967 research outputs found
Spatial correlations in chaotic nanoscale systems with spin-orbit coupling
We investigate the statistical properties of wave functions in chaotic
nanostructures with spin-orbit coupling (SOC), focussing in particular on
spatial correlations of eigenfunctions. Numerical results from a microscopic
model are compared with results from random matrix theory in the crossover from
the gaussian orthogonal to the gaussian symplectic ensembles (with increasing
SOC); one- and two-point distribution functions were computed to understand the
properties of eigenfunctions in this crossover. It is found that correlations
of wave function amplitudes are suppressed with SOC; nevertheless,
eigenfunction correlations play a more important role in the two-point
distribution function(s), compared to the case with vanishing SOC. Experimental
consequences of our results are discussed.Comment: Submitted to PR
Electron Production in Proton Collisions: Total Cross Sections
Existing data on the ionization of neutral atoms and molecules by proton impact are reviewed, and electron production cross-section data are collected. The three major experimental methods are discussed and possible sources of error identified. Some theoretical cross sections are discussed, and well-established methods of relating them to measured cross sections are reviewed. A mathematical equation is fitted to the weighted experimental data for each target, and these fits are adjusted to be consistent with appropriate theoretical calculations and with electron impact and photoionization data. Recommended values of total cross sections for proton-impact ionization are given
Role of Umklapp Processes in Conductivity of Doped Two-Leg Ladders
Recent conductivity measurements performed on the hole-doped two-leg ladder
material reveal an approximately linear
power law regime in the c-axis DC resistivity as a function of temperature for
. In this work, we employ a bosonic model to argue that umklapp processes
are responsible for this feature and for the high spectral weight in the
optical conductivity which occurs beyond the finite frequency Drude-like peak.
Including quenched disorder in our model allows us to reproduce experimental
conductivity and resistivity curves over a wide range of energies. We also
point out the differences between the effect of umklapp processes in a single
chain and in the two-leg ladder.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure
Signatures of Electronic Nematic Phase at Isotropic-Nematic Phase Transition
The electronic nematic phase occurs when the point-group symmetry of the
lattice structure is broken, due to electron-electron interactions. We study a
model for the nematic phase on a square lattice with emphasis on the phase
transition between isotropic and nematic phases within mean field theory. We
find the transition to be first order, with dramatic changes in the Fermi
surface topology accompanying the transition. Furthermore, we study the
conductivity tensor and Hall constant as probes of the nematic phase and its
transition. The relevance of our findings to Hall resistivity experiments in
the high- cuprates is discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
The nucleus of endothelial cell as a sensor of blood flow direction
Summary Hemodynamic shear stresses cause endothelial cells (ECs) to polarize in the plane of the flow. Paradoxically, under strong shear flows, ECs disassemble their primary cilia, common sensors of shear, and thus must use an alternative mechanism of sensing the strength and direction of flow. In our experiments in microfluidic perfusion chambers, confluent ECs developed planar cell polarity at a rate proportional to the shear stress. The location of Golgi apparatus and microtubule organizing center was biased to the upstream side of the nucleus, i.e. the ECs polarized against the flow. These in vitro results agreed with observations in murine blood vessels, where EC polarization against the flow was stronger in high flow arteries than in veins. Once established, flow-induced polarization persisted over long time intervals without external shear. Transient destabilization of acto-myosin cytoskeleton by inhibition of myosin II or depolymerization of actin promoted polarization of EC against the flow, indicating that an intact acto-myosin cytoskeleton resists flow-induced polarization. These results suggested that polarization was induced by mechanical displacement of EC nuclei downstream under the hydrodynamic drag. This hypothesis was confirmed by the observation that acute application of a large hydrodynamic force to ECs resulted in an immediate downstream displacement of nuclei and was sufficient to induce persistent polarization. Taken together, our data indicate that ECs can sense the direction and strength of blood flow through the hydrodynamic drag applied to their nuclei
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