Switching between different vortex states in 2-dimensional easy-plane magnets due to an ac magnetic field

Using a discrete model of 2-dimensional easy-plane classical ferromagnets, we propose that a rotating magnetic field in the easy plane can switch a vortex from one polarization to the opposite one if the amplitude exceeds a threshold value, but the backward process does not occur. Such switches are indeed observed in computer simulations.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Recent Developments of World-Line Monte Carlo Methods

World-line quantum Monte Carlo methods are reviewed with an emphasis on breakthroughs made in recent years. In particular, three algorithms -- the loop algorithm, the worm algorithm, and the directed-loop algorithm -- for updating world-line configurations are presented in a unified perspective. Detailed descriptions of the algorithms in specific cases are also given.Comment: To appear in Journal of Physical Society of Japa

Critical dynamics in the 2d classical XY-model: a spin dynamics study

Using spin-dynamics techniques we have performed large-scale computer simulations of the dynamic behavior of the classical three component XY-model (i.e. the anisotropic limit of an easy-plane Heisenberg ferromagnet), on square lattices of size up to 192^2, for several temperatures below, at, and above T_KT. The temporal evolution of spin configurations was determined numerically from coupled equations of motion for individual spins by a fourth order predictor-corrector method, with initial spin configurations generated by a hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm. The neutron scattering function S(q,omega) was calculated from the resultant space-time displaced spin-spin correlation function. Pronounced spin-wave peaks were found both in the in-plane and the out-of-plane scattering function over a wide range of temperatures. The in-plane scattering function S^xx also has a large number of clear but weak additional peaks, which we interpret to come from two-spin-wave scattering. In addition, we observed a small central peak in S^xx, even at temperatures well below the phase transition. We used dynamic finite size scaling theory to extract the dynamic critical exponent z. We find z=1.00(4) for all T <= T_KT, in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions, although the shape of S(q,omega) is not well described by current theory.Comment: 31 pages, LaTex, 13 figures (38 subfigures) included as eps-files, needs psfig, 260 K

Theoretical analysis of neutron scattering results for quasi-two dimensional ferromagnets

A theoretical study has been carried out to analyse the available results from the inelastic neutron scattering experiment performed on a quasi-two dimensional spin-1/2 ferromagnetic material $K_2CuF_4$. Our formalism is based on a conventional semi-classical like treatment involving a model of an ideal gas of vortices/anti-vortices corresponding to an anisotropic XY Heisenberg ferromagnet on a square lattice. The results for dynamical structure functions for our model corresponding to spin-1/2, show occurrence of negative values in a large range of energy transfer even encompassing the experimental range, when convoluted with a realistic spectral window function. This result indicates failure of the conventional theoretical framework to be applicable to the experimental situation corresponding to low spin systems. A full quantum formalism seems essential for treating such systems.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures, 1 Table Submitted for publicatio

Root growth and nitrate uptake of three different catch crops in deep soil layers

Catch crops can reduce NO3 losses from leaching, but little is known about the importance of deep rooting for the efficiency of NO3 depletion. In a field experiment, we investigated the N uptake and root growth of three types of catch crops using minirhizotrons (glass tubes of 70-mm o.d.) reaching 2.4 m. Our purpose was to evaluate minirhizotron methodology and the importance of deep rooting in the ability of catch crops to take up NO3 from deep soil layers. Nitrogen uptake was studied over a 6-d period at the end of October by injection of 15NO3 at four depths in the ranges: 0.4 to 1, 0.5 to 1.4, and 1 to 2.5 m under Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), winter rye (Secale cereale L.), and fodder radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiformis Pers.), respectively. The root depth of the three species were 0.6, 1.1, and more than 2.4 m, respectively. No 15N was taken up from placements below root depth, and linear relationships were found between root density and 15N uptake from different depths. Residual soil NO3 of 18, 59, and 87 kg N ha−1 was left under fodder radish, winter rye, and ryegrass, respectively. The measurements obtained with the minirhizotron method were highly relevant for evaluating N uptake from different soil layers, and root depths of the catch crops were important for N depletion. Knowledge about root growth and N uptake in deep soil layers may be utilized when designing crop rotations with improved N use efficiency. Where N has been left by a preceding crop and leached to deeper soil layers, it may be recycled by deep-rooted catch crops

Internal Modes and Magnon Scattering on Topological Solitons in 2d Easy-Axis Ferromagnets

We study the magnon modes in the presence of a topological soliton in a 2d Heisenberg easy-axis ferromagnet. The problem of magnon scattering on the soliton with arbitrary relation between the soliton radius R and the "magnetic length" Delta_0 is investigated for partial modes with different values of the azimuthal quantum numbers m. Truly local modes are shown to be present for all values of m, when the soliton radius is enough large. The eigenfrequencies of such internal modes are calculated analytically on limiting case of a large soliton radius and numerically for arbitrary soliton radius. It is demonstrated that the model of an isotropic magnet, which admits an exact analytical investigation, is not adequate even for the limit of small radius solitons, R<<Delta_0: there exists a local mode with nonzero frequency. We use the data about local modes to derive the effective equation of soliton motion; this equation has the usual Newtonian form in contrast to the case of the easy-plane ferromagnet. The effective mass of the soliton is found.Comment: 33 pages (REVTeX), 12 figures (EPS

Polarized Neutron Reflectometry of Nickel Corrosion Inhibitors.

Polarized neutron reflectometry has been used to investigate the detailed adsorption behavior and corrosion inhibition mechanism of two surfactants on a nickel surface under acidic conditions. Both the corrosion of the nickel surface and the structure of the adsorbed surfactant layer could be monitored in situ by the use of different solvent contrasts. Layer thicknesses and roughnesses were evaluated over a range of pH values, showing distinctly the superior corrosion inhibition of one negatively charged surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) compared to a positively charged example (dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide) due to its stronger binding interaction with the surface. It was found that adequate corrosion inhibition occurs at significantly less than full surface coverage.X-ray photoelectron spectra were obtained at the National Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) XPS User’s Service (NEXUS) at Newcastle University, an EPSRC midrange facility. NR data were obtained on the D17 instrument, and samples were treated in the laboratories of the Partnership for Soft Condensed Matter (PSCM) at the Institut Laue-Langevin. M.H.W. is grateful for funding from the Oppenheimer Trust.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from the American Chemical Society via http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b0171

Inclusive production of charged hadrons and Ks0K_{s}^{0} mesons in photon-photon collisions

The production of charged hadrons and K_s mesons in the collisions of quasi-real photons has been measured using the OPAL detector at LEP. The data were taken at e+e- centre-of-mass energies of 161 and 172 GeV. The differential cross-sections as a function of the transverse momentum and the pseudorapidity of the charged hadrons and K_s mesons have been compared to the leading order Monte Carlo simulations of PHOJET and PYTHIA and to perturbative next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD calculations. The distributions have been measured in the range 10-125 GeV of the hadronic invariant mass W. By comparing the transverse momentum distribution of charged hadrons measured in gamma-gamma interactions with gamma-proton and meson-proton data we find evidence for hard photon interactions in addition to the purely hadronic photon interactions.The production of charged hadrons and K_s mesons in the collisions of quasi-real photons has been measured using the OPAL detector at LEP. The data were taken at e+e- centre-of-mass energies of 161 and 172 GeV. The differential cross-sections as a function of the transverse momentum and the pseudorapidity of the charged hadrons and K_s mesons have been compared to the leading order Monte Carlo simulations of PHOJET and PYTHIA and to perturbative next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD calculations. The distributions have been measured in the range 10-125 GeV of the hadronic invariant mass W. By comparing the transverse momentum distribution of charged hadrons measured in gamma-gamma interactions with gamma-proton and meson-proton data we find evidence for hard photon interactions in addition to the purely hadronic photon interactions