Low Temperature Anomaly in Mesoscopic Kondo Wires

We report the observation of an anomalous magnetoresistance in extremely dilute quasi-one-dimensional AuFe wires at low temperatures, along with a hysteretic background at low fields. The Kondo resistivity does not show the unitarity limit down to the lowest temperature, implying uncompensated spin states. We suggest that the anomalous magnetoresistance may be understood as the interference correction from the accumulation of geometric phase in the conduction electron wave function around the localized impurity spin.Comment: Four pages, five figure

Strong coupling in the Kondo problem in the low-temperature region

The magnetic field dependence of the average spin of a localized electron coupled to conduction electrons with an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction is found for the ground state. In the magnetic field range $\mu H\sim 0.5 T_c$ ($T_c$ is the Kondo temperature) there is an inflection point, and in the strong magnetic field range $\mu H\gg T_c$, the correction to the average spin is proportional to $(T_c/\mu H)^2$. In zero magnetic field, the interaction with conduction electrons also leads to the splitting of doubly degenerate spin impurity states

Direct Evidence of the Role of Hybridization in the X-Ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism of a-Ce

We present an x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) study of a [Ce(10 Å)/Fe(30 Å)] multilayer performed at the Ce-M4,5 absorption edges. In this system the Ce-4f electrons are strongly hybridized with the valence band. XMCD experiments show that they carry an ordered magnetic moment. The differences of the shape of the XMCD signals of a typical g-like compound (CeCuSi) and of the Ce/ Fe multilayer highlight the role of hybridization in determining the ground state of cerium atoms in the multilayer, which results in a mixing of J = 5/2 and J = 7/2 coupled states

Tuning the 4f-state occupancy of cerium in highly correlated CeSi/ Fe multilayers: a study by x-ray absorption spectroscopy

Spectra of x-ray absorption and magnetic circular dichroism were measured at M4,5(3d) and L2,3(2p) edges of Ce in multilayers [Ce(1-x)Six/Fe]xn, with x between 0.1 and 0.65. The study uncovers the highly correlated nature of this layered system. An alpha-phase like electronic configuration of Ce is observed, with ordered magnetic moments on the 4f and 5d electrons induced by the interaction with Fe. Increasing the Si content reduces the strength of the hy-bridization between the 4f and conduction-band states which is reflected in a growing occupation and magnetic polarization of the 4f states. Variations of the shape and intensity of the L2,3-edge dichroism spectra, discussed in a simple phenomenological model, show the importance of the exchange interaction between the Ce-4f and 5d electrons, spin polarized by the interaction with Fe at the interfaces, for the electronic structure of Ce at high Si concentration and low temperature. A model of the band structure of rare-earth transition-metal compounds permits to argue that magnetic order on the Ce 4f electrons in the multilayers is due to different mechanisms: to hybridization of the Ce-4f with the Fe-3d states at low Si concentration and to intra-atomic 4f-5d exchange at high Si concentration. This is at variance with magnetic order in the intermetallics CeSi2-delta and CeSi which results from interaction between the localized 4f magnetic moments mediated by the Si-derived (s,p) conduction electrons, in competition with the Kondo effect.Comment: 31 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Possible robust insulator-superconductor transition on solid inert gas and other substrates

We present observations of the insulator-superconductor transition in ultrathin films of Bi on amorphous quartz, quartz coated with Ge, and for the first time, solid xenon condensed on quartz. The relative permeability $\epsilon_r$ ranges from 1.5 for Xe to 15 for Ge. Though we find screening effects as expected, the I-S transition is robust, and unmodified by the substrate. The resistance separatrix is found to be close to h/4e^2 and the crossover thickness close to $\rm 25 \AA$ for all substrates. I-V studies and Aslamazov-Larkin analyses indicate superconductivity is inhomogeneous. The transition can be understood in terms of a percolation model.Comment: accepted in Physical Review

Impact of Anti-Inflammatory Agents on the Gene Expression Profile of Stimulated Human Neutrophils: Unraveling Endogenous Resolution Pathways

Adenosine, prostaglandin E2, or increased intracellular cyclic AMP concentration each elicit potent anti-inflammatory events in human neutrophils by inhibiting functions such as phagocytosis, superoxide production, adhesion and cytokine release. However, the endogenous molecular pathways mediating these actions are poorly understood. In the present study, we examined their impact on the gene expression profile of stimulated neutrophils. Purified blood neutrophils from healthy donors were stimulated with a cocktail of inflammatory agonists in the presence of at least one of the following anti-inflammatory agents: adenosine A2A receptor agonist CGS 21680, prostaglandin E2, cyclic-AMP-elevating compounds forskolin and RO 20-1724. Total RNA was analyzed using gene chips and real-time PCR. Genes encoding transcription factors, enzymes and regulatory proteins, as well as secreted cytokines/chemokines showed differential expression. We identified 15 genes for which the anti-inflammatory agents altered mRNA levels. The agents affected the expression profile in remarkably similar fashion, suggesting a central mechanism limiting cell activation. We have identified a set of genes that may be part of important resolution pathways that interfere with cell activation. Identification of these pathways will improve understanding of the capacity of tissues to terminate inflammatory responses and contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies based on endogenous resolution