6,681 research outputs found
Tunable pinning of a superconducting vortex a by a magnetic vortex
The interaction between a straight vortex line in a superconducting film and
a soft magnetic nanodisk in the magnetic vortex state in the presence of a
magnetic field applied parallel to the film surfaces is studied theoretically.
The superconductor is described by London theory and the nanodisk by the
Landau-Lifshitz continuum theory of magnetism, using the approximation known as
the rigid vortex model. Pinning of the vortex line by the nanodisk is found to
result, predominantly, from the interaction between the vortex line and the
changes in the nanodisk magnetization induced by the magnetic field of the
vortex line and applied field. In the context of the rigid vortex model, these
changes result from the displacement of the magnetic vortex. This displacement
is calculated analytically by minimizing the energy, and the pinning potential
is obtained. The applied field can tune the pinning potential by controlling
the displacement of the magnetic vortex. The nanodisk magnetization curve is
predicted to change in the presence of the vortex lineComment: 9 pages, 8 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.
An alternative theoretical approach to describe planetary systems through a Schrodinger-type diffusion equation
In the present work we show that planetary mean distances can be calculated
with the help of a Schrodinger-type diffusion equation. The obtained results
are shown to agree with the observed orbits of all the planets and of the
asteroid belt in the solar system, with only three empty states. Furthermore,
the equation solutions predict a fundamental orbit at 0.05 AU from solar-type
stars, a result confirmed by recent discoveries. In contrast to other similar
approaches previously presented in the literature, we take into account the
flatness of the solar system, by considering the flat solutions of the
Schrodinger-type equation. The model has just one input parameter, given by the
mean distance of Mercury.Comment: 6 pages. Version accepted for publication in Chaos, Solitons &
Fractal
On Useful Conformal Tranformations In General Relativity
Local conformal transformations are known as a useful tool in various
applications of the gravitational theory, especially in cosmology. We describe
some new aspects of these transformations, in particular using them for
derivation of Einstein equations for the cosmological and Schwarzschild
metrics. Furthermore, the conformal transformation is applied for the
dimensional reduction of the Gauss-Bonnet topological invariant in to the
spaces of lower dimensions.Comment: 17 pages, LaTeX. The paper is intended mainly for pedagogical
purposes and represents a collection of exercises concerning local conformal
transformations and dimensional reduction. To be published in "Gravitation
and Cosmology
Quantum Electrodynamics vacuum polarization solver
The self-consistent modeling of vacuum polarization due to virtual
electron-positron fluctuations is of relevance for many near term experiments
associated with high intensity radiation sources and represents a milestone in
describing scenarios of extreme energy density. We present a generalized
finite-difference time-domain solver that can incorporate the modifications to
Maxwell's equations due to vacuum polarization. Our multidimensional solver
reproduced in one dimensional configurations the results for which an analytic
treatment is possible, yielding vacuum harmonic generation and birefringence.
The solver has also been tested for two-dimensional scenarios where finite
laser beam spot sizes must be taken into account. We employ this solver to
explore different types of counter-propagating configurations that can be
relevant for future planned experiments aiming to detect quantum vacuum
dynamics at ultra-high electromagnetic field intensities
Sustainability Assessment of indicators for integrated water resources management
The scientific community strongly recommends the adoption of indicators for the evaluation and monitoring of progress towards sustainable development. Furthermore, international organizations consider that indicators are powerful decision-making tools. Nevertheless, the quality and reliability of the indicators depends on the application of adequate and appropriate criteria to assess them. The general objective of this study was to evaluate how indicators related to water use and management perform against a set of sustainability criteria. Our research identified 170 indicators related to water use and management. These indicators were assessed by an international panel of experts that evaluated whether they fulfil the four sustainability criteria: social, economic, environmental, and institutional. We employed an evaluation matrix that classified all indicators according to the DPSIR (Driving Forces, Pressures, States, Impacts and Responses) framework. A pilot study served to test and approve the research methodology before carrying out the full implementation. The findings of the study show that 24 indicators comply with the majority of the sustainability criteria; 59 indicators are bi-dimensional (meaning that they comply with two sustainability criteria); 86 are one-dimensional indicators (fulfilling just one of the four sustainability criteria) and one indicator do not fulfil any of the sustainability criteria.Postprint (author's final draft
Bandlimited approximations to the truncated Gaussian and applications
In this paper we extend the theory of optimal approximations of functions in the -metric by entire functions of prescribed
exponential type (bandlimited functions). We solve this problem for the
truncated and the odd Gaussians using explicit integral representations and
fine properties of truncated theta functions obtained via the maximum principle
for the heat operator. As applications, we recover most of the previously known
examples in the literature and further extend the class of truncated and odd
functions for which this extremal problem can be solved, by integration on the
free parameter and the use of tempered distribution arguments. This is the
counterpart of the work \cite{CLV}, where the case of even functions is
treated.Comment: to appear in Const. Appro
Progress in mass and clonal selection of grapevine varieties in Portugal
Since 1978 we have developed methods for mass and clonal selection of grapevine well adapted to the conditions of Portuguese viticulture. The most remarkable innovation of this methodology is the establishment of large experimental populations of clones in which good estimates of yield heritability and genetic gain can be obtained. The aim of the present paper is to clarify some methodological aspects such as (1) the ideal composition and structure of the experimental populations of clones and (2) the application of this methodology to a large number of Portuguese varieties, in order to maximize the rate of yield improvement. At present we can point out the following results: According to experimental data and computer simulation; we may conclude that the optimal number of clones to be included in each population is about 200-300, each one represented by 4 vines in 5 replications. By this way we can usually obtain heritability estimates between 30 and 80% and genetic gain values higher than 15%.Until now, we have succeeded in applying this methodology to 30 of the most important Portuguese varieties, which represent more than 80% of all varieties normally propagated in the country
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