The NAIAD experiment for WIMP searches at Boulby mine and recent results

The NAIAD experiment (NaI Advanced Detector) for weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter searches at Boulby mine (UK) is described. The detector consists of an array of encapsulated and unencapsulated NaI(Tl) crystals with high light yield. Six crystals are collecting data at present. Data accumulated by four of them (10.6 kg × year exposure) have been used to set upper limits on the WIMP–nucleon spin-independent and WIMP–proton spin-dependent cross-sections. Pulse shape analysis has been applied to discriminate between nuclear recoils, as may be caused by WIMP interactions, and electron recoils due to gamma background. Various calibrations of crystals are presented.     

A high resolution,multiproxy Late‐glacial record of climate change and intrasystem responses in northwest England

A lacustrine carbonate sequence from Hawes Water, Lancashire, UK, has been studied using stable isotopic, lithological, pollen and mineral magnetic analysis. The data reveal four abrupt climatic oscillations in the Late‐glacial Interstadial leading up to the onset of the Loch Lomond Stadial. The data also point to climatic warming relatively early within the stadial, ca. 12 500 GRIP yr, prior to the onset of the Holocene. The oxygen isotope record is taken as a signature of climate forcing against which the response of the lake‐system can be monitored. By adopting this approach it is revealed that the response of the biological system to the rapid climatic oscillations is non‐linear and primarily a function of the antecedent conditions. A significant end‐Devensian isotopic excursion (A) is matched by only minor changes in the cold‐adapted floras and faunas. During the warmer interstadial, the response of the biological ecosystem (events B–D) is clearly influenced by thresholds: major changes in the catchment vegetation associated with relatively minor oscillations in the isotopic signature. The stratigraphical patterns reveal significant lag effects between the onset of climate deterioration and resulting changes in vegetation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neutron background in large-scale xenon detectors for dark matter searches

Simulations of the neutron background for future large-scale particle dark matter detectors are presented. Neutrons were generated in rock and detector elements via spontaneous fission and (α,n) reactions, and by cosmic-ray muons. The simulation techniques and results are discussed in the context of the expected sensitivity of a generic liquid xenon dark matter detector. Methods of neutron background suppression are investigated. A sensitivity of 10⁻⁹–10⁻¹⁰ pb to WIMP-nucleon interactions can be achieved by a tonne-scale detector.     

A unique Galactic planetary nebula with a [WN] central star

We report the discovery of the first probable Galactic [WN] central star of a planetary nebula (CSPN). The planetary nebula candidate was found during our systematic scans of the AAO/UKST Hα Survey of the Milky Way. Subsequent confirmatory spectroscopy of the nebula and central star reveals the remarkable nature of this object. The nebular spectrum shows emission lines with large expansion velocities exceeding 150 km s⁻¹, suggesting that perhaps the object is not a conventional planetary nebula. The central star itself is very red and is identified as being of the [WN] class, which makes it unique in the Galaxy. A large body of supplementary observational data supports the hypothesis that this object is indeed a planetary nebula and not a Population I Wolf–Rayet star with a ring nebula.     

A field and theoretical analysis of garnet+chlorite+chloritoid+biotite assemblages from the tri-state (MA,CT, NY) area,USA

The prograde evolution of minerals in metapelites of a Barrovian sequence from the tri-state area (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York) of the Taconic Range involves assemblages with garnet (Ga), chlorite (Ch), chloritoid (Ct), biotite (Bi) and staurolite (St). Detailed petrologic observations, mineral compositions and chemical zoning in garnet show: (1) garnet high in Mn and Fe but low in Mg is stable with chlorite at grades below those where chloritoid+biotite is found; (2) early formed garnet reacted partially to form Ct+Bi at intermediate grades; (3) at higher grades garnet (with low Mn)+chlorite is again produced, at the expense of chloritoid+biotite, suggesting a reversal in the continuous reaction involving the phases Ga, Ch, Ct and Bi. Thermodynamic modeling of the assemblage Ga+Ch+Ct+Bi±St in the MnKFMASH system reveals: (1) in the MnKFASH system the prograde reaction is Ga+Ch=Ct+Bi whereas in the KFMASH system the prograde reaction is the opposite: Ct+Bi=Ga+Ch; (2) the Ga–Ch–Ct–Bi–St invariant point in the KFMASH system occurs twice, at approximately 6.5 kbar, 545° C and 14.8 kbar, 580° C (although one of them may be metastable in a complex phase system); the appearance of the petrogenetic grid is markedly different from that of Albee, but similar to that of Spear and Cheney; (3) as a consequence, in the KFMASH system, chloritoid+biotite are stable over a wide range of P-T conditions whereas garnet+chlorite assemblages are restricted to a narrow band of P-T conditions; (4) MnO increases the stability field of Ga+Ch relative to both Ct+Bi at low temperatures, and St+Bi at high temperatures; (5) in natural samples the occurrence of Ct+Bi is controlled more by bulk Mg–Fe(-Mn) composition than P-T conditions. Specifically, Ct+Bi is restricted to bulk compositions with Fe/(Mg+Fe+Mn)>0.6. Rocks with Fe/(Mg+Fe+Mn)<0.5 are likely to display only chlorite+biotite at low grade. These observations are consistent with Wang and Spear and Spear and Cheney.