This dissertation presents an investigation of ordering in FCC based systems using the pair potential approximation in the ground state and mean field limits. The theoretical approach is used to explain the occurrence of observed equilibrium phases and characteristics of thermodynamic instabilities, in particular, spinodal ordering and decomposition. It is shown that the stability of non-integer domain sizes in long period superstructures such as Al{sub 3}Ti and Ag{sub 3}Mg may result from the tendency of a system to reduce the number of non-dominant ordering waves, thus producing domain sizes that have rational fraction form n/m. This conclusion is used to explain the domain size stability with respect to variations in temperature and electron concentration. The cation ordering in the precipitate phases in calcite and dolomite is analyzed by analogy with ordering in FCC based metals. The ordered phases in calcite and dolomite are shown to be consistent with pair potential minima at {l brace}100{r brace} and {l brace}1/2, 1/2, 1/2{r brace} positions in reciprocal space respectively. 32 refs., 6 figs.

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are ubiquitous in the centers of galaxies. Their formation and subsequent evolution is inextricably linked to that of their host galaxies, and the study of galaxy formation is incomplete without the inclusion of SMBHs. The present work seeks to understand the growth and evolution of SMBHs through their interaction with the host galaxy and its environment. In the first part of the thesis (Chap. 2 and 3), we combine a simple semi-analytic model of outflows from active galactic nuclei (AGN) with a simulated dark matter density distribution to study the impact of SMBH feedback on cosmological scales. We find that constraints can be placed on the kinetic efficiency of such feedback using observations of the filling fraction of the Ly{alpha} forest. We also find that AGN feedback is energetic enough to redistribute baryons over cosmological distances, having potentially significant effects on the interpretation of cosmological data which are sensitive to the total matter density distribution (e.g. weak lensing). However, truly assessing the impact of AGN feedback in the universe necessitates large-dynamic range simulations with extensive treatment of baryonic physics to first model the fueling of SMBHs. In the second part of the thesis (Chap. 4-6) we …

Measurements of the inclusive diffractive Z {yields} {mu}{sup +}{mu}{sup -} cross section with gap requirement for M{sub {mu}}{sub {mu}} > 40 GeV at {radical} s = 1.96 TeV and fraction of Z bosons produced diffractively with gap requirement from Z inclusive production are presented. The measurements are performed using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 820 pb{sup -1}, collected with the D0 detector at the Tevatron, between 2002 to 2005. A total of 39945 di-muons events are selected and final results of: {sigma}{sub Diff}{sup gap} x Br(Z/{gamma}* {yields} {mu}{sup +}{mu}{sup -}) = 4.09 {+-} 0.64(stat.) {+-} 0.88(syst.) {+-} 0.27(lumi.) pb and, R{sub Diff}{sup gap} = 1.92 {+-} 0.30(stat.) {+-} 0.41(syst.) {+-} 0.12(lumi) % are obtained. In addition, d{sigma}/d{zeta} and d{sigma}/dy distributions are presented and they are compared with diffractive montecarlo (POMWIG). A reasonable agreement is obtained in this comparation. Finally, comparison of fraction of Z bosons produced diffractively with gap requirement (gap fraction) as measured with D0 during Run I of the Tevatron is compared. A good agreement is found for gap fraction results.

A search for the muon neutrino magnetic moment was conducted using the Mini-BooNE low energy neutrino data. The analysis was performed by analyzing the elastic scattering interactions of muon neutrinos on electrons. The analysis looked for an excess of elastic scattering events above the Standard Model prediction from which a limit on the neutrino magnetic could be set. In this thesis, we report an excess of 15.3 {+-} 6.6(stat){+-}4.1(syst) {nu}{sub {mu}e} events above the expected background. At 90% C.L., we derived a limit on the muon neutrino magnetic moment of 12.7 x 10{sup -10} {micro}{sub B}. The other analysis reported in this thesis is a measurement of charged current single pion production (CC{pi}{sup +}) to charged current quasi elastic (CCQE) interactions cross sections ratio. This measurement was performed with two different fitting algorithms and the results from both fitters are consistent with each other.

This thesis describes a measurement of the lifetime of the {Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} baryon, performed using data from proton-antiproton collisions at a centre of mass energy of 1.96 TeV. The decay {Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{mu}{sup -}{ovr P{nu}}{sub {mu}}X was reconstructed in approximately 1.3 fb{sup -1} of data recorded by the D0 detector in 2002-2006 during Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron collider. A signal of 4437 {+-} 329 {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{mu}{sup -} pairs was obtained, and the {Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} lifetime was measured using a binned {chi}{sup 2} fit, which gives a value {tau}({Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0}) = 1.290{sub -0.110}{sup +0.119}(stat){sub -0.091}{sup +0.085}(syst) ps. This result is consistent with the world average and is one of the most precise measurements of this quantity.

This thesis studies the high-energy collisions of protons and antiprotons. The data used in the measurement were collected during 2004-2005 with the D0 detector at the Tevatron Collider of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and correspond to 0.7 fb{sup -1} of integrated luminosity. High energy hadron collisions usually produce collimated sprays of particles called jets. The energy of the jets is measured using a liquid Argon-Uranium calorimeter and the production angle is determined with the help of silicon microstrip and scintillating fiber trackers. The inclusive jet cross section in proton-antiproton collisions is measured as a function of jet transverse momentum p{sub T} in six bins of jet rapidity at the center-of-mass energy {radical}s = 1.96 TeV. The measurement covers jet transerve momenta from 50 GeV up to 600 GeV and jet rapidities up to |y| = 2.4. The data are collected using a set of seven single jet triggers. Event and jet cuts are applied to remove non-physical backgrounds and cosmic-ray interactions. The data are corrected for jet energy calibration, cut and trigger efficiencies and finite jet p{sub T} resolution. The corrections are determined from data and the methods are tested with Monte Carlo simulation. The main experimental challenges in …

Interactions of protons (p) with the NuMI (Neutrinos at the Main Injector) target are used to create the neutrino beam for the MINOS (Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search) Experiment. Using the MIPP (Main Injector Particle Production) experimental apparatus, the production of charged pions and kaons in p+NuMI interactions is studied. The data come from a sample of 2 x 10{sup 6} events obtained by MIPP using the 120 GeV/c proton beam from the Main Injector at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois, USA. Pions and kaons are identified by measurement in a Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector. Presented are measurements of {pi}{sup -}/{pi}{sup +}, K{sup -}/K{sup +}, {pi}{sup +}/K{sup +} and {pi}{sup -}/K{sup -} production ratios in the momentum range p{sub T} < 2 GeV/c transversely and 20 GeV/c < p{sub z} < 90 GeV/c longitudinally. Also provided are detailed comparisons of the MIPP NuMI data with the MIPP Thin Carbon data, the MIPP Monte Carlo simulation and the current MINOS models in the relevant momentum ranges.

A search for the Technicolor processes p{bar p} {yields} {rho}{sub T}{sup {+-}} {yields} W{sup {+-}}{pi}{sub T}{sup 0} {yields} {mu}{nu}b{bar b} and p{bar p} {yields} {rho}{sub T}{sup 0} {yields} W{sup {+-}}{pi}{sub T}{sup {+-}} {yields} {mu}{nu}b{bar c} is conducted at the D0 detector. Selection requirements are individually optimized for each of twenty mass hypotheses by means of a random grid search. No excess is seen in a 291 pb{sup -1} data set and 95% confidence level upper limits are set on the Technicolor production cross section. The mass combinations M{sub {rho}} = 195 GeV/c{sup 2}, M{sub {pi}} = 100 GeV/c{sup 2} and M{sub {rho}} = 200 GeV/c{sup 2}, M{sub {pi}} = 105 GeV/c{sup 2} are excluded for the choice of the Technicolor scale parameter M{sub V} = 500 GeV.

The top quark is the heaviest and most mysterious of the known elementary particles. Therefore, careful study of its production rate and other properties is of utmost importance for modern particle physics. The Tevatron is the only facility currently capable of studying top quark properties by on-shell production. Measurement of the top quark pair production cross section is one of the major goals of the Tevatron Run II physics program. It provides an excellent test of QCD at energies exceeding 100 GeV. We report on a new measurement of p{bar p} {yields} t{bar t} production at {radical} = 1.96 TeV using 350 pb{sup -1} of data collected with the D0 detector between 2002 and 2005. We focus on the final state where a W boson from one of the top quarks decays into a {tau} lepton and its associated neutrino, while the other decays into a quark-antiquark pair. We aim to select those events in which the {tau} lepton subsequently decays to one or three charged hadrons, zero or more neutral hadrons and a tau neutrino (the charge conjugate processes are implied in all of the above). The observable signature thus consists of a narrow calorimeter shower with associated track(s) …

This analysis focuses on a low mass Higgs boson search with 1.7 fb{sup -1} of data. The focus is on Higgs events in which it is produced in association with a W or Z boson. Such events are expected to leave a distinct signature of large missing transverse energy for either a Z {yields} {nu}{nu} decay or a leptonic W decay in which the lepton goes undetected, as well as jets with taggable secondary vertices from the H {yields} b{bar B} decay. Utilizing a new track based technique for removing QCD multi-jet processes as well as a neural network discriminant, an expected limit of 8.3 times the Standard Model prediction at the 95% CL for a Higgs boson mass of 115 GeV/c{sup 2} is calculated, with an observed limit of 8.0*SM.

The experimental study of rare decays of hadrons containing the b quark has been a fertile ground for some time, and keeps being one of the most interesting subjects in high energy physics. It has improved our understanding of hadronic processes, and allows investigating various aspects of the Standard Model and searching for hints of physics beyond the Standard Model. Examples are the comparison of branching fractions of charmless modes with predictions of models, the constraints on CKM angles (B{sup 0} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}, B {yields} DK, with D in suppressed modes), the observation of purely leptonic modes (B{sup {+-}} {yields} {tau}{sup {+-}}{nu}), the recently established difference in A{sub CP} between B{sup 0} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup -} and B{sup {+-}} {yields} K{sup {+-}}{pi}{sup 0}, suspected to be a hint new physics. All of them came from a long and successful experimental activity with e{sup +}e{sup -} collisions at the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance. With hadronic colliders now coming into play, the study of rare decays is reaching new heights. Given the high cross section for production of all kinds of B hadrons, the record luminosities now provided by the Tevatron collider, and the LHC program in view for the next years, …

Over the past decades the current theoretical description, the Standard Model of elementary particle physics, was solidified by many measurements as the basic theory describing fundamental particles and their interactions. It is extremely successful in explaining the high-precision data collected by experiments so far. The Standard Model includes several intrinsic parameters which have to be measured in experiments. Independent analyses of different physical processes can constrain those parameters. By combining those measurements physicists might be sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. If they are inconsistent it allows to get a hint on the theory that might supersede the Standard Model. The goal of the analysis presented in this thesis is to measure some of these parameters in the B{sub s} meson system. The B{sub s} meson, consisting of an anti-b and s quark, is not a pure mass eigenstate, thus allowing a B{sub s} meson to oscillate into its antiparticle via weak interacting processes. This is a general feature of any neutral meson. The history of meson mixing measurements is more then 50 years old. It was first observed in the kaon system. The oscillation in the B{sub d} system was measured very precisely by the B factories, whereas …

The author presents a search for excited or exotic electrons decaying to an electron and a photon with high transverse momentum. An oppositely charged electron is produced in association with the excited electron, yielding a final state dielectron + photon signature. The discovery of excited electrons would be a first indication of lepton compositeness. They use {approx} 202 pb{sup -1} of data collected in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV with the Collider Detector at Fermilab during March 2001 through September 2003. The data are consistent with standard model expectations. Upper limits are set on the experimental cross-section {sigma}({bar p}p {yields} ee* {yields} ee{gamma}) at the 95% confidence level in a contact-interaction model and a gauge-mediated interaction model. Limits are also presented as exclusion regions in the parameter space of the excited electron mass (M{sub e*}) and the compositeness energy scale ({Lambda}). In the contact-interaction model, for which there are no previously published limits, they find M{sub e*} < 906 GeV is excluded for M{sub e*} = {Lambda}. In the gauge-mediated model, the exclusion region in the M{sub e*} versus the phenomenological coupling f/{Lambda} parameter space is extended to M{sub e*} < 430 GeV for f/{Lambda} {approx} 10{sup …

The WARP code is a robust electrostatic particle-in-cell simulation package used to model charged particle beams with strong space-charge forces. A fundamental operation associated with seeding detailed simulations of a beam transport channel is to generate initial conditions where the beam distribution is matched to the structure of a periodic focusing lattice. This is done by solving for periodic, matched solutions to a coupled set of ODEs called the Kapchinskij-Vladimirskij (KV) envelope equations, which describe the evolution of low-order beam moments subject to applied lattice focusing, space-charge defocusing, and thermal defocusing forces. Recently, an iterative numerical method was developed (Lund, Chilton, and Lee, Efficient computation of matched solutions to the KV envelope equations for periodic focusing lattices, Physical Review Special Topics-Accelerators and Beams 9, 064201 2006) to generate matching conditions in a highly flexible, convergent, and fail-safe manner. This method is extended and implemented in the WARP code as a Python package to vastly ease the setup of detailed simulations. In particular, the Python package accommodates any linear applied lattice focusing functions without skew coupling, and a more general set of beam parameter specifications than its predecessor. Lattice strength iteration tools were added to facilitate the implementation of problems with …

In Chapter I we present the results on a study of cross polarization dynamics, between protons and carbon-13 in adamantane, by the direct observation of the dilute, carbon-13, spins. These dynamics are an important consideration in the efficiency of proton enhancement double-resonance techniques and they also provide good experimental models for statistical theories of cross relaxation. In order to test these theories we present a comparison of the experimental and theoretical proton dipolar fluctuation correlation time {tau}{sub c}, which is experimentally 110 {+-} 15 {micro}sec and theoretically 122 {micro}sec for adamantane. These double resonance considerations provide the background for extensions to deuterium and double quantum effects discussed in Chapter II. In Chapter II an approach to high resolution nmr of deuterium in solids is described. The m = 1 {yields} -1 transition is excited by a double quantum process and the decay of coherence Q({tau}) is monitored. Fourier transformation yields a deuterium spectrum devoid of quadrupole splittings and broadening. If the deuterium nuclei are dilute and the protons are spin decoupled, the double-quantum spectrum is a high resolution one and yields information on the deuterium chemical shifts {Delta}{omega}. The relationship Q({tau}) {approx} cos 2{Delta}{omega}{tau} is checked and the technique is …

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This work presents measurements of two diffractive production ratio for heavy flavour physics with the use of a reconstructed J/{psi} {yields} {mu}{sup +}{mu}{sup -} sample in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV using the D0 detector at Fermilab Tevatron. These events were selected using the Luminosity Monitor detectors, the calorimeter system and the muon system in a pseudo-rapidity region with range 2.7 {le} |{eta}| {le} 4.4. The measured ratio were estimated to be N{sub diff}{sup J/{psi}}/N{sub total}{sup J/{psi}} = (1.74 {+-} 0.16(stat) {+-} 0.13(syst))% e N{sub diff}{sup b}/N{sub total}{sup b} = (0.79 {+-} 0.11(stat) {+-} 0.23(syst))%.

The effect of alkaline solutions containing dissolved oxygen on coal-derived pyrite was investigated in a tubular reactor. The rate of total sulfur conversion seems to be affected by oxygen partial pressure, oxygen flow rate, particle size, pyrite charge size and system temperature. A shrinking core model was chosen to represent this chemical leaching process. From the results obtained, it seems that ash or product-layer difusion is the rate-limiting step for leaching with the alkaline solution/oxygen system. The effective diffusivity is about 10/sup -5/ cm/sup 2//sec. The apparent activation energy for this process is 7.97 kcal/mole in the temperature range from 121/sup 0/ to 175/sup 0/C. For the tubular reactor system used, the rate of sulfur extraction appears to be proportional to the oxygen partial pressure. The rate of conversion increases as the oxygen flow rate decreases to a limit of 3 ml/sec. The rate also increases as the pyrite charge size decreases. The leaching solutions flow rate has a negligible effect on the total sulfur conversion.

The kinetics of the methanation reaction were measured on thin ruthenium films in the temperature range 548 to 623K. The pressures of the reactant gases were varied over the ranges 1.5 to 1500 ..mu..m for CO and 300 to 75000 ..mu..m for H/sub 2/ to yield kinetic orders for each gas. The CO kinetic order varied from +1 at low pressures to -2 at high pressures. As the H/sub 2/ pressure was increased its kinetic order varied from +2 to -1. Both of these order plots had unusually sharp maxima. The reaction is zero order in both CH/sub 4/ and H/sub 2/O. The apparent activation energy was dependent upon temperature with a value of 21.9 kcal/mole at 573K. Auger spectroscopy (AES) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the surface was always covered with carbon. This carbon could be divided into two types based upon its reactivity toward hydrogen. Type-1 was very reactive to 3.5 torr hydrogen doses at 573K and was completely removed in less than 300 seconds. Type-2 was less reactive and required about 48 hours under the same conditions for removal. No oxygen was ever detected on the surface after methanation. Low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and …

The groundwater effects of surface mining at ICP No. 1 can be classified primarily as water quality and water quantity effects. The water quantity effects are: the loss of groundwater saturation in spoil materials that were initially removed from over the coal and later replaced; the dewatering of high permeability geologic strata up gradient of mining area; the increase in porosity and possibly permeability in refilled spoil materials; and the change in groundwater gradients in mined areas and near the sediment pond. The water quality effects are: the generation of slightly mineralized enclaves near the sediment pond and spoil accumulations; the generation of thin zones of highly mineralized water near the base of reclaimed spoil probably due mostly to remnant acid mine water; and reduction of water quality in coal seams as a result of dewatering at the time of mining and subsequent oxidation of their pyrite content. Most effects of water quantity loss in and around the mine are not permanent. Water quality disturbances of the fringe areas of reclaimed mine areas will be very slow in attenuating because of the slow groundwater flow through these materials. Adulterated groundwaters in high permeability areas such as the flood plain alluvium …

This thesis is divided into 8 sections: synthesis and characterization (char.) of Ba{sub 3}Mo{sub 18}O{sub 28} (an oligomer with four traps edge-sharing Mo octahedra); synthesis and char. of K{sub x}M{sub y}Mo{sub 14}O{sub 22} (M=Sn, Pb, Sr) (oligomers with three traps edge-sharing Mo octahedra); synthesis and char. of K{sub 0.19}Ba{sub 3.81}Mo{sub 22}O{sub 34} (an oligomer with five traps edge-sharing Mo octahedra); synthesis and char. of Ti{sub 0.31}Fe{sub 1.69}Mo{sub 4}O{sub 7} (a material containing closest-packing of infinite chains of octahedral Mo clusters); synthesis and char. of K{sub x}M{sub 2-x}Mo{sub 10}O{sub 16} (M=Ca, Sr, Gd) (oligomers with two traps edge-sharing Mo octahedra); synthesis and char. of the RE{sub 4}Mo{sub 4}O{sub 11} series; synthesis and char. of Pb{sub 0. 31}WO{sub 3} (a tetragonal tungsten bronze containing lead); and examination of superstructure in Fe{sub 1.89}Mo{sub 4.11}O{sub 7}, Sn{sub 0.9}Mo{sub 4}O{sub 6}, InMo{sub 4}O{sub 6}, and Mn{sub 1. 5}Mo{sub 8}O{sub 11} by electron microscopy.

Polystyrene divinylbenzene was modified by acetyl, sulfonic acid, and quaternary ammonium groups. A resin functionalized with an acetyl group was impregnated in a PTFE membrane and used to extract and concentrate phenolic compounds from aqueous samples. The acetyl group created a surface easily wetted, making it an efficient adsorbent for polar compounds in water. The membrane stabilized the resin bed. Partially sulfonated high surface area resins are used to extract and group separate an aqueous mixture of neutral and basic organics; the bases are adsorbed electrostatically to the sulfonic acid groups, while the neutraons are adsorbed hydrophobically. A two-step elution is then used to separate the two fractions. A partially functionalized anion exchange resin is used to separate organic acids and phenols from neutrals in a similar way. Carboxylic acids are analyzed by HPLC and phenols by GC.

The purpose of the Human Genome Project is outlined followed by a discussion of electrophoresis in slab gels and capillaries and its application to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Techniques used to modify electroosmotic flow in capillaries are addressed. Several separation and detection schemes for DNA via gel and capillary electrophoresis are described. Emphasis is placed on the elucidation of DNA fragment size in real time and shortening separation times to approximate real time monitoring. The migration of DNA fragment bands through a slab gel can be monitored by UV absorption at 254 nm and imaged by a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. Background correction and immediate viewing of band positions to interactively change the field program in pulsed-field gel electrophoresis are possible throughout the separation. The use of absorption removes the need for staining or radioisotope labeling thereby simplifying sample preparation and reducing hazardous waste generation. This leaves the DNA in its native state and further analysis can be performed without de-staining. The optimization of several parameters considerably reduces total analysis time. DNA from 2 kb to 850 kb can be separated in 3 hours on a 7 cm gel with interactive control of the pulse time, which is 10 times …

The polarization of {tau} leptons produced in the reaction e{sup +}e{sup {minus}} {yields} {tau}{sup +}{tau}{sup {minus}} near the peak of the Z{degree} resonance has been measured using a sample of 24904 {tau}{sup +}{tau}{sup {minus}} events, with an estimated background of 1.5%. We have selected 4562 {tau} {yields} e{nu}{bar {nu}} 2218 {tau} {yields} {pi}{nu} and 5133 {tau} {yields} {rho}{nu} candidates. The mean value obtained is P{sub {tau}} = {minus}0.176 {plus_minus} 0.029. This corresponds to a ratio of the neutral current vector to the axial-vector coupling constants of the {tau} lepton of g{sub V}{sup {tau}}/g{sub A}{sup {tau}} = 0.088 {plus_minus} 0.014. This leads to a value of the electroweak mixing angle of sin{sup 2}{theta}{sub W} = 0.2280 {plus_minus} 0.0036. This result is in good agreement with previous measurements of the weak mixing angle from the study of the Z{degree} lineshape and the forward-backward asymmetries in the processes Z{degree} {yields} l{sup +}l{sup {minus}} and Z{degree} {yields} q{bar q}.