Evolution of the bilayer nu = 1 quantum Hall state under charge imbalance

We use high-mobility bilayer hole systems with negligible tunneling to examine how the bilayer nu = 1 quantum Hall state evolves as charge is transferred from one layer to the other at constant total density. We map bilayer nu = 1 state stability versus imbalance for five total densities spanning the range from strongly interlayer coherent to incoherent. We observe competition between single-layer correlations and interlayer coherence. Most significantly, we find that bilayer systems that are incoherent at balance can develop spontaneous interlayer coherence with imbalance, in agreement with recent theoretical predictions.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Impact-induced acceleration by obstacles

We explore a surprising phenomenon in which an obstruction accelerates, rather than decelerates, a moving flexible object. It has been claimed that the right kind of discrete chain falling onto a table falls \emph{faster} than a free-falling body. We confirm and quantify this effect, reveal its complicated dependence on angle of incidence, and identify multiple operative mechanisms. Prior theories for direct impact onto flat surfaces, which involve a single constitutive parameter, match our data well if we account for a characteristic delay length that must impinge before the onset of excess acceleration. Our measurements provide a robust determination of this parameter. This supports the possibility of modeling such discrete structures as continuous bodies with a complicated constitutive law of impact that includes angle of incidence as an input.Comment: small changes and corrections, added reference

Surfactant-induced migration of a spherical drop in Stokes flow

In Stokes flows, symmetry considerations dictate that a neutrally-buoyant spherical particle will not migrate laterally with respect to the local flow direction. We show that a loss of symmetry due to flow-induced surfactant redistribution leads to cross-stream drift of a spherical drop in Poiseuille flow. We derive analytical expressions for the migration velocity in the limit of small non-uniformities in the surfactant distribution, corresponding to weak-flow conditions or a high-viscosity drop. The analysis predicts that the direction of migration is always towards the flow centerline.Comment: Significant extension with additional text, figures, equations, et

Vortex lattices in the lowest Landau level for confined Bose-Einstein condensates

We present the results of numerical calculations of the groundstates of weakly-interacting Bose-Einstein condensates containing large numbers of vortices. Our calculations show that these groundstates appear to be close to uniform triangular vortex lattices. However, slight deviations from a uniform triangular lattice have dramatic consequences on the overall particle distribution. In particular, we demonstrate that the overall particle distribution averaged on a lengthscale large compared to the vortex lattice constant is well approximated by a Thomas-Fermi profile.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Potential of the predatory mite, Amblyseius swirskii to suppress the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus on the gboma eggplant, Solanum macrocarpon

In Benin, the tarsonemid mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Prostigmata: Tarsonemidae) is a key pest of gboma eggplant Solanum macrocarpon (L.) (Solanales: Solanaceae), a leafy vegetable on which it causes considerable damage to the plants and substantial reduction in yield. Predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae have been successfully used in the biological control of numerous agricultural pests worldwide. In that respect, a population of the phytoseiid mite Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) has been identified as a potential predator of P. latus, and is now a candidate for release against this pest in Benin. The objective of the present study is to determine, through laboratory experiments, the predation rate and life table parameters of A. swirskii when feeding on P. latus or alternative food such as maize pollen. Under laboratory conditions the mean number of P. latus consumed by A. swirskii, and daily oviposition, significantly increased as the number of prey increased. Total development time of A. swirskii was significantly shorter when it fed on P. latus than on maize pollen. Net reproduction rate, intrinsic rate of increase, mean generation time and the finite rate of increase of A. swirskii were were all significantly lower on P. latus than on maize pollen. However, doubling time was significantly higher on maize pollen. This study shows that A. swirskii is a good predator of P. latus, and that maize pollen can efficiently sustain A. swirskii populations when P. latus densities on plants become low. Consequently, A. swirskii can be used for the biological control of the broad mite P. latus on gboma eggplant, and on other solanaceous crops in Benin and elsewhere

Anomalous curvature evolution and geometric regularization of energy focusing in the snapping dynamics of a flexible body

We examine the focusing of kinetic energy and the amplification of various quantities during the snapping motion of the free end of a flexible structure. This brief but violent event appears to be a regularized finite-time singularity, with remarkably large spikes in velocity, acceleration, and tension easily induced by generic initial and boundary conditions. A numerical scheme for the inextensible string equations is validated against available experimental data for a falling chain and further employed to explore the phenomenon. We determine that the discretization of the equations, equivalent to the physically discrete problem of a chain, does not provide the regularizing length scale, which in the absence of other physical effects must then arise from the geometry of the problem. An analytical solution for a geometrically singular limit, a falling perfectly-folded string, accounts surprisingly well for the scalings of several quantities in the numerics, but can only indirectly suggest a behavior for the curvature, one which seems to explain prior experimental data but does not correspond to the evolution of the curvature peak in our system, which instead displays a newly observed anomalously slow scaling. A simple model, incorporating only knowledge of the initial conditions along with the anomalous and singular-limit scalings, provides reasonable estimates for the amplifications of relevant quantities. This is a first step to predict and harness arbitrarily large energy focusing in structures, with a practical limit set only by length scales present in the discrete mechanical system or the initial conditions.Comment: revised text and figure

Conserving Our Cultural Heritage: The Role of Fungi in Biodeterioration

The objects of cultural heritage are composed of varied materials which can be affected by diverse microbial communities. The study of these complex and heterogeneous assemblies of materials and microorganisms require an inter- and multi-disciplinary approach. Development of a strategy towards prevention, mitigation of biodeterioration and removal of microorganisms, especially fungi begins with the understanding of the materials\u27 fabric, assessment of causes behind the biodeterioration, and the context in which it occurs. Three aspects of biodeterioration of cultural heritage are discussed: 1) the multitude of bio-agents\u27 on cultural heritage materials, 2) fungal interaction with substrates, and 3) prevention and conservation of biodeteriorated artworks. The challenges of conservators\u27 work in dealing with bio-degraded museum collections are discussed based on the case studies of biodeteriorated art on paper, exemplifying two types of interaction with the substrate: 1) surface deposits of pigmented spores/conidia, and 2) pigmented fruiting structures embedded in the matrix of the substrate. The microbial metabolites deteriorate the substrates on which they grow resulting in chemical and physical changes of the material bulk and surface, at times leading to structural weakening. We focused our studies on black stains which are prevalent on art rendered on paper, a subject that has received very little attention. Our techniques of analysis included three-dimensional topographic imaging and visualization, structural characterization and optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM)

Simulations of a Scintillator Compton Gamma Imager for Safety and Security

We are designing an all-scintillator Compton gamma imager for use in security investigations and remediation actions involving radioactive threat material. To satisfy requirements for a rugged and portable instrument, we have chosen solid scintillator for the active volumes of both the scatter and absorber detectors. Using the BEAMnrc/EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulation package, we have constructed models using four different materials for the scatter detector: LaBr_3, NaI, CaF_2 and PVT. We have compared the detector performances using angular resolution, efficiency, and image resolution. We find that while PVT provides worse performance than that of the detectors based entirely on inorganic scintillators, all of the materials investigated for the scatter detector have the potential to provide performance adequate for our purposes.Comment: Revised text and figures, Presented at SORMA West 2008, Published in IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Scienc

Spin Susceptibility and Gap Structure of the Fractional-Statistics Gas

This paper establishes and tests procedures which can determine the electron energy gap of the high-temperature superconductors using the $t\!-\!J$ model with spinon and holon quasiparticles obeying fractional statistics. A simpler problem with similar physics, the spin susceptibility spectrum of the spin 1/2 fractional-statistics gas, is studied. Interactions with the density oscillations of the system substantially decrease the spin gap to a value of $(0.2 \pm 0.2)$ $\hbar \omega_c$, much less than the mean-field value of $\hbar\omega_c$. The lower few Landau levels remain visible, though broadened and shifted, in the spin susceptibility. As a check of the methods, the single-particle Green's function of the non-interacting Bose gas viewed in the fermionic representation, as computed by the same approximation scheme, agrees well with the exact results. The same mechanism would reduce the gap of the $t\!-\!J$ model without eliminating it.Comment: 35 pages, written in REVTeX, 16 figures available upon request from [email protected]

Smart and flexible electric heat: an energy futures lab briefing paper

Heating in residential, commercial and industrial settings makes up almost half of final energy consumption in the UK, more than the energy consumed for electricity or transport. The electrification of heat is anticipated to play a major role for the UK’s efforts to reduce emissions to net-zero by 2050. Heating demand is highly variable between seasons and time of day. To take maximum advantage of low-carbon generation, and to respect the limitations of the distribution grid, electricity loads for heating will need to be flexible. This Briefing Paper explores the potential for smart flexible low-carbon electric heating in UK homes and the challenges for consumer engagement. This paper considers four key elements for enabling smart, flexible and cost- effective electric heating in UK homes: low-carbon heating systems; cost-reflective electricity pricing; thermally efficient buildings; and smart storage devices