Persistence of singlet fluctuations in the coupled spin tetrahedra system Cu2Te2O5Br2 revealed by high-field magnetization and 79Br NQR - 125Te NMR

We present high-field magnetization and $^{79}$Br nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) and $^{125}$Te nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies in the weakly coupled Cu$^{2+}$ ($S=1/2$) tetrahedral system Cu$_2$Te$_2$O$_5$Br$_2$. The field-induced level crossing effects were observed by the magnetization measurements in a long-ranged magnetically ordered state which was confirmed by a strong divergence of the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 at T0=13.5 K. In the paramagnetic state, 1/T1 reveals an effective singlet-triplet spin gap much larger than that observed by static bulk measurements. Our results imply that the inter- and the intra-tetrahedral interactions compete, but at the same time they cooperate strengthening effectively the local intratetrahedral exchange couplings. We discuss that the unusual feature originates from the frustrated intertetrahedral interactions.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted in Phys. Rev. B as a Rapid Communication

Cities in fiction: Perambulations with John Berger

This paper explores selected novels by John Berger in which cities play a central role. These cities are places, partially real and partially imagined, where memory, hope, and despair intersect. My reading of the novels enables me to trace important themes in recent discourses on the nature of contemporary capitalism, including notions of resistance and universality. I also show how Berger?s work points to a writing that can break free from the curious capacity of capitalism to absorb and feed of its critique

Competing charge density waves and temperature-dependent nesting in 2H-TaSe2

Multiple charge density wave (CDW) phases in 2H-TaSe2 are investigated by high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction. In a narrow temperature range immediately above the commensurate CDW transition, we observe a multi-q superstructure with coexisting commensurate and incommensurate order parameters, clearly distinct from the fully incommensurate state at higher temperatures. This multi-q ordered phase, characterized by a temperature hysteresis, is found both during warming and cooling, in contrast to previous reports. In the normal state, the incommensurate superstructure reflection gives way to a broad diffuse peak that persists nearly up to room temperature. Its position provides a direct and accurate estimate of the Fermi surface nesting vector, which evolves non-monotonically and approaches the commensurate position as the temperature is increased. This behavior agrees with our recent observations of the temperature-dependent Fermi surface in the same compound [Phys. Rev. B 79, 125112 (2009)]

Ambipolar Nernst effect in NbSe2_2

The first study of Nernst effect in NbSe$_2$ reveals a large quasi-particle contribution with a magnitude comparable and a sign opposite to the vortex signal. Comparing the effect of the Charge Density Wave(CDW) transition on Hall and Nernst coefficients, we argue that this large Nernst signal originates from the thermally-induced counterflow of electrons and holes and indicates a drastic change in the electron scattering rate in the CDW state. The results provide new input for the debate on the origin of the anomalous Nernst signal in high-T$_c$ cuprates.Comment: 5 pages including 4 figure

Incommensurate magnetic ordering in Cu2Te2O5X2Cu_2 Te_2 O_5 X_2 (X=Cl,Br) studied by neutron diffraction

We present the results of the first neutron powder and single crystal diffraction studies of the coupled spin tetrahedra systems {\CuTeX} (X=Cl, Br). Incommensurate antiferromagnetic order with the propagation vectors {\bf{k}_{Cl}}\approx[0.150,0.422,\half], {\bf{k}_{Br}}\approx[0.158,0.354,\half] sets in below $T_{N}$=18 K for X=Cl and 11 K for X=Br. No simple collinear antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic arrangements of moments within Cu${}^{2+}$ tetrahedra fit these observations. Fitting the diffraction data to more complex but physically reasonable models with multiple helices leads to a moment of 0.67(1)$\mu_B$/Cu${}^{2+}$ at 1.5 K for the Cl-compound. The reason for such a complex ground state may be geometrical frustration of the spins due to the intra- and inter-tetrahedral couplings having similar strengths. The magnetic moment in the Br- compound, calculated assuming it has the same magnetic structure as the Cl compound, is only 0.51(5)$\mu_B$/Cu${}^{2+}$ at 1.5 K. In neither compound has any evidence for a structural transition accompanying the magnetic ordering been found

Collective Charge Excitations below the Metal-to-Insulator Transition in BaVS3

The charge response in the barium vanadium sulfide (BaVS3) single crystals is characterized by dc resistivity and low frequency dielectric spectroscopy. A broad relaxation mode in MHz range with huge dielectric constant ~= 10^6 emerges at the metal-to-insulator phase transition TMI ~= 67 K, weakens with lowering temperature and eventually levels off below the magnetic transition Tchi ~= 30 K. The mean relaxation time is thermally activated in a manner similar to the dc resistivity. These features are interpreted as signatures of the collective charge excitations characteristic for the orbital ordering that gradually develops below TMI and stabilizes at long-range scale below Tchi.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PR

Bank liquidity creation and risk taking during distress

Liquidity creation is one of banks' raisons d'être. But what happens to liquidity creation and risk taking when a bank is identified as distressed by regulatory bodies and subjected to regulatory interventions and/or receives capital injections? What are the long-run effects of such interventions? To address these questions, we exploit a unique dataset of German universal banks for the period 1999 - 2008. Our main findings are as follows. First, regulatory interventions and capital injections are followed by lower levels of liquidity creation. The probability of a decline in liquidity creation increases to up to around 50 percent when such actions are taken. Second, bank risk taking decreases in the aftermath of regulatory interventions and capital injections. Third, while banks' liquidity creation market shares decline over the five years following such disciplinary measures, they also reduce their risk exposure over this period to become safer banks. --Liquidity creation,bank distress,regulatory interventions,capital injections

Magnetodielectric coupling of infrared phonons in single crystal Cu2_{2}OSeO3_{3}

Reflection and transmission as a function of temperature have been measured on a single crystal of the magnetoelectric ferrimagnetic compound Cu$_{2}$OSeO$_{3}$ utilizing light spanning the far infrared to the visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The complex dielectric function and optical properties were obtained via Kramers-Kronig analysis and by fits to a Drude-Lortentz model. The fits of the infrared phonons show a magnetodielectric effect near the transition temperature ($T_{c}\sim 60$~K). Assignments to strong far infrared phonon modes have been made, especially those exhibiting anomalous behavior around the transition temperature