Status Of Physics Research Articles

Конституция физики и достоверность математики в схоластической философии XVI в.

Traditionally, it is believed that one of the most important phenomena in the history of "new" science, i.e. the science of Early Modern times, is the emergence of mathematical natural science. However, in the 16th century the status of physics and mathematics within the framework of scientific knowledge was far from being so unambiguous. In this article, we consider and analyze the arguments of the late Peripatetic author of the late 16th century – the learned Jesuit Benedict Pereira – in favor of his thesis about "non-scientific character" of mathematical disciplines. These arguments focus not on the weaker (less perfect) status of the reality of the mathematical object, but on the nature of mathematical demonstration and mathematical knowledge as such. Pereira shows in detail that mathematics does not meet the criteria of scientific knowledge (in the sense of "Second Analytics"), because the middle terms in its demonstrations are non-proper, general and accidental, and mathematics itself is not a knowledge of the real causes. In sum, in Pereira's consideration mathematics turns out to be some sort of “operational art” rather than a necessary knowledge of the truth from real causes. A comparison of the scientific status of physical and mathematical knowledge in Pereira makes it possible to clarify the conditions for the emergence of modern mathematical physics.

The Status of Classical Physics in the Contemporary Scientific Mosaic

This paper argues that the traditional scientonomic portrayal of theories of classical physics (e.g. Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics) as merely used but no longer accepted is too simplistic. To that end, I consider the current status of the meteorological theory, which is accepted as the best available description of atmospheric phenomenon despite the fact that it is founded on the principles of classical physics, including those of Newtonian mechanics. This apparent paradox is resolved if the distinction between a theory’s ontology and its phenomenological laws is properly appreciated. The phenomenological laws of meteorology are accepted by the scientific community as the best available description of atmospheric phenomena. Yet, this acceptance does not imply that the classical ontology implicit in the current meteorological theory is also accepted. Thus, the modern meteorological theory (as well as many tenets of classical physics) can be said to be accepted as the best available description of the observable atmospheric phenomena even though its classical ontology is no longer accepted.
 Suggested Modifications
 [Sciento-2019-0012]: Accept that while the ontologies of classical theories, such as those of Newtonian mechanics, classical thermodynamics, or classical electrodynamics are no longer accepted by the physics community, their phenomenological claims are still accepted as the best available descriptions of their respective observable phenomena, i.e. as the best available answers to their respective questions.
 Consequently, reject the idea that these classical theories are no longer accepted but merely used.

Polarons in Metal Halide Perovskites

AbstractThe peculiar optoelectronic properties of metal‐halide perovskites, partly underlying their success in solar cells and light emitting devices, are likely related to the complex interplay of electronic and structural features mediated by formation of polarons. In this paper the current status of polaron physics in metal‐halide perovskites is reviewed based on a first‐principles computational perspective, which has delivered hitherto noaccessible insights into the electronic and structural features associated with polaron formation in this materials class. The role of organic (dipolar) versus inorganic (spherical) A‐site cations is extensively analyzed, these cations are related to modulation of the energetics and structural extension of polarons in lead‐halide perovskites. Further tuning of polaron energetics is achieved by individual variations in metal (e.g., Pb → Sn) and halide (e.g., I → Br), showing a transition from a semilocalized to a localized polaron regime in which charge holes can be trapped at isolated Sn centers. The vastly varying and tunable nature of charge lattice interactions represents a peculiarity of metal‐halide perovskites that should be taken into account when designing novel materials or targeting specific compositional engineering of existing perovskites.

Top Quark: Results and Prospects

The basic concepts and current status of top-quark physics are reviewed. Basic properties and interactions of the top quark are described, and the main experimental results obtained at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are summarized. A perspective of top-quark physics at the LHC upon increasing its luminosity and/or collision energy are briefly reviewed. Possible manifestations of novel physics beyond the Standard Model in the top-quark sector are discussed.

Current status and challenges of physics learning support at Kurume Institute of Technology

Current status and challenges of physics learning support at Kurume Institute of Technology

Recent progress in applying lattice QCD to kaon physics

Standard lattice calculations in kaon physics are based on the evaluation of matrix elements of local operators between two single-hadron states or a single-hadron state and the vacuum. Recent progress in lattice QCD has gone beyond these standard observables. I will review the status and prospects of lattice kaon physics with an emphasis on non-leptonic K → ππ decay and long-distance processes including K0-K0 mixing and rare kaon decays.

Recent CMS results in top and Higgs physics

After the Higgs boson discovery in 2012, the investigation of its properties and compatibility with the Standard Model predictions is central to the physics program of the LHC experiments. Likewise, the study of the top quark is still relevant at the LHC, more than two decades after its discovery at the Tevatron. Top quarks and Higgs bosons are produced at the LHC on a large scale and share a deep connection based on the large mass of the top quark. Both particles provide an excellent laboratory in which to search for new physics: the measurement of their properties tests the foundations of the Standard Model; and they feature prominently in a variety of exotic signals. The coupling of the Higgs boson to the top quark, a fundamental Standard Model parameter, can only be measured directly in processes where the two particles are produced together. The production of a Higgs boson together with one or two top quarks is also sensitive to several exciting new physics effects. A brief overview of the current experimental status of top quark and Higgs boson physics is presented using results from the CMS Collaboration.

Measurement of the running of the fine structure constant and γγ physics at KLOE-2

A measurement of the effective QED coupling constant αQED(s) in the time-like region 600–975 MeV by using the Initial State Radiation process e+e−→μ+μ−γ will be presented. It represents the first measurement of the running of αQED in this energy region. Our results show more than 5 σ significance on the hadronic contribution to the running of α(s), which is the strongest direct evidence ever achieved both in time- and space-like regions by a single experiment. By using the dipion cross section previously measured at KLOE, the Real and Imaginary part of the shift Δα has been extracted. By fitting the ReΔα, the product of the Branching Fraction BR(ω→e+e−)BR(ω→μ+μ−) has been measured. Status and prospects in γγ physics at KLOE-2 experiment will be also presented.

The Investigation On Health Status And Exercise Habit Of Chengdu Civil Servant

Health is not only without disease or weakness, but also a good condition in physics, psychology and society. Civil servant is a special group, its health status has been aroused serious concern. PURPOSE: To understand the health status and exercise habits of civil servants in Chengdu, and helping to make formulation of the intervention to health status. METHODS: Using stratified cluster facilitation sampling method, 500 civil servants were randomly selected from Wuhou, Jinjiang, Qingyang, Jinniu and Chenghua District in Chengdu, conducted questionnaires of Health Rating Scale(SHMS V1.0,40 questions about physical, psychological and social condition, reliability and validity have been verified) and exercise habit.Statistical analysis, T-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted by SPSS19.0, P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: ①500 were sent out, 459 recycled, missing up to 2% were delete,418 were valid.The healthy is only 6.70% (28/418), psychological unhealthy was the most, accounting for 76.08%(318/418). ②Male civil servants of non-health accounts 77.32%, higher than 68.75% of female (P <0.05). ③50 to 59 year-old group was the highest 84.75%(P <0.05), 20-29 was the second. ④About exercise habits, 70.33% (294/418) are for keep fit.3/week and 30-60min are the most,61.72% (258/418) and 53.59% (224/418). Sitting 5-8 h /d and more than 8 h /d are the most, 38.28% (160/418) and 34.45% (144/418). ⑤Duration time and unhealthy score are significant correlation (P<0.05), while frequency and sitting time are not(P>0.05). ⑥Less than 30min and 30-60min have great difference in unhealthy score, physical and psychological.Less than 30min and more than 60min shows significant difference in unhealthy score, physical and social(P <0.05). ⑦3-5/week and more than5/week shows significant difference in psychological unhealthy(P <0.05).Less than3/week shows no significant difference with other group(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ①The health status of civil servants in Chengdu is not prospective, and their sitting time is a little long. ②Exercising more than 30min can make great difference of health status in physics, psychology and society. Combining with frequency,3-5/week and more than 30min/time are the best intervention.

Stanley Mandelstam, 1928–2016: Brief biography and selected publications with commentary

The enduring influences of Stanley Mandelstam’s publications are deep and diverse. They affect almost all the current major research efforts in theoretical and mathematical physics that try to deepen our understanding of the physical universe. Reviewing Stanley’s accomplishments offers a rare opportunity for everyone interested, experts as well as nonexperts, to gain a perspective about the current status of theoretical and mathematical physics and what to look for in the future. This paper presents a brief biography of Stanley and a selection of his publications, grouped together according to subject matters, with commentary. 2 2 For a very short highlight of this paper, see author's Physics Today Obituary for Stanley Mandelstam, May issue 2017. About the genesis of these two papers see the Acknowledgments in this paper.

Advantages of unity with SU(4)-color: Reflections through neutrino oscillations, baryogenesis and proton decay

Advantages of unity with SU(4)-color: Reflections through neutrino oscillations, baryogenesis and proton decay

Dealing with uncertainties in fusion power plant conceptual development

Although the ultimate goal of most current fusion research is to build an economically attractive power plant, the present status of physics and technology does not provide the performance necessary to achieve this goal. Therefore, in order to model how such plants may operate and what their output might be, extrapolations must be made from existing experimental data and technology. However, the expected performance of a plant built to the operating point specifications can only ever be a ‘best guess’. Extrapolations far beyond the current operating regimes are necessarily uncertain, and some important interactions, for example the coupling of conducted power from the scape-off layer to the divertor surface, lack reliable predictive models. This means both that the demands on plant systems at the target operating point can vary significantly from the nominal value, and that the overall plant performance may potentially fall short of design targets.In this contribution we discuss tools and techniques that have been developed to assess the robustness of the operating points for the EU-DEMO tokamak-based demonstration power plant, and the consequences for its design. The aim is to make explicit the design choices and areas where improved modelling and DEMO-relevant experiments will have the greatest impact on confidence in a successful DEMO design.

Kant and experimental philosophy

ABSTRACTWhile Kant introduces his critical philosophy in continuity with the experimental tradition begun by Francis Bacon, it is widely accepted that his Copernican revolution places experimental physics outside the bounds of science. Yet scholars have recently contested this view. They argue that in Critique of the Power of Judgment Kant’s engagement with the growing influence of vitalism in the 1780s leads to an account of nature’s formative power that returns experimental physics within scientific parameters. Several critics are sceptical of this revised reading. They argue that Kant’s third Critique serves precisely to deflate the epistemological status of experimental physics, thereby protecting science from the threat of vitalism. In this paper I examine Kant’s account of science in the context of the experimental tradition of philosophy, particularly in relation to the generation dilemma of the eighteenth century. I argue that Kant does not deflate the epistemological status of experimental physics but rather introduces systematicity to the experimental tradition. By identifying the reflective use of reason to organize laws of experience into a systematic whole, Kant aims to ground experimental inquiry on the secure course of a science, opening a conception of science as a research programme.

Tunka Advanced Instrument for cosmic rays and Gamma Astronomy (TAIGA): Status, results and perspectives

We present the current status of high-energy cosmic-ray physics and gamma-ray astronomy at the Tunka Astrophysical Center (AC). This complex is located in the Tunka Valley, about 50 km from Lake Baikal. Present efforts are focused on the construction of the first stage of the gamma-ray observatory TAIGA - the TAIGA prototype. TAIGA (Tunka Advanced Instrument for cosmic ray physics and Gamma Astronomy) is designed for the study of gamma rays and charged cosmic rays in the energy range 1013 eV–1018 eV. The array includes a network of wide angle timing Cherenkov stations (TAIGA-HiSCORE), each with a FOV = 0.6 sr, plus up to 16 IACTs (FOV - 10∘× 10∘). This part covers an area of 5 km2. Additional muon detectors (TAIGA-Muon), with a total coverage of 2000 m2, are distributed over an area of 1 km2.

Top physics at the LHC ?

The status of top physics at the Large Hadron Collider is discussed, with particular attention on measurements of top production cross sections, including associate production of top quarks and electroweak bosons, and on measurements of the top mass.

Tunka Advanced Instrument for cosmic rays and Gamma Astronomy (TAIGA): Status, results and perspectives

We present the current status of high-energy cosmic-ray physics and gamma-ray astronomy at the Tunka Astrophysical Center (AC). This complex is located in the Tunka Valley, about 50 km from Lake Baikal. Present efforts are focused on the construction of the first stage of the gamma-ray observatory TAIGA - the TAIGA prototype. TAIGA (Tunka Advanced Instrument for cosmic ray physics and Gamma Astronomy) is designed for the study of gamma rays and charged cosmic rays in the energy range 1013 eV–1018 eV. The array includes a network of wide angle timing Cherenkov stations (TAIGA-HiSCORE), each with a FOV = 0.6 sr, plus up to 16 IACTs (FOV - 10∘ × 10∘ ). This part covers an area of 5 km2 . Additional muon detectors (TAIGA-Muon), with a total coverage of 2000 m2 , are distributed over an area of 1 km2 .

On the Significance of Standard Model Errors

The paper discusses the existence of errors in the Standard Model. An adequate amount of examples and references support the arguments. The errors belong to the electromagnetic, strong and weak interactions sectors of the Standard Model. It turns out that this state of affairs is far from being well-known and too many people unjustifiably glorify the Standard Model as an excellent theory. It is explained why a reexamination of the Standard Model can only improve the status of physics.

Current status of the reactor physics code WIMS and recent developments

The WIMS modular reactor physics code has been under continuous development for over fifty years. This paper discusses the current status of WIMS and recent developments, in particular developments to the resonance shielding methodology and 3D transport solvers. Traditionally, WIMS is used to perform 2D lattice calculations, typically to generate homogenized reactor physics parameters for a whole core code such as PANTHER. However, with increasing computational resources there has been a growing trend for performing transport calculations on larger problems, up to and including 3D full core models. To this end, a number of the WIMS modules have been parallelised to allow efficient performance for whole core calculations, and WIMS includes a 3D method of characteristics solver with reflective and once-through tracking methods, which can be used to analyse problems of varying size and complexity. A time-dependent flux solver has been incorporated and thermal-hydraulic modelling capability is also being added to allow steady-state and transient coupled calculations to be performed. WIMS has been validated against a range of experimental data and other codes, in particular for water and graphite moderated thermal reactors. Future developments will include improved parallelization, enhancing the thermal-hydraulic feedback models and validating the WIMS/PANTHER code system for BWRs and fast reactors.

Economic crisis, economic methodology and the scientific ideal of physics

The methodological foundations of mainstream economics have been cited as one of the main reasons for its failure to account for the economic crisis of 2008. In spite of this, the status of economic methodology has not been elevated. This is due to the persistent aversion towards methodological discourse by most mainstream economists. The anti-methodology stance has a long presence as exemplified in Frank Hahn’s (1992) work. After focusing on the debate originating after the publication of Hahn’s arguments, the paper offers a categorization of the main explanations for mainstream methodological aversion. Subsequently, it suggests an explanation based on the role of the physics scientific ideal, arguing that the endeavor to achieve the high scientific status of physics by following the methods of physics, contributed to the negative mainstream attitude towards economic methodology. The relevant writings of the extremely influential mainstream economists Irving Fisher and Milton Friedman, reinforce the assertion that the alleged hard science status of economics renders methodological discussions and especially methodological criticism, rather pointless. The paper also calls for a more systematic discussion of this issue, especially in the wake of the line of argument that links the recent failings of mainstream economics to its methodological basis.

Moo-Young Han

Moo-Young Han