Construction and Operation of a Diffusion Cloud Chamber
KJ Lawrence
This study presents the design, construction, and operational trials of a diffusion cloud chamber aimed at detecting and visualizing charged particle tracks. The basis of this project comes from the key discoveries of Charles Wilson in the early 1900s in the field of particle physics. The chamber uses a temperature gradient to facilitate the supersaturation of alcohol vapor needed for particle detection. This paper discusses the construction process of the device, along with an evaluation of its advantages and limitations. Extensive trials were conducted to validate the chamber’s functionality, with observations of distinct particle tracks confirming its effectiveness. The research provides valuable insights into the mechanics of charged particle visualization, along with recommendations for further optimization in experimental settings.
Covariant Model for Spinning Classical Charge Distribution
Dylan MacDougall
Particles such as electrons require quantum mechanics to completely describe their evolu- tion. To distinguish between quantum and classical effects in the evolution of a particle, a classical model for the particle is needed. This model must be in agreement with special relativity, as well as overcome the repulsive nature of the Coulomb force. This project attempts to accomplish this by modeling an elementary particle with spin using a classi- cal, symmetric charge distribution which is rotating about an axis. As any configuration of electric charges is unstable in the absence of other forces, a second force field must be considered. We choose this second field as a Yukawa field, an interaction mediated by massive, spinless particles. We assure the fields are covariant by deriving them from an action principle. The forces acting on the distribution are then balanced to create a stable circular rotation of the distribution. Two charge distributions are considered; a dumbbell of two point charges and a continuous phase-space distribution of charge in the form of a ring. Both of these distributions were found to have solutions under the requirements that the distribution’s angular momentum, charge, and energy are those of an electron at rest, and that the forces acting on these distributions are those for a classical particle in uniform circular motion.
Spherical Symmetry In Teleparallel Gravity
Hudson Forance
Einstein’s theory of general relativity(GR) is a very successful theory of gravity; however, it is not with- out its shortcomings. Since its inception in 1915, researchers have been met with various problems in the application of general relativity, primarily related to its inability to explain the observed accelerated expansion of the universe without the addition of dark matter and dark energy, still we have theoretical and observational discrepancies in the limiting cases of the ΛCDM model. As such, modified frameworks of gravity are of growing interest in the field of cosmology, teleparallel gravity is one such framework, where instead of using curvature to describe the relationship between matter, energy, and space-time in the universe, one uses torsion as the fundamental source field for gravitational effects. The general purely inertial frame and corresponding local Lorentz transformation is presented for a class of teleparallel geometries, specifically ones which are spherically symmetric. Starting with the spin connection for a diagonal spherically symmetric teleparallel geometry, a system of matrix valued partial differential equations is established using the transformation laws for the spin connection. Solving these equations yields a transformation which can be applied to the diagonal spherically symmetric frame field, bringing it to a purely inertial(proper) frame, where the spin connection vanishes and all inertial effects are absent. We explore computations in both inertial and diagonal frames, illustrating the advantages of using each frame. Additionally, physically relevant sub-cases are explored.
Localized Phase Space Representation of Dirac Particles: An Over-Completeness Relation Approach
Lydia Taylor
A thorough understanding of the interplay between quantum and classical systems re- quires a solid grasp of what it means for a system to be quantum. Quantum phase space representations are an e!ective tool for achieving this goal, yet existing representations for quantum systems are typically non-local. A localized description is essential, partic- ularly in the context of gravitational fields. Since gravitational field considerations are crucial for near-Earth quantum technologies, a localized phase space description could contribute to improving its performance and devise new strategies. In this work, we de- velop a framework for the phase space representation of Dirac particles, aiming to create a localized description of spin-1/2 particles. Using analytical techniques, we construct localized expressions that form the foundation for this phase space representation.
Matter-Wave Interferometry With Charged Particles: The Role of Vacuum Fluctuations
Nevan Keating
Quantum mechanics routinely describes events that seemingly defy conventional intuition. A particular example is a ”delayed-choice” measurement in a double slit experiment. This experiment involves ”tagging” a particle traveling through a double slit so that one can determine which-way information later on, seemingly forcing the particle to ”choose” a path before a measurement is made - in other words before a wavefunction collapses. However, one can show that the tagging itself is destroys the interference pattern, so that the measurement has no retrocausal effect. A recently proposed thought experiment suggests that by measuring the Coulomb field from a charged particle, one could instantaneously induce a wavefunction collapse. So, by measuring the Coulomb field from afar, one could collapse the wavefunction faster than light could travel between the particle and measuring device. At present, this paradox has only been resolved with the use of vacuum fluctuations, which limit the precision of measurements and prevent full collapse of the wavefunction. However, the Coulomb field in this paradox could be analogous to the tagging in a delayed-choice experiment. This thesis addresses the question whether the paradox could be seen as a delayed-choice experiment, offering an alternative solution to previous results.
