On the Intrinsic Simplicity of Spectral Variability of GRBs

In this paper we present a Multi-Scale Correlation Analysis (MSCA) of the light curves of gamma-ray bursts recorded in different energy ranges. This analysis allows us to identify time intervals where emission variability can be reduced to a single physical parameter and can therefore be robustly attributed to a single physical emitter. The properties of these intervals can then be investigated separately, and the spectral properties of individual emitters can be analysed. The signatures of hidden dynamical relations between individual emitters are also discussed

Low-frequency Elastic and Thermomechanical Analysis of Ni-Mn-In(Co) Single Crystals☆

Martensitic transformation (MT) in Ni 45.0 Mn 36.7 In 13.3 Co 5.0 single crystals (SC) has been characterized by DSC and X-ray diffraction. Their elastic and thermomechanical properties have been investigated by a low-frequency dynamic-mechanical analysis in a tensile mode and by static mechanical compression made at different temperatures. The Young's modulus of the order of 10 GPa was measured in tensile tests along crystallographic axis of austenite showing soft behavior in a broad temperature range whereby revealing a lattice instability similar to the classical Ni-Mn-Ga alloys. The compression tests along , and directions have shown that despite a high brittleness the samples exhibit large martensitic plasticity, rubber-like behavior and superelasticity

Strongly nonlinear dynamics of electrolytes in large ac voltages

We study the response of a model micro-electrochemical cell to a large ac voltage of frequency comparable to the inverse cell relaxation time. To bring out the basic physics, we consider the simplest possible model of a symmetric binary electrolyte confined between parallel-plate blocking electrodes, ignoring any transverse instability or fluid flow. We analyze the resulting one-dimensional problem by matched asymptotic expansions in the limit of thin double layers and extend previous work into the strongly nonlinear regime, which is characterized by two novel features - significant salt depletion in the electrolyte near the electrodes and, at very large voltage, the breakdown of the quasi-equilibrium structure of the double layers. The former leads to the prediction of "ac capacitive desalination", since there is a time-averaged transfer of salt from the bulk to the double layers, via oscillating diffusion layers. The latter is associated with transient diffusion limitation, which drives the formation and collapse of space-charge layers, even in the absence of any net Faradaic current through the cell. We also predict that steric effects of finite ion sizes (going beyond dilute solution theory) act to suppress the strongly nonlinear regime in the limit of concentrated electrolytes, ionic liquids and molten salts. Beyond the model problem, our reduced equations for thin double layers, based on uniformly valid matched asymptotic expansions, provide a useful mathematical framework to describe additional nonlinear responses to large ac voltages, such as Faradaic reactions, electro-osmotic instabilities, and induced-charge electrokinetic phenomena.Comment: 30 pages, 17 eps-figures, RevTe

Influence of intermartensitic transitions on transport properties of Ni2.16Mn0.84Ga alloy

Magnetic, transport, and x-ray diffraction measurements of ferromagnetic shape memory alloy Ni$_{2.16}$Mn$_{0.84}$Ga revealed that this alloy undergoes an intermartensitic transition upon cooling, whereas no such a transition is observed upon subsequent heating. The difference in the modulation of the martensite forming upon cooling from the high-temperature austenitic state [5-layered (5M) martensite], and the martensite forming upon the intermartensitic transition [7-layered (7M) martensite] strongly affects the magnetic and transport properties of the alloy and results in a large thermal hysteresis of the resistivity $\rho$ and magnetization $M$. The intermartensitic transition has an especially marked influence on the transport properties, as is evident from a large difference in the resistivity of the 5M and 7M martensite, $(\rho_{\mathrm{5M}} - \rho_{\mathrm{7M}})/\rho _{\mathrm{5M}} \approx 15$, which is larger than the jump of resistivity at the martensitic transition from the cubic austenitic phase to the monoclinic 5M martensitic phase. We assume that this significant difference in $\rho$ between the martensitic phases is accounted for by nesting features of the Fermi surface. It is also suggested that the nesting hypothesis can explain the uncommon behavior of the resistivity at the martensitic transition, observed in stoichiometric and near-stoichiometric Ni-Mn-Ga alloys.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, REVTEX

Magnetic field dependence of galfenol elastic properties

Elastic shear moduli measurements on Fe100−xGax (x = 12–33) single crystals (via resonant ultrasound spectroscopy) with and without a magnetic field and within 4–300 K are reported. The pronounced softening of the tetragonal shear modulus c′ is concluded to be, based on magnetoelastic coupling, the cause of the second peak in the tetragonal magnetostriction constant λ100 near x = 28. Exceedingly high ΔE effects ( ∼ 25%), combined with the extreme softness in c′ (c′\u3c10 GPa), suggest structural changes take place, yet, gradual in nature, as the moduli show a smooth dependence on Ga concentration, temperature, and magnetic field. Shear anisotropy (c44/c′) as high as 14.7 was observed for Fe71.2Ga28.8

Magnetoelastic nature of ferromagnetic shape memory effect

Abstract. The giant magnetically-induced deformation of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys results from the magnetic field-induced rearrangement of twinned martensite under the magnetic field. This deformation is conventionally referred to as the magnetic-field-induced-strain (MFIS). The MFIS is comparable in value with the spontaneous deformation of crystal lattice during the martensitic transformation of an alloy. Although the first observations of MFIS were reported more than 30 years ago, it has got a world-wide interest 20 years later after the creation of the Ni-Mn-Ga alloy system with its practically important room-temperature martensitic structure and experimental evidence of the large magnetostriction. The underlying physics as well as necessary and sufficient conditions for the observation of MFIS are the main focus of this chapter. A magnetostrictive mechanism of the unusual magnetic and magnetomechanical effects observed in Ni-Mn-Ga alloys is substantiated and a framework of consistent theory of these effects is outlined starting from the fundamental conception of magnetoelasticity and the commonly known principles of ferromagnetism and linear elasticity theories. A reasonable agreement between the theoretical deductions and available experimental data is demonstrated and, in this way, a key role of magnetoelastic coupling in the magnetomechanical behavior of Ni-Mn-Ga alloys is proved. A correspondence of magnetostrictive mechanism to the crystallographic features of MFIS and the basic relationships of the thermodynamics of solids are discussed