10,908 research outputs found
Theoretical study of the charge transport through C60-based single-molecule junctions
We present a theoretical study of the conductance and thermopower of
single-molecule junctions based on C60 and C60-terminated molecules. We first
analyze the transport properties of gold-C60-gold junctions and show that these
junctions can be highly conductive (with conductances above 0.1G0, where G0 is
the quantum of conductance). Moreover, we find that the thermopower in these
junctions is negative due to the fact that the LUMO dominates the charge
transport, and its magnitude can reach several tens of micro-V/K, depending on
the contact geometry. On the other hand, we study the suitability of C60 as an
anchoring group in single-molecule junctions. For this purpose, we analyze the
transport through several dumbbell derivatives using C60 as anchors, and we
compare the results with those obtained with thiol and amine groups. Our
results show that the conductance of C60-terminated molecules is rather
sensitive to the binding geometry. Moreover, the conductance of the molecules
is typically reduced by the presence of the C60 anchors, which in turn makes
the junctions more sensitive to the functionalization of the molecular core
with appropriate side groups.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure
Field enhancement in subnanometer metallic gaps
Motivated by recent experiments [Ward et al., Nature Nanotech. 5, 732
(2010)], we present here a theoretical analysis of the optical response of
sharp gold electrodes separated by a subnanometer gap. In particular, we have
used classical finite difference time domain simulations to investigate the
electric field distribution in these nanojunctions upon illumination. Our
results show a strong confinement of the field within the gap region, resulting
in a large enhancement compared to the incident field. Enhancement factors
exceeding 1000 are found for interelectrode distances on the order of a few
angstroms, which are fully compatible with the experimental findings. Such huge
enhancements originate from the coupling of the incident light to the
evanescent field of hybrid plasmons involving charge density oscillations in
both electrodes.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Physical Review
Extraordinary transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect in a superlens
It has been shown that a slab of a negative index material can behave as a
superlens enhancing the imaging resolution beyond the wavelength limit. We show
here that if such a slab possesses in addition some magneto-optical activity,
it could act as an ideal optical filter and exhibit an extraordinary transverse
magneto-optical Kerr effect. Moreover, we show that losses, which spoil the
imaging resolution of these lenses, are a necessary ingredient to observe this
effect.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure
Interplay Between Yu-Shiba-Rusinov States and Multiple Andreev Reflections
Motivated by recent scanning tunneling microscopy experiments on single
magnetic impurities on superconducting surfaces, we present here a
comprehensive theoretical study of the interplay between Yu-Shiba-Rusinov bound
states and (multiple) Andreev reflections. Our theory is based on a combination
of an Anderson model with broken spin degeneracy and nonequilibrium Green's
function techniques that allows us to describe the electronic transport through
a magnetic impurity coupled to superconducting leads for arbitrary junction
transparency. Using this combination we are able to elucidate the different
tunneling processes that give a significant contribution to the subgap
transport. In particular, we predict the occurrence of a large variety of
Andreev reflections mediated by Yu-Shiba-Rusinov bound states that clearly
differ from the standard Andreev processes in non-magnetic systems. Moreover,
we provide concrete guidelines on how to experimentally identify the subgap
features originating from these tunneling events. Overall, our work provides
new insight into the role of the spin degree of freedom in Andreev transport
physics.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figure
Intranasal sodium citrate solution improves olfaction in post-viral hyposmia
Background: Calcium plays an integral role in olfactory signal transduction, including feedback inhibition. Sodium citrate acts as a calcium sequestrant and when applied intranasally, reduces free calcium available for feedback inhibition, which should theoretically improve olfaction. We aimed to investigate the utility of intranasal sodium citrate in improving the olfactory function of hyposmic patients, by performing this prospective placebo controlled, single-blinded trial. Methodology: Monorhinal olfactory testing for odour identification and threshold was performed in hyposmic patients using “Sniffin’ Sticks”, before and after treatment. Treatment consisted of sodium citrate solution application to the olfactory cleft. Sodium chloride solution was applied to the contralateral olfactory cleft, which therefore acted as placebo control. Patients were blinded to the side of sodium citrate application, and side of treatment was randomized between patients. Results: 57 patients participated in the trial, aged 22-79. Causes of hyposmia included: post-viral (7); posttraumatic (10); sinonasal (30) and idiopathic (10). Compared with placebo, there was significant improvement in the identification scores of participants with post-viral hyposmia, following sodium citrate treatment. No significant change in olfactory function occurred for either identification or threshold in any other aetiological subgroup. Conclusions: Intranasal sodium citrate may be of benefit to patients with post-viral hyposmia
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