2005 Highlights


				Physics and Advanced Technologies in the News Summary of research highlights, as well as of the awards and recognition received by members of the Directorate in 2005. > PDF World Year of Physics 2005 World Year of Physics 2005 commemorated the 100th anniversary of the ‘miraculous year’ in physics - when Albert Einstein published four important papers that continue to influence research in pure and applied physics to this day. Einstein’s discoveries form the basis for several research areas in the Directorate. > PDF Gamma-Ray Bursts Shower the Universe with Metals March 2005 Computer models indicate that gamma-ray bursts from dying stars may be important sources of elements such as iron, zinc, titanium, and copper. > View Article Faculty on Sabbatical Find a Good Home at Livermore April 2005 Since 2000, more than 20 faculty members from around the world have come to the Laboratory as sabbatical. > View Article The Sharper Image for Surveillance June 2005 Speckle imaging—an image processing technique used in astronomy—is bringing long-distance surveillance into sharper focus. > View Article Keeping Cool Close to the Sun June 2005 The specially coated gamma-ray spectrometer aboard the MESSENGER spacecraft will help scientists determine the abundance of elements in Mercury’s crust. > View Article Testing the Physics of Nuclear Isomers July/August 2005 Results from a tri-laboratory project contradict claims of accelerated release of energy from the nuclear isomer hafnium-178. > View Article A Dynamo of a Plasma September 2005 The self-organizing magnetized plasmas in a Livermore fusion energy experiment are akin to solar flares and galactic jets. > View Article Dust That's Worth Keeping September 2005 Scientists have solved the mystery of an astronomical spectral feature in interplanetary dust particles. > View Article Identifying Airborne Pathogens in Time to Respond October 2005 A mass spectrometer identifies airborne spores in less than a minute with virtually no false positives. > View Article Lightweight Target Generates Bright, Energetic X Rays October 2005 Livermore scientists are producing aerogel targets for use in inertial confinement fusion experiments and radiation-effects testing. > View Article A Wide New Window on the Universe November 2005 Livermore scientists and engineers are contributing to the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, which will provide unprecedented digital maps of the changing night sky. > View Article Negative Plasma Densities Raise Questions November 2005 Livermore physicists shed light on anomalous results in x-ray interferometry of plasmas. > View Article A Peculiar Burst of Stars December 2005 Livermore astrophysicists find evidence that radio jets emitted from black holes give rise to new stars. > View Article