409 research outputs found
Magnetic field control of cycloidal domains and electric polarization in multiferroic BiFeO
The magnetic field induced rearrangement of the cycloidal spin structure in
ferroelectric mono-domain single crystals of the room-temperature multiferroic
BiFeO is studied using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The cycloid
propagation vectors are observed to rotate when magnetic fields applied
perpendicular to the rhombohedral (polar) axis exceed a pinning threshold value
of 5\,T. In light of these experimental results, a phenomenological model
is proposed that captures the rearrangement of the cycloidal domains, and we
revisit the microscopic origin of the magnetoelectric effect. A new coupling
between the magnetic anisotropy and the polarization is proposed that explains
the recently discovered magnetoelectric polarization to the rhombohedral axis
High-energy magnetic excitations in overdoped LaSrCuO studied by neutron and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering
We have performed neutron inelastic scattering and resonant inelastic X-ray
scattering (RIXS) at the Cu- edge to study high-energy magnetic
excitations at energy transfers of more than 100 meV for overdoped
LaSrCuO with ( K) and
(non-superconducting) using identical single crystal samples for the two
techniques. From constant-energy slices of neutron scattering cross-sections,
we have identified magnetic excitations up to ~250 meV for . Although
the width in the momentum direction is large, the peak positions along the (pi,
pi) direction agree with the dispersion relation of the spin-wave in the
non-doped LaCuO (LCO), which is consistent with the previous RIXS
results of cuprate superconductors. Using RIXS at the Cu- edge, we have
measured the dispersion relations of the so-called paramagnon mode along both
(pi, pi) and (pi, 0) directions. Although in both directions the neutron and
RIXS data connect with each other and the paramagnon along (pi, 0) agrees well
with the LCO spin-wave dispersion, the paramagnon in the (pi, pi) direction
probed by RIXS appears to be less dispersive and the excitation energy is lower
than the spin-wave of LCO near (pi/2, pi/2). Thus, our results indicate
consistency between neutron inelastic scattering and RIXS, and elucidate the
entire magnetic excitation in the (pi, pi) direction by the complementary use
of two probes. The polarization dependence of the RIXS profiles indicates that
appreciable charge excitations exist in the same energy range of magnetic
excitations, reflecting the itinerant character of the overdoped sample. A
possible anisotropy in the charge excitation intensity might explain the
apparent differences in the paramagnon dispersion in the (pi, pi) direction as
detected by the X-ray scattering.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure
Advancing Critical Chemical Processes for a Sustainable Future: Challenges for Industry and the Max Planck–Cardiff Centre on the Fundamentals of Heterogeneous Catalysis (FUNCAT)
Catalysis is involved in around 85 % of manufacturing industry and contributes an estimated 25 % to the global domestic product, with the majority of the processes relying on heterogeneous catalysis. Despite the importance in different global segments, the fundamental understanding of heterogeneously catalysed processes lags substantially behind that achieved in other fields. The newly established Max Planck–Cardiff Centre on the Fundamentals of Heterogeneous Catalysis (FUNCAT) targets innovative concepts that could contribute to the scientific developments needed in the research field to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the chemical industries. This Viewpoint Article presents some of our research activities and visions on the current and future challenges of heterogeneous catalysis regarding green industry and the circular economy by focusing explicitly on critical processes. Namely, hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, and carbon dioxide reduction, along with new aspects of acetylene chemistry
Topological energy barrier for skyrmion lattice formation in MnSi
We report the direct measurement of the topological skyrmion energy barrier
through a hysteresis of the skyrmion lattice in the chiral magnet MnSi.
Measurements were made using small-angle neutron scattering with a custom-built
resistive coil to allow for high-precision minor hysteresis loops. The
experimental data was analyzed using an adapted Preisach model to quantify the
energy barrier for skyrmion formation and corroborated by the minimum-energy
path analysis based on atomistic spin simulations. We reveal that the skyrmion
lattice in MnSi forms from the conical phase progressively in small domains,
each of which consisting of hundreds of skyrmions, and with an activation
barrier of several eV.Comment: Final accepted versio
Improving the Measurement of Environmental Sensitivity in Children and Adolescents: The Highly Sensitive Child Scale-21 Item Version
Children differ in their sensitivity to positive and negative environmental influences, which can be measured with the Highly Sensitive Child (HSC) scale. The present study introduces the HSC-21, an adaptation of the original 12 item scale with new items and factor structure that are meant to be more informative than the original ones. The psychometric properties of the HSC-21 were investigated in 1,088 children across Belgium and the Netherlands, including child and mother reports. Results showed evidence for (a) bifactor model with a general sensitivity factor and two specific factors (i.e., Ease of Excitation–Low Sensory Threshold and Aesthetic Sensitivity); (b) (partial) measurement invariance across gender, developmental stage, country, and informants; (c) moderate child–mother agreement; (d) good reliability; (e) normally distributed item scores; and (f) meaningful associations with personality and temperament across both samples. No evidence was found for HSC-21 as a moderator in the relationship between parenting and problem behaviors
X-ray absorption spectroscopy systematics at the tungsten L-edge
A series of mononuclear six-coordinate tungsten compounds spanning formal oxidation states from 0 to +VI, largely in a ligand environment of inert chloride and/or phosphine, has been interrogated by tungsten L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The L-edge spectra of this compound set, comprised of [W<sup>0</sup>(PMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>6</sub>], [W<sup>II</sup>Cl<sub>2</sub>(PMePh<sub>2</sub>)<sub>4</sub>], [W<sup>III</sup>Cl<sub>2</sub>(dppe)<sub>2</sub>][PF<sub>6</sub>] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), [W<sup>IV</sup>Cl<sub>4</sub>(PMePh<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>], [W<sup>V</sup>(NPh)Cl<sub>3</sub>(PMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>], and [W<sup>VI</sup>Cl<sub>6</sub>] correlate with formal oxidation state and have usefulness as references for the interpretation of the L-edge spectra of tungsten compounds with redox-active ligands and ambiguous electronic structure descriptions. The utility of these spectra arises from the combined correlation of the estimated branching ratio (EBR) of the L<sub>3,2</sub>-edges and the L<sub>1</sub> rising-edge energy with metal Z<sub>eff</sub>, thereby permitting an assessment of effective metal oxidation state. An application of these reference spectra is illustrated by their use as backdrop for the L-edge X-ray absorption spectra of [W<sup>IV</sup>(mdt)<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>2</sub>] and [W<sup>IV</sup>(mdt)<sub>2</sub>(CN)<sub>2</sub>]<sup>2–</sup> (mdt<sup>2–</sup> = 1,2-dimethylethene-1,2-dithiolate), which shows that both compounds are effectively W<sup>IV</sup> species. Use of metal L-edge XAS to assess a compound of uncertain formulation requires: 1) Placement of that data within the context of spectra offered by unambiguous calibrant compounds, preferably with the same coordination number and similar metal ligand distances. Such spectra assist in defining upper and/or lower limits for metal Z<sub>eff</sub> in the species of interest; 2) Evaluation of that data in conjunction with information from other physical methods, especially ligand K-edge XAS; 3) Increased care in interpretation if strong π-acceptor ligands, particularly CO, or π-donor ligands are present. The electron-withdrawing/donating nature of these ligand types, combined with relatively short metal-ligand distances, exaggerate the difference between formal oxidation state and metal Z<sub>eff</sub> or, as in the case of [W<sup>IV</sup>(mdt)<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>2</sub>], add other subtlety by modulating the redox level of other ligands in the coordination sphere
Vortex State and Field-Angle Resolved Specific Heat Oscillation for H // ab in d-Wave Superconductors
When magnetic field is applied parallel to the ab plane in d_{x^2-y^2}-wave
superconductors, the transition of stable vortex lattice structure, spatial
structure of local density of states, and specific heat oscillation by rotation
of magnetic field orientation are investigated by quantitative calculations
based on the selfconsistent Eilenberger theory. We estimate how the vortex
state changes depending on the relative angle between the node-direction of the
superconducting gap and magnetic field orientation. To reproduce the
sign-change of specific heat oscillation observed in CeCoIn_5, our study is
done by including strong paramagnetic effect. The quantitative theoretical
calculations give decisive information to analyze the experimental data on the
field-angle dependence, and establish the angle-resolved specific heat
experiment as a spectroscopic means to identify the node-position of the
superconducting gap.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figure
Selberg Supertrace Formula for Super Riemann Surfaces III: Bordered Super Riemann Surfaces
This paper is the third in a sequel to develop a super-analogue of the
classical Selberg trace formula, the Selberg supertrace formula. It deals with
bordered super Riemann surfaces. The theory of bordered super Riemann surfaces
is outlined, and the corresponding Selberg supertrace formula is developed. The
analytic properties of the Selberg super zeta-functions on bordered super
Riemann surfaces are discussed, and super-determinants of Dirac-Laplace
operators on bordered super Riemann surfaces are calculated in terms of Selberg
super zeta-functions.Comment: 43 pages, amste
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