Ground and excited states of Li−^-, Be−^- through a density-based approach

Density functional calculations are performed for ground [He]2s$^2$ $^1$S$^e$, and three metastable bound excited states, 1s2s2p$^2$ $^5$P$^e$, 1s2p$^3$ $^5$S$^o$, 1s2s2p3p $^5$P$^e$ of Li$^-$ and [He]2s2p$^2$ $^4$P$^e$, [He]2p$^3$ $^4$S$^o$, 1s2s2p$^3$ $^6$S$^o$ of Be$^-$ each. The work-function-based exchange potential is used, while the correlation effects are included by employing the Lee-Yang-Parr potential. The relevant nonrelativistic KS equation is solved by means of a generalized pseudospectral discretization scheme offering nonuniform and optimal spatial grid. Computed total energies, radial densities, selected density moments, as well as two transition wavelengths (1s2s2p$^2$ $^5$P$^e \to$1s2p$^3$ $^5$S$^o$ of Li$^-$, [He]2s2p$^2$ $^4$P$^e \to$ [He]2p$^3$ $^4$S$^o$ of Be$^-$) show reasonably good agreement with the available theoretical and experimental data. The term energies show an absolute deviation of 0.007--0.171% with the largest deviation being observed for the even-parity $^5$P state of Li$^-$. The transition wavelengths of Li$^-$, Be$^-$ are calculated within 0.891 and 0.438% of the experimental values. This offers a simple practical route towards accurate reliable calculation of excited states of anions within density functional theory.Comment: 12 pages, 35 ref

Synchrotron spectral index and interstellar medium densities of star-forming galaxies

The spectral index of synchrotron emission is an important parameter in understanding the properties of cosmic ray electrons (CREs) and the interstellar medium (ISM). We determine the synchrotron spectral index ($\alpha_{\rm nt}$) of four nearby star-forming galaxies, namely NGC 4736, NGC 5055, NGC 5236 and NGC 6946 at sub-kpc linear scales. The $\alpha_{\rm nt}$ was determined between 0.33 and 1.4 GHz for all the galaxies. We find the spectral index to be flatter ($\gtrsim -0.7$) in regions with total neutral (atomic + molecular) gas surface density, $\Sigma_{\rm gas} \gtrsim \rm 50~M_\odot pc^{-2}$, typically in the arms and inner parts of the galaxies. In regions with $\Sigma_{\rm gas} \lesssim \rm 50~M_\odot pc^{-2}$, especially in the interarm and outer regions of the galaxies, the spectral index steepens sharply to $<-1.0$. The flattening of $\alpha_{\rm nt}$ is unlikely to be caused due to thermal free--free absorption at 0.33 GHz. Our result is consistent with the scenario where the CREs emitting at frequencies below $\sim0.3$ GHz are dominated by bremsstrahlung and/or ionization losses. For denser medium ($\Sigma_{\rm gas} \gtrsim \rm 200~M_\odot pc^{-2}$), having strong magnetic fields ($\sim 30~\mu$G), $\alpha_{\rm nt}$ is seen to be flatter than $-0.5$, perhaps caused due to ionization losses. We find that, due to the clumpy nature of the ISM, such dense regions cover only a small fraction of the galaxy ($\lesssim5$ percent). Thus, the galaxy-integrated spectrum may not show indication of such loss mechanisms and remain a power-law over a wide range of radio frequencies (between $\sim 0.1$ to 10 GHz).Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, Accepted to be published in MNRA

High Quality a-axis outgrowth on c-axis YlCa1-xBa2Cu3O7-d

The large amplitude of the high Tc (HTS) superconducting gap is attractive for improved electronic applications. However, the study of such HTS cuprates has uncovered that unlike the s-wave order parameter of the low Tc, an angle dependent dx2-y2 wave function is the dominant order parameter in such compounds. This symmetry causes low energy surface bound states, detrimental for applications, except at (100) oriented surfaces. It is therefore essential to have a smooth and well oriented surface of the crystallographic a-axis (100). In this work we present a study of an unconventional way to attain such surfaces in the form of a-axis outgrowth on a c-axis surface of sputtered Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7-d thin film. The grains topography was tested using X-ray, SEM and AFM together with Point Contact and Tunnel Junctions measurements.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

Determination of the critical current density in the d-wave superconductor YBCO under applied magnetic fields by nodal tunneling

We have studied nodal tunneling into YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) films under magnetic fields. The films' orientation was such that the CuO2 planes were perpendicular to the surface with the a and b axis at 450 form the normal. The magnetic field was applied parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the CuO2 planes. The Zero Bias Conductance Peak (ZBCP) characteristic of nodal tunneling splits under the effect of surface currents produced by the applied fields. Measuring this splitting under different field conditions, zero field cooled and field cooled, reveals that these currents have different origins. By comparing the field cooled ZBCP splitting to that taken in decreasing fields we deduce a value of the Bean critical current superfluid velocity, and calculate a Bean critical current density of up to 3*10^7 A/cm2 at low temperatures. This tunneling method for the determination of critical currents under magnetic fields has serious advantages over the conventional one, as it avoids having to make high current contacts to the sample.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Order and disorder in intermediate filament proteins

AbstractIntermediate filaments (IFs), important components of the cytoskeleton, provide a versatile, tunable network of self-assembled proteins. IF proteins contain three distinct domains: an α-helical structured rod domain, flanked by intrinsically disordered head and tail domains. Recent studies demonstrated the functional importance of the disordered domains, which differ in length and amino-acid sequence among the 70 different human IF genes. Here, we investigate the biophysical properties of the disordered domains, and review recent findings on the interactions between them. Our analysis highlights key components governing IF functional roles in the cytoskeleton, where the intrinsically disordered domains dictate protein–protein interactions, supramolecular assembly, and macro-scale order