Pressure dependence of the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillation pectrum of beta''-(BEDT-TTF)4(NH4)[Cr(C2O4)3].DMF

The Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillation spectra of the beta''-(BEDT-TTF)4(NH4)[Cr(C2O4)\_3].DMF organic metal have been studied in pulsed magnetic fields of up to either 36 T at ambient pressure or 50 T under hydrostatic pressures of up to 1 GPa. The ambient pressure SdH oscillation spectra can be accounted for by up to six fundamental frequencies which points to a rather complex Fermi surface (FS). A noticeable pressure-induced modification of the FS topology is evidenced since the number of frequencies observed in the spectra progressively decreases as the pressure increases. Above 0.8 GPa, only three compensated orbits are observed, as it is the case for several other isostructural salts of the same family at ambient pressure. Contrary to other organic metals, of which the FS can be regarded as a network of orbits, no frequency combinations are observed for the studied salt, likely due to high magnetic breakdown gap values or (and) high disorder level evidenced by Dingle temperatures as large as about 7 K.Comment: To be published in European Physical Journal

Indication for the coexistence of closed orbit and quantum interferometer with the same cross section in the organic metal (ET)4(H3O)[Fe(C2O4)3].C6H4Cl2: Persistence of SdH oscillations above 30 K

Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) and de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations spectra of the quasi-two dimensional charge transfer salt $\beta$"-(ET)$_4$(H$_3$O)[Fe(C$_2$O$_4$)$_3$]$\cdot$C$_6$H$_4$Cl$_2$ have been investigated in pulsed magnetic fields up to 54 T. The data reveal three basic frequencies F$_a$, F$_b$ and F$_{b - a}$, which can be interpreted on the basis of three compensated closed orbits at low temperature. However a very weak thermal damping of the Fourier component F$_b$, with the highest amplitude, is evidenced for SdH spectra above about 6 K. As a result, magnetoresistance oscillations are observed at temperatures higher than 30 K. This feature, which is not observed for dHvA oscillations, is in line with quantum interference, pointing to a Fermi surface reconstruction in this compound.Comment: published in Eur. Phys. J. B 71 203 (2009

First measurements of the index of refraction of gases for lithium atomic waves

We report here the first measurements of the index of refraction of gases for lithium waves. Using an atom interferometer, we have measured the real and imaginary part of the index of refraction $n$ for argon, krypton and xenon, as a function of the gas density for several velocities of the lithium beam. The linear dependence of $(n-1)$ with the gas density is well verified. The total collision cross-section deduced from the imaginary part is in very good agreement with traditional measurements of this quantity. Finally, as predicted by theory, the real and imaginary parts of $(n-1)$ and their ratio $\rho$ exhibit glory oscillations

Analytical treatment of the dHvA frequency combinations due to chemical potential oscillations in an idealized two-band Fermi liquid

de Haas-van Alphen oscillation spectrum is studied for an idealized two-dimensional Fermi liquid with two parabolic bands in the case of canonical (fixed number of quasiparticles) and grand canonical (fixed chemical potential) ensembles. As already reported in the literature, oscillations of the chemical potential in magnetic field yield frequency combinations that are forbidden in the framework of the semiclassical theory. Exact analytical calculation of the Fourier components is derived at zero temperature and an asymptotic expansion is given for the high temperature and low magnetic field range. A good agreement is obtained between analytical formulae and numerical computations.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Onecut-dependent Nkx6.2 transcription factor expression is required for proper formation and activity of spinal locomotor circuits.

In the developing spinal cord, Onecut transcription factors control the diversification of motor neurons into distinct neuronal subsets by ensuring the maintenance of Isl1 expression during differentiation. However, other genes downstream of the Onecut proteins and involved in motor neuron diversification have remained unidentified. In the present study, we generated conditional mutant embryos carrying specific inactivation of Onecut genes in the developing motor neurons, performed RNA-sequencing to identify factors downstream of Onecut proteins in this neuron population, and employed additional transgenic mouse models to assess the role of one specific Onecut-downstream target, the transcription factor Nkx6.2. Nkx6.2 expression was up-regulated in Onecut-deficient motor neurons, but strongly downregulated in Onecut-deficient V2a interneurons, indicating an opposite regulation of Nkx6.2 by Onecut factors in distinct spinal neuron populations. Nkx6.2-null embryos, neonates and adult mice exhibited alterations of locomotor pattern and spinal locomotor network activity, likely resulting from defective survival of a subset of limb-innervating motor neurons and abnormal migration of V2a interneurons. Taken together, our results indicate that Nkx6.2 regulates the development of spinal neuronal populations and the formation of the spinal locomotor circuits downstream of the Onecut transcription factors

Magnetic oscillations in a two-dimensional network of compensated electron and hole orbits

The FS of (ET)8Hg4Cl12(C6H5Br)2 can be regarded as a 2D network of compensated electron and hole orbits coupled by magnetic breakthrough. Simultaneous measurements of the interlayer magnetoresistance and magnetic torque have been performed up to 28 T. Magnetoresistance and de dHvA oscillations spectra exhibit frequency combinations typical of such a network. Even though some of the observed magnetoresistance oscillations cannot be interpreted on the basis of neither conventional SdH oscillations nor quantum interference, the temperature and magnetic field (both orientation and magnitude) dependence of all the Fourier components of the dHvA spectra can be consistently accounted for by the LK formula. This behaviour is at variance with that currently reported for compounds illustrating the linear chain of coupled orbits model.Comment: accepted for publication in europhysics Letter

Quantum oscillations in the linear chain of coupled orbits: the organic metal with two cation layers theta-(ET)(4)CoBr(4)(C(6)H(4)Cl(2))

Analytical formulae for de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations in linear chain of coupled two-dimensional (2D) orbits (Pippard's model) are derived systematically taking into account the chemical potential oscillations in magnetic field. Although corrective terms are observed, basic (alpha) and magnetic breakdown-induced (beta and 2beta - alpha) orbits can be accounted for by the Lifshits-Kosevich (LK) and Falicov-Stachowiak semiclassical models in the explored field and temperature ranges. In contrast, the 'forbidden orbit' beta - alpha amplitude is described by a non-LK equation involving a product of two classical orbit amplitudes. Furthermore, strongly non-monotonic field and temperature dependence may be observed for the second harmonics of basic frequencies such as 2alpha and the magnetic breakdown orbit beta + alpha, depending on the value of the spin damping factors. These features are in agreement with the dHvA oscillation spectra of the strongly 2D organic metal theta- theta-(ET)(4)CoBr(4)(C(6)H(4)Cl(2)).Comment: to be published in Europhysics Letters (2012

High shock release in ultrafast laser irradiated metals: Scenario for material ejection

We present one-dimensional numerical simulations describing the behavior of solid matter exposed to subpicosecond near infrared pulsed laser radiation. We point out to the role of strong isochoric heating as a mechanism for producing highly non-equilibrium thermodynamic states. In the case of metals, the conditions of material ejection from the surface are discussed in a hydrodynamic context, allowing correlation of the thermodynamic features with ablation mechanisms. A convenient synthetic representation of the thermodynamic processes is presented, emphasizing different competitive pathways of material ejection. Based on the study of the relaxation and cooling processes which constrain the system to follow original thermodynamic paths, we establish that the metal surface can exhibit several kinds of phase evolution which can result in phase explosion or fragmentation. An estimation of the amount of material exceeding the specific energy required for melting is reported for copper and aluminum and a theoretical value of the limit-size of the recast material after ultrashort laser irradiation is determined. Ablation by mechanical fragmentation is also analysed and compared to experimental data for aluminum subjected to high tensile pressures and ultrafast loading rates. Spallation is expected to occur at the rear surface of the aluminum foils and a comparison with simulation results can determine a spall strength value related to high strain rates

Glory Oscillations in the Index of Refraction for Matter-Waves

We have measured the index of refraction for sodium de Broglie waves in gases of Ar, Kr, Xe, and nitrogen over a wide range of sodium velocities. We observe glory oscillations -- a velocity-dependent oscillation in the forward scattering amplitude. An atom interferometer was used to observe glory oscillations in the phase shift caused by the collision, which are larger than glory oscillations observed in the cross section. The glory oscillations depend sensitively on the shape of the interatomic potential, allowing us to discriminate among various predictions for these potentials, none of which completely agrees with our measurements

Fermi surface and effect of high magnetic fields on the metal–semimetal Peierls-like transition of (TSeT)₂Cl

Resistance measurements in pulsed magnetic fields up to 55 T as well as a first-principles DFT calculation of the Fermi surface for the organic metal (TSeT)₂Cl have been performed to investigate its metal–semimetal phase transition. The results obtained are in line with the imperfect nesting that can be inferred from both the observed metallic behavior of the resistivity at low temperature and the previously reported Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations due to small carrier pockets. The DFT study points out the possibility that the LUMO bands of the TSeT donor may interact with the HOMO ones and modify the shape of the Fermi surface under pressure