Amplitude Modulation and Relaxation-Oscillation of Counterpropagating Rolls within a Broken-Symmetry Laser-Induced Electroconvection Strip

We report a liquid-crystal pattern-formation experiment in which we break the lateral (translational) symmetry of a nematic medium with a laser-induced thermal gradient. The work is motivated by an improved measurement (reported here) of the temperature dependence of the electroconvection threshold voltage in planar-nematic 4-methoxybenzylidene-4-butylaniline (MBBA). In contrast with other broken-symmetry-pattern studies that report a uniform drift, we observe a strip of counterpropagating rolls that collide at a sink point, and a strong temporally periodic amplitude modulation within a width of 3-4 rolls about the sink point. The time dependence of the amplitude at a fixed position is periodic but displays a nonsinusoidal relaxation-oscillation profile. After reporting experimental results based on spacetime contours and wavenumber profiles, along with a measurement of the change in the drift frequency with applied voltage at a fixed control parameter, we propose some potential guidelines for a theoretical model based on saddle-point solutions for Eckhaus-unstable states and coupled complex Ginzburg-Landau equations. Published in PRE 73, 036317 (2006).Comment: Published in Physical Review E in March 200

Monte Carlo studies of skyrmion stabilization under geometric confinement and uniaxial strain

Geometric confinement (GC) of skyrmions in nanodomains plays a crucial role in skyrmion stabilization. This confinement effect decreases the magnetic field necessary for skyrmion formation and is closely related to the applied mechanical stresses. However, the mechanism of GC is unclear and remains controversial. Here, we numerically study the effect of GC on skyrmion stabilization and find that zero Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) coupling constants imposed on the boundary surfaces of small thin plates cause confinement effects, stabilizing skyrmions in the low-field region. Moreover, the confined skyrmions are further stabilized by tensile strains parallel to the plate, and the skyrmion phase extends to the low-temperature region. This stabilization occurs due to the bulk anisotropic DMI coupling constant caused by lattice deformations. Our simulation data are qualitatively consistent with reported experimental data on skyrmion stabilization induced by tensile strains applied to a thin plate of the chiral magnet ${\rm Cu_2OSeO_3}$.Comment: 33 pages, 16 figure

Finsler geometry modeling of reverse piezoelectric effect in PVDF

We apply the Finsler geometry (FG) modeling technique to study the electric field-induced strain in ferroelectric polymers. Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) has a negative longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient, which is unusual in ferroelectrics, and therefore the shape changes in this material are hard to predict. We find that the results of Monte Carlo simulations for the FG model are in good agreement with experimental strain-electric field curves of PVDF-based polymers in both longitudinal and transverse directions. This implies that FG modeling is suitable for reproducing the reverse piezoelectric effect in PVDF

K-edge x-ray dichroism investigation of Fe1-xCoxSi : experimental evidence for spin polarization crossover

Both Fe and Co K-edge x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) have been employed as element-specific probes of the magnetic moments in the composition series of the disordered ferromagnet Fe1-xCoxSi (for x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5). A definitive single peaked XMCD profile occurs for all compositions at both Fe and Co K-edges. The Fe 4p orbital moment, deduced from the integral of the XMCD signal, has a steep dependence on x at low doping levels and evolves to a different (weaker ) dependence at x ≥ 0.3, similar to the behavior of the magnetization in the Co composition range studied here. It is systematically higher, by at least a factor of two, than the corresponding Co orbital moment for most of the composition series. Fine structure beyond the K-edge absorption (limited range EXAFS) suggests that the local order (atomic environment) is very similar across the series, from the perspective of both the Fe and Co absorbing atom. The variation in the XMCD integral across the Co composition range has two regimes, that which occurs below x=0.3 and then evolves to different behavior at higher doping levels. This is more conspicuously present in the Fe contribution. This is rationalized as the evolution from a half-metallic ferromagnet at low Co doping to that of a strong ferromagnet at x > 0.3 and as such, spin polarization crossover occurs. The Fermi level is tuned from the majority spin band for x < 0.3 where a strongly polarized majority spin electron gas prevails, to a regime where minority spin carriers dominate at higher doping. The evolution of the Fe-derived spin polarized (3d) bands, indirectly probed here via the 4p states, is the primary determinant of the doping dependence of the magnetism in this alloy series.NRF and URC-UJ.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jmmmhb201

Wigner-Mott insulator-to-insulator transition at pressure in charge-ordered Fe2OBO3

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Thermal gradient of in-flight polymer particles during cold spraying

International audienceThe manufacture of polymer coatings via the cold-spray process remains challenging owing to the viscoelastic-viscoplastic behavior exhibited by polymers. One crucial step to improve cold-spray polymer coating is to determine the particles' thermal history during their flight from inside the nozzle to their impact on the substrate. In this study, we propose estimating the velocity and temperature of an isolated polymer particle traveling through a nozzle with a sharp change in its cross-section. The preliminary results show that the geometric discontinuity constricts the flow, thereby increasing the particle velocity. Moreover, a significant thermal gradient is expected inside the particle, which in turn leads to a gradient of mechanical properties of the polymeric particle during impact

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Reveals Neuroprotection by Oral Minocycline in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Accelerated NeuroAIDS

Background: Despite the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders continue to be a significant problem. In efforts to understand and alleviate neurocognitive deficits associated with HIV, we used an accelerated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) macaque model of NeuroAIDS to test whether minocycline is neuroprotective against lentiviral-induced neuronal injury. Methodology/Principal Findings: Eleven rhesus macaques were infected with SIV, depleted of CD8+ lymphocytes, and studied until eight weeks post inoculation (wpi). Seven animals received daily minocycline orally beginning at 4 wpi. Neuronal integrity was monitored in vivo by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and post-mortem by immunohistochemistry for synaptophysin (SYN), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), and neuronal counts. Astrogliosis and microglial activation were quantified by measuring glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA-1), respectively. SIV infection followed by CD8+ cell depletion induced a progressive decline in neuronal integrity evidenced by declining N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr), which was arrested with minocycline treatment. The recovery of this ratio was due to increases in NAA, indicating neuronal recovery, and decreases in Cr, likely reflecting downregulation of glial cell activation. SYN, MAP2, and neuronal counts were found to be higher in minocycline-treated animals compared to untreated animals while GFAP and IBA-1 expression were decreased compared to controls. CSF and plasma viral loads were lower in MN-treated animals. Conclusions/Significance: In conclusion, oral minocycline alleviates neuronal damage induced by the AIDS virus

Dependence of the magnetostriction of magnetic rheological elastomers on temperature

cited By 1International audienceThe magnetostriction of composites consisting of a non-magnetic matrix, randomly filled by ferromagnetic particles is measured as a function of temperature. The magnetic property of the particles and the mechanical property of the matrix are both dependent on temperature. Extracting the thermal expression of the magnetic stress and recording the composite mechanical stressstrain response allows us to predict the magnetostriction thermal behavior of the composites. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd

Shape effect in the magnetostriction of ferromagnetic composite

cited By 36International audienceThe magnetostriction of composite consisting of a soft matrix, non-magnetic, randomly filled by ferromagnetic particles is measured. The measured elongation on cylinder-shaped samples displays shape dependence. A model based on the demagnetizing field and the effective Young's modulus is provided. Both calculation and measurement show a positive magnetostriction with larger values as the samples are flatter. The model is derived to have the behavior of the elongation as a function of the filling factor. An expression of the optimal filling factor, providing a maximal strain, is also expressed. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved