Enhanced magnetocaloric response in Cr/Mo containing Nanoperm-type amorphous alloys

The magnetocaloric effect of Fe76Cr8−xMoxCu1B15 (x =0,4) alloys is studied. Although the combined addition of Cr and Mo is more efficient in tuning the Curie temperature of the alloy, the Mo-free alloy presents a higher magnetocaloric response. The refrigerant capacity (RC) for the Mo-containing alloy is comparable to that of Gd5Ge1.9Si2Fe0.1 (for a field of 50 kOe, RC = 273 J kg−1 for the Mo alloy vs 240 J kg−1 for the Gd-based one), with a larger temperature span of the optimal refrigeration cycle (250 K vs 90 K, respectively). The restriction of the temperature span to 90 K gives RC = 187 J kg−1 for the Mo alloy. A master curve behavior for the magnetic entropy change is also evidenced

Unitarity Triangle Analysis in the Standard Model and Sensitivity to New Physics

By using the most recent determinations of the several theoretical and experimental input parameters, we update the Unitarity Triangle analysis in the Standard Model and discuss the sensitivity to New Physics effects. We investigate the interest of measuring with a better precision the various physical quantities entering the Unitarity Triangle analysis and study in a model independent way whether, despite the undoubted success of the CKM mechanism in the Standard Model, the Unitarity Triangle analysis still allows the presence of New Physics.Comment: Invited talk at the Workshop on the CKM Unitarity Triangle, IPPP Durham, April 2003 (eConf C0304052). 9 pages LaTeX, 15 eps figures. Misprint corrected and references adde

Experimental evidence of shock mitigation in a Hertzian tapered chain

We present an experimental study of the mechanical impulse propagation through a horizontal alignment of elastic spheres of progressively decreasing diameter $\phi_n$, namely a tapered chain. Experimentally, the diameters of spheres which interact via the Hertz potential are selected to keep as close as possible to an exponential decrease, $\phi_{n+1}=(1-q)\phi_n$, where the experimental tapering factor is either $q_1\simeq5.60$~% or $q_2\simeq8.27$~%. In agreement with recent numerical results, an impulse initiated in a monodisperse chain (a chain of identical beads) propagates without shape changes, and progressively transfer its energy and momentum to a propagating tail when it further travels in a tapered chain. As a result, the front pulse of this wave decreases in amplitude and accelerates. Both effects are satisfactorily described by the hard spheres approximation, and basically, the shock mitigation is due to partial transmissions, from one bead to the next, of momentum and energy of the front pulse. In addition when small dissipation is included, a better agreement with experiments is found. A close analysis of the loading part of the experimental pulses demonstrates that the front wave adopts itself a self similar solution as it propagates in the tapered chain. Finally, our results corroborate the capability of these chains to thermalize propagating impulses and thereby act as shock absorbing devices.Comment: ReVTeX, 7 pages with 6 eps, accepted for Phys. Rev. E (Related papers on http://www.supmeca.fr/perso/jobs/

Maximal Commutative Subalgebras Invariant for CP-Maps: (Counter-)Examples

We solve, mainly by counterexamples, many natural questions regarding maximal commutative subalgebras invariant under CP-maps or semigroups of CP-maps on a von Neumann algebra. In particular, we discuss the structure of the generators of norm continuous semigroups on B(G) leaving a maximal commutative subalgebra invariant and show that there exists Markov CP-semigroups on M_d without invariant maximal commutative subalgebras for any d>2.Comment: After the elemenitation in Version 2 of a false class of examples in Version 1, we now provide also correct examples for unital CP-maps and Markov semigroups on M_d for d>2 without invariant masa

Enhancing the critical current in quasiperiodic pinning arrays below and above the matching magnetic flux

Quasiperiodic pinning arrays, as recently demonstrated theoretically and experimentally using a five-fold Penrose tiling, can lead to a significant enhancement of the critical current Ic as compared to "traditional" regular pinning arrays. However, while regular arrays showed only a sharp peak in Ic(Phi) at the matching flux Phi1 and quasiperiodic arrays provided a much broader maximum at Phi<Phi1, both types of pinning arrays turned out to be inefficient for fluxes larger than Phi1. We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally the enhancement of Ic(Phi) for Phi>Phi1 by using non-Penrose quasiperiodic pinning arrays. This result is based on a qualitatively different mechanism of flux pinning by quasiperiodic pinning arrays and could be potentially useful for applications in superconducting micro-electronic devices operating in a broad range of magnetic fields.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

2000 CKM-Triangle Analysis A Critical Review with Updated Experimental Inputs and Theoretical Parameters

Within the Standard Model, a review of the current determination of the sides and angles of the CKM unitarity triangle is presented, using experimental constraints from the measurements of |\epsilon_K|, |V_{ub}/V_{cb}|, \Delta m_d and from the limit on \Delta m_s, available in September 2000. Results from the experimental search for {B}^0_s-\bar{B}^0_s oscillations are introduced in the present analysis using the likelihood. Special attention is devoted to the determination of the theoretical uncertainties. The purpose of the analysis is to infer regions where the parameters of interest lie with given probabilities. The BaBar "95 %, C.L. scanning" method is also commented.Comment: 44 pages (revised version

Spatio-temporal vortex beams and angular momentum

We present a space-time generalization of the known spatial (monochromatic) wave vortex beams carrying intrinsic orbital angular momentum (OAM) along the propagation direction. Generic spatio-temporal vortex beams are polychromatic and can carry intrinsic OAM at an arbitrary angle to the mean momentum. Applying either (i) a transverse wave-vector shift or (ii) a Lorentz boost to a monochromatic Bessel beam, we construct a family of either (i) time-diffracting or (ii) non-diffracting spatio-temporal Bessel beams, which are exact solutions of the Klein-Gordon wave equations. The proposed spatio-temporal OAM states are able to describe either photon or electron vortex states (both relativistic and nonrelativistic), and can find applications in particle collisions, optics of moving media, quantum communications, and astrophysics.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

La política de ciencia, tecnología e innovación y el retorno del Estado: 2007-2010, años de inestabilidad The policy of science, technology and innovation and the return of the state: 2007 2010, years of instability

This article analyzes the implementation process of the Ecuadorian science, technology and innovation policy (PCTI) within the framework of the beginning of the post-neoliberal period, which implied the strengthening of the State and the insertion of the paradigm of buen vivir.&nbsp;For this purpose, the novel elements in the definition of this policy under the framework of buen vivir are described as an introductory note. Then, the complex construction process of the explicit PCTI during these years is reviewed. Finally, the instruments implemented and their relationship with the definition of PCTI are analyzed. To this end, the concepts of explicit scientific policy and implicit scientific policy of Herrera [1] and the notion of scientific-technological paradigm of Velho [2] are used. The chosen approach is framed in the new institutionalism that understands the definition and implementation of the PCTI as the result of the strategic game of the actors involved in these processes. This case study uses investigation of historical archives, documentary analysis and in-depth interviews with relevant actors. It is found that the PCTI during these years was unstable, as there were several short-term policy documents, and that its implementation was far from the ambitious rhetoric and the major objectives, limited to two instruments: international postgraduate scholarships and financing of research and development projects

Magnetic field morphology in nearby molecular clouds as revealed by starlight and submillimetre polarization

Within four nearby (d < 160 pc) molecular clouds, we statistically evaluate the structure of the interstellar magnetic field, projected on the plane of the sky and integrated along the line of sight, as inferred from the polarized thermal emission of Galactic dust observed by Planck at 353 GHz and from the optical and NIR polarization of background starlight. We compare the dispersion of the field orientation directly in vicinities with an area equivalent to that subtended by the Planck effective beam at 353 GHz (10') and using the second-order structure functions of the field orientation angles. We find that the average dispersion of the starlight-inferred field orientations within 10'-diameter vicinities is less than 20 deg, and that at these scales the mean field orientation is on average within 5 deg of that inferred from the submillimetre polarization observations in the considered regions. We also find that the dispersion of starlight polarization orientations and the polarization fractions within these vicinities are well reproduced by a Gaussian model of the turbulent structure of the magnetic field, in agreement with the findings reported by the Planck collaboration at scales greater than 10' and for comparable column densities. At scales greater than 10', we find differences of up to 14.7 deg between the second-order structure functions obtained from starlight and submillimetre polarization observations in the same positions in the plane of the sky, but comparison with a Gaussian model of the turbulent structure of the magnetic field indicates that these differences are small and are consistent with the difference in angular resolution between both techniques.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, submitted to A&