Non-Gaussianity from false vacuum inflation: old curvaton scenario
We calculate the three-point correlation function of the comoving curvature perturbation generated during an inflationary epoch driven by false vacuum energy. We get a novel false vacuum shape bispectrum, which peaks in the equilateral limit. Using this result, we propose a scenario which we call ``old curvaton''. The shape of the resulting bispectrum lies between the local and the false vacuum shapes. In addition we have a large running of the spectral index.

title: Quasi-Single Field Inflation and Non-Gaussianities
abstract: In quasi-single field inflation models, massive isocurvature modes, that are coupled to the inflaton and have mass of order the Hubble parameter, can have nontrivial impacts on density perturbations, especially non-Gaussianities. We study a simple example of quasi-single field inflation in terms of turning inflaton trajectory. Large bispectra with a one-parameter family of novel shapes arise, lying between the well-known local and equilateral shape. The trispectra can also be very large and its magnitude tNL can be much larger than fNL2.

title: Non-Gaussianity, isocurvature perturbation, gravitational waves, and a no-go theorem for the isocurvaton
abstract: We investigate the isocurvaton model, in which the isocurvature perturbation plays a role in suppressing the curvature perturbation, and large non-Gaussianity and gravitational waves can be produced with no isocurvature perturbation for dark matter. We show that in the slow-roll noninteracting multifield theory, the isocurvaton mechanism cannot be realized. This result can also be generalized to most of the studied models with generalized kinetic terms. We also study the implications for the curvaton model. We show that there is a combined constraint for curvaton on non-Gaussianity, gravitational waves, and isocurvature perturbation. The technique used in this paper can also help to simplify some calculations in the mixed inflaton and curvaton models. We also investigate the possibility of producing large negative non-Gaussianity and nonlocal non-Gaussianity in the curvaton model.

title: Quadra-Spectrum and Quint-Spectrum from Inflation and Curvaton Models
abstract: We calculate the quadra-spectrum and quint-spectrum, corresponding to five and six point correlation functions of the curvature perturbation. For single field inflation with standard kinetic term, the quadra-spectrum and quint-spectrum are small, which are suppressed by slow roll parameters. The calculation can be generalized to multiple fields. When there is no entropy perturbation, the quadra-spectrum and quint-spectrum are suppressed as well. With the presence of entropy perturbation, the quadra-spectrum and quint-spectrum can get boosted. We illustrate this boost in the multi-brid inflation model. For the curvaton scenario, the quadra-spectrum and quint-spectrum are also large in the small r limit. We also calculate representative terms of quadra-spectrum and quint-spectrum for inflation with generalized kinetic terms, and estimate their order of magnitude for quasi-single field inflation.

title: CMB statistical anisotropies of classical and quantum origins
abstract: We examine the impact of different anisotropic relics on inflation, in particular the predictions on the density perturbations. These relics can be the source of the large scale anomalies in the cosmic microwave background. There are two different types of background relics, one from the matter sector and the other purely from the metric. Although the angular-dependence of the statistical anisotropy in both cases are degenerate, the scale-dependence are observationally distinctive. In addition, we demonstrate that non-Bunch-Davies vacuum states can extend the statistical anisotropy to much shorter scales, and leave a scale-dependence that is insensitive to the different backgrounds but sensitive to the initial quantum state.

title: A no-go theorem for generalized vector Galileons on flat spacetime
abstract: A bstractWe explore the possibility for generalized electromagnetism on flat spacetime. For a single copy of U(1) gauge theory, we show that the Galileon-type generalization of electromagnetism is forbidden. Given that the equations of motion for the vector field are gauge invariant and Lorentz invariant, follow from an action and contain no more than second derivative on Aμ, the equations of motion are at most linear with respect to second derivative of Aμ.

title: False vacuum decay in Jordan-Brans-Dicke cosmologies
abstract: We examine the bubble nucleation rate in a first-order phase transition taking place in a background Jordan-Brans-Dicke cosmology. We compute the leading order terms in the nucleation rate when the Jordan-Brans-Dicke field is large (i.e., late times) by means of a Weyl rescaling of the fields in the theory. We find that despite the fact that the Jordan-Brans-Dicke field (hence the effective gravitational constant) has a time dependence in the false vacuum, at late times the nucleation rate is time independent.

title: Recent results from E802 and E859
abstract: Recent single-particle inclusive measurements and two-particle correlation data from E802 and its succesor, E859, are presented. The K + / π + ratio observed for collisions of 14.6 A·GeV 28 Si ions on various targets is presented as a function of both forward and transverse energy. Source sizes are determined via interferometry using π + , π − , K + and proton pairs.

title: Experimental simulation of ground motion effects
abstract: Synchro-betatron coupling in a proton storage ring with electron cooling was studied by modulating a transverse dipole field close to the synchrotron frequency. The combination of the electron cooling and transverse field modulation on the synchrotron oscillation is equivalent to a dissipative parametric resonant system. The proton bunch was observed to split longitudinally into two pieces, or beamlets, converging toward strange attractors of the dissipative system. These phenomena might be important to understanding the effect of ground vibration on the SSC beam, where the synchrotron frequency is about 4/spl sime/7 Hz, and the effect of power supply ripple on the RHIC beam, where the synchrotron frequency ramps through 60 Hz at 17 GeV/c.<<ETX>>

title: Multiwavelength properties of a new Geminga-like pulsar: PSR J2021+4026
abstract: In this paper, we report on a detailed investigation of the multiwavelength properties of a newly detected gamma-ray pulsar, PSR J2021+4026, in both observational and theoretical aspects. We first identify an X-ray source in the XMM-Newton serendipitous source catalogue, 2XMM J202131.0+402645, located within the 95 per cent confidence circle of PSR J2021+4026. With an archival Chandra observation, this identification provides an X-ray position with arcsecond accuracy which is helpful in facilitating further investigations. Searching for the pulsed radio emission at the position of 2XMM J202131.0+402645 with a 25-m telescope at Urumqi Astronomical Observatory resulted in null detection and places an upper limit of 0.1 mJy for any pulsed signal at 18 cm. Together with the emission properties in X-ray and gamma-ray, the radio quietness suggests PSR J2021+4026 to be another member of Geminga-like pulsars. In the radio sky survey data, extended emission features have been identified in the gamma-ray error circle of PSR J2021+4026. We have also re-analysed the gamma-ray data collected by Fermi's Large Area Telescope. We found that the X-ray position of 2XMM J202131.0+402645 is consistent with that of the optimal gamma-ray timing solution. We have further modelled the results in the context of the outer gap model, which provides us with constraints for the pulsar emission geometry such as the magnetic inclination angle and the viewing angle. We have also discussed the possibility of whether PSR J2021+4026 has any physical association with the supernova remnant G78.2+2.1 (gamma-Cygni).

title: PLC and Linux based control system for the CAMD Linac
abstract: Louisiana State University Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD) began operations in the fall of 1992. At the time, the facility had separate control systems for the storage ring and Linac. In 1997, CAMD began a control system upgrade project with the goal of producing a single unified control system running on the PC/Linux platform. After completion of the storage ring control system, the Linac control system was designed utilizing AutomationDirect.com PLCs for the real-time components, and PC/Linux for the user interface. The new Linac control system has been completed, and has been operational since July 2002. This paper will discuss the objectives, design, and future upgrade plans for the Linac control system, as well as the experiences with replacing the CGR-MeV VME/OS/9 control system with a PLC/PC/Linux based system.