Electromagnons and instabilities in magnetoelectric materials with non-collinear spin orders

We show that strong electromagnon peaks can be found in absorption spectra of non-collinear magnets exhibiting a linear magnetoelectric effect. The frequencies of these peaks coincide with the frequencies of antiferromagnetic resonances and the ratio of the spectral weights of the electromagnon and antiferromagnetic resonance is related to the ratio of the static magnetoelectric constant and magnetic susceptibility. Using a Kagome lattice antiferromagnet as an example, we show that frustration of spin ordering gives rise to magnetoelastic instabilities at strong spin-lattice coupling, which transform a non-collinear magnetoelectric spin state into a collinear multiferroic state with a spontaneous electric polarization and magnetization. The Kagome lattice antiferromagnet also shows a ferroelectric incommensurate-spiral phase, where polarization is induced by the exchange striction mechanism.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

On-chip detection of ferromagnetic resonance of a single submicron permalloy strip

We measured ferromagnetic resonance of a single submicron ferromagnetic strip, embedded in an on-chip microwave transmission line device. The method used is based on detection of the oscillating magnetic flux due to the magnetization dynamics, with an inductive pick-up loop. The dependence of the resonance frequency on applied static magnetic field agrees very well with the Kittel formula, demonstrating that the uniform magnetization precession mode is being driven

Multiple scattering of classical waves: from microscopy to mesoscopy and diffusion

A tutorial discussion of the propagation of waves in random media is presented. In first approximation the transport of the multiple scattered waves is given by diffusion theory, but important corrections are present. These corrections are calculated with the radiative transfer or Schwarzschild-Milne equation, which describes intensity transport at the ``mesoscopic'' level and is derived from the ``microscopic'' wave equation. A precise treatment of the diffuse intensity is derived which automatically includes the effects of boundary layers. Effects such as the enhanced backscatter cone and imaging of objects in opaque media are also discussed within this framework. In the second part the approach is extended to mesoscopic correlations between multiple scattered intensities which arise when scattering is strong. These correlations arise from the underlying wave character. The derivation of correlation functions and intensity distribution functions is given and experimental data are discussed. Although the focus is on light scattering, the theory is also applicable to micro waves, sound waves and non-interacting electrons.Comment: Review. 86 pages Latex, 32 eps-figures included. To appear in Rev. Mod. Phy

The anapole form factor of the nucleon

The anapole form factor of the nucleon is calculated in chiral perturbation theory in leading order. To this order, the form factor originates from the pion cloud, and is proportional to the non-derivative parity-violating pion-nucleon coupling. The momentum dependence of the form factor - and in particular, its radius - is completely determined by the pion mass.Comment: 9 pages, 2 eps figures included by epsf.sty, minor changes in note adde

Photo-ionization modelling of planetary nebulae -- II. Galactic bulge nebulae, a comparison with literature results

We have constructed photo-ionization models of five galactic bulge planetary nebulae using our automatic method which enables a fully self-consistent determination of the physical parameters of a planetary nebula. The models are constrained using the spectrum, the IRAS and radio fluxes and the angular diameter of the nebula. We also conducted a literature search for physical parameters determined with classical methods for these nebulae. Comparison of the distance independent physical parameters with published data shows that the stellar temperatures generally are in good agreement and can be considered reliable. The literature data for the electron temperature, electron density and also for the abundances show a large spread, indicating that the use of line diagnostics is not reliable and that the accuracy of these methods needs to be improved. Comparison of the various abundance determinations indicates that the uncertainty in the electron temperature is the main source of uncertainty in the abundance determination. The stellar magnitudes predicted by the photo-ionization models are in good agreement with observed values.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Prospective five-year subsidence analysis of a cementless fully hydroxyapatite-coated femoral hip arthroplasty component

Early subsidence >1.5 mm is considered to be a predictive factor for later aseptic loosening of the femoral component following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to assess five-year subsidence rates of the cementless hydroxyapatite-coated twinSys stem (Mathys Ltd., Bettlach, Switzerland).This prospective single-surgeon series examined consecutive patients receiving a twinSys stem at Maria Middelares Hospital, Belgium. Patients aged >85 years or unable to come to follow-up were excluded. Subsidence was assessed using Ein Bild Roentgen Analyse--Femoral Component Analysis (EBRA-FCA). Additional clinical and radiographic assessments were performed. Follow-ups were prospectively scheduled at two, five, 12, 24, and 60 months.In total, 218 THA (211 patients) were included. At five years, mean subsidence was 0.66 mm (95% CI: 0.43-0.90). Of the 211 patients, 95.2% had an excellent or good Harris Hip Score. There were few radiological changes. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated five-year stem survival to be 98.4% (95% CI: 97.6-100%).Subsidence levels of the twinSys femoral stem throughout the five years of follow-up were substantially lower than the 1.5 mm level predictive of aseptic loosening. This was reflected in the high five-year survival rate