A kinetic theory of diffusion in general relativity with cosmological scalar field

A new model to describe the dynamics of particles undergoing diffusion in general relativity is proposed. The evolution of the particle system is described by a Fokker-Planck equation without friction on the tangent bundle of spacetime. It is shown that the energy-momentum tensor for this matter model is not divergence-free, which makes it inconsistent to couple the Fokker-Planck equation to the Einstein equations. This problem can be solved by postulating the existence of additional matter fields in spacetime or by modifying the Einstein equations. The case of a cosmological scalar field term added to the left hand side of the Einstein equations is studied in some details. For the simplest cosmological model, namely the flat Robertson-Walker spacetime, it is shown that, depending on the initial value of the cosmological scalar field, which can be identified with the present observed value of the cosmological constant, either unlimited expansion or the formation of a singularity in finite time will occur in the future. Future collapse into a singularity also takes place for a suitable small but positive present value of the cosmological constant, in contrast to the standard diffusion-free scenario.Comment: 17 pages, no figures. The present version corrects an erroneous statement on the physical interpretation of the results made in the original publicatio

Anisotropic properties of MgB2 by torque magnetometry

Anisotropic properties of superconducting MgB2 obtained by torque magnetometry are compared to theoretical predictions, concentrating on two issues. Firstly, the angular dependence of Hc2 is shown to deviate close to Tc from the dependence assumed by anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau theory. Secondly, from the evaluation of torque vs angle curves it is concluded that the anisotropy of the penetration depth gamma_lambda has to be substantially higher at low temperature than theoretical estimates, at least in fields higher than 0.2 T.Comment: 2 p.,2 Fig., submitted to Physica C (M2S-Rio proceedings); v2: 1 ref adde

Incommensurate Charge Order Phase in Fe2OBO3 due to Geometrical Frustration

The temperature dependence of charge order in Fe2OBO3 was investigated by resistivity and differential scanning calorimetry measurements, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and synchrotron x-ray scattering, revealing an intermediate phase between room temperature and 340 K, characterized by coexisting mobile and immobile carriers, and by incommensurate superstructure modulations with temperature-dependent propagation vector (1/2,0,tau). The incommensurate modulations arise from specific anti-phase boundaries with low energy cost due to geometrical charge frustration.Comment: 4 p., 5 fig.; v2: slightly expanded introduction + minor changes. PRL in prin

Two-gap superconductivity in Ba_1-xK_xFe_2As_2: A complementary study of the magnetic penetration depth by \muSR and ARPES

We investigate the magnetic penetration depth \lambda in superconducting Ba_1-xK_xFe_2As_2 (T_c\simeq32K) with muon-spin rotation (\muSR) and angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES). Using \muSR, we find the penetration-depth anisotropy \gamma_\lambda=\lambda_c/\lambda_{ab} and the second-critical-field anisotropy \gamma_{H_c2} to show an opposite T-evolution below T_c. This dichotomy resembles the situation in the two-gap superconductor MgB_2. A two-gap scenario is also suggested by an inflection point in the in-plane penetration depth \lambda_ab around 7K. The complementarity of \muSR and ARPES allows us to pinpoint the values of the two gaps and to arrive to a remarkable agreement between the two techniques concerning the full T-evolution of \lambda_ab. This provides further support for the described scenario and establishes ARPES as a tool to assess macroscopic properties of the superconducting condensate.Comment: Accepted for publication by Phys. Rev. Let

Anisotropy of the superconducting state properties and phase diagram of MgB2 by torque magnetometry on single crystals

The angular and temperature dependence of the upper critical field Hc2 in MgB2 was determined from torque magnetometry measurements on single crystals. The Hc2 anisotropy gamma_H was found to decrease with increasing temperature, in disagreement with the anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau theory, which predicts that the gamma_H is temperature independent. This behaviour can be explained by the two band nature of superconductivity in MgB2. An analysis of measurements of the reversible torque in the mixed state yields a field dependent effective anisotropy gamma_eff, which can be at least partially explained by different anisotropies of the penetration depth and the upper critical field. It is shown that a peak effect in fields of about 0.85 Hc2 is a manifestation of an order-disorder phase transition of vortex matter. The H-T phase diagram of MgB2 for H//c correlates with the intermediate strength of thermal fluctuations in MgB2, as compared to those in high and low Tc superconductors.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, Physica C in print (invited paper for a special issue on MgB2

A small sealed Ta crucible for thermal analysis of volatile metallic samples

Differential thermal analysis on metallic alloys containing volatile elements can be highly problematic. Here we show how measurements can be performed in commercial, small-sample, equipment without modification. This is achieved by using a sealed Ta crucible, easily fabricated from Ta tubing and sealed in a standard arc furnace. The crucible performance is demonstrated by measurements on a mixture of Mg and MgB$_2$, after heating up to 1470$^{\circ}{\rm C}$. We also show data, measured on an alloy with composition Gd$_{40}$Mg$_{60}$, that clearly shows both the liquidus and a peritectic, and is consistent with published phase diagram data

Charge Order Superstructure with Integer Iron Valence in Fe2OBO3

Solution-grown single crystals of Fe2OBO3 were characterized by specific heat, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. A peak in the specific heat at 340 K indicates the onset of charge order. Evidence for a doubling of the unit cell at low temperature is presented. Combining structural refinement of diffraction data and Mossbauer spectra, domains with diagonal charge order are established. Bond-valence-sum analysis indicates integer valence states of the Fe ions in the charge ordered phase, suggesting Fe2OBO3 is the clearest example of ionic charge order so far.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures. Fig. 3 is available in higher resolution from the authors. PRL in prin