472 research outputs found
Thermally induced magnetic relaxation in square artificial spin ice
The properties of natural and artificial assemblies of interacting elements,
ranging from Quarks to Galaxies, are at the heart of Physics. The collective
response and dynamics of such assemblies are dictated by the intrinsic
dynamical properties of the building blocks, the nature of their interactions
and topological constraints. Here we report on the relaxation dynamics of the
magnetization of artificial assemblies of mesoscopic spins. In our model
nano-magnetic system - square artificial spin ice - we are able to control the
geometrical arrangement and interaction strength between the magnetically
interacting building blocks by means of nano-lithography. Using time resolved
magnetometry we show that the relaxation process can be described using the
Kohlrausch law and that the extracted temperature dependent relaxation times of
the assemblies follow the Vogel-Fulcher law. The results provide insight into
the relaxation dynamics of mesoscopic nano-magnetic model systems, with
adjustable energy and time scales, and demonstrates that these can serve as an
ideal playground for the studies of collective dynamics and relaxations.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure
Magnetic order and energy-scale hierarchy in artificial spin ice
In order to explain and predict the properties of many physical systems, it
is essential to understand the interplay of different energy-scales. Here we
present investigations of the magnetic order in thermalised artificial spin ice
structures, with different activation energies of the interacting Ising-like
elements. We image the thermally equilibrated magnetic states of the
nano-structures using synchrotron-based magnetic microscopy. By comparing
results obtained from structures with one or two different activation energies,
we demonstrate a clear impact on the resulting magnetic order. The differences
are obtained by the analysis of the magnetic spin structure factors, in which
the role of the activation energies is manifested by distinct short-range
order. This demonstrates that artificial spin systems can serve as model
systems, allowing the definition of energy-scales by geometrical design and
providing the backdrop for understanding their interplay.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures (+ supplementary 6 pages, 4 figures
Influence of the magnetic field on the plasmonic properties of transparent Ni anti-dot arrays
Extraordinary optical transmission is observed due to the excitation of
surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in 2-Dimensional hexagonal anti-dot patterns
of pure Ni thin films, grown on sapphire substrates. A strong enhancement of
the polar Kerr rotation is recorded at the surface plasmon related transmission
maximum. Angular resolved reflectivity measurements under an applied field,
reveal an enhancement and a shift of the normalized reflectivity difference
upon reversal of the magnetic saturation (transverse magneto-optical Kerr
effect-TMOKE). The change of the TMOKE signal clearly shows the magnetic field
modulation of the dispersion relation of SPPs launched in a 2D patterned
ferromagnetic Ni film
SN 2006oz: rise of a super-luminous supernova observed by the SDSS-II SN Survey
We study SN 2006oz, a newly-recognized member of the class of H-poor,
super-luminous supernovae. We present multi-color light curves from the SDSS-II
SN Survey, that cover the rise time, as well as an optical spectrum that shows
that the explosion occurred at z~0.376. We fitted black body functions to
estimate the temperature and radius evolution of the photosphere and used the
parametrized code SYNOW to model the spectrum. We constructed a bolometric
light curve and compared it with explosion models. The very early light curves
show a dip in the g- and r-bands and a possible initial cooling phase in the
u-band before rising to maximum light. The bolometric light curve shows a
precursor plateau with a duration of 6-10 days in the rest-frame. A lower limit
of M_u < -21.5 can be placed on the absolute peak luminosity of the SN, while
the rise time is constrained to be at least 29 days. During our observations,
the emitting sphere doubled its radius to 2x10^15 cm, while the temperature
remained hot at 15000 K. As for other similar SNe, the spectrum is best modeled
with elements including O II and Mg II, while we tentatively suggest that Fe
III might be present. We suggest that the precursor plateau might be related to
a recombination wave in a circumstellar medium (CSM) and discuss whether this
is a common property of all similar explosions. The subsequent rise can be
equally well described by input from a magnetar or by ejecta-CSM interaction,
but the models are not well constrained owing to the lack of post-maximum
observations, and CSM interaction has difficulties accounting for the precursor
plateau self-consistently. Radioactive decay is less likely to be the mechanism
that powers the luminosity. The host galaxy, detected in deep imaging with the
10 m GTC, is a moderately young and star-forming, but not a starburst, galaxy.
It has an absolute magnitude of M_g = -16.9.Comment: Contains minor changes (of editorial nature) with respect to v1 in
order to match the published version. The abstract has been modified to fit
the arXiv space requirements. 11 pages, 8 figures, 3 table
The importance of the weak: Interaction modifiers in artificial spin ices
The modification of geometry and interactions in two-dimensional magnetic
nanosystems has enabled a range of studies addressing the magnetic order,
collective low-energy dynamics, and emergent magnetic properties, in e.g.
artificial spin ice structures. The common denominator of all these
investigations is the use of Ising-like mesospins as building blocks, in the
form of elongated magnetic islands. Here we introduce a new approach: single
interaction modifiers, using slave-mesospins in the form of discs, within which
the mesospin is free to rotate in the disc plane. We show that by placing these
on the vertices of square artificial spin ice arrays and varying their
diameter, it is possible to tailor the strength and the ratio of the
interaction energies. We demonstrate the existence of degenerate ice-rule
obeying states in square artificial spin ice structures, enabling the
exploration of thermal dynamics in a spin liquid manifold. Furthermore, we even
observe the emergence of flux lattices on larger length-scales, when the energy
landscape of the vertices is reversed. The work highlights the potential of a
design strategy for two-dimensional magnetic nano-architectures, through which
mixed dimensionality of mesospins can be used to promote thermally emergent
mesoscale magnetic states.Comment: 17 pages, including methods, 4 figures. Supplementary information
contains 16 pages and 15 figure
Spectra and Light Curves of Six Type Ia Supernovae at 0.511 < z < 1.12 and the Union2 Compilation
We report on work to increase the number of well-measured Type Ia supernovae
(SNe Ia) at high redshifts. Light curves, including high signal-to-noise HST
data, and spectra of six SNe Ia that were discovered during 2001 are presented.
Additionally, for the two SNe with z>1, we present ground-based J-band
photometry from Gemini and the VLT. These are among the most distant SNe Ia for
which ground based near-IR observations have been obtained. We add these six
SNe Ia together with other data sets that have recently become available in the
literature to the Union compilation (Kowalski et al. 2008). We have made a
number of refinements to the Union analysis chain, the most important ones
being the refitting of all light curves with the SALT2 fitter and an improved
handling of systematic errors. We call this new compilation, consisting of 557
supernovae, the Union2 compilation. The flat concordance LambdaCDM model
remains an excellent fit to the Union2 data with the best fit constant equation
of state parameter w=-0.997^{+0.050}_{-0.054} (stat) ^{+0.077}_{-0.082}
(stat+sys\ together) for a flat universe, or w=-1.035^{+0.055}_{-0.059}
(stat)^{+0.093}_{-0.097} (stat+sys together) with curvature. We also present
improved constraints on w(z). While no significant change in w with redshift is
detected, there is still considerable room for evolution in w. The strength of
the constraints depend strongly on redshift. In particular, at z > 1, the
existence and nature of dark energy are only weakly constrained by the data.Comment: 33 pages, 18 figures; accepted for publication in Astrophysical
Journal. For data tables, code for cosmological analysis and full-resolution
figures, see http://supernova.lbl.gov/Union
Low-cost exercise interventions improve long-term cardiometabolic health independently of a family history of type 2 diabetes : a randomized parallel group trial
Introduction To investigate the effect of an exercise prescription and a 1-year supervised exercise intervention, and the modifying effect of the family history of type 2 diabetes (FH), on long-term cardiometabolic health. Research design and methods For this prospective randomized trial, we recruited non-diabetic participants with poor fitness (n=1072, 30-70 years). Participants were randomly assigned with stratification for FH either in the exercise prescription group (PG, n=144) or the supervised exercise group (EG, n=146) group and compared with a matched control group from the same population study (CON, n=782). The PG and EG received exercise prescriptions. In addition, the EG attended supervised exercise sessions two times a week for 60 min for 12 months. Cardiometabolic risk factors were measured at baseline, 1 year, 5 years, and 6 years. The CON group received no intervention and was measured at baseline and 6 years. Results The EG reduced their body weight, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) but not physical fitness (p=0.074) or insulin or glucose regulation (p>0.1) compared with the PG at 1 year and 5 years (p Conclusions Low-cost physical activity programs have long-term beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health regardless of the FH of diabetes. Given the feasibility and low cost of these programs, they should be advocated to promote cardiometabolic health.Peer reviewe
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