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is uniquely suited to study galaxies that existed in the early universe, just a few hundred million years after the big bang. Just over one whole month of Webb's observing time is devoted to the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey, or JADES. JADES will peer deeply into the universe to study some of the faintest and most distant galaxies. Among the program's first findings: Hundreds of galaxies that existed when the universe was less than 600 million years old, and galaxies that have undergone repeated bursts of star formation.
UAH professor helping to revolutionize Big Data astronomy, using statistics in a new way to decipher the universe
The digital age has been a tremendous boon to the fields of both statistics and astronomy. However, according to Dr. Max Bonamente, a professor of physics and astronomy at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), most astronomers are not sufficiently trained to realize the substantial benefits to be gained by putting these disciplines together.
A Simple Solution for Nuclear Matter in Two Dimensions
Understanding the behavior of nuclear matter is extremely complicated, especially when working in three dimensions. Mathematical techniques from condensed matter physics that consider interactions in just one spatial dimension (plus time) greatly simplify the problem. Using this two-dimensional approach, scientists solved the complex equations that describe how low-energy excitations ripple through a system of dense nuclear matter such as exists at the center of neutron stars.
Resolving a Mathematical Puzzle in Quarks and Gluons in Nuclear Matter
Theoretical calculations involving the strong force are complex in part because of the large number of ways these calculations can be performed. These options include "gauge choices." All gauge choices should produce the same result for the calculation of any quantity that can be measured in an experiment. However, it is difficult to obtain consistent results when using one particular choice, "axial gauge." New research resolves this puzzle.
New Insights on the Interplay of Electromagnetism and the Weak Nuclear Force
Outside atomic nuclei, neutrons are unstable, disintegrating in about fifteen minutes due to the weak nuclear force to leave behind a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino. New research identified a shift in the strength with which a spinning neutron experiences the weak nuclear force, due to emission and absorption of photons and pions. The finding impacts high precision searches of new, beyond the Standard Model interactions in beta decay.
Eventually everything will evaporate, not only black holes
New theoretical research by Michael Wondrak, Walter van Suijlekom and Heino Falcke of Radboud University has shown that Stephen Hawking was right about black holes, although not completely.
Subtle Signs of Fluctuations in Critical Point Search
Physicists analyzing data from gold ion smashups at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility for nuclear physics research at DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory, are searching for evidence that nails down a so-called critical point in the way nuclear matter changes from one phase to another.
X-rays visualize how one of nature's strongest bonds breaks
The use of short flashes of X-ray light brings scientists one big step closer toward developing better catalysts to transform the greenhouse gas methane into a less harmful chemical. The result, published in the journal Science, reveals for the first time how carbon-hydrogen bonds of alkanes break and how the catalyst works in this reaction.
Rubin Observatory Brings a Universe of Discovery to the Public
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory Education and Public Outreach program launches today, marking the first time that a major next-generation astronomy research facility has integrated a comprehensive and fully NSF-funded outreach program into its construction phase. When it begins science operations in late 2024, Rubin will produce a complete survey of the southern sky every few nights to study dark matter, dark energy, and the changing Universe. Rubin will share this adventure with the public.
Bringing the Universe to You
Teachers, students, and the general public can now explore a suite of online, interactive experiences that highlight Rubin Observatory and its science.
Observatorio Rubin acerca el universo al publico
El Observatorio Vera C. Rubin lanzo hoy su programa de Educacion y Extension Publica, marcando por primera vez la integracion entre una importante instalacion astronomica de proxima generacion, con un programa de divulgacion integral y totalmente financiado por la Fundacion Nacional de Ciencias de Estados Unidos (NSF) en su fase de construccion. Una vez que Rubin comience sus operaciones cientificas a fines de 2024, producira un estudio completo del cielo del hemisferio sur para estudiar la materia oscura y los cambios que se aprecian en el universo. Rubin compartira esta aventura con el publico.
Critical Decision-3A Clears Way Toward Standard Model Test
The U.S. Department of Energy has given the greenlight for the MOLLER experiment to begin procurement of key components with its granting of Critical Decision-3A (CD-3A): Approve Long Lead Procurements. The determination allows the MOLLER project at Jefferson Lab to begin spending $9.14 million for long-lead procurements of critical items for which designs are complete. The MOLLER collaboration formed in 2006, and more than 100 physicists from more than 30 institutions are now involved. MOLLER will make a measurement of the electron's weak charge that is five times more precise than any before. The electron's weak charge is essentially how much influence the weak force exerts on the electron.
Axions whisper, but can you hear them? FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers think so
Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering are working with scientists from the Axion Dark Matter Experiment (ADMX) team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) on a U.S. Department of Energy project to develop particle detectors that are sensitive enough to find these particles. The research, funded by a $350,000 grant, is part of a greater effort by the Department of Energy to explore the development of superconducting quantum detectors.
The 'breath' between atoms -- a new building block for quantum technology
University of Washington researchers have discovered they can detect atomic "breathing," or the mechanical vibration between two layers of atoms, by observing the type of light those atoms emitted when stimulated by a laser. The sound of this atomic "breath" could help researchers encode and transmit quantum information.
Early career scientist wins prestigious Hungarian physics award
Laszlo Horvath, an early career physicist at PPPL, is the winner of the 2022 Karoly Simonyi Memorial Plaque from the Hungarian Nuclear Society.
Finally solved! The great mystery of quantized vortex motion
Liquid helium-4, which is in a superfluid state at cryogenic temperatures close to absolute zero (-273 deg.C), has a special vortex called a quantized vortex that originates from quantum mechanical effects.
Producing large, clean 2D materials made easy: just KISS
Ever since the discovery of the two-dimensional form of graphite (called graphene) almost twenty years ago, interest in 2D materials with their special physical properties has skyrocketed.
Researchers improved the catastrophic failure assessment of sealed cabin for ultra large manned spacecraft in M/OD environment
Hypervelocity impacts of Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (M/OD) seriously threaten the safety of manned spacecraft and astronauts in orbit. At present, M/OD above 10 cm, which can be monitored and predicted in advance, can usually be avoided by orbital maneuver.
Biomicrofluidics Selects Groundbreaking Platform to Manipulate Biospecimens for 2022 Best Paper Award
Biomicrofluidics is pleased to announce Sumin Lee as the winner of its 2022 Best Paper award. An expert panel of judges selected Lee for her significant contribution as an emerging author in microfluidics and nanofluidics.
Quest for alien signals in the heart of the Milky Way takes off
Akshay Suresh, a graduate student at Cornell University, spearheads an extraordinary scientific endeavor -- a groundbreaking mission to uncover periodic signals emanating from the core of the Milky Way called the Breakthrough Listen Investigation for Periodic Spectral Signals (BLIPSS).
Scientists observe hypernuclei collective flow in heavy-ion collisions
Scientists from the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and their collaborators in the RHIC-STAR experiment have observed the collective flow of hypernuclei in heavy-ion collisions for the first time.
Novel solar desalination system for remote areas
With summer temperatures soaring, the spectre of water scarcity looms large. As a possible solution to increase the availability of clean, potable water, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a novel thermal desalination system which can work using solar energy.
The Making of a Mona Lisa Hologram
Holograms are often displayed in science fiction as colorful, life-sized projections. But what seems like the technology of the future is actually the technology of the present. In Applied Physics Reviews, by AIP Publishing, researchers developed an acoustic metasurface-based holography technique that uses a deep learning algorithm to generate and iteratively improve a hologram of the Mona Lisa.
How Insects Track Odors by Navigating Microscale Winds
Insects use odor plumes -- which travel like smoke and form when the wind blows odor molecules from their source -- to track down sources such as flowers or pheromones. But wind tunnels are typically unable to replicate realistic outdoor wind conditions. In Physics of Fluids, by AIP Publishing, University of Nevada at Reno researchers decided to explore microscale wind conditions in various outdoor environments to better understand what flying insects might experience while tracking odor plumes.