14,779 research outputs found
Infrared probe of the anomalous magnetotransport of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite in the extreme quantum limit
We present a systematic investigation of the magnetoreflectance of highly
oriented pyrolytic graphite in magnetic field B up to 18 T . From these
measurements, we report the determination of lifetimes tau associated with the
lowest Landau levels in the quantum limit. We find a linear field dependence
for inverse lifetime 1/tau(B) of the lowest Landau levels, which is consistent
with the hypothesis of a three-dimensional (3D) to 1D crossover in an
anisotropic 3D metal in the quantum limit. This enigmatic result uncovers the
origin of the anomalous linear in-plane magnetoresistance observed both in bulk
graphite and recently in mesoscopic graphite samples
Ultraviolet/X-ray variability and the extended X-ray emission of the radio-loud broad absorption line quasar PG 1004+130
We present the results of recent Chandra, XMM-Newton, and Hubble Space
Telescope observations of the radio-loud (RL), broad absorption line (BAL)
quasar PG 1004+130. We compare our new observations to archival X-ray and UV
data, creating the most comprehensive, high signal-to-noise, multi-epoch,
spectral monitoring campaign of a RL BAL quasar to date. We probe for
variability of the X-ray absorption, the UV BAL, and the X-ray jet, on
month-year timescales. The X-ray absorber has a low column density of
cm when it is assumed to be fully
covering the X-ray emitting region, and its properties do not vary
significantly between the 4 observations. This suggests the observed absorption
is not related to the typical "shielding gas" commonly invoked in BAL quasar
models, but is likely due to material further from the central black hole. In
contrast, the CIV BAL shows strong variability. The equivalent width (EW) in
2014 is EW=11.240.56 \AA, showing a fractional increase of =1.160.11 from the 2003 observation, 3183 days earlier
in the rest-frame. This places PG 1004+130 among the most highly variable BAL
quasars. By combining Chandra observations we create an exposure 2.5 times
deeper than studied previously, with which to investigate the nature of the
X-ray jet and extended diffuse X-ray emission. An X-ray knot, likely with a
synchrotron origin, is detected in the radio jet ~8 arcsec (30 kpc) from the
central X-ray source with a spatial extent of ~4 arcsec (15 kpc). No similar
X-ray counterpart to the counterjet is detected. Asymmetric, non-thermal
diffuse X-ray emission, likely due to inverse Compton scattering of Cosmic
Microwave Background photons, is also detected.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in Ap
Critical State in Thin Anisotropic Superconductors of Arbitrary Shape
A thin flat superconductor of arbitrary shape and with arbitrary in-plane and
out-of-plane anisotropy of flux-line pinning is considered, in an external
magnetic field normal to its plane.
It is shown that the general three-dimensional critical state problem for
this superconductor reduces to the two-dimensional problem of an infinitely
thin sample of the same shape but with a modified induction dependence of the
critical sheet current. The methods of solving the latter problem are well
known. This finding thus enables one to study the critical states in realistic
samples of high-Tc superconductors with various types of anisotropic flux-line
pinning. As examples, we investigate the critical states of long strips and
rectangular platelets of high-Tc superconductors with pinning either by the
ab-planes or by extended defects aligned with the c-axis.Comment: 13 pages including 13 figure files in the tex
X-raying the Winds of Luminous Active Galaxies
We briefly describe some recent observational results, mainly at X-ray
wavelengths, on the winds of luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs). These
winds likely play a significant role in galaxy feedback. Topics covered include
(1) Relations between X-ray and UV absorption in Broad Absorption Line (BAL)
and mini-BAL quasars; (2) X-ray absorption in radio-loud BAL quasars; and (3)
Evidence for relativistic iron K BALs in the X-ray spectra of a few bright
quasars. We also mention some key outstanding problems and prospects for future
advances; e.g., with the International X-ray Observatory (IXO).Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, to appear in proceedings of the conference "The
Monster's Fiery Breath: Feedback in Galaxies, Groups, and Clusters", June
2009, Madison, Wisconsi
Theory of Type-II Superconductors with Finite London Penetration Depth
Previous continuum theory of type-II superconductors of various shapes with
and without vortex pinning in an applied magnetic field and with transport
current, is generalized to account for a finite London penetration depth
lambda. This extension is particularly important at low inductions B, where the
transition to the Meissner state is now described correctly, and for films with
thickness comparable to or smaller than lambda. The finite width of the surface
layer with screening currents and the correct dc and ac responses in various
geometries follow naturally from an equation of motion for the current density
in which the integral kernel now accounts for finite lambda. New geometries
considered here are thick and thin strips with applied current, and `washers',
i.e. thin film squares with a slot and central hole as used for SQUIDs.Comment: 14 pages, including 15 high-resolution figure
Evidence of local superconductivity in granular Bi nanowires fabricated by electrodeposition
An unusual enhancement of resistance (i.e., superresistivity) below a certain
characteristic temperature Tsr was observed in granular Bi nanowires. This
superresistive state was found to be dependent on the applied magnetic field
(H) as well as the excitation current (I). The suppression of Tsr by magnetic
field resembles that of a superconductor. The observed superresistivity appears
to be related to the nucleation of local superconductivity inside the granular
nanowire without long-range phase coherence. The phenomenon is reminiscent of
the Bose-insulator observed previously in ultra thin two-dimensional (2D)
superconducting films and 3D percolative superconducting films.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. submitted to PR
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