468 research outputs found
Leggett mode in a strong-coupling model of iron arsenide superconductors
Using a two-orbital model of the superconducting phase of the pnictides, we
compute the spectrum of the Leggett mode -- a collective excitation of the
phase of the superconducting gap known to exist in multi-gap superconductors --
for different possible symmetries of the superconducting order parameter.
Specifically, we identify the small regions of parameter space where the
Leggett mode lies below the two-particle continuum, and hence should be visible
as a sharp resonance peak. We discuss the possible utility of the Leggett mode
in distinguishing different momentum dependencies of the superconducting gap.
We argue that the observation of a sharp Leggett mode would be consistent with
the presence of strong electron-electron correlations in iron-based
superconductors. We also emphasize the importance of the orbital character of
the Leggett mode, which can result in an experimental observation of the mode
in channels other than
Legislative strengthening meets party support in international assistance: a closer relationship?
Recent reports recommend that international efforts to help strengthen legislatures in emerging democracies should work more closely with support for building stronger political parties and competitive party systems. This article locates the recommendations within international assistance more generally and reviews the arguments. It explores problems that must be addressed if the recommendations are to be implemented effectively. The article argues that an alternative, issue-based approach to strengthening legislatures and closer links with civil society could gain more traction. However, that is directed more centrally at promoting good governance for the purpose of furthering development than at democratisation goals sought by party aid and legislative strengtheners in the democracy assistance industry
Planar Superconductor-Normal-Superconductor Josephson Junctions in MgB2
Since the discovery of superconductivity in MgB2 considerable progress has
been made in determining the physical properties of the material, which are
promising for bulk conductors. Tunneling studies show that the material is
reasonably isotropic and has a well-developed s-wave energy gap (∆),
implying that electronic devices based on MgB2 could operate close to 30K.
Although a number of groups have reported the formation of thin films by
post-reaction of precursors, heterostructure growth is likely to require
considerable technological development, making single-layer device structures
of most immediate interest. MgB2 is unlike the cuprate superconductors in that
grain boundaries do not form good Josephson junctions, and although a SQUID
based on MgB2 nanobridges has been fabricated, the nanobridges themselves do
not show junction-like properties. Here we report the successful creation of
planar MgB2 junctions by localised ion damage in thin films. The critical
current (IC) of these devices is strongly modulated by applied microwave
radiation and magnetic field. The product of the critical current and normal
state resistance (ICRN) is remarkably high, implying a potential for very high
frequency applications.Comment: 7 pages including 4 figure
The Normal State Resistivity of Grain Boundaries in YBa2Cu3O7-delta
Using an optimized bridge geometry we have been able to make accurate
measurements of the properties of YBa2Cu3O7-delta grain boundaries above Tc.
The results show a strong dependence of the change of resistance with
temperature on grain boundary angle. Analysis of our results in the context of
band-bending allows us to estimate the height of the potential barrier present
at the grain boundary interface.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure
The Discovery of a Neutron Star with a Spin Frequency of 530 Hz in A1744-361
We report the detection with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE)
Proportional Counter Array (PCA) of 530 Hz burst oscillations in a
thermonuclear (type I) burst from the transient X-ray source A1744-361. This is
only the second burst ever observed from this source, and the first to be seen
in any detail. Our results confirm that A1744-361 is a low mass X-ray binary
(LMXB) system harboring a rapidly rotating neutron star. The oscillations are
first detected along the rising edge of the burst, and they show evidence for
frequency evolution of a magnitude similar to that seen in other burst sources.
The modulation amplitude and its increase with photon energy are also typical
of burst oscillations. The lack of any strong indication of photospheric radius
expansion during the burst suggests a 9 kpc upper limit of the source distance.
We also find energy dependent dips, establishing A1744-361 as a high
inclination, dipping LMXB. The timescale between the two episodes of observed
dips suggests an orbital period of ~ 97 minutes. We have also detected a 2 - 4
Hz quasi-periodic-oscillation (QPO) for the first time from this source. This
QPO appears consistent with ~ 1 Hz QPOs seen from other high-inclination
systems. We searched for kilohertz QPOs, and found a suggestive 2.3 sigma
feature at 800 Hz in one observation. The frequency, strength, and quality
factor are consistent with that of a lower frequency kilohertz QPO, but the
relatively low significance argues for caution, so we consider this a tentative
detection requiring confirmation.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, published in ApJ Letter
Peer support and reminiscence therapy for people with dementia and their family carers: a factorial pragmatic randomised trial
Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate peer support and reminiscence therapy, separately and together, in comparison with usual care for people with dementia and their family carers.
Design Factorial pragmatic randomised trial, analysed by treatment allocated, was used for this study.
Setting The trial ran in Community settings in England.
Participants People with dementia and their family carers were the participants.
Interventions Treatment as usual (TAU) plus one of the following: one-to-one peer support to family carers from experienced carers (Carer Supporter Programme; CSP), group reminiscence therapy (Remembering Yesterday, Caring Today; RYCT) for people with dementia and carers, both or neither.
Main outcome measures Primary outcomes included health-related quality of life (SF-12) for carers and quality of life (QoL-AD) for people with dementia; secondary outcomes included quality of relationship for carers and people with dementia; both were collected by blinded assessors at baseline, 5 and 12â
months (primary end point).
Results Of 291 pairs recruited, we randomised 145 (50%) to CSP (71% uptake) and 194 (67%) to RYCT (61% uptake). CSP and RYCT, separately or together, were not effective in improving primary outcomes or most secondary outcomes. For CSP versus âno CSPâ, adjusted difference in means was 0.52 points on the SF-12 (95% CI â1.28 to 2.32) and â0.08 points on the QoL-AD (95% CI â1.70 to 1.56). For RYCT versus âno RYCTâ, the difference was 0.10 points on the SF-12 (95% CI â1.72 to 1.93) and 0.51 points on the QoL-AD (95% CI â1.17 to 2.08). However, carers reported better relationships with the people with dementia (difference 1.11, 95% CI 0.00 to 2.21, p=0.05). Comparison of combined intervention with TAU, and of intervention received, suggested differential impacts for carers and persons with dementia.
Conclusions There is no evidence from the trial that either peer support or reminiscence is effective in improving the quality of life.
Trial registration number ISRCTN37956201
Phase diagram of bismuth in the extreme quantum limit
Elemental bismuth provides a rare opportunity to explore the fate of a
three-dimensional gas of highly mobile electrons confined to their lowest
Landau level. Coulomb interaction, neglected in the band picture, is expected
to become significant in this extreme quantum limit with poorly understood
consequences. Here, we present a study of the angular-dependent Nernst effect
in bismuth, which establishes the existence of ultraquantum field scales on top
of its complex single-particle spectrum. Each time a Landau level crosses the
Fermi level, the Nernst response sharply peaks. All such peaks are resolved by
the experiment and their complex angular-dependence is in very good agreement
with the theory. Beyond the quantum limit, we resolve additional Nernst peaks
signaling a cascade of additional Landau sub-levels caused by electron
interaction
Political strategies of external support for democratization
Political strategies of external support to democratization are contrasted and critically examined in respect of the United States and European Union. The analysis begins by defining its terms of reference and addresses the question of what it means to have a strategy. The account briefly notes the goals lying behind democratization support and their relationship with the wider foreign policy process, before considering what a successful strategy would look like and how that relates to the selection of candidates. The literature's attempts to identify strategy and its recommendations for better strategies are compared and assessed. Overall, the article argues that the question of political strategies of external support for democratization raises several distinct but related issues including the who?, what?, why?, and how? On one level, strategic choices can be expected to echo the comparative advantage of the "supporter." On a different level, the strategies cannot be divorced from the larger foreign policy framework. While it is correct to say that any sound strategy for support should be grounded in a theoretical understanding of democratization, the literature on strategies reveals something even more fundamental: divergent views about the nature of politics itself. The recommendations there certainly pinpoint weaknesses in the actual strategies of the United States and Europe but they have their own limitations too. In particular, in a world of increasing multi-level governance strategies for supporting democratization should go beyond preoccupation with just an "outside-in" approach
Nanospintronics with carbon nanotubes
One of the actual challenges of spintronics is the realization of a
spin-transistor allowing to control spin transport through an electrostatic
gate. In this review, we report on different experiments which demonstrate a
gate control of spin transport in a carbon nanotube connected to ferromagnetic
leads. We also discuss some theoretical approaches which can be used to analyze
spin transport in these systems. We emphasize the roles of the gate-tunable
quasi-bound states inside the nanotube and the coherent spin-dependent
scattering at the interfaces between the nanotube and its ferromagnetic
contacts.Comment: 35 pages, 15 figures, some figures in gi
Properties of a Gamma-Ray Burst Host Galaxy at z ~ 5
We describe the properties of the host galaxy of the gamma-ray burst GRB 060510B based on a spectrum of the burst afterglow obtained with the Gemini North 8 m telescope. The galaxy lies at a redshift of z = 4.941, making it the fourth highest spectroscopically identified burst host. However, it is the second highest redshift galaxy for which the quality of the spectrum permits a detailed metallicity analysis. The neutral hydrogen column density has a logarithmic value of 21.0-21.2 cm-2, and the weak metal lines of Ni, S, and Fe show that the metallicity is in excess of a tenth of solar, which is far above the metallicities in damped Lya absorbers at high redshift. The tightest constraint is from the Fe lines, which place [Fe/H] in excess of -0.8. We argue that the results suggest that metallicity bias could be a serious obstacle to inferring star formation from the GRB population, and we consider how future higher quality measurements could be used to resolve this issue
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