On the theory of diamagnetism in granular superconductors

We study a highly disordered network of superconducting granules linked by weak Josephson junctions in magnetic field and develop a mean field theory for this problem. The diamagnetic response to a slow {\it variations} of magnetic field is found to be analogous to the response of a type-II superconductor with extremely strong pinning. We calculate an effective penetration depth $\lambda_g$ and critical current $j_c$ and find that both $\lambda_g^{-1}$ and $j_c$ are non-zero but are strongly suppressed by frustration.Comment: REVTEX, 12 pages, two Postscript figure

Imaging in the aftermath of COVID-19: what to expect.

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Nonlinear Seebeck Effect in a Model Granular Superconductor

The change of the Josephson supercurrent density of a weakly-connected granular superconductor in response to externally applied arbitrary thermal gradient dT/dx (nonlinear Seebeck effect) is considered within a model of 3D Josephson junction arrays. For dT/dx>(dT/dx)_c, where (dT/dx)_c is estimated to be of the order of 10^4 K/m for YBCO ceramics with an average grain's size of 10 microns, the weak-links-dominated thermopower S (Seebeck coefficient) is predicted to become strongly dT/dx-dependent.Comment: REVTEX, no figure

Validating variation in radio-signal strength as an index of aquatic fauna activity

Abstract. Studying biological rhythms of activity and determining the external factors that influence behaviour of animals can be challenging in many aquatic habitats. We investigated the validity of using variations in radio-signal strength to quantify changes in activity of radio-tagged aquatic fauna on a small spatial scale under controlled conditions in the field. We monitored short-term activity (<1 min) of two aquatic species, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Murray River crayfish (Euastacus armatus), that differ markedly in their primary mode of movement. Simultaneous video monitoring confirmed that active and inactive periods for both species could be accurately determined by radio-telemetry, as were specific behaviours exhibited by trout. We were also able to quantify activity based on different radio-tag (coil and trailing whip antennas) and receiving antenna configurations (yagi and gap-loop antennas); however, we recommend use of control tags to provide reference data. Variation in radio-signal strength represents a valid means of monitoring activity of moderately site-attached aquatic species

Spin glass behavior of frustrated 2-D Penrose lattice in the classical planar model

Via extensive Monte Carlo studies we show that the frustrated XY Hamiltonian on a 2-D Penrose lattice admits of a spin glass phase at low temperature. Studies of the Edwards-Anderson order parameter, spin glass susceptibility, and local (linear) susceptibility point unequivocally to a paramagnetic to spin glass transition as the temperature is lowered. Specific heat shows a rounded peak at a temperature above the spin glass transition temperature, as is commonly observed in spin glasses. Our results strongly suggest that the critical point exponents are the same as obtained by Bhatt and Young in the ${\pm}J$ Ising model on a square lattice. However, unlike in the latter case, the critical temperature is clearly finite (nonzero). The results imply that a quasiperiodic 2-D array of superconducting grains in a suitably chosen transverse magnetic field should behave as a superconducting glass at low temperature.Comment: RevTex, 4 pages Including 4 figures. To appear in the June 1 1996 issue of Phys. Rev. B (Rapid Communications). Revised/replaced edition contains an erratum at the end of the paper, also to appear in Phys. Rev.

Osmotic pressure of matter and vacuum energy

The walls of the box which contains matter represent a membrane that allows the relativistic quantum vacuum to pass but not matter. That is why the pressure of matter in the box may be considered as the analog of the osmotic pressure. However, we demonstrate that the osmotic pressure of matter is modified due to interaction of matter with vacuum. This interaction induces the nonzero negative vacuum pressure inside the box, as a result the measured osmotic pressure becomes smaller than the matter pressure. As distinct from the Casimir effect, this induced vacuum pressure is the bulk effect and does not depend on the size of the box. This effect dominates in the thermodynamic limit of the infinite volume of the box. Analog of this effect has been observed in the dilute solution of 3He in liquid 4He, where the superfluid 4He plays the role of the non-relativistic quantum vacuum, and 3He atoms play the role of matter.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, JETP Lett. style, version accepted in JETP Letter

Indication of Superconductivity at 35 K in Graphite-Sulfur Composites

We report magnetization measurements performed on graphite--sulfur composites which demonstrate a clear superconducting behavior below the critical temperature T$_{c0}$ = 35 K. The Meissner-Ochsenfeld effect, screening supercurrents, and magnetization hysteresis loops characteristic of type-II superconductors were measured. The results indicate that the superconductivity occurs in a small sample fraction, possibly related to the sample surface.Comment: published versio