Second harmonic generation in SiC polytypes

LMTO calculations are presented for the frequency dependent second harmonic generation (SHG) in the polytypes 2H, 4H, 6H, 15R and 3C of SiC. All independent tensor components are calculated. The spectral features and the ratios of the 333 to 311 tensorial components are studied as a function of the degree of hexagonality. The relationship to the linear optical response and the underlying band structure are investigated. SHG is suggested to be a sensitive tool for investigating the near band edge interband excitations.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure

Magnetism and domain formation in SU(3)-symmetric multi-species Fermi mixtures

We study the phase diagram of an SU(3)-symmetric mixture of three-component ultracold fermions with attractive interactions in an optical lattice, including the additional effect on the mixture of an effective three-body constraint induced by three-body losses. We address the properties of the system in $D \geq 2$ by using dynamical mean-field theory and variational Monte Carlo techniques. The phase diagram of the model shows a strong interplay between magnetism and superfluidity. In the absence of the three-body constraint (no losses), the system undergoes a phase transition from a color superfluid phase to a trionic phase, which shows additional particle density modulations at half-filling. Away from the particle-hole symmetric point the color superfluid phase is always spontaneously magnetized, leading to the formation of different color superfluid domains in systems where the total number of particles of each species is conserved. This can be seen as the SU(3) symmetric realization of a more general tendency to phase-separation in three-component Fermi mixtures. The three-body constraint strongly disfavors the trionic phase, stabilizing a (fully magnetized) color superfluid also at strong coupling. With increasing temperature we observe a transition to a non-magnetized SU(3) Fermi liquid phase.Comment: 36 pages, 17 figures; Corrected typo

A Comprehensive View on MRI Techniques for Imaging Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the interface between the blood and brain tissue, which regulates the maintenance of homeostasis within the brain. Impaired BBB integrity is increasingly associated with various neurological diseases. To gain a better understanding of the underlying processes involved in BBB breakdown, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are highly suitable for noninvasive BBB assessment. Commonly used MRI techniques to assess BBB integrity are dynamic contrast-enhanced and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI, both relying on leakage of gadolinium-based contrast agents. A number of conceptually different methods exist that target other aspects of the BBB. These alternative techniques make use of endogenous markers, such as water and glucose, as contrast media. A comprehensive overview of currently available MRI techniques to assess the BBB condition is provided from a scientific point of view, including potential applications in disease. Improvements that are required to make these techniques clinically more easily applicable will also be discussed.</p

FACT -- the First Cherenkov Telescope using a G-APD Camera for TeV Gamma-ray Astronomy (HEAD 2010)

Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiodes (G-APD) bear the potential to significantly improve the sensitivity of Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes (IACT). We are currently building the First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT) by refurbishing an old IACT with a mirror area of 9.5 square meters and construct a new, fine pixelized camera using novel G-APDs. The main goal is to evaluate the performance of a complete system by observing very high energy gamma-rays from the Crab Nebula. This is an important field test to check the feasibility of G-APD-based cameras to replace at some time the PMT-based cameras of planned future IACTs like AGIS and CTA. In this article, we present the basic design of such a camera as well as some important details to be taken into account.Comment: Poster shown at HEAD 2010, Big Island, Hawaii, March 1-4, 201

Magnetisation configuration in arrays of permalloy rectangles and its impact on magnetisation reversal

The remanent domain structures of composite element magnetic barcodes have been imaged using photo-emission electron microscopy with contrast from x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD-PEEM) and analysed with reference to the results of micromagnetic simulations. The magnetisation configuration at the end of wide strips is found to be perpendicular to the majority magnetisation direction. This transitions to an incomplete rotation for nominal strip widths below 300 nm and is found to affect the mechanics of magnetisation reversal for nominal strip widths below 200 nm, owing to a difference in magnetisation orientation when an external magnetic field is applied that is just smaller than the magnetic coercivity of the structures and a corresponding change in reversal dynamics. This change in domain structure as strip width decreases is consistent with both the influence of shape anisotropy and with measurements of magnetic hysteresis. The magnetisation reversal characteristics of composite element structures are found to be dependent on the relative magnetisation configurations of neighbouring strips, which in turn are found to vary stochastically upon the application and removal of a magnetic field along the easy axis of the structure. It is found that the application of a canted field is necessary to ensure sharp, consistent magnetisation reversal of bits when writing a binary code. These results confirm that either improved lithography of narrower strips or non-rectangular elements would be necessary to further increase the number of individually programmable bits in a barcode

What factors influence training opportunities for older workers? Three factorial surveys exploring the attitudes of HR professionals

The core research questions addressed in this paper are: what factors influence HR professionals in deciding whether to approve training proposals for older workers? What kind of training are they more likely to recommend for older employees and in which organizational contexts? We administered three factorial surveys to 66 HR professionals in Italy. Participants made specific training decisions based on profiles of hypothetical older workers. Multilevel analyses indicated that access to training decreases strongly with age, while highly-skilled older employees with low absenteeism rates are more likely to enjoy training opportunities. In addition, older workers displaying positive performance are more likely to receive training than older workers who perform poorly, suggesting that training late in working life may serve as a reward for good performance rather than as a means of enhancing productivity. The older the HR professional evaluating training proposals, the higher the probability that older workers will be recommended for training. keywords: training; older workers; HR professionals; factorial survey; multilevel model

A novel camera type for very high energy gamma-ray astronomy based on Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes

Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (G-APD) are promising new sensors for light detection in atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. In this paper, the design and commissioning of a 36-pixel G-APD prototype camera is presented. The data acquisition is based on the Domino Ring Sampling (DRS2) chip. A sub-nanosecond time resolution has been achieved. Cosmic-ray induced air showers have been recorded using an imaging mirror setup, in a self-triggered mode. This is the first time that such measurements have been carried out with a complete G-APD camera.Comment: 9 pages with 11 figure