Theory of Non-Reciprocal Optical Effects in Antiferromagnets: The Case Cr_2O_3

A microscopic model of non-reciprocal optical effects in antiferromagnets is developed by considering the case of Cr_2O_3 where such effects have been observed. These effects are due to a direct coupling between light and the antiferromagnetic order parameter. This coupling is mediated by the spin-orbit interaction and involves an interplay between the breaking of inversion symmetry due to the antiferromagnetic order parameter and the trigonal field contribution to the ligand field at the magnetic ion. We evaluate the matrix elements relevant for the non-reciprocal second harmonic generation and gyrotropic birefringence.Comment: accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Two--magnon scattering and the spin--phonon interaction beyond the adiabatic approximation

We consider a model of Raman scattering for a two--dimensional $S=1/2$ Heisenberg Anti-Ferromagnet which includes a {\it dynamical} spin--phonon interaction. We observe a broadening of the line shape due to increased coupling with excited high--energy spin states. Our results are close to a model of random static exchange interactions, first introduced in this context by Haas {\it et al.} [J. Appl. Phys. {\bf 75}, 6340, (1994)], which, when extended to large numbers of spins, explains experiments in the parent insulating compounds of high-$T_c$ superconductors.Comment: 14 pages (revtex format), 8 postscript figure

Early stages of ramified growth in quasi-two-dimensional electrochemical deposition

I have measured the early stages of the growth of branched metal aggregates formed by electrochemical deposition in very thin layers. The growth rate of spatial Fourier modes is described qualitatively by the results of a linear stability analysis [D.P. Barkey, R.H. Muller, and C.W. Tobias, J. Electrochem. Soc. {\bf 136}, 2207 (1989)]. The maximum growth rate is proportional to $(I/c)^\delta$ where $I$ is the current through the electrochemical cell, $c$ the electrolyte concentration, and $\delta = 1.37 \pm 0.08$. Differences between my results and the theoretical predictions suggest that electroconvection in the electrolyte has a large influence on the instability leading to ramified growth.Comment: REVTeX, four ps figure

L\'evy Distribution of Single Molecule Line Shape Cumulants in Low Temperature Glass

We investigate the distribution of single molecule line shape cumulants, $\kappa_1,\kappa_2,...$, in low temperature glasses based on the sudden jump, standard tunneling model. We find that the cumulants are described by L\'evy stable laws, thus generalized central limit theorem is applicable for this problem.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Third order dielectric susceptibility in a model quantum paraelectric

In the context of perovskite quantum paraelectrics, we study the effects of a quadrupolar interaction $J_q$, in addition to the standard dipolar one $J_d$. We concentrate here on the nonlinear dielectric response $\chi_{P}^{(3)}$, as the main response function sensitive to quadrupolar (in our case antiquadrupolar) interactions. We employ a 3D quantum four-state lattice model and mean-field theory. The results show that inclusion of quadrupolar coupling of moderate strength ($J_q \sim {{1}\over{4}} J_d$) is clearly accompanied by a double change of sign of $\chi_{P}^{(3)}$ from negative to positive, near the quantum temperature $T_Q$ where the quantum paraelectric behaviour sets in. We fit our $\chi_{P}^{(3)}$ to recent experimental data for SrTiO$_3$, where the sign change is identified close to $T_Q \sim 37 K$.Comment: 22 page

Two-magnon Raman scattering in spin-ladder geometries and the ratio of rung and leg exchange constants

We discuss ways in which the ratio of exchange constants along the rungs and legs of a spin-ladder material influences the two-magnon Raman scattering spectra and hence can be determined from it. We show that within the Fleury-Loudon-Elliott approach, the Raman line-shape does not change with polarization geometries. This lineshape is well known to be difficult to calculate accurately from theory. However, the Raman scattering intensities do vary with polarization geometries, which are easy to calculate. With some assumptions about the Raman scattering Hamiltonian, the latter can be used to estimate the ratio of exchange constants. We apply these results to Sugai's recent measurements of Raman scattering from spin-ladder materials such as La$_6$Ca$_8$Cu$_{24}$O$_{41}$ and Sr$_{14}$Cu$_{24}$O$_{41}$.Comment: 5 pages, revtex. Latest version focuses on ladder materials, with a detailed examination of the role of Heisenberg-like coupling constants which appear in the Fleury-Loudon-Elliott scattering operator but are rarely discussed in the literatur

Raman Response in Doped Antiferromagnets

The resonant part of the $B_{1g}$ electronic Raman scattering response is calculated within the $t-J$ model on a planar lattice as a function of temperature and hole doping, using a finite-temperature diagonalization method for small systems. Results, directly applicable to experiments on cuprates, reveal on doping a very pronounced increase of the width of the two-magnon Raman peak, accompanied by a decrease of the total intensity. At the same time the peak position does not shift substantially in the underdoped regime.Comment: 11 pages revtex, 3 postscript figures. Minor corrections and changes from previous version, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Oral and intestinal dysbiosis in Parkinson's disease.

The suspicion of an origin of Parkinson's disease (PD) at the periphery of the body and the involvement of environmental risk factors in the pathogenesis of PD have directed the attention of the scientific community towards the microbiota. The microbiota represents all the microorganisms residing both in and on a host. It plays an essential role in the physiological functioning of the host. In this article, we review the dysbiosis repeatedly demonstrated in PD and how it influences PD symptoms. Dysbiosis is associated with both motor and non-motor PD symptoms. In animal models, dysbiosis only promotes symptoms in individuals genetically susceptible to Parkinson's disease, suggesting that dysbiosis is a risk factor but not a cause of Parkinson's disease. We also review how dysbiosis contributes to the pathophysiology of PD. Dysbiosis induces numerous and complex metabolic changes, resulting in increased intestinal permeability, local and systemic inflammation, production of bacterial amyloid proteins that promote α-synuclein aggregation, as well as a decrease in short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria that have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective potential. In addition, we review how dysbiosis decreases the efficacy of dopaminergic treatments. We then discuss the interest of dysbiosis analysis as a biomarker of Parkinson's disease. Finally, we give an overview of how interventions modulating the gut microbiota such as dietary interventions, pro-biotics, intestinal decontamination and fecal microbiota transplantation could influence the course of PD

Resonant two-magnon Raman scattering in parent compounds of high-Tc_c superconductors.

We propose a theory of two-magnon Raman scattering from the insulating parent compounds of high-T$_c$ superconductors, which contains information not only on magnetism, but also on the electronic properties in these materials. We use spin density wave formalism for the Hubbard model, and study diagrammatically the profile of the two-magnon scattering and its intensity dependence on the incoming photon frequency $\omega_i$ both for $\omega_i \ll U$ and in the resonant regime, in which the energy of the incident photon is close to the gap between conduction and valence bands. In the nonresonant case, we identify the diagrams which contribute to the conventional Loudon-Fleury Hamiltonian. In the resonant regime, where most of the experiments have been done, we find that the dominant contribution to Raman intensity comes from a different diagram, one which allows for a simultaneous vanishing of all three of its denominators (i.e., a triple resonance). We study this diagram in detail and show that the triple resonance, combined with the spin-density-wave dispersion relation for the carriers, explains the unusual features found in the two-magnon profile and in the two-magnon peak intensity dependence on the incoming photon frequency. In particular, our theory predicts a maximum of the two-magnon peak intensity right at the upper edge of the features in the optical data, which has been one of the key experimental puzzles.Comment: Revtex, 12 postscript figures (uuencoded