Precursor phenomena at the magnetic ordering of the cubic helimagnet FeGe

We report on detailed magnetic measurements on the cubic helimagnet FeGe in external magnetic fields and temperatures near the onset of long-range magnetic order at $T_C= 278.2(3)$ K. Precursor phenomena display a complex succession of temperature-driven crossovers and phase transitions in the vicinity of $T_C$. The A-phase region, present below $T_C$ and fields $H<0.5$ kOe, is split in several pockets. Relying on a modified phenomenological theory for chiral magnets, the main part of the A-phase could indicate the existence of a $+\pi$ Skyrmion lattice, the adjacent A$_2$ pocket, however, appears to be related to helicoids propagating in directions perpendicular to the applied field.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Chiral Skyrmionic matter in non-centrosymmetric magnets

Axisymmetric magnetic strings with a fixed sense of rotation and nanometer sizes (chiral magnetic vortices or Skyrmions) have been predicted to exist in a large group of non-centrosymmetric crystals more than two decades ago. Recently these extraordinary magnetic states have been directly observed in thin layers of cubic helimagnet (Fe,Co)Si. In this report we apply our earlier theoretical findings to review main properties of chiral Skyrmions, to elucidate their physical nature, and to analyse these recent experimental results on magnetic-field-driven evolution of Skyrmions and helicoids in chiral helimagnets.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, invited talk - JEMS-2010 ( 23-28 August, Krakow, Poland

Evaluation of the current state of aquatic ecosystems and the problems of the protection of biological resources during development of kruzenshternskoye gcf

The results of studies of the current state of freshwater ecosystems and their biotic components in the western part of the Yamal Peninsula are presented in the article. Based on the evaluation of the structure of communities of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos, and whitefishes, the range of problems related to the protection of biological resources during the development of the Kruzenshternskoye gas field is defined. The data on species composition and quantitative indicators of hydrobionts of different types of waterbodies and watercourses in the lower reaches of the Mordyyakha and Naduyyakha Rivers basins is the basis for environmental monitoring of water objects during development and exploitation of the Kruzenshternskoye gas field. Estimation of the fish fauna state and their food base in the territory of the Kruzenshternskoye GCF according to the monitoring program is present. The river delta zones are the most important feeding areas of the salmonid and whitefishes valuable fish species in the territory of Kruzenshternskoye GCF. In cases where water bodies and watercourses are not completely demolished for the construction of GCF facilities, changes of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of communities of hydrobionts after the end of operations are reversible. River ecosystems are restored within a shorter period of time in comparison to lacustrine ones. Proposals for the protection of fisheries resources and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems on the basis of comprehensive studies are reported. Recommendations on reducing the anthropogenic impact on aquatic ecosystems in the development period are present. The results of the investigation were used in the development of the environmental protection part of the Kruzenshternskoye deposit project. Anthropogenic disturbances present now on the gas deposit territory of Kruzenshternskoye does not influence the aquatic ecosystems.The article have been prepared within the Project of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences № 12-P-47-2013 and "The Arctic" Project of the Presidium of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences № 12-4-3-012

Magnetic structures and reorientation transitions in noncentrosymmetric uniaxial antiferromagnets

A phenomenological theory of magnetic states in noncentrosymmetric tetragonal antiferromagnets is developed, which has to include homogeneous and inhomogeneous terms (Lifshitz-invariants) derived from Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya couplings. Magnetic properties of this class of antiferromagnets with low crystal symmetry are discussed in relation to its first known members, the recently detected compounds Ba2CuGe2O7 and K2V3O8. Crystallographic symmetry and magnetic ordering in these systems allow the simultaneous occurrence of chiral inhomogeneous magnetic structures and weak ferromagnetism. New types of incommensurate magnetic structures are possible, namely, chiral helices with rotation of staggered magnetization and oscillations of the total magnetization. Field-induced reorientation transitions into modulated states have been studied and corresponding phase diagrams are constructed. Structures of magnetic defects (domain-walls and vortices) are discussed. In particular, vortices, i.e. localized non-singular line defects, are stabilized by the inhomogeneous Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions in uniaxial noncentrosymmetric antiferromagnets.Comment: 18 pages RevTeX4, 13 figure

A Chandra X-ray Observatory Study of PSR J1740--5340 and Candidate Millisecond Pulsars in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397

We present a deep Chandra X-ray Observatory study of the peculiar binary radio millisecond pulsar PSR J1740--5340 and candidate millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in the globular cluster NGC 6397. The X-rays from PSR J1740--5340 appear to be non-thermal and exhibit variability at the binary period. These properties suggest the presence of a relativistic intrabinary shock formed due to interaction of a relativistic rotation-powered pulsar wind and outflow from the unusual "red-straggler/sub-subgiant" companion. We find the X-ray source U18 to show similar X-ray and optical properties to those of PSR J1740--5340, making it a strong MSP candidate. It exhibits variability on timescales from hours to years, also consistent with an intrabinary shock origin of its X-ray emission. The unprecedented depth of the X-ray data allows us to conduct a complete census of MSPs in NGC 6397. Based on the properties of the present sample of X-ray--detected MSPs in the Galaxy we find that NGC 6397 probably hosts no more than 6 MSPs.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables; accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa