Spin-Wave Spectrum in `Single-Domain' Magnetic Ground State of Triangular Lattice Antiferromagnet CuFeO2

By means of neutron scattering measurements, we have investigated spin-wave excitation in a collinear four-sublattice (4SL) magnetic ground state of a triangular lattice antiferromagnet CuFeO2, which has been of recent interest as a strongly frustrated magnet, a spin-lattice coupled system and a multiferroic. To avoid mixing of spin-wave spectrum from magnetic domains having three different orientations reflecting trigonal symmetry of the crystal structure, we have applied uniaxial pressure on [1-10] direction of a single crystal CuFeO2. By elastic neutron scattering measurements, we have found that only 10 MPa of the uniaxial pressure results in almost 'single domain' state in the 4SL phase. We have thus performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements using the single domain sample, and have identified two distinct spin- wave branches. The dispersion relation of the upper spin-wave branch cannot be explained by the previous theoretical model [R. S. Fishman: J. Appl. Phys. 103 (2008) 07B109]. This implies the importance of the lattice degree of freedom in the spin-wave excitation in this system, because the previous calculation neglected the effect of the spin-driven lattice distortion in the 4SL phase. We have also discussed relationship between the present results and the recently discovered "electromagnon" excitation.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Cobertura morta na cultura da pimenta-do-reino.

bitstream/item/57562/1/CPATU-ComTec16.pd

Suzaku Observation of X-ray Variability in Soft State LMC X-1

This paper reports the results of Suzaku observation of the spectral variation of the black hole binary LMCX-1 in the soft state. The observationwas carried out in 2009 from July 21 to 24. the obtained net count rate was $\sim$30 counts s$^{-1}$ in the 0.5--50 keV band with $\sim$10% peak-to-peak flux variation. The time-averaged X-ray spectrum cannot be described by a multi-color disk and single Compton component with its reflection, but requires additional Comptonized emissions. This double Compton component model allows a slightly larger inner radius of the multi-color disk, implying a lower spin parameter. Significant spectral evolution was observed above 8 keV along with a flux decrease on a timescale of $\sim$10$^4$--10$^5$ s. By spectral fitting, we show that this behavior is well explained by changes in the hard Comptonized emission component in contrast to the maintained disk and soft Comptonized emission.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, PASJ accepte

Electric Polarization Induced by a Proper Helical Magnetic Ordering in a Delafossite Multiferroic CuFe1-xAlxO2

Multiferroic CuFe1-xAlxO2 (x=0.02) exhibits a ferroelectric ordering accompanied by a proper helical magnetic ordering below T=7K under zero magnetic field. By polarized neutron diffraction and pyroelectric measurements, we have revealed a one-to-one correspondence between the spin helicity and the direction of the spontaneous electric polarization. This result indicates that the spin helicity of the proper helical magnetic ordering is essential for the ferroelectricity in CuFe1-xAlxO2. The induction of the electric polarization by the proper helical magnetic ordering is, however, cannot be explained by the Katsura-Nagaosa-Balatsky model, which successfully explains the ferroelectricity in the recently explored ferroelectric helimagnets, such as TbMnO3. We thus conclude that CuFe1-xAlxO2 is a new class of magnetic ferroelectrics.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Specificity in reactive oxidant signaling: think globally, act locally

Although reactive oxidants have long been stigmatized as unwanted metabolic byproducts, the expression of oxidases specifically functioning to produce these same molecules in a regulated fashion is surprisingly pervasive throughout metazoan and plant evolution. Although the involvement of oxidants in many signaling pathways is well documented, the cellular strategies for conferring pathway specificity to such reactive molecules have remained more recondite. Recent studies now suggest that cells may spatially restrict oxidant production to allow microdomain-specific signaling

Proof of the Kresch-Tamvakis Conjecture

In this paper we resolve a conjecture of Kresch and Tamvakis. Our result is the following. Theorem: For any positive integer $D$ and any integers $i,j$ $(0\leq i,j \leq D)$, the absolute value of the following hypergeometric series is at most 1: \begin{equation*} {_4F_3} \left[ \begin{array}{c} -i, \; i+1, \; -j, \; j+1 \\ 1, \; D+2, \; -D \end{array} ; 1 \right]. \end{equation*} To prove this theorem, we use the Biedenharn-Elliott identity, the theory of Leonard pairs, and the Perron-Frobenius theorem

Numerical and experimental verification of a theoretical model of ripple formation in ice growth under supercooled water film flow

Little is known about morphological instability of a solidification front during the crystal growth of a thin film of flowing supercooled liquid with a free surface: for example, the ring-like ripples on the surface of icicles. The length scale of the ripples is nearly 1 cm. Two theoretical models for the ripple formation mechanism have been proposed. However, these models lead to quite different results because of differences in the boundary conditions at the solid-liquid interface and liquid-air surface. The validity of the assumption used in the two models is numerically investigated and some of the theoretical predictions are compared with experiments.Comment: 30 pages, 9 figure

Water ice at the surface of HD 100546 disk

We made near infrared multicolor imaging observations of a disk around Herbig Be star HD100546 using Gemini/NICI. K (2.2\,$\mu$m), H$_2$O ice (3.06\,$\mu$m), and L'(3.8\,$\mu$m) disk images were obtained and we found the 3.1\,$\mu$m absorption feature in the scattered light spectrum, likely due to water ice grains at the disk surface. We compared the observed depth of the ice absorption feature with the disk model based on \cite{Oka2012} including water ice photodesorption effect by stellar UV photons. The observed absorption depth can be explained by the both disk models with/without photodesorption effect within the measurement accuracy, but slightly favors the model with photodesorption effects, implying that the UV photons play an important role on the survival/destruction of ice grains at the Herbig Ae/Be disk surface. Further improvement on the accuracy of the observations of the water ice absorption depth is needed to constrain the disk models.Comment: accepted in Ap